NEXT MEETING: April 3, 2020

Rotary Four Way Test Student Essay Contest

The 2020 Rotary Four Way Test Student Essay Contest marks Richmond Rotary’s 100th Birthday!

Do today’s high school students think about values like fairness, goodwill and friendship in different ways than we did when we were their age?

This Friday we’ll have an opportunity to consider that question as the high school finalists in our Four Way Test Essay Competition will read and reflect on what they wrote.

What better way to celebrate our 100th year than through a youthful perspective of the test that measures the integrity of our work and relationships?

MEETING OF

Welcome

Announcements

This Friday we will again meet on Zoom. It is encouraging to note that our attendance as not only not dropped off in the move to a virtual meeting space but instead has stayed about the same or even increased a bit.

Friday, April 3 meeting
Begins promptly at 12:30 PM
To join meeting, go to https://zoom.us/j/418398462
and enter Meeting ID: 418 398 462

On mobile phones, call +1(669)900-9128.
When prompted enter meeting ID shown above.

Haven’t used Zoom before?
You can download the Zoom app in advance. Here’s help on getting started that includes links to short videos on getting connected and using features like Chat, microphone muting, and more.

Finally, remember that you can always find our online meeting URL, ID and call-in numbers on our calendar page.

Happy and Sad Dollars

As we reported last week, our Happy and Sad custom has also been adapted to the virtual format. If you have Happy or Sad Dollars to share, tell us during the meeting then make your donation by clicking the button the right. When you do, you’ll be presented with a PayPal form that includes a “Leave a note” field where you can tell us the reasons for the contribution. We’ll print those in the following week’s Flywheel.

Happy and Sad Dollars offered during the last two weeks include:

Alexandra Wilson and her partner adopted a new dog just in time to make shelter-in-place a little cozier.

Henry Moe had a sad $5 that my son’s senior year activities, especially his trip to New York with his band, was being cancelled and they are not going to return all the money we put up front. (3/24)

Jon Lawlis, was happy to have cut his and Darlene’s vacation short and returned home! (3/24)

Alexandra Wilson had happy dollars because my partner and I adopted a dog just before we were sheltered in place and it’s been great having him especially right now. (3/20)

Nick Despota’s dollars were both sad and happy. Despite the tragic level of human suffering covid-19 is causing, the crisis drives home a fundamental truth: that each of us is deeply connected to one another, locally and globally. (3/20)

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM


NEXT MEETING: March 27, 2020

How is COVID19 Affecting "Business As Usual"?


During our online meeting on Friday, we will focus on businesses that are now designated as “essential” or “non-essential.” Some of our own business members will tell us how they are adjusting to these unprecedented times. Are new avenues opening? Are they facing or contemplating lay-offs?

We’ll have a conversation about ways Rotarians can help. We’ll also encourage everyone on the video call to tell us about other kinds of challenges they are facing.

Friday, March 27 meeting
Begins promptly at 12:30 PM
To join meeting, go to https://zoom.us/j/9025473436
and enter Meeting ID: 902 547 3436

On mobile phones, call +1(669)900-9128.
When prompted enter meeting ID shown above.

Haven’t used Zoom before?
You can download the Zoom app in advance. Here’s help on getting started that includes links to short videos on getting connected and using features like Chat, microphone muting, and more.

Finally, remember that you can always find our online meeting URL, ID and call-in numbers on our calendar page.

MEETING OF March 20, 2020

Welcome

Announcements

  • Richmond Rotary Cares 2020 – During this health pandemic, Richmond Rotary is reaching out to our membership by phone and email to respond to needs and opportunities. Pam Jones and Alan Baer and his family are organizing care packages.
  • We’ve also set up an easy way to let us know if you, a family member, neighbor or acquaintance needs help coping with some of the more common challenges presented by the pandemic; for example, a grocery pick-up or delivery, tech assistance, or simply a phone conversation. We will match requests for help with people in our club who have offered to help. Links to pages where you can Request Help or Offer Help can be found the top of the right column for the duration of this public health emergency.
  • Speaking of adapting to the new conditions, we’ve come up with a cool way to monetize our desire to share (a cynical way to describe what we’ve been doing all along): We’ll continue Happy and Sad Dollars online, as we did at last week’s online meeting. But instead of dropping dollars into a wooden box, you’ll click them into our PayPal account. What’s more, when you do that, you can also leave us a note giving the reason you’re happy or sad. We’ll post your notes in the following week’s Flywheel. Sound familiar?
  • Stacey assembled a new Communications Committee. It includes one of our newest members, Iris AlRoy, as well as President Jan, Nick Despota, Nakele Rechenauer and Pierre Thompson. The tech-savvy group will discuss options for meetings and ongoing communication moving during this “new normal” of physical distancing. Our goal is to build greater participation among our members.
  • The challenges and corresponding opportunities we face connect to some of the ideas Stacey shared from the PETS (President Elects Training Seminars).

[showhide type=”report” more_text=”Read Stacey’s takeaways” less_text=”Hide takeaways” hidden=”yes”]
The weekend just prior to the shelter-In-place directive was amazing. The training format shifted to online seminars prior to PETS so that president-elects would have time working with each other on case studies, or sharing the strengths and challenges of each other’s clubs. The focus was on increasing participation from members, expanding reach, and being adaptive, all especially important now in light of COVID-19. It was very heartening to build relationships and share ideas with the incoming BARSHEEP Presidents, and to make connections with other PEs in the District, and there are great opportunities to increase impact and participation through these partnerships.

A few highlights and takeaways:

  • Build on the Centennial project at Miraflores by connecting with other local service clubs like Kiwanis, Soroptimists, Lyons (especially since Jim Becker, Stacey’s boss, is Kiwanis President this year and next!). Do more in partnership with them to expand reach and PR. Don Lau suggested having joint meetings with shared speakers and focused conversations, which people supported. In fact, Kiwanis is considering moving meetings to CoBiz Richmond, right in downtown, and it would be great to have some joint meetings there!
  • Adaptability: we can consider having some of our meetings online to accommodate those who can’t attend regular lunch meetings. Online meetings can be shorter, can be recorded, and can allow for participation outside the area, including program speakers! Rotary as an institution is very open to looking at new ways for clubs to meet and encourages having different opportunities for members to engage, especially as Clubs include a more diverse range of age and backgrounds. We look forward to exploring new options in the coming year.
  • Highlight the faces of our club: we have increased diversity and added so many wonderful new members in recent years, so we can tell the stories of our members and show the broader community that our club now represents the community.
  • I mentioned a “listening tour” with all current members to get an understanding of your personal commitment to and connection to Rotary, why Rotary is important and what goals and ideas you might have for the coming year. This is a key element of member engagement, and I am more committed than ever to listening to each of you in the next couple months. I look forward to learning more about what makes Richmond Rotary so special – all of you!

I am very much looking forward to working with all of you more closely in the coming year, and thank you so much for your ongoing commitment to our community.[/showhide]

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Richmond Rotary held its first-ever virtual Rotary Meeting last week with 25 participants, many video conferencing for the first time. We used desktop computers, laptops, tablets, voice-only phone lines, and even a smart phone attached to David Brown’s bike as he cycled his way to lunch.

We all agreed to keep meeting virtually as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep through our communities. President-elect Stacy led the meeting and gave a report on PETS (President Elect Training) held earlier this March. A central (and timely) theme of the training focused on building flexibility into programs and membership opportunities. The 2020-2021 year will be a year of positive change for all Rotarians.


NEXT MEETING: March 20, 2020

Now for some serious social un-distancing

Under the new and necessary regime of home isolation, staying connected is more important than ever. Therefore we’ve decided to undertake a dedicated program of “social un-distancing”—we’re changing our meetings from an in-person to an online format, using the video conferencing application, Zoom. (For broader context, please see Jan’s letter below.)

We’ll start our gatherings at the same time as usual, 12:30 PM, but they’ll take place in a new location: your home. Actually, all our homes. (Don’t worry about the mess.)

To join our Zoom meeting, use your computer, tablet or phone to go to https://zoom.us/j/962928643, and when prompted enter meeting ID 962 928 643.

If you haven’t used Zoom before, don’t sweat it. The application is more user-friendly than some of our past sergeants at arms. When you go to the Zoom web address (the “URL”) you’ll see a dialog box asking if you want to download and install the application. Do it. The download and installation will take a couple minutes so please don’t wait until 12:29 to join our meeting. When you enter the meeting ID number, Zoom will automatically open and you can familiarize with the controls as we go.

We’ll routinely post the URL and ID number for each meeting on our calendar. Just click the meeting date (each meeting has a unique URL and ID). Make a habit of visiting the calendar to get the information you need for all our regular and Board meetings.

MEETING OF

Welcome

Announcements

  • Rotary Lite (third Tuesdays) is on hold until the ‘shelter in place’ public health directives change. Both La Strada and El Agave Azul (our Board and Rotary Lite venues) are offering take out meals! You can support our community restaurants by ordering take out during this tough time. Thanks Alan and the Baer family for having organized Rotary Lite as an alternative meeting option.
  • Our Rotary 4-Way Test Student Essay contest is still healthy and strong even in the face of school closures! Pierre Thompson will be interviewing our Student Essay finalists at our virtual club meeting on April 3 at 12:30! Special thanks to Pierre and his essay review team who are working hard to give our young people a voice for finding the truth in challenging times. You don’t want to miss this April 3 program! But if you do . . . our video will be recorded and available online.

A LETTER FROM THE RICHMOND ROTARY PRESIDENT

Dear Richmond Rotarian,

Who could have known that our club would be turning 100 at such a significant time in history? With our Centennial project & celebrations on hold, we face a global health crisis that is propelling us into learning new ways of staying connected. Henry Kaiser would call this an “opportunity in work clothes.” This Friday, if you have access to the internet and a desktop or laptop computer, tablet or mobile phone, we are asking you to join a video conference version of our traditional Richmond Rotary Meeting at 12:30. President Elect Stacey Street will be our host and a tech-savvy Communications Team (Nick, Nakele, Pierre, and Iris) will be ready to help guide us.

And now a word of gratitude for those who worked so hard to prepare for our Centennial Celebrations. Please give a standing ovation to Don Lau, Stacey Street, Josh Genser, David Brown, and Liliane Koziol for their tireless energy as the Centennial Executive Committee, and all those who helped in special ways along the way: Alan Blavins, Erle Brown, Sid and Zelpha Chauvin, Doreen and Hank Covell, Nick Despota, Yoshimi Downer, Melinda McCrary, Henry Moe, Pierre Thompson (and his 4-WayTest review team), Connie Tritt, The Rotary Board, our Miraflores Greenbelt willow-planting volunteers, our Club 100 supporters and every Donor (https://richmondcarotaryclub100/) to the Miraflores Centennial Project. We are also grateful to those who made special plans to be part of our celebrations including our speakers District Governor Tina Akins and UN Representative Joshua Cooper, the UNA-USA East Bay Chapter, and our guests from the Shimada Rotary Club.

The goodwill and friendships that each of you built in the process of preparing for our Centennial will fuel lasting memories of our 100th year – no matter when we celebrate it. The Making A Living interpretive display is in production, and the groundbreaking / dedication has been postponed to summer/early fall.

Stay tuned, shelter-in-place, and zoom in at 12:30 on Friday!

President Jan

 

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

A Letter from our president, Jan Brown

Dear Richmond Rotarian,

Who could have known that our club would be turning 100 at such a significant time in history? With our Centennial project and celebrations on hold, we face a global health crisis that is propelling us into learning new ways of staying connected. Henry Kaiser would call this an “opportunity in work clothes.” This Friday, if you have access to the internet and a laptop, ipad, or mobile phone, we are asking you to join a video conference version of our traditional Richmond Rotary Meeting at 12:30. President Elect Stacey Street will be our host and a tech savvy Communications Team (Nick, Nakele, Pierre, and Iris) will be ready to help guide us.

And now a word of gratitude for those who worked so hard to prepare for our Centennial Celebrations. Please give a virtual standing ovation to Don Lau, Stacey Street, Josh Genser, David Brown, and Liliane Koziol for their tireless energy as the Centennial Executive Committee.

There are many others who helped in special ways along the way: Alan Blavins, Erle Brown, Sid and Zelpha Chauvin, Doreen and Hank Covell, Nick Despota, Yoshimi Downer, Melinda McCrary, Henry Moe, Pierre Thompson (and his 4WayTest review team), Connie Tritt, the Rotary Board, and the Miraflores Greenbelt willow-planting volunteers, our Club 100 supporters and every Donor (https://richmondcarotaryclub100/) to the Miraflores Centennial Project. We are also grateful to those who made special plans to be part of our celebrations including our speakers District Governor Tina Akins and UN Representative Joshua Cooper, the UNA-USA East Bay Chapter, and our guests from the Shimada Rotary Club.

The goodwill and friendships that each of you built in the process of preparing for our Centennial will fuel lasting memories of our 100th year, no matter when we celebrate it. The Making A Living Interpretive Display is in production, and the groundbreaking / dedication has been postponed to summer/early fall.

Stay tuned, shelter-in-place, and zoom in at 12:30 on Friday!

President Jan


NEXT MEETING:

Following the guidelines of the California State Public Health announcement on March 11, Richmond Rotary is canceling our March 13th Club meeting. In addition we are cancelling all our Friday meetings for the remainder of March. We regret this unavoidable decision.

MEETING OF

Welcome

Announcements

  • The Centennial Dinner Executive Committee has decided to postpone the Centennial Dinner in light of the Contra Costa County Health Department’s declaration of a health emergency due to the Coronavirus. We will advise you of the new date, as well as arrangements for refunds when they have been determined.
  • President Elect Stacey wants to share her ideas for flexible meetings. Rotary goes on! Stay tuned for learning new ways to help us stay connected, even in the midst of a global health pandemic.
  • The City of Richmond the Richmond Rotary Club are pleased to invite you to a Groundbreaking Dedication and Tour of the first of the Miraflores-themed interpretive displays, “Making a Living”. April 4, 11 AM. Miraflores Greenbelt (entrance at Wall Ave. and 49th Street, Richmond). Flyer
  • We are pleased to welcome Iris AlRoy and Alexandra Wilson as new members of the Richmond Rotary Club.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM


NEXT MEETING: March 13, 2020

"Be prepared." Advice that's not just for Boy Scouts.

Death mask of Frederick Chopin

What famous people died without adequate estate planning? Funny you should ask. This Friday’s speaker wants to answer that question. But more importantly, Ms. Jennifer Martin will tell us why the question is actually not funny.

Failing to properly plan your estate can cause strife among your family members, deny money to someone you love, or destroy a business you worked hard to build.

Ms. Martin promises a talk that is both entertaining and educational.

MEETING OF

Welcome

Announcements

  • The Centennial Dinner Executive Committee has decided to postpone the Centennial Dinner in light of the Contra Costa County Health Department’s declaration of a health emergency due to the Coronavirus. We will advise you of the new date, as well as arrangements for refunds when they have been determined.
  • The City of Richmond the Richmond Rotary Club are pleased to invite you to a Groundbreaking Dedication and Tour of the first of the Miraflores-themed interpretive displays, “Making a Living”. April 4, 11 AM. Miraflores Greenbelt (entrance at Wall Ave. and 49th Street, Richmond). Flyer
  • We are pleased to welcome Iris AlRoy and Alexandra Wilson as new members of the Richmond Rotary Club.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM