January 12, 2023
Comments from current President Terry Tysseland
“The Installation Dinner was held on January 12 at the Clubhouse where 55 members and guests enjoyed a prime rib dinner with all the trimmings which was served by ‘Pernilla Scott and her crew’ while listening to Mark and Nancy Sinatra entertain us. I passed the gavel to our new president, and we celebrated Hank Brown and his 2023 Board of Directors, Joe Vicic as Vice President, Larry Drum, Cor Claus, Larry Drum, Co DeCoudres, Doug Drummond, Andrew Weiske, and myself.
The year of 2022 was the transition from COVID Pandemic to COVID Endemic for the country and for us. We started under lockdown and ZOOM lunch meetings in January. And ZOOM did OK, but it surely had its shortcomings. In February we started meeting at My Place in order to be together as a club again and on February 22 we had our first lunch meeting in our own clubhouse. So, it has been quite a year! – the world is a mess on a global, country, state level. But we persevered! Many thanks to our Committee Chairmen, Event Chairmen and Board of Directors and the patience of the members for their flexibility in navigation through the confusing and ever-changing COVID protocols causing the ever rescheduling of events BUT THIS YEAR NEVER CANCELING. Our goal this past year was not to cancel one event and we completed all 29 events in our plan for the first time in three years.
- First full calendar in three years.
- First Lady’s Cocktail and Dinner Dance in three years after three postponements.
- First Couples Trip in three years after three postponements.
- And we persevered through 25 more events with minor rescheduling – the year got more accommodating as we went along.
A special thank you to John Lavarias, ‘the Raffle guru,’ presiding over $1700 of prizes , Ken Calof for check-in, Tom Dixon and Greg Guest for centerpieces, Chuck Rivers for keeping us well hydrated at the fountain and Steve Gammer for photographs, I appreciate the advice of the Board, Event and Committee Chairmen, Past Presidents and the membership for their volunteering spirit that makes this club run so well.
My only advice to Hank and his new board is to “Aways do the right thing and do not be distracted by politics. Mark Twain said it best, “Always do right. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” We have a great president in Hank Brown, and we have a great Board ……. We will have a great 2023. “
Comments from incoming President Hank Brown
“Thank You Terry
Terry, on behalf of the Southern California Tuna Club I would like to present you with a past president’s pin and the official Tuna Club belt buckle. Thank you for your leadership and service.
It is great to see so many members tonight. Thank you for your support as we go forward into 2023. I am truly Honored to be your 2023 Southern California Tuna Club President.
Are you ready for 2023?
I was asked this question by some members with regards to becoming the 2023 Southern California Tuna Club’s President. I thought about those questions in two different ways. Outside the Tuna Club and Inside the Tuna Club.
Outside the Tuna Club With all the uncertainty and craziness going on I do not have any idea what 2023 may bring. Inside the Tuna Club I am certain… with 98 years of history, Past Leadership has managed Depressions, Recessions, Wars, the Asian Flu in the 50’s, and Covid shutdowns, the Southern California Tuna Club has persevered and strong. With a full slate of events and more on the horizon, the Tuna Club is looking good in 2023. The Southern California Tuna Club is ready and so am I.
I would like to thank Terry Tysseland, Mike Mundy, Tom Dixon, Curt Herberts, Don First, Paul McEachern, Don Herman, and Tyler Jackson who gave me a wide range of advice in preparation in becoming the Tuna Club President. Our discussions all ended with a common theme. Enjoy the ride and have fun, do nottakeyourself too seriously and have fun, everything will work out- just remember to have fun!
The Southern California Tuna Club is made up of a diverse and unique group of men, (some of you are more unique than others) a group of men who share a common passion while enjoying the fellowship and adventures together.
The strength of the Club comes from its members. From this membership comes the volunteers who help at Club Events, Club event Chairman whoplan the adventures, Committee Chairman who continue to make things seamless, and the Board of Directors who are responsible for guidance and providing resources needed to keep the Traditions and the Legacy of the Club intact while looking forward to our 100th anniversary.
My sincere thanks to the 2023 volunteers, Event Chairs, Committee Chairman, and the Board of Directors for your service in 2023.
Thank you.
I would like to briefly share with you my journey through the Southern California Club.
About 2005 Mr. Dean Sutherland invited me as a guest to a couple of lunches as well as to participate in a couple of events. Later Dean asked me if I had an interest in the Club and what I thought about membership. I thought seriously about this and the fun I had at the lunches and during the events which I participated in. But I decided I was too busy to commit and really did not have the time to become a member.
In 2016 Tom Dixon asked me to come to a SCTC lunch. At lunch everybody was laughing, joking, and having a great time. Tom continued to invite me to lunches and introduced me to many of the members. My personal life was still terribly busy, but I decided if asked I would become a member.
After becoming a member, I was encouraged by other members to get involved and participate in Club events and I began helping. I Served as Chairman and Co Chairman of the Spring Bass Tournament, became Weigh Station Chairman, served on the Board, became Secretary, Vice President and now in 2023 President.
It was not until about halfway through this journey that I began to appreciate the significance of the Tuna Club Legacy and the bylaws which define us and make us different.
Thank you for sponsoring me, Tom Dixon. This is a great club and I have enjoyed being a member and all the benefits which membership of the Southern California Tuna Club offers.
In Closing
I only have one regret… That I did not become a member when first introduced by Dean Sutherland in 2005.
I would like to encourage members and especially New Members to get involved, volunteer, and have fun.”
Thank You,
Hank Brown
SCTC President 2023


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