NEXT MEETING: April 8, 2016

Conversation with Chief Allwyn Brown

Chief Brown Bio pic 3.17.16Chief Allwyn Brown has been a sworn member of the Richmond Police Department for over 30 years, serving as assistant police chief between July 2015 and January 2016, and then he was appointed interim police chief.  He was promoted to sergeant in 1994 – then later served as acting lieutenant for one year helping to institute a new policing system before being promoted to captain in January 2008.  He served as one of two deputy chiefs in the Department between 2010 and 2015.  Chief Brown attended POST’s Supervisory Leadership Institute (Class 86), and he is a graduate of Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP).  He holds a Master’s Degree in HR Management and an undergraduate degree in Business/HR Management.

MEETING OF Friday, April 1, 2016

Welcome

Past President Alan Baer 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 George Egan to lead us in a silent prayer for peace. Sergeant-at-Arms Sid Chauvin offered the quote of the day: “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!” – F.D. Roosevelt

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Dan Sanders brought his wife Sara Sanders.

Josh Surowitz’s guest was coworkers Daniel Lopez

 

Announcements

  • David Brown reminded us that next Saturday, April 9, there will be a great local program: from 9-12 we will install reflective safety curb numbers and provide smoke/CO2 detectors and fire extinguishers to 38 Parchester Village homes. We will meet on McGlothen. We need at least 12 people – please join us! ****
  • Past President Alan Baer mentioned how wonderful the Richmond RotaCare Grand Opening event was last night. There we many recognition, including the Mayor Butt and Supervisor Gioia’s offices for the hard work by members and staff. It is an amazing collaboration of efforts and resources.
  • Check out Bono’s video thanking Rotarians for their commitment to eradicating polio: https://vimeo.com/98557600
  • Director Joe Bagley announced the following celebrations:

Patricia Canessa is on maternity leave and will return in a few months

Mey Saechow is surviving tax season and will return shortly

EJ Shalaby celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary

George Egan has been a Rotary Club member for 18 years

Dan Sanders has been a member for 41 years!

Happy Birthday RICHMOND ROTARY CLUB!!!

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

amani_mataboro

matoboro-sewing-program

Past President Liliane Koziol introduced the inspiring Amani Matabaro of Bukavu Rotary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (near the border of Rwanda) and Dr. Victoria Bentley.

Amani Matabaro is the current president of the Bukavu Club and has been an intricate part in the revitalizing of the war-torn Congo.  His presentation was a tribute to all of the amazing things that Rotary has done for his country.  While the country is rich in resources and beauty, the people are ranked as some of the poorest in the World.  After surviving dictatorships and civil wars, the people needed help to defend themselves against warlords.  Rotary has helped them do this.

These projects include: educational assistance to keep children from working in the mineral mines (there are now 425 children in school), the Mumosho Community Center to provide resources for teen mothers, education, literacy, and job skills for women, bread making cooperative, microloans, organic shared farm, animal husbandry, fishing program, Congo Healing Project, and the Mumosho Peace Market.

Where is humanity? Where is the World? It is in ROTARY.

To learn more about
Amani Matabaro, and his community building work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IqzLs373Iw
The Congo: http://www.theguardian.com/world/congo
Congolian Rain Forest: http://www.worldwildlife.org/places/congo-basin
Congo Civil Wars: http://goo.gl/Zbx78R

 

Shana Bagley, our scribe for this meeting offers this thought:
“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.”
– Gandhi

 


NEXT MEETING: April 1, 2016

Update from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Thanks to support from the Richmond Rotary Club, women in the village of Mumosho in the Democratic Republic of Congo received much-needed healing. The assistance provided these women with job skills that allowed them to support themselves. Rotarian Amani Mataboro is back in the U.S. to attend the District 5160 Conference and will discuss the first Congo Healing Program (CHP) that treats the local population at no cost. A second CHP clinic is planned to open in April 2016, in the New Hope Congo Hospital in Kavumu, an area that is experiencing an increasingly high number of rapes of young women and girls. This trauma unit will provide specialize therapy for children.

MEETING OF March 25, 2016

Welcome

Prez Alan called the meeting to order and asked Dan Tanita to lead us in the Pledge and offered us a moment of silence for peace on earth. Sid Chauvin offered the following thought “A problems is a chance for you to do your best” Duke Ellington

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Prez Alan had as his guest son Josh; Jan Brown with son Mathew and husband Byron; Stacey Street brought James Lee and Yolanda Oviedo; other guests included: Jeff English; Whitney Dotson; Jelani Dotson; Susanne Gordon, Steve Early; Chaire DeSophia; Jan Mignone; Nancy Baer; Larry Giustino; Peter Bauhon; Ann Killebrew; Toula Siacotos, Justine Blanchet; and Tom Kelly.

Special Events

Prez Alan presented Jan Brown’s son Mathew with a Paul Harris Award.

Announcements

  • Prez Alan Blavins reported that he received a $500 check to support our wheelchair distribution program in Mexico
  • Alan Baer announced that the RotoCare Clinic Open House at its new location the Family Justice Center (256 24th Street, Richmond) will be on March 31 from 6-7pm. Please plan on attending.
  • David Brown reminded all of our hands on project on April 9 in Parchester Village. David will need 4 teams of 3 people to help with installing smoke detectors, curb numbers and fire extinguishers. Sign-up sheet soon.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Prez Alan introduced our speaker who needed no introduction, our own Tom Butt, Mayor of Richmond who made a presentation on the Paris Climate Conference in 2015. The UNFCC COP21 brought together approximately 40,000 representatives from 196 countries around the world.

The key point that Tom made is that cities are leading the way on climate change. They are using local climate action plans to prioritize strategies to reduce their emissions. The City of Richmond in partnership with MCE is one of the best examples of positive change in climate control with community choice in the City of Richmond. The City is working on a Climate Action Plan. Tom gave thanks to Tom Kelly for help in preparing the presentation. If you missed the presentation you can find it at: http://www.tombutt.com/pdf/COP21.pdf

 


The Menehune “Rotating Editor”

NEXT MEETING: March 25, 2016

2015 Paris Climate Conference

Richmond Mayor Tom Butt will present a “show and tell” of his exciting trip to Paris for the UNFCC COP21 this past December, and what it means for the City of Richmond and Marin Clean Energy.  Approximately 40,000 representatives from 196 countries around the world participated. The major story was about how Cities are leading on climate change, and how they use local climate action plans to prioritize strategies to reduce their emissions – including through land use and transportation planning.  You can preview the PowerPoint at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Congress of the Parties 21.

MEETING OF March 18, 2016

Welcome

President Alan Blavins presided over the meeting. Don Lau led the pledge. Sid Chavin’s thought for the day was what happens is not as important as how you react to what happens. Herb Cole’s thought for the day was John Wooden’s Timeless advice for his players, “Always be on time, be neat and clean, don’t use profanity, never criticize a teammate, have patience, have faith that things will work out if we do what we are supposed to do, don’t whine, complain or make excuses and do your best.”

Announcements

  • Alan Baer announced that the upcoming District Conference will take place April 1-3. More than 300 people have already signed up. Friday is the free mixer and even if you did not sign up everyone is invited on Friday. There is still time to sign up and pay your $99 for the weekend.
  • Alan Baer also announced that the Grand Opening Celebration at the Rotocare Clinic will be on March 31. All are invited to see the new facility.
  • Ric Ambrose announced that a special David Park art showing took place on Saturday, March 19, at the Richmond Art Center (Personal Perspectives and the Human Spirit: Contemporary Figuration as an Expression of Humanity).
  • David Brown announced that on Saturday, April 9, our district grant project will be installing high reflective street numbers on the curbs of 38 homes in Parchester Village and we will also package a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher for each of the 38 homes.
  • Mark Howe announced that every Wednesday he is helping convert old drawings located at Point Molate Building 6 to digital scans. Email Mark if you are interested in helping or for more information.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Rescue, Adoption Center and Sanctuary for Domestic Animals

Josh Genser introduced Lynne Tingle, our guest speaker from the Milo Foundation. Milo is a nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue organization founded in 1994. Milo rescues homeless pets in Richmond and from shelters across the state. They also take in or help homeless people’s pets when the owners are unable to take care of them. Milo rescues and finds homes for about 5 animals a day. The Milo Adoption Center is located at 220 South Garrard Blvd in Point Richmond and is open for adoptions every day except Tuesday from 11am-5pm. Visit the Milo web site for more information.


Henry Moe, Rotating Scribe

NEXT MEETING: March 18, 2016

Rescue, Adoption Center and Sanctuary for Domestic Animals

The Milo Foundation is a nonprofit, no-kill rescue organization founded in 1994. Milo rescues homeless pets in Richmond and from shelters across the state.  The organization helps strays found by citizens on our county streets, parks and abandoned in parking lots.  Milo Foundation also supports pets from the homeless who ask for help to care for them whether by providing food and veterinary care or taking their animals when they realize they can no longer care for them.

Milo rescues and finds homes for an average of more than five animals a day; many of these homeless pets faced euthanasia in animal shelters. The Milo Adoption Center is located at 220 South Garrard Blvd, in Point Richmond and is open for adoptions every day except Tuesday from 11am – 5pm.

Visit wwww.milofoundation.org for more information.

MEETING OF

Welcome

Prez Alan called the meeting to order and asked David Brown to lead us in the Pledge and offered us a moment of silence for peace on earth. There was no Sid so Hank Covell offered the following thought (don’t shoot the scribe) “if a man is alone in a forest and says something is he still wrong if there is no woman there to hear it?”

Announcements

  • Alan Baer announced that the RotoCare Clinic Open House at its new location the Family Justice Center (256 24th Street, Richmond) will be on March 31 from 6-7pm.
  • Alan also reminded us that the Rotary District 5160 conference will take place April 1-3 in Woodland, CA. To sign up, contact Valerie Munoz at 925.683.6310.
  • Rafael Madrigal announced the return of Rotary @ the A’s which will be Saturday, July 23 versus Tampa Bay Rays (I looked it up) with fireworks to follow. There is a limit of 40 tickets.
  • Pam Jones shared our Richmond Rotary Club Fundraising Analysis which gave us an update of where we are with Foundation giving. See Pam for details and give if you have not done so this year.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Lost Art Discovered

Stacey Street introduced our speaker Melinda McCrary who has been the Executive Director of the Richmond Museum since 2013. Melinda told us the story of how she was able through persistence, research and sleuthing to locate and save a mural of Richmond painted in 1941 by famed muralist Victor Arnautoff titled “Richmond: An Industrial City” which was originally on a wall at the Richmond Post at 10th and Nevin from 1941-1976. When the Post Office was renovated in 1976 it was supposed to have been mailed to LA but never was from 1976-2014. And you thought your mail delivery was slow. The 16’x10’ mural had been rolled up and crated and sat in the basement of the post office until Melinda tracked it down by contacting Al Martinez (past Post Master) who sent her to a former custodian. Working with the federal government (another well-oiled machine) and being very persistent and making many calls, Melinda was finally able to liberate the mural from the post office and it is now being restored by Ann Rosenthal. The Museum, after the mural is restored at a cost of $50,000 (donations welcomed), will hang the mural at the Museum hopefully by the end of 2016.

Thanks Melinda for saving a Richmond treasure!


- The Menehune “Rotating Editor"

NEXT MEETING: March 4, 2016

Lost Art Discovered

In October 2015, the Richmond Museum of History took possession of a mural of Richmond painted in 1941 by famed muralist Victor Arnautoff. Richmond: An Industrial City was commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts and installed in the Post Office on Nevin Avenue until 1976, when the building was renovated. The mural was carefully removed from the wall only to be crated and lost track of, eventually being declared lost by the Endangered Mural Registry of Temple University. Richmond Museum of History Executive Director Melinda McCrary will present the exciting story of how the mural was found, the trials of taking possession of it, and how the community can help see it displayed to the public once again

MEETING OF March 4, 2016

Welcome

President Alan Blavins called the meeting to order, asked Oh! Henry Moe to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and asked for a silent prayer for peace. Sergeant-at-Arms Sid Chauvin offered the quote of the day: “You hit home runs not by chance but by preparation.” (-Roger Maris)

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Swampy Joe Bagley introduced his business partner, boss, and wife, Rita Bagley.

Announcements

  • Mark Howe mentioned that today, the Rigger’s Loft Wine Company grand opening is from 3:00-5:00. Check it outt.
  • Your Scribette informed us that the Richmond RotaCare open house is now Thursday, March 31, from 5:00-7:30 at its new location (256 24th Street, Richmond). Learn more about it.
  • Director Joe Bagley announced that February 15 was Mark Howe’s 14 year as a Rotarian.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

What's All The Buzz About Behavioral Finance?

skull-xrayProgram Chair Extraordinaire Stacey Street introduced Rick Lehman of the UC Berkeley Extension. Rick spoke about micro versus macro, key concepts, and behavioral issues in the field of behavioral finance. We learned about animal spirits, lizard brains, black swans, heuristics, loss aversion, reverse halos, money buckets, and hot hands syndrome. Simply put, we are all gambling fools!

Rick has written three books, highlighted on this Amazon page.

He teaches at UC Berkeley Extension. You can see his online courses here.

Rick is an investment advisor with RHL Capital.


- Shana Bagley Howe, your rotating Scribette, reminds you that "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” – Booker T. Washington