President-Elect Nominee Frank Yoke (Development | Frank Yoke Consulting) called today's meeting to order and welcomed those online and those attending in person at the Anzu Restaurant in the Hotel Nikko.
District 5150 Rotarian of the Month
Congratulations to Dora Dye (Education | San Francisco and San Mateo Counties) for her recognition as the Rotary District 5150 Rotarian of the Month in January 2024. She was recognized today in our Club as there were limited meetings in January.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Today's Visiting Rotarians were PDG Leif Carlzon from the Rotary Club of Ludvika RC in Sweden, Frank Schulenberg from the Rotary Club of Chico, Lisa De Zordo from the Rotary Club of San Francisco Castro, and our own Past President Casey Blair, now a member of the Rotary Club of Boise. Other guests were Milo Hanke, Brittany Olson, and Pradeep Karumanchi. John Rothmann joined us today as our speaker.
Rotary Flag Exchange
PEN Frank Yoke and PDG Leif Carlzon exchanged Rotary flags.
Join the Club Services Committee
Ozan Yasavur (Engineering: Mechanical | Bioforcetech Corporation) spoke about the core of our Rotary Club - our Club Services Committee. This Committee needs more members to ensure the continued operational excellence of the Club. So if you want to be impactful, help plan great events, and be a part of a vibrant, Rotary community, please join Ozan on the Club Services Committee.
Membership News
Maureen O'Shea (Governmental Relations | Retired) announced that Margarita Baxter-Lazaro (Consular Affairs | Retired) had completed her red badge requirements and is now a full member of our Club. Congratulations, Margarita!
Maureen O'Shea (Governmental Relations | Retired) announced that Margarita Baxter-Lazaro (Consular Affairs | Retired) had completed her red badge requirements and is now a full member of our Club. Congratulations, Margarita!
Global Grant Scholar’s JourneyCongratulations to Brittany Olson, who spoke about her journey to attain her Master’s degree with specialties in Climate Change, Global Health, and Sustainability.
Super Bowl Viewing Party and Squares
More people purchased Super Bowl squares at today's luncheon. Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.) invited everyone to attend the upcoming Super Bowl Viewing Party on February 11, 2024 and to purchase Super Bowl Squares from him.
End Polio Now!
Jim Patrick provided welcome news that the polio numbers for January 2024 especially in countries that typically have had many are at ZERO. These include Afghanistan and Pakistan! Great news!
Jim Patrick provided welcome news that the polio numbers for January 2024 especially in countries that typically have had many are at ZERO. These include Afghanistan and Pakistan! Great news!
Grant Presentation
Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company) on behalf of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation presented a check in the amount of $2,500 to President-Elect Lisa De Zordo of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Castro. PE Lisa spoke at length about the project for adult management of dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing). This can be a painful condition. The audience viewed numerous slides on the history of the project, involvement by Rotarians and local communities, as well as education, and project timeline deliverables.
Grants Cycle Has Begun
President-Elect Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) 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) invited 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:
- Sacha Shashi (Information Technology: Consulting | Nimbus Systems)
- Stephanie Schmautz (Elder Care and Senior Services | The Carlisle)
- Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles)
- Peter Logan (Law: Insurance | Peter Logan Law Offices)
- Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors)
- Jim Patrick
- Rachel Donovan (Engineering: Civil | California Department of Transportation)
- President Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management)
- Todd St Vrain (Education: Administration | University of Melbourne).
Guest SpeakerStephanie Schmautz introduced today's speaker - John Rothmann. John is a frequent and popular speaker in our Club. He shared his views on politics in 2024. PEN Frank thanked John Rothmann and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in his name.
The meeting concluded at 1:30 PM.
Meeting Volunteers
PEN Frank thanked today's meeting volunteers: Bob Hermann 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; Sue Robbins (Nonprofit Administration | Catholic Charities), Margarita Baxter-Lazaro, and Clifford Phillips (The Arc San Francisco) for serving as greeters; Mary Liu for serving as Zoom host; and Ozan Yasavur and Dan Davies for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.