Cozette Vergari is a member of the State Bar of California and is also admitted to practice law before the United States District Federal Court for the Central District of California. Aside from litigation, she is trained in mediation, and has received Court appointments as legal counsel for minor children in high conflict custody battles. Cozette established her own law firm in 1996, subsequently overseeing well over 1000 client matters in the areas of Family Law and Trust and Estates.
Sergeant-At-Arms Henry Ott greeted wandering Rotarians and their guests at our humid but beautiful Palos Verdes Country Club venue. President Lynne Neuman convened our weekly session and welcomed members and visitors. The invocation by Jim Hartman was dedicated to our Visiting District Governor and her leadership team. Kjell Hellberg gave the pledge to our flag, and Bob Johnson let the group in patriotic song.
Lynne Neuman introduced Kathleen Anderson who in turn introduced our guests. Representatives from District 5280 included Cozette Vergari, her husband Richard Moon, Chief of Staff, Jerry Brown and Jim Davis. Also in attendance were Karen, Greenberg, Assistant Governor. our Honorary Member Carolyn O’Brien, Gary Tossell, Inga Liden and Cindy Pheng. The entire club burst into the welcome song with music by John Schuricht, and the meeting was in full swing.
Lynne Neuman then introduced Jonathon Udewitz who reminded Rotarians about the Clean-Up Crenshaw group and their planned activities for Saturday, August 5th. Nancy Crawford reminded Rotarians about the Tribute to Keith Deisenroth planned for next Friday, August 11 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Jonathon Club in LA. Allen Bond updated the Club on the Foundation Scholarship Committee. Derald Sidler, President of the Foundation announced the deadline of September 15, 2017, for the fall round of grant applications for local community support. He also indicated the Foundation had funded the repair and updating of two classrooms at the Switzer Center in Torrance to be done by Club members. Former member Inga Liden presented a Rotary banner from the Rotary Club in Vence, France.
The two opportunity drawings were won by Hang Up Moon and Kjell Hellberg.
Lynne Neuman then introduced Cozette Vergari, our District Governor. The introduction was comprehensive and included information about Cozette’s’s background, her education, her many Rotary achievements, her family and his dedication to being an effective and responsive leader for the District.
Cozette Vergari is a member of the State Bar of California and is also admitted to practice law before the United States District Federal Court for the Central District of California. Aside from litigation, she is trained in mediation, and has received Court appointments as legal counsel for minor children in high conflict custody battles. Cozette established her own law firm in 1996, subsequently overseeing well over 1000 client matters in the areas of Family Law and Trust and Estates.
Before her career in law, she made her living in the performing arts. Cozette holds a Bachelor of Arts from USC in Dance. She attended graduate school at USC, completing her course work toward a Master in Education and earned a life time teaching credential in English and Physical Education. Cozette performed in musical theater both locally and internationally. She taught dance at the high school and college levels, owning and operating 3 dance studios and dancewear retail businesses, while continuing as a professional choreographer.
In September 1995, Cozette joined the Rotary Club of Westchester (Los Angeles). She has served in numerous positions at the club, district and zone levels, including chairing the opening night event for the 2008 RI Convention in Los Angeles, staring Natalie Cole at L.A. Live. Cozette also serves on the Board of Directors for 1736 Family Crisis Center and the U.S. Selective Service System. Cozette and husband Richard Moon met in Rotary and have a blended family of four children, two daughters-in-law and one grandson.
The District Governor then awarded District Governor Citations of Achievement to Rotarians Mark Mazorow for the Beer and Wine Festival, Kjell Hellberg for the 43 years of Club membership, and Rick Mendoza for his leadership in Polio Plus. Cozette also mentioned the many contributions of Greg O’Brien and the truly incredible support for RI from Hang Up Moon.
Her address to the Club referenced the vitality and size of the Rotary International family and the importance Rotary makes locally and globally. She is committed to enhancing the diversity and membership of the District and equally committee to strategic leadership. She commended the Club on our passion for making a difference, citing as success our scholarship programs, our Educator of the Year Program, the Beer and Wine Festival and the fact that this year the Club achieved a !00% Paul Harris donor designation.
She referenced the District Grants availability and timing and she also presented information on the District Scholarship program. She encouraged members to visit the District 5280 web-site for information on District support for clubs. Her four major points were her plan to raise $250,000 as a function of the August 5 Walk to End Polio, the Centennial Two Million Dollar RI Dinner with Fritz Coleman and Peter Salk at the JW Marriott in LA Live on October 28, the two District Humanitarian trips to Columbia and finally a plea for club support for the problem of child sex trafficking locally, regionally and globally. Cozette is working with RI, Homeland Security and our District to solicit resources to address this serious societal problem. RI has created a position to coordinate efforts in this arena.
The District Governor than met with the Officers of our local club to discuss ways in which the District and our club can continue to work together.