NEXT MEETING: September 28, 2018
Meeting at Hilltop Conference Room. Directions below.

What is the ESCAPE Club

Since 1999 the ESCAPE Club at DeJean Middle School in Richmond has been taking students on monthly field trips to exciting destinations all around northern California, like Monterey, Pt. Reyes, and Yosemite.

Students meet weekly after school to prepare for trips; learn about ecology, conservation, and geography; and write reflections of their experiences. Vist our website at www.escapeclub.org or find our videos or photos on YouTube or Instagram.

MEETING OF September 21, 2018

Welcome

The meeting was called to order by President Jerry. Simon led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb invoked a moment of silence for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Syd’s thought for the day: Camping is a way to spend a small fortune to live like a homeless person.

Visiting Rotarians

We welcomed two visitors from other Rotary Clubs to our meeting: Jas Goswami from the Pinole Club and Tim Thomason from the Paradise Club

We also enjoyed the company of our guest Matt Piatt, Simon’s son.

Announcements

• Once again we are meeting at the Hilltop Conference Room (map). Do no go to the Richmond Country Club. To get there, enter Hilltop Mall at the entrance near the Richmond Police sub-station. Park between Walmart and the old JC Penney. Take the elevator to the second level, and the conference room is to the left of the main Shops at Hilltop office.
• Erle: Time to contribute to Richmond Rotary’s annual contribution of $100 to each teacher at Peres Elementary School. There are 30 teachers, so we need $3,000. Upon reaching $3,000, another $1,000 will be contributed because of a bequest in Phyllis’ will. Good news: we quickly raised $2,000.
• Jerry announced the El Cerrito Rotary’s Sip and Savor event is on October 7 at the Berkeley Country Club (in El Cerrito).
• Stacey reminded us of just how fast time flies: our Holiday Auction is will take place on November 30! She offered help planning a social event to dontate, which are always popular. Of course, we also need donation of tangible objects. (After the meeting Josh G went to the driving range and solicited from the teaching pro, Patrick McChesney, a donation of some lessons. “See how easy it is?”)
• David updated us on Board-authorized donationst to the following local nonprofits: the National Institute of Arts and Disabilities, the Ed Fund, Early Childhood Mental Health Program, Youth Enrichment Strategies, Richmond Police Activities League, the Emergency Food Pantry, the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program and the Escape Club. Those organizations receive some of your Rotary donations. Think about your Holiday Auction donation—your gifts will help us raise more!
• Rotary Day at the Races is November 17. It’s a District event, and we have a limited number of tickets. You don’t have any tickets unless you’ve paid David for them. $41.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Leadership and Listening

Stacey introduced our speaker, Kit Pappenheimer. Kit was a school principal and then a coach to non-profits who now operates a retreat center in Point Richmond and a business called Leadership in Motion.

Millennials are famous for multitasking, but do they ever actually get done what they’re supposed to get done? It’s very important sometimes to focus on only one thing at a time (Hey, I’m not even listening to music while I wrote this Flywheel!), and, in relationships, it’s very important to both hear what the other person has to say and to be heard. Kit led us in an exercise in mindfulness, being present. Each of us was paired with another person, and instructed to listen to that other person’s problem for three minutes without interrupting, and then to say back what the listener had heard. It can be amazingly difficult to listen without interruption, and, especially for men, without suggesting solutions.

NEXT MEETING: September 21, 2018

Leadership Skills Development

Join Richmond local Kit Pappenheimer, an experienced leadership coach. Kit has created Leadership in Motion, an innovative approach to Leadership Skill Development.

This session will be engaging and energizing as we listen to one another, move together and connect. See you then.

MEETING OF September 14, 2018

Welcome

President Jerry Feagley called the meeting to order in our new alternate venue, a conference room at Hilltop Mall. Herb gave the invocation. Filling in for Syd—what a thankless task—Tamara offered a thought-for-the-day that spotlighted the value of investing in education. Given today’s line-up of speakers and guests, the thought was well-chosen.

Announcements

Alan Baer asked that we mark our calendars for the District Assembly taking place in Fairfield on October 20th, between 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM. We’ll be recognizing our 100-year anniversary, and all are welcome to attend. More details will follow.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

A report on the West County Unifed School District

WCCUSD is on a path that will lead to increased success. Many new programs for schools have led to a visible improvement in grades and student participation. Mr. Duffy acknowledged that it is with the help of the community, organizations and individuals that the school district is experiencing the more favorable WCCUSD statistics.

Mr. Duffy’s goals of improving teacher and employee compensation, strengthening early literacy and supporting English learners have been effective.

The Superintendent highlighted several initiatives that are bringing positive changes to the District. They include the expanding the K-8 model to three additional schools, raising the number of language immersion program seats, implementing math and writing projects at various schools, and increasing the focus on the lowest performing schools through the Kennedy Family Initiative.

Partnerships have made a big difference. Among the most important partners are Chevron, which is supporting the very popular FAB LAB; Contra Costa College; the PTA. The District is continually looking for partnerships to help drive ongoing success at WCCUSD schools.

Principals from three area high schools spoke briefly about their schools’ accomplishments and their vision for the future. THey were Summerlyn Sigler, from DeAnza High School; Felicia Phillips, from Kennedy; and Jose De Leon, from DeAnza. Their enthusiasm was infectious.

NEXT MEETING: September 14, 2018
Club meets at Hilltop Mall on Friday. See below.

What's new at the West County Unified School District?

West County Unified School District Superintendent Matt Duffy will talk about the challenges and opportunities on the horizon for the District.

Matt is new to our school district. Prior to coming to Contra Costa, he served as the Assistant Superintendent in Milpitas Unified. There he was in charge of teaching and learning, leadership, enrollment, technology, Special Education, and Local Control and Funding Plan development.

MEETING OF September 7, 2018

Welcome

Past President Connie called the meeting to order. Nick led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb asked for a moment of silence of peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Syd Chauvin had a thought for the day: “Birthdays are good for you; the more you have the longer you live.”

Rotarians with guests

Darlene introduced her five guests:
Sergio Rios
Nellie Rickert
Lucero De Leon
Ada Recinos
Eduardo Martinez

Announcements

• The Club will meet at the Conference Room at the Shops at Hilltop Mall this Friday, not the Richmond Country Club.
  Directions
  Use the main entrance by the Richmond Police substation. Park between Walmart and the old JC Penney. Take the elevator to the second level, and the conference room is to the left of the main Shops at Hilltop office. Map.
• Ric announced that the Richmond Art Center has new exhibits opening: “Califas: Art of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands”, “What Knot?” with California artists who work with fiber and textiles, and “Lia Cook: Inner Traces”.
• Oscar asked for more volunteers for tree watering every weekend Contact Felix if you’re interested.
• Tamara announced that her Multicultural Bookstore was having specials for Grandparents’ Day and a fundraiser dinner on November 2 to buy inventory for the holidays.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Oscar introduced our own Darlene Drapkin (rhymes with napkin). Darlene re-introduced her guests, who were among members of the steering committee for Calle 23, a program she manages whose aim is to revitalize the 23^rd Street business district

Darlene has been marshaling assets, cajoling cooperation from the business community and residents, and applying for grants, all to further a campaign to clean up 23^rd Street and attract more people to its retail shops. The key to the program is the involvement of all stakeholders and collaboration with the City and other agencies. An alley behind Portumex restaurant has already been cleaned up and paved.

Darlene hopes to put into place a façade improvement program, to install street furniture and streetscapes, to slow down traffic and in other ways, make 23^rd Street an appealing destination for shopping and eating.