Newsletter - Archive  Apr 22, 2010

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Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter

"The Thrilla in the Villa" ...  Be There!!

Saturday May 1st  7PM

Good Day Everyone.  We've got our big fundraiser coming up next Saturday evening and the word is on the street that this is going to be one incredible evening for our club and community.  Ticket sales are picking up and many of our very generous Villa Park Friends have generously donated tickets so that some of the kids in local foster care programs can attend the game and have a night of fun with a stay in school and anti drug message. We are going to show Villa Park how to throw one heck of a party!!

Our program today began with an invocation by Teri Brooks and our Pledge of Allegiance was led by Nagy Ibrahim.  We sang God Bless America led by songstress Teri Brooks and then Greg Mills led us in reciting the Rotary Four Way Test.

Guests:

Peggy Butler - President of Villa Park Ford - guest speaker

Spud Lambing- Orange Rotarian- announced a joint social event for all the Orange and Villa Park Clubs-  "An American Celebration of Music"  on Friday November 5 -  Last date to register is June 17th- $50 per Ticket  Send Checks to: Chapman University,

                                                     Attn: Special Events

                                                      One University Drive

                                                       Orange, Ca 92866

Susan Njamanze- Social Worker -The club donated 30 tickets for our Harlem Ambassador game to the Children at the Orangewood Facility.

Secret Greeter-  Jill Kuli caught a few people who avoided shaking her hand

Badge and Pin Check - performed by Eric Sense also made a few bucks for the club

Announcements:

Milt Stamos wanted everyone, particularly Steve Stern to know that his beloved Yankees were coming to play the Angels this weekend.    He didn't exactly imply a clean sweep of the series, but it was kind of implied.

Linda Bartrom-Olsen wanted to let us know that Elizabeth Fischer at Cera Villa MIddle School was very grateful for the minigrant she recently received from our club. She had her students hand write us thank you cards which Linda distributed.

Bob Meyer read a letter he had from a Marine in Afghanistan who was very happy to receive the detergent we've been sending.  Apparently people were starting to wash their uniforms with some interesting products and it was getting a bit gamy at the base. Things are looking up now that the soap suds are flowing again. 

Jill Kuli announced that we had 4 students attending Camp RYLA this weekend.  For the newer members RYLA is an acronym standing for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and is held every year at this time in the local mountains.  Kids attending work on leadership skills and group dynamics.

Millie Alexander announced a future dining out for the group.  We need six couples to make it happen- contact Millie or Steve Stern for details.

Greg Mills discussed projects and potential project for the coming year.

Pete Moriarty gave a report on our new membership committee.  Members include: Steve Stern,

Brad Reese, Stan Van Denberg, Lisa Stepanski, Jim Glenn,  and Wayne Silzel. The group had its first meeting last evening and set a goal of 10 new members in the next 14 months.  They want 2 recommendations for new members per member.

Birthdays/ Anniversaries:

Terry Davis is celebrating a birthday.  Husband Tom is taking a short break from the club,but promises to be back in July.

Paul and Jane Hudson are celebrating their Ninth Anniversary with a stay at the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla.

Happy Bucks:

Lesslie Giacobbi had several happinesses- She was Principal for the Day at Villa Park High School and had a great experience - She thanked Ed Howard for his graciousness in providing the opportunity and making all the arrangements.

She is also happy that Greg Mills is hitting the ground running as our President- Elect.

She was also happy to see Anita Jameson at the meeting.

Jay Lieberman has been accompanying his granddaughter on a college tour.  She is interested in pursuing a career in architecture and visited Notre Dame, Syracuse and Cornell University.  She has also been enrolled in a 6 week summer program at Cornell in architecture.  

Jay is still waiting for his luggage to catch up with him.

Nagy Ibrahim is taking his granddaughter to Monterrey for 3 days to help celebrate her 5th birthday.

Jill Kuli had a visit from a previous  Japanese exchange student and had a great time catching up.

The student is pursuing an acting career in Japan and it all began with a stage appearance at Villa Park High School during her exchange visit.

Wayne Silzel is getting ready to have a garage sale for the grand kids- he still expects 20% of the take.

Drawing Ron Accornero - drew a 6

Speaker:  Peggy Baldwin Butler

Peggy is the current President of Villa Ford a business that was began by her parents in 1970.

She came to her current position in a rather circuitous route beginning her career as a high school teacher in Huma, Arizona. She married in 1980 and is the mother of 3 children with her step daughter Jenna now working at Villa Ford. She and her husband were running Villa Honda in Hemet and as her parents became older and infermed/or passed away  she became more involved in Villa Ford management becoming the president last summer.  Economic  times have been tough and it was thought at some point they would have to close shop, difficult decisions had to be made and long time employees let go.  Slowly but surely car sales have improved and the business is doing well.  Peggy  brings all of her parent's core values into the way she is running the  business; stressing strong family values. One trick  she finds that if you put smiley faces on the used cars people can't resist them.  So now she adorns everything with smiley faces.

Like Rotary's Four Way Test Peggy has instituted 5 core Values at Villa Ford

1. Family Happiness strong family values create a sense of belonging, fellowship and community.

Family Happiness is reflected in both our professional and personal lives.

2. Health- healthy businesses, healthy bodies, healthy relationships, healthy families and a healthy planet

3. Integrity-  committed to providing quality service

4. Love-  Compassion, empathy, respect, kindness and acceptance are the cornerstones of success.  Customers at Villa Ford can expect to feel secure, loved and supported.

5.Spirituality- entrepreneurial, individual, organizational and community.  She wants to create positive energy at the workplace and attract fun, spirited, enterprising, pioneering and courageous co-workers.

If you missed this talk you missed someone who clearly has a passion for what she is doing and is not afraid to change the way she runs her business.  I got a chance to visit Villa Ford shortly after the meeting because Peggy generously placed a full page ad in our basketball program.  There are pictures of her mom and dad adorning multiple walls and the ambiance was truly very friendly and warm.  Much success to this very energetic and spirited lady.

She is truly a new model for corporate leadership in our times.

People Who Signed Up to Sell Ticket at Ralph's Market this Saturday

9-11AM - Greg and Abby Mills

              Bob Bell

               Jay Applebaum

11-1 PM   Jim and Cathy Brodsy

                 Bob and Jay

1-3 PM      Bob and Jay

People Who Signed Up to Sell Tickets at the Villa Park Open House

Wednesday 5:30- 8:30

Jill and Dennis Kuli

Steve and Lainey Stern

George Poulos

Pete Moriarty

Jim Brodsky

Bob Meyer

Millie Alexander - 7-8:30

Bob Kriesberg

                    We will have 2 tables set up- 1 in the Breezeway near the cookies

                                                                   1 either outside or inside the Gym 

                       We can also have people spread around the campus wearing Rotary Aprons

                                  and carrying balloons. Seating will be available, but we've found

                                   its better to get up and engage the people in a friendly manner.

                         Remember Plan B- if they can't attend ask them to sponsor a 

                                      child in the community.

Thanks to everyone who has helped make this the success I know it will be.