One of the pleasures of being a Rotarian is the opportunity to meet people from diverse cultures and learn and experience their traditions. I was fortunate to attend the recent Ramadan dinner on March 25, 2025. In attendance were District 5150 Governor Steve Wright and his wife, Colleen; President Bob Hermann and his spouse, Dan Joraanstad; Rotarians from our Club and clubs around the Bay Area; and friends of Rotarians. Together, we joined in this evening of fellowship to celebrate Ramadan.
Ramadan is celebrated for one month each year by the Muslim community around the world. The Ramadan period includes fasting during the day and a breaking of the fast at sundown. Some observers of the fast even wake up before dawn for a small snack before the day begins. We began the meal with sweetness by eating dates and savor by eating olives. Next was a host of appetizers and lamb.
This was the second year that our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee has included a Ramadan celebration. This was my first time at a Ramadan celebration. Not only was the food delicious, but the feeling of friendship was hugely enjoyable. I hope this tradition continues annually. If you want to attend next year, please know that everyone is welcome and that this is not a heavy prayer dinner. There is one prayer for one minute at the beginning of the meal followed by an evening of fellowship. And for those who enjoy dessert, the evening ended with baklava!
The 2025 District Assembly: Learning and Leadership Development and Project Fair convened on March 22, 2025. The theme chosen by District 5150 Governor-Elect Mitone Griffiths for 2025-2026 is Every Piece Matters. Her theme connects perfectly with Unite for Good! — the theme chosen by the 2025-2026 Rotary International President Mário César Martins de Camargo. Said DGE Mitone, ". . . To continue our mission of promoting peace, we must grow. Every new Rotarian is another piece of the puzzle, strengthening our ability to serve. Together we complete the picture — because Every Piece Matters, and when all our pieces come together, we Unite for Good, we build a better, more peaceful world."
Following DGE Mitone's call to grow and act, incoming Chief of Staff JT Forbus from our Club enthusiastically introduced the 2025-2026 Club Presidents. Many horns and one cowbell sounded to cheer for President-Elect Frank Yoke from our Club when he appeared on the podium.
Dr. Steve Savage, Executive Director and President of the Board of Trustees at Blue Bear School of Music, introduces this school that has provided music education to our community for over 50 years. We will then be treated to a performance by talented students and staff.
Join your fellow Rotarians and friends to learn more about our work at Sutro Stewards on Mount Sutro where the Rotary Club of San Francisco has maintained an ecosystem of native plans for over 10 years. We will pull weeds for about an hour and then take those weeds back to our kitchen to make a delicious lunch! Everyone is welcome. Advanced registration is required.
Members of the Rotary Club of San Francisco are invited to celebrate Passover with a traditional evening Seder at a private Jewish home in San Francisco. The Seder is a retelling of the story of how the Jews were liberated from slavery in ancient Egypt and a reminder of our obligation to build a better world for everyone. In other words, Service above Self. The dinner features fish, beef, and chicken and costs $45 per Rotarian. The deadline to register is April 11, 2025.
Join Family House, a grant partner of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, for an opportunity to prep, cook, serve, and clean up an Italian dinner for their community. Volunteers will serve approximately 70 people, and Family House staff will be on site to provide support. Event is limited to 10 people, and Rotarians may bring a guest. All must register. Volunteers are encouraged to wear Rotary-branded attire that can get dirty, as well as layers to be prepared for multiple weather conditions. Dinners will be served outside on the Family House patio.
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.
Join us at one or both shifts to work with the students in the Salvation Army Culinary Academy at the Central Kitchen to prepare food and box lunches for the Bike Build. Each day requires a three-hour shift and up to six volunteers.
Come and enjoy the fun at our 15th Annual Bike Build event! We'll be assembling 150 brand new bikes for distribution to kids in Kindergarten through 4th grade in the Bayview Area of San Francisco. Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, partner organizations, friends, and family are all welcome.
Scott Plakun, past President of our Club, will speak to us about why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is of crucial importance to the future of Rotary. He will also lead a discussion about how our Club’s focus on DEI has benefitted and transformed the Club and what we can do to attract more diverse members.
Look for the highlights from the April 1, 2025 Rotary Luncheon in the next issue.
You are invited to submit stories for publication in Grindings. We are especially interested in stories on recent Rotary events that you have attended. The deadline is every Thursday at 5 PM, and this is a hard deadline so that I can get the issue of Grindings done in time for release on Sunday. If you miss the Thursday deadline, your story will appear in the following Sunday's issue or a future issue.
