Are you aware that Peace and Conflict Resolution is one of Rotary's six areas of focus? According to Rotary International, forty-two million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution and 90 percent of armed-conflict casualties are civilians, half of them children. Through service projects, fellowships, and other Rotary-sponsored campaigns, Rotarians train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and to aid refugees who have fled dangerous areas. Rotarians also pursue projects to address the underlying structural causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
Leah Lambrecht, our District Governor, has made Peace her main area of focus for District 5150 for this year. Come join me and other Rotarians at The Rotary Peace Concert on November 14 at the Herbst Theater in the newly-renovated War Memorial Veterans Building in San Francisco's Civic Center. This concert features Northern California singer and songwriter Brett Dennen and 2010 American Idol first runner up Crystal Bowersox performing favorite songs as we celebrate peace through music
While we strive for peace, we also celebrate our Veterans. The Rotary Club of San Francisco is supporting Heroes' Voices, a non-profit organization headed by our own member, Rick Harrell. Heroes' Voices focuses on the impact of music and music therapy as powerful tools in treating battle-related brain and psychological injuries. Our club is the primary sponsor of the first annual Heroes' Voices Concert to Honor our Veterans. The concert features Pete Escovedo and his Latin Ensemble, Vocal Rush (a very exciting and award-winning group of students from Oakland School for the Arts), and the wonderful Heroes' Voices Bluegrass Band. Come support Heroes' Voices by attending this concert on Veterans Day, November 11, also at The Herbst Theater. Rotarians can buy discounted tickets that include a special reception (tickets are free for veterans). For more information on both these special events, visit sfrotary.com and refer to our calendar of events or grab a flier at an upcoming meeting.
Welcome to our newest members: President Stephanie inducted two new members into our club this month. Frank Yoke is the Deputy CEO of the San Francisco Bay Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Tony Mendoza is Police Senior Superintendent with the Philippine Consulate General. We expect great things from you and look forward to getting to know you better as you get more involved with our great club.
Vocational speakers:Dan Joraanstad (Retail Brokerage; Wells Fargo Advisors) is dedicated to helping his clients achieve their long-term financial goals through the development of a strategic investment plan based on the ideal intersection of risk and reward. Dan focuses on asset management services, managed money, stock options, and careful selection of traditional investments in equities and fixed income. Bob Linscheid (Business Associations; San Francisco Chamber of Commerce) told us that the Chamber's mission is to attract, support and grow business through advocacy, economic development and business development. Immediate Past President Laine Hendricks (Non Profit - Public Relations; The Salvation Army) told us how much she loves being in charge of Public Relations for TSA, and invited us to learn more about their great programs.
Raffle prizes needed: You know we sell raffle tickets at every luncheon meeting, but did you know that these tickets help underwrite the cost of the meals we provide to our speakers and to first-time visits by prospective members? We'll be conducting special raffles at our upcoming holiday luncheon to raise some money and have some fun. Please consider donating items we can use as prizes in the weekly raffle ($25 or more) or at the holiday luncheon ($100 or more). Cecile Chiquette (Certified Public Accounting - Regional) collects these prizes.
We love a parade: We had a great turnout at the Italian Heritage Day Parade with 150 Rotarians, Interactors and Rotaractors from all over the District.
Happy dollars: Congratulations to Jian-ying Chen (Chinese Medicine; Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine Japan College) is opening up his practice on Fillmore. Rhonda Poppen (Independent Grant Consultant; GrantDog) has received not one but two referrals for her grant writing business from Rotarians! Luis Moran (Real Estate Sales; Coldwell Banker) made a contribution to celebrate the recent opportunity to represent The Salvation Army in a real estate transaction. John Hoch (Estate and Business Planning; Hoch Financial Network) recognized the recent frequent attendance at lunch meetings by our esteemed Past President Jim Emerson (Retired Clergy). Jennifer Ji (Business Consultant) celebrated her work fostering dogs with Muttville: she has found new homes for five dogs already. John Mount (Statistical Consulting; Win-Vector) made a donation to thank his Rotary sponsor, Scott Plakun (IT Consulting; The Plakun Group) when Scott was named Rotarian of the Month by President Stephanie. Thank you all for your donations to Rotary Service.
Great luncheon programs: Several campers, and RYLA leaders led by President-Elect David Dye (Management Consultant) inspired us with their stories of self improvement and achieving what they thought were unimaginable goals before attending RYLA. Rick Harrell (Veterans Outreach; Heroes' Voices). The impact of music therapy and how it is proving to be a powerful tool in treating battle related brain and psychological injuries. Come support Heroes Voices by attending the Veteran's concert on November 11. We also snuck in a short update from Roots of Peace from Heidi Kuhn (Non-Profit - Humanitarian; Roots of Peace), John Hoch, and Jim Patrick (Stationery; Patrick & Company). We were all inspired by a talk about the great work that is done by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, which included moving performances of some of the great speeches from Hamlet.
Exciting times ahead: Everyone is invited to join in the fun at the first annual Heroes' Voices Concert to Honor our Veterans on Veterans Day, November 11. This concert is being sponsored by our club and is our club's Social Event for November:Tickets for Rotarians are $32 and include a special reception (free for veterans). District 5150 is holding a Peace Concert on Saturday, November 14; tickets are on sale now. Tim Hornbecker (Human Resources - Employment and Housing; The Arc of Alameda County) reminds us to SAVE THE DATE for volunteering at Thanksgiving at The ARC on Nov 24 - photos can't do this wonderful day justice! Come, cook, serve, and provide a special Thanksgiving lunch for clients at the ARC - for many, this will be their only celebration; and for all this is fun event. See Cecile Chiquette orsign up onlineto volunteer. Eric Schmautz (Banking - Business; Wells Fargo) is buying tables for the meeting with Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran in San Jose Sunday evening Janueary 3; contact Eric ASAP if you are interested: tickets will definitely sell out. Tickets are $80. We have 20 going thus far and plan to charter a bus if we get enough participants.
Sunshine reports: Condolences to Anita Stangl, (Nonprofit Management; Alliance for Smiles) whose sister, Mary Ann, passed away this month.
Noteworthy anniversary: A special shout-out to Jim Patrick who celebrates 40 years as a member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco this month.
Rotary Golf Tournament Results:Kevin Waldeck, (Financial Services - Investment; Morgan Stanley Investment Management) reports John Hoch earned honorable mention, Krissie Kirby from the Rotary Club of San Francisco Evening Rotary came in third, Bal Raj Capur (Project Development & Investment; The BTI Group) and Mr. Tim Golf Hornbecker wins FIRST PLACE!
Tara Kramlich comes to San Francisco by way of Minot, North Dakota; Bremen, Germany; and Tanzania. Tara is the sixth of eight children born to Gary and Gloria Kramlich. Growing up as a self-described “all American girl”, she quickly gained a broader world perspective as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Germany.
Tara’s father grew up speaking German and he suggested that she take advantage of the Rotary Youth Exchange program. She saw this as a great way to get to know her father better. In Germany she stayed with three different families and has maintained a close relationship with the last of these three. The experience has shaped her life and her world view.
After high school she came to California with a fellow Rotary Exchange student and attended the University of California at Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in business administration from the Haas School of Business, in addition to studying German literature.
Her Rotary Youth Exchange experience was instrumental in gaining a position at the World Bank. Her fluency in German as well as her internships at German and Swiss firms led the interviewers to believe she was a German national. She credits this to her Rotary Youth Exchange year and the lasting impact it has had on her life.
In 2012, Tara took a sabbatical to work with a friend she met while working at the World Bank and went to Tanzania to build an English Primary school. Living in Africa was a rewarding and eye-opening experience for her. She gained a personal perspective on the depth of poverty in other parts of the world as well as the critical importance of education in ending the cycle of pverty in developing countries. While traveling in Europe the next year, Tara spoke to the Rotary Club of Bremer-Weser Germany about her project at theIkirwa Schoolin Tanzania; that Rotary club has since become an ongoing supporter of the school.
In 2014 Tara launched her firm, Atalanta Capital, which invests debt and equity in businesses with revenues between $10 and $100 million that are looking to recapitalize or expand, and need long term capital to do so. The company also has a social bottom line and focuses on investing in companies which promote gender diversity in their management structure.
Tara recently married Larry Trebesch, the COO of Farmers Business Network. She and her husband love hiking and skiing. Tara is an avid singer (classical) and former adult student of the San Francisco Conservatory. She also remains involved with her Alma Mater and serves on the Haas School of Business Dean’s Advisory Circle.
The monthly joint meeting of the boards of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, the governing body responsible for club operations, and Rotary Service, which oversees all of our club’s service projects. Members are welcome to attend, but please contact the Club Secretary to confirm time and location before attending.
Learn about the wide range of services and products offered by your fellow Rotarians from our club and from all the clubs in our district. You'll be a more well educated consumer and a great referral source for your fellow Rotarians.
Julian Cox, Founding Curator of Photography and Chief Curator at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (the de Young and the Legion of Honor) will discuss the exhibition he is organizing of the work of Danny Lyon, the American photographer and filmmaker. This exhibition will open at the de Young after it is presented as the first photography exhibition at the new Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.
All club members are welcome to attend meetings of the International Service Committee. Please join the meeting to see what projects are coming up and how you can help, and/or to propose your own ideas for new projects. If you would like to find out how to submit a grant for a project, criteria for grants or completing a final report, this is the meeting for you.
Come and mix it up with your fellow Rotarians from local clubs! Members of all clubs, prospective members, and their friends are all welcome to attend a fun evening of beer, pool, shuffleboard, SkeeBall, foosball, new and vintage arcade games, and more at the Golden Gate Tap Room near Union Square. Make new friends and learn more about nearby Rotary clubs. This event, jointly sponsored by our own Club #2 and the SF Evening Club, is sure to be fun.
Rotary District 5150 is pleased to present Potential Rotary Leaders Seminars (PRLS), your leadership development program. Club members who have completed Basic PRLS are encouraged to attend this Master PRLS 5 training.
Our Veterans Day speaker is Paul Cox, a Vietnam veterans who serves as the chair of the San Francisco American Legion War Memorial Commission. Paul is past chair of Swords to Plowshares, and one of the founders of the Veterans Speaker Alliance and American Legion Robert Basker Post 315 in San Francisco.
The board of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation meets monthly to discuss the needs of the foundation and to approve funding for Rotary Service projects. Meetings of the Foundation Board are primarily for Foundation Board Members, but club members are often welcome to attend.
The Rotary Club of San Francisco is the primary sponsor of this first annual Concert to Honor Veterans at Herbst Theater in the newly-renovated War Memorial Veterans Building, featuring Pete Escovedo and his Latin Ensemble, OSA Vocal Rush and the Heroes' Voices Bluegrass Band. Discounted tickets for Rotarians include special seating and a reception. Tickets are free for veterans.
Enjoy an evening dedicated to advancing worldwide understanding, goodwill, and peace. A key project of DG Leah, this special evening includes performances by two artists committed to making the world a more peaceful place through music.
Up to 25 Rotarians and their family and friends are welcome to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast at the home ofDan Joraanstad and Bob Hermann in San Francisco's Westwood neighborhood. Our hosts will provide the turkey, stuffing, and gravy with the rest of the meal provided by the guests.
Help us make Thanksgiving a special occasion for the resident families of Harbor House by giving them baskets filled with the makings of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. There are several opportunities to help:
Come early and bring your treasures so they can be appraised before lunch by our speaker Deric Torres of Clars Auction Gallery. An expert in many kinds of furniture and decorative arts, Deric will weave selected items into his presentation at our regular luncheon meeting. This special one-time episode of Rotary Antiques Road Show is sure to be fun and fascinating!
All long-term, new, and prospective members are welcome to attend this evening social event. It's a great opportunity to get to know your club while networking with our newest members.
The annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at The Arc of San Francisco is one of our most popular service projects. Come early to help prepare and serve lunch to hundreds of clients of The Arc: all people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. And stay long enough to enjoy that same lunch with your fellow Rotarians. This is the only Thanksgiving celebration for many of the people we serve that day. And they are most appreciative.
Let's get fancy!This year's Holiday Luncheon will be held at the Westin Saint Francis Hotel. Our holiday event is always great fun, so be sure to invite your family, friends, and colleagues. Tickets (and sponsorships) are now on sale.
We love a parade: We had a great turnout at the Italian Heritage Day Parade with 150 Rotarians, Interactors and Rotaractors from all over the District.
Come and mix it up with your fellow Rotarians from local clubs! Members of all clubs, prospective members, and their friends are all welcome to attend a fun evening of beer, pool, shuffleboard, 
Rotary District 5150 is pleased to present Potential Rotary Leaders Seminars (PRLS), your leadership development program. Club members who have completed Basic PRLS are encouraged to attend this Master PRLS 5 training.
Our Veterans Day speaker is Paul Cox, a Vietnam veterans who serves as the chair of the San Francisco American Legion War Memorial Commission. Paul is past chair of Swords to Plowshares, and one of the founders of the Veterans Speaker Alliance and American Legion Robert Basker Post 315 in San Francisco.
Enjoy an evening dedicated to advancing worldwide understanding, goodwill, and peace. A key project of DG Leah, this special evening includes performances by two artists committed to making the world a more peaceful place through music.
Up to 25 Rotarians and their family and friends are welcome to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast at the home ofDan Joraanstad and Bob Hermann in San Francisco's Westwood neighborhood. Our hosts will provide the turkey, stuffing, and gravy with the rest of the meal provided by the guests. 
The annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at The Arc of San Francisco is one of our most popular service projects. Come early to help prepare and serve lunch to hundreds of clients of The Arc: all people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. And stay long enough to enjoy that same lunch with your fellow Rotarians. This is the only Thanksgiving celebration for many of the people we serve that day. And they are most appreciative. 