President Dudley Thompson called the 5,377th Civic Thursday meeting of the Rotary Club of Oakland meeting to order at 12:30 pm.
Clive Worsley presented a thought from Frank Herbert: “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliterations. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. When the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I remain.
Past President and Past District Governor Ed Jellen indicated that no-one had signed in at the chat box. Anghe Barde from the Rotary Club of Karad State Maharashtra signed in later.
Evolutionary Blues: President Dudley reported over 300 people attended this amazing event. He thanked everyone for participating, and gave special recognition to Allison Bliss for suggesting the event, and Georgia Richardson and Nancy Williams for their dedicated leadership in making it happen.
In Person Meetings: President Dudley announced that in-person meetings in the California Ballroom will restart on March 10th (along with Zoom broadcasts). Noting that it comes almost on the two-year anniversary of the pandemic shut-down, he reminded everyone that proof of vaccination will be required (no booster necessary) and N-95 or KN-95 masks are strongly encouraged.
Blood Donation: Blood donations continue to be critically needed. Sign up at the Red Cross website. Please let Jesse Bowdle know if you have donated blood.
Ukraine Assistance: Pres. Dudley reported that several initiatives are underway to provide assistance and supplies to the people of Ukraine. At this time District 5170 has set up a fund in conjunction with American Red Cross to provide much-needed supplies. Donations can be made at this website: https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/rotarydistrict5170-pub.html/. Other partners with Rotary will be forthcoming as information becomes available.
Oakland Marathon and Running Festival: On Sunday, March 20th, the club will work at two of the water stops. Register on the Club calendar website. Note the two water station locations available and make sure to include the Password for the one you want.
Rotary District 5170’s celebration of International Women’s Day is scheduled for March 13th at the Rotary San Jose Summit Center. District Lieutenant Governor Liza Lorenz joined Pres. Dudley to announce the event. Oakland Rotary is one of five clubs invited to showcase its projects. Featured speaker is Zoom COO, Aparna Bawa. Register on the District 5170 website.
Kymberly Johnson, chair of the ORE Campaign, outlined the impact ORE makes. As an example, David Kittner, Community Service Chair, told how the committee identified three primary focus areas for this year: Social Justice, Arts and Environment. It has awarded $35,000 of its $50,000 current budget to projects supporting Social Justice and Arts organizations. Between now and the end of June, they will be awarding grants focused on the environment. A service day is scheduled in April to work at the Tile Mural location at Lake Merritt that commemorates the 60th anniversary of Fukuoka Japan’s sister city connection with Oakland.
This year, ORE plans to raise $100,000. All members are encouraged to give an amount that is personally meaningful. During the meeting, pledges from Leeann Alameda, Tom Limon, Robert Raburn and David Stein were recorded in the chatbox.
Jesse Schmidt, Business Committee Chair, announced the next Business Mixer will be Wednesday, March 23rd at Nido’s Backyard, 104 Oak Street, Oakland. It will be an all-outdoor event. Attendees need to register themselves and their guests in advance at https://www.oakland-rotary.org/calendar/events/2022-03-23/business-devel....
Attendees were treated to a special twist on the popular television series “Shark Tank” featuring six Rotarians who pitched why their business or organization should be chosen. David Kersten and Jesse Schmidt presented the contenders – three with for-profit businesses and three with non-profit organizations. Each was asked to describe how they can contribute to the “Success of Oakland’s Youth”.
Riza Hernandez, founder and owner of EntreFolio, Sandeep Rajbhandari, founder and CEO of Local Foodz Cali Inc., and Derreck Johnson, founder and owner of Home of Chicken and Waffles, each described their businesses and their personal passions for serving the community.
Julayne Virgil, CEO of Girls Inc., Jack McAboy, Chairman at Sylvan Learning Center, and Kimberly Miller, Executive Director of Children’s Fairyland, outlined the opportunities their businesses provide and why they are so committed to the work they do.
Joycie Mack rang the bell in honor of the Oakland Rotary “Sharks”. Clive Worsley rang the bell in honor of Isaac Kos-Read. Isaac Kos-Read rang the bell in honor of Kymberly Johnson.
Click here to watch Shark Tank video segment.
Missed our meeting, but interested in checking out the next one? Click below to learn more. https://www.oakland-rotary.org/calendar
#serviceaboveself #rotaryinternational #rotaryclubofoakland #rotaryopensopportunities
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