NEXT MEETING: June 20, 2014

Club Assembly

This is the quarterly Club Assembly, an all-members, open-forum opportunity to review Club priorities and projects, to discuss the merits of new initiatives, and to generally opine on topics that contribute to a strong, healthy, and enjoyable Club environment. Y’all come!

MEETING OF

Welcome

Liliane presided over the meeting. Tyler Hester led the pledge and Tom Butt offered a thought-for-the-day.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Jeff Mulvihill from Redding Rotary. (Still a visitor?)

Announcements

• Alan Blavins was officially pinned with the service star for his planning and executing of the Fishing Derby. Alan thanked Ethan Heinrich and Bill Koziol for working with the youngest children for the entire two hours.
• The month of July is Richmond Rotary/ Salesian Interact month to provide food for the Rotocare Volunteers. The Interact Club will provide the food but we need drivers to drop the food off every Tuesday by 5:30pm. Email Henry Moe for details if interested in driving.
• June 20 is the behind the scene tour at the zoo.
• July 11 is the STEM Tour
• Tom Waller spoke of the need for more scribes to reduce the number of times each current scribe volunteers.
• June 20 2014 Richmond Rotarians will assemble to plan for the 2014-2015 year. It is very important that everyone attend and help in the process for Horace “Stoney” Stonework’s Presidency.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

East Bay Center for the Performing Arts

Our speaker today is Jordan Simmons, Artistic Directors at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. Richmond Rotary raised $50,000, between our fundraising and a Rotary International Match, for the Tales of the Lost Secrets Play last year. Jordan stated that several of the actors/actresses from the play received scholarships to the Young Artist Diploma Program for 2014-2015. The Center just completed its 45^th year and continues to work with children in the Richmond Area, and especially with Title One schools in the area.

For more information check out the center at www.eastbaycenter.org.

NEXT MEETING: June 13, 2014

Lost Secrets One Year Later: An Historic Preservation Award and Lives Changed

The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts (EBCPA) has been in Richmond since 1968. During those years, thousands of young artists have discovered how training in the arts illuminates their fullest capacity as human beings. They develop skills that enable them to think, lead, and contribute to the world around them and to the blossoming success of their own lives. Jordan Simmons, EBCPA Creative Director and prime mover, will provide an update on what’s going on at the Center. He will also share his thoughts on the outcomes of the Lost Secrets play in which Richmond Rotary was so deeply engaged as a partner. This includes the very positive impact the play had on the EBCPA as an institution and on the lives of the children and others who were involved.

MEETING OF June 6, 2014

Welcome

President Liliane presided over the meeting and Sid gave the thought for the day.

We welcomed our perennial Visiting Rotarian but soon to be a visitor no more, Jeff Mulvihill from Redding. We also welcomed the guest of Josh Surowitz, Jason Mustard.

Special Events

Stacey Street completed her Who am I. She was born and raised in Manhattan and attended the same school from 1 – 12 grade. She sang in a choir that traveled the world and still takes voice lessons today. She thought about being a lawyer but then thought better of it. She has worked in development and is currently the Chief Development Officer for the Richmond Community Foundation.

Announcements

• May 31^st Fishing Derby Recap – Last weeks speaker, Mike Aldax of the Richmond Standard, wrote an extensive article about the Fishing derby and the title was “Local kids learn life skills through fishing at first ‘Cast and Catch”
• June 14 – Busy day for our club At 9:00am Mark Howe will lead the Rotarians at Work at our Annual Peace Garden Cleanup at 1^st and Nevin. In the middle of the day the Annual Bocce Tournament will be held and Henry Moe is tasked to invite the Interact Parents to attend. Then the day is finished out with Stoney and Mark’s BBQ featuring Stoney’s World Renowned BBQ sauce.
• Rotocare is seeking our support for Next Year’s Rotary District Grant. During Stoney’s presidency, the grant will be for much needed medical equipment, such as an EKG machine, a urinalysis machine, and otoscope/ophthalmascope/ BP units.
• June 20 is our Club Assembly and President Liliane expressed the importance that all Richmond Rotarians on our hand to plan the next year.

Longtime Rotarian Norm Foley passed away on June 2nd, subsequent to his decision to discontinue treatment after 30 days in the hospital. Norm was remembered by Rotarians especially for his work in producing the Flywheel back when that meant putting ink to paper, stuffing that paper into envelopes, and mailing the pages out each week. Norm did that for over 20 years! Every week for the last 4 years, Norm entertained us with “Norm’s Nonsense”, jokes that enlivened this web page.

In addition to the commitment and reliability evidenced by that task alone, members recognized Norm’s integrity, humor, and generosity. We will dearly miss this stalwart of the Richmond Rotary community. His family asked that donations go to the organization, Loaves and Fishes, in his name.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Health in All Policies Strategies and Ordinance

The speakers for today are Shasa Curl and Gabiano Arredondo, with the City of Richmond. They manage a significant public policy initiative, called Health in All Policies Strategies and Ordinance (HIAP). Their main funding is from the California Endowment Fund, which targets the social determinants of health: the physical, environmental, economic, and other social causes of health inequities and poor health conditions.

The Health in All Policies framework focuses on neighborhood improvement strategies, data, information and tracking, community engagement, and health equity training. The City of Richmond is the first city in the nation to adopt a HIAP.

NEXT MEETING: June 6, 2014

Building Health Equity into Public Policy

There is a growing awareness across America that good health goes well beyond the doctor’s office. Today’s presenters, Shasa Curl, Administrative Chief, and Gabino Arredondo, Health & Wellness Coordinator, with the City of Richmond, will discuss how that awareness shapes policy in our communities. The city’s leadership in working towards health equity is exemplified by the recent adoption of a Health in All Polices (HiAP) Strategy and Ordinance by the Richmond City Council.

The HiAP strategy sets a framework of collaboration within city departments as well as with community based organizations and other government agencies to address community health, equity and sustainability in Richmond. Through this lens, Health in All Policies is both a practice and destination. Health in All Policies or “healthy public policy” is based on the idea that health starts with where people live, work, learn, and play and that individual and community health is influenced by more than just individual choices.

MEETING OF May 30, 2014

Welcome

Alan Baer welcomed everyone to the meeting. Tyler Hester led the pledge of allegiance and Stoney Stonework led us in a moment of silence for freedom, peace, and justice on earth.

Announcements

• Late-Breaking News. In an email on June 2, Bonnie Foley communicated the following: “I am sad to tell you that Norm passed away early this morning. He had been in the hospital for about a month with liver and pancreas problems, and then got pneumonia. He was able to make the decision not to continue further treatment. He was comfortable and without pain. Will advise details on a memorial gathering later, which is difficult with our family spread out from coast to coast. Memorial contributions to Loaves & Fishes, P.O.Box 13495, Sacramento Ca 95813, or to your favorite charity providing food to families. Norm was proud of Richmond Rotary and all his fine friends.”
• Alan Baer reported that the new Rotary International president is challenging us all to invite our family members, co-workers, and neighbors to join Rotary.
• David Brown said that Rotary International dues are now due by July 1^st, no exceptions, so he asked that all members get their Club dues in so he can pay the international dues on time.
• The last-Friday-of-the-month BARSHEEP mixer was held in the late afternoon on May 30 at La Revoluccion. Plan ahead for next month.
• Mark Howe announced that there is a community garden clean up at 1^st and Nevin on June 14^th starting at 9:00 A.M. Starting at 3:00, Stoney will be doing his barbeque dinner for those who bid at the holiday auction. Anyone else who wants to come is welcome – payment will be taken at the door.
• Alan Blavins asked for volunteers for the fishing derby held on Saturday, May 31, at the San Pablo reservoir. (Update: It was a beautiful day at the reservoir. Kids had a great time even though only three fish were caught. Lots of Rotarians were on hand to assist and tell (wholesome) fish stories to anyone who would listen. And check this out. The May 30 program speaker put this story with some pictures into The Richmond Standard online newspaper.)

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

RichmondStandard.com: Community-Driven News

Alan Baer introduced today’s speaker, Mike Aldax, editor of the online newspaper, The Richmond Standard. Mike has 13 years of experience in journalism at various papers including the San Francisco Examiner, the Bay City News, the Napa Valley Register, and others. He is the first editor of The Richmond Standard.

Mike said The Richmond Standard was started because Chevron has been contributing to a number of programs throughout the community and wanted more media coverage for its efforts. He also noted that there are other entities in the community that would like access to media outlets for their activities. As a result, Chevron’s intention is to have The Richmond Standard be a vehicle for news not covered elsewhere. Chevron supports the endeavor financially, but The Standard serves as an outlet for news and information for the whole community, not just Chevron. Again, the purpose is to report news, events, and activities that don’t get coverage in the mainstream media. The website for The Richmond Standard is richmondstandard.com. Anyone can send newsworthy information to this e-mail address, newstips@richmondstandard.com.

In answer to questions, Mike noted that he is not constrained in terms of reporting on news that’s not being currently carried in the Contra Costa Times, etc., but was open in stating that he wouldn’t be posting reports scrutinizing Chevron or endorsing slates of candidates. The Standard is also not dependent on advertising dollars so he is not constrained in that way. The Standard will be staying out of politics and simply trying to cover news not covered elsewhere. In answer to the question, “Will this go away once Chevron gets their construction permit?”, Mike answered that he’s been told if it’s a success, it will continue indefinitely.

NEXT MEETING: May 30, 2014

RichmondStandard.com: Community-Driven News

Mike Aldax, editor of richmondstandard.com, an online community-driven news website funded by Chevron, will discuss the goals of this new entry to the Richmond media landscape.

MEETING OF May 23, 2014

Welcome

Alan Baer was subbing for Prez Liliane and called the meeting to order. Neville Guard led the pledge, Stoney gave the invocation, and Sid Chauvin offered this thought for the day: Motivation is the fuel for the human engine.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

• Visiting Rotarians, Jeff Mulivihill of Redding and Neville Guard from San Ramon.
• Josh Genser introduced his daughter, Janet, visiting from NYC.
• Jan Brown’s guest was Mary Beth Byrne from Richmond Sanitary.
• Doris Mitchell’s guest was Kia Croom from GRIP (Greater Richmond Interfaith Program).

Announcements

• IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT PAYMENT OF ROTARY CLUB DUES FOR 2014-15. The Richmond Rotary Club Board of Directors has issued the following statement about payment of member dues for 2014-15. Beginning July 1, Rotary International (RI) will implement a new dues and membership assessment policy. The biggest change is that RI will assess membership dues from our Club based on the members we have on our rolls on July 1, according to their records. If we have folks on our rolls who have, essentially, dropped out and have not paid their dues for 2013-2014, we will, nevertheless, be assessed RI dues costs for those members for 2014-2015. This puts pressure on Richmond Rotary to clean up its membership rolls and to terminate the membership of folks who have not chosen to remain Rotarians and have not paid their dues. Know that your Board is struggling with this policy and the last thing we want is a perception of heavy-handedness on the part of the Board. The second change is that Richmond Rotary’s dues are payable to RI on July 1, and deemed late if not received by RI by July 30. In the last few years, dues were paid to RI anywhere from September to November. RI now demands that dues payments from Clubs be received by RI by July 30. In light of the recent changes, your Board has voted to establish a due-date for payment of member dues to the Richmond Rotary Club. That due-date is 15 June 2014, for the 2014-2015 Rotary year. Thank you for your cooperation with these changes.
• Alan Baer referred to the local newspaper regarding the Richmond City Council’s 5 minute limit as its effort to reduce global warming as well as Tom “man of few words” Waller being quoted in the paper.
• Richmond Rotary Board of Directors is contemplating having Dinner Meetings. Jim Young is heading a committee to look into that option.
• June 14 is a big day for Rotary: Rotary at Work on our Peace Garden will be held at 9am; there is the Bocce Ball Tournament later that day; and the Mark Howe/Stoney BBQ as well.
• Club will be Dark on July 4. No meeting.
• Jan Brown gave a report on the delivery of the 40 gift bags to the Teen Moms Program at Richmond High School. In the photo, Infant Toddler Center staff personnel at Richmond High take receipt of the bags from Richmond Rotarians (Jim, Doris, Jan, Herb, Alan Baer, and Don). Jan’s husband, Byron, snapped the picture. Thanks, Jan, for coordinating this worthwhile activity for 9 years!
• Jim Young informed the Club that Prez Liliane asked the Board of Directors to transfer $1,500 from RI Convention travel to a Polio Plus contribution on behalf of the Club. This transfer is a great contribution to Rotary’s most important global initiative, the eradication of Polio. BUT it would be even greater, Jim said, if everyone would put some more money in the pot. Jim kicked off the effort with a $100 contribution. He then went on to remind the Club that the World Health Organization has declared a ‘Polio Emergency’ in the Middle East where the disease has re-emerged in Syria, Israel and Iraq. The most recent reports suggest that the Dogs of War have begun to also spread polio in sub-Sahara Africa in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Last year there were 34 polio cases worldwide. This year there are 87. Anyone wishing to contribute to this special Club Polio Plus contribution can send their check or credit card payment to David Brown.
• Alan Blavins reminded all about the Fishing Derby on 5/31 at the San Pablo reservoir.
• Stacey Street announced that the Oakland A’s are re-doing the field at Martin Luther King Park in Richmond and there will be a dedication on 5/31 from 11:30am-1:00pm. All are welcome!
• Tom Waller made a plea for more SCRIBES!!! We could really use having more folks scribing the Flywheel.  Volunteers?!?

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

No Nonsense this week.

PROGRAM

TRAC: The Bay Trail through Richmond

Tom Waller introduced our guest speaker, Bruce Beyaert, who is no stranger to the Club. Bruce is the Founder and Chair of Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC). He’s a retired Chevron employee who started TRAC 15 years ago to assist with completion of the Richmond portion of the SF Bay Trail, an ambitious project which aims to have 500 miles of hiking and biking trails all around the bay. Over the last 15 years, TRAC has been able to add 20 miles of new Bay Trails in Richmond, which has 32 miles of shoreline, most of any city in the Bay Area.  Bruce walked us through all of the various sections of the Richmond Bay Trail including Marina Bay Trail, Ferry Point Loop/Shipyard 3, and Wildcat Marsh. TRAC’s team includes 6 volunteer committee members and many partners including SF Bay Trail, City of Richmond, East Bay Regional Park District, and Richmond Sanitary. Thanks, Bruce, for your efforts to bring biking and walking trails to our community!

NEXT MEETING: May 23, 2014

TRAC : The Bay Trail through Richmond

Bruce Beyaert, Founder and Chair of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC), will describe the many accomplishments and partnerships involved in completing 20 miles of new Bay Trail in Richmond during the past 15 years. The San Francisco Bay Trail in Richmond was recently featured during the Bay Trail 25th Anniversary celebration attended by about 200 people at the Bay Model in Sausalito.

MEETING OF May 16, 2014

Welcome

Our lady President, Liliane Koziol, welcomed the 22 present. A moment of silence for peace and justice on earth was led not by Stonie but first-reserve, Herb Cole. Sid Chauvin had this thought for the day: “Obviously, there’s little to learn from doing nothing.”

Visiting Rotarians.

• Jeff Mulivihill of Reading Rotary was back again. (Feels like he has never been away.)

• Pate Thompson of Berkeley Rotary.

• Linda Delehunt of Orinda Rotary.

• Neville Guard of San Ramon Valley Rotary.

• Our Speaker, Dorothy Herzberg, brought a guest, Beth Jerde.

Announcements

• Pate Thompson is a retired Physician, member of the Berkeley Rotary Club, and a key driver of the RotaCare Medical Clinic in Richmond. Pate was on hand to personally thank the club for its support of RotaCare, which takes place on Tuesday nights from 4-8pm. The staff is 100% volunteers. Only 1/3 of their patients speak English and 88% are below the poverty. Last year RotaCare cared for 967 patients. A good case indeed.

• Liliane reminded us that June 14th will be Peace-Garden Maintenance Day (well, morning, 9am-12). Also, this is Bocce Ball day in Martinez for our mystery two teams. And last but not least, Mark Howe’s joint auction-prize BBQ will take place that same afternoon at his house. Will this day ever end?

• David Brown asked for and got instantly three volunteers to read three essays from Salesian High School seniors and vote on their merit for possible scholarship awards.

• Liliane had made a request for children’s text/reading books to be collected at the club for children in India. The request was answered today by Pam Jones and Neville, Alan Baer and last week by Jon Lawlis. We and the kids thank them.

• Tom Butt praised the club for its recognition at the recent City of Richmond’s Historic Preservation Awards ceremony for partnering with the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in putting on the play, “Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle”. Congrats to Ex. Pres. Jim Young. Tom then reminded everyone that May 25th from 2:00-6:00pm was his BBQ & Bluegrass event at his home at Nicholl Knob, 235 East Scenic Avenue, Richmond 94801. Bring side dish or dessert.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

More Ponderisms…

– Whatever happened to Preparations A through G?

– As income tax time approaches, did you ever notice that when you put the two words “The” and “IRS” together, it spells “THEIRS”?

– Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don’t they just put their pictures on postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?

PROGRAM

Nigeria's Post-Independence Through the Eyes of a Young Peace Corps Worker

This was the second visit of Dorothy Herzberg to our club. She was here to promote her newly published book, “Me Madam: Peace Corps Letters From Nigeria, 1961-1963″ (available on Amazon.com). She decided to read extracts from her book. This is becoming a habit by some speakers at the club. She chose not to read directly from her book but from photocopied notes.

I think the notes were a little out of focus because she had trouble reading from them plus the fact she held the notes up to her face between her and the microphone so one heard more paper interference noises than spoken words. The words I did hear were very amusing anecdotes of her teaching services in a newly forming independent Nigeria. This is one I heard (I think): She was showing a class a map of Europe and pointed out its country make-up, including Spain, France and England. The class erupted and said ”No, Madam, No!  England is not so small!”  She could not convince them otherwise. When asked at a later date what the class thought of their teacher, they said “She was good but had very silly maps.” There were more.

She ended by offering her book for sale. We thank you, Madam.