NEXT MEETING: February 2, 2017

In Search of the Great Paraiba

In November of 2017, Richmond Rotarian Alan Blavins arranged a rendezvous with his son in Manaus, Brazil. This father-son angler team then caught a small plane to a very remote river 100 miles to the northwest. Their quest: a rare species of catfish called a Piraiba. Joining four other anglers, they sought their elusive prey.

Did the Alan & Son team succeed? Come find out.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Our club begins a new meeting schedule this Friday. We will start promptly at 12 noon and end at 1 PM. Please set your–well, whatever it is that you set–accordingly.
• Connie gave a big THANKS to future President Jan Brown for the awesome t-shirts!

MEETING OF

Welcome

Prez Connie Tritt welcomed the group, and Stoney Stonework led the invocation with a prayer for peace, justice, and liberty on Earth. Sid Chauvin provided the thought for the day… “A gun is like a parachute. If you need one and don’t have one, you probably won’t need one again.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

• Josh Genser brought his guest Mike Caldwell from Mike’s Barber Shop.
• Simon Ellis was joined by his son Matthew Ellis, who is joining the family Insurance Business
• Maxim Schrogin of the Berkeley Rotary visited our club and invited us all to participate in a conflict resolution program that took place on Saturday, January 27^th.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• Mey Saechao recognized Pam Jones for her birthday, which Pam spent visiting her adorable grandkids in London. Pam also received her “Major Donor” pin.
• Mey also recognized Josh Surowitz for his 10 year anniversary in Richmond Rotary.
• Josh Genser was happy to see Maxim visiting from the Berkeley club, and also was happy because he is looking forward to participating in the upcoming Rotary Mexico trip, where he will help build a new school.

PROGRAM

Update from Richmond Police Chief Allwyn Brown

Richmond Police Chief Allwyn Brown gave us an update on local police activities and accomplishments. Chief Brown has been a sworn member of the RPD for over 30 years, serving as assistant police chief between July 2015 and January 2016. He was sworn in as police chief in April 2016.

Chief Brown attended POST’s Supervisory Leadership Institute (Class 86), and he is a graduate of Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP). He holds a Master’s Degree in HR Management and an undergraduate degree in Business/HR Management.

Chief Brown described 3 recent successful operations that targeted homicide in Richmond, and although crime was up somewhat overall, violent crime is in fact down in Richmond. When the Chief asks new recruits in Richmond why they joined their force, they often reply that it is because they appreciate their community policing policies and positive community interaction.

- Rotating Scribe Josh Surowitz