President Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | JM Real Estate Group) called the meeting to order at 12:15 PM and welcomed everyone to the second oldest Rotary club in the world. This is our Club's 113th year.
Visiting Rotarians and Special Guests
Attending in person was ALPS Program Manager Harmony Ma. Attending online were the following visiting Rotarians: Brent Ainsworth of the Rotary Club of Novato; Jenny Bates of the Rotary Club of San Rafael Evening; and President Paul Ekstrand, Barry Hytowitz, Malinda Monterrosa, Christina Moses, and Jose Luis Sanchez (all from the Rotary Club of Los Angeles). Also online were the following guests: Daniel Catena, Rosa Santos, Christina Laird, Martha Ryan from the Homeless Prenatal Program, and today's speaker — Laine Hendricks.
Attending in person was ALPS Program Manager Harmony Ma. Attending online were the following visiting Rotarians: Brent Ainsworth of the Rotary Club of Novato; Jenny Bates of the Rotary Club of San Rafael Evening; and President Paul Ekstrand, Barry Hytowitz, Malinda Monterrosa, Christina Moses, and Jose Luis Sanchez (all from the Rotary Club of Los Angeles). Also online were the following guests: Daniel Catena, Rosa Santos, Christina Laird, Martha Ryan from the Homeless Prenatal Program, and today's speaker — Laine Hendricks.
The Call that Determined the Winner of the BetOn October 14, 2021, the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers were playing each other in the National League Division Series. The two teams were tied 2-2 in the Series, and this fifth game was to decide the team that would advance to the National League Champion Series. At the bottom of the 9th inning with the LA Dodgers leading 2-1, the SF Giants had the tying run on base and the go-ahead run at the plate. Then, the umpire called a third strike on the SF Giants's batter who was going for only a check swing. Just like that, the game was over. Just like that, President Mary lost our Club's bet with the Rotary Club of Los Angeles. The losing Club president would wear the jersey of the other team at the next meeting. Today, President Mary wore the LA Dodger's shirt at our Club meeting. Joining via Zoom for a friendly celebration were President Paul Ekstrand and members of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles.
October Birthdays
The audience sang "Happy Birthday" to our members celebrating a birthday in October.
Rotarian of the Month
President Mary announced that Dan Davies (Information Technology: Consulting | North American Lighting) was selected as the Rotarian of the Month for October and noted Dan’s work on the PR/Communications Committee including his leadership with posting Rotary activities on LinkedIn and ongoing work with service projects such as the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and the recent Rotary Meadow project. Dan said that he was honored and humbled by his nomination. He added that his Rotary experience has been wonderful, and he has enjoyed making many new friends.
President Mary announced that Dan Davies (Information Technology: Consulting | North American Lighting) was selected as the Rotarian of the Month for October and noted Dan’s work on the PR/Communications Committee including his leadership with posting Rotary activities on LinkedIn and ongoing work with service projects such as the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and the recent Rotary Meadow project. Dan said that he was honored and humbled by his nomination. He added that his Rotary experience has been wonderful, and he has enjoyed making many new friends.
Call for Nominations
Christopher Wiseman (Event Planning | Glaucoma Research Foundation) announced that nominations for Board of Directors positions to begin on July 1, 2022 are now open. Members in good standing are welcome to fill out the form delivered by email if they are interested or nominate other Club members.
Christopher Wiseman (Event Planning | Glaucoma Research Foundation) announced that nominations for Board of Directors positions to begin on July 1, 2022 are now open. Members in good standing are welcome to fill out the form delivered by email if they are interested or nominate other Club members.
Upcoming Events
President Mary shared the line-up of speakers, service projects, and events from October 21, 2021 to November 5, 2021. See the Club's calendar to register and more details.
Reminder: There is no luncheon next Tuesday, October 26, 2021. However, the Board of Directors will meet on October 26, and all members are welcome to attend. Please contact President Mary for more information.
Annual Meeting and Holiday Party - Save the Date
Casey Blair (Financial Services: Private Trading | KCB Trading, LLC) asked everyone to save Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 11 AM to 1:30 PM for our Annual Meeting and Holiday Party that will be held in person at Feinstein's in the Hotel Nikko. Fellowship begins at 11 AM until 12 noon, followed by lunch, our Annual Meeting, and entertainment. Rotarians interested in performing at the Party can get in touch with Nancy Graydon.
Sponsorships are available at $500 each and include two tickets to the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party, placement in the digital program, and recognition at the event (signage and verbal acknowledgment). Donations of gift cards valued at $50 - $100 are also needed. Please speak with President Mary or Cecile Chiquette regarding sponsorships or donations.
Casey Blair (Financial Services: Private Trading | KCB Trading, LLC) asked everyone to save Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 11 AM to 1:30 PM for our Annual Meeting and Holiday Party that will be held in person at Feinstein's in the Hotel Nikko. Fellowship begins at 11 AM until 12 noon, followed by lunch, our Annual Meeting, and entertainment. Rotarians interested in performing at the Party can get in touch with Nancy Graydon.
Sponsorships are available at $500 each and include two tickets to the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party, placement in the digital program, and recognition at the event (signage and verbal acknowledgment). Donations of gift cards valued at $50 - $100 are also needed. Please speak with President Mary or Cecile Chiquette regarding sponsorships or donations.
Grant Presentation
Bill Poppen (Banking: Management | MUFG Union Bank), Secretary of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation, and Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) thanked members for their support of the Foundation and presented a $11,000 grant to the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP). Joining them on the podium was Emily Borland (Engineering, Architecture, and Construction | Emily Borland Specifications) who has been our Club's lead in projects with or benefitting HPP. Emily invited Martha Ryan, the Founder and Executive Director of HPP, to highlight their mission. Martha joined via Zoom and discussed the Program’s services and thanked our Club and our Foundation for their generous support of HPP.
Bill Poppen (Banking: Management | MUFG Union Bank), Secretary of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation, and Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) thanked members for their support of the Foundation and presented a $11,000 grant to the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP). Joining them on the podium was Emily Borland (Engineering, Architecture, and Construction | Emily Borland Specifications) who has been our Club's lead in projects with or benefitting HPP. Emily invited Martha Ryan, the Founder and Executive Director of HPP, to highlight their mission. Martha joined via Zoom and discussed the Program’s services and thanked our Club and our Foundation for their generous support of HPP.$20 for Twenty Seconds
Donating today were the following:
- Sally Swanson (Engineering, Architecture, and Construction | Sally Swanson Architects) to celebrate the opening on October 13, 2021 of the new library in the County of Humboldt that she had designed.
- Ann Daugherty (Financial Services: Private Trading | IBN Financial Services) to show appreciation for her understanding neighbors.
- Nancy Graydon (Development | Glaucoma Research Foundation) to honor her colleagues, Tom Brunner (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation) and Christopher Wiseman.
- Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management) to announce that he is a recipient of the 40 Under 40 Award this year from California State University, East Bay.
- Andrés Vera (Entertainment | Self-Employed) to announce his leadership of the RCAT Network.
- Bob Hermann to thank those who had wished Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) well following his recent accident.
- John Hoch (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) to support the prenatal care packages.
- End Polio Now Challenge: Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors) pledged $500 to End Polio Now if others would match. Matching his pledge were Tom Brunner, Ann Daugherty, Emily Borland, Caryn Crump, Nancy Graydon, Bill Poppen, Peter Lagarias (Law: Franchise | Lagarias, Napell & Dillon) and Malinda Monterrosa from the Rotary Club of Los Angeles.
Guest Speaker
Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) introduced today's speaker - Laine Hendricks (Public Relations and Marketing | County of Marin). Laine joined our Club in March 2010 when Scott was serving as Club President. Scott told the audience that Laine served as our Club President in 2014-2015 and was instrumental in the Club’s growth and success. He also noted that Laine will serve as our District Governor in the 2023-2024 Rotary year.
Laine has 15+ years’ experience in public relations, supporting public, nonprofit, and not-for-profit organizations focused on social service, healthcare, and environmental causes. Following her tenure with the Salvation Army, Laine became Marin County’s Public Information Officer and Media Manager in August 2016.
As a newlywed in 2019, Laine had to postpone her Italian honeymoon and began long hours within the Emergency Operations Center. What she thought would be a few weeks turned into close to 600 days in crisis mode. Laine shared her personal and professional experiences in recent months as she quickly became Marin’s public-facing expert on COVID-19 – the person who would explain the sustainable behavior changes required to mitigate the impact of the virus. She had to learn a great deal about public health and epidemiology so she could credibly alleviate panic and encourage appropriate action – including adapting to new concepts like “social distancing” and adhering to novel “shelter-in-place” orders - when swift, clear, and accurate communication was critical.
She highlighted the importance of the “Big 6” counties joining together to act swiftly with Shelter-in-Place orders in March 2020. Laine herself became the 125th COVID-19 case in Marin and had to self-quarantine and isolate from her wife Jenny. This experience has taught Laine so much, particularly about the fragile balance between information and political views, and how misinformation about COVID-19 cost many lives. Through the efforts of Marin County, that county now has the highest number of people vaccinated in California. Laine ended by reminding us that back in September 1962, the “Big 6” Counties joined together to lead polio vaccinations, which led to 2 million inoculations in the Bay Area.
President Mary thanked Laine and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in her name.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:31 p.m.
Editor's Note: Thank you to Nancy Graydon for serving as scribe at this meeting, to Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.) for serving as photographer, to Kevin Leong (Development | University of San Francisco) for managing the microphone, to Maureen O'Shea (Governmental Relations | Retired) for collecting lunch tickets, to Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired), Caryn Crump (Education: University | CPI (Consulting and Professional Instruction) & Norwich University), and Cecile Chiquette (Accounting | Fiduciary Administration), who served as greeters, to Greg Grundstrom of the Academy of Art for managing the audio visual equipment during our in-person meetings, to Christopher Wiseman for managing those who were attending via Zoom today, to Bob Hermann for doing check-in today at the Hotel Nikko, and to JT Forbus (Accounting | Bogdan & Frasco) and Gary Dales (Accounting | Fly Leasing) for serving as cashier.