Neither drizzly rain nor the "It's Saturday; I want to sleep in thoughts" could keep Rotarians away from a day of service in the environment. Spirits, laughter, and motivation were high as the group quickly banded together to do some good work outdoors. Our goals were clear: go out, clear, and propagate Rotary Meadow with Yarrow seeds. Yarrow plants are flowering plants that are usually disease-free, grown to encourage butterfly gardens and to pollinate species, which we all know is good for the environment. Along the way, we did have a butterfly sighting that Dan Davies was quick to snap, and of course, the salamanders greeted those who sometimes were surprised at how agile they are. The occasional snail or banana slug was in close proximity to our work.
Wendy Shew joined our Club on March 1, 2022. She is the Founder of Building Education, a non-profit organization that serves to eliminate extreme poverty by building 1,000 schools and sponsoring education to spark a legacy of change. On April 25, 2015, an earthquake hit Nepal and damaged 9,000 schools. Since then only 4,000 have been rebuilt. Wendy volunteered three months after the earthquake in disaster relief and from there, she founded Building Education in 2017 to help with relief efforts.
Prior to community service work, Wendy studied aviation, learned to fly single engine prop planes, and worked in the international aviation business as a jet engine specialist. After volunteering in October 2014 at a girl’s orphanage in India, she realized that her passion is making an impact in the world and the lives of others. Wendy quit her job in February 2015, sold all of her things, and left the country to travel the world all across Asia, Europe, and Africa for six years.
In accordance with our Club Bylaws, I am pleased to announce that the following are scheduled to be inducted into our Club as our newest members on April 19, 2022:
Aida Jones (Photography Services | Bay Area Headshot Company)
Todd St Vrain (College Recruitment | University of Melbourne).
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about these proposed new members.
The Board of Directors met on February 22, 2022. A quorum was present, and Jeff Lerner attended as a guest. The Board reviewed and approved the Minutes from the January 25, 2022 Board Meeting.
Treasurer Gary Dales presented the January 2022 Treasurer's Report, noting that the Club was still in a strong financial position. The Board began to discuss the need for a second set of eyes to review the Club's financial books, but discussion was tabled until best practices could be determined.
Past President of Rotary International (2016-17) and currently chair and Trustee of The Rotary Foundation since 2018, John Germ, will speak about the direction of The Rotary Foundation, the continued effort to eradicate polio and how those resources work in other situations, the addition of the 7th area of focus, being member-driven, and the health of the organization (including Charity Navigator).
Come and experience the elegance of San Francisco’s finest Art Deco interior at the The Third Annual ALPS ‘Fund the Future’ Gala. The evening features student stories of their ALPS journeys while we enjoy cocktails and wine, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, revelry, warm fellowship, live music. The gala will raise much-needed funds to expand the ALPS program.
Please join us in assembling essential needs, emergency hygiene, and nutrition kits. This project is sponsored by a grant from the Foundation of the Rotary Club of San Francisco.
Drivers needed to pick up pre-packaged meals at The Arc San Francisco and deliver to individual residences of Arc participants who are experiencing food insecurity. Exact directions will be provided when you pick up the meals. Hand delivery of meals must occur between 4 PM and 5:30 PM in advance of the Monday Night Dinner Club with Friends Like Me via Zoom to be held on the first and third Monday of each month.
Join us for a special talk featuring the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) and learn about the history of Japanese immigrants in Northern California. Michael Sera, Board President at JAMsj, will share the importance of maintaining one of the remaining three Japantowns. Please note that this meeting will be via Zoom only and is free of charge. Advanced registration required. Connection instructions will be provided to all who register.
Come out for an evening of music, socializing, and dancing! Our own Rotarian, Peter Logan, and his band, 12th Root of Two, will perform in a benefit showcase concert for Blue Bear School of Music (the original “School of Rock”). Rotarians, prospective members, and their guests are all welcomed. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Proof of vaccination or negative PCR COVID test is required.
Join us for the annual Rotary Day of Service. This year, we are partnering with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to host a volunteer project consisting of weeding, mulching, and bay clean-up of Heron's Head Park. The day will also include an Eco Car Show, Environmental Exhibitor Fair, and other opportunities. This is a family-friendly and dog-friendly event. The first 100 people to register for the Planting and Bay Clean-up before March 15, 2022 will be provided with a complimentary lunch and t-shirt.Advanced registration is required.
Much of the Rotary year is devoted to organizing projects, funding them, and finding volunteers. Today's Program will showcase the beneficiaries for whom we work so hard. You will hear from all the service areas; see photos and videos from our projects; and learn the why and what we do.
Drivers needed to pick up pre-packaged meals at The Arc San Francisco and deliver to individual residences of Arc participants who are experiencing food insecurity. Exact directions will be provided when you pick up the meals. Hand delivery of meals must occur between 4 PM and 5:30 PM in advance of the Monday Night Dinner Club with Friends Like Me via Zoom to be held on the first and third Monday of each month.
Join us in a celebration of Passover, one of the most widely-celebrated rituals in Judaism. Susan Dean and Scott Plakun will lead us through a Passover Seder, the retelling of the story of how the Jews were liberated from slavery in ancient Egypt, and what we can learn from that experience today.
Join us for a guided Storyteller Tour of the Walt Disney Family Museum and learn about the life of Walter Elias Disney. Following the tour, you will have full admission to the main galleries and any exhibits until 5:30 PM. This tour is open to all Rotarians, guests, and prospective members.
The International Service Committee of the Rotary Club of San Francisco invites you to a presentation by Ryan Rowe and moderated by Eric Schmautz to understand how Rotary developed HANWASH, a collaborative national initiative to provide thoughtfully managed and sustainable clean water and sanitation to all citizens of Haiti, that serves as a blueprint for other developing countries. Advanced registration required. Connection instructions will be provided to all who register.
The International Service Committee of the Rotary Club of San Francisco invites you to a presentation by Ryan Rowe and moderated by Eric Schmautz to understand how Rotary developed HANWASH, a collaborative national initiative to provide thoughtfully managed and sustainable clean water and sanitation to all citizens of Haiti, that serves as a blueprint for other developing countries. Advanced registration required. Connection instructions will be provided to all who register.