President Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management) called today's meeting to order at 12:15 PM and welcomed those online and those attending in person at the Anzu Restaurant in the Hotel Nikko. The audience sang Happy Birthday to the members who are celebrating a birthday in September.
Visiting Rotarian and Guests
Our Visiting Rotarian was Grady Mateen from the Rotary Club of Palo Alto. Today's guests from The Arc San Francisco were Esther Landau (on Zoom), Calvin Fitch, and Cynthia Kretz-Uhr. Hana Xu Wang (Financial Services: Advising | Wang Wealth Advisors, LLC) introduced her guest - Nilima Sabharwal. Today's speaker was Jacko Tsang; accompanying Ms. Tsang was Emily Ng.
Sad News
President Sunny announced the passing of Brian Law who was the husband of our Club Secretary Nancy Graydon (Development | Glaucoma Research Foundation). Please keep Nancy in your thoughts and prayers. Past President JT Forbus (Accounting | Bogdan & Frasco) is the single point of contact with Nancy during this difficult time.
Another loss from our Club was that of Don Parachini. Don had been a member for over 34 years, served on the Board, and was the longtime Secretary of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation. He also served as our Club's volunteer legal counsel for many years. Don especially enjoyed interacting with Visiting Rotarians from around the world. See more information here.
August 2023 Community Service Projects
Vice President of Community Service Emily Borland (Engineering, Architecture, and Construction | Emily Borland Specifications) thanked Club members who participated in the community service projects described in this story. She invited all to contact her or consult www.sfrotary.org with inquiries about upcoming community service projects.
The Hunt to End Polio
Jessica Hansen (Nonprofit Management | Alliance for Smiles) invited all to Rotary District 5150's Hunt to End Polio The urban scavenger hunt will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the Cannery in Fisherman’s Wharf. Jessica noted that you can participate as a scavenger hunter, a sponsor, or a volunteer. There will be great prizes, and since this event is near Halloween, costumes are encouraged.
Jessica Hansen (Nonprofit Management | Alliance for Smiles) invited all to Rotary District 5150's Hunt to End Polio The urban scavenger hunt will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the Cannery in Fisherman’s Wharf. Jessica noted that you can participate as a scavenger hunter, a sponsor, or a volunteer. There will be great prizes, and since this event is near Halloween, costumes are encouraged.
Nominating Committee
President-Elect Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) shared that the annual process of the Nominating Committee has begun. Five Board positions starting on July 1, 2024 are open. Club members are encouraged to apply, and current chairs may also reapply. Contact Bob for an interest form that must be completed by September 27, 2023. Bob is also seeking five Club members to serve on the 2023 Nominating Committee.
Club Events for Rotarians
Club Events: Check the Club's calendar for upcoming Committee meetings and service projects.
Help the Victims of the Maui Fires
President Sunny announced that the need in Maui continues and urged Club members to support victims of the Maui fires by donating to this fund set up by Rotary Members of Hawaii (District 5000).
Grant Presentation
President-Elect Bob Hermann on behalf of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation awarded a $13,833 grant to The Arc San Francisco to fund The Arc's Future Entrepreneur Program. Barbara Streett (Nonprofit Administration | The Arc San Francisco) thanked our Club and our Foundation for the generous donation and described the Future Entrepreneur Program in which The ARC has partnered with Peter DeHaas and the San Francisco Disability Business Alliance (SFDBA) as well as the City and County of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development to provide new and unique opportunities for the participants at The Arc. The ARC participants will be taught skills in entrepreneurship and will prepare presentations on what they have learned.
Call for Volunteers: Barbara called for volunteers to help The Arc participants prepare these presentations on October 22 and review the presentations on October 26. Please contact Barbara Streett for more information.
Barbara introduced Cynthia Kretz-Uhr from the SFDBA as one of her guests. Clifford Phillips (The Arc San Francisco) is currently teaching a Black History class at The Arc; Tim Hornbecker (Nonprofit Management | Retired, The Arc CA) is serving as Clifford's mentor.
Pictured are Clifford Phillips, Tim Hornbecker, Calvin Fitch, Cynthia Kretz-Uhr, Barbara Streett, and President Sunny Singh. Joining on Zoom was Esther Landau.
Social Time
The audience was given time to mingle and chat about either the 49ers game or upcoming service projects.
Share Your Good News ($20 for Twenty Seconds)
Here are today's donors:
- Larry Booth (Engineering: Mechanical | Frank M. Booth, Inc.) donated to thank the members of the Speakers Committee.
- Dr. Nilima Sabharwal, one of today's guests who recently moved to San Francisco, donated to express appreciation for her new community.
- Bob Hermann donated to celebrate a recent visit from the family of Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired); to marvel at the difference that our Club has made in the community; to thank PDG Eric Schmautz (Banking: Management | Retired) for hosting the Rotary International Convention Visiting Team; and to say that we should all thank each other more often.
- JT Forbus donated to give a shout out to the Auburn Tigers for defeating the Cal Bears last weekend.
- PDG Eric Schmautz donated to thank the following Club members who each played an important role and assisted in hosting the RI Convention Visiting Team: Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired), Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company), Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.), Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors), Cecile Chiquette (Accounting | Fiduciary Administration), Honorary Member Dr. Elisa Stephens (Education Management | Academy of Art University), Dan Joraanstad, Bob Hermann, Maureen O’Shea (Governmental Relations | Retired), and District Governor Laine Hendricks (Public Relations and Marketing | County of Marin). PDG Eric shared that the RI Convention Visiting Team will announce its decision in January 2024. Our fingers are crossed that San Francisco will be selected to host an RI Convention.
Guest Speaker
Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles) introduced today's speaker - Ms. Jacko Shun Man Tsang who is the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco. Director Tsang delivered an overview of Hong Kong's advantages and latest initiatives in selected areas.
One advantage is that Hong Kong offers two systems: China and Hong Kong. In addition, Hong Kong has become a financial center, and its key sectors include investments, research & development, transportation, and international business. New workers are encouraged to immigrate to Hong Kong. U.S. citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Hong Kong.
President Sunny thanked Director Jacko Tsang and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in her name.
Jacko Tsang
The meeting concluded at 1:30 PM.
Meeting Volunteers
President Sunny thanked today's meeting volunteers: Frank Yoke (Development | Frank Yoke Consulting) for serving as scribe; Jim Patrick for serving as photographer; JT Forbus for managing the microphone; Kirt Burdick of the Academy of Art University for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; Barbara Streett, Tim Hornbecker, and Clifford Phillips for serving as greeters; and Ozan Yasavur (Engineering: Mechanical | Bioforcetech Corporation) for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.