We have reached the final issue of Grindings for 2021. I will be taking a short break. Grindings will not be published on December 26, 2021, but will resume on January 2, 2022. We have already started to plan the new year. Take a moment to view the Club calendar for events in January 2022. Registration is required for all events so that we can send you additional information as needed.
What a year! We started 2021 (Year 2 of a global pandemic) as we had ended 2020 and continued to meet via Zoom only except for an occasional service project in person in very small groups. During his term, Past President JT Forbus held only one meeting in person - his debunking in June 2021. President Mary Liu ushered in the era of meeting simultaneously in person and via Zoom. We continue to adapt and evolve, proving our resilience.
John Mathers joined Rotary on March 1, 2011 and became our Club's president in 2017-2018. He is married to Peggy, and they enjoy traveling for fun and enlightenment. These days, many of us know John because of his work and active involvement with the Rotary Climate Action Team.
John joined the Board of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation (SFRF) in 2016. On the Board, he is the Chair of the Nominating Committee and serves on the Executive Committee. When SFRF president Dan Joraanstad is unavailable, John stands in for Dan. John's goal is to support the fundamental purpose of the SFRF Board, which is to manage the monies and support the projects of the Rotary Club of San Francisco.
Clifford Dochterman, Rotary International President 1992-1993, passed away on November 23, 2021. Our Club immediately paid tribute to him. See Peter Lagarias' tribute and tributes from other members of our Club.
There are now two Celebrations of Life planned that will take place as follows:
January 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM Pacific time at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Moraga, California.
January 15, 2022, at 2:00 PM Pacific time at the University of the Pacific, Morris Chapel, Stockton, California.
Posted by Stacey Poole and Dora Dye on Dec 17, 2021
The Rotary Club of San Francisco’s Holiday Party and Annual Meeting were held on December 14, 2021 at the Hotel Nikko. Members and guests were welcomed starting at 11:00 AM to fellowship, a photo booth, and a chance to spin the Rotary wheel to win a prize before the meeting moved to the main dining room.
President Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | JM Real Estate Group) welcomed and reminded everyone of her eight goals for the year:
hold a successful weekly hybrid meeting. (This has been accomplished.)
increase membership by 25 new members. (We have inducted 15 new members so far.)
encourage new service projects for grant funding.
raise $100,000 for the 50/50 Campaign. (We have raised $108,112 so far.)
earn District 5150's Best Club award. (We are only at 44% toward this goal.)
continue our work with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
collaborate with other Rotary clubs and organizations.
We are not meeting on December 21 and December 28. In addition, Grindings will not be published on December 26, 2021 but publication will resume on January 2, 2022.
We wish you good health and all the best during the holidays and throughout the new year.
Past District Governor Russ Ketron will give us an update on the End Polio Now campaign and other key activities of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International (TRF).
Dr. Michael Martin addresses concerns about including red meat in our diet. He’ll describe red meat’s links to common diseases and detail the ways in which red meat damages our environment and contributes to climate change. Please note that this meeting will be via Zoom only. Advanced registration required. Connection instructions will be provided to all who register.
District 5150 Rotary Means Business Fellowship and the Rotary Club of San Francisco proudly present Communication and Media for Business Professionals with Amy Scruggs.
Heidi and Gary Kuhn will provide a riveting presentation about what’s been happening in Afghanistan. They will tell us what it was like “on the ground” during the evacuation, what has changed there – and what hasn’t, and what ordinary Afghanis think about what’s happening to their country.
Come join us for 60 minutes of adventure and challenge in a Gold Rush escape room to hunt for gold with fellow Rotarians and guests. This game is limited to 8 participants. Everyone must be masked, vaccinated, and over the age of 13.
Heidi and Gary Kuhn will provide a riveting presentation about what’s been happening in Afghanistan. They will tell us what it was like “on the ground” during the evacuation, what has changed there – and what hasn’t, and what ordinary Afghanis think about what’s happening to their country.
In this meeting, we will hear from educator Amy Argenal and nonprofit manager Tommy Thach on their perspective and efforts to end human trafficking.