President Christopher Wiseman (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation) called the meeting to order and welcomed those online and those attending in person inside the Anzu Restaurant at the Hotel Nikko.
Guests
Today's guests were Marija Filmar, Charlie Miles, Meagan Mod and today's speaker - Russell Low. Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) introduced Peter de Castro (Financial Services: Advising | RBC). Peter is an active member of our Club who has been living in Paris.
2022 Holiday Party Photos
President Christopher continued to share 2022 Holiday Party photos that he has received. Thank you to Ozan Yasavur (Engineering: Mechanical | Bioforcetech Corporation) for sharing his photos today with the Club.
Rotarian of the Month
President Christopher announced that Ann Daugherty (Financial Services: Private Trading | IBN Financial Services) is the Rotarian of the Month for January 2023. Ann serves on the Speaker's Committee and has brought in excellent speakers for our Tuesday luncheons. In addition, Ann is always available to lend a hand at Club events. Congratulations and thank you to Ann!
Ann Daugherty and President Christopher
Meeting Volunteers
President Christopher thanked today's meeting volunteers (listed at the end of this story).
Social Time
The topic at the lunch table was Australia or my favorite Rotary conference.
Vocational Services Month
January is Vocational Services Month. The following events are offered in recognition of this month:
- District 5150 Vocational Service Chair Yuhui Chen offered Rotary Connects with Next Generation of Leaders on January 25, 2023.
- Our Club's Vice President of Vocational Services Wendy Shew (Nonprofit Administration | Building Education) invited everyone to Professional Portrait and Business Networking on March 2, 2023.
- Angelina Preza (Sales: Travel | Aquarium of the Bay) spoke on the Aquarium by the Bay's coral restoration project for “at risk” youth. She offered a 10% discount to Rotarians who participate in the 2023 EcoXpeditions of the Aquarium of the Bay. Angelina also invited us to attend Wine, Women, & Shoes, a fundraiser benefiting the Aquarium of the Bay on March 30, 2023.
Angelina Preza
Announcements
Stephanie Schmautz (Elder Care and Senior Services | The Carlisle) announced that she is chairing District 5150 Rotary Day of Service – Protecting the Environment in San Francisco County on May 13, 2023 and is seeking volunteers to make this event a success. Please contact Stephanie if you can assist.
John Mathers (Management Consulting | eVo Associates) reported on the Rotary Climate Action Team (RCAT) project that took place in Assisi, Italy. He spoke about the concept of Mindful Eating as was shared by a speaker from the Vatican. What we eat has a dramatic impact on the amount of water that is consumed. For example, a great deal of water can be saved by just cutting out red meat. To learn more, join the next RCAT meeting on February 21, 2023.
Stephanie Schmautz
John Mathers and President Christopher
Help with Birthday Cards: Our Club is seeking a volunteer to write birthday cards to our members. If interested, please contact Vice President of Membership Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired).
Club and District Events for Rotarians
Club Events: Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and service projects for February 2023.
Super Bowl Pool: TRF Chair Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.) announced the return of the Super Bowl Pool. Please contact Jim Patrick for the rules and to purchase squares. Join our Club's Super Bowl Party and Potluck here.
Emergency Services Day: Tickets and sponsorships are still available for this special event on February 27, 2023. See here for registration and more information.
District Assembly: President Christopher invited everyone to attend the 2023 District Assembly on March 25, 2023 to cheer for President-Elect Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management) as he begins his year as our Club's President.
Grant Proposals: President Christopher announced that the Annual Grant Process is about to begin. All members of the Club may submit a proposal. $194,851 will be available for grants along with $24,000 in District-Designated Funds (DDF).
$20 for Twenty Seconds
President Christopher and Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) donated to celebrate the January 2023 Rotarian of the Month - Ann Daugherty. Bob also donated to celebrate the work of Angelina Preza.
Guest Speaker
Immediate Past President Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | JM Real Estate Group) joined via Zoom to introduce today's speaker - Dr. Russell Low. Dr. Low is a California-born, 4th generation Chinese American physician, author, and speaker, who is a great-grandson of Hung Lai Wah, a Transcontinental Railroad worker, and Ah Ying, a rescued child slave.
Immediate Past President Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | JM Real Estate Group) joined via Zoom to introduce today's speaker - Dr. Russell Low. Dr. Low is a California-born, 4th generation Chinese American physician, author, and speaker, who is a great-grandson of Hung Lai Wah, a Transcontinental Railroad worker, and Ah Ying, a rescued child slave.
Growing up in Central California, more American than Chinese, his connection to Chinese culture and history was limited and incomplete. The stories of his parents and their siblings fueled his passion for discovery and storytelling. Discovering the 1903 Hong family photograph among the belongings of his 100-year-old great Uncle Kim sparked a decades-long search for the stories behind the photograph and the writing of Three Coins, where he weaves family stories and real-life characters with the historical and political events of 19th-century America and touches upon the themes of human trafficking, immigration, cultural and racial discrimination, violence, and romance that are as relevant today as they were 140 years ago.
Dr. Low sold his book to Rotarians and guests attending in person with all of the funds going to the nursing program at the University of California, Berkeley. President Christopher thanked Dr. Low and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in his name.
Dr. Russell Low, President Christopher Wiseman, and Mary Liu
The meeting was adjourned at 1:32 p.m.
Editor's Note: Thank you to Frank Yoke (Development) for serving as scribe; to Bill Poppen (Banking: Management | MUFG Union Bank) for serving as photographer; to Jim Patrick for managing the microphone; to Kurt Burdick of the Academy of Art University for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; to Tim Hornbecker (Nonprofit Management | Retired, The Arc CA) and Clifford Phillips (The Arc San Francisco) for serving as greeters; and to Gary Dales (Accounting | Fly Leasing) for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.