Ces Butner, President of Rotary Club of Oakland
Call to Order – Ces Butner
President Ces Butner called our 5,318th “Civic Thursday” meeting order and welcomed all of our Zoom guests.
Pres. Ces is coordinating with Danny Wan, Port of Oakland Executive Director, to come back in the future so he can answer the many questions submitted to him that he didn’t have time to address. Look for a return early next year.
Our club members packed hygiene kits on Saturday, November 14, and delivered them to ten homeless encampments on Monday, November 16, and Wednesday, November 18. Thanks to all who helped pack the kits and deliver them, including the Salvation Army who partnered with us. The Housing Insecurity Task Force learned a lot during this activity, which will used in the future.
Amani Soliman
Thought for the Day – Amani Soliman
Amani Soliman did not grow up celebrating Thanksgiving, but has embraced the holiday. Her Thought for the Day was a wish that Thanksgiving be an international celebration because this holiday crosses all faiths, beliefs and walks of life. We all have a lot to be thankful for. She hopes everyone has a nice holiday.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Past President Ed Jellen welcomed Honorary Member and Past President Iris Brody Lopez who was visiting us from Arizona.
Feed the Hungry Day - Kit Packing
Feed the Hungry Day Announcement – David Kittner
Community Service Committee Chair David Kittner announced our annual Feed the Hungry Day will be on Thursday, December 3rd. Our program has been helping people in Oakland for over 30 years. The funds raised will support a host of organizations that include The Alameda County Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Operation Dignity, St. Vincent de Paul, Harbor House, Oakland Catholic Worker, St. Mary’s Center, Prescott-Joseph Center and the First Presbyterian Church. Last year we raised $15,000 and hope to raise more this year. David asked Rotarians who want to support Feed the Hungry but won’t be attending the meeting to let Executive Director Pat Williams know of their donation in advance of the December 3rd meeting so they can be included in the bellringing and list of donors.
Marti Burchell
Rotarian Re-Introduction – Marti Burchell
Past President Linda Boessenecker reintroduced Marti Burchell who is a 30-plus year Rotarian. Marti has lived in many places in the United States, has been involved in many Rotary clubs and has done a lot of volunteering. Most recently she was Executive Director of the USS Potomac Association. She has an impressive career and is very committed to Service Above Self!
Co-chairs of The Rotary Foundation campaign (TRF),
The Rotary Foundation 2020 Campaign
Leann Alameda and Joe Goralka, co-chairs of The Rotary Foundation campaign (TRF), reminded us that over the years we have raised $1.56 million in Rotary Foundation donations. This money ultimately came back to the Rotary Club in the form of grants. Our Club has applied the funds for 39 global grants in 24 countries.
This year we have a special challenge from President Ces. If we get 100% participation from club members, President Ces will donate $50,000. Leann hopes we are all inspired to give, so our programs can continue to have such an impact. You may give as little as $25 and as much as you like.
Past President Peter Sherris earned his Paul Harris Major Donor Level 2 pin. Congratulations Peter and thank you for your generosity! When asked why he donates Peter commented “It is the perfect way to give money that is tax deductible and it comes back to our club for our programs.” Peter highlighted a project that has been one of the most successful projects for Rotary International. He was involved in a project in Ethiopia that provided injectable contraceptives to women to help control family size.
One hundred Rotary #3 members have already donated to the campaign. Here are some comments from other members on why they give:
Celeste Gordon – “Our donations help sustain the projects”
Harold Lowe – “Rotary saves lives and sustains communities”
Ruth Stroup – “The money comes back to us. If my brother is not well, I can’t be well”
Joe Goralka – “It gives you an opportunity to do good”
Joe thanked Ces for his generosity with the Challenge and encouraged us all to give.
Master Magician Dennis Kyriakos
Speaker for the Day – Dennis Kyriakos
Steve Nicholls introduced Master Magician Dennis Kyriakos who treated us with his spellbinding magic. Dennis also gave us some timely tips on how to conduct a Zoom meeting. His tips included: have the right lighting, have a good camera and think about your background. The height of your lens is very important. It should be at eye level not below you. Also look straight into the camera, not at yourself!
If you would like these tips, go to his website, www.virtualdeceptions and send him an email. He’ll send you a PDF with all of the details.
Cocktails with the President
Cocktails with the President
President Elect Dudley Thompson announced we will celebrate Thanksgiving at Cocktails with the President, virtually of course, on Tuesday, November 24th at 5:30 pm.
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Rotary Golf Tournament on November 18th
Rotary Golf Tournament on November 18th
As the prior day’s storm clouds cleared, 19 Rotarians and guests gathered on Wednesday at Alameda’s Corica Park South Course for the last tournament of the pandemic-shortened 2020 Oakland Rotary golf season. As is the tradition at the Masters, the first group to tee off was led by golf legends; in this case President Ces and President-Elect Dudley.
Consistent with the reputation of the Oakland Rotary Club, we were very accommodating hosts, since our guests ran away with our standard contests:
Low Gross: Scott Baird (Dudley’s guest and prospective ORC member) won with an 85 on a challenging layout.
Low Net: Mark Heidohrn (Mike’s buddy) won with a net 70.
Fewest Putts: Dan Altemus and his guest, Bob Van Nest tied at 31 putts on the fast, humongous greens of Corica.
Each winner will receive a Golf Galaxy gift card as their prize.
The 2021 Rotary golf season will be starting up early in the new year with some exciting venues. If you would like to receive early notice of upcoming tournaments, or if you have suggestions for different golf contests or venues, please contact “Rotary Golf Czar”, Mike Mowery at ch.doo.mow@gmail.com.
Grant Check to Beyond Emancipation
Rotary Club of Oakland made a grant to Beyond Emancipation to purchase move-in kits of essential items for the transition from foster care to independent living. Laweka Hopkins is accepting the check on behalf of Beyond Emancipation. CJ Hirschfield was the Rotary liaison.
Bellringers
Executive Director Pat Williams announced the following bellringers:
Linda Boessenecker, Peter Sherris, CJ Hirschfield, Stephanie Casenza, Linda Chew, Joe Goralka, Robert Kidd, Lorna Padia Markus, Joycie Mack, Cal Stanley and Rick Draper rang the bell for Marti Burchell.
Marie Saverimuthu rang the bell for the volunteers who packed and distributed hygiene kits to the homeless.
Joe Goralka, Ces Butner and Elida Scola rang the bell in honor of Jack McAboy’s birthday today.
Pat Williams rang the bell for Dudley Thompson and his Zoom wizardry in helping with a friend’s memorial service.
Adjournment
President Ces Butner adjourned another busy meeting at 1:32 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.
Executive Chef Nikki Shaw
Next Meeting, December 3 – Executive Chef Nikki Shaw – Self-Care Essentials to Serve Others
There is no meeting on November 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. Our next meeting will be Thursday, December 3rd. Georgia Richardson announced our speaker will be Executive Chef Nikki Shaw. She will speak about taking care of ourselves. Self-care is essential in order to serve others. We will learn valuable tips, tricks and tools to help us achieve optimum health and wellness.
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