ROTARY SPOKES The Rotary Club of Ventura Weekly Bulletin

1. ROTARY SPOKES • The Rotary Club of Ventura • Weekly Bulletin • “The friendliest club in Rotary” • 100% Paul Harris Club Editor: Maria Berntson maria@lindsayandcompanycpa.com Photographers: John McConica II, Dan Holmes Assistant Editor: Betsy Chess newwester@sbcglobal.net Jim Deardorff, Steve Doll Volume LXXXXII Number 22 December 21, 2011 Meeting of December 7, 2011 Program: The American Tall Ship Institute Reporter: Nanci Cone December 14, 2011 Children’s Christmas Shopping Spree & Santa Visit Photos by John Brant Happy Holidays!!!!! Introductions President Lynda called the meeting to order and introduced Terri Adams to lead us in the Salute to the Flag and deliver the inspiration. After that, RoseAnn Hill led us in singing "America the Beautiful" in her singing range! Guests were introduced right after that. Election of Officers & Directors 2011-12 Terry Schaeffer read the slate of officers and Directors for the upcoming year. He asked if there were any objections or other nominations. When there were none, he asked the membership to vote on the roster and it was unanimously accepted. Good going Terry, and congratulations to all! AnnouncementsLarry Emrich noted there were still some squares available for the Oregon-Wisconsin game that needed to be fillled. The person with the winning square will be honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship.Jill, our beloved server, was called to the podium and presented with gift certificates for her and the staff. She thanked everyone and then donated $5 in happy dollars later on during the meeting.Steve Kipp reminded everyone about the need for Salvation Army bell ringers for December 17. He let us know that many people had stepped up to help but he could always use more volunteers.Kristin Taylor was really excited (something highly unusual for her) about how many coats had been donated to the Coats for Kids campaign before the meeting. The van was filled with more than 400 coats but she still wants more! She is expecting 100% participation from the club (and who would argue with Kristin?). Ken Cooper won the $100 gift certificate to a restaurant of his choice by donating more than 100 coats - way to go Ken!!Rob van Nieuwberg again reminded us that the children’s shopping and Christmas Party is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14. Sally Crain and Hilford Moving & Storage invited everyone to come out to help tag and sort the stuffed animals for the Furry Friends program on Sunday, December 10 at 1 pm.Terry Schaeffer requested a suggestion box be available to the members and there will be one available every week for people to post suggestions. Rotary MomentEd Campbell spoke movingly about how he had lost millions of dollars during the economic downturn. With the help of his friends in Rotary, he was able to put his life back together and start over again.ProgramNanci Cone introduced Captain Stephen Taylor and Education Director Nate Gilman of The American Tall Ship Institute (ATSI). Captain Steve talked about how he had gotten the sailing bug as a child (even though he came from a landlocked family) and pursued that dream by moving to Florida where he apprenticed with an established captain who taught him everything he needed to know about handling a tall ship. He eventually made his way to Los Angeles continued p. 2 Web addresses: Club www.venturarotary.org– Photos: www.rotarycov.smugmug.com District 5240 www.rotarydistrict5240.org – R.I. www.rotary.org

2. Meeting Programs & Assignments Program continued Where he found himself bringing vessels from the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) to Channel Islands Harbor once a year. He realized that there was a vast number of youth that could benefit not only from traditional sail training but educational programs about the marine environment as well. Recognizing this need, and with the help of LAMI founder, Jim Gladson, he started the American Tall Ship Institute (ATSI) in 2007 to address the specific needs here in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Nate Gilman joined ATSI around five months ago to help teach at-risk youth. He said, "Tall ships create an opportunity to introduce a real world application to life. We encourage team building, problem solving, decision-making, self-reliance, and provide youth with uniquechallenges that develop the leadership skills and attitudes needed to live productive lives. Our marine science and maritime history curriculum currently focuses on 4th through 12th grades. We also have been working with the Naval Sea Cadets, Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts on weekend and week-long trips that teach the discipline needed to keep a 137’ gaff rigged schooner sailing smoothly with marine science programs that teach Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics principles." He noted that the students have the opportunity to do either squid or urchin dissection, a requirement for biology classes. He noted the kids loved doing it because it was "so squishy!" Captain Steve said that The Bill of Rights, their two-masted schooner, was built in Gloucester, Maine in 1971 by Harvey Gammage - one of his last two boats. These types of boats were built for speed to hold large amounts of fish so it could get to harbor quickly, After new ships were brought in to use in L.A., the Bill of Rights was sitting in Long Beach for years before he acquired it and he and his staff have been restoring it for four years now to its original glory. He works to engage gang members in the hope that he can reach these kids and set them on a better course. To do this, he sells tickets through Island Packers for weekend day trips and the money they earn fund the youth programs they offer. Additionally, he has a large community volunteer program that ranges in age from 16-93.He invited everyone to come out and tour the boat over the upcoming weekend at Channel Islands Harbor during their Annual Festival of Lights.Following questions from the audience, President Lynda thanks the speakers and adjourned the meeting at 1:30. Programs Chair: Larry Emrich December 21, 2011 D A R K December 28, 2011 Joint Meeting with R C Ventura East and South Program: John Zeretzki Introductions Chair: Ron Calkins Dec 28 – Dave Loe Rotary Moment Chair: Terri Adams Fining Chair: Ron Bamieh No Rotary Moment or Fining Dec. 28 2011-12 Officers and Directors • Officers • President ………………………………... Lynda Girtsman • President Elect ………………………………… Indy Batra • Secretary ……………………….................. Jim Deardoff • Recording Secretary * …….. ……………. Larry Emrich • Treasurer ………………………………. Christine Tonello • Assistant Treasurer * ……………………… Mark Sauer • Immediate Past President …….. …… Hutch Hutchinson • Non-Voting Position • Avenues of Service • Club Service • Director ………………………………… Terry Schaeffer • Assistant Director ………………………. . Dan Holmes • Community Service • Director ………………………………. Curtis Cormane • Assistant Director ………………………… Nanci Cone • International Service • Director …………………………… Mario de la Piedra • Assistant Director ……………………….. Ed McCombs • New Generations • Director ……………………………….Ellyn Dembowski • Assistant ………………………………........Ken Cooper • Vocational Service • Director …………………………………….. . Bill Finley • Assistant ………………………………... Todd Binkley December 28 Joint Club Meeting with Ventura East and South Award-winning composer, humanitarian, educator and world musician, John Zeretzke, will be presenting a unique program for our Rotary group about his travels around the world. Discover the musical inventions of the 21st century!