Yearly Archives: 2015
NEXT MEETING: January 8, 2016A Visit from the Rotary District GovernorRichmond Rotary welcomes District Governor Ken Courville for his official Club visit. Ken was born in Fall River, Massachusetts. He received a degree in Public Service, Law Enforcement from Bristol Community College in Fall River. He received a degree in Public Service, Law Enforcement from Bristol Community College in Fall River. Ken joined The Dixon Rotary Club in 2001, after attending a lunch meeting that impressed him with the Rotarians’ sense of giving and service. He has held various positions within the Dixon Club including Club President 2009/2010, Club Foundation Chair, District Foundation Representative for Solano County, and Assistant Governor for two years. Ken was selected this year to become District Governor for District 5160 in 2015/2016. He will also serve as Chair of the Far West PETS in 2017. MEETING OF December 18, 2015WelcomePresident-Elect Josh S. called the meeting to order, since President Alan Blavins was recuperating from the flu. He asked Herb Cole to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Sid Chauvin’s thought for the day was from Jay Leno: If God wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates. Herb Cole called for a moment of silence for freedom and peace on earth. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsJon Lawlis brought his sweetie Darlene Quenville as his guest. Special Events Rather than be fined $50,000 for not wearing her badge, Mey Saechao opted to present her “Who Am I?,” even though she wasn’t prepared! Mey was raised in Richmond, and is the oldest of 8 kids. Her parents are Laotian refugees – her father fought against the Vietcong. Mey has been married for 7 years, and they have a cat named Ash, a recent rescue. Mey is a CPA and serves as Manager for Timpson Garcia in Oakland. She neglected to include information she had shared previously— that she was fortunate to receive a bike in the toy drive when she was a kid. Nice job, Mey, very interesting! President-Elect Josh was happy to give her her well-earned blue badge afterwards! Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMPresident-Elect Josh introduced Your Scribe today, Stacey Street, who was pinch-hitting for the previously scheduled speaker, who had experienced a bad fall and was unable to present. After a long career in the nonprofit world, Stacey has been Chief Development Officer for Richmond Community Foundation for the past year and a half. Though most club members are likely familiar with the organization’s name, or know a little about what RCF does, since Board Chair and Rotarian Josh Genser gave a great presentation in mid-2014, most people don’t know the full extent of RCF’s impact in the community. Stacey led the group through a presentation, which gave an overview of community foundations, and in particular Richmond Community Foundation’s history, mission and programs. RCF harnesses the power of philanthropy to ensure healthy, sustainable communities in Richmond and surrounding communities of Contra Costa County. RCF does this through “3 C’s”:
RCF provides visionary leadership to foster collaboration, partnership and innovation, and has successfully created, expanded and broadened initiatives that have community-wide impact, such as its Social Impact Bond strategy for reducing housing blight. This strategy uses a new type of financing tool that leverages private capital for community impact, and has attracted recognition from both NBC News and The New York Times. Visit richmondcf.org for more information. Stacey Street, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: December 18, 2015Where do your Rotary dues go?Have you ever wondered where your money goes when you make a donation to the Rotary Foundation? How much money does our club give to the Foundation each year? How do we compare with other clubs in the District? Those questions and more will be answered by Berkeley Rotarian Larry Goldenberg, District Foundation Fundraising Chair. Larry joined Berkeley Rotary 30 years ago and was Club President in 2003-2004. He served as an Assistant District Governor, was responsible for coordinating the development of the District Directory under DG, Brian Thiessen and currently is the District Fund Raising Chair. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society Member and a major donor. MEETING OF December 11, 2015WelcomeRichmond Rotary Club President Alan Blavins quietly presided over the Club’s Holiday Party at the Richmond Art Center from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Attendance was high, libations were flowing, the appetizers were delicious, and a good time was had by all. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMHow can you describe a great Holiday party? Guess you had to be there. Though there was no snow outside, it was pleasingly chilly. And though there were no chestnuts roasting on an open fire, there were tasty hors d’oeuvres and a nice range of beverages. The feeling was definitely one of camaraderie and good cheer! Here are some photos, thanks to Jon Lawlis. - Tom Waller, Rotating Scribe | ||||||
NEXT MEETING: December 11, 2015
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NEXT MEETING: December 4, 2015It's Our Annual Holiday Auction!We won’t mince words. The money raised in this hour-and-a-half will fund our community programs and grants for the remainder of the year. It’s that important. Please be there early– at least by 12 PM. Bring friends or colleagues. Check out the auction items, drink, and eat. We want to start the Live Auction promptly at 12:30. Plan to spend more than you had planned to spend. That’s not a lack of fiscal discipline, it’s yielding to your better angels. (C’mon, you know you have them.) Haven’t submitted your auction gift yet. Please do it now. MEETING OF November 20, 2015WelcomePresident Alan Blavins called the meeting to order, asked Program Coordinator Stacey Street to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and asked for a silent prayer for peace. Menehune Don Lau offered a holiday auction-themed the quote of the day: “It is better to give — and then buy it back.” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsJim Young introduced as his guest his lovely wife Linda Young. Special EventsStacey Street introduced and Alan Blavins inducted new member David Cole. David owns Bay Tree Publishing and is on the board for Masquers Playhouse. Welcome David! Who Is She?Scribette Shana Bagley Howefinally gave her “Who Am I?” to rousing applause. Congratulation, Shana! Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMJim Young introduced Rev. Dr. David Vásquez Levy, President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, to talk about migrating faith. He explained: California and our nation were shaped by the aftermath of the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad that connected east to west across the United States. Conflict and opportunity brought people from everywhere, gathering this “most heterogeneous mass of humanity ever assembled since the confusion of tongues.” People have migrated to California, and the United States following trade, just like Joseph in the book of Genesis, and people currently risking their lives to leave Central America, Africa, Syria, and elsewhere in the Middle East to find a better life. In this time of tragedy (the push of conflicts around the world), we must remember that, historically, people’s movements follow the trade routes (the pull toward opportunity) and the positives of migration (52% of Silicon Valley startups such as Yahoo, Intel, Google, and Amazon were founded or co-founded by foreign born people). Reflection is desperately needed to discover alternate ways to engage our increasingly interconnected world. The experiences of people on the move can offer wisdom and open our minds as we seek to find ways to respond to this time of unprecedented migration. In forming our policies and opinions, we must not forget that migration is at the core of our own story. - Shana Bagley Howe, your rotating Scribette (whose great grandfather Capitano Luigi Baglietto migrated to San Francisco by jumping his Genovese merchant ship in 1886 and was never naturalized). (Cellphone Police: Mark Howe please turn off your ringer!) | ||||||
NEXT MEETING: November 20, 2015Migrating FaithMigration is at the core of the sacred texts of many traditions. Adam and Eve must leave the garden of Eden; Abraham and Sarah venture out with nothing but a promise; Siddhārtha Gautama the prince who becomes the Buddha begins his path to enlightenment by traveling around his kingdom; Jesus begins his life as a refugee hiding from Herod; the prophet Mohamed’s return from exile to Mecca is traced back as one of the pillars of Islam. Join Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy for a conversation about the sustaining power of religious narratives that speak to our own stories of change——migrations across national or physical boundaries or beyond personal boundaries of belief and experience. Rev. Vásquez-Levy serves as President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California – a progressive, interdenominational Christian seminary committed to preparing spiritually and theologically rooted leaders for social transformation. A committed pastor, a nationally recognized immigration leader, and a sought after speaker, Vásquez-Levy leads at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change. (Pictured: The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, Mosacio, 1425.) MEETING OF November 13, 2015WelcomePresident Alan Blavins called the meeting to order and asked Tom Butt to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Sid Chauvin’s thought for the day, from Aesop, of Fables fame: We hang petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. President Alan called for a moment of silence for peace on earth and good will to all. Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMContra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District and YouYour Scribe today introduced speaker Andrew Pierce, noting his appropriate name for the subject matter… Andrew has worked for almost ten years for the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District, providing public health education outreach in the form of public speaking engagements throughout the county. A “vector” can be any creature that can cause serious danger or discomfort to humans. Vectors include mosquitoes, mice and rats, ticks, yellowjackets and skunks. The District, not technically a government agency, but one providing free services to all residents of the county, was created over 90 years ago when residents banded together after facing significant public health challenges. Andrew described the challenges created by the different vectors, focusing mainly on mosquitoes. He explained the ways the District helps prevent these challenges and also takes care of issues when they occur. Some highlights:
Visit contracostamosquito.com for more information. - Stacey Street, Rotating Editor |