Posted by Brian Lan on Jan 07, 2019
President Rhonda Poppen (Grant Writing; GRANTdog) welcomed visiting Rotarians from France, Germany, the Rotary Club of San Francisco Evening, and Los Gatos as well as guests from Roots of Peace, Vietnam, the Consulate General of Honduras, the San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco Police Activities League.
 
She shared with us events from last week including the Salvation Army Bell Ringing on 12/7/18 and noted that again the 110th anniversary t-shirt would be on sale through 12/21/18 and could be purchased via the Club website.
 
Rhonda also let members know that member luncheon meeting prices would be changing on 1/15/19 in order to better help cover costs:
 
  • $35 for members who register online in advance.
  • $40 for members who do not register in advance.
Tickets already purchased at the 2018 prices will be accepted. The price for visitors remains $40.
 
She then shared several upcoming events including:
 
  • 12/11/18 - Diaper Bag Assembly for Homeless Prenatal Program.
  • 12/13/18 - Baby Showers for Homeless Prenatal Program.
  • 12/17/18 - Special holiday dinner at The Arc.
  • 12/18/18 -110th Holiday Celebration at the Westin St. Francis Hotel.
  • 1/8/19 – New and Prospective Member Gathering at the home of Deborah Wakefield.
  • 1/15/19 – 2019 State of the Club Address.
 
Vice President of Membership Daniel Joraanstad (Financial Management; Retired) introduced our newest member, Kat Ebanks. Kat is the Founder and Executive Director of City Embrace Counseling and Resource Center and has been helping people in Honduras through her non-profit, art therapy program. Her mentor is Anita Stangl (Non-profit Medical Services; Alliance for Smiles). Kat received her Rotary Club name tag, a Rotary pin, a book on the history of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, and a Certificate of Contribution to the Rotary Foundation.
 
For today's Time Capsule, Anita Stangl shared a photo from her tenure as President (2006-2007) of a visit from then-Mayor Gavin Newsom who came to the Club and delivered a long speech.
 
Heidi Kuhn (Peace Building; Roots of Peace) and her guests from Vietnam shared more about their progress in removing land mines in the country as well as their recent invitation to Washington, DC. They thanked the Club for its continuous support in their mission.
 
President Rhonda then personally thanked the Sir Francis Drake Hotel staff and gave them all holiday gifts from our Club. Those in attendance gave the staff a standing ovation.
 
Those contributing $20 or more included:
 
  • Lilian Tsi-Stielstra (Insurance Services; Wells Fargo Advisors), who shared several wonderful and recent experiences: She attended the Alliance for Smiles Holiday Party, watched fellow Rotarian Greg Gutting (Human Services; The Salvation Army) perform in The Importance of Being Earnest, and saw Peter Logan (Law - General Practice; Peter Logan Law Offices) and his music band, Ad Hoc, in performance.
  • Ann Daugherty (Investment Management; IBN Financial Service), who will be traveling to northern Michigan to celebrate her niece's wedding.
  • Dr. Michael Merzenich, today’s speaker, who shared his son-in-law's recent, successful heart transplant on Thanksgiving.
  • Xu Wang (Financial Management; Wang Wealth Management), who recently received her CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation.
Our speaker was Dr. Michael Merzenich, who is the UCSF Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience. Dr. Merzenich talked to the Club about neuroplasticity and how the brain is constantly changing and remodeling itself. The brain is the command center that helps to define every person. Dr. Merzenich also noted the importance of brain activities, which allow us to develop new skills and abilities, as well as help prevent neurological diseases and psychological issues. Finally, Dr. Merzenich answered various questions from Club members about the brain. Rhonda thanked our speaker and presented him with a gift from the Club.
 
Today's Door Prize winners are Mary Qian (Event Planning; Shen Zhou Event) and Greg Gutting, who both received Rotary Club of San Francisco logo gifts.
 
 
Photos by Mary Qian (Event Planning; Shen Zhou Event).
Edited by Dora Dye (Education; City College).