Rotary Club of Pacific Palisades Hosts First Meeting Post-Pandemic

By MAGNOLIA LAFLEUR | Reporter

The Pacific Palisades Rotary Club had its first in-person meeting since the start of the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, April 12, at their new venue, Modo Mio. The Rotary Club’s in-person luncheon featured guest speaker George Zaoui, owner of Modo Mio.

“Our first in-person meeting post-COVID was well attended and everyone enjoyed the food and the pleasure of each other’s company and saw the smiles on our faces in person rather than Zoom,”  former Rotary Club president and member of the board, Holly Davis shared with the Palisadian-Post. “During the pandemic, Rotary continued with community involvement and money donations to the many causes Rotary supports [including the] Food Bank, Village Green, school scholarships, Meals on Wheels and more. As COVID appears in the rearview mirror, Rotary is optimistic about continuing and making greater strides.”

The Rotary also mentioned they awarded Matthew Rodman as Business Person of the Year in 2021 for his involvement and dedication to the community.

A Palisades resident of over 20 years, Rodman has an extensive resume of contributions to the community. In 2017, he received the Golden Sparkplug award from the Pacific Palisades Community Council for working to solve traffic problems at Paul Revere Middle School.

“[He] has demonstrated leadership and involvement within the Palisades community and demonstrated a character of ‘Service Above Self,’” Davis said. “When selecting the nominee, the Rotary voting memberships felt, hands down, Matthew Rodman not only met the requirements, but exceeded them.”

When Rodman’s children, Spencer and Max, attended Paul Revere, he started a program where “he was able to help adopt parent-sponsored … chartered buses to and from school,”  Davis shared.

His children currently attend Palisades Charter High School and Rodman’s program has extended to aiding Pali High students with their transportation needs. As president of the Palisades Americanism Parade Association, Rodman successfully led a community of volunteers during the pandemic to produce the 4th of July fireworks display and parade.

“I was very moved by the surprise acknowledgment for the work that I do in the community with the July 4th events,” Rodman said to the Post. “It never occurred to me that the Rotary would award and give recognition to somebody that is not a typical business in the Palisades so I was flattered to receive it.

“[This year] we are going to have an exciting 4th of July, starting with the Palisades Run in the morning and ending with the fireworks in the evening.”

Along with being selected as the Pacific Palisades Rotary Club’s Business Person of the Year, Rodman received a $500 donation, which he donated to Pali High, and was given an honorary membership to the club.

“Rotary is looking to a successful 2022 in all its endeavors and looking forward to adding new members as we move forward,” Davis said. “Rotary pre-pandemic, and now going forward, travels yearly to countries around the world who need water, cooking ovens … and brings money and the needed appliances and hope.”