NEXT MEETING: January 8, 2016

A Visit from the Rotary District Governor

Richmond 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, 2015

Welcome

President-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 Guests

Jon 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

• President-Elect Josh Surowitz reminded everyone that the Club would be dark the next two weeks due to Christmas and New Year’s, and would return again on January 8^th.       That will be an important meeting since the new District Governor Ken Courville will be doing his official visit to address the Club. He encouraged everyone to attend.
• In Pam Jones’ absence, Jon Lawlis announced that $13,000 was raised to buy bikes for kids, more than 275 in all!
• Alan Baer announced that the Richmond Rotary would be participating in bell ringing again at Macy’s on Saturday December 19^th. He noted that lots of Rotarians, including Interactors, would be present.       Alan also announced that on Tuesday, Dec. 22^nd, the El Cerrito Interact Club would be providing gift-wrapping for free at Barnes & Noble in El Cerrito Plaza, though donations are, of course, welcome! Finally, he announced that the Rotocare clinic is now officially housed at the Family Justice Center.
• Sid Chauvin announced that he had 11 copies only of the 2015-16 Richmond Rotary roster, first come, first served!

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

President-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”:

• Coach: Provides capacity-building programs, workshops and grants that help local non-profit leaders – including several Richmond Rotarians! – and their staff better serve the needs of the community;
• Connect: Connects and leverages resources and expertise for the highest impact in the community by hosting convenings such as the Northern California Summit on Children & Youth, and by leading county-wide initiatives such as SparkPoint Contra Costa;
• Contribute: Works with donors to ensure maximum impact for their philanthropy. For example, Stacey is helping Menbe Aklilu increase fundraising and support for her “Menbe’s Way Fund,” and supported the Mayor’s Golf Tournament to raise funds for youth teams and leagues in Richmond.

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.

NEXT MEETING: December 18, 2015

Where do your Rotary dues go?

Waterwell project in Okigwe, Nigeria

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, 2015

Welcome

Richmond 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

• Lots of toys were brought to the Holiday Party and donated to the Richmond Fire Department Holiday Toy Drive. Thanks to all!
• Jon Lawlis took lots of photos at the Holiday Party and posted them on the Richmond Rotary Facebook page. If you’re not already in the Richmond Rotary Facebook group, send an email to Jon so he can add you to the group.
• The next Richmond Rotary Club meeting will take place at the Richmond Country Club on Friday, December 18.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

How 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.

NEXT MEETING: December 11, 2015
Note venue and time: Richmond Art Center, 4:30 to 7:30

Holiday Mixer at the Richmond Art Center!

Our Holiday Mixer at the Richmond Art Center will give us a lot more time for…uh, mixing… than at our usual Friday meetings. More socializing, less sitting and listening attentively to a speaker. (“Who, me?” you say.)

So do not go to the Richmond Country Club. Instead join us at the RAC from 4:30-7:30pm for drinks (no-host bar) and appetizers. (Directions)

Bring a toy for an 10-12 year old kid.
At this event, we’ll collect new, unwrapped toys for the Richmond Fire Department Holiday Toy Drive.

If you want to go but haven’t yet RSVP’d to Shana (email or 925-324-1280), you’re still welcome! Just don’t eat anything — just kidding! This will be fun. See you there!

THANKS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY AUCTION CONTRIBUTION!

The Menehune Auctioneer (Don) extends a big thanks to all who helped with making our Holiday Auction a huge success. Thanks to all of you helped us raise $28,000!

• The Accounting Firm of Tritt, Moe, Saechao, and Richardson. With David Brown, Counsel.
• Webmaster Nick for managing and updating the Auction page for the last few weeks
• Musical Entertainment by “Swampy” Joe and  “Sweet Throat” Stacey
• Shana B. Howe and Stacey Street for organizing the Silent Auction and for Nico Veran for helping on Friday
• Co-Auctioneer Papa Josh Surowitz
• And all who so generously donated items, brought friends and bought more stuff than they planned to.

Mahalo from your Menehune Auctioneer!

MEETING OF

Welcome

Announcements

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

NEXT MEETING: December 4, 2015

It'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, 2015

Welcome

President 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 Guests

Jim Young introduced as his guest his lovely wife Linda Young.

Special Events

Stacey 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

• Webmaster Nick Despota and Holiday Auction Chief Don Lau told us that 50% of the club’s members are on the naughty list (see column on right of this page) for not donating an auction item for the Friday, December 4 Holiday Auction. If you’re still among the naughty, please redeem yourself by either:
  1) Posting an item for auction. To do that visit our Holiday Auction page, scroll down for inspiration, then use the Post item button near the top, taking you to our auction donation form; or,
  2) Donating at least $100 to the Club. If you prefer that, please go to the Auction page, then click the yellow Donate button below the page introduction.
• Community Services chair Joe Bagley reminded us that the 2015 Holiday Party mixer is Friday, December 11th, at the Richmond Art Center, from 4:30-7:30. All are invited for appetizers and a no-host bar. Please RSVP by Friday November 27 to shana@mshproperties.com or (925)324-1280. We’re folding into the event our annual Richmond Fire Department Holiday Toy Drive, so please bring an unwrapped new toy!
• Membership Committee member Pam Jones invited members to volunteer at Salute (1900 Esplanade, Marina Bay, Richmond) on Wednesday, November 25 at noon to help prepare the toiletries/necessities bags for Menbere Aklilu’s Giving Thanks Event for veterans and the needy. You can also volunteer during the event on Thursday, November 26 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Find out more here.
• Membership Committee member Alan Baer mentioned (1) the District 5160 Conference is April 1-3, 2016, in Woodland. (Events and tickets here) and (2) Rotary International President KR Ravi Ravindran will be in San Jose. Learn more here. (And here’s a calendar of District 5160-wide events.)
• Treasurer David Brown told us that for just $47, you can give a local child a bicycle and helmet. Use the Donate button (PayPal) on the right, or if you avoid all appeals from the right, click here.
• Happy 97^th birthday Charlie Fender! He’s been a member since 1967 and has been married to Clovel for 73 years. Congratulations!

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Jim 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, 2015

Migrating Faith

Migration 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, 2015

Welcome

President 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

• Jon Lawlis brought his sweetie Darlene Quinville as his guest.
• Alan Baer introduced Herve Hui-Bon-Hoa from the Bank of Guam.
• Josh Surowitz introduced Jason Mustard.

Announcements

• Don Lau reminded everyone that the Holiday Auction is coming up SOON, on December 4^th, the first Friday after Thanksgiving. That means there is only one more meeting before the auction, since the club is dark on 11/27 due to Thanksgiving. We still need everyone to sign up and contribute an auction lot – Nick Despota has made it very easy to enter your item by clicking on the Holiday Auction button on the Rotary website. We already have some great items lined up – Menbe Aklilu and Jerry Feagley are preparing a VERY special and elegant dinner at Jerry’s house; Hank Covell and Dorene (no Dorene’s cookies this year) are offering a special dinner at their house; Stacey Street (your scribe!) and her husband Don are offering a special Margarita and Fajitas party; Mark and Shana Howe will host something, and many others! We still need MORE lots, and then we also need lots people to come ad BID! Alan suggested getting an item in Richmond Standard – Stacey will get in touch with them.
• Pam Jones announced that Richmond Rotary would be conducting a toy drive again and collecting unwrapped new toys on Friday, December 11^th.   See next announcement about location and time since it will be different that day… Pam also noted that there is now a PayPal button to donate money to buy bikes for Richmond kids – super easy!
• Joe Bagley let members know that on December 11^th the Club would be hosting a special holiday event. Rather than a separate, high-end dinner, members, as well as spouses, family and friends, are invited to enjoy a holiday happy hour and mixer from 4 to 7 pm at Richmond Art Center. BARSHEEP Rotary Clubs will be invited as well. Don’t forget to bring your toy to this special event!
• David Brown read two letters from teachers at Peres Elementary School for the wonderful donations provided by Richmond Rotary. The teachers were clearly deeply touched and shared the many critical items they were able to purchase to enrich their teaching. Thanks to everyone who contributed – it truly makes a difference!
• Menbe,  Saluté’s owner and founder of what has become one of Richmond’s proudest traditions, expects to serve a record 1,300 guests in three seatings at this year’s feast on November 26. An impressive group of businesses, non-profits, and community leaders have lined up to offer donations and services that will make the Fifth Annual Free Thanksgiving Feast for the Needy. Read more.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District and You

Your 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:

• Mosquitoes: There are 23 different kinds in Contra Costa County. All mosquitoes hatch in stagnant water – it takes only 2-3 tablespoons of stagnant water to produce several hundred mosquitoes! Major health risk is West Nile Virus: the mild form mimics flu, severe form can be fatal. “One neglected swimming pool=1 million mosquitoes, which can affect people up to 5 miles away!” Prevention can take many forms: dump standing water frequently, report issues to the district when encountered, use mosquitofish (fish that love to eat mosquito larvae – district offers them for free at their offices), use chemical fogging when necessary for adult mosquito problems.
• Mice/rats and skunks have the disease potential to spread bacterial infections in the former, rabies in latter. Prevention requires eliminating food and shelter opportunities (especially citrus and birdseed for mice and rats!). Actions taken require a full report for the district.
• Yellowjackets:There are 4 species in Contra Costa County. There may be up to 15,000 in a nest, which can be on the ground or up high. District will treat ground nests if you know where they are located.
• Ticks: Deer ticks in Contra Costa can spread Lyme Disease. Prevention requires conducting a thorough check whenever you have been near grass/trees where ticks wait to prey on people and animals. Andrew explained how to remove them with tweezers.

Visit contracostamosquito.com for more information.