President Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management) called today's meeting to order at 12:15 PM and welcomed those online and those attending in person at the Anzu Restaurant in the Hotel Nikko. Everyone observed a moment of silence in memory of 2017-2018 Past President John Mathers (Management Consulting | eVo Associates).
Visiting Rotarian and Guests
PDG Eric Schmautz (Banking: Management | Retired) introduced his mother - Karen Schmautz from the Rotary Club of Indian Rocks Beach in Florida - and his daughters - Molly Schmautz and Katie Schmautz. Todd St Vrain (Education: Administration | University of Melbourne) introduced his guest, Tamicia Wakefield. Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) introduced Bill Mathers and Peggy Mathers. Attending online were Brooke Nuwati and today's speakers - Nicole Johnny and Kari Vallo.
Help the Victims of the Maui Fires
President Sunny urged Club members to support victims of the Maui fires by donating to this fund set up by Rotary Members of Hawaii (District 5000). Two-time Past President and a Retired Fire Marshal Paul Chin of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Chinatown is on the ground in Maui with members of the Asian Firefighters Association to help in the relief efforts. See video clip here.
Share Your Good News ($20 for Twenty Seconds)
Here are today's donors:
- Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors) donated in memory of John Mathers and Don Parachini. He invited five people in the audience to match his $500 donation. Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.), Tom Brunner (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation), Emily Borland (Engineering, Architecture, and Construction | Emily Borland Specifications), Frank Yoke (Development | Frank Yoke Consulting), and Dan Joraanstad accepted Allan's invitation. Thank you to all!
- John Hoch (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) donated in memory of John Mathers and Don Parachini and to share how Don had helped to "pass many things in the Club".
- Lisa Christian (Development), Nancy Graydon (Development | Glaucoma Research Foundation), and District Governor Laine Hendricks (Public Relations and Marketing | County of Marin) donated in memory of John Mathers.
- Todd St Vrain donated in honor of today's guests.
- Dan Joraanstad donated to share that two non-Rotarians who had attended Immediate Past President Christopher Wiseman's (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation) Partea donated $1,000 and $250, respectively, to our Club to show appreciation for the performance by both Rick Harrell (Arts Therapy | Heroes' Voices) and Dan Joraanstad. One of these non-Rotarians has extended an invitation to Rick to perform at her party.
An Evening at the San Francisco Playhouse
President Sunny shared the fun had by members and guests at this social event. See full story here.
Club Events for Rotarians
Club Events: Check the Club's calendar for upcoming Committee meetings and service projects.
Guest Speaker
Larry Booth (Engineering: Mechanical | Frank M. Booth, Inc.) introduced today's speakers representing Miss Indian New Mexico, Inc. - Nicole Johnny and Kari Vallo. Kari reigned as Miss Indian New Mexico Teen from 2014-2015, and Nicole reigned as Miss Indian New Mexico XLVII (47) in the same year. Both shared their experiences and the mission of Miss Indian New Mexico, Inc. This corporation is a Tribal group that seeks to protect, revitalize, and educate communities of the diverse cultures of all Tribal Nations in the State of New Mexico. Miss Indian New Mexico, Inc. also coordinates and manages the annual Miss Indian New Mexico Pageant and aims to continue and empower the legacy of young Native women. President Sunny thanked both Nicole and Kari and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in the name of Miss Indian New Mexico, Inc.
Nicole Johnny and Kari Vallo
John Mathers' Next AdventurePresident Sunny read a letter written by John Mathers who learned in June 2023 that he had less than six months left to live. See the letter here. The reading of the letter aroused a lot of emotion in the audience. The audience also heard from Peggy Mathers and Bill Mathers (John's brother). Peggy brought the Rotary memorabilia that had belonged to John to donate to members of our Club.
David Dye, President-Elect Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF), Lisa Stark (Communications and Media), and Dan Joraanstad shared fond memories of John.
The meeting concluded at 1:31 PM.
Meeting Volunteers
President Sunny thanked today's meeting volunteers: Ann Daugherty (Financial Services: Private Trading | IBN Financial Services) for serving as scribe; Jim Patrick for serving as photographer; PDG Eric Schmautz for managing the microphone; Kirt Burdick of the Academy of Art University for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; President-Elect Bob Hermann for serving as Zoom host; Nancy Graydon for serving as greeter; and Gary Dales (Accounting | Fly Leasing) for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.