Ces Butner, President of Rotary Club of Oakland
Call to Order – Ces Butner
President Ces Butner rang in another rousing “Civic Thursday” meeting of Oakland Rotary, noting it is our 5,317th in 111 years.
Abel Guillen
Thought for the Day – Abel Guillen
Abel Guillen shared a quote from John F. Kennedy: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
Danny Mai, Novateck
Meeting Sponsor – Danny Mai, Novateck
The meeting was sponsored by Danny Mai, chair of the Business Development Committee and president of Novateck. His company designs and installs hardwired internet, phone, and security cameras for commercial buildings and apartments. The company website address is https://novateckit.com.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Past President Ed Jellen introduced two guests: Daria Edgerly, guest of Pres. Ces, and Lara Maxey. Several other guests attended.
Rick Draper
Veterans Day Tribute – Rick Draper
A Veteran’s Day message was presented by Rick Draper. He reminded us that our service members take an oath to keep us safe from all enemies. Among the veterans in our club are Wise Allen, Dick Davis, Rick Draper, Wayne Goodroe, Beth Hillman, Cap Lyons, Bryan Morgan, Bob Peltz, Peter Turner and John Weaver. If we have missed any of our Club members who are veterans, please let Pat Williams know (executive.director@oakland-rotary.org or 510.451.2120), as the Club is trying to compile a comprehensive list.
Maya Woods-Cadiz
Self Introduction – Maya Woods-Cadiz
Maya Woods-Cadiz gave her three-minute self-introduction to the club. Maya has been serving the community since she was a child. Her family founded Operation Reach to provide food and services for those in need where she first learned about service. Maya received her MA from UC Berkeley. She is proud to be among 30 students who were selected to be Ken Behring Scholars. Mr. Behring was well known locally as well as nationally for his work with museums. In addition, he provided wheelchairs to children in third-world countries, often working in partnership with Rotary International. As CEO and superintendent of American Indian Model Schools, Maya oversees an award-winning program whose graduates go on to four-year institutions of higher education. When meetings resume in person, Maya’s permanent blue badge will be waiting for her.
Jennie Hunsberger
New Member Induction -- Jennie Hunsberger
Pam Claassen introduced new member Jennie Hunsberger, a financial advisor with Next Step Retirement. Two interesting facts about Jennie: she likes walking to and supporting local merchants in the community. She grew up in Pennsylvania where she enjoyed riding horses, including equestrian jumping events. Welcome Jennie!
The Rotary Foundation 2020 Campaign
The Rotary Foundation 2020 Campaign
Committee Co-chairs Leann Alameda and Joe Goralka reminded us that during November – Rotary Foundation month -- President Ces is set to contribute $50,000 to The Rotary Foundation if every member of the club makes a gift (starting at $25, any amount is welcome). We are well on our way, but still have further to go.
One of the programs supported by your donation was highlighted by Sandeepa Nayak. A new film, Toilet, is the story of providing sanitation and safety in parts of India by installing toilets. Twenty percent of the population have no sanitary facilities resulting in a lack of safety, especially for women, pollution and the spread of diseases like malaria of which there are three million cases per year.
Celeste Gordon announced that if you prefer to make your Foundation donation online you can go to myrotary.org to set up an account. Setting up an account is important so your gift is credited back to Rotary Club of Oakland. Ultimately every dollar you donate comes back to the club as grant monies to help fund our future projects. Please Give!
Danny Wan
Speaker for the Day -- Danny Wan, Port of Oakland
Past President David Stein introduced our speaker Danny Wan, Executive Director of the Port of Oakland, noting that he received his BA in Rhetoric from UC Berkeley and his law degree from UCLA. Go Bears and Bruins!
Danny Wan gave an overview of the Port of Oakland’s history as well as an update on challenges it is now facing. The Port was founded in 1907 but did not receive funding for its development until the voters approved a bond measure in 1927. Danny sees “the Port of Oakland as the foundation of the city” providing 84,000 well-paying jobs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Port faces challenges from competition, the need for investments and space to grow and the demands of social responsibility and regulations. The Port oversees the Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and Jack London Square waterfront buildings. The opening of the Panama Canal expanded competition from many more ports. As a result, our port volume has dropped. It is now the 8th busiest container port in the United States. More than 99% of the containerized goods moving through Northern California pass through the Port of Oakland.
Due to the pandemic, currently we have only 35% of normal market share at Oakland International Airport. The Port is working toward zero emissions by 2030. The demands on our Port due to California’s commitment to minimize pollution gives other ports an edge. Danny pointed out that many of our competitors in other parts of the United States get tax dollars to sustain their operations, while we do not.
“Everyone’s Port” is an educational campaign in progress to explain the Port’s significant contributions to our city.
At the end of Danny’s talk we participated in a short survey to see how much Rotarians know about the Port and how it is structured. We proved to be well informed. Many questions came from guests wanting to know more, but the meeting was out of time. The Club is providing the questions to Danny and understand that he will send his responses back. Stay tuned to learn more.
To watch Mr. Danny Wan's video click here.
Cocktails
Cocktails with the President
Past President Carla Betts announced that we will celebrate Thanksgiving at Cocktails with the President, virtually of course, on Tuesday, November 24th at 5:30 pm. Join for conversation and fun. For part of the hour, we will break into groups and have a trivia contest, with prizes for the winning group. The Zoom link is:
Rotary Club of Oakland is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/459769750?pwd=Y1NSR2RkR1grMFhLN2crWlQyb092dz09
Meeting ID: 459 769 750
Passcode: 072945
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+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 459 769 750
Bellringers
Executive Director Pat Williams announced the following bellringers:
Danny Mai – two bellringers for the Business Development Committee.
Ces Butner, Marie Saverimuthu and Shannon Hackley for our veterans.
Teresa Weyand in memory of her father, Maj. Gen. Eugene S. Korpal, who served in Korea and two tours of duty in Vietnam and in honor of her father-in-law Lt. Gen. Alexander Malqueen Weyand, who served in Korea and Vietnam and received a Purple Heart.
Derreck Johnson – for his great uncle and his step dad, both of whom served this country.
Joycie Mack, whose brother, Raymond Mack was drafted at age 19 and fought in Vietnam.
Bob Breecker rang the bell in honor of his grandson, Leo Noah Breecker, born on November 10.
Isaac Kos-Read rang the bell in honor of Danny Wan and the Port as well as Maya Woods-Cadiz.
Proposed for Membership
The following individual has submitted an application. If no objection is received within five days, the application will be submitted to the Board of Directors for action:
Candace Elder
NONPROFIT
The East Oakland Collective
MacArthur Boulevard
7800 Oakland, CA 94605
Sponsor: John Claassen
Adjournment
President Ces Butner adjourned another busy meeting at 1:31 pm with his signature comment “that’s the way it went” and the reminder that Rotary Opens Opportunity for Service Above Self as he rang the bell.
Magician Dennis Kyriakos
Next Meeting, November 19 – Dennis Kyriakos – Making Zoom Magic
Steve Nicholls announced our meeting will feature magician Dennis Kyriakos. On any given evening you’ll find Dennis Kyriakos entertaining with elegant sleight-of-hand or skillful reading minds. He has stopped traffic at trade show exhibits, jazzed up corporate events with customized presentations, created magic for the theater, performed formal close-up magic in cozy living rooms, and has lectured at colleges and universities on the topics of visual perception and lying & deception.
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