NEXT MEETING: September 19, 2014
We meet at La Strada Restaurant, San Pablo

How The Rotary 4-Way Test Has Influenced My Campaign

Former Richmond Rotarian Tony Thurmond is a Richmond resident and candidate for the California State Assembly, District 15. He has served as a member of the Richmond City Council and as a School Board Trustee for the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Tony currently works at the Lincoln Child Center in Oakland and has been active in CEO Youth, an innovative program working to improve school attendance and reduce dropout rates. Previously, Thurmond served as Executive Director of Beyond Emancipation, a non-profit that provides oversight and mentoring to help former foster youth make successful transitions into adulthood.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Prez Stoney let us all know that the next 2 meetings (9/19 and 26) will be at La Strada!
• He also reminded us that there will be a Member Mixer 9/17 at the Baltic from 5-7pm on the back patio. Please bring business associates and potential members.
• Friday 9/12 was the performance of “Cops and Robbers” that we paid for so youth from Richmond could attend. Report back this Friday.
• Looking ahead: Rotary Christmas Party (chaired by Heather Kulp and Stacey Street) will be 12/6 and the Rotary Holiday Auction will be 12/12…start thinking of what your donation will be!

MEETING OF September 12, 2014

Welcome

Prez Stoney called the meeting to order and asked Richard Alexander to lead us in the Pledge which was followed by Stoney’s invocation for peace, freedom and justice. Alan Blavins offered if all the world’s a stage…where is the audience?

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Richard Alexander has as his guest Brian Stern an attorney and Jon Lawlis had as his guest his sweetie Darlene.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• Alan Blavins and Geri celebrated an Anniversary on Sept. 1 with a donation
• Stacey Street informed us of her birthday on 9/11 and gave a donation
• Bob Dabney had a birthday
• Josh Surowitz was happy that KQED recognized our Club for sponsoring the “Cops and Robbers” 9/12 performance.
• Josh Genser was happy to be hanging up his law shingle in 2 weeks

PROGRAM

The West Contra Costa Family Justice Center

“2 Minute” Tom Waller introduced our 2 guest speakers from the West Contra Costa Family Justice Center Susun Kim, Executive Director, and Elizabeth Wilmerding, Director of Project Connect. The project currently is housed at Hilltop Mall in the Richmond Police Substation. There are plans to open is permanent office space at 24^th and Macdonald in Richmond in February 2015.  The center’s mission is to offer a one stop center where victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse and human trafficking  can come to that houses all the services they may need to assist them. The new office space will have 7000 square feet and also have the ability to house services from addition partners. The current center’s onsite partners include: Richmond PD, STAND! For Families Free of Violence; Bay Area Legal Aid; and Community Violence Solutions.  Programs include: Project Connect; WINGS, and Cooking Matters. For more information go to their website www.wccfjc.org or call 510. 965.4949.

The Menehune, “Rotating Editor”