President Frank Yoke III (Development | Serra Residential Center, Inc.) called the meeting to order at 12:15 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 discussed the Four-Way Test. In case you did not get these items last week, each table setting today included a card containing the Four-Way Test and a pin of this year's RI Theme.
Rotary Flags Exchanged
On Friday, July 11, 2025, President Frank met with a Rotarian and a Rotaractor visiting from Italy and exchanged Rotary flags with them. He hoped that this exchange would lead to some synergy between our Club and the Rotary Club of Reggio Calabria.
Pictured with President Frank Yoke are Paola Morabito from the Rotaract Club Reggio Calabria SUD and Giuseppe Lo Faro from the Rotary Club of Reggio Calabria.
CongratulationsCongratulations to President-Elect Ozan Yasavur (Engineering: Mechanical | Frank M. Booth, Inc.) who passed the first part of the Professional Engineer examination.
Today's Guests
Today's guests were Kirt Burdick, Holly Huebel, Marilyn Mitchell, Rae Sansa, and Jeff Tsang. Marilyn spoke briefly on joining Rotary and becoming more engaged in the community. Today's speaker was Patricia Frost. Welcome to all!
July Birthdays
The Club wished the following members a happy birthday:
Those who have a birthday in February will get together soon for their semi-annual celebration.
2025 RI Convention in Calgary
President Frank invited Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) and Christopher Wiseman (San Francisco Rotary Foundation) to share their experiences at the 2025 RI Convention in Calgary, Canada.
Scott said that it was good to be on an "island of sanity in a crazy world" (i.e., be among Rotarians and away from the world for a few days while at the Convention). He attended breakout sessions on belonging and social media and learned that the work of our Club and our District on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are way ahead of everyone else.
Christopher enjoyed not having to attend a particular session because he was not attending as an officer. He enjoyed the fellowships and joined several of them. He also spent time in the House of Friendship at the booths of Alliance for Smiles and Rotaplast International.
Scott Plakun and Christopher Wiseman
President Frank shared his experiences at the Convention. It was his first Rotary International Convention.
First Meeting on July 8, 2025
President Frank reflected on the first meeting. Click here for the full story.
Texas Disaster Relief
Rotary District 5840 is accepting tax-deductible donations to support victims of the recent devastating floods in Texas. Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors) said that Rotarians help those who suffer disasters overseas, but this time, we must help those in our own country. He will match the first $2,500 donated from our Club to support this effort. Many people attending in person today donated, and others offered to donate online. If you would like to help, please contact President Frank Yoke or donate here.
Upcoming Events
Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events. Christopher Wiseman invited Rotarians to help at Family House on July 24. RYLA Director Todd St Vrain (Education: Administration | University of Melbourne) announced that the deadline to sign up to visit the 2025 RYLA Camp was July 13, 2025. Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Tim Hornbecker (Nonprofit Management | Retired, The Arc CA) invited all to the next DEI Film. Discover Rotary has been moved to August 14.
Future Important Dates
President Frank shared these dates and the events that are being planned:
Table Talk
The audience was given some time to talk within their table group about ideas to engage more members.
New Member Inducted
Vice President of Membership Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired) joined President Frank to induct a new member. Margaret introduced Carlo De la Sancha Verduzco (Healthcare: Physician | University of California San Francisco). Carlo is a medical doctor specializing in pathology with subspecialty training in dermatopathology and cytopathology. He is also an Assistant Professor at UCSF. Carlo's mentor in Rotary will be Immediate Past President Bob Hermann, Jr. (Information Technology: Administration | Retired). Rotarians in today's audience pledged to support Carlo on his Rotary journey. Please welcome Carlo when you see him at our meetings and events.
Dr. Carlo De la Sancha Verduzco and Margaret Miley
Guest Speaker
Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles) introduced today speaker — Patricia Frost, who is Vice Chair of the National Pediatric Disaster Coalition and Anita's niece. Patricia's topics were disaster response and the effects of disasters on children. These topics were timely given the recent devastating floods in Texas.
Anita Stangl and Patricia Frost
Patricia said that "disaster preparedness is everyone's business." During a disaster, we are "on our own until help arrives". The person(s) who will save us will be bystanders. Among Patricia's recommendations are the following things to do now:
President Frank thanked Patricia Frost and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in her name.
Patricia Frost and President Frank Yoke
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; Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.) for serving as photographer; Allan Herzog for managing the microphone; Kirt Burdick and Jeff Tsang for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; Tim Hornbecker for serving as greeter; Wendy Shew (Nonprofit Administration | Building Education) for posting on social media; and Ann Daugherty (Financial Services: Private Trading | IBN Financial Services), Gary Dales (Accounting | Fly Leasing), and Margaret Miley for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.