President Mark Rogo is on vacation so your PE, Aly Shoji, rang the bell and welcomed everyone to the warm and friendly WVRC this week.

Our pledge was led by Raymond Arevalo, President of University High Interact, and our invocation by UCLA Rotaract President, Joan Liang.

We had visiting Rotarians, Lynette and Marcus from Providence, Rhode Island!  Tom Barron, our Membership Chair was delighted to introduce them and share a bit of their story as they are here on vacation.  Chris Yco, the District liaison for youth services, was also visiting because our Rotaracts and Interacts were our program today.

Youth Service Chair Jim Crane  introduced our speakers today from Interact and Rotaract:

UCLA Rotaract

University High Interact

Peter More returned from the Rotary Club of Hong Kong which was established in 1930.  Our own Henry Tseng was President of that Club from 1969-1970 and when Henry was President he grew the membership of his Club from 130  to 161 members, increasing the original membership  from 1930.

Announcements:

• Dwight announced on Sept 14 Reading to Kids needs readers.  
• Meals on Wheels is having their final fundraiser at Hollywood Park (since the Park is closing!) on Dec. 8 for $90

Eric Loberg protested that Pres. Mark Rogo is out AGAIN - so noted, Eric, and while he was trying to create some scuttlebutt about fines, Tom Barron self-imposed a fine at the Board meeting the night before  ;)   He SHOULD be fined for triple-skiing with his two grandkids (10 and 7) since  he is equally youthful!  We can't have any more members added to our health and welfare moments and missing meetings, Tom, so we gladly appreciate your $25 fine!

Chris Yco, the District Liaison for Youth Services, asked us "Why are we here?"  He knows why he is and why he quickly accepted leadership posts in his short time in Rotary.  He recognizes  the future of Rotary lies with these students today.  He is excited to have found our organization and be involved.  He shared how his Torrance/Lomita Rotary club is supporting the Uni High costume dodge ball fundraiser (fun!)

Our Youth Services Chair, Jim Crane, invited the students up today  not to list off projects and accomplishments but to share who they were and why they joined Interact or Rotaract and what service project  or aspect they enjoy most about our Club. 

Raymond Arevalo, Interact President at University High attended RYLA, is a Senior, currently has 5 AP classes, runs cross country, and is active in Tae Kwan Do.  He originally joined because his friends were in it. Rotary Service Day was his favorite.  He stated Rotary helped him discover the meaning of life and already has learned -- Is being successful having money? Being happy? Having money allows you to help others.

VP Chris Becerra is the liaison between the District and the schools to conceive and execute community service projects.  He is also a cross country runner and cyclist.  He said he learned Community service isn't always what he offers but what he learns. His favorite is just the impact of helping others in need e.g., our Salvation Army Christmas project is something he really enjoys.

Nathan Lopez, Treasurer at Uni High.   We learned from him that the cross country coach is also a Rotary leader (we need to give this teacher an award!) and Nathan's brother was also involved in Interact.  Nathan said originally he thought Rotary would be picking up trash on the side of a freeway but he has learned what community service is and enjoys being a part of the  answers to community needs. The Chinese New Year parade was his favorite event, as well as raising $500 for the Heifer project, beautifying parks, and helping at the food bank.

Anthony Santiago is currently taking 4 AP classes. When he was a freshman, the President of Interact was a great example and changed him.  He said he was not going down the right path at all and this student and our organization gave him new meaning and changed his direction.  Rotary Day of Service was his favorite activity.

Joan Liang, President of UCLA Rotaract is a 4th year psych major who wants to go into Pharmacy. She was in Interact at 14 because she thought it would be good for her resume and it turned into a passion. Her favorite activity was when our WVRC sponsored her to attend the International Peace Conference with our International Services Chair, Marsha Hunt.  She realized how much service means, and what Rotary is doing internationally and at home. Although she is aware of how we are all connected, she also doesn't need to go to Nigeria necessarily and recognizes  the contributions made by her small actions every day.   She sees helping is important even if just listening or being empathetic or taking extra time at her job to help people.  She stated having Transportation has increased their activity.

Eric Chen, is the professional development chair.  He watched the Interact Club grow from 4-60 and that investment and growth motivated him to continue to be involved and what would come next.  He attended RYLA and then became a counselor.  His favorite activity is with the Shot of Life Champions for Polio Eradication and making the $10K goal for their 5K event.

Tiffany Hsu is the International Development Chair, joined as a Freshman in Interact so has been involved for six years . She enjoyed the Polio for Change Drive and hopes to collaborate with more Clubs on and off campus. She is considering a project with Marsha Hunt in Uganda with the message of How to eat well within children's stories.