Posted by Matthew Madsen and Frank Yoke on Dec 30, 2024
Tis the season to give! On December 20, 2024, the Rotary Club of San Francisco participated once again in the Red Kettle Campaign on Union Square to raise funds so that the Salvation Army can support their feeding, housing, clothing, and drug addiction programs in San Francisco. Rotarians who rang the bell included Ann Daugherty, President Bob Hermann, Past President Tim Hornbecker, Major Matt Madsen, Margaret Miley, Past District Governor Eric Schmautz, and President-Elect Frank Yoke. Rotarians Nancy Graydon and Dan Joraanstad stopped by to show project support.
Major Matt Madsen, who works for the Salvation Army and is an active member of our Club, expressed appreciation by saying, "When the Rotary Club of San Francisco rings the bells next to the iconic Red Kettle, they are showing what it means to build goodwill and better friendships through doing something beneficial to all concerned. This partnership is the embodiment of the Four-Way Test that each Rotarian strives to achieve on a daily basis."
With Service Above Self at the core of both Rotary and the Salvation Army, we are united in our mission to strengthen our community through compassion and care. See more photos here.
Since 2010, Rotary District 5150 has been offering a leadership training program to Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors called Potential Rotary Leaders Seminars (PRLS). The training is not only dedicated to Rotary but has a steep foundation for leadership in the “real world” as well, and is a win/win for all. PRLS was started by Betsy Koefoed, PDG Bill Koefoed, and Michael Ford, who were all former members of the Rotary Club of San Francisco. Bill went on to become a District Governor in Rotary District 5150. All three remain active members in Rotary.
As a graduate of this program, I can say that the skills I learned have helped me in my career, my work in Rotary, and my interactions with others. In our Club, the following have graduated from the entire series; you can join this honor roll:
2011: Carrie LaBriola (former member) 2012: David Dye and Stephanie Schmautz 2013: Michael Mustacchi (deceased) 2014: Eric Schmautz 2017: Rhonda Poppen (former member) 2020: Susan Dean (former member) and Dora Dye 2021: Bob Hermann and Christopher Wiseman 2022: Mary Liu and Sunny Singh 2023: Ann Daugherty 2024: Ozan Yasavur and Frank Yoke.
The first course starts on January 25, 2025. Registration information is here. Our Club will reimburse a member for the cost to attend each class in the series after that member has completed a class.
You are invited to the 2025 Rotary Peace Conference on January 24-26, 2025, in Sonoma County's stunning wine country at the DoubleTree Inn, Rohnert Park, CA. This multi-district event brings together global leaders in peacebuilding to inspire and empower you with practical strategies to create a more peaceful world.
One of the key speakers will be our own Heidi Kuhn. Heidi is the Founder of Roots of Peace, a proud member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, and an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of San Rafael, where she served as a Rotary Exchange Student to the Rotary Club of Utsunomiya, Japan in 1975. She was a 2024 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee.
Registration and more information on the Peace Conference can be found here
If you have questions regarding the Conference, please contact PDG Gary Chow
Heidi and her son, Tucker (also a Rotarian in our Club), will have a booth at the Conference. If you are interested in helping to staff this booth, please contact Heidi
Happy New Year! A new year brings a new start and an opportunity to create new memories. Anita Stangl began 2025 with an Open House for Rotarians and friends. Those who attended enjoyed fellowship, great food (had to delay our diet for one more day), and laughter. Thank you, Anita, for this delightful event to begin a new year.
Festus Ezeli inspires us today as he shares his journey through education in the United States to NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors and then, to his current mission to help the community and uplift as many people as possible along the way.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of American music, food, drink, and friendship. All proceeds go to our own San Francisco Rotary Foundation (SFRF) and The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International (TRF). This is the primary fundraiser for Rotary’s Gifts of Giving campaign, where your contributions make an immediate and lasting impact.
Join us for the first New and Prospective Member event in 2025! We’ll begin with casual, social time followed by small group discussions about our Club's activities and any volunteer opportunities. Anyone with an interest in learning about Rotary is welcome to register. Current Club leaders are also encouraged to attend. We look forward to connecting with you!
Join us for our Club's NEXT EVENING MEETING where we will conduct some Club business, have dinner, and enjoy Rotary fellowship. There is no charge to attend this meeting, but each attendee pays individually for food and beverages ordered at MoMo's. Please register yourself and your guests so that we can plan the space.
Our first film in 2025 is Lies and Miracles, a documentary that tells the story of Rotarian George Landau and his family who went from a peaceful life in Poland to unimaginable struggles and suffering in a Siberian concentration camp from 1939-1943 during World War II. After the film, you will meet and hear from George. This event is open to Rotarians, their friends, and family.
Ever wondered how a huge ship can dock so neatly at Pier 94? Captain Anne McIntyre, Business Director for the San Francisco Bar Pilots, will tell us how and more about piloting.
Calling all Rotary leaders and potential Rotary leaders! District 5150 presents its Introductory Potential Rotary Leaders Seminars (PRLS), the first course in a series of courses designed by Rotarians to teach Rotarians skills and techniques as they prepare to assume leadership roles in their Rotary clubs. The training is in person. Our Club will reimburse a member for the cost to attend after that member has completed the course.
Join us to celebrate and welcome the Year of the Snake. Get ready for an evening filled with good food (symbolizing prosperity and abundance), good company, and tradition. All Rotarians, their families, and their friends are invited and welcome.
Dr. Eric Plakun, M.D. will discuss the stigma associated with mental and substance use disorders, including how stigma turns up in our healthcare system. He'll explore emerging evidence that mental disorders are caused by the interaction of genes and environment – especially such environmental factors as experiences of adversity and trauma.
