The Twilight Torch 2014-2015 Volume 5, Issue 4 July 30, 2014 This is not Your Father s Rotary Club! Club Assembly or Why Rotarians Meet? This week was our Club Assembly. This gathering of Rotarians is designed to inform and equip Club Members, whether new to Rotary or veteran participants with the Twilight Bakersfield Rotary Club. It s for those who would like to learn more about our Club, where it is planned to go within the various avenues of service, as well as gaining further understanding of Rotary International in general. President Sandy led us to envision the main Rotary Theme for the year and her integration of activities planned for the year. The five (5) Avenue of Service Directors have had an opportunity to explain the upcoming projects and programs our Club will be involved with throughout the year and the Directors are eager for you to share any suggestions you may have in order to make our Rotary club better. Definition of Rotary "Rotary is an organization of business and professional person united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Those few words are worth remembering when someone asks, What is a Rotary club? Calendar for RC Bakersfield Twilight Wed Aug 6 th OFF-SITE MEETING Wed Aug 13 th Regular Meeting Wed Aug 20 th Regular Meeting Wed Aug 27 th Regular Meeting Wed Sep 3 rd Regular Meeting Wed Sep 17 th Regular Meeting Wed Sep 24 th Regular Meeting Wed Oct 1 st DARK NO MEETING Wed Oct 8 th Regular Meeting Wed Oct 15 th Regular Meeting Wed Oct 22 th OFF-SITE MEETING Wed Oct 29 th OFF-SITE MEETING Wed Nov 5 th Regular Meeting Wed Nov 12 th Regular Meeting Wed Nov 19 th Regular Meeting Wed Nov 26 th DARK NO MEETING Tejon Ranch Shopping Spree The Aug 6 th Regular Meeting will be deferred to Thursday evening Aug 7th, in favor of the fundraising support of various local charity organizations at the Outlet Center at Tejon Ranch - the first new outlet center to be built in Southern California in more than a decade.
Page 2 July 30, 2014 Things You Should Know About Rotary Symbolic Name Rotarians began meeting by rotating between business offices of its Members. Now it is symbolic, such that any Rotarian may rotate between Clubs as a welcome guest. Rotary's Wheel Emblem The wheel was said to illustrate "Civilization and Movement." It is a unique design and exclusive emblem of Rotary [Rotary International], with its 24 cogs (representing the World Time Zones) and 6 spokes (continents upon which Rotary is represented). The Keyway was added to include each Rotarian as an important part of its movement. The Object of Rotary The Object of Rotary is "to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise." The "ideal of service" is the key phrase in the Object of Rotary. This ideal is an attitude of being a thoughtful and helpful representative in all of one's endeavors. The 4-Way Test As one of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in the world, this simple philosophy and code of conduct has been translated into more than 100 languages and published in thousands of ways, to reinforce worldwide what Rotarians think, say or do in our business and professional lives. Rotary Motto On a continuing basis, Rotarians are giving their time, talents and treasures for humanitarian purposes in all forms and at many levels, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary service. This principle is what Rotarians have adopted in as few words as Service Above Self. Name Badges From the earliest days of Rotary, members have referred to each other on a first-name basis. Since personal acquaintanceship and friendship are cornerstones of Rotary, it was natural that many clubs adopted the practice of setting aside formal titles in conversations among members. The characteristic Rotary club name badge fosters the first-name custom. The Classification Principle - Basically a classification describes the distinct and recognized business or professional service which the Rotarian renders to society rather than by the position held by a particular individual. Its purpose of distinction is to assure a cross section of the business and professional service of the community as a native resource within the Club. Honorary Membership This type of membership is the highest distinction a Rotary club can confer and is exercised only in exceptional cases to recognize an individual for unusual service and contributions to Rotary and society. Honorary members cannot propose new members to the club, do not hold office and are exempt from attendance requirements and club dues. This reserved position is for those who have done much to further the ideals of Rotary. Avenues of Service This concept has been accepted as a means to describe the five (5) primary areas of activity within the Object of Rotary. The 5 elements of the Object of Rotary include: 1-Club Service, 2-Vocational Service, 3-Community Service, 4-International Service, and in 2010 New Generations was added - to improve the life skills of young people (up to age 30) to ensure they have a better future, while recognizing the diversity of their needs.
Page 3 July 30, 2014 International Responsibility - Although each Rotarian has first responsibility to uphold the obligations of citizenship of his or her own country, membership in Rotary enables its members to encourage and foster advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace on a global basis. Club Invocations Rotary policy recognizes that throughout the world Rotarians represent many religious beliefs, ideas and creeds. Since each Rotary club is autonomous, the practice of presenting an invocation at club meetings is left entirely to the traditions and customs of the individual club, with the understanding that these meeting rituals always be conducted in a manner which will respect the religious convictions and faiths of all members and visitors. As such, the religious beliefs of each member are fully respected, and nothing in Rotary is intended to prevent each individual from being faithful to their convictions. Member Candidate Sponsorship Any Member may propose a candidate for membership within Rotary International. The "proposer" is the key person in the growth and advancement of Rotary in contrast without a sponsor, an individual will never have the opportunity to become a Rotarian. An active Sponsor serves as a special friend to assure that the new member becomes an accustomed to activities of the Club and participation as a Rotarian. Club Banner Exchange The exchange of banners is a significant tradition of Rotary and serves as tangible symbol of our international fellowship. Rotarians traveling to distant locations often take banners to exchange at "make up" meetings as a token of friendship. The District Assembly The purpose of a District Assembly is twofold: 1) to prepare incoming club leaders for their year in office and build their leadership team, and 2) to give the District Governor Elect and incoming assistant governors and district committees the opportunity to motivate club leadership teams and build their working relationship. The District Conference The purpose of the district conference is to provide opportunities for networking, inspirational addresses, and discussions of Rotary-related matters - recognizing the service programs, projects, and public relations achievements in the district in order to inspire Rotarians to become more involved in service. The conference should also give Rotarians and clubs a vision of Rotary beyond the club level and provide a memorable fellowship experience. The International Convention Every year, Rotary International programs a worldwide convention for a date near the end of the Rotary year, in May or June to stimulate, inspire and inform all Rotarians at an international level while advancing the strategic goals of the association. This is a rare opportunity for Rotarians to get together and visit members from other cities, countries and generations, celebrating Rotary fellowship. It is also the annual business meeting of Rotary International. The convention program includes preconvention meetings, plenary sessions, workshops, forums, entertainment, and other meetings.
Page 4 July 30, 2014 On Friday evening July 18, 2014, Mark Steele prepared a gorgeous Gourmet Italian Dinner at the home of Andrew and Meeyang Fishkin. This was purchased by Andrew Fishkin and Carol Smith as a silent auction item at the 2014 Luck be a Lady fundraiser- donated by Tom, Maria & Mark Steele. The dinner consisted of fabulous appetizers followed by a several course dinner and ending with a scrumptious dessert and authentic Italian espresso. The happy dinner party group included Andrew and Meeyang Fishkin, Carol Smith and Chuck Canada, Bernard and Bea Barmann, Mike and LaRayne Brite, Arianna Fishkin and her boyfriend Kevin. Mark did a remarkable job and he was assisted by his mother, Maria Steele and his Auntie Ann [Dunlap].
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