President Frank Yoke III (Development | Serra Residential Center, Inc.) called the October 14, 2025 meeting to order and welcomed everyone attending either in person or via Zoom. He shared today's agenda.
This Week's Sunshine Report
President Frank and the Rotary Club of San Francisco sent get well wishes to Members Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired), Clifford Phillips (The Arc San Francisco), and Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles).
Today's Visiting Rotarian and Guests
Today's Visiting Rotarian was Manoj Kumar Swain from the Rotary Club of Bhubaneswar, Eco, District 3262, in India. Manoj's guest was Hari Ahuja. Other guests were Mayra Alfaro Martinez, Jo Patrick, Wendy Patrick, and Monica Sather. Welcome to all!
Rotary Flags Exchanged
Last week, President Frank met with Rotarians Olivier and Lyse-Eva Taze from the Rotary Club of Nice in France to exchange Rotary flags. Today, President Frank exchanged Rotary flags with Manoj Kumar Swain from the Rotary Club of Bhubaneswar, Eco, District 3262, in India.
Lyse-Eva Taze, President Frank, and Olivier Taze Manoj Kumar Swain and President Frank
Rotarian of the Month
Kayla Trunecek (Senior Care Concierge) was honored as Rotarian of the Month for October 2025. Kayla joined our Club in August 2024 and has been active on the Membership Committee. She is also a frequent volunteer at the service projects for the Homeless Prenatal Program. It is always a pleasure to see Kayla smiling and spreading cheer at our Club's activities. Congratulations to Kayla!
Kayla Trunecek and President Frank
Grant Presentation to Homeless Prenatal Program
Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company) on behalf of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP). Mayra Alfaro Martinez of HPP accepted the check and gave a presentation on the services offered by HPP and the impact of these services in our community. Mayra thanked our Club and the San Francisco Rotary Foundation for the generous support. Check back on our Club's calendar for the next opportunity to volunteer at HPP.
Mayra Alfaro Martinez and Robin Azevedo
Robin Azevedo, Robin's grandson, Jane Mermelstein (Real Estate: Sales | Corcoran Icon Properties), and Kayla Trunecek assembled diaper bags for HPP.
Recent Events
- Thank you to Margaret "Peggy" Mathers (Network Optimization | Retired) for leading a tour for our Club at the Asian Art Museum on October 9, 2025.
- A few members of our Club attended the District 5150 Foundation Event at Treasure Island on October 11, 2025. The Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) drawing took place, and Dan Joraanstad won twice! Congratulations to Dan! See photos from the Foundation Event.
- Another fun event was the Rotary Wine Fellowship.
Upcoming Events
- Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events. President Frank pointed out future important dates at today's meeting.
- Rick Harrell (Arts Therapy | Heroes' Voices) invited all to the Hootenanny for Heroes on November 9, 2025.
- Dr. Kai Burrus (Education: University | San Francisco State University) invited all to this Save the Bay Project on November 14, 2025.
- President Frank shared an invitation to the Salvation Army San Francisco 22nd Annual Holiday Luncheon on November 19, 2025.
- Immediate Past President Bob Hermann, Jr. (Information Technology: Administration | Retired) invited all to sign up to help with Thanksgiving at The Arc.
United Nation's 80th Anniversary
Save the date of Thursday, December 11, 2025 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the 1945 signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco. Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo will be present in San Francisco for this Celebration, and you are all invited. See story and registration information toward the beginning of this issue of Grindings.
Member Moment
Andrea Gung (Non-profit Administration | Duo Duo Project) shared information about her organization's work to end the dog and cat meat trade and to move toward a more compassionate world with the help of companion animals.
Alliance for Smiles Missions
- Past President Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management) talked about going on another Alliance for Smiles medical mission — this time in Guayaquil, Ecuador in January 2026. Starting today, October 14, 2025, Sunny is collecting new socks and toothbrushes to take to Guayaquil.
- Jessica Hansen (Nonprofit Management | Alliance for Smiles) talked about the upcoming Alliance for Smiles medical mission in Bangladesh and the impact in our world as a result of the work of Alliance for Smiles. Jessica also shared her recent achievements.
Thank You
President Frank thanked Andrea Gung and Jessica Hansen and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in each of their name.
Table Discussions
The audience broke up into small groups to discuss what more our Club can offer to its members and community and how more members can participate.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.
Meeting Volunteers
President Frank thanked today's meeting volunteers: Dora Dye (Education | San Francisco and San Mateo Counties) for serving as scribe; Lisa Stark (Communications & Media) for serving as photographer; Andrea Gung for managing the microphone; Kirt Burdick for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; Robert Beadle (Real Estate: Sales | Coldwell Banker) for serving as greeter; and Ann Daugherty for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.