This Friday’s Program
Erin Runnion, Mother of Samantha
Founder of The Joyful Child Foundation
Erin Runnion is the Founder of The Joyful Child Foundation - In
Memory of Samantha Runnion, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, for public
benefit organization dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse
and abduction through programs that unite and uplift communities
in the protection and wonderment of all children. Samantha was
a beautiful, bright, joyful little girl whose life was cut short as the
youngest victim of the “summer of abductions” in July, 2002.
Erin is dedicated to ensuring Samantha’s tragic death continues
to be a catalyst to engage adults in our collective responsibility in
protecting our nation’s children. As the Co-Founder of The Joyful
Child Foundation, as well as The Surviving Parents Coalition
and a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association to PROTECT Children, Erin has become a highly respected
spokesperson, spreading her message in frequent media
appearances and keynote addresses, and presentations for both
government and private organizations.
Erin developed an implementation model for the Initiative that
cultivates the community-wide support needed to recruit teachers
and parents to offer sustainable, low-cost programs throughout
southern California. The Surviving Parents Coalition aims to
make this a national Initiative with safety education integrated into
all public education.
Honors include The National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children’s 2003 Hope Award, A Certificate of Valor from The Department of Justice, People Magazine’s 2004 Heroes
Among Us Award and Redbook Magazine’s 2005 Mothers and
Shakers honor as well as many local community group and PTA
awards. Erin was additionally honored by People Magazine in
the 2007 Heroes Among Us Awards as a founding member of
The Surviving Parents Coalition.
Erin resides in Orange County, California with her mother, Virginia
Runnion, her husband and Joyful Child Co-Founder, Kenneth
The Joyful Child is a consultant to the Orange County Department Donnelly and their three children: Paige, Conner and Rose. The
of Education for abduction prevention education. As such, Erin
Joyful Child Foundation has helped Erin transform her grief into
trains Ambassadors to deliver the Joyful Child’s Adult
compassionate action by honoring Samantha so that we may
Education for Child Protection series to schools and other combuild a safer world where not one more child is victimized.
munity groups. In May of 2008 The Surviving Parents Coalition
endorsed the combination of The Joyful Child’s programs in
Don’t miss our amazing program this
partnership with the radKIDS Personal Empowerment and Safety
Education Program; together, these programs are called the NOT week at the California Club!
ONE MORE CHILD Safety Education Initiative.
Upcoming Programs & Events
June 18
Cub Scout Urban Camp Day
VIP Reception for President’s Ball
June 24
President Gerry’s Demotion
July 1 & 8
Dark
July 15
President Megan’s First Meeting
Rotary Club of Los Angeles
Est. 1909
www.rotaryla5.org
El
2010-11
Number 37
Rodeo
June 17
President’s Message
It was a conspiracy!
Well . . . I thought we had seen about everything this year that could occur at a Rotary
meeting. But having the meeting taken over by Past Rotary International Director Paul
Netzel, District 5280 Governor Doug Baker and Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith tops them
all!
For those of you who were not there, LA5’ers Chief Peggy York and Judge Lance Ito were the scheduled
guest speakers. They received a standing ovation when being introduced and another ovation when they
finished before the allotted time. Before yours truly could get up to thank them, Paul Netzel took over the podium and began giving an introduction for RIP Ray. About that time I saw President Ray and Governor Doug
making their way through the audience. The theme from Jack Webb’s Dragnet police show began playing
over the sound system as President Ray got up on the stage. He apprised everyone that the “Rotary Police”
had arrived. He then began to “interrogate” and roast me for events that had occurred during the time we
worked together on the LA2008 RI Convention. Ray chided me for canceling the date he had committed for
his “white glove inspection” of LA5 in January so he could speak at the District’s luncheon instead. He informed me, however, “No good deed goes unpunished!” Sure enough, he meant what he said.
I always tease Ray about going “from the mailroom to CEO in Rotary.” He began his Rotary career as an
Ambassadorial Scholar. He took a steamship from New Orleans to Capetown, South Africa, and spent one
year there.
After President Ray spoke, Governor Doug presented the District’s Club of Excellence 2010-11 banner while
making President Ray hold it up. It is taller than Ray! Governor Doug explained that it is a great honor for
LA5 to have earned that award because it was given by Members from other Club’s in our District.
Ray and Doug had a lot in common this year with western themes. A portion of Ray’s theme was based on
“Cowboy Logic,” a song by singer Michael Martin Murphy that had some great messages for success that
correlated with the Four Way Test. Doug’s favorite country group was Asleep at the Wheel and a song entitled, “Big Balls in Cowtown.” I am still not quite sure what the message is in that song, but I learned a lot,
and it was my pleasure to work with, and for, these two Cowboys!
What a great day it was. It was a perfectly orchestrated conspiracy by Jay Richardson, Jon Gibby, Jennifer
Gregg, Peggy York, Lance Ito, Paul Netzel and Doug Baker. I was completely overwhelmed, while having
feelings of great pride for our Club and our accomplishments.
It was an honor to have President Ray visit our Club. He had left Seattle at 4:40 am on Friday morning and
Governor Doug picked him up at LAX, brining him straight to our meeting. Ray then went on to speak at a
three-District Conference in Cathedral City Friday evening, and then left on Saturday morning for Evanston.
For the last two weeks of his RI Presidency, Ray will continue his travels around the world, visiting over 50
Countries, traveling 400,000 miles, visiting 200+ Rotary projects and acknowledging the tremendous work
that Rotarians do. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated senior leaders as Paul Netzel, Doug Baker
and Ray Klinginsmith.
Urban Camp Day
Calling all Cub Scouts and Rotarians who
thrive on working with youth!
Where: Join us at the Urban Scout Experience, 2333 Scout Way, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
When: Saturday, June 18, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
What: Race your space derby competition rocket, climb the rock wall, and more!
Cost: $5 includes Space Derby rocket kit, medal, patch, t‐shirt, and $5 prize money.
After the Event
Lunch will be provided by the LA5 Rotary Club and Rotary Clubs of Greater Los Angeles
and prepared by Troop and Crew 300.
Fantasy Ball Auction Items
A Night in Madrid Dinner for 8
L.A. Dodgers Season Passes
A Night is Alsace Dinner for 8
Boom! At Pepperdine University
Dinner for 8 at a private home in
4 Lower Bowl L.A. Kings Tickets
Manhattan Beach
Gourmet Dinner with wine for 6 in
Malibu
Third Annual LA Vida Music Festival
Sarah McLachlan Concert at the
Hollywood Bowl
4 L.A. Dodgers vs. Mets Field Level
Preferred Parking
L.A. Kings Hockey Tickets
USC Football Home Opener
Hollywood Bowl Box Seats
Christmas Music by the Salvation
LifeSpan Fitness TR200 Fold-n-Stor
Compact Treadmill
Treadmill Desk from Trekdesk
1 night suite at the Jonathan Club
Army Brass Ensemble
Wrought Iron Candlesticks
“Ballgowns” original art work
Decorated Outdoor Patio Umbrella
9x12 Designed Art Glass Tray
Giant Red Camp Chair
Wardrobe & Interior Design Con-
UCLA Basketball: The Real Story
sultation
Hair Salon Gift Basket with Gift Certificate
Shiatsu Massaging Seat Topper
Studio 210 Hair Salon Gift Certificate
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Bridge
Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of
Being Interviewed
Timeless Lifetime Sermons
Internet Television Show to promote
yourself, your business, or your cause!
The Rotary Club of Los Angeles
Welcome New Members
Est. June 25, 1909
Weiling Guo
CLUB LEADERSHIP
President
Gerry Turner
President-Elect
Weiling is the Diplomatic Services Liaison
Megan O’Rourke
V. P./Program Chair
Jay Richardson
Secretary
Christina Chanpong
Treasurer
Don Robinson
Immediate Past President
Marc Leeka
DIRECTORS
John Green
Christina Hurn
Art Kassel
Gus Oppermann
Barrie Segall
Margaret Todd
Jose Vera
Club Fellowship
of China and earned the B.A. in Television Directing from the Communication University of China.
She earned a M.S. from Boston University in television produc-
Alan Bernstein
John Langfitt
at Hillcrest Country Club. She is a native
Diane Netzel
L J Rivera
Carol Shafer
ing.
Her hobbies include tennis, dancing and writing. She is in the
process of writing a book. Jay Richardson is her sponsor.
Noble Trenham
Elizabeth Wheeler
Carol Shafer
Paul John Jacques
Elizabeth Wheeler
Communications
Funding
Noble Trenham
Art Kassel
Paul, a native of Detroit, Michigan is
L J Rivera
Vice President of Infrastructure for the
Diane Netzel
American Film Institute. He earned the B.A. in English from
Membership
Jon Gibby
Barrie Segall
Christina Hurn
USC, and is currently enrolled in the Pepperdine University
MBA program.
Jose Vera
Service Projects
John Langfitt
John Green
Gus Oppermann
New Generations
Margaret Todd
Sergeants-at-Arms
Anthony Bourg
Alan Bernstein
He plays guitar, banjo, bass and the Mandolin. Rick Sarmiento
is his sponsor.
Welcome aboard, Weiling & Paul!
Anthony Calloway
Robert Donahue
Executive Director
Jon S. Gibby
jon@rotaryla5.org
FOUNDATION BOARD
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Chief Financial Officer
Al Shonk
Ben F. Tunnell III
David L. Bland
Donald R. Robinson
Director
Nancy Howard
Director
Marc Leeka
Director
Ed Matveld
Director
Gerry Turner
Rotary Club of Los Angeles Office
900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 418
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Telephone
Fax
Website
District 5280
Governor
213-624-8601
213-624-2694
www.rotaryla5.org
www.district5280.org
Doug Baker
LA5 member Ben Turner seen at the St. Vincent Meals on Wheels
Project. He was out on the street raising money for the Community
Service Fund. At least, that’s what he said.
Last Friday’s Surprise Guests
UGANDA HUMANITARIAN SERVICE PROJECT
LA5 continues its humanitarian work with spectacular International Service projects. Kudos to LA5
members for completing one such project in Uganda. In partnership with ViNA (Village Network
Africa), the Rotary Club of Kibaale, the Inglewood Rotary Club, the Lawndale Rotary Club and the
Crenshaw-Watts Rotary Club, latrines were built at a two schools that serve sixteen villages in the
surrounding Kibaale District, Uganda.
The latrines are for the use of all students in the schools, but they primarily benefit young women.
Young girls tend to drop out of school once they reach puberty, due to lack of sanitation facilities
in village schools. We have learned in Africa & India that educated mothers tend to stay in their
village and thus end the cycle of illiteracy, so this project is not only about hygiene, but more importantly education and future literacy. The President of the Kibaale Rotary Club reports school
enrollment has increased since the completion of the latrines.
Kibaale demonstrates how Rotarian synergy works. The Claremont Rotary Club also worked with
ViNA to build sixteen water wells around the same sixteen villages. Here again is another aspect
of advancing education rather than only providing clean water for the village community. Without
the wells, young students would spend substantial time retrieving water, and they ultimately miss,
or drop out of school. Together, these Rotarian projects managed a complete transformation in
the lives of these Ugandan villagers.
Members of the LA5 International Committee continue to work on several other humanitarian
projects. Projects include distribution of wheelchairs in Santiago, Dominican Republic and renovating the Forensic Ward of the Mental Hospital at Angoda in Sri Lanka. LA5 maximizes the use of
Rotary Foundation awards and District Designated Funds, with about 85% of monies for projects
coming from these sources.
Rita Lee
Editor’s Note:
Rita Lee is the Chair of the International Service
Committee for LA5. She coordinated our Club's
participation in the District's Dominican Republic
International Service project.
Rita has also contributed her art work to Club
fundraising activities, and originated the artwork
for "Rotary Cares" cards. Thank you, Rita!