Oakland Rotary News

You are here

Rotary Club of Oakland Civic Luncheon Meeting, June 3, 2021

Ces Butner, President of Rotary Club of Oakland

Call to Order – Ces Butner

President Ces Butner called to order the 5,342nd Civic Thursday meeting of the third oldest Club in the Rotary world from the California Ballroom with presenters both in person and via Zoom.

Gail Uilkema

Thought for the Day – Gail Uilkema

Gail Uilkema shared three quotes –

Will Rogers: “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today”.

Dolly Parton: “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain”.

Dr. Seuss: “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory”.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Past President Ed Jellen welcomed C J Hirschfield’s guests: Princess Allen and Lois Corrin.

Barbara Beery

Reintroduction of Barbara Beery

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Co-Chair Greg Knight reintroduced Barbara Beery. Professionally she has been an attorney and certified public accountant. Before joining, Barbara wanted to be sure Rotary would be a good fit but wasn’t initially convinced. It was when she met Past President Karl Stucki that she realized Oakland Rotary fit with her passion for world community service and love of travel, which has led to the long-lasting relationship of 27 years. She has served on many Committees, and on the Club Board of Directors and Endowment Board of Trustees.  Early on she led a Group Study Exchange Program in France, participated in a Uniendo America Project Fair, and had a very life-changing trip to Ghana where she administered polio vaccine to infants. Several years ago, she resurrected the Speech Contest which she co-chairs.  Barbara cherishes the many relationships she has gained with numerous Rotarians in the Club. On a personal note, she and her late partner, Phyllis have two daughters, one living in Oakland and one in Seattle.  Barbara is a World Champion swimmer.   She competed in the 2014 and 2018 Gay Games 9 and 10 where she won gold, silver and bronze medals.  She is looking forward to the 2022 11 games in Hong Kong.

Pickleball Clinic and New Member Orientation – Pat Williams

Pat Williams announced that Pickleball, the fastest growing sport, is coming to High Adventure. On Saturday, June 12th there will be two clinic sessions, 10 a.m. – Noon and Noon to 2 p.m. at which participants will learn the basics of pickleball and be game-ready within 20-30 minutes. Space is limited. Sign up on the Club website calendar.

New Member Orientation for those who joined the Club since July 2020 is scheduled via Zoom for June 8th or June 15th.  Contact Pat Williams at patwilliams3708@gmail.com to sign up.

Saroni-Lena Scholars Introduction

Saroni-Lena Scholarship Committee Co-Chair Steve Blair introduced this year’s scholars who were in attendance via Zoom:

  • Alexa Azevedo, graduate of Skyline High, will attend California State University, Long Beach

  • Victoria Balla, graduate of Oakland Tech, will attend UC Berkeley

  • JiaJie (David) Huang, graduate of Oakland High, will attend UC Santa Barbara

  • Pablo Lomeli, Jr., graduate of Lighthouse Community Charter High, will attend UC Berkeley

  • Juana Mendoza, graduate of Fremont High School, will attend UC Berkeley

  • Thoa Nguyen, graduate of Oakland Tech, will attend UC San Diego

  • Mea Polland, graduate of Oakland High, will attend UCLA

  • Ian Prchlik, graduate of Skyline High, will attend University of Michigan

  • Elijah Weller, graduate of Skyline High, will attend UCLA

In-Person Meeting in the Ballroom June 17th

President Ces outlined the protocols Rotary will follow when members are welcomed back into California Ballroom for his final meeting of the year. Pre-registration is required. The meeting will also be broadcast on Zoom. Attendees must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination. The Ballroom will be set up with social distancing. Masks will be required in the Ballroom, except during eating or drinking. No food will be provided, but attendees can bring their own lunches. Water, coffee and tea will be available at no charge. Wine will be available at the bar.

Bernard Schlager

Speaker for the Day – Bernard Schlager

President-Elect Dudley Thompson introduced our speaker, Bernard (Bernie) Schlager. He is Associate Professor of Historical and Cultural Studies and Executive Director, The Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley.

Dr. Schlager outlined the complicated relationship between Christianity and LCBTW which goes back to the Middle Ages. The Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley is the oldest west of the Mississippi. One half of the student body identifies as queer. The Council on Religion and the Homosexual was founded in San Francisco in early 1964. It is the first group openly dedicated to creating social change for “homosexuals” in US churches and US society. Many of the movements in the United States were led by Christians and include the Abolitionist Movement, Temperance Movement, Civil Rights Movement, Catholic Worker Movement, Farmworker Movement and others. 

World War II was a national “coming out” experience when individuals met each other on a large scale and got together during the late 1940’s and 1950’s.

Another important player in the Bay Area is Glide Memorial Church, originally Methodist affiliated, now independent, which started in 1962 in San Francisco.

Bellringers

Executive Administrator Jesse Bowdle announced the following bellringers:

Greg Knight, Stephanie Casenza, Jack McAboy, Ces Butner, Sandeepa Nayak, Ruth Stroup, Elida Scola, Marie Saverimuthu, Linda & Jim Boessenecker, Wise Allen, Kristine Watson, Peter Sherris, Linda Chew, Bob Breecker, Debo Sarker, Fred Morse and Dudley Thompson rang the bell for Barbara Beery.

Adjournment

President Ces adjourned the meeting stating "that's the way it went” at the 5,342nd meeting of the third oldest Rotary Club in the world as he rang the bell.

Proposed For Membership

The following individuals have submitted applications.  If no objection is received within five days, the application will be submitted to the Board of Directors for action:

Lois Corrin

Education

Piedmont, CA  94611

Sponsor:  CJ Hirschfield

Birthday Greetings

Happy Birthday! Birthdays through June 11 - 17

13 – Rod Hughes

     – Steve Nicholls

14 – Scott Baird

      – Bruce Nye

16 – Steve Blair

      – Keith Giron

Membership Anniversaries through June 11 - 17

Thank you for your years of service to the Rotary Club of Oakland and the community!

  • Ces Butner – 29 years
  • Marlo Seligman – 29 years
  • Peter Turner – 29 years
  • David Scharff – 21 years
  • Catherine Pinkas – 17 years
  • Merlin Edwards – 10 years
  • Sean Callum – 13 years
  • Beth Hillman – 3 years
  • Jesse McKeithen – 3 years
Jonathan Becher, President of the San Jose Sharks

Next Meeting, Thursday, June 10 – Jonathan Becher, President of the San Jose Sharks

Pat Williams announced next week’s speaker will be Jonathan Becher, President of the San Jose Sharks. He is responsible for the organization’s overall strategy with a particular focus on the end-to-end customer experience.

Add new comment