NEXT MEETING: July 28, 2017

Canine Guardians Dogs Provide Critical Assistance

Canine Guardians Assistance Dogs breeds, trains and places service dogs with wounded veterans with PTSD, diabetics and children with cancer. Our dogs are taught to turn on and off lights, pick up dropped items, open refrigerator door, grab a bottle of water and take it to their person and much more. Our dogs also provide emotional support to veterans with nightmares and children with cancer. Come learn more about this program and meet some of their dog trainees.

MEETING OF July 21, 2017

Welcome

The Incredible President Connie resided over the meeting and woke us all up with a stirring ringing of the bell. Mayor Tom Butt lead us in the pledge, Erle Brown asked for a moment of silence for peace, justice and freedom on Earth. Sid’s thought for the day: Globally, every second of everyday, 12.8 cans of spam are consumed.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

We welcomed two visiting Rotarians: Mack Robinson, Assistant Governor; and the wonderful Sonia Rivas from San Pablo Rotary

Announcements

On October 21st you can indulge yourself in the pleasures of wine and cigars with members of the San Ramon Rotary Club. The event is being held at the Blackhawk Country Club. Talk to Pam Jones if your our interested.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Joe Aaron is an economic futurist. A futurist forecasts social trends, and an economic futurist attempts to anticipate the economic impact of those trends. Trends are characterized by exponential, not linear, growth. The most common example of exponential growth is Moore’s Law named after the co-founder of Intel Corporation.

The two trends that will impact our economy the most over the next 10 to 15 years are the electric vehicle (EV) and the Autonomous Vehicle (AV). Together they will add two trillion dollars to our GDP. They will drive the internal combustion engine into extinction and lead to a 20% retreat from the current peak demand of 100 million barrels a day before the end of the next decade.

Joe modestly claimed that “You can take me out of the south but you can’t take the south out of me, and I graduated from the 12th best college in Georgia.”

We learned that there are no “pie in the sky” predictions, only well thought out probabilities that conform to the laws of economics.

 


Henry Moe, Rotating Scribe

NEXT MEETING: July 21, 2017

A Peek at Our Economic Future

Joe Aaron is an Economic Futurist. A futurist identifies trends in society, and an economic futurist attempts to anticipate the economic impact of those trends. Trends identify themselves through exponential growth, not linear. The most common example of exponential growth is Moore’s Law named after the co-founder of Intel Corporation.

The two trends that will impact our economy the most over the next 10 to 15 years are the Electric Vehicle (EV) and the Autonomous Vehicle (AV). Together they will add two trillion dollars to our GDP, They will drive the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) into extinction and cause oil to retreat 20% from a “Peak Demand” of 100 million barrels a day before the end of the next decade.

MEETING OF July 14, 2017

Welcome

Newly-minted President Connie Tritt called the meeting to order and presided over the meeting in her first meeting in the capacity of Richmond Rotary President.

Connie took the occasion to remind us of our elevator speech. When people ask “What’s Rotary?”, we can lay it out this way:
“We’re a leadership organization of local business, professional and civic leaders. We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships, and through that, we’re able to get things done in this community.”

If it’s a long elevator ride, throw in the Four Way Test:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Stacey brought her daughter Alyssa Street to today’s meeting. Alan Bauer also brought his daughter Stephanie, who is the Interact President at her high school. She returned just the night before from community work in Nicaragua. And how’s this for a coincidence: Stephanie spent time teaching English in your scribe’s (Darlene’s) mom’s hometown of Estelí, in northern Nicaragua.

Announcements

In case your pleasures tend toward those involving the stronger sensations, the San Ramon Rotary Club will be sponsoring a Whiskey and Cigar Tasting event at the Blackhawk Country Club in Danville, October 21. Plenty of time to prepare your taste buds.

Richmond Rotary was recently recognized at a Rotary Awards Dinner for having one of the top newsletters in the District. Kudos to the entire Flywheel team: Shana Bagley, David Cole, Nick Despota, Darlene Drapkin, Josh Genser, Jon Lawlis, Henry Moe, Shana Bagley, and Stacey Street.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Larry Lewis and the RIchmond Police Activities League

Larry Lewis, from Richmond Police Activities League, needed no introduction. He’s visited our club on numerous occasions and, outside of these meetings, has worked with a large number of our members. Richmond Rotarians have served on the RPAL board, while others have joined him on a wide range of community projects. He gave shout-outs to members in the room, including Mey Saechao, Cecilia Orozco, Darlene Drapkin and Josh Genser, acknowledging their collaboration over the years.

Larry singled out Erle Brown, saying that Erle and the Boys Club were like family to him. Every time he did well or badly, Earl was there to praise him or let him have it.

Larry’s first job was with the Richmond Boy’s Club, where he became Executive Director at the age of 21. He could have worked in the City but he chose to enter the Police Department because, he joked, he could run well.

RPAL has brought into its programs 120 truant young people— kids who ditch school, are picked up, and then sent to RPAL. Rules and regulations enforce a daytime curfew that keeps kids on a steady path toward maturity. RPAL provides the young people with services that can help keep then motivated in positive ways and stay out of jail—and graveyards.

Larry is grateful that there are other programs for Richmond youth, like RISE, YES, and the YMCA. Taken together, these programs offer positive guidance and engagement with everything from college prep and money management, to robotics learning and field trips to locations beyond.

Larry finished by listing a number of ways you can help.

  • Visit the RPAL website: http://www.rpal.org
  • Contact RPAL (510) 621-1221
  • Support our Cops and Kids
  • Become a Mentor
  • Become a Carnival Ride sponsor with your name on the ride
  • Make a pledge today!

Darlene Drapkin, Rotating Scribe

NEXT MEETING: July 14, 2017
NOTE: We will meet at Café Soleil. Not Richmond Country Club.

Offering Youth an Alternative to the Streets

The Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) is a nonprofit, community-based organization founded in 1982 offering youth an alternative to streets. RPAL is dedicated to supporting young people ages 10-18 holistically as they transition from adolescence to adulthood so they can recognize their full potential and achieve success.

RPAL’s programs meet young people “where they are”, offering a myriad of programs that are structured and challenging yet enjoyable. It provides services to over 2000 youth yearly. Whether they need a meal, homework assistance, a safe place to go during after-school time, or just need a caring adult to talk to, RPAL is responsive to their needs. Over the course of 35 years, RPAL has served over 50,000 youth.

Larry Lewis, Executive Director, will provide an overview of RPAL with an emphasis on the need to mentor Richmond youth.

MEETING OF July 7, 2017

Welcome

President Josh Surowitz called the meeting to order and asked Incoming President Connie Tritt to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb Cole asked for silent prayers for peace, freedom, and justice and for a new (Rotary?) president. Sergeant at Arms Sidney Chauvin offered a quote for the day: “It takes an honest man to figure out whether he is tired or just lazy.”

Announcements

  • The July 14th meeting will be at Café Soleil (3550 San Pablo Dam Rd, El Sobrante).
  • David Brown provided summaries of last year’s program funding. We gave back over $67,000 to our community and to international projects. Well done, Rotarians!

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Demoting Josh Surowitz

President Josh’s demotion started with his round of thanks to all of our members including, but not limited to: Connie Tritt (Foundation), Henry Moe (Crab Feed), Don Lau (holiday action and for just being Don), Ric Ambrose and Shana Bagley (Event Planning), Herb Cole (International Projects), Nick Despota (website), David Brown (treasurer), Jerry Feagley (board member), Oscar Garcia (behind the scenes work), Mae Saechao, scribes (Stacey Street, Henry Moe, David Cole, Josh Genser, Shana Bagley, and Darlene Drapkin), Gonzalo Ochoa (board member), Alan Baer and Pam Jones (district work), and Alan Blavins (handing over the club in such good shape)

Don Lau took over as Master of Ceremonies. Who knew that Josh S. attended college in Michigan and London, used to be a comedy writer, and met his wife Emily on the beach in Barcelona. The humorous presentation left us all wondering what “El Matador” will do now that he is not president (because having four young children is not enough…) – Supreme Court? Hillary Fan Club? Reality TV? Okole Maluna, Josh!


-Shana Bagley Howe, Rotating Scribette