PDG Lew Bertrand, our President-Elect, discussed his experience joining Rotary (rather than Lions Club), because a Rotarian ASKED him! As a banker, he was promoted to various positions in the South Bay area, resulting in his belonging to several nearby Rotary Clubs. He helped to start the 4-Way Test Contest. As banking changed and his bank was sold, he looked for an evening Club, which was Palos Verdes Sunset.

 

He was President of our Club in 2007-8 when Dave Moyers was District Governor and the RI Convention was held in Los Angeles. This began three consecutive years of annual Club of Excellence banners for PV Sunset. When he became District Governor in 2012-13, his activities opened Rotarian friendships to him all over the world.

 

Lew reported on the recent President-Elect Training Seminars (PETS), 2½ days of training (which he probably did not need for himself for his next Presidential term). He was on the committee of PDGs planning it for the past year (as treasurer) and managing its budget.

 

 

A study on why Rotarians joined Rotary showed that they were asked, wanted friendships, and needed networking. A study on why Rotarians stayed in Rotary included having an impact in the community, their friendships, and their networking.

 

On our Club’s meeting on 9/11 the evening of the attacks on New York and Washington in 2001, when most Americans were in a state of shock, he remembers that we proceeded to have our meeting because we wanted to be with our friends at this time. Our members are our Club’s customers. Like every institution, we need to be responsive to change in order to stay relevant.

 

At the recent Zone Institute meeting, the polio eradication campaign was reviewed. Two countries still have endemic polio (due to political conflicts), but we are determined to prevail in the fight against polio.