President Kelly Ricker called today’s meeting to order at 7:37am. As it is acknowledged this is her last meeting of her presidential term, a member of our club announces that the best job in Rotary is Past President! This is followed by an invocation led by the always inspirational, Ken Shadle.
Roger Ridley imparted historical knowledge upon us during his presentation of A Moment in History. Here are a few highlights ranging from 1497 through 1979:
1497: John Cabot claims East Canada for England
1664: New Jersey is established as a colony
1812: Napoleon invades Russia
1853: Franklin Pierce purchases 29,000 square miles (New Mexico) for $10 million from Mexico
1861: Tennessee is the 11th state to secede from the United States
1901: Pablo Picasso’s first major exhibit in Paris
1922: The American Professional Football Association changes their name to the National Football League
1947: Jackie Robinson, of the Brooklyn Dodgers, steals home for the first time in his career
1964: The Federal Trade Commission requires a health warning posted on cigarette packages that cigarette smoking is hazardous to your health
1979: Ricky Henderson, of the Oakland A’s making his debut, steals 1st base
Our Rotary Minute, presented by Ed Harris, was on the history of the admission of women to Rotary. In 1978, the Rotary Club of Duarte, California, USA, invited three women to become members. The Rotary International (RI) Board withdrew the charter of that club for violation of the RI constitution. The club brought suit against RI claiming a violation of a state civil rights law that prevents discrimination of any form in business establishments or public accommodations. The appeals court and the California Supreme Court supported the Duarte position that Rotary could not remove the club's charter merely for inducting women into the club. The United States Supreme Court upheld the California court indicating that Rotary clubs do have a "business purpose" and are in some ways public-type organizations.
Ed acknowledged all of the women currently in our club and the outstanding contributions they have made to our community and our club. He also acknowledged our current District Governor, Savi Bhim and District Governor Elect, Deborah Linden. Thank you, ladies, and thank you Ed for sharing this important event that changed the history of Rotary.
Our speaker today was Chris Head, teacher at St. Josephs High School in Orcutt, CA. Chris is a teacher of history, economics and civics and is known to our club, having shared with us before. Chris’s topic today was on Volunteerism in California during World War II. One of the many areas Chris discussed, was how volunteerism helped our nation, and the world, during the war. Some of the examples he included were right here on our Central Coast. San Luis Obispo Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis provided entertainment for soldiers at Camp San Luis, the “Take-a-soldier-home-to-dinner” project, San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune, March 1941, the Santa Maria Rifle Club volunteered to aid in civil defense if invaded and the Rotary Club of Guadalupe engaged in plane spotting efforts. His presentation was fascinating and you can actually view his thesis on the topic at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/62/
Thank you, Chris, for such an informative and eye-opening presentation!
President Kelly Ricker closed her last meeting of her presidential year thanking club members for our support. And in her very own Kelly way, deflected all acknowledgement from herself and gave credit to our club’s success to our members. Kelly, what a great year of sacrifice you have given our community and our club. Many accomplishments you should be proud of in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. You are a model Rotarian and you rock!