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Rotary Club of Oakland Civic Luncheon Meeting, December 3, 2020

Ces Butner, President of Rotary Club of Oakland

Call to Order – Ces Butner

President Ces Butner called our 5,319th “Civic Thursday” meeting order and welcomed all of our Zoom guests.

Pres. Ces reported he has put to good use the recommendations from our speaker, Magician Dennis Kyriakos, on what technology to use to look your best on Zoom. He has a new circular light, computer stand and a backdrop.  You looked great, Ces!

Kim Cohn

Thought for the Day – Kim Cohn

To highlight the Community Service Committee’s work, Kim Cohn read a quote from M.F.K. Fisher: “It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the others.”

Lorna Padia Markus - Mowat, Mackie & Anderson

Meeting Sponsor – Lorna Padia Markus – Mowat, Mackie & Anderson

Lorna Padia Markus was the meeting sponsor today, featuring her firm, Mowat, Mackie & Anderson. A CPA for 30 years, Lorna has seen tax policies change over many Presidential administrations.  She advised us to work with a professional and to do our year-end tax planning because it’s not known what the tax rates will be in 2021.  Mowat, Mackie & Anderson works with individuals and businesses of all sizes and offers a full range of services, which include tax planning, retirement planning, succession planning, and mergers and acquisitions. Their goal is to have a personal relationship with their clients and to provide extraordinary service.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Past President Ed Jellen welcomed several visitors which included many Rotarian relatives.  Bonnie Hamlin’s guest was her husband Earl.  Georgia Richardson brought her daughter, Rhyon Sherer. Mary Geong’s daughters, Danielle and Jennifer Geong, visited from Washington DC and Belarus, respectively. CJ Hirschfield brought two guests from the Lake Merritt Nature Center, Sonia Byrd and Terrie Smith. 

A Slate Of New Board Members

Nominating Committee Report

On behalf of the Nominating Committee, Past President David Stein announced the recommended slate of new Board members for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2021:  Kim Cohn, Will Hobbs, Mike Mowery, and Renia Webb

Our President Elect Nominee for 2022-2023 is Mary Geong. Over the years, Mary has held many positions in Rotary Club of Oakland and worked on many committees. They include: the Oakland Rotary Endowment Board of which she is a past president, Saroni Lena Scholarship Committee, Entertainment Committee, Homeless Committee, and KinderPrep Field trips.

Congratulations Mary and all of those newly nominated to the Board.  The official election will take place at the December 10th meeting.

Jesse Bowdle - New Executive Administrator, Oakland Rotary Club

Executive Administrator Announcement

President Ces announced that after nearly seven years with Oakland Rotary Club, Executive Director Pat Williams will be retiring in the latter part of December.  The Club has made great strides under Pat’s leadership, and we thank her for the work that she’s done.

Our new Executive Administrator is Jesse Bowdle. A fellow Rotarian and member of the San Leandro Rotary Club, Jesse had a chance to say a few words and is very excited about his new position. Jesse and Pat will be working together for the month of December to facilitate a smooth transition. They can be reached at executive.director@oakland-rotary.org and (510) 451-2120.

Candice Elder

New Member Induction – Candice Elder

John Claassen introduced our newest member, Candice Elder.  A Bay area native, she grew up in Oakland and graduated from UC Berkeley. Mayor Libby Schaaf recently appointed Candice to the Oakland Homeless Commission. Welcome Candice, we look forward to meeting you in person!

Community Service Committee Chair David Kittner

Feed the Hungry Annual Fundraiser

Community Service Committee Chair David Kittner launched the annual Feed the Hungry Fundraiser.  Oakland Rotary has been raising funds to feed the hungry for 30 years. We support many organizations with the funds we raise.  They include: Alameda County Community Food Bank, Harbor House, Oakland Catholic Workers Food Program, Bay Area Meals on Wheels, First Presbyterian Church, Prescott Joseph Center, St. Mary’s Center, St. Vincent de Paul Community Center and Operation Dignity. 

Steve Nicholls announced that MN Builders would graciously match up to $20,000 in donations. David then asked Oakland Rotarians to ring the bell to donate to the Feed the Hungry Program. This spurred many bell ringers at all levels: 10 rings, 5 rings, 4 rings, 2 rings and 1 ring.  Thank you to everyone who donated!  We raised a total of $ 20,100, and this will be matched by Steve, up to   $ 20,000 Thank you for your generosity Steve! We’ll be able to make a big impact in helping those who are food insecure.

Thank you to the Club members that rang the bell:  Roberta Abel, Wise Allen, Bob Barth, Carla Betts, Stephen Blair, Linda Boessenecker, Jim Bossenecker, Scott Bowhay, Bob Breecker, Mike Bruck, Ces Butner, Jim Caponigro, Stephanie Casenze, Linda Chew, Pam Claassen, John Claassen, Walter Clausen, Kersey Clausen, Kimberly Cohn, Kathy Dwyer, Merlin Edwards, Candice Elder, Julia Fox, Mary Geong, Joe Goralka, Kerry Hamill, Bonnie Hamlin, CJ Hirschfield, Wil Hobbs, William Hogan, John Holmgren, Jack Iles, Edward Jellen, Robert Kidd, David Kittner, Isaac Kos-Read, Tom Love, Joycie Mack, Danny Mai, Jack McAboy, Tommy McCoy, Sam Miller, Fred Morse, Mike Mowery, Sandeepa Nayak, Bruce Nye, Shanna O’Hare, Lorna Padia-Markus, Alex Poulsen, David Rabb, Georgia Richardson, Patrick Riley, Mark Rosen, Marie Marietta, Peter Sherris, David Stein, Ruth Stroup, Dudley Thompson,  Gail Uilkema, Keith Uriarte, Teresa Weyand, Winter Williams, Pat Williams, Jain Williams, and Suzie Yokomizo

Chef Nikki Shaw

Speaker for the Day – Chef Nikki Shaw

Georgia Richardson introduced our speaker, Chef Nikki Shaw.  The multi-talented Ms. Shaw is not just a chef.  She is actively involved in the community teaching nutrition, healthy eating and self-care. Nikki emphasized the importance of getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. In this time of Covid-19, it’s important not to neglect our heath.  Make sure you get regular checkups.  Plan a relaxing activity and do some fun things – make time to laugh.  Try to avoid the “Covid 15” by eating healthy high fiber foods.  You can boost your immune system with Vitamin A and Zinc.  Vitamin C will help build antibodies.  Protein helps your cells stay healthy.  Don’t forget your mental health; that’s important too.  Avoid sugar because it suppresses your immune system and causes inflammation.  Cut back on carbohydrates.  Chef Nikki left us with this thought – “When you eat good, you feel good. When you feel good, you do good.” Click here to watch her segment.

Happy Birthday Bert Clausen

Birthday Shoutout to Bert Clausen

Bert Clausen, the club’s oldest member, is celebrating his 100th birthday anniversary today.  He joined the club in 1957.  His son, Kers Clausen, reported he is doing well.  We extended our congratulations to him on this very special day. 

Cocktails with the President

Cocktails with the President

President Elect Dudley Thompson announced we will have a Holiday Cocktails with the President, virtually of course, on Thursday, December 17th at 5:30 pm.

Bellringers

Executive Director Pat Williams announced the following bellringers:

Georgia Richardson rang the bell in honor of Nikki Shaw.

Joe Goralka announced East Bay Restaurant Supply will provide a $500 gift card to Nikki Shaw for her work in Oakland.

Adjournment

President Ces Butner adjourned another busy meeting at 1:34 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.

Tinisch Hollins and Courtney Ruby

Next Meeting, December 10 – Jay Jordan and Courtney Ruby

David Stein announced that we will have two speakers on December 10:  Tinisch Hollins and Courtney Ruby.

Jay has worked at the intersection of social justice and politics throughout his career.  In the South Los Angeles area, he worked with a group of crime survivor to transform their community by employing an asset-based community development strategy. In Stockton, he created his own non-profit, The First50, that focused on teen diversion and civic engagement.  In its first year, The First50 saw both 100% high school graduation and college enrollment.

Oakland City Auditor and Rotary member Courtney Ruby will share with us her office’s findings and issues facing the City of Oakland during these challenging times.

 

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