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A new member was proposed to the board of directors at our meeting last night.
Richard Grossman proposed Anica Barbosa (Health Services).
The board of directors approved the proposal.
Current Meeting Status
Due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic, our meetings going forward will be conducted via video conference only. Stay tuned for updates and please feel free to contact us.
Richard Grossman proposed Anica Barbosa (Health Services).
The board of directors approved the proposal.
Despite the pandemic, a number of us met up at a member's house to conduct business as usual. We utilized some technology to hangout with a few more via video conference. I must say, we adapted quite well and quickly. Quite the Rotary Moment if you will. We had a great speaker! Joshua Kort presented his Eagle Scout Project. His father, Mike Kort, a member of our club and the rest of his family was present. Joshua's presentation was received very well. He is looking for assistance, for items listed in his presentation, and monetary donations. If you are inclined to donate, please Contact Us.
Every year we are delighted by a visit from our District Governor. This year proved no different as our DG, Savi Bhim, graced us with her presence and gave us a motivational speech about Rotary and our District. In usual fashion, we also like to have our distinguished guest present while we present some amazing awards. This time, our Vocational Service Chair, Paula Miller, presented awards to three outstanding individuals. The recipients were:
- Jessica Neumann, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
- Brian Heath, Fire Fighter of the Year
- Matthew Abbe, Teacher of the Year (Santa Susana High School)
We wanted to recognize these professions and these exceptional people who serve to protect our community’s lives, homes, businesses and prepare our children for the future.
The Rotary Club of Simi Sunset recently did their annual Reading By Nine community project.
The event took place on Monday, March 9th, 2020 at Crestview and Parkview Elementary Schools in Simi Valley.
This long time community project started with the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset getting a Rotary grant to help fund the purchase of hundreds of books for an elementary school. This year's club Community Service Chair, Mike Kort, coordinated with Simi's Unified School District to find out which elementary school had the most need for new books. For the second time in a row, the combined donations from the Simi Sunset Club and Rotary Grants helped provide enough books for TWO schools. Mike then coordinated with the schools to plan a day where Rotarians can deliver the books to several classrooms, possibly read a story or two, and get the children excited about reading. One of Rotary's key causes is to support basic education and literacy. Both schools were excited about this project. Mike said, "the teachers and the principals were very appreciative and the kids enjoyed being read to." The experience of reading in front of these students and watching their faces light up with eagerness to hear more is quite rewarding. In most cases, the students can't wait to see all the new books they've received.
The end result... 557 books were delivered to 2 schools. Over 300 kids and teachers benefited this year!
Many thanks to Schwabe books for their participation and allowing all books to be 50% off to the schools. Thanks to Simi Unified School District for helping us coordinate this project on a yearly basis. And of course, all the Rotarians and volunteers for their help in selecting, delivering and reading the books to the students.
Members from all five Rotary Clubs in Moorpark and Simi Valley meet once a year to share projects and listen to a great speaker. Our distinguished speaker was Hall of Famer, Bob Miller, Sportscaster for the LA Kings!
Patty Mullins is the CEO of Make A Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties. Make A Wish grants wishes to children who are battling life threatening medical conditions. Patty's chapter was founded in 1985 and has granted the wishes of more than 1,750 local children between 2 1/2 - 18 years of age. They serve Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Patty believes that the wishes that are granted are game-changers for these children and she shared many of their touching stories.
Jeremy Jensen was a very delightful and passionate speaker about his business, JJJBees. His company was founded in 2010 as a result of the rapid decrease of bees in captivity, over the last decade. The importance of saving the bees has been the primary motivation for the company and its continued growth. Since its foundation, the company has grown to 200 hives. Jeremy provided excellent insight as to how bees exist in nature and how they behave. He also provided us all with a taste of honey. Nice touch!
Simi Sunset club member, Amanda Wilson, shared her recent experience on a National Immunization Day (NID) trip to India. NID is a yearly activity that usually consists of Rotarians from all over the world heading to India for a couple weeks where planning committees organize strategic teams that conduct door to door immunizations. The goal... to End Polio Now! During the door to door immunizations, Rotarians provide drops for children to help their bodies become immune to the virus. Amanda shared that 170 - 172 million children were immunized in one day. Our district, along with our club, helps to support members that would like to go. Our District NID Coordinator, Anil Garg (also present this evening) has been on over a dozen NID trips to aid our district team in India.
Pattie Braga is a Director at the Ventura County Leadership Academy. Much like Simi Valley Leadership provided by Simi Chamber of Commerce, the Ventura County Leadership Academy connects and cultivates a diverse network of passionate, capable leaders through an immersion in both critical issues shaping Ventura County and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Pattie came to tell us all about it.
Tonight's meeting was led by the Interact Club at Santa Susana High School. Simi Sunset's Charter. Interact is the stepping stone into Rotary. They hold their own meetings, have a board of directors, and plan community events. These kids are our future and we couldn't be prouder.
