At the October 12 meeting, Lynwood Rotary members and guests participated in the annual visit of the District 5280 Governor. This year the governor is Ms. Cozette Vergari.
The Governor brought two women who provide her with assistance along with Jerry Brown, District Chief of Staff. The governor's introduction by one of her assistants provided detailed information of Ms. Vergari's extensive experience in a wide variety of fields, including serving as a lawyer, as well as professional experience in the arts, including ballet dancing.
Ms. Vergari noted that she is no stranger to the City of Lynwood. As a youth in the summers she explained that she lived in Lynwood, and her grandfather had a business in Lynwood.
Ms. Vergari talked about the important accomplishments of Rotary not only in this country but also world-wide, to include the campaign with Bill Gates funding to eradicate polio, which now she noted, has been eliminated in all countries except for a few new cases in three countries.
She mentioned that District 5280, more so than many other Rotary districts, has been organizing humanitarian trips to other countries, through which District participants do projects to help the local poverty stricken populations. She mentioned the next planned trip during 2018.
She encouraged club members to attend the November 7 District breakfasts, which will feature A Salute to Our Veterans. Also she mentioned the District Annual Foundation Celebration event on Saturday, October 28, to hear Keynote speaker: Dr. Peter Salk, Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation, and President.
At the conclusion of the meeting after luncheon had been served, Lynwood Club members joined Ms. Vergari and her staff in the Lynwood conference room for discussions of the work of the Lynwood club. Much of the discussions were focused on the detailed information provided by Tila and Fernando Millan about the extensive programs and activities of the Youth act groups at Roosevelt and Helen Keller Elementary Schools. Also it was noted, that there is a search for faculty members willing to organize Interact clubs at middle schools and high schools within LUSD. There was also an explanation of the assistance provided by Gurdip Hari, including Gurdip's input to Club Runner for the Lynwood club, and also Gurdip's interest in providing an award to a youth for healthy living, and how to evaluate candidates for healthy living.
Before the presentation by the District Governor, there was discussion by Club President Joe Wang, of coming Lynwood Rotary and community events. Joe mentioned that he and his wife will be traveling out of the country for the next two weeks, and that in his absence, long time member Raj, will run the next two meetings.
There was mention by Tila Millan of the planned Halloween Social for the evening meeting on Thursday, October 26, with a flier distributed. It was noted that Martina Rodriguez will help plan the event with Fernando and Tila Millan. Also Tila distributed another flier about a Fall Festival with the title: “All Roosevelt Bears & Family Come and Join the Fun” scheduled for Friday, October 13, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Daniel mentioned to attendees to look at the photos he took of the Vision to Learn Program that was held on the previous Thursday morning, October 5, from 8:00 am to 12 Noon at Cesar Chavez Middle School. Lynwood Rotary members Joe Wang, Larry Esparza, Martina Rodriguez and Daniel Miller assisted in screening all the students as to vision. The two leaders were Nora MacLellan from the Rotary Club of Westchester, and Dave Davis from the Rotary Club of Bellflower. As described last week, it is intended that all the schools (15,000 students) within the LUSD receive this vision screening, and the opportunity to be fitted with corrective glasses.
Briefly Daniel mentioned the City of Lynwood Park and Recreation Halloween Festival on Tuesday, October 31, from 5pm to 8pm, to include a costume contest for kids ages 1 year to 12 years.
Daniel Miller / Omar Franco / Rowland Becerra
Public Relations and Community Outreach for the Lynwood Rotary Club