Posted by Dora Dye on Jul 26, 2024
President Bob Hermann, Jr. (Information Technology: Administration | Retired) rang the Rotary bell at 6:35 PM and called to order our Club's first evening meeting at MoMo's. He welcomed everyone in the audience. Scott Morton, the owner of MoMo's, along with his staff joined to thank us for attending and to express how much they are looking forward to a partnership with our Club.
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
This evening's Visiting Rotarians were Elizabeth Chafcouloff and Janet Leiva, both from the Rotary Club of San Francisco Castro. Our guests were Jinan Banna, Nathan Brickley, Nona Ehyaei, Les Kimbley, Michelle Liu, Jo Patrick, and Bruce Stinson.
 
La Carre Ivy, Elizabeth Chafcouloff, Caitlyn Eller, Yana Sharma, Margaret Miley, Dan Joraanstad, Maureen O'Shea, and Janet Leiva
La Carre Ivy, Elizabeth Chafcouloff, Caitlyn Eller, Yana Sharma, Margaret Miley, Dan Joraanstad, Maureen O'Shea, and Janet Leiva
 
Ringing the Rotary Bell
President Bob discussed the meaning behind the ringing of the Rotary bell.
 
Should We Have an Evening Guest Speaker?
President Bob polled the audience on the desire to have a guest speaker at our monthly Evening Meeting. The majority did not want a speaker for the Evening Meetings.
 
Why Evening Meetings?
President Bob explained why our Club took a risk to try out evening meetings. The reasons included: to offer another avenue for our members to connect, to accommodate members who cannot attend a luncheon, and to make an impact. He reminded us that our Club will continue our luncheon meetings and to carry out this Rotary Action Plan:
 
Member Experiences
President Bob invited four members to speak on their connection through Rotary with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Polio Eradication, International Service, and Youth Development.
 
First, Alisha Marfatia (Information Technology: E-Commerce | EvolveWare) shared her experience with our Club's efforts and activities to advance DEI.
 
Alisha Marfatia
 
Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) gave an update on Rotary's mission to eradicate polio. Afghanistan and Pakistan still have polio cases, but now, in addition, there are four new cases in Israel. The fight to end polio continues.
 
Dan Joraanstad
 
Ozan Yasavur (Engineering: Mechanical | Bioforcetech Corporation) spoke passionately about Rotarians from our Club and throughout the world helping the victims of the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Türkiye.
 
 
David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired) talked about Rotarians giving back to today's youth and how a RYLA alumna had told him how much she appreciated all of the support that he (David) had given to her through Interact and RYLA to allow her to develop the leadership skills that she practices today.
 
Upcoming Events
Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events. 
 
Environmental Project
Rotary District 5150 is inviting Rotarians and their clubs to submit an initiative focused on environmental sustainability. Click here for details and application. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2024.
 
Spin the Wheel
This evening's lucky door prize winners were Elizabeth Chafcouloff who won a gift from Gump's and Angelina Preza (Sales: Travel | Aquarium of the Bay) who won this bumper sticker donated by the Dyes.
 
 
Thought for the Evening
Our thought for the evening came from Beyoncé:  "Your self-worth is determined by you. You don't have to depend on someone telling you who you are."
 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 PM in memory of Skippy, the beloved dog of Dan Joraanstad and President Bob. 
 
Dan Joraanstad and Skippy
 
Meeting Volunteers
President Bob thanked this evening's meeting volunteers: Dora Dye (Education | San Francisco and San Mateo Counties) for serving as scribe; President-Elect Frank Yoke III (Development | Serra Residential Center, Inc.) for serving as photographer; Dan Joraanstad for managing the microphone; Immediate Past President Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management) for serving as greeter; and Ozan Yasavur for doing check-in at MoMo's.