banner

Escondido Sunrise Rotary; “Escondido Chamber of Commerce; Moving Forward with Local Businesses”… August 15, 2019  

President Brian led the meeting…

Past President Jack Anderson led the pledge to our nation’s flag… 

Sergeant at Arms, Gloria Leffler offered an invocation…

Visitors and Guests:

Liz Phillips was introduced again as a guest of Tina Pope and as a very prospective member… Welcome Back!!

Birthdays:                

August    None this week

Anniversaries:

No anniversaries this week, but George and Erin in 13 days?? President Brian, why did you jump the gun on this anniversary??

August    28:    Past President George and Erin Beitner… 37 years!! Wow! A                     bit early so that George can plan something special!!

 

Rotary Anniversaries:                        

None this week

Dates to Remember:

August    23:    Bunco Night at the Putnicki’s… 6:00 PM… email Scott to grab                     a spot; scottp51@yahoo.com… Cost is $5 per person and                     bring you own ‘B’ and snacks to share…

 

        25:    Pine Valley; Softball Game with the Calafia Rotary Club from                     Mexicali… Players needed!!

September    19:    District 5340 Governor Marta Knight…

                            

Rotarians Having Fun, and Doing Great Things for Groups in Need:

Past Presidents Bob Burson had a fun trip and returned with a very special, ‘soft’ treat for President Brian…

A roll of ‘Trump Wipes’…

 

 

 

Past President Dave Casey was doing the hula in Hawaii… Tried several times to bring President Brian a liquid libation… But, alas they all were consumed before the trip home… Dave brought a wonderful shot glass for a bit ‘o Brian’s Irish gold…

 

High Fives and Announcements:

Past President Dave Casey shared an update on the upcoming Veteran’s Day Parade in downtown Escondido. Dave confirmed that contrary to previous information, the event will be held on Monday November 11, with the beginning of the parade at the Chase Bank corner at Grand and Orange… The celebration will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American Legion Post in Escondido…

Past President Dave providing information on the Vet’s Day Parade…

 

 

 

President Brian announced that a request had been distributed via email for donations to the Edwin Touch Kibera Foundation in Kenya… Edwin has been with us numerous times and presents annually at RYLA… Past President Jim “Pounder” (please note the Freudian slip for use at Brian’s demotion) fresh from a fine meal at “Pounders” is encouraging donations so that Edwin can join a group with Jim in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro…

Grape Day 5K Event:

A reminder; make your contacts for donations and for participants…

Last week Past President Jeff Johnson distributed fliers for the Grape Day 5K event… Please place them prominently in your businesses and other locations to raise awareness of our great community event…

 

 

Program: 

Past President Kevin Svetich introduced our speaker, James Rowten or ‘JR’ as he prefers to be called. JR is in his first 90 days with the Chamber, having replaced our friend Rorie Johnston who is moving to Tucson. JR previously worked in the broadcast world, last serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for KPBS in San Diego…

Past President Kevin Svetich (a two-time Chair of the Escondido Chamber Board) introducing JR to Sunrise Rotarians…

 

 

 

JR spoke about the Chamber’s long history in Escondido and highlighted the vision for the future…A key element of any organization such as the Chamber is building relationships with member businesses, and finding ways to help the local economy flourish through support for those members, and the community at large…

JR (James Rowten) presenting to Escondido Sunrise Rotarians…

 

 

 

 

A major focus of the Chamber is to advocate for and to provide educational opportunities for member businesses. Advocacy is critical as our friendly lawmakers in Sacramento continue to find ways to make doing business more challenging…Building membership is a key to a successful membership organization like the Chamber.

JR spoke about the special programs offered by the Chamber and the ways in which they support their members, but also the community at large. Especially of note is the ‘Rising Star’ program that recognizes high school students and their achievements… This program engages the membership of the Chamber, engages the students and their families, and creates linkage between the Chamber and the community at large…

JR also spoke about the importance of relationships between the Chamber and the City as the economic strength that comes from healthy businesses is a great benefit for the City… Finally, the topic moved to the Chamber maintaining its relevance as a community and business partner… specifically working closely with both individual businesses and merchant groups such that businesses can work together to ‘align assets’ and become stronger together for their benefit and the benefit of the community…

James Rowten ‘JR’ with President Brian Murphy…

 

 

Next Week’s Program:

Grape Day 5K Update and Planning

OpportunityDrawing:   

Grand Prize:        $903.00; Past President Jack Anderson picked one of the 9                     remaining cards…He drew a card… but, alas the pot is intact…             Thanks Jack!! Only 8 cards next week…

Lunch Money:    $30.00… And, the winner is… Past President Rich Aeling… A                     very lucky boy…