Monthly Archives: April 2019
NEXT MEETING: April 26, 2019SparkPointSparkPoint is a network of nonprofit partners that support members of the community through financial education and coaching to achieve and sustain prosperity. Meghan Cadmus, Site Coordinator at the Contra Costa West office, will tell us about the people who SparkPoint Contra Costa serves, how the program works, and how you can register or refer others for the services. MEETING OF April 19, 2019WelcomeAt 12:30 pm, President Jerry Feagley opened the meeting and welcomed members and their guests. Pam Jones led us in the Pledge this week. Herb Cole did the invocation for peace, freedom and justice on earth. No thought for the day – Sid was absent. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsVisiting our club was Steve Kirby, of the Hercules Rodeo Club. Steve was also our speaker Bob Dabney brought his daughter was as a guest. We apologize for not recording her name. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMRotary International ProjectsSteve Kirby presented an excellent slide show about his trip to Columbia. There he visited various school projects, where, with Rotary assistance, the schools have been provided needed supplies and materials. The people were very hospitable, and the accommodations, the food and the drink were all very good. There trip schedule allowed plenty of time for parties and tours. Steve talked about issues with the Internet and cell phone, the result of the fact there are no IT people to keep the technology up and running. He said there about seven Rotary clubs in Colombia. Steve told us about the upcoming visit from Shimada, Japan representatives. Shimada is the sister city of Richmond. The visit was a result of a meeting and agreement between the mayor of Shimada and Richmond back in the 70’s. He suggested that we apply for a national grant and send a group of representatives from BARSHEEP to Shimada in October for about a week or two. He said the grant covers hotel, airfare, and registration. Information about applying for the grant may be available now. Steve urged us to get more involved in Rotary International and visit some of the other countries needing assistance. He recommended BARSHEEP also send representatives to assist with the coming projects in Kenya and Colombia again. Tamara Shiloh, “Rotating Scribe” |
NEXT MEETING: April 19, 2019Rotary’s International Service OpportunitiesSteve Kirby, of the Rotary Club of Hercules, attended the Columbia Project Fair to entice Rotarians to get involved in Rotary International’s global community. Here’s your chance to have your questions answered about International Service opportunities. MEETING OF April 12, 2019WelcomeAt 12:30 pm, President Jerry Feagley opened the meeting. Pam Jones led us in the Pledge this week. Herb Cole did the invocation for peace, freedom and justice on earth. As Sid was absent, there was no thought for the day. We missed you, Sid. Josh Genser brought up last Saturday’s work project at Harbour-8 Park where they made protective barriers around the oak trees. Thanks to all those who participated: Josh, Jerry, Tamara, Felix, Darlene D., Norm, Jan and Byron. Great pics on the Rotary site. And to those who did not attend……raspberries to you!! =) Jerry informed us that Henry Moe asked if the Club would be willing to assist the Salesian Interact President to attend the Reno Convention in May. The cost would be $547.00 to cover the conference fees, room, etc. Many Rotarians offered donations sufficient to cover it, or very close. We thank all who volunteered to chip in for their generosity. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMDarlene Drapkin introduced our speaker, Amanda Elliott, Executive Director of Richmond Main Street Initiative. The organization is dedicated to commercial revitalization of the Downtown Richmond area and to improve the image of the Downtown area. It is part of National Main Streets throughout the nation. In 2012, business improvement district was started. They get funding from the commercial businesses in the area. Most of the funding goes towards cleaning and maintenance. In 2009, streetscaping was provided on Harbour Way and Macdonald Avenue. In 2010, streetscaping was also provided on Nevin Avenue. Training and Workshops to potential business owners, such as “Finance Your Business” being offered April 24th, 6:00-8:00 pm. Lots of free Community Events – June thru September outdoor events include:
There was $16 million in private and public investment in the downtown area last year. Richmond Main Street is now located in the Downtown Richmond Visitor Center. There is currently an RFP for a Richmond-themed store. We have put art in some of the vacant downtown storefront windows. Have worked with the youth in the area – 39 kids participated in Youth Entrepreneur Day. 12th & Macdonald Project (2 blocks) – 256 unit of homes initially, with a total of 600 housing units and potential 60,000 sf in retail space. Community is much more engaged. Taste of Richmond Event coming up, too — May 18th at Riggers Loft Wine Company (2 – 6 pm). For more details, look up www.RichmondMainStreet.org. - Rotating Scribe Darlene Quenville |
NEXT MEETING: April 12, 2019Richmond Main Street InitiativeThe Richmond Main Street Initiative is dedicated to revitalizing historic downtown Richmond as a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban village. That means offering products, services, arts and entertainment that reflect our community’s rich and diverse heritage. Its programs and events are a vital part of the urban village concept. Richmond Main Street sees new businesses coming to our downtown in the near future, and Amanda Elliott, its Executive Director will tell us all about it. MEETING OF April 5, 2019WelcomePrez Jerry rang the bell and called the meeting to order with Oscar Gracia leading us in the Pledge, Herb Cole offered a moment for peace, freedom and justice. Sid Chauvin offered: “Seconds count, especially when you are dieting!” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsTamara Shiloh introduced Prez Jerry’s guest, Nakele Rechenauer. Announcements
We’d love to, but…We’d love to share the results of our Online Communications survey with you—what our members most value in the Flywheel, how they use the website—but we can’t. Not yet. We need another dozen of you to take a couple minutes to take the survey before we can claim the results are significant. So please, if you haven’t taken the survey yet, please do it now. It only takes about 3 minutes. Your responses will give us a better idea of what we should strengthen and what we can let go. When the survey form opens, click OK to begin. RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMThe Read-Aloud Program in Richmond SchoolsPrez Jerry introduced Gabriella Bracamontes from Read Aloud who indicated that the program started in 1995 at E M Downer Elementary School, has 112 volunteers and has given away 91,000 books and other reading material. Gabriella introduced Executive Director Crystal Merrill, who told us that the program is a relationship-based program and not a tutoring program. Students are referred to the program by teachers and require parent consent for the student to participate. The program is now available at Downer, Coronado, Dover, Montalvin and Washington Elementary Schools. This summer the program will be available at Booker T Anderson Recreation Center. The 3,500 students who have participated in the program attend a 30-minute session once a week. Support for the program includes: volunteering time to work with a student; volunteer at book giveaways, book sorting, technical support, fundraising; donate books; and tax deductible contribution. For more information, please visit http://read-aloud.org The Menehune, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: April 5, 2019The Read-Aloud ProgramThis presentation will provide a general overview of the Read-Aloud Volunteer Program and our work in five underserved elementary schools in Richmond, San Pablo, and Montalvin Manor. We will discuss volunteer recruitment and elaborate on the successes of the program. Read Aloud is a well established non-profit organization working in the district since 1995. MEETING OF March 291h, 2019WelcomePresident Jerry welcomed everyone to the “friendly Richmond Rotary Club”. Sid announced that “the work of the world does not wait to be done by perfect people.” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsRotary pennants from around the world—collected by our members during their travels over the years— were hung in honor of our special guests: 9 teenagers from Shimada, Japan (Richmond’s Sister City) and their chairperson. They ranged in ages from 14-17 and each was from a different school in Shiamada. Each of them introduced themselves, told us their age, and what school they went to. They were: Eri Yamada
Sana Amano Kakeru Tanimura Mio Sugimura Yuta Sugimura Kosei Morishita Naho Otsuka Kaon Muramatu Kunihiki Iwamoto
Co-Chair of the Shimada contingent, Evan Sirchuk spoke briefly on behalf of the group, and photos were taken with the speaker, Supervisor John Gioia. Also in attendance at this meeting was Fran Gallati—a guest of Jerry and Tamara, John Tysell, a guest of Don Lau’s and Steve Kirby of the Hercules Rotary Club. Announcements
Flywheel and Website SurveyWe are considering making changes to the Flywheel and this website. Our goal is to make it unnecessary to have scribes take notes and later write finished versions of the Flywheel. At the same time, we want to maintain or even increase attendance at our meetings. To help us evaluate our options, please take about 3 minutes to complete this survey. RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMCounty Supervisor John GioiaToday’s speaker was John Gioia, the current chair of Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors. He began by noting that this was the most partisan and difficult time of his 21 years on the Board. His secret – listen to everyone so they feel heard. His presentation focused on these 5 initiatives:
In a Q&A session, Sid when we would get another hospital in West County. Mr. Gioia reported some statistics related to the County Hospital that closed. 80% of the patients had been on MediCal or Medicare. Only 10% were covered by a commercial payor and 10% were self-pay (uninsured). Since MediCal reimbursements fall short of covering the cost of services, the hospital was losing $20 million per year. Evan Sirchuk asked about the Ryse Center (where the teens had visited earlier in the day). He had heard the good news that the Center now own that property they occupy and intend to use it as a hub for other non-profits. Mr. Gioia reported that he was very proud of the work that was being done at the Ryse Center. - Connie Tritt, “Rotating Editor” |