President-Elect Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) 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.
Today's Guests
We welcomed today's guests: Milo Hanke, LaCarre Ivy, Niko Kowell, and Eric Suba. Kimberly Leung and Mike Sallaberry were today's speakers.
Recent Events
Glaucoma Research Foundation Gala - 30 Rotarians attended this Gala on February 8, 2024 as guests of the Glaucoma Research Foundation. PE Bob Hermann thanked CEO Tom Brunner (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation), Chief Operating Officer Nancy Graydon (Development | Glaucoma Research Foundation), and Director of Events Christopher Wiseman (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation) for the wonderful evening and the opportunity to make a difference in the world by restoring sight.
President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) - PE Bob Hermann, President-Elect Nominee Frank Yoke (Development | Frank Yoke Consulting), District Governor Laine Hendricks (Public Relations and Marketing | County of Marin), and Assistant Governor JT Forbus (Accounting | Bogdan & Frasco) were busy this past weekend attending PETS and a Grants Management Seminar.
Super Bowl LVIII Party - PE Bob Hermann thanked Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.) and his wife, Jo, for hosting a wonderful Super Bowl Party on the Patricks' rooftop deck. $15,000 was raised through the sale of Super Bowl Squares. This amount will be split between the San Francisco Rotary Foundation and The Rotary Foundation. Jim announced that the winners of a Paul Harris Fellow were PDG Eric Schmautz (Banking: Management | Retired), John Mount (Management Consulting | Win-Vector), and Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company). PDG Eric was a double winner.
Call for Technology Assistance
PE Bob Hermann shared his philosophy for leading our Club that will include tradition, training, and transformation. He added that Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) and Dora Dye (Education | San Francisco and San Mateo Counties) have done amazing work on our electronic communications and website, but we need to find more Rotarians with a background in technology to be trained to assist with the work needed. If you are interested, please contact President Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management).
Membership News
New Member Inducted
PE Bob Hermann inducted Niko Kowell (Educational Services | Narwahl Divers) as a new member of our Club. Angelina Preza (Sales: Travel | Aquarium of the Bay) sent congratulations via Zoom. Welcome, Niko!
Completion of Red Badge
Rachel Donovan (Engineering: Civil | California Department of Transportation) and Jefferson Li-Kuo Yih (Retired) completed their red badge requirements and are now full members of our Club. Congratulations, Rachel and Jeff!
Rachel Donovan (Engineering: Civil | California Department of Transportation) and Jefferson Li-Kuo Yih (Retired) completed their red badge requirements and are now full members of our Club. Congratulations, Rachel and Jeff!
Free COVID Tests
PE Bob Hermann announced that Club member Maurice Rivers (Non-profit Management | OMI Cultural Participation Project) has free COVID test kits available. If you need one, please contact Maurice.
Upcoming Events and Calendar
Check the Club's calendar for upcoming Committee meetings and service projects.
Grants Cycle Has Begun
PE Bob Hermann reminded everyone that it is time to apply for grants. See details here.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | JM Real Estate Group) reminded everyone to welcome the Year of the Dragon at our Lunar New Year Celebration. See here for details and tickets.
Share Your Good News ($20 for Twenty Seconds)
Thank you to the following who participated today and shared their good news:
- David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired) donated to celebrate the Interact Leadership Conference held this past weekend and to acknowledge the Interact Club at Lowell High School whom we sponsor for its outstanding leadership at the Conference.
- Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) donated to recognize PE Bob Hermann's dedicated leadership.
- Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles), Maureen O’Shea (Governmental Relations | Retired), Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors), and PEN Frank Yoke donated to recognize Jim and Jo Patrick for hosting the fabulous Super Bowl Party.
- Jeff Yih donated to recognize his wife, Rachel Donvan, for arranging today's panel of speakers.
- Rachel Donovan donated to celebrate today's speakers, to announce the upcoming Bike Build, and to celebrate Heidi Kuhn (Peace Building | Roots of Peace).
- Heidi Kuhn donated to honor the Yih Family.
- Todd St Vrain (Education: Administration | University of Melbourne) donated to invite everyone to the RYLA New Facilitator Info Session.
- Tom Brunner donated to thank the Rotary Club of San Francisco for supporting and attending the 2024 Glaucoma Research Foundation Gala.
- PEN Frank Yoke donated to congratulate PE Bob Hermann for hosting his first luncheon meeting and to send well wishes to all Club members who are dealing with personal challenges.
Guest SpeakersRachel Donovan introduced today’s speakers: Kimberly Leung and Mike Sallaberry from the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency (SFMTA). The SFMTA operates a world class transportation system consisting of light rail, cable cars, paratransit, electric trolley, and historic street cars. The Streets Division of the SFMTA initiates and coordinates improvements to City street, bicycle, pedestrian, and parking infrastructure. The speakers noted that in 2023 there were no road fatalities.
Following their presentation, Rachel facilitated an active question-and-answer session. PE Bob Hermann thanked Kimberly and Mike and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in their name.
The meeting concluded at 1:30 PM.
Meeting Volunteers
PE Bob Hermann thanked today's meeting volunteers: Frank Yoke for serving as scribe; Jim Patrick for serving as photographer; Allan Herzog for managing the microphone; Kirt Burdick of the Academy of Art University for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; Dan Davies (Information Technology: Consulting | North American Lighting) for handling social media; Robin Azevedo for serving as greeter; Todd St Vrain for serving as Zoom host; and Gary Dales (Accounting | Fly Leasing) and Maureen O'Shea for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.