NEXT MEETING: November 2, 2018

The Hidden Issue of Early Childhood Mental Health in Richmond

Jeff Sloan, the Executive Director of Early Childhood Mental Health, will tell us about the pervasive and often misunderstood mental health challenges that many of the children in our community experience. He will highlight the causes of early childhood mental health issues and racially disproportionate disparities in available services and resources and most especially, the powerful impact that ECMHP has on these issues in our community.

MEETING OF October 26, 2018

Welcome

Past Prez Connie Tritt welcomed all in Prez Jerry’s absence. David Brown led us in the pledge and Herb Cole offered a prayer for peace and freedom. Alan Blavins offered the following, “If love is blind why is lingerie so popular?”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Edgar DeLeon had 3 guests John Benning, Melodie Gonsaves, and Che Al-Barri. Alan Baer’s guest was Pierre Thomson and Connie introduced Joyce Middlebrook a friend of our speaker.

Announcements

• Pam Jones announced that is time to “Buy a Bike” for the Annual Holiday Toy and Food program. $49 buys a bike for a kid. Our Club has pledged a matching $5,000. Please use the Donate button in the right hand column to make your donation.
• Pam also wanted to remind all that at our Annual Holiday Auction member need to bring new toys, particularly for children ages 10-12 years, on 11/30.
• Stacey Street reminded all about the Holiday Auction on 11/30. We need to make sure that members are offering items as well as inviting friends to the Auction. We need live auction and silent auction items. An event flyer will be available soon.
• Tamara Shiloh reminded all about the Multicultural Children’s Bookstore fundraiser on 11/2 from 6-8om at The Shops at Hilltop.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Choices at the end of our lives

Darlene Drapkin introduced out guest speaker Barbara Engdahl who is a retired medical social worker who volunteers with the Compassion & Choices organization, which deals with care and choices at the end of life. Barbara emphasized that everyone should have a direct conversation with their doctor about end of life issues and understand their “right to know” options. Everyone should have a Health Care Directive and discuss their wishes with their family and designate someone with power of attorney. In October 2015 the Aid in Dying law passed in CA which provides an option for terminal patients to end their life. Barbara discussed the role of hospice and other support services. For more information: CompassionAndChoice.org

NEXT MEETING: October 26, 2018

Compassion & Choices - Be an Empowered Patient

Barbara Engdahl will speak about a range of things you can do, choices you can make to become empowered in your senior years. She will discuss Advance Health Care Directives, how to get the most out of your visit with your doctor, how to talk with your doctor to get the treatment you want or refuse the treatment you don’t want; in short how to be in charge of your own medical care. She will also address end of life issues, the choices you have and how to have a death with dignity reflecting the values you have lived by your whole life.

MEETING OF October 19, 2018

Welcome

President Jerry Feagley welcomed the group. Cecelia Orozco led the Pledge. Herb Cole gave the invocation with a prayer for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Sid Chauvin’s Thought for the Day…”I would rather argue against a hundred idiots than have one agree with me.” (Winston Churchill)

At Thursday’s Board Meeting, the Board voted 9 YES and 2 NO on a motion to return to the old meeting start time of 12:30. Out of courtesy to the general membership, President Jerry initiated an informal poll of the members present today. The large majority of those in attendance voted for the 12:30 time. We will return to the 12:30 start time at our first meeting of the new year, Friday, January 4th. We will advise each member individually of the new start time and the effective date.

Darlene Quenville did her “Who am I” and received her Blue Badge!  Yeah!!! It was a riveting presentation but you had to be there. [Says today’s scribe.]

Visiting Rotarians and Guests  

Today’s speaker, Jessica Rodriguez, from Richmond Promise, was one of our guests today. Our other guest was Mac Lingo from the Berkeley Rotary.

Announcements

• IMPORTANT:  This week’s Rotary meeting will be at Richmond Country Club at the usual 12:00 start time. However, beginning in the new year, we will revert back to our old start time of 12:30. See below.
• Rotary Auction is November 30th. Please visit our Holiday Auction page, here. Use that page to see what unexpected and cool gifts (did someone say Crete?) members have already submitted, and also to send us the description of your gift and photo, if you have a good one. Please do it soon! If you’re having trouble with the form, send Nick an email and he’ll help you out.
• Tamara Shiloh reminded everyone of the Multi-Cultural Bookstore Fundraiser Event – November 2nd – 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  They are in need of some items to use for raffle prizes.  If you can help out, that would be great —bring your checkbook.
• Alan Baer announced World Polio Day Fundraiser at Zachary’s Pizza, 1853 Solano Ave, Berkeley, Wednesday, October 24, all day. 15% of total sales will go towards fundraiser.  Please remember to bring flyer, show image on phone, or mention fundraiser to cashier!!
• Darlene Drapkin announced the third annual Trick or Treat on 23rd Street on Halloween, October 31, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Not only treats, but children will be provided with interesting activities to do on Halloween on 23rd Street (from Barrett to McBryde).
• Jan Brown announced after our meeting on October 26, she’s needing help in forming a Celebrate Richmond Rotary’s 100th Anniversary, which will be April 1, 2020.  The short meeting will begin right after meeting for about 20 minutes. She needs people to sign up for this Committee! All those interested (Jonathan says “Mark Howe”), please stay after and volunteer!!

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Richmond Promise

Darlene Drapkin introduced Jessica Rodriguez, Associate Director of Scholarships & Data, Richmond Promise.  Jessica graduated from Cal (Go Bears). Jessica’s motto…”When a community unites for a common cause, they are unstoppable!”

The Richmond Promise was launched in 2016 and is a community-wide college success initiative.  The Richmond Promise is made possible by Chevron Corporation’s Environmental and Community Investment Agreement with the City of Richmond.

To date, there are 900+ Richmond Promise scholars.  $5.4 million has been committed in scholarships since 2016, but students need more than just money support.  The Summer Associate Program gives assistance on how to apply for college, how to register for classes, etc. Once in college, the College Scholar Network helps the scholars to socialize with each other and help each other, and there are resources on campus to assist the scholars.  The Near-Peer Associate Program helps by mentoring students.

The four main goals or pillars of our promise:

1. College Affordability – up to $6,000 over four years  (between $1,000 and $1,500/year) for 2-year, 4-year or CTE (Career Technical Education) post-secondary education.
2. College Awareness – Near-Peer Ambassador Program, Richmond Promise college students are paid and trained to talk to 9th graders at Kennedy High School through a series of classroom-based college and career conversations and activities.
3. College Access – Community-wide financial aid workshops and office hours at local high schools to build college knowledge and assist students with financial aid completion.
4. College Success – Richmond Promise is building partnerships with colleges to welcome and strategically support scholars their first year through degree attainment.  Formal partnerships include: Contra Costa College, Berkeley City College, Diablo Valley College, SF State and UC Berkeley.

The Scholarship
The Richmond Promise Scholars receive up to $1,500 each year for up to 4 years.  It is available for any student who lives in Richmond and attends a not-for-profit 2-year or 4-year college, or Career Technical Education Program.  Scholars must meet the minimum eligibility criteria:

1. Live in Richmond or North Richmond.
2. Graduate from a public, private, or charter high school with the WCCUSD boundary area.
3. Complete a financial aid application (FAFSA or Dream Act) by the Cal Grant Deadline.
4. Enroll full-time and maintain good academic standing through college.

Other interesting facts:

• 71% First Generation College Students
• 70% Low Income
• 65% Hispanic or Latino, 15% African American
• 2-year colleges – 38%, 4-year colleges – 62%
• 56% Female, 44% Male
• 94% Stay in California for college

Scholarships can be used to pay for tuition, housing and transportation.  If a student receives other financial aid, that does not affect the Richmond Promise Scholarship amount.

The Richmond Promise is, and needs to be, more than just a scholarship.  The Promise is a powerful catalyst for student participation and developing leadership in our community.  Students who access on-campus resources feel supported and successful.

$35 million seed money came from City of Richmond and Chevron. It’s been invested and Richmond Promise works off the interest and some of the principal.  That seed money will hopefully last for over ten years. Fundraising is a priority to grow the fund to last forever.  A team of four people administer Richmond Promise. They are always trying to streamline operation expenses to keep costs down.

Go online at info@richmondpromise.org for more information on this wonderful organization!

NEXT MEETING: October 19, 2009

What is RIchmond Promise?

Launched in January 2016, the Richmond Promise is a community-wide college success initiative to build a college graduating culture in Richmond. Created with the belief that all Richmond students should have the opportunity to develop their skills and reach their full potential, regardless of race, income level, or personal background,the Richmond Promise aims to ensure all Richmond students excel to and through higher education, reach their career goals, and become change-making leaders in the Richmond community. Jessie Stewart, Executive Director, will share stories of Richmond Promise’s successes to date.

MEETING OF October 12, 2018

Welcome

President Jerry convened the meeting at La Strada Restaurant. Tom lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Josh Surowitz gave the invocation.

Syd offered a Thought-for-the-day penned by Winston Churchill: “Life is fraught with opportunities to keep your mouth shut.” (Note the choice of the word, “fraught,” which usually means accompanied by something undesirable or dangerous. Is Churchill saying that by not speaking up, we may invite trouble?)

Guests and Visitors

• Jan’s guest was Stepanie Ny, an AmeriCorps member working with the City of Richmond.
• We’re always happy to see Mac Lingo from the Berkeley Rotary. He joined us on this day.
• And last but certainly not least, we welcomed today’s speaker, Pierre Thompson, a Rotary Peace Fellow.

Announcements

• We will return to the Richmond Country Club for the October 19th meeting. Several times over the last couple of months, the Club met at other locations because the RCC hosted golf tournaments. Therefore, our use of the dining room was preempted. The tournament season is now over and our meetings will be held at RCC without interruption until next fall.
• Do you like Zachary’s pizza? The San Pablo Rotary Club has arranged a tasty fundraiser to support World Polio Day. On Wednesday, October 24, take your partner or family to Zachary’s Pizza, at 1853 Solano, in Berkeley. Fifteen percent (15%) of total sales of customers who mention the “World Polio Day fundraiser: will be donated to the cause. Thanks.
• Rita Moreno is the featured performer at a benefit for the Rotacare Richmond Clinic on Friday, October 26th, from 7-9PM, at the Town and Gown Club, 2401 Dwight Way, Berkeley. The evening will include a silent auction. To learn more and RSVP—don’t wait, Rita Moreno is hugely popular—visit the event page.
• Rotary Districts 5130, 5150, 5160, and 5190 are holding a District Convention at the Peppermill in Reno on May 17-19, for the “4-Way Fest.” (Get it?) Lots of fun activities and great speakers are planned. To lean more, and use the Promo Code for the room discount, please visit the event page.
• Pam informed us that the Club will once again hold its Bikes for Kids donation program in December. Bike plus helmet will be $49, as in the past. Our club will match members’ donation up to $5,000.
• Rotary Day at the Races is Saturday, November 17th. Tickets are $41 each. Rotarians attend in droves—400 to 500 we’re told. If you want to join them, give cash or credit card to David Brown.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Global Peace Index

Levels of peace. Dark green = Very high. Yellow = Medium. Orange = Low. Red = Very low.

Today’s guest, Pierre Thompson, talked about the Global Peace Index, which was launched in 2007 to rank countries around the world according to their peacefulness. The GPI gauges global peace using three broad themes: the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict and the degree of militarization.

After reporting on the US ranking (121 of 163—the lower the number the more peaceful), Pierre identified 10 factors correlated to peacefulness. They include a well-functioning government, high levels of human capital, acceptance of the rights of others, an equitable distribution of resources, a free flow of information, low levels of corruption, and the use of diplomacy.

Pierre, who was born in and attended elementary school in Richmond, lead us through a conversation about the factors that contribute to, or frustrate, peacefulness in our own city. On the plus side, several of us said that Richmond enjoyed the benefits of a well-functioning government and efforts to improve economic opportunities for residents. On the negative side, members mentioned the reputation for crime that burdens Richmond, and the impact that has on the readiness of businesses to establish in the city.

Many of us joined the conversation; too much was discussed to cover in this summary. But if you’d like to learn more about the Global Peace Index, why it was developed and how it is used, read this short article.

NEXT MEETING: October 12, 2018
Next meeting at La Strada Restaurant, San Pablo. See below.

Global Peace

Child soldier in Columbia. Photo from TheirWorld.org

Pierre Thompson, a 2016-18 Rotary Peace Fellow, originally from Richmond, will discuss the empirical study of peace and the Global Peace Index (GPI). The GPI offers a new conceptual framework to define peacefulness, measure peace, and promote a better understanding of the cultural, economic and political factors that create peace. Pierre will reflect on how the “pillars of peace” have affected conflict dynamics in other settings where he has worked (Israel-Palestine, Philippines, China) and reflect on the relationship between business, peace and prosperity in the City of Richmond.

MEETING OF October 5, 2018

Welcome

President Jerry Feagley welcomed the group. David Brown led the Pledge. Herb Cole led the invocation with a prayer for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Sid Chauvin’s Thought for the Day…”Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue!

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Jim Becker, Richmond Community Foundation (RCF), Speaker Today

Mariz Bolano, Salestian Interact Club President and Guest of Henry Moe, Salestian Facility Advisor

Mariz Bolano was introduced to the Club by Henry Moe. Mariz was sent to Camp Royale in Northern California on a Rotary scholarship. She wanted to thank our Rotary Club for this opportunity to learn better leadership skills. She learned a lot and shared some pictures from her time at the camp. Thank you!

Announcements

• Our next meeting, on Oct. 12, will take place at La Strada Restaurant, in San Pablo. 2215 Church Ln, San Pablo. Directions.
  To avoid food waste but ensure enough is prepared, please RSVP as soon as possible.
• Stacey announced that the Rotary Auction is November 30th. Click here to see our Holiday Auction page. However this is not yet ready for public viewing. We only have a few items listed now,  and don’t want members of the public to go to the site and find just of handful of esoteric gifts. That means it’s important for everyone to get their auction items listed.Nick reminded us how to use the button on the Auction page to submit a description, and if you have a good one, a photo of your donated item. Please check it out now.

  Also think about who you want to invite as guests to the Auction—more guests will bring more bidding!

  Again, we need interesting items for the Auction. Think like Nick’s “Celebration of Cannabis” last year, or Stacey’s “Fajitas & Margaritas Party”….maybe someone could do a “Massage Therapy Party”! Erle Brown said he’d be there for that one!!! Get the date out there, get people interested, it’s a great event.

• Jon Lawlis told us a little story that illustrated the power of our Auction. Last year he and Darlene welcomed Dan Nackerman from Utah, who saw our Quebec Farmhouse listed when Tom Butt shared Auction info, and he rented from them. Nackerman used to work in the Richmond area on housing.
• Tamara Shiloh announced her Multi-Cultural Bookstore Fundraiser Event – November 2nd – 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Funds raised will be used for inventory of books in the store. They are in need of some nice items to auction. If you can help out, that would be great — bring your checkbook.
• Jerry Feagley brought up El Cerrito Rotary’s Sip & Savor Event – October 7th – 2:30 to 5:30 at the Berkeley Country Club.
• Erle Brown reported the need for an additional $1,000 for the Peres Elementary School donation done each year to provide each teacher $100.00 for school supplies for their classroom. It didn’t take long for rotary members present to give funds and the goal was met. A total of $3,000.00 was raised in total in a two-week period. Many thanks to those who donated to this great cause. An additional $1,000, thanks to Phyllis Brown’s bequest, will also be donated to Peres School.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The RIchmond Community Foundation

Stacey introduced Jim Becker, President of the Richmond Community Foundation. Jim has been with RCF since 2005 but became President & CEO in 2014. Stacey has had the pleasure of working with him since that time. 

Jim began, “There is a new type of philanthropy in town.” RCF is not a typical non-profit organization. They connect people, companies, resources in helping on issues such as education, housing etc. in the community. Community foundations were set up to assist donors so they could make gifts to several organizations within a community, through “donor advised funds.” But this does not insure that the poverty, lack of healthcare, housing, and similar issues we see every day are addressed as well as they should be. Instead, the RCF leverages the “power of connection” to create collaborations that enable companies, individuals, and government to take on projects that help local neighborhood in ways deemed most impactful.

A war on poverty was declared 50 years but poverty is still with us. Jim observed that “we’re thinking about the solutions the wrong way. We feed people, but we need to help people to feed themselves. During the downturn in economy, safety net services such as food, clothing, shelter, some people fell through the cracks as safety net service were not enough.”

Those who do not fall through the cracks, benefit from four condition that they have created for themselves:

1. Job that paid a decent wage;
2. Good money management, working within a budget they have set up;
3. Savings to weather financial storms; and,
4. A strong credit score.

RCF started Spark Point to help families improve in these four areas. There are four Spark Point Centers in the area. Spark Point Centers bring together a range of local services and helps connect people to those services. They help their clients get the skills for a good job, assist them to a 700+ credit score, develop a budget they can stick to,  and save from two to three months of money saved.

Jim told us about a creative approach to solving Richmond’s housing problem. The City has many boarded-up homes. The Richmond Housing Renovation Project has started tackling this issue by means of $3 million in Social Impact Bonds, issued by the City and purchased by Mechanics Bank. The money enables the renovation of derelict homes, then making them available for sale at affordable prices. When the houses are sold, the Richmond Housing Project reinvests that money to renovate new homes, like a revolving line of credit. The Project will continue to do this until the bond payment is due. Go to Richmond Community Foundation website, to learn more about this innovative project. To date, 17 homes have been done.

The main purpose of the RCF is determining the needs of the community and bringing people and investors together to meet those needs. RCF is talking to companies about Philanthropy Tool Kit – how they can be engaged in the community. They are working to get large companies, such as  Amazon and others to become partners in helping to revitalize our community.

NEXT MEETING: October 5, 2018

The RIchmond Community Foundation

Richmond Community Foundation strives for healthy, sustainable communities in Contra Costa County that are safe and diverse, and where families thrive and children are given new hope for a bright and abundant future.

In partnership with the community, RCF inspires leadership and share the vision for work in five areas: Economic Development, Health, The Physical Environment, Education, and Public Safety. Our guest speaker, Jim Becker, CEO, will share how the organization is implementing its mission.

MEETING OF September 28, 2018

Welcome

President Jerry Feagley welcomed everyone to the Mall at Hilltop Conference Room.
Sid reminded us to “Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

While there were no visiting Rotarians, we welcomed Jamil Walker and Jon Lawlis’ daughter, Alissa.

Announcements

No Announcements were recorded for this day.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The ESCAPE Club

Speaker John Iwawaki from the E.S.C.A.P.E. program at DeJean Middle School updated us on the activities and goals of the organization. Their goals are to build the capacity of the students and their families to enjoy outdoor activities. Thus, the outdoor activities are intentionally designed to be cheap and easy.

The program was started by John in 1999. He and a friend have operated the program together since then. They show up each week at ½ hour orientation meetings to teach the kids about the location they will be going to, the related flora and fauna at that location and what they will be doing. The meeting room is equipped with games, activities and sports that the kids enjoy after the orientation meetings.

Outdoor activities such as rafting, skiing, hiking, visiting the beach, and camping take place once a month on a Saturday. There are 9 Field Trips per year. ` The annual schedule is planned ahead by John. There have been over 160 Field Trips since the program started. Thirty to Forty kids usually attend the Field Trips.

John presented a slide show of photographs of the kids while on several of the past field trips during his presentation.

He thanked the group for our continued support of the E.S.C.A.P.E. program and reminded us that he can always use the help of drivers on the Field Trips if we are interested in volunteering.