NEXT MEETING: October 26, 2018

Compassion & Choices - Be an Empowered Patient

Barbara Engdahl will speak about a range of things you can do, choices you can make to become empowered in your senior years. She will discuss Advance Health Care Directives, how to get the most out of your visit with your doctor, how to talk with your doctor to get the treatment you want or refuse the treatment you don’t want; in short how to be in charge of your own medical care. She will also address end of life issues, the choices you have and how to have a death with dignity reflecting the values you have lived by your whole life.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• IMPORTANT:  This week’s Rotary meeting will be at Richmond Country Club at the usual 12:00 start time. However, beginning in the new year, we will revert back to our old start time of 12:30. See below.
• Rotary Auction is November 30th. Please visit our Holiday Auction page, here. Use that page to see what unexpected and cool gifts (did someone say Crete?) members have already submitted, and also to send us the description of your gift and photo, if you have a good one. Please do it soon! If you’re having trouble with the form, send Nick an email and he’ll help you out.
• Tamara Shiloh reminded everyone of the Multi-Cultural Bookstore Fundraiser Event – November 2nd – 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  They are in need of some items to use for raffle prizes.  If you can help out, that would be great —bring your checkbook.
• Alan Baer announced World Polio Day Fundraiser at Zachary’s Pizza, 1853 Solano Ave, Berkeley, Wednesday, October 24, all day. 15% of total sales will go towards fundraiser.  Please remember to bring flyer, show image on phone, or mention fundraiser to cashier!!
• Darlene Drapkin announced the third annual Trick or Treat on 23rd Street on Halloween, October 31, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Not only treats, but children will be provided with interesting activities to do on Halloween on 23rd Street (from Barrett to McBryde).
• Jan Brown announced after our meeting on October 26, she’s needing help in forming a Celebrate Richmond Rotary’s 100th Anniversary, which will be April 1, 2020.  The short meeting will begin right after meeting for about 20 minutes. She needs people to sign up for this Committee! All those interested (Jonathan says “Mark Howe”), please stay after and volunteer!!

MEETING OF October 19, 2018

Welcome

President Jerry Feagley welcomed the group. Cecelia Orozco led the Pledge. Herb Cole gave the invocation with a prayer for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Sid Chauvin’s Thought for the Day…”I would rather argue against a hundred idiots than have one agree with me.” (Winston Churchill)

At Thursday’s Board Meeting, the Board voted 9 YES and 2 NO on a motion to return to the old meeting start time of 12:30. Out of courtesy to the general membership, President Jerry initiated an informal poll of the members present today. The large majority of those in attendance voted for the 12:30 time. We will return to the 12:30 start time at our first meeting of the new year, Friday, January 4th. We will advise each member individually of the new start time and the effective date.

Darlene Quenville did her “Who am I” and received her Blue Badge!  Yeah!!! It was a riveting presentation but you had to be there. [Says today’s scribe.]

Visiting Rotarians and Guests  

Today’s speaker, Jessica Rodriguez, from Richmond Promise, was one of our guests today. Our other guest was Mac Lingo from the Berkeley Rotary.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

Oscar Garcia had one recognition this week.  October 20th is Darlene Quenville’s 1st Rotary Anniversary.  She will make a donation to the Rotary Foundation for her daughter Erica’s Paul Harris.

Happy/Sad Dollars

• Don Lau had both sad and happy dollars on his dad’s passing at age 101.  He lived a great life. He was very proud that all four of his children got college degrees and his grandchildren, too!  Love you, Dad!!
• Jon Lawlis had happy dollars that Darlene and he are heading to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Cambodia next week.   We return November 12.
• Erle Brown had happy dollars for the Gun Shooting & Safety Event that David Brown hosted that he, Shana Howe, Don Lau and his grandson attended. We shot large and small targets. Erle suggested anyone going to Don Lau’s house, be sure to ring the doorbell and knock to announce yourself. Don is a sharp shooter!!
• Herb Cole had happy dollars and is jealous of Darlene and Jon’s trip to Vietnam.
• Bob Dabney had happy dollars for his recent travels back to Ohio, where he and his wife visited his family’s farm and his old college.  Enjoyed a beautiful museum on the river that showcased the Underground Railroad through Ohio and onto Canada.       Traveled to Washington, DC and encouraged everyone who travels there to visit the African American History Museum.
• Connie Tritt had happy dollars—don’t forget about the Ducks—they are playing Washington this weekend.
• Mac Lingo had happy dollars to be here today.
• Jim Findley had a happy dollars for all of the family members he has celebrating birthdays this month!
• Jan Brown had sad dollars for Don’s dad’s passing.  1916 was her dad’s birth year, too.

PROGRAM

Richmond Promise

Darlene Drapkin introduced Jessica Rodriguez, Associate Director of Scholarships & Data, Richmond Promise.  Jessica graduated from Cal (Go Bears). Jessica’s motto…”When a community unites for a common cause, they are unstoppable!”

The Richmond Promise was launched in 2016 and is a community-wide college success initiative.  The Richmond Promise is made possible by Chevron Corporation’s Environmental and Community Investment Agreement with the City of Richmond.

To date, there are 900+ Richmond Promise scholars.  $5.4 million has been committed in scholarships since 2016, but students need more than just money support.  The Summer Associate Program gives assistance on how to apply for college, how to register for classes, etc. Once in college, the College Scholar Network helps the scholars to socialize with each other and help each other, and there are resources on campus to assist the scholars.  The Near-Peer Associate Program helps by mentoring students.

The four main goals or pillars of our promise:

1. College Affordability – up to $6,000 over four years  (between $1,000 and $1,500/year) for 2-year, 4-year or CTE (Career Technical Education) post-secondary education.
2. College Awareness – Near-Peer Ambassador Program, Richmond Promise college students are paid and trained to talk to 9th graders at Kennedy High School through a series of classroom-based college and career conversations and activities.
3. College Access – Community-wide financial aid workshops and office hours at local high schools to build college knowledge and assist students with financial aid completion.
4. College Success – Richmond Promise is building partnerships with colleges to welcome and strategically support scholars their first year through degree attainment.  Formal partnerships include: Contra Costa College, Berkeley City College, Diablo Valley College, SF State and UC Berkeley.

The Scholarship
The Richmond Promise Scholars receive up to $1,500 each year for up to 4 years.  It is available for any student who lives in Richmond and attends a not-for-profit 2-year or 4-year college, or Career Technical Education Program.  Scholars must meet the minimum eligibility criteria:

1. Live in Richmond or North Richmond.
2. Graduate from a public, private, or charter high school with the WCCUSD boundary area.
3. Complete a financial aid application (FAFSA or Dream Act) by the Cal Grant Deadline.
4. Enroll full-time and maintain good academic standing through college.

Other interesting facts:

• 71% First Generation College Students
• 70% Low Income
• 65% Hispanic or Latino, 15% African American
• 2-year colleges – 38%, 4-year colleges – 62%
• 56% Female, 44% Male
• 94% Stay in California for college

Scholarships can be used to pay for tuition, housing and transportation.  If a student receives other financial aid, that does not affect the Richmond Promise Scholarship amount.

The Richmond Promise is, and needs to be, more than just a scholarship.  The Promise is a powerful catalyst for student participation and developing leadership in our community.  Students who access on-campus resources feel supported and successful.

$35 million seed money came from City of Richmond and Chevron. It’s been invested and Richmond Promise works off the interest and some of the principal.  That seed money will hopefully last for over ten years. Fundraising is a priority to grow the fund to last forever.  A team of four people administer Richmond Promise. They are always trying to streamline operation expenses to keep costs down.

Go online at info@richmondpromise.org for more information on this wonderful organization!

- Rotating Scribe Darlene Quenville