Yearly Archives: 2018
NEXT MEETING: January 4, 2018Boasting about BoliviaAlan Blavins will again share fish stories from his recent trip to Bolivia. We have no photos or other information about Alan’s presentation at this time. Based on Alan’s past performance, both on the river and at the podium, it should be good. MEETING OF December 21, 2018WelcomePresident Jerry Feagley called the meeting to order and asked HENRY MOE to lead the pledge. Sid shared his thought for the day: “ Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad. “ Jerry reminded us that we will return to our old meeting hour from 12:30 to 1:30 starting with the first meeting of January – January 4th. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsSimon Ellis introduced his son Matthew Piatt as our only guest of the day. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMA Club ConversationJerry gave the floor to Jan Brown, who led the meeting. She started with 2 thoughts:
Jan started her presentation by giving the group an overview of the current Board members and their positions as well as the upcoming year’s slate of Board members. She came prepared with a brief PowerPoint presentation (here) updating us on the following:
Jan ended the presentation asking us this question: “Who will we invite to be Rotarians?” Tom Butt called for 100 new members by 2020!!! Josh Genser then presented a request for our ideas for a signature project for our club for the 2020-2021 year. He gave us some ideas he had such as Pogo Park, (they want to build a new playground) The Arts Commission might help us donate a Sculpture. There is also YMCA, PAL, School District. He would like to get our ideas to him by late January when they expect to make a decision. David Brown mentioned some of the plans in the making:
Sid suggested that we create a 1920/2020 logo for our flags that we hand out to visitors from other clubs and visits to other clubs. Jerry asked us to please recall historical information and search for old photos we may have for display at our 100th anniversary event. - Connie Tritt, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: December 21, 2018A Club DiscussionInstead of a presentation by an invited guest, this Friday we will conduct our every-once-in-awhile Club Conversation. Our main topic will be planning for the 100 year Anniversary of Richmond Rotary. A few weeks ago, Jan circulated a survey among our members to determine their preferences for the type of celebratory event, the time, the guests, and more. We’ll hear about the results and explore your ideas about what type of event would be most suitable. Alan Blavins created the striking logo on the right in recognition of our anniversary. Thank you, Alan! MEETING OFWelcomePresident Jerry Feagley opened the meeting. David Brown led us in the Pledge this week—his first time ever to do the honors! Josh Genser offered an invocation for peace, freedom and justice on earth. Sid’s thought for the day: “Try not to become a man of success but rather a man of value.” – Albert Einstein Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMWhat's in Store in the New Tax LawOur resident CPA, Connie Tritt, presented a succinct, authoritative overview of changes in the new tax law. The biggest deal for many of us is that the amount of the standard deduction has nearly doubled, from $13,000 to $24,000. That may affect your decision to itemize or not. But wait, there’s more… Here’s Connie’s excellent summary in 9 slides (Power Point presentation). - Rotating Scribe Darlene Quenville |
NEXT MEETING: December 14, 2018What to expect for your taxes in 2019What changes will we see in our 2019 tax laws and procedures? Our resident CPA, Connie Tritt, will gives us a rundown on what to expect: the good, bad and maybe deferable. So come, listen, and prepare to stock up on either aspirin or champagne. MEETING OF December 7, 2018WelcomeJim Findley lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb asked for a moment of reflection for peace and justice on Earth. Syd’s Thought for the Day: Don’t wait for people to be friendly, show them how Our guests were Jeff Sloan, the Executive Director of Early Childhood Mental Health Program. He was a guest for the last time (see below). Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMThe Shops at Hilltop and Hilltop by the BayToday’s speaker was Leslie Lundin from LBG Real Estate, which purchased Hilltop Mall and the 77 acres of land it occupies. The mall has been renamed “The Shops at Hilltop” and the entire property as “Hilltop By the Bay”. Hilltop By the Bay will be a mixed-use community (a new city within the city), including more than 3,500 residential dwelling units (a mix of rentals, for-sale and affordable), offices, recreational amenities and 1.2 million square feet of retail. The latter will be in the Shops at Hilltop, a portion of which will be anchored by a 99 Ranch Market and several other businesses calculated to appeal to Asian consumers, which is the fastest growing and one of the wealthiest demographics in the region. Once those businesses start pulling in buyers, mainstream retailers will follow, many of which will be outlets. One problem with the plan is that the cost of residential construction is outstripping the income that can be received from them, so they may have to be prefabricated buildings or wait for construction costs to go down. Look at their web site for a really cool video of what the completed development might look like, lots of statistics about the demographics and wealth of the region served by Hilltop Mall (Richmond is wealthier than you think!), and information about retailers and restaurants expected to occupy the rehabilitated mall. That’s Shophilltop.com. - Josh Genser, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: December 7, 2018Shops at Hilltop MallComing in 2019, the new “Shops at Hilltop.” This is promised to be an engaging, imaginative and regional destination for Bay Area residents to gather, play, dine and shop. Hilltop is managed and co-owned by LBG Real Estate Companies. Leslie Lundin, a principal will share what’s in store, describing and illustrating LBG’s vision for the redevelopment and re-imagining of the property starting with the retail portion and expanding to the development of the entire 77 acres site. THE HOLIDAY AUCTION: HOW DO WE MEASURE SUCCESS?We usually gauge the success of our annual holiday auction in dollars. By that measure, our club did very well indeed—we raised more than $37,000. That money helps schools and diverse non-profit organizations fulfill their mission. It funds a range of projects that benefit residents of every age group. (Which organizations and projects?) Let’s congratulate ourselves. But by focusing only on dollars, we risk ignoring other values that are not so easily measured. Let’s start with engagement: 88% of our members gave to the Auction this year. That high level of engagement reflects the contributions of roughly half of our members who rarely attend weekly meetings. Furthermore, it demonstrates an ethic of giving that, because it is usually expressed in private acts, may otherwise go unnoticed. Well, let’s notice. Scanning the overflow crowd last Friday, let’s also notice that many of those in attendance were not Richmond Rotary members. We welcomed 10 Rotarians visiting from other clubs and 55 guests! Regard their attendance as an enlargement of the circle of goodwill drawn round our community, evidence of an expanding network for good whose effects ripple across our city and beyond. Yes, the impact of the Holiday Auction cannot be measured in dollars. But we see it in the engagement, the goodwill, and the commitment to service that you and our Rotary friends demonstrate, during the Holiday Season and year-round.
ANNOUNCEMENTThe Holiday Party will take place at the Richmond Art Center on Saturday, December 8th, at 5:30 PM. This is a good opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Rotarians, outside of the high stress environment of our weekly meetings. 😉 If you were not able to bring a toy and food item for the Richmond Police and Fire Department holiday program to our Holiday Auction last Friday, you can bring it to the Holiday Party.
MEETING OFWelcomeAnnouncementsRecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAM
|
NEXT MEETING: November 30, 2018HOLIDAY AUCTION THIS FRIDAY!This Friday, November 30th is the biggest, funnest fundraiser of the year, our Annual Holiday Auction. Our members have come up with some truly amazing gifts. Have a look. Here are four things you need to know.
Come early Bring a generous heart—and friends with same Haven’t donated yet? Click either the “Post my item” button near the top of the Auction page, or to make a monetary contribution, the “Donate” button. You can also send Stacey an e-mail describing your gift. Got a Live Auction item? To help our team accurately present it in the Live Auction, please send an email to Stacey today with a brief description. That’s it! See you Friday. MEETING OFWelcomeAnnouncementsRecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAM
|