March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Rotarians Don Glow Sticks As Part Of Light Up Rotary:

The Rotary Club of Santa Monica emanated particularly brightly in its meeting room at the Riviera Country Club last Friday, Sept. 12. in honor of Rotary District 5280 governor Elsa Gillham’s special appearance at this week’s meeting. Club members took to highlighting the district’s theme – “Light Up Rotary” – and playfully donned glow sticks throughout the meeting on their heads, wrists, and necks.

The room certainly was lit up with the bright neons of the glowsticks and even brighter personalities and hearts, as the chipper Rotarians chimed in to the usual introductory songs that kick off the weekly meetings on a cheerful note.

With an encouraging invocation by PR guru Barbara Bishop and guest introductions by Vlado Valkof, members welcomed Elsa Gillham’s husband Larry Gillham to the head table and went on to croon a version of “Hail to the Chief” penned especially for the district governor herself.

President George Collins reminded the Santa Monica branch about the Rotary humanitarian trip to Antigua, Guatemala, set to take place Feb. 5-9.

Santa Monica Rotarians were also notified that their second annual blood drive, which took place this past Monday, Sept. 15, was completely booked and therefore completely set to make a difference in the lives of those who need blood.

Elsa Gillham took to the podium and proceeded to continue the meeting with a motivational speech of her own. Each round table at the meeting was crowned with an eye-catching, silver balloon, all in the shape of the letters that make up the word “vibrant.”

Gillham chose the word “vibrant” as the focal point of her presentation, using the district president’s utilization of a Confucian quote to describe Rotary’s work in the world: “It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.”

With this quote as the backdrop, Gillham continued on to state that “Light Up Rotary” went beyond serving a mere theme.

“It is how we live, how we think, how we feel, and how we work,” Gillham said. “[President George] wants our light to be warm and inviting so other people would like to be a part of it […] We light up Rotary by being vibrant clubs.”

Gillham elaborated on the idea that the word “vibrant” as an acronym represents an action plan. For instance, the first letter V stands for the visibility of club in the community, as “a Rotary club without an active public relations program is like waving to a friend in the dark.”

Gillham emphasized the need to keep the local public aware of the services that the Santa Monica Rotary club does. In order to accomplish this, the “I” in “vibrant” – involvement of members – is a necessity.

Gillham took the time to recognize Rotarian John Bohn, who stands as an ideal representation of active and meaningful club involvement. Bohn has been a member of the Santa Monica Rotary Club since 1955. When asked why he renews his membership every year, he was met with laughter and cheers as he answered: “We have more fun than anyone else.”

The “B” in “vibrant” stands for bigger, bolder, and better projects, from as local as diaper drives to as international as humanitarian trips. Gillham spotlighted club member Karim Jaude as the most involved with club projects within the last year.

The next letter “R” stands for “reaching out to recruit and retain members,” which has been the district’s biggest challenge, according to Gillham, as she encouraged the club to make recruitment a major focus. Rotarians LaVonne Lawson, Judy Neveau, and Dick Lawrence were all recognized as they three-way tied for bringing in the most members within the past year.

Gillham also encouraged some of the veteran members to serve as mentors to new members as she explained that the “A” in “vibrant” stands for the “advancement and training of club members.” She then proceeded to the letter “N,” describing its representation of “never-ending fun” as “what the Santa Monica club already knows.”

To conclude, the “T” in vibrant stood for the Rotary Foundation’s support, which is a basis that all Rotary clubs know and need. Member Robert Siegel was congratulated as the biggest supporter and largest contributor of the Santa Monica branch.

Though after her enlightening speech, a bucket of confetti was poured on top of Gillham’s head as a playful version of the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS, President George Collins will be participating in the actual Challenge during today’s meeting.

For more information, visit rotaryclubofsantamonica.org.

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....