Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 12-17-2015

The December 17 Meeting members and guests talked about their holiday plans with family and friends; also they participated in sharing gifts brought by members and guests; also they participated in a raffle among those who brought wrapped gifts.

Of note, members Joe Wang and Daniel Miller brought extra items and encouraged members and guests to help themselves for these items. At the appointed time, those who brought a wrapped gift were given a number, and the gift they received matched the number that was written on each wrapped gift. Several members including President Martina Rodriguez wrote a check to Rotary for deciding to take some of the extra items provided ( that were in addition to the wrapped gifts);

Among the guests, there was one who is a potential member in the future: Erica Calderon. Another guest, Santiago Lopez, indicated that he would like to become a member. So this was his first of three meetings that he will attend as part of the process of applying to become a member.

Announcements started with President Martina Rodriguez, wishing everyone happy holidays. She reminded all that there will be no meetings for the next two Thursdays (Dec 24 and Dec 31) and encouraged all to come back for the next meeting on the first Thursday in Jan 2016, Jan 7. The speaker will be Elias Saikaly, Public Works Engineering, P.E., who will talk about preparations for forecast heavy rains during the El Nino winter season.

In the absence of the Public Information Officer for the City of Lynwood, Marisela Santana, Daniel mentioned three coming events that Rotary members are encouraged to do / to attend:

•Sandbagging. A flyer described three locations and events: Fire Stations, Public Works Yard, and neighborhood Sandbag Filling Parties (to be organized)

•Lynwood Transit Area Strategic Plan Community Scoping Meeting. Tuesday, Jan 12, 2016, 6:00 – 8:00 pm in Bateman Hall Room 1. A flyer provided background information.

•Homeless Count 2016. Wed, Jan 28, 8;00 – 11:00 pm. Meet at Bateman Hall. A flyer provided background information.

Daniel described the potential benefit to the Lynwood community if there is widespread participation in the Transit Area Plan Meeting. Also he mentioned that he participated in last year's homeless count in Lynwood. He noted that accurate counts are needed to develop data that will help obtain Federal funds for programs to serve the homeless population in Lynwood and throughout Los Angeles County.

Note: At the previous meeting on Dec 10, Daniel introduced Omar Franco, who attended the meeting, noting that Omar Franco is the Rotary volunteer who sends out the Lynwood Rotary weekly introduction and the weekly meeting update to Rotary members and to selected nonmembers and to selected city staff. He noted that it is hoped that in the coming year, Omar can personally attend at least one meeting a month. Although his busy schedule of working full time and also with family involvements does not leave much time for attending Rotary meetings and other Rotary related events.

Daniel Miller / Omar Franco

Public Relations and Community Outreach for the Lynwood Rotary Club