Monthly Archives: May 2016
NEXT MEETING: May 27, 2016Putting Richmond Students First
Enjoy a special presentation by violin students from Benito Juarez Elementary School led by Don Benham, followed by a conversation with Jorge Lopez, Chief Executive for Amethod Public Schools (AMPS). AMPS currently operates three public charter schools in Richmond. Its staff believe that students can succeed in rigorous and college-prep environments when provided with high expectations, capable educators and leaders, challenging academics, more time for learning, and access to a range of enriching learning experiences. AMPS seeks to strengthen the character and academic foundations that are direly needed for underrepresented students to best prepare them to assume positions of responsibility in society. Core to its mission is the belief that it doesn’t matter where you start in life, but what you do with what you have in life is what counts. MEETING OF May 20, 2016WelcomeOn a beautiful sunny day, Prez Alan welcomed all and asked PP Stoney Stonework (great to see you Stoney) to lead us in the Pledge. Prez Alan offered a moment for Peace on Earth and Sid Chauvin offered: “The first and most important step toward success is the feeling that you can succeed.” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsJames Lee was a guest (for the last time) and he brought with him as his guest Yolanda Oviedo. Special EventsNew Member James Lee, who was sponsored by Josh Genser, was inducted into the Club. Welcome James! Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAM
Liliane Kozial introduced our guest speaker Nicole Richards, a South Afrrican native who is a fulltime volunteer and Operations Manager of the Committee for South African Solidarity (COSAS) which is working on economic justice and freedom in South Africa. She moved to the U.S. in 2005 and is the Editor of the South African BEACON. One of her main initiative involves getting better education for the children of South Africa by providing educational supplies to the schools. COSAS uses as its guide in the struggle for justice and freedom the 1955 Freedom Charter which outlines the hopes and the desires of the people. COSAS needs funding to continue to provide educational supplies. Unfortunately, they do not have a website at this time, but if you would like to help I am sure Liliane can provide contact information for Nicole. The Menehune “Rotating Editor” |
NEXT MEETING: May 20, 2016COSAS: Fighting for Economic Justice and Freedom in South Africa
Nicole Richards, a South African native, is the Operations Manager of Committee for South African Solidarity (COSAS) and Editor of the South African BEACON. Ms. Richards moved to the U.S. in 2005 with her family and volunteered with a number of community organizations while going to school and working. In 2012, she became a full-time volunteer organizer with COSAS, which she now leads. Nicole will speak about her organization’s role in continuing the unfinished struggle for economic justice and freedom in South Africa, defined in the 1955 Freedom Charter, and how the struggle against poverty and inequality here in the U.S. is connected to the struggle in South Africa. MEETING OF May 13, 2016WelcomeAlan Blavins called the meeting to order and asked Nick Despota to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by a moment of silence in thoughts of peace. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsSid Chauvin brought Joe Kelman Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMPogo Park in Richmond's Iron Triangle Neighborhood
Our speaker, Toody Maher, is an artist, inventor, and entrepreneur. In 1983, she pioneered Swatch’s product launch and drive sales in her region from $0 in 1983 to $30 million in three years. She then started Fun Products, which created the world’s first clear telephone with lights. While working for a research institute on how to increase overall health and well being in communities, she realized how valuable parks could be if only they were properly designed and managed. Formerly the Elm Playlot (located at 8th and Elm streets in one of the most blighted areas of the Iron Triangle), Pogo Park was virtually unused despite the fact that 3,500 children lived within a seven-minute walk. Almost every house adjacent to the park was boarded up. The park was littered with needles, liquor bottles, condoms, and shell casings. Park swings had been chewed by pit bulls. The solution, Maher saw, was to engage local residents to plan, design, build and manage the playlot themselves. She and her team interviewed 2,300 neighbors and asked, what do you want? They came up with a lively innovative design. Ron Holthuysen, whose Scientfic Arts Studio is located only blocks away, stepped forward to show residents how to build the playground equipment themselves. Today, the park has become a model for others across the nation. It has revitalized the neighborhood, created employment and acts as a symbol of hope. Toody invited Rotarians to stop by the park and see for themselves and also to visit the website: http://pogopark.org/ David Cole, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: May 13, 2016Pogo Park in Richmond's Iron Triangle Neighborhood
Toody Maher, founder and executive director, will provide an update on Pogo Park in Richmond. Toody is an incredibly successful inventor, entrepreneur, and developer, as well as a fiercely passionate community supporter. After graduating from U.C. Berkeley in 1983, Toody secured the distribution rights to Swatch Watch in the 11 Western States. Toody pioneered Swatch’s product launch, set up the regional office, and helped drive sales in her region from $0 in 1983 to $30 million in 1986. She next started Fun Products, which created the world’s first clear telephone with lights. In 1990, Toody was named Inc. Magazine’s “Entrepreneur of the Year.” Toody next became Business Director at Juma Ventures, a San Francisco nonprofit providing jobs and job training to at-risk youth in Bayview-Hunters Point. To employ 200 youth, Toody worked with the San Francisco Giants and ’49ers to start a Ben & Jerry’s/Tully’s coffee concession business at Candlestick and PacBell Park. The business she started is now a highly successful national model. After Juma, Toody invented, developed, and patented different products that she later sold or licensed to others. She worked as a consultant on a project for a research institute at UCLA, helping translate their scientific, evidence-based research into formats that people can actually use. During this project, when she was working on how to increase overall health and well-being in communities, she realized how invaluable safe and vibrant parks could be to children, families; this led her to found Pogo Park in 2007. MEETING OF May 6, 2016WelcomeOn an overcast day, Prez Alan welcomed all to the “Happiest Rotary Club in Richmond” and Henry Moe led us in the Pledge. Prez Alan asked for Peace on Earth and Sid Chauvin offered “Never, ever go to bed angry!! Stay awake all night, if you have to, and plot your revenge!” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsJan Brown had as her guests: Byron Brown; Kathy Anderson and Rhonda Harris. Jon Lawlis was with Darlene Quenville. AnnouncementsFormer Richmond Rotarian Rhonda Harris, who we were all very glad to see, thanked those who helped fix up the Veteran’s Home in Richmond on April 30. She heard comments like “I can see in the kitchen now that it is bright white.” The Home helps veterans with housing, education, health care and legal services and is a one stop center for help. RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAM
Jan Brown gave a brief history of the Teen Parent program which started in 1996 with the opening of a center at Kennedy High (which has closed because today there are fewer teen pregnancies) and later at Richmond High. Kathy Anderson, Program Coordinator of the program for the Y, gave a brief overview of the program. The gift bag program was started 11 years ago by Rhonda Harris. Jan gave thanks to Dan Tanita for dental supplies, Burt’s Bees for baby products, Project Linus for handmade blankets and to fellow Rotarians Nick Despota, Doris Mitchell and Mae Saechao for added help and contributions. Nick Despota gave everyone careful instructions on how to package things into the gift bags (I think most were listening). The most important item to go in was a personal note from the Rotarian who assembled it. Thanks to Jan, Byron, and Nick for organizing the gift bags. The 33 gift bags were delivered to grateful moms the following Monday, May 9th. Byron, Jan’s official event photographer (and husband), snapped the pix you see on the right. - The Menehune, “Rotating Editor” |
NEXT MEETING: May 6, 2016Richmond Rotary's Teen Moms Project
Now in its eleventh year, the Teen Moms Project offers words of encouragement to young women at Richmond high schools. We back up those words with gift bags stuffed with baby care essentials—diapers, blankets, baby shampoo and lotion, and more. Now it’s our turn. Please be sure to attend this gratifying –and fun!– annual project meeting. MEETING OF April 29, 2016WelcomePresident Alan Blavins called the meeting to order, asked a club member from the back of the room to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and asked Dan Tanita to lead us in a silent prayer for peace. Sergeant-at-Arms Sid Chauvin offered the quote of the day: “If you don’t cuss while driving, then you are not paying attention to the road at all.” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsGeorge Egan’s guest was Marge Bottari Don Lau brought Candy Souza Jerry Feagley’s guests were J.R. Griffin and George Lyon Nico Veran brought John Ziesenhenne Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMThe Y Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Program Chair extraordinaire Stacey Street introduced the legendary Don Lau as our speaker. Don is the Executive Vice President of the YMCA of the East Bay. The Y started out as the Richmond Youth Center and eventually joined forces with other local Ys to become the YMCA of the East Bay. There are now over 40 different locations for families to enjoy. Since 1983 when Don came on board, the Y has expanded to include childcare (7 sites, 350 children per day), mental health services (34 counselors and 16 interns to serve 670 children per day) the expanded learning program (1,000 students per day), a child development center, and a new location at Hilltop. The Y also partners with community programs including the holiday toy drive, Rosie’s Girls, and RPAL. Learn more about the YMCA of the East Bay. Then help Zoe become President of the United States. The YMCA isn’t just a gym, it is a community. - Shana Bagley Howe, your rotating Scribette |
