President Dudley Thompson
Call to Order – President Dudley Thompson
President Dudley Thompson called the 5,356th Civic Thursday meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. and welcomed those in the California Ballroom, as well as those attending online. Dudley asked that visitors attending online enter their name in the chat box to be acknowledged later in the meeting.
Cat Brooks
Speaker for the Day - Cat Brooks
Past President David Stein introduced Cat Brooks who has been engaged in the struggle against state violence for well over a decade. After losing her father at the age of eight to the Nevada Penitentiary System, Cat continued to witness the ways in which law enforcement brutalized Black and Brown communities. Cat is co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project; a Black- Led coalition that seeks to build a model to eradicate police terror in communities of color. APTP supports families surviving police terror in their fight for justice: documenting police abuses and connecting impacted families and community members with resources, legal referrals, and opportunities for healing. Cat also serves as Executive Director of the Justice Teams Network. In addition, Cat is a poet, playwright, radio-host, ran for mayor of Oakland in 2018, and mother to one daughter.
Cat began by asking Rotarians to observe a moment of silence for all lives lost to violence. Ms. Brooks shared several examples of young lives that were victims of Oakland, Los Angeles County, and Vallejo Police Departments. She reminded the audience that OPD has been under federal oversight for two decades. Her organization, the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP), does not hate police but rather the institutionalized violence and brutality against marginalized communities and people of color. The APTP works closely with families and communities to fight for justice. Black and brown families have the “talk” with their children on how to behave toward the police, so they do not become victims.
Police have been used to keep the status quo in communities resulting in more mass incarceration. Incarceration costs are significant, averaging $75,000 per year for an inmate which is only $2,000 per year less for a Harvard education. Policing does not equate with a safe society. Statistics show that less police with more resources equates with a safer society. Only 4% of police activity is associated with violent crime. Rather most of their time is spent dealing with homelessness, mental health, traffic stops, and domestic violence.
Public safety isn’t working for anyone so what do we do? Cat suggests the need to reduce the power of police associations and do away with qualified immunity. Stop lying to ourselves about what police do –they respond after the crime. Share videos of police brutality on social media. Adopt models that allow for solutions that get to the root cause. Ms. Brooks reminded us that a small percentage of the population is responsible for most violent crimes.
Sean Marx
Thought for the Day - Sean Marx
Past President Sean Marx, reflecting on his life purpose of serving others through his career and actions, 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.”
President Dudley led Rotarians in the Rotary International Vision Statement.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Past President and Past District Governor Ed Jellen introduced our one visiting Rotarian, Dianne Dorn, Past President of the Rotary Club of San Leandro. It was noted that Dianne had been put to work helping to ensure Rotarians had a vaccine card on file as they entered the ballroom. That’s what happens when you are the partner of the Club’s Executive Administrator!
Several Rotarians introduced their guests with some intending to join the Club.
New Member Inductions - Phil Holt and Adam Tobin
Past President Jack McAboy introduced new Rotarian, Phil Holt. Phil buys and sells businesses. A former Navy Seal, he worked on the Apollo Discovery recovery, has biked from Canada to Mexico, and is the longest serving volunteer of the Alameda County Food Bank. He is a former member of the Alameda Rotary Club.
Joe Goralka introduced new Rotarian, Adam Tobin. Adam is the Executive Director of Chabot Space and Science Center where he is now working hard to reopen in November with a new partnership with NASA. He has a BA in music from Brandeis University, is a nationally recognized toy inventor and a mechanical artist.
President Dudley presented each new member with their red badge, Rotary pin, Four-Way test, member roster and Centennial book.
Activities and Opportunities
Business Development Committee
Jesse Schmidt, Business Development Committee Chair, presented an update on the committee. He invited Rotarian leaders of nonprofit organizations, businesses, and others with a business interest to join the committee. The committee is hosting a Summer Sunset Mixer in honor of National Small Business Week on September 30th, 5:30-7:30 pm at the home of Keith Uriarte. Jason Wizelman is sponsoring the event. Interested Rotarians are asked to RSVP via the Club website, Events page.
Cocktails with the President
Past President Linda Boessenecker announced the next Cocktails with the President will celebrate Oktoberfest. Join fellow Rotarians, President Dudley, and guests at Hofkuche, 478 25th St. at 5:30 pm. Rotarians are encouraged to invite potential members to join the fun.
Environment Committee
Pres Dudley reminded everyone that Joel Parrott is chairing the Environment Committee, a new program about protecting the environment. (Supporting the Environment is a new major focus added by Rotary International this year.) The committee is looking for members. Contact Joel at jjparrott83@gmail.com to get involved. Dudley asked us also to consider joining ESRAG, a national organization that is doing some interesting things regarding the environment as well. Their membership fee is $30/year.
September 29 - Next First Five Civic Wednesday Meeting
The First Five Clubs zoom meeting will be Wednesday, September 29 at noon. Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta will be a featured speaker. This replaces our usual Thursday time. Advance registration is required. Sign up on the Club website, Upcoming Speakers page.
Bell Ringers
Lois Corrin rang the bell for Cat Brooks.
Joe Goralka rang the bell for new Rotarian, Adam Tobin.
Sandeepa Nayak rang the bell for Leeann Alameda and Mark Rosen in honor of Small Business Week.
Adjournment
President Dudley adjourned the meeting at 1:31 p.m. as he rang the bell.
Birthday Greetings
Happy Birthday! Celebrating between September 22 – 30 are:
22 – Trisha Connors
22 – Pat McMillan
22 – Adam Tobin
23 – Derreck Johnson
24 – Will Hobbs
25 – Tom Duryea
26 – Jimmie Wilson
25 – Julie McCray
29 – Jesse Schmidt
Membership Anniversaries in September
Thank you for your years of service to the Rotary Club of Oakland and the community!
Wayne Goodroe – 36 years
Mike Taylor – 28 years
Shanna O’Hare – 27 years
Johanna Leonard – 23 years
Marti Burchell – 19 years
Rosemary Darden – 19 years
Pat Riley – 18 years
Ginni Ring – 15 years
Wendy Willrich – 8 years
Keri Butkevich – 6 years
James Head – 6 years
Alex Kaffka – 5 years
Kyla Johnson-Trammell – 4 years
Winter Williams – 4 years
Ericka Nicholes – 2 years
Purposed for Membership
An application has been received from the following individuals. If no objection is received within five days, their application will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.
Kevin Hunter
VICE PRESIDENT WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR HVAC
Johnstone Supply
1384 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Sponsor: Wendy Howard
Randolph Langenbach
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ARCHITECT
Retired Professor
6446 Harwood Ave
Oakland, CA 94618
Sponsor: Jesse Schmidt
Maren Amdal
DIRECTOR - OAKLAND INTERFAITH GOSPEL CHOIR
655 13th Street, Suite 301
Oakland, CA 94612
Sponsor: Ana-Marie Jones
Benjamin Madley
Next Meeting, Thursday, September 23 - Benjamin Madley - What Happened to California’s Indigenous People?
Robert Kidd announced next week’s speaker will be Benjamin Madley. Madley is an Associate Professor of History at UCLA. He focuses on Native America, the United States and genocide in world history. His topic is “What Happened to California’s Indigenous People?”
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