The Rotary Club of San Marino held its first meeting with its newest President Barbara Bice, who gave a Craft Talk to introduce herself to a full house on July 13.
Bice brings an impressive Rotary pedigree. Her father, a broker at Crowell-Weeden, was a lifelong Rotarian and her mother was a Rotary “Ann,” which was the highest Rotary status a woman could assume in those days. It was only fitting that Bice would become the club’s first female member in 1987, just after the Supreme Court mandated that women be allowed to join Rotary. She also shared that she had been with the San Marino Unified School District for 20 years as a teacher, a counselor and head of fundraising.
At the meeting, District Governor elect Mike Driebe unfurled the new Rotary banner with the theme “Create Hope in the World.” Rob Feidler, fresh off his demotion two weeks ago, presented Bice with the official club gavel, which dates to the founding of the club in 1939.
Born and raised in the area, Bice did her undergraduate work at University of the Pacific in Stockton, followed by a master’s degree in English from Cal State Long Beach. She was married in 1968 and moved the following year to Washington, D.C., with her husband, who was a law clerk for Chief Justice Earl Warren.
Returning to the area, Barbara taught AP English at San Marino High School. In 1973, she was tasked with establishing a career counseling center at the high school and later in the decade she became the first executive director of the San Marino Schools Foundation. After that, she became director of major gifts at the Huntington Hospital and then, in 1993 and 1994 she served as director of volunteer services for the Rose Bowl venue for the 1994 World Cup. She was also involved with USC Law School, where her husband, Scott, taught for 50 years and was dean for 20 years.
Bice thanked last year’s Rotary Board for their service and noted that our club has 97 members, eight major committees and 39 sub-committees. It completes 28 projects each year, hosts 25 different luncheon speakers, and holds four competitions for students. The club provides seven teacher mini grants, funds five major international projects and provides 15 grants to local community organizations. Last year, the club distributed more than $165,000 to 41 tax-exempt organizations and/or teachers and individuals.
During the coming year, Bice hopes to increase club membership by 10%, as well as increase the club’s visibility in the community.
Photos by Staci Moraza | San Marino Tribune
