President Christopher Wiseman (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation) called this meeting to order at 12:15 PM and welcomed those online and those attending in person at the Anzu Restaurant in the Hotel Nikko.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
We welcomed four Visiting Rotarians today. First was Bill Stumbaugh from the Club Rotario Bahía de Caráquez in Ecuador. Bill is originally from San Francisco, but life's many opportunities took him to Ecuador. Next was Werner Sattlegger from the Rotary Club of Klagenfurt-Lindwurm in Austria who visits our Club whenever he is in San Francisco; it was great to see Werner again. Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) introduced his guest - Rabbi Jay Miller visiting from the Rotary Club of Burlingame. Finally, Malinda Monterrosa from the Rotary Club of Los Angeles joined via Zoom.
Guests: Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles) introduced Club Member Kat Ebanks (Nonprofit Management), Kat's 6-month-old daughter, and Kat's mother-in-law Silvia Franceschini from Italy. Kat has been living in Italy. Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | JM Real Estate Group) introduced her guests: Ronald Bolden Jr. and Niko Kowell. Another guest today was Margarita Baxter Lozano.
Bet with the Rotary Club of Los Angeles
President Christopher explained why he was wearing a Los Angeles Lakers shirt. On May 12, 2023, the Los Angeles Lakers beat our beloved Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals. There had been a bet between our Club and the Rotary Club of Los Angeles. Malinda Monterrosa from the Rotary Club of Los Angeles was on Zoom to see the Lakers shirt on President Christopher.
Photo of the Week
President Christopher shared the Photo of the Week featuring Meagan Thibodeaux (Nonprofit Administration | Smuin Contemporary Ballet) and Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) at the Partea. See full story on the Partea here.
New Members Inducted
President Christopher and Vice President of Membership Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired) inducted the following new members into our Club:
Robert Beadle (Real Estate: Broker | Coldwell Banker)
Brizette Castellanos (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation)
Stephen Geisheker (Technology Support | Retired)
Brizette Castellanos (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation)
Stephen Geisheker (Technology Support | Retired)
Robert introduced himself and discussed why now was a good time for him to join our Club. His mentor is President Christopher.
Brizette joined today's meeting via Zoom and shared her plans as a new Rotarian. Her mentor is Nancy Graydon (Development | Glaucoma Research Foundation).
Stephen transferred from another Rotary club and is looking forward to working on international service projects. His mentor is Mary Liu.
Welcome to Robert, Brizette, and Stephen!
2022-2023 Rotarians of the Month
President Christopher identified the Rotarian of the Month from July 2022 to June 2023.
| July 2022 - Alisha Marfatia | January 2023 - Ann Daugherty |
| August 2022 - Ozan Yasavur | February 2023 - Michael Petricca |
| September 2022 - Larry Booth | March 2023 - Dora Dye |
| October 2022 - Robin Azevedo | April 2023 - Bill Poppen |
| November 2022 - Dan Davies | May 2023 - Stephanie Schmautz |
| December 2022 - Clifford Phillips | June 2023 - Nancy Graydon |
Check to see if your name is on this list. If your name is here, please join the meeting on June 20, 2023 to learn if you are selected as Rotarian of the Year.
Recent Events
The audience enjoyed a video produced by Charlie Miles (Software Engineering | Charlie Miles Inc.) and Nancy Graydon on the 2023 Bike Build.
Carrie Schucker (Counseling | Retired) shared her experience at the June 7, 2023 Homeless Prenatal Program baby shower.
Clifford Phillips (The Arc San Francisco) talked about the Supper Club at The Arc on June 12, 2023.
Club Events for Rotarians
Club Events: Check the Club's calendar for upcoming Committee meetings and service projects. President Christopher talked about his senioritis and invited everyone to the luncheon on June 20, 2023 where he will be celebrated and roasted.
Share Your Good News ($20 for Twenty Seconds)
Here are today's donors:
- Tim Hornbecker (Nonprofit Management | Retired, The Arc CA) donated to celebrate 45 years as a Rotarian.
- Dan Joraanstad donated to thank the members of the Partea Committee for their help in making the afternoon tea to honor President Christopher a success.
- Anita Stangl donated to celebrate Kat Ebanks' visit today.
- Maureen O’Shea (Governmental Relations | Retired) donated to thank Charlies Miles and Nancy Graydon for the Bike Build video.
- President-Elect Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management) donated to thank President Christopher and to acknowledge Christopher's senioritis.
- Stephen Geisheker donated to thank President Christopher.
- Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors) donated to apologize to President Christopher, Dan Joraanstad, and Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) for missing the Partea and the scotch.
- Wendy Shew (Nonprofit Administration | Building Education) donated to apologize for being late to today's meeting.
- Peter Logan (Law: Insurance | Peter Logan Law Offices) donated to celebrate the halfway mark in his chemotherapy treatment.
Table Talk
Today's topic for fellowship was "My favorite part of the Rotary year."
Club Recognitions
President Christopher discussed how our Club had earned Rotary International's Every Rotarian Every Year recognition and Rotary District 5150's Best Club Award this year. He thanked Club Secretary Stacey Poole (Law: Family | Lerner Poole & Stewart, LLP) for managing the data to earn the Best Club award.
Next, President Christopher recognized our Club's donations to The Rotary Foundation and our Paul Harris Fellows.
Donors of $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation in 2022-2023:
| Robin Azevedo | Bob Hermann |
| Emily Borland | Allan Herzog |
| Gary Dales | Dan Joraanstad |
| David Dye | Phyllis Nusz |
| Dora Dye | Bill Poppen |
| Nancy Graydon | Sunny Singh |
| Laine Hendricks | Frank Yih |
Recipients of Paul Harris Fellow Pins in 2022-2023:
| Robin Azevedo | Laine Hendricks |
| Tom Brunner | Scott Plakun |
| Rachel Donovan | Sunny Singh |
| David Dye | Anita Stangl |
| Dora Dye | Christopher Wiseman |
| Nancy Graydon | Jefferson Yih |
| Greg Gutting |
Finally, President Christopher thanked and recognized each member of this year's Board and the following Club leaders. He also recognized Cecile Chiquette (Accounting | Retired) for recruiting volunteers for our luncheon meetings.
Club Leadership:
- Executive Secretary and Grindings Editor - Dora Dye
- The Rotary Foundation Chair - Jim Patrick
- Rotary Climate Action Team Chair - Andrés Vera
- Speaker Committee Chair - Larry Booth
- Social Committee Chair - Alisha Marfatia
- President of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation - Luis Moran
- 2020-2021 Club President - JT Forbus
- Presidents' Council - Stephanie Schmautz and Bob Hermann
The meeting was adjourned at 1:27 PM
Meeting Volunteers
President Christopher thanked today's meeting volunteers: Dora Dye (Education: Elementary and Community College | San Francisco and San Mateo Counties) for serving as scribe; Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.) for serving as photographer; Ozan Yasavur (Mechanical Engineering |Bioforcetech Corporation) for managing the microphone; Kurt Burdick of the Academy of Art University for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; Anita Stangl, Mary Liu, Clifford Phillips, Meagan Thibodeaux, and Rick Harrell (Arts Therapy | Heroes' Voices) for serving as greeters; and David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired) and Dora Dye for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.