President Frank Yoke III (Development | Serra Residential Center, Inc.) called the meeting to order at 12:17 PM and welcomed everyone attending either in person or via Zoom. He shared today's agenda.
Rotary International Theme and Four-Way Test
President Frank reminded everyone of this year's RI Theme and the Four-Way Test. In case you still did not get these items, please contact President Frank for a card containing the Four-Way Test and a pin of this year's RI Theme.
Today's Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Today's Visiting Rotarians were Area Foundation Coordinator Brian Flaherty from the Rotary Club of San Francisco South of Market, John Swon from the Rotary Club of Minneapolis, Joel Valdes from the Rotary Club of Manila, Patti Vanderburg from the Rotary Club of Los Gatos, and Lynn Wilson Roberts from the Rotary Club of Los Altos who attended via Zoom. Today's guests were Kirt Burdick, Dahlia Myers (attending via Zoom), and Case Vanderburg. Today's speaker was Anna Marie Presutti. Welcome to all!
Thank You to RYLA Executive Director Todd St VrainPresident Frank presented a gift to Todd St Vrain (Education: Administration | University of Melbourne) and thanked Todd for his hard work and service as Executive Director of the RYLA Camp that just concluded on August 1, 2025. Our Club will celebrate the successful RYLA Camp and its participants at the August 12, 2025 Club Luncheon.
August Birthdays
The Club wished the following members a happy birthday:
Celebrating Jim and Jo Patrick
Congratulations to Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.)! Jim is celebrating his birthday this month and his 60th wedding anniversary with Jo Patrick.
Jo and Jim Patrick
Rotary Youth Exchange Experience in Germany
Dahlia Myers joined us via Zoom to talk about her year as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Germany. She shared photos and stories of her adventures living with two different families, of the brothers in both families who became her brothers, and of her many activities in Germany and Switzerland. Dahlia explained how she went to Germany speaking very little German and returned to the U.S. almost a year later with the ability to communicate in German. She had left the U.S. carrying our Rotary flag and did exchange Rotary flags in Germany. Dahlia expressed deep gratitude to Rotary for giving her this amazing and memorable year as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student.
President Frank shared that his sister had been a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Munich years ago.
Dahlia Myers with other Rotary Youth Exchange students and at Rotary events in Germany
Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY)
Area Foundation Coordinator Brian Flaherty and Immediate Past President Bob Hermann, Jr. (Information Technology: Administration | Retired) invited all to participate in this year's EREY contest by or before September 19, 2025. Donate directly to the Annual Fund Share on my.rotary.org or contact Bob for information or assistance. Prizes and winners will be announced at the District Foundation Event on October 11, 2025; all are welcome to attend this Event.
New Paul Harris Fellow
Paul Harris (1868-1947) founded the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905, hoping to bring some of what he treasured from his rural Vermont upbringing to the big city. Rotary would not exist without his vision of a group of business professionals who helped each other by helping others. For each $1,000 donated to The Rotary Foundation, a person can become a Paul Harris Fellow. Congratulations to Christopher Davies (Real Estate: Property Management | Self-employed) who received his PHF+2 pin.
Christopher Davies, Club TRF Chair Bob Hermann, and President Frank Yoke
$25 for Twenty Five Seconds
Today's donations will go toward raising awareness of climate change. Today's generous donors were Todd St Vrain, Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired), Christopher Davies, Past District 5150 Governor Peter Lagarias (Law: Franchise | Lagarias, Napell & Dillon), Dora and David Dye, and Patti Vanderburg.
Each donor today and/or at the Luncheon on August 12 will be entered into a drawing to win the following prize:
The above prize was awarded at the July 8, 2025 Luncheon, but the winner on July 8 donated the prize back to our Club.
Upcoming Events
Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events. Future events include Ukraine Updates from the Rotary Club of Kyiv-Balzac, social activities for Club members and guests, and youth programs.
Guest Speaker
Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company) introduced today's speaker — Anna Marie Presutti, who was Vice President and General Manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco for 20 years. She thanked our Club for choosing to meet at the Hotel Nikko following the pandemic.
Anna Marie became the first woman to serve as president and CEO of the 115-year-old San Francisco Travel Association a year ago. During her presentation, she shared some of her discussions with SF Mayor Daniel Lurie pre- and post-election. Those discussions led to a conclusion that hotel occupancy in San Francisco was the key to making big money. Thus, the campaign to believe in San Francisco began to spread the news about what San Francisco can and does offer. We watched three videos. View one of the videos here. In the City, we can see sculptures like this one:
President Frank thanked Anna Marie Presutti and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in her name.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 PM.
Meeting Volunteers
President Frank thanked today's meeting volunteers: Cecile Chiquette (Accounting | Retired) for serving as volunteer coordinator; Dora Dye (Education | San Francisco and San Mateo Counties) for serving as scribe; David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired) for serving as photographer; Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors) for managing the microphone; Kirt Burdick for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; Robin Azevedo, Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles), and Holly Huebel (Travel Specialist | Fugazi Travel) for serving as greeters; and Ann Daugherty (Financial Services: Private Trading | IBN Financial Services) and Gary Dales (Accounting | Fly Leasing) for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.