NEXT MEETING: March 13, 2015

Bay Area Climate Action

The climate crisis presents California and the Bay Area with unprecedented opportunities for climate leadership. Judy Pope, with the climate change group 350 Bay Area, will discuss the path forward to clean green energy and the social and economic benefits for California and the Bay Area of taking that path as quickly as possible. She will discuss major obstacles to switching to clean energy, including but not limited to the fossil fuel industry. Her talk will also cover the crucial role of Bay Area regulatory agencies, elected leaders and citizen activists. This information will be set in the context of the rapidly growing threats posed by a warming planet. Judy’s organization, 350 Bay Area, is a grassroots activist group whose mission to bring about deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the Bay Area and beyond.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The next “Later in the Day” (LITD) meeting of Richmond Rotary will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at La Strada Restaurant in San Pablo beginning at 5:30pm. Come one, come all, and bring along prospective Club members. As per Josh Surowitz, meet in the bar.
• Henry Moe announced that the Rotary Interact Club at Salesian High School is looking forward to the annual Rotary District-involved boat cruise on San Francisco bay this coming May 23. Last year, there were about 180 Interact students on the cruise from around the District. It’s a great opportunity for the Interact students to socialize and learn about Rotary activities going on throughout the District. Since the boat cruise cost is $55 per student, Henry will be asking Rotary members to contribute a total of $550 to cover the cost of 10 Salesian students already signed up to go.
• Several Richmond Rotary Club members were able to attend the memorial service for Lynn Martin last Tuesday in Vallejo. The church was crowded and the many statements from friends and family attested to a life lived well, full of adventure, commitment, and accomplishment. Still, at age 54, it seems she was taken from us too soon.
• David Brown reported that Judy Kafka is back at home recuperating after surgery for a broken leg.
• Thanks to those able to make the latest tree-planting activity at Booker T. Anderson Park in Richmond on Saturday morning, March 7. Kudos to Feliz Hunziker for setting this up for Richmond Rotary to participate.
• Stoney publicly thanked Nader Sharkes, Head Chef and Department Chair of the award-winning Culinary Arts program at Contra Costa College, for providing a tasty lunch for Richmond Rotary.

MEETING OF March 6, 2015

Welcome

President Stoney Stonework called the meeting to order at Contra Costa College’s Three Seasons Restaurant and Tom Waller led the pledge of allegiance. Stoney asked for a moment of silence for freedom, peace, and justice on earth. Stoney also provided this thought for the day: don’t forget to “spring forward” and set clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night, March 7.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• Tom Waller was very happy about getting married to Tanya (his “Russian friend”) last Monday.

PROGRAM

Away-meeting at Contra Costa College

Stoney introduced Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, the Interim President of Contra Costa College. Outgoing President, Denise Noldon, has taken a job with the State Community College system in Sacramento.

Mojdeh has been with the Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) for 25 years, most recently as Executive Vice Chancellor of Education and Technology. She is proud of her Community College roots, having started her post-secondary education at Diablo Valley College in Concord (one of the three schools in the 4CD system).

Mojdeh shared some quick facts about Contra Costa College.

• As of the Fall Semester in 2013, the unduplicated student headcount was 7,021.
• The Full Time Equivalent Student (FTES) count was 2,594 (meaning an equivalent number of students taking at least 15 units over two semesters).
• The student body gender ratio is 57% female and 41% male.
• The average student age is 27 years, higher than the other two colleges in the District system.
• The ethnic composition of the student body includes 36% Hispanic, 24% African American, 14% Asian, and 11% White Non-Hispanic.
• Student tuition is $46 per credit (quite a bargain!).
• Extensive construction underway on campus should be done by the start of the Fall Semester 2016.

With a Strategic Plan meeting coming up on March 27 (public invited), Mojdeh is committed to have Contra Costa College serve the community in the best way possible.

Tom Waller, Rotating Scribe