Alice Clothier introduced our guest. Warren has been a Rotarian for many years, joining in 1989 and has held many roles including Club President and Youth Exchange Chair at District level. He was named Rotarian of the Year in 2011/12 by the DG. It was his work with International youth exchange that brought Alice and him into contact when she stopped in America on the way to her international experience and his Club hosted them. 

Warren proceeded to share his experience of being a Rotarian in USA during Covid times, how lockdowns etc have impacted on the club and it's members. Zoom meetings have been a welcome method of interacting. 

To encourage new members he suggested that rather than bringing someone new to a meeting first, go to a community project night instead. That way they can see the good that we do rather than just talk about it. His Club has a weekly lunch meeting but as many usually younger professionals struggle to make it at this time they also have a more informal evening or morning (over drinks or coffee) but are still welcome and encouraged to attend the lunch meetings when they can. The key, he feels, is to make meetings fun!

Westchester club used to spread their donations around, helping a lot of people and other charities with a little. They decided it would be more beneficial to help only a few with a lot instead and started looking at big projects. They have an annual book fair to help raise funds. Over a period of time have accumulated about $1m USD and try to just use the interest and only some of the principal. One big project is "Extreme Home Makeover". Their Rotarian volunteers, along with neighbourhood partners, spend a long weekend completely renovating the home of a deserving homeowner or family. Past recipients have included the elderly, disabled, terminally ill and, in 2015, the Westchester Senior Center.

 

Robert thanked Warren for his time and thought there were definitely some ideas for our Club to look at going forward. 

 

Amongst packing stuff up at my last abode and living out of suitcases at my current one, I have managed to mislay my trusty notebook with my notes. So another delay in sending out Bulletin and there may be some information missed and some poetic license applied. Murphy's law says it will turn up as soon as I send this off.

 

Side note: I think Warren said when international travel was possible again that he would be happy to host any of us passing through LAX??

 

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