President Bob Hermann, Jr. (Information Technology: Administration | Retired) called the meeting to order at 12:15 PM. He shared some slides of Golden Gate Park where cherry blossoms are in full bloom and encouraged all to take advantage of this park in our backyard.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
We welcomed two Visiting Rotarians: Michael Veny from the Rotary eClub of Wall Street who said that San Francisco was one of his favorite cities and Past President Michael O'Hare from the Rotary Club of Galway Salthill, Ireland. Michael O'Hare introduced his wife, Una; both were in the Bay Area to visit their son who is pursuing a Ph.D. at Stanford University. Our guest was Richard Wenzel. Our speaker was Dr. Steven Savage.
Flag Exchange
President Bob exchanged a Rotary flag with Visiting Rotarian Michael O'Hare and Una O'Hare and expressed the importance of connections, learning, and understanding that the worldwide reach of Rotary uniquely provides.
Membership News
President Bob shared the list of new members to date who joined our Club in the 2024-2025 Rotary year. Vice President of Membership Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired) joined President Bob to induct two new members. Margaret introduced Ruth Wenzel (Registered Nurse | Retired) and Michelle Pommier (Nonprofit Management | Catholic Charities SF). Ruth was a member of the Rotary Club of Mission San Jose in Fremont, California. Ruth and Richard, her husband of almost 53 years, now live in San Francisco. Her plans in our Club are to make new friends and participate in Rotary activities. Michelle 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 Ruth and Michelle and committed to support them in their Rotary journey.
Ruth Wenzel, Michelle Pommier, and President Bob Hermann
EREY Spin the Wheel
The April 2025 winner of the Every Rotarian Every Year Spin the Wheel contest was Melissa Galliani (Communications and Media | Wine Country Radio). Congratulations to Melissa who received $25.
The April 2025 winner of the Every Rotarian Every Year Spin the Wheel contest was Melissa Galliani (Communications and Media | Wine Country Radio). Congratulations to Melissa who received $25.
Sad News
President Bob announced that the day before the San Francisco Giants' Opening Day, MoMo's where our Club meets monthly for its Evening Meeting was vandalized. The vandal did extensive damage to the wiring. Our Club is raising some funds to help with the repairs.
Share Your Good News ($25 for 25 Seconds)
The following donated to help MoMo's:
- Vice President of Development Maureen O'Shea (Governmental Relations | Retired) donated to thank everyone for the calls, notes, and support during her just concluded medical procedure.
- Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles) donated to celebrate Jessica Hansen (Nonprofit Management | Alliance for Smiles) as the winner of the Woman in Health Award at the Women Changing the World 2025 Awards in London, England on April 3, 2025. Anita also celebrated her own 38th anniversary as a Rotarian in our Club. Anita reminded us to attend the 2025 Alliance for Smiles Gala on May 3, 2025. The Gala turns 21 this year! Buy tickets here.
- Vice President of Youth Development Todd St Vrain (Education: Administration | University of Melbourne) donated to announce that the deadline to submit a new facilitator application for RYLA is May 15, 2025.
- Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) donated to celebrate his birthday today and the 13th anniversary of his recovery from a cardiac misadventure. Scott also invited all to attend the Passover Seder on April 15, 2025
- Sue Robbins (Nonprofit Administration | Catholic Charities SF) donated to invite everyone to Kentucky Derby Day on May 3, 2025. Rotarians get a 20% discount. Buy tickets here.
- Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) donated to share that he had given President Bob a haircut so that President Bob would look good for his surgery on April 9, 2025. The audience nodded in approval.
Past and Upcoming Events
- The audience saw the photos from the recent Ramadan celebration. See full story here.
- Carrie Schucker (Counseling | Retired) thanked Margaret Miley, Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company), and Dan Joraanstad for the recent Welcome to the Club. See full story here.
- Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events.
Guest Speaker
Peter Logan (Law: Insurance | Peter Logan Law Offices) introduced today's speaker — Dr. Steven Savage. A musical performer was scheduled to accompany Dr. Savage, but had to cancel due to illness. The Blue Bear School of Music was started in 1971 by brothers from the Bear River named Strauss. The brothers coined the name as a mash-up of Johann Strauss and the Blue Danube Waltz. The School has graduated over 50,000 musicians and continues to educate over 1,000 students per semester. In 2006, the School began a program for toddlers in city parks and in 2010, it began to help teenage musicians form bands and perform publicly. Currently, it is working with the San Francisco Unified School District to bring rock and roll and hip hop to students in the District. The School also serves many communities of interest like Glide Memorial, the Bayview YMCA, and Family House. Jack Black joined on the recording of the School's 50th anniversary musical celebration.
President Bob thanked Dr. Savage and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in his name.
To Come
Check back for details about a final toast to President Bob as he concludes his Rotary year.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.
Meeting Volunteers
President Bob thanked today's meeting volunteers: Cecile Chiquette (Accounting | Retired) for serving as volunteer coordinator; Larry Booth (Engineering: Mechanical | Retired, Frank M. Booth, Inc.) for serving as scribe; Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.) for serving as photographer; Hana Xu Wang (Financial Services: Advising | Wang Wealth Advisors, LLC) for managing the microphone; Kirt Burdick of the Academy of Art University for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired) for serving as greeter; Vice President of PR and Communications Dan Davies (Information Technology: Consulting | Matrix Comsec) for social media; and Gary Dales (Accounting | Fly Leasing) for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.