President-Elect Bob Hermann recently sent out a membership survey. Your opinion matters, and this is your chance to make your voice heard. We want to know what you think about how things are going in our Club.
One of the main questions in the survey is about adding an evening meeting to our schedule. Make no mistake: our schedule will still include two lunch meetings, but would also allow for an evening meeting.
The survey is brief and can be found by clicking here. If we can achieve a 50% response rate for the survey, there will be a drawing for an Amazon gift card. You may be the winner! Together, we can make our Club even better and more accessible to everyone.
The Rotary Club of San Francisco Board of Directors met on January 23, 2024 at the Hotel Nikko. President Sunny Singh called the meeting to order at 10:23 a.m. Christopher Wiseman, Immediate Past President, recorded the minutes until Nancy Graydon, Secretary arrived.
In attendance were Nancy Graydon, Bob Hermann, Margaret Miley, Alex Omoko, Scott Plakun, President Sunny Singh, Todd St Vrain, Christopher Wiseman, Ozan Yasavur, Emily Borland, Maureen O'Shea, and Frank Yoke, constituting a quorum. Absent were Dan Davies and Bill Poppen. Nancy, Alex, and Frank arrived late and did not participate in any of the votes held at this meeting.
Today's guests were District 5150 Governor Laine Hendricks and Assistant Governor David Dye.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kay Clarke. Kay joined Rotary on July 1, 1987 and was a member of our Club from August 1, 1988 to November 1, 2018. Looking back at history, this means that Kay joined Rotary when women were first allowed.
Kay was very active, highly respected, and a much beloved member. She was the first to receive the prestigious Service Above Self award. See here for more information on Kay Clarke Lechner and her memorial.
Sharing Some Memories of Kay
Here are memories from some of our Club's leaders who had worked with and known Kay:
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. We welcomed President Sunny back from his European trip, and he expressed his joy for being back. President Sunny thanked President-Elect Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) and President-Elect Nominee Frank Yoke (Development | Frank Yoke Consulting) for leading the February Club Meetings while he was traveling.
Today's Visiting Rotarian and Guests
Today's Visiting Rotarian was Joe Houston from Surigao in the Philippines. Today's speaker was Shellena Eskeridge from the Homeless Prenatal Program. Joining Shellena were Kristin Hatch and Arpana Vidyarthi. We also welcomed Iris Fluellen from the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. Wendy Shew (Nonprofit Administration | Building Education) introduced her guest - Lauren Neumann. Rounding out today's guest list was LaCarre Ivy.
Prepare to be moved as you learn about the Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). Jennifer Bernstein, Certified Valuation Analyst, of GDB will provide a historical perspective on GDB and discuss the intensive training regimen guide dogs go through in preparing them for a lifetime of service to their owners. She will also speak to the challenges experienced during COVID and how GDB is doing today and its future.
Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of young people and being a part of an amazing experience? Our District's RYLA Youth Leadership Summer Camp is looking for volunteer staff, from college students to retirees, to serve as facilitators. Find more at our online meeting.
Join us to help beautify the garden at St. Joseph’s Family Center. Volunteers will be weeding, planting, installing a bench, and using their creativity to make the garden a more beautiful place for the families at the Center.
Join us for an evening filled with warmth, cultural exchange, and delicious cuisine as we celebrate the spirit of unity and diversity with the San Francisco Rotary Club at our upcoming iftar, a dinner to break the fast at Ramadan. This event is open to Club members and guests alike, embodying our Club's commitment to inclusivity and harmony. But space is limited, so be sure to sign up now.
This annual assembly provides a great deal of training and planning for the Rotary Year that begins on July 1, 2024. All Club members are invited, and all Club leaders are strongly encouraged to attend. Come and cheer for Bob Hermann as he begins his year as our Club's President.
Sound of Metal, our March DEI Film movie, recognizes people who are becoming deafened. This R-Rated film is two hours long and depicts the journey of one man who must choose between the life he once knew and his new normal. This event is open to members, prospective members, their friends, and family.
Let's go to the ballgame! The Rotary Club of Oakland and the Rotary Club of San Francisco have joined forces to bring you this social so that you can enjoy a beverage, watch an age-old rivalry, and most importantly, have a good time with great people. This event is open to Rotarians around the Bay and their families and guests (children are welcome).
This meet-and-greet is an opportunity for new and prospective members to get better acquainted with each other as well as with a few Club leaders and longer-term members. Hear of service opportunities in our community. Network with leaders in the business community. Learn about Rotary. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Everyone including guests must register.
Come and enjoy the fun at our 14th Annual Bike Build event! We'll be assembling 150 brand new bikes for distribution to kids in Kindergarten through 3rd grade in the Bayview area of San Francisco. Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, partner organizations, friends, and family are all welcome.
Let's go to the ballgame! The Rotary Club of Oakland and the Rotary Club of San Francisco have joined forces to bring you this social so that you can enjoy a beverage, watch an age-old rivalry, and most importantly, have a good time with great people. This event is open to Rotarians around the Bay and their families and guests (children are welcome). 
