Yearly Archives: 2017
NEXT MEETING: November 10, 2017Prepare Now for the Next EmergencyIf last month’s wildfires taught us anything, it is that life-threatening emergencies can happen at any time and often come with little warning. The time to prepare for earthquakes, wildfires, or powerful storms is now. This Friday a representative from the city of Richmond will review emergency preparedness measures each of us can take. We’ll also be reminded of what we can and cannot expect from city and county governments in the hours and days following major disasters. MEETING OF November 3, 2017WelcomePresident Connie Tritt called the meeting to order and asked Norm Lundberg to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Jon Lawlis asked for silent prayers for peace, hope, and justice. Sergeant at Arms Sidney Chauvin offered a quote for the day: “democracy must be something more than two wolves and a lamb deciding what we are going to have for supper.” Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMVisit Richmond!Darlene Drapkin introduced today’s speaker Matt Lewis the executive director of Visit Richmond. Visit Richmond is funded by guest rooms sold. Richmond has about 12 hotels, but many are not convention-appropriate. Local hotels are working with Chinese travel operators for northern California tours. The tourists’ interests are rates, value, shopping, gambling, and other activities. Best Western has taken over Marina Bay Inn (on Cutting and Canal). Hilltop Mall is an ongoing discussion. For more information: http://visitrichmondca.com/ -Shana Bagley, Rotating Scribette |
NEXT MEETING: November 3, 2017Visit Richmond CAMatt Lewis, Executive Director of Visit Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau) is honored to present to the Richmond Rotary. Matt will discuss Visit Richmond CA’s efforts in celebrating the Richmond story. He will discuss the Bureau’s efforts in supporting local events and going outside of Richmond to encourage new opportunities. Matt is proud to represent Visit Richmond CA and loves the great spirit, effort and energy of the people of Richmond. MEETING OF October 27, 2017WelcomePresident Connie Tritt presided over the meeting and welcomed everyone. Dan Tanita led the pledge, Herb Cole offered the invocation, and Syd had a memorable thought-for-the-day, which, unfortunately, was not recorded and, memorable or not, we forgot it. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMMarketing and Branding the City of RichmondOur own Rotarian, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt presented an update on a branding and marketing initiative begun in 2015. The $105,000 cost of the contract with North Star, the firm conducting it, has been covered entirely by private donations. No city funds were used. A small remainder, $3,000, is needed to cover the final bill on the study. Tom welcomes contributions. The study was conducted because the current city logo, dating from 1977, is not highly regarded. Most people are unable to interpret what it means. Tom felt that a less ambiguous, more attractive graphic identity can attract new investment. A survey determined that residents held a number of well-known negatives—high crime, poor streets, blight, dysfunctional politics, schools. But perceptions of Richmond have been steadily improving over the last 8 years. And although it’s difficult to erase the negatives, Tom emphasized, we can build on the positives—and we have. Tom reviewed the city’s highest-rated assets: its shoreline (32 miles long, more than all other East Bay cities), its affordability, the Rosie the Riveter WWII National Historical Park, and the Richmond Promise program. He noted that the city is regarded as a leader in social justice issues. Curiously, respondents in the survey scored Chevron both as a negative (pollution) and a positive (tax base). Tom described the process of developing a new logo for the city (shown above). It was the product of an extensive process that included surveys of residents and outside stakeholders. He many variations that the branding and marketing committee screened. The group settled on a logo that emphasized the city’s waterfront location, environmental stewardship, and its history. Beneath the logo is a “strapline” that reflects this: Bay Front, Home Front, Out Front. Will this become Richmond’s official logo? Tom doesn’t think a vote to adopt it can pass in city council as long as he his mayor. However the logo can be used unofficially for business communications and marketing. He encourages us to do exactly that. Darlene Drapkin, “Rotating Editor” |
NEXT MEETING: October 20, 2017State of the City
Our own Rotarian, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt will present an update on the State of the City. He will provide highlights including key accomplishments, challenges and goals moving forward. He will discuss the City’s finances, staffing changes, real estate updates and environmental achievements. MEETING OF October 20, 2017WelcomePresident Connie Tritt called the meeting to order. Stacey led us in the Pledge to the Flag. Herb invoked deeper thoughts and higher powers. Syd’s thought-for-the-day: “Even duct tape cannot fix stupid, but it can muffle the noise.” Visiting GuestFor the last time, Darlene Quinville was welcomed as the guest of Jon Lawlis. See below. Special EventsConnie inducted Darlene and into the Richmond Rotary so her guest status is officially over. Darlene is now one of us. Connie also conferred Oscar Garcia with his blue badge. Yeah! And thought she wasn’t prepared for it, Cecilia Orozco stepped up to Connie’s invitation to give her Who Am I? presentation. Cecilia attended Richmond High School and UC Berkeley. She aspired to a law degree but for reasons of romance and opportunity she turned her sights to real estate, a field in which she now enjoys a successful career. Cynthia told us she gets a lot of satisfaction out of helping people—and since she has 3 small kids, she gets a lot of practice. Congratulations, Cecilia, on earning your blue badge. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAM
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NEXT MEETING: October 20, 2017Honey Bees: The Current State of AffairsAcutely aware of the decline of bees, the world’s all-important pollinators, the Alameda County Beekeepers’ Association is helping support their population and purpose in today’s fragile world. Come learn about the current status of their health, as well as what can we, as citizens, can or cannot do to guarantee their survival. MEETING OF October 13, 2017WelcomePresident Connie called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jan. Erle gave our invocation. Syd thinks: “I do not trip over things, I do random tests of gravity.” We welcomed 3 visiting Rotaracters from UC Berkeley:Taylor Lee, District Governor; Kylee Nebust, District Lt. Governor; and Vani Topkar Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMA Double-header: Berkeley Rotoract and In Defense of AnimalsAt this meeting we had two presentations. Berkeley Rotoract
Defense of Animals: Fighting for Animals, People and EnvironmentConnie introduced our speaker, Fleur Dawes, of In Defense of Animals. IDA has a number of initiatives to help animals all over the world: IDA operates three sanctuaries:
Wildfires raging to the north of us provided the opportunity for an on-the-spot demonstration of what Defense of Animals is ready to do. Ms Dawes told Jan Brown that her organization could provide a volunteer to feed or evacuate Jan’s brother’s cat, located in Calistoga. (As it turned out, a local fireman was able to rescue the cat so the service was not necessary. But In Defense of Animals has been providing this service for other residents in areas affected by the fires.) For more information, visit idausa,org.You may also want to download a a short article about the organizations mission and campaigns.
Josh Genser, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: October 13, 2017
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