President Christopher Wiseman (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation) called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone attending via Zoom or in person inside the Carmel Ballroom at the Hotel Nikko.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Today's Visiting Rotarians were Past District Governor Mark Flegel from the Rotary Club of Menlo Park, Dr. Lily Muldoon from the Rotary Club of Saipan, and Julia Spark from the Rotary Club of Busselton-Geographe Bay in Australia. Dr. Muldoon was a former member of our Club. Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) introduced his guests: Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter, Louis Cid Rebolledo and Natalia Mashal. Angelina Preza (Sales: Travel | Aquarium of the Bay) introduced her guest, Shelby Taketa. Dan Davies (Information Technology: Consulting | North American Lighting) introduced his guest, Yuri Yasukawa. Other guests were Carrie Schucker, Captain Brian Quin, and today's speaker - Lewis Loeven.
Meeting Volunteers
President Christopher thanked today's meeting volunteers (listed at the end of this story).
Club Calendar and Events for Rotarians
Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events in October 2022.
Announcements
Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) shared that a dear friend of our Club - Marian Sorbo, had passed away. See full story here.
Rotary International Citation Award: President Christopher presented the Rotary International Citation Award for the 2021-2022 Rotary Year to Immediate Past President Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | JM Real Estate Group) and the 2021-2022 Club Board. The Rotary Citation is the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve. This past year, our Club demonstrated a commitment to achieve its goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future. Our Club last won this recognition in 2019-2020.
Red Badge Completed: Mary Fermi (Education | San Francisco Unified School District) completed her Red Badge requirements and was relieved of the red ribbon on her name badge. Congratulations!
Training the Next First Responders
Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter from the San Francisco Fire Department along with Mission High School students - Natalia Mashal and Luis Cid Rebolledo - delivered a presentation about the Fire Science and EMS Academy at the high school. The audience was inspired by the students' dedication to serve their communities.
Luis Cid Rebolledo and Natalia Mashal
Guest Speaker
Mary Liu introduced today's guest speaker - Lewis Loeven. Lewis is the Executive Director of the San Francisco Fleet Week Association (SFFWA), developing many of the unique programs that brought San Francisco Fleet Week to national attention, including the creation of the Fleet Week Center for Humanitarian Assistance. He oversees the execution of Fleet Week and all of the operations, sponsorship, logistics, and planning efforts. Joining Lewis were Captain Brian Quin, Chief of Staff, Expeditionary Strike Group Three and PDG Mark Flegel, a member of the SFFWA Board of Directors. All three shared the numerous activities for SF Fleet Week and the humanitarian work associated with Fleet Week. President Christopher thanked Lewis Loeven and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in his name.
Lewis Loeven, Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter, Shelby Taketa, PDG Mark Flegel, and Angelina Preza
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Editor's Note: Thank you to Mary Liu for serving as scribe; to Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.) for serving as photographer; to Alex Omoko (Human Services | Bay Area Community Service) for managing the microphone; to Jesse Austin of the Academy of Art University for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; to Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company) for serving as greeter; to Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) for managing those who were attending via Zoom; and to Gary Dales (Accounting | Fly Leasing) for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.