News Tags: Civic Thursdays

President Ces Butner called our 5,327th “Civic Thursday” meeting in order and welcomed all of our Zoom guests.

Rotarian Abel Guilian shared Barak Obama's quote for 'Thought For The Day', "Democracy doesn't work if we constantly demonize each other. For progress to happen, we have to listen to each other and see ourselves in each other, and fight for our principles, but also fight to find the common ground, no matter how elusive that may seem."

President Cess announced that 2 new members are going to be inducted into Oakland Rotary Club today. Rotarian Isaac Kos-Read introduced Zeydi Gutierrez while Rotarian David Kirsten introduced Nancy Williams to the club.

Rotarian Winter Williams introduced our speaker for the Civic Thursday, Terrence Brewer - award-winning Jazz Artist, record producer, concert performer, studio musician, bandleader, music educator, instructor, lecturer, and workshop facilitator. Terrence gave an amazing music performance and shared details of how the last 10 months in pandemic have been for an artist, musicians, and educators of music as him.

Missed our meeting but interested in checking out the next one? Click here to learn more: https://www.oakland-rotary.org/calendar

#serviceaboveself #rotaryinternational #rotaryclubofoakland #rotaryopensopportunities

President Ces Butner called our 5,325th “Civic Thursday” meeting in order and welcomed all of our Zoom guests.

In reflecting on President Joe Biden’s recent environmental administrative actions, Stephen Murphy shared quotes from Van Jones, author of “Green Economy,” about how building such an economy will lift all boats in a green wave benefiting us all, and the polar bears too.

President Ces invited us all to recite our vision where Service Above Self connects us all.

Marie Saverimuthu introduced our speaker of the day, Selvi Stanislaus, Executive Director of the California State Franchise Tax Board (FTB). Selvi is the first woman appointed to oversee the FTB and its 6,000+ employees charged with collecting $66 billion annually to fund state projects, programs, and state infrastructure.

Selvi spoke of the progress made in upgrading a multi-phase IT system to re-engineer how our state tax returns are processed in order to maximize collections and efficiencies (an interesting factoid considering all the media reports of the state’s challenges in sending money the other way, to unemployment claimants, blamed on antiquated IT systems at the EDD).

Missed our meeting but interested in checking out the next one? Click here to learn more: https://www.oakland-rotary.org/calendar

#serviceaboveself #rotaryinternational #rotaryclubofoakland #rotaryopensopportunities

President Ces Butner called our 5,323rd “Civic Thursday” meeting in order and welcomed all of our Zoom guests.

Rotarian and former executive director Pat Williams shared a thought for the day honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She shared two of his famous quotes, “Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?' and “Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.”

President-Elect Dudley Thompson inducted a new member and old friend into the club, Scott Baird.

Rotarian David Stein introduced this week's Thursday Speaker Dave Metz. Dave is the president of Oakland based polling firm FM3 Research. He has been doing polling in Oakland for 23 years. He has also done poling in all the 50 states for candidates and as well as ballot measures. Dave shared an overview of the latest opinion research to tell us what Oaklanders think about their community and local government; what the results of the 2020 election mean for politics and governing in Oakland and California; and whether we can all trust what polls tell us anyway.

Missed our meeting but interested in checking out the next one? Click here to learn more: https://www.oakland-rotary.org/calendar

#serviceaboveself #rotaryinternational #rotaryclubofoakland #rotaryopensopportunities

President Ces Butner called our 5,321st “Civic Thursday” meeting in order and welcomed all of our Zoom guests.

Rotarian Lorie Alemania shared 'Thought For The Day' with Traditional Irish Retirement Blessing for Pat, ''"May you always have work for your hands to do. May your pockets hold always a coin or two. May the sun shine bright on your windowpane. May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you. And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."

This week's Civic Thursday meeting is very special as we celebrate the retirement of our beloved Executive Director Pat Williams. To honor this special day, 7 of our past presidents joined today's meeting to say hello to Pat Williams.

Rotarian Jason Wizelman introduced our guest for today's meeting Theodore Ellison, Renowned Glass Artist. Ted brings a historical perspective to his work in stained glass and mosaic. His firm, Theodore Ellison Designs, is a nationally-renowned boutique firm specializing in crafting exquisite custom mosaic and leaded glass.

Ted gave a close look at some of the Bay Area's best glass installations as well as the historical context that informs his original designs for new construction and historic homes all over the country.

Missed our meeting but interested in checking out the next one? Click here to learn more: https://www.oakland-rotary.org/calendar

#serviceaboveself #rotaryinternational #rotaryclubofoakland #rotaryopensopportunities