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The VENICE MARINA ROTARY CLUB Publication for the

"FRIENDLIEST CLUB IN DISTRICT 5280"

The Venice Marina Rotary Club meets each Thursday at 12:15PM, at Shanghai

Red’s Restaurant, Marina del Rey, CA, except in case of special meetings.

As of July 12, 2003

Below are two articles about our new Rotary International President and 5280’s

District Governor. Get to know them.

Advocate of Nigeria, is principal counsel in J.B. Majiyagbe & Co., with a wide

commercial law practice in Nigeria. Born in Lagos, he is a graduate of the

University of London. Jonathan if a member of the Honorable Body of Benchers, a

former member of the Interim Judicial Service Committee, Kano State, a Past

President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and a member of the International Bar

Association. He was a longtime Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Kano and is

currently the Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Kano Branch. Jonathan

is also a member of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and

Agriculture.

A Rotarian since 1967, Jonathan is a member and Past President of the Rotary Club

of Kano. He has served Rotary International as District Governor, International.2

Assembly Instructor and Committee, Director and Trustee of the Rotary

Foundation. He is the recipient of the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service and

the Distinguished Service Awards.

As Chairman of the African Regional PolioPlus Committee and member of the

International PolioPlus Committee, Jonathan is dedicated to the global effort to

eradicate polio. Rotary’s PolioPlus Program, launched in 1985, is an aggressive

public/private partnership to assist international health agencies and governments to

certify the world polio-free by the year 2005, Rotary’s Centennial Anniversary. By

that year, Rotary will have committed nearly a half billion US Dollars to the

eradication effort. To date, more than two billion children have been immunized

against the deadly poliovirus.

Jonathan currently serves as Chairman of the Rotary International Club

Development and Improvement Executive Steering committee.*

*Copied from Page 4, District 5280 2003-2004 District Assembly May 17, 2003

Brochure.

California. He began a career in manufacturing in 1961 and continues to do so. He

joined the Rotary Club of Paramount in 1990. John is also involved with the

community as an active member of the Paramount Chamber of Commerce, serving

as Treasurer in 1989-1990. In 1998 John was selected as Businessman of the Year.

John is a Director for the Los Cerritos YMCA.

In Rotary John has been Club President, Secretary and was chosen Rotarian of the

year in 1995. John is a Benefactor and a Major Donor. He served on the Paul

Harris Celebration Committee from 1998 through 2002, the District Conference

Committee from 1999 through 2002 and was an Assistant Governor in 1999-2000.

He has attended three Zone Institutes, four Presidential Conferences and the past

seven R.I. Conventions..3

John will serve as District governor 2003-2004 the same year the Rotary Club of

Director of the District Centennial Committee, coordinating a three-year plan to

develop permanent remembrances by clubs and the District to commemorate the

John lives in Fullerton with Leann, his wife of 25 years. His hobbies include

playing cards, breeding and racing quarter horses and doing Rotary work.*

*Copied from Page 4, District 5280 2003-2004 District Assembly May 17, 2003

Brochure.

On July 8, 2003, President David Maxwell convened his first work session at Joni’s

Roster coffee shop in the Marina. Tony Medley attended the work session.

Discussions were held about various club matters. The President found the input of

information and discussion broadening and enlightening. The President does this

type of work and paperwork by himself or herself anyway. Having input from the

members only serves to strengthen our Club in this President’s opinion. The

stronger the Club the more service to our community. Hope to see you at one of the

working sessions in the near future. The next work session will be Saturday, July

19, 2003, 9-10AM, Champagne Bakery, National and Barrington. THERE WILL

BE NO TUESDAY WORK SESSION THIS WEEK.

Rotarians Winnie Northrup led the Club in Prayer, Howard Pollock led the Pledge

and JR Dzubak led the Club in song (He also led the welcome song and a rendition

of Happy Birthday to Winnie who is 81 years young next week). Thanks to these 3.

Jan Davis and Alex Gorby brought Raffle Prizes.

Three guest attended – Michael McMillan guest of Adiba Shaby, Willis "Buddy".4

Clark guest of Jeffrey Solomon and Kelly Reynolds, guest of JR Dzubak. Twenty-one

Rotarians attended. THANKS TO EACH OF THE ATTENDEES. A fun time

was had by many if not all!!

Announcements made were:

David Voss and Mary Richert were recognize by President Maxwell for having

their Chambers help sponsor the British American Business Council Luncheon the

day before3. Maxwell presented Voss with a pin that had the flags of both USA

and GB thereon.

Christopher McDowell was presented with Maxwell’s Vice President Pin for the

coming year.

Adiba Shaby was welcomed back.

Rotarians Giselle Roberio and David Voss were recognized for their participation in

Chamber President and Giselle led a group of young cheerleaders.

President Maxwell encouraged Rotarians to write articles and letters to the editor for

the MESH. He also promised to leave his number for calls to be returned with

fellow Rotarians – a good practice for us all.

President Maxwell presented pictures for the club Rotarians to view of our

Demotion party for Admiral Willie.

BRAGS AND FINES

A lot of activity occurred in this arena

Jim Bovee bragged $50 for his granddaughter’s school’s school building activity in

Mexico. Our Club contributed $1000 for this activity. Jim brought pictures for all

to see.

Howard Pollack bragged $50 to our Foundation for his trip to Alaka by boat.

Peter Escobar bragged $100 for the opening of a new Casa Escobar Restaurant in

Malibu. Peter’s daughter will own and operate this one. Peter also presented

President Maxwell with a bottle of Puerto Rican Rum and 5 bottles of his home

brands Escobar Win to the Club as auction items. Maxwell auctioned off these 6

bottles (Peter signed all the wine bottles) at the end of the meeting raising over

another $170 for the Club’s activities. THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROSITY,.5

PETER.

JR bragged $35 on behalf of COSTCO which is supporting this new Charter

School at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club. COSTCO is donating $1,000,000 to the

Rotary International Foundation. Our Rotary Club member Humberto Yniguez and

his lovely wife Helen both work for COSTCO (Humberto is the local store

manager). President Maxwell stated that both COSTCO and Humbeto should

receive special and great praise and publicity for this donation locally and at he

District level.

Fines included the usual tardiness and no pins. Rotarian Sergeant of Arms Jim

Bovee set the rate of fines and Rotarian Jeffrey Solomon collected the fine money,

Rotarian Christopher McDowell then gave a short talk about the Project Amigos

and the commitment of the Club to go to Mexico this fall to build a house for a

family. The Club later set a tentative project date of October 18 and 19.

It was announced that EMMANUEL MUREKEZI is now the newest member of

the Venice Marina Rotary Club. WELCOME EMMANUEL. Let’s all make him

feel welcome and instill in him by our example the meaning of Rotary.

The Venice Marina Rotary Foundation then had 2 new board members selected and

approved by the Club – Foundation President Tom Ryan welcomed Jan Davis and

Howard Pollack to the Foundation Board.

Rotarian Carmen Portnoy, Program Chairperson then introduced Giselle Roberio

who presented a craft talk. Giselle is a US Customs Broker – mainly clearing

horses through Customs. She gave a well-informed talk and then answered

numerous questions. THANKS GISELLE. Special thanks to you also for all your

work efforts for our Club and in our community.

A Joint Board meeting was held after the regular meeting. It was well attended by

9 Rotarians some of whom made up meetings. Treasuerer Steve Williamson

reported that the Club had $9,000 in its account and some $10,300 in accounts

receivable – of which only $1100 is past due. Steve just this day passed out the.6

new quarterly statements. Most if not all of this $9,000 has been pledged by Past-President

Willie for distribution to various entities.

The Board held discussions about Centennial Project. Carmen brought up the need

for some help with a stove, a washer and dryer and clothes for the Chicano

Woman’s Shelter in LA. The Board and Rotarians present came up with the items

to contribute to this Shelter. Thanks to all.

President Maxwell stated that he would look into the Rotary sign situation

welcoming people to the Venice Marina cities.

A budget for 2003-2004 will be presented at the next Board Meeting, August 7,

2003.

See everyone at the next meeting on July 17, 2003, regular time and place. I look

forward to each and every one of your input and ideas for our Club.

Yours in Rotary,

DAVID B. MAXWELL, President