May 15, 2020 – Richmond CA Rotary

NEXT MEETING: May 15, 2020

To be announced.

Because our previously scheduled speaker will be unable to be with us on Friday, we are working on arrangements for another presentation. When we have this information, we’ll post it here. Stay tuned.

For security reasons, our video conference meetings are by invitation only. The Zoom invitation will be sent to our members with the subject “Richmond Rotary Invitation.” If you didn’t get it last week, please check your spam. Rotary guests are welcome. To receive the Zoom link, request it by sending an email to info@richmondcarotary.org prior to our meeting on Friday.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Richmond Rotary’s 14th annual Teen Mom’s Care packages were sent to expecting young mothers and a young father enrolled in the Adolescent Parenting Program of the West Contra Costa Unified School District. This is a Rotary tradition of encouraging young parents to continue their education while juggling new family obligations. Darlene Quenville chaired this year’s effort. Care packages were made possible through the generosity of Project Linus, Burts Bees, and Rotarians.
Guest of Iris Alroy, Alicia Gallo of the Richmond Mainstreet Initiative urged Rotarians to check out the many opportunities to get involved in the life of Richmond’s Downtown business revitalization (https://www.richmondmainstreet.org)
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Richmond Rotary Cares (organized by Pam Jones and Darlene Quenville) is completing its first 50 -100 Hygiene Kits for GRIP and homeless residents. Thank you to those who have given so generously. Alan Baer (pictured) is shown ready to receive the product in his lock shop. Tamara Shiloh is packaging them! Thanks all for the great effort.
Richmond Rotary was the recipient of funds from District 5160 as monies from canceled conferences were dispersed among the District’s clubs for immediate aid to clubs and community. In an informal poll, club members indicated a strong interest (80%) in supporting the grant for PPE for RotaCare Richmond staff as they prepare to reopen its free medical service to the public. Other options include expanding our homeless hygiene packages and considering local partnerships in supporting business and education needs. If you have comments let Jan or a Board member know.

RECOGNITIONS AND HAPPY/SAD DOLLARS

LAST WEEK’S PROGRAM

In Pursuit of Peace

Gilda Bettencourt with the Nonviolent Peaceforce, gave an impressive overview of the global mission of of a group of special people trained in Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). Their goal is to save lives by offering protection to isolated civilians. Rotary has supported training in Thailand and more recently, a new project in Northern Nigeria. Gilda offers these additional videos for those who may want to learn more:

One-minute introduction to Nonviolent Peaceforce
This video is a short introduction in case you want to help others understand the organization’s work in a succinct way.

In 2012, the PBS News Hour produced a 9-minute video about Nonviolent Peaceforce:
Nonviolent Peaceforce in Mindanao, Philippines (2012)

In 2016, NP was featured in a documentary called “In Pursuit of Peace”.
The filmmaker appreciates NP’s work so much that he created a shorter version of the film that only shows our work in South Sudan. In this short film, you can “meet” Tiffany Easthom who is now in charge of all of NP.
It is 27 minutes long and can be watched here: https://vimeo.com/332713180
Use password: “pursuit np”