TODAY
DIANE SHIMOTA has been the Adult Literacy Coordinator with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program since 2016. Prior to becoming the coordinator, she served the program as a volunteer tutor and computer class instructor. Under her leadership, the program has grown beyond one-on-one tutoring to include computer literacy classes, a family literacy program, conversational English classes, book clubs, and leadership opportunities for adult learners. Her favorite part of working with the literacy program is that she is able to witness the process of empowerment that happens when an adult masters a new skill, whether it is reading their first book, helping their children succeed in school, sending their first email,
or reporting that they can visit the doctor without help of a friend. Literacy Changes Lives!
LAST WEEK
Team work makes the Dream Work! – While this Spoke editor was sequestered with Covid last Thursday, CHRIS ALVAREZ took enough notes regarding District Governor JUDY ZULFIQAR’S talk, that I could feel the Rotary Inspiration fly off the page! DG JUDY spoke passionately about 5 ways to revolutionize Rotary Clubs and propel Rotary for generations. She encouraged an Action Plan for our Club that included four key points:
- Impact – Contribute to Polio, Endowment fund and/or
Annual fund - Reach – Achieve Net membership gain
- Engage – Increase Total service hours
- Adapt – Update rolling 3-year strategic plan
All of JUDY’S imparted wisdom and guidance should drive us to think strategically about our club and how we can revolutionize ourselves! JUDY ended the talk by telling a story about inspiring Rotarians and the impact they make. Then she presented the Inspiring Rotary Heroes challenger coin to THERESA VAZQUEZ. Congratulations THERESA!!!
NEXT WEEK
You will not want to miss meeting and hearing from, RACHAEL GUSTUSON, the new editor of the Redlands Community News. Let’s be sure to give RACHAEL a warm, hearty Rotary welcome to the community. We look forward to hearing about her vision for the paper moving forward and her background that brings her here.
READY, SET, MARK YOUR CALENDARS
District 5330 Foundation Dinner – You won’t want to miss this evening of enchantment and philanthropy. Saturday, November 2 at March Field Air Museum. This evening is not just a celebration; it’s a tribute to the spirit of giving that defines The Rotary Foundation. Expect an evening filled with inspiring speeches, captivating entertainment by the Killer Dueling Pianos, and an atmosphere of magic and heroism.
See CAL BOOTHBY for details.
Winemaker Dinner – ERIC GRENIER is blending up a special, exclusive experience on Friday, November 8th. Opportunities await. And excellent wine to be enjoyed.
Food Drive – Our annual competition with the Kiwanians to assist Scouting for Food Drive in October – see JIM NOLIN for details.
VETERANS DAY PARADE! Will be here before you know it! ROGER UMINSKI will be your contact.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
As we look to the future, it’s also the perfect time to honor the rich history and legacy that made our Rotary Club what it is today. Wasn’t it inspiring last week to hear from JUDY ZULFIGAR? The way a Rotary Club changed her life many years ago—and they probably had no idea! It just goes to show that the impact we make now can ripple so far into the future.
We’re standing on the shoulders of some truly dedicated Rotarians who have paved the way for our club’s past and future successes. So this year, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, celebrate our milestones, and give a shout-out to the members who’ve been with us through thick and thin.
Let’s also get creative—how about we start capturing these stories and moments through our newsletters, events, social media posts, and maybe even a few fun throwback posts? By doing this, we’ll make sure our club’s history is shared with future generations, so they know just how special The Rotary Club of Redlands is.
So here’s to appreciating our roots, drawing inspiration from them, and continuing to build on the great work and traditions that make our club one-of-a-kind. Let’s keep the legacy alive, one meeting and one service project at a time!
Editor – Lynn Whitmer – Edition No. 9 – September 12, 2024