President Bob Hermann, Jr. (Information Technology: Administration | Retired) was at home recuperating from hip surgery. He sent his heartfelt thanks for the calls and good wishes from fellow Rotarians. We welcomed President-Elect Frank Yoke III (Development | Serra Residential Center, Inc.) who called to order this month's Evening Meeting at MoMo's.
Our Club's Partnership with MoMo’s Restaurant
MoMo's Restaurant where we meet monthly for our Club's Evening Meeting was vandalized the day before the Opening Day of the San Francisco Giants. Club Members did not hesitate to reach into their pocket and give generously to MoMo's – a community partner that has hosted our Club with hospitality and fair pricing to make our evening meetings so enjoyable. Scott Morton, the owner of MoMo's, accepted our gift with sincere appreciation. Scott and his wife recently welcomed their second child.
MoMo's Restaurant where we meet monthly for our Club's Evening Meeting was vandalized the day before the Opening Day of the San Francisco Giants. Club Members did not hesitate to reach into their pocket and give generously to MoMo's – a community partner that has hosted our Club with hospitality and fair pricing to make our evening meetings so enjoyable. Scott Morton, the owner of MoMo's, accepted our gift with sincere appreciation. Scott and his wife recently welcomed their second child.
President-Elect Frank Yoke and Scott Morton
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
This evening's Visiting Rotarians were Hiren Kara from the Rotary Club of Bombay and his partner, Bijal Kara; and Betsy Chafcouloff and Janet Leiva from the Rotary Club of San Francisco Castro. Joining us from the Rotaract Club of San Francisco were Leonardo Meza Martinez and Alberto Mezzo. Our guests were Holly Huebel, Victoria Robles, and Barbara Skimmer.
New Member Inducted
PE Frank invited Vice President of Membership Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired) to lead the induction of our newest member. Margaret introduced Mary Jansen (Nonprofit Management | Catholic Charities SF). Mary joins our Club as a member of our Corporate Member — Catholic Charities SF and is looking forward to connecting with Rotarians and serving our community. Members of our Club welcomed Mary and committed to support her in her Rotary journey.
President-Elect Frank Yoke, Mary Jansen, and Margaret Miley
Flag Exchange
PE Frank exchanged Rotary flags with Visiting Rotarian Hiren Kara. Hiren is a member of one of the 14 largest Rotary clubs in the world and has maintained 23 years of perfect attendance at Rotary! A meaningful service project for Hiren's club is an eye surgery clinic that serves under-resourced communities.
President-Elect Frank Yoke and Hiren Kara
The Power of Individual Action
Vice President of International Service Stephen Geisheker (Retired) shared a moving story about the power of individual action. While visiting in Monrovia, Liberia, he encountered a school struggling to recover after 14 years of civil war and lacking clean water, food, shelter, and educational basics. Stephen not only made a personal contribution, but he also convinced his former Rotary club – the Rotary Club of Los Gatos – to support this effort for the next seven years. Today, our Club supports this cause with a grant to fund the installation of solar power panels. The students at this school are now thriving and seen as future leaders of their country. Said Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Thought of the Day
Ann Daugherty (Financial Services: Private Trading | IBN Financial Services) read today's Thought of the Day by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Grants Review Committee Met
PE Frank expressed deep gratitude to the Rotarians who are serving on the Grants Review Committee (GRC). The GRC met on April 16, 2025 to allocate $203,637 among the grant applications that were approved.
RYLA Training
RYLA training for students and facilitators is underway. Contact Vice President of Youth Development and RYLA Executive Director Todd St Vrain (Education: Administration | University of Melbourne) for more information.
Past and Upcoming Events
- Margaret Miley shared highlights from the recent Welcome to the Club and thanked Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company) for hosting. See full story here.
- Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events.
- DEI News: Sign up for the next DEI Film on May 4, 2025. Also, Past President and District 5150 DEI Chair Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) will be our Luncheon Speaker on May 6, 2025. He will lead a discussion on DEI's vital role in Rotary and how it is shaping our Club's future.
- Save the date of June 29, 2025 to march with Rotarians in the San Francisco Pride Parade.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Meeting Volunteers
PE Frank thanked this evening's meeting volunteers: Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) for serving as scribe; Stephen Geisheker for serving as photographer; Margaret Miley for serving as greeter; and Ann Daugherty and Ozan Yasavur (Engineering: Mechanical | Frank M. Booth, Inc.) for doing check-in at MoMo's.