Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 04.20.2017

Before the speaker, Club President Ramon Rodriguez talked about the Earth Day event to be held in front of City Hall on Saturday, April 22 from 10 am to 2pm. Daniel said that there should be several Rotary members in attendance.  President Ramon said he would attend and possibly there will be another one or two members attending. Also Ramon stated that the Annual District Assembly will be Saturday, June 3, 7:30am to 11am, at the usual location, the Conference Center for the City of Carson.  If possible all members should plan to attend because of the very informative presentations about various Avenues of Service Rotary programs and Ramon mentioned the coming event at The Lynwood Union Gallery on Saturday, April 29, 12pm – 4-pm, entitled L.A. Riots: Lynwood.  Daniel mentioned Rowland Becerra's quote from the weekly email update:  “The L.A. Riots changed many communities.  This is our story.”

During informal discussions among the Rotary youth and the two parents present, Club Secretary Lulu recommended that the Rotary club receive a monthly report from and about the youth activities.  This would be a way to provide more recognition as to the accomplishments of the youth.   It was also suggested by member Martina Rodriguez that a club member be appointed to serve as liaison. Club member Barbara Battle accepted this responsibility. It was mentioned that the Rotary youth will have an evening event in June to announce the incoming youth officers, but no date has been set.

Also President Ramon mentioned how helpful the Rotary youth and their parents have been in staffing the Lynwood Rotary Club Fireworks Stand sales each year from July 1 thru July 4.  Several of the parents have had a major role in the sales each year.  Club Secretary Maria Quinionez, Lulu, noted that the City Council at its last meeting approved officially the club's fireworks stand.

The Presentation included remarks from the Rotary youth members and two parents present.  Daniel explained that Tila and Fernando had planned to attend but that they were in Las Vegas for a two day conference relating to their responsibilities as teachers at Roosevelt ES.  Fernando said that he and Tila have reviewed with the youth who will attend this meeting as to the events to be described.Daniel asked the youth and their parents to stand up together for their presentation. The six present were parent Aida Machucca and her daughters, Amairciny  Machucca and Ahida B. Machucca; also parent Brenda Moreno and her daughter Kayla Moreno, and also Kishawn Battle.

Parent Aida Machucca stated that her two girls are learning various and useful things about their community.  Parent Brenda Romero noted that besides Kayla Romero, her son, now in the 8^th grade, has been an active Rotary youth member.  “It is nice for kids to be a part of the community.  They get a good feeling that they belong, it is a positive, not negative feeling they get.”

Youth President Amairciny Machucca mentioned the Lynwood American Cancer Run, the July Fireworks sales, the District Boat Race in September, the Long Beach Fun Run, the Oct LA Marathon, for Dia de los Muertos, and a November. Sr. Citizen Home visit. Youth Vice President Ahida Machucca mentioned the Dec Lynwood Candy Cane Parade (with flags of many countries) with Rotary youth from Helen Keller ES; a Sr. Citizen Home visit for Christmas; decoration of the Downey float for the Rose Parade; the March Marathon which began at Dodger Stadium (starting at 6am, to give out water to runners); and a Passion of Christ event during Lent at St. Emydius Church.   Also they visited the Columbia Space Museum in Downey. Youth Secretary Kayla Moreno started by describing the duties of the Secretary.  She noted that the youth members watch videos to learn why we help with tasks, such as money for Polio.  Kayla noted there will be a Mother’s Day bake sale at school, the annual banquet for officer elections, helping staff the fireworks stand, and they will attend a Dodgers Game.  In answer to a question from President Ramon, Kayla said there are 30 youth members, that they meet every Friday after classes, and that the Youth officers meet every Monday after classes to plan for each Friday meeting.