NEXT MEETING: September 2, 2016

Follow the money. Your money.

You generously donate to the Rotary Foundation. But exactly how is that money used? Jane Louie, the District Endowment Fund Chair, will talk to us about how the Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.

Jan is a member of the Dougherty Valley, San Ramon Rotary Club. She has been inducted into the Bequest Society and the Paul Harris Society, and is a Paul Harris Fellow.

MEETING OF August 26, 2016

Welcome

Josh Surowitz presided over the meeting. Felix Hunziker led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Stoney Stonework offered the invocation. Sid provided a week’s worth of reflection with the following, “It has been universally accepted and agreed upon, the first five days after the weekend are the hardest.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Today’s featured speaker, Fernanda Castelo, is also a visiting Rotarian from Newport Beach. She brought as her guest George Hughes.

Announcements

• Alan Baer reminded folks that this week’s TGIFF will take place at Mira Vista Country Club.
• David Brown announced that we were still raising money to help out teachers at Peres Elementary School and $500 short of our goal. In a matter of moments our members had made up the difference.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

A journey of changes and restoration

Shana introduced our speaker, Fernanda Castelo, as a personal friend, an accomplished sailor, and a “test pilot” for Ekso Bionics, a Richmond-based company that develops exoskeleton solutions for medical and industrial applications. A former Disneyland dancer who cherished the release and creativity of movement, twenty years ago Fernanda experienced a spinal cord injury that left her quadriplegic. Through fierce determination, she gradually regained use of her hands and learned to provide for her own needs with the use of a powered wheelchair.

While still early in her recovery, she announced to her medical team that she was going to Paris despite their objections. She ended up staying more than six months, negotiating a city without a thought to accommodating disabilities and where cobblestone streets were a barrier to wheelchair use.

On returning she found herself spending a lot of time in the water learning to move without the restrictions of gravity. During this time she worked with Ekso Bionics, providing design feedback to engineers on their exoskeletons. She also consulted on wheelchair designs. Her greatest passion, however, has been in her discovery of sailing, which, she says joyfully is like dancing again. Sailing allows her freedom and the opportunity to experience responsibility for others in her boat. It also forces her to react physically to her environment. It makes her aware of aspects of her body and forces her to focus. Now president of California Inclusive Sailing (http://www.cisail.org/), she is sailing competitively and providing like opportunities to people with all kinds of disabilities

NEXT MEETING: August 26, 2016

Solid space to liquid space and back: A journey of changes and restoration

Fernanda Castelo is a test pilot for adaptive mobility devices. As an advisor to clinical therapists and engineers, she assists them in the development of mobility devices and assistive technology.

Fernanda knows whereof she speaks. Twenty years ago she was a professional dancer at Disneyland. Then with the snap of a finger, she suffered an accident that changed her life.

President of California Inclusive Sailing, today Fernanda competes in performing waltz and paso doble with her dance partner, aboard another sailboat cutting through the wind and waters. Last year Fernanda claimed a first place in the Chula Vista 18 nautical mile dash.

Fernanda has made a couple of short videos that give glimpses of both the technology and the spirit that enables people with disabilities to sail.

The first illustrates helm training with an asymmetric spinnaker and a trapeze.
http://youtu.be/sWRnzbgz96M

The second, somewhat longer video was recorded at the South Beach Yacht Club Friday Night Summer Series in August 2016. http://youtu.be/tqzPwpW6lpI

MEETING OF August 19, 2016

Welcome

Josh Surowitz presided over the meeting and Alan Baer led us in the pledge. Herb Cole invoked higher powers, while Sid’s thoughts went in the other direction: “Did You Know line dancing was started by women waiting to use the ladies’ room”.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Visiting Rotarians – David Hammer President El Sobrante Rotary, Rebecca Phuong, Berkeley Rotary and District 5160 Interact Moderator

Henry brought young guests from the Interact Club:  Alexi Basas, Salesian Interact President; Zarah Maroof, Salesian Interact Vice President; Anthony Bell former Interact President and current UCLA Senior who is staring to apply for Medical School.

Alan brought his daughter Stephanie Baer who belongs to the El Cerrito Interact Club and is on the Interact District Council.

Special Events

The Salesian Interact Club was presented with the Presidential Citation Award which was only one of three Interact clubs in our district to receive the award. The current Salesian Interact President and Vice President thanked Rotary for all their support and for sending them to Camp Royal Leadership Camp.

Announcements

• Sunday August 27th is Rotary’s Foundation Family Fund Day at Six Flags. Sign up on line at the District website. Go to the site’s calendar page, here, then download the flier for a promo code and instructions on buying tickets. Good food, good people and a great day with your family and your family of Rotarians.
• David Hammer, El Sobrante Rotary President, came to recruit Richmond Rotarians to attend a fundraising dinner on Saturday August 20 at the Berkeley Yacht Club, and we hope that it went well. David mentioned that the profits will go to the water project that Richmond Rotary has agreed to help sponsor.
• October 15, 2016 – Rick Ambrose announced that the Richmond Art Center will hold a gala to raise money for their scholarship program that brings people in to learn art skills who would not have the money to do it on their own.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

ShotSpotter: Richmond PD’s quick response system

Lt Eric Smith RPD, introduced us to the Shot Spotter System used by the Richmond Police Department, which locates and records gunshots. The system does not cover the entire city, but within its area of coverage can report the location of a shot fired within 25 meters.

Eric described the Incident Reporting Center, where analysts determine a few seconds whether the audio recorded by the system is indeed gunshot and, if so, how many shots were fired. The IRC then transmits that information to the police department and to officers in the field. At first officers were skeptical of the value of the new technology, citing both its cost and the fact that residents report when they hear gunfire. But now, several years after Shot Spotter has been deployed, the system has proved its worth. The technology generates more reliable evidence, which results in more prosecutions. And because emergency personnel can arrive at a scene more quickly, the lives of more shooting victims can be saved.

NEXT MEETING: August 19, 2016

ShotSpotter: Richmond PD’s quick response system

Lieutenant Eric Smith, a 19 year veteran of the Richmond Police Department, will give an overview of  ShotSpotter, a technology that quickly determines the exact location of guns fired in the city. The system uses a series of acoustic sensors and software to pinpoint their locations, then automatically sends that information to the Richmond Communications Center and to field personnel.

And all of that happens within a minute.

MEETING OF August 12

Welcome

President Josh called the meeting to order and asked “lonely” Don Lau to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb Cole led a silent prayer for peace, freedom and justice on earth. “Thoughtful” Sid Chauvin had this to share: “I hope they never find life on any other planet.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

• Steve Polcyn, District 5160 Foundation Grant Chairman, was visiting from the Alamo Rotary Club.
• Mac Lingo was visiting from the Berkeley Rotary Club.

Announcements

• President Joshua Surowitz made a heartfelt plea for more members to consider becoming scribes. The number of scribes has diminished and the current group all wear multiple hats so could use some help. Josh noted that the Flywheel, expertly designed and maintained by Nick Despota, really sets Richmond Rotary apart from other clubs, so it is important. Please let Josh and Nick know if you are interested in joining this esteemed group!
• President Josh introduced Steve Polycn, District 5160 Foundation Grants Chairman, who presented Richmond Rotary Club with a grant for $4800 to support improving the libraries of every public school in Richmond. He noted that it was a challenging grantmaking process, since they received 30 applications requesting $293,170 and they only had $157,505 to distribute! The district grants review committee, including our own Pam Jones, did a great job, and congratulations to Richmond Rotary on funding a terrific community project!
• Stacey Street announced a change in the program for August 19, since the program speakers had to reschedule due to an important project at Livermore Laboratory. Instead, there will be a program presented by Lieutenant Eric Smith from the Richmond Police Department about ShotSpotter, an expedited response system. Thanks to David Brown for arranging this interesting program!
• Have you pitched in for Peres School yet? Each year our club donates money to teachers at Peres, who dig deep into their own pockets to buy classroom supplies that the district’s tight budgets doesn’t cover. We can help by contributing cash to each classroom. We make it easy. The PayPal button is on the right.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Ensuring that West Contra Students Thrive

Your Scribe introduced the speaker for the day, Maribel Lopez, Director of Community Leadership for GO Public Schools West Contra Costa. Maribel has been a student, teacher and now parent, all at the same school—Dover Elementary School in San Pablo.

Maribel recounted how she came to work for GO Public Schools, and provided an overview of the organization’s mission, goals and programs. After graduating from Richmond High, she became a parent liaison at Dover Elementary, which lead her to Contra Costa College and ultimately UC Berkeley. She graduated with a degree in social welfare but decided to “do her social work” as a teacher after seeing her middle school featured in a documentary about the worst schools in California. That revelation convinced Maribel to become a bilingual teacher at Dover for Kindergarten and 2^nd Grade.

The classroom experience led Maribel to GO, Great Oakland Public Schools, which was started by parents in Oakland. The organization was founded in 2015 and supports a coalition of students, families, educators, and community allies united around generating solutions to ensure that every West Contra Costa student thrives.

GO works with grassroots constituents (students, parents, families), grasstops (political and community leaders, decision-makers), educators and the school district staff. Maribel encourages people to step into their own power to advocate for students in West Contra Costa. In the short time they have been in existence, they have already enjoyed success, including supporting the new Superintendent search and presenting a well-received event, “Black Minds Matter.” Visit https://gopublicschoolswcc.org/ for more information.

NEXT MEETING: August 12, 2016

Ensuring that West Contra Students Thrive

Maribel Lopez, Director of Community Leadership for GO Public Schools West Contra Costa, will tell us about the ways her organization ensures that every child in West Contra Costa receives a quality education, an education aimed at helping young people succeed in life and work in the twenty-first century. GO Public Schools West Contra Costa (GO WCC) is part of a coalition of students, families, educators, and community allies united to support every West Contra Costa student. Together this coalition works to develop community leadership, enact practice and policy shifts, and ultimately improve student learning outcomes

MEETING OF August 5, 2016

Welcome

Prez Josh Surowitz rang the bell and called the meeting to order and Sid Chauvin led us in the Pledge. Herb Cole offered a silence prayer for peace and freedom. Sid Chauvin offered, “I do not have grey hair. I have wisdom highlights.” I am very wise.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Prez Josh brought with him his wife Emily and sons Elliot and Luke (who shared with us all the places they visited…while Mr. Prez was away for the past few weeks). Visiting Rotarian and wife of Hank Covell Doreen Covell also joined us as did Stacey Street’s guest Bill Bankhead.

Announcements

On Monday we learned that the landlord for Saluté’s Restaurant, Richard Poe, has given the restaurant’s owner, and Richmond Rotarian, Menbere Akilu a 30-day notice to vacate. The next day over one-hundred Richmond residents, city council members, and representatives of state and local officials all gathered in front of Saluté’s to protest the action and learn about possible steps the city and community may take to preserve what’s arguably one of Richmond’s most acclaimed businesses.

Before the crowd of supporters, reporters and cameras, Mayor Tom Butt and Menbe answered a host of questions. The mayor said the city is working on possible steps to preserve the restaurant, and suggested that residents write letters to Poe, asking that he “walk back” the order or consider selling the property. Asked about the possible cause of the notice to vacate, Menbe replied that she had no idea what it might be, and asserted that the restaurant has been in strict compliance with all regulations. Heartened perhaps by the outstanding show of community support, she confidently predicted that  “by doing a good job and giving love, we will win.”

A number of more upbeat announcements were made at last Friday’s meeting.

• David Brown announced we will once again be donating $100 each classroom teacher at Peres Elementary School. The Club has been doing this since 1999 so please make your donation to David.
• Pam Jones once again asked for donations for backpacks (she bought 30 from last week’s donations) to be given out at the Soulful Softball Sunday 8/21 at Nicol Park 3230 Macdonald Ave at 2pm. She received $200 from our friends the Russian dentist. We committed to get at least 50.
• Rotary District Conference set for 3/24-26 in Berkeley at the MLK Student Center Ballroom.
• Herb Cole announced that our major international project will be to distribute wheel chairs in Mexico. We will have 200 to give away with the exact date to be announced.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Strengthening the Contra Costa College System

Bill Bankhead, Richmond Community Foundation SparkPoint Staff, introduced our speaker Mojdeh Mehdizadeh. Mojdeh was named interim President of Contra Costa College in January 2015 and was named as President in March 2016. She is the 12^th President of Contra Costa College. The college founded in 1949 has an enrollment of about 11,000 students: 76% attend during the day; 61% under 24 years of age; 40% Hispanic; and 20% African American. Older student numbers are down because the state has imposed a limit on the number of “enhancement” classes students can take. Mojdeh shared with us the College’s mission statement, vision, strategic direction, and some college highlights. She also thanks all for supporting Measures A and E which has led to incredible improvements to the campus facilities. President Mehdizadeh invited Rotary to come to the College’s “Three Seasons Restaurant” for a meeting.

NEXT MEETING: August 5, 2016

The Vision for the Future of Contra Costa College

Contra Costa College’s new President, Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, will speak to the Richmond Rotary Club about the College’s mission, vision, accomplishments and plans for the future. She will share highlights from the past year and will discuss the College’s strategic direction.

Since 1998, Mojdeh has served in a district-wide capacity, providing leadership to all colleges within the District. Her responsibilities cover a wide gamut: she supports colleges’ educational programs, student services, workforce and economic development, information technology, research and planning, and grants.

MEETING OF July 29, 2016

Welcome

On a beautiful day in Richmond, Past Past Prez Alan Baer called the meeting to order and Tom Butt led us in the Pledge. George Egan offered a silence prayer for peace and freedom. Sid Chauvin offered, “My people skills are just fine. It’s my tolerance of idiots that needs work!”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

We had a number of visitors, guests of Dan Tanita, from Russia with us today: Nadia Borovikova, Katya Paderova, Alexander Voronikhik, Iskander Zaynullin, Lena Novomeyskaya, Ilya Zlotnkov, Alyova Platitsyna, Aliya Zhizitayeva, and Wally Stokes. We also enjoyed welcoming our friend Mac Lingo from Berkeley.

Announcements

Pam Jones filled a shopping cart with backpacks purchased for Richmond kids. We’re still over 20 short of the requested number, so consider chipping in.

• On August 27^th come celebrate Rotary District 5160” 100^th Anniversary at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at www.SixFlags.com/DiscoveryKingdom. Use the promo code: ROTARY
• The Rotary Foundation Day at the Races-Golden Gate Fields is scheduled for November 19^th. This event will be sold out. We only have 14 slots allocated to our Club! Buy tickets, $40, from the man, David Brown.
• Soulful Softball Sunday on August 21 at Nicol Park 3230 Macdonald Ave at 2pm. Free! Richmond Rotary was asked to provide free backpacks. Pam Jones collected $260 and if anyone else wants to donate please contact Pam.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Welcoming Dentists from our Russian Exchange Program

For the names of our guests, see Visiting Rotarians and Guests (above). And as for our friend, Dan—he just remembered he forgot something in St. Petersburg.

Since our scheduled speaker did not show up, Dan Tanita gave an overview of Richmond Rotary’s Russian Dentist Exchange Program. Started 16 years ago by Dan and members of El Sobrante and San Pablo Rotary Clubs with help from Center for Citizen’s Initiative in San Francisco, the program offers Russian dentists an opportunity to learn about dental practices here in America. Because of the visits that were made so long ago, many Russian Rotary Clubs have been started because of the great experience they have had through our Rotary Club. Something we, thanks to Dan, can be very proud of.

Dan and his daughter also were able to visit with our friends in Russia earlier in the year. Lena Novomeyskaya brought a number of gifts including a flag from her Rotary Club, a special award for Dan, and gifts from Past Prez Alan Blavins. All the participating dentists got certificates for completing the program.

Nadia Borovikova gave an overview of what she experienced including appreciation for the professional practice of American dentist and their great hospitality.