We just held the third of our new series of Thursday evening meetings, and they continue to be a success! Starting around 6 PM on September 19, members and guests gathered at MoMo’s across from the Giants Stadium. MoMo’s offered a curtained-off section, providing a perfect setting for our group. The space was both roomy and visually appealing with views of the street and the ballpark.
The restaurant was equipped with a video display, ideal for our meeting slides. While we forgot the “dongle” needed for connectivity, the attentive staff saved the day by streaming the slides from an Apple iPhone to a Windows screen without a hitch — just another example of their excellent service.
A reminder for Thursdays: you only pay for what you order in terms of food and drink. The menu is delicious! I’ve enjoyed MoMo’s seafood salad and Cobb salad in the past, and this week, the fish tacos were a home run for me. The evening began casually, with members trickling in to enjoy happy hour and catch up. It was a very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
With Dreamforce week causing more traffic, we benefited from a special guest. Jan Verbrugghe, attending Dreamforce from Leuven, Belgium, found us through our excellent website. We also welcomed Anil Bhargava, a neighbor who’s visited both our evening and lunch meetings. From the Rotary Club of San Francisco Evening were Rotarians Gabriela Lobo and Daniel Poniatowski. However, the attendee champion that Thursday night was Bill Gregory (Performing Arts | San Francisco Playhouse), who came straight from a three-week stay in Turkey. Thanks for your enthusiasm, Bill!
During the meeting, Emily Borland (Engineering, Architecture, and Construction | Emily Borland Specifications) gave a moving report on our work with the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP). She shared how her inspiration to work with the HPP came about when she was pregnant with her first child, and how she empathized deeply with mothers in difficult circumstances on the streets of San Francisco. The Visioning Committee has suggested expanding this service project to include supplying follow-up essentials for new mothers.President-Elect Frank Yoke III (Development | Serra Residential Center, Inc.) presented on his new initiative, the Tenderloin Literacy Project. He sought volunteers, and that night he hit it out of the ballpark! Five new volunteers stepped up to help the youth of the Tenderloin improve their reading skills. You can learn more about this project by reaching out to PE Frank directly.
As the Club Champion for Visioning, I gave an update on our progress so far. We’ve already scored several early wins, including the launch of these evening meetings — a direct result of our three-year strategic planning efforts. One key recommendation from The Rotary Foundation Visioning Committee that we’re embracing is: Adapt to Changing Times. Join the Visioning Committee at our next meeting on Thursday, September 26 from 5-6 PM.
Despite a brief technology hiccup at the start, President Bob Hermann, Jr. (Information Technology: Administration | Retired) remained as calm and enjoyable as ever in his role of meeting moderator. Among his numerous tasks, President Bob updated us on several upcoming Club events, including District 5150's USS Hornet Foundation Event, our Alzheimer’s Walk, and our signature Emergency Services Day. Thanks for your leadership, President Bob!