On Monday, October 19th, District 5240 Governor Jim Bell joined members of Rotary Santa Maria South for both a Board meeting and a club meeting, sharing resources from Rotary International with Board Members, inspiring stories from Rotary with club members.
 
Board members shared information about recent the recent trip to La Paz for a needs assessment and follow-up, as well as current fundraisers and community service activities.
 
Encouraging members to stay committed to Rotary whatever their level of engagement and contribution, spoke about not only the importance of the thousands of projects Rotary directs, but the thousands upon thousands of “acts of kindness” generated by those projects around the world. Each Rotarian plays a role in bringing that to pass, according to Bell. Promising a free dinner to each charter member if his speech was too long or too boring, Bell was happy to hear that the charter members wanted to buy HIS dinner after his presentation.
 
Charter Members Joe Gallas and Alain Hurdle time Jim Bell's Presentation
 
Rotary Santa Maria South past president Bob Ogden announced a Paul Harris recognition for President Peter Garcia, in gratitude for his mother’s returning health after a cancer diagnosis. DG Bell congratulated the two of them and explained the Paul Harris recognition program for the guests in the audience. Governor Jim was also delighted with the country music provided by Peter and Bob in his honor and enthusiastically joined in the singing of the weekly club song.
 
District Governor Jim Bell, President Peter Garcia, and Bob Ogden
 
Bob Ogden, Peter Garcia and Jim Bell Jammin'