President Dudley Thompson
Call to Order - President Dudley Thompson
The Ballroom was full of Rotarians and many others watched via Zoom as President Dudley Thompson called the 5,363rd Civic Thursday meeting to order. We are a group of local business owners and community leaders all dedicated to community service. Strict Covid protocols are being followed n the Ballroom for the safety of all in attendance. We’ll have live meetings through the end of the year.
Thought for the Day - Allison Bliss
Allison Bliss opened the meeting with two quotes, one from Winston Churchill and one from Muhammad Ali. The theme of both resonates with the Rotary purpose. From Winston Churchill -- “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”. From Muhammad Ali – Service to others is the rent we pay for the room we live in.”
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Past President and Past District Governor Ed Jellen was excited to announce that we had quite a few visiting Rotarians this week. Jill Duerig, Livermore Valley Rotary Club and our District 5170 Lieutenant Governor was visiting in the Ballroom as well as Martha Goralka, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Delta. On Zoom was Patrick Coyle of the Livermore Rotary Club and District 5170 International Service Director. Other visitors included Wendy Howard’s guest, Kevin Hunter, a soon to be member.
The Rotary Foundation Campaign
The focus of today’s meeting was The Rotary Foundation annual campaign. Leeann Alameda and Joe Goralka are heading our campaign. Leeann posed a question to us with a prize for the correct answer. What is the difference between The Rotary Foundation and the Oakland Rotary Endowment? The winner was soon-to-be inducted Kevin Hunter.
Oakland Rotary Endowment (ORE) funds our local programs and The Rotary Foundation (TRF) funds our international service projects, that impact lives around the world. Over the years, Oakland Rotary has funded 39 Global grants with $1.6 million that have reached people in 22 countries.
Programs we have funded include virtual learning, the purchase of advanced surgical equipment, sustainable farming, and providing medication to eliminate malaria.
Renia Webb joined Oakland Rotary with the intent to become involved in international programs. She immediately joined the Karl F Stucki World Service Committee and made her first international trip to El Salvador. This trip had a profound impact on Renia and she encouraged us all to get involved because there are so many people in need.
President Dudley’s goal this year is 100% Participation Challenge! Six Rotarians have come together to donate $50,000 to The Rotary Foundation if we get 100% participation by December 31st. No donation is too small and we want to fund as many projects as possible. During the meeting several Rotarians made pledges via Zoom: David Stein, Joycie Mack, Lois Corrin and Ruth Stroup.
Announcements
Pres. Dudley announced that hard copies of our Membership Roster are available. Contact Jesse Bowdle at execadmin@oakland-rotary.org to get one. (All members were sent an Online Roster in August.)
We will continue to receive lightly used coats, scarves, gloves and hats through our November 18th meeting to help the needy.
Cocktails with the President will be on November 18, 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Moxy Hotel, 2225 Telegraph Avenue. Come have fun and socialize with your fellow Rotarians.
Vicki Puliz
Speaker for the Day - Vicki Puliz
Ed Jellen introduced our speaker, Vicki Puliz, a Rotary International Director and past president of the Rotary Club of Sparks, Nevada. Vicki has held many leadership positions in Rotary. She gave us a great overview of what’s going on with Rotary International.
New this year to Rotary is Programs of Scale. These are projects that are long-term and high impact. The first Program of Scale was launched this year. A malaria program in Zambia received a grant of $2 million to be used over the next 3-5 years. Submissions have been received for the second round of funding. Some of the other programs Rotary International has supported include: the environment, education and literacy, eye tests, water and sanitation, disease prevention and life changing heart surgery. Vickie noted that “sometimes our lives are the ones changed the most by the work we do”
Last year Rotary International gave over 2,000 grants for $130 million. Our club members contributed to this total. Vickie gave a shout out to Past President Ces Butner for his generous donation and challenge last year.
Bellringers
Kevin Hunter rang the bell for all of the work Leeann Alameda has done for Oakland Rotary Endowment.
Bellringers from October 28th meeting:
Isaac Kos-Read and Keith Uriarte rang the bell for our new members.
Steve Lowe rang the bell for speaker Sabrina Landreth.
Adjournment
President Dudley adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Chief Leronne Armstrong
Next Meeting, November 11 - Chief Leronne Armstrong - The State Of The Oakland Police Department
Renia Webb announced Oakland Police Chief Leronne Armstrong will return next week to speak with us again. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the Chief’s take on the department’s issues and opportunities including the state of the federal receivership, the rising murder rate and the City Council’s reduction of the department’s budget. Come with your questions and bring a friend, family member or colleague.
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