News Tags: The Rotary Foundation Drive Begins November 2020!!!!

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.”

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 10^th meeting.

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!

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.

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.

Abel Guillen 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.”

A Veteran’s Day message was presented by Rick Draper. He reminded us that our service members take an oath to keep us safe from all enemies. Among the veterans in our club are Wise Allen, Dick Davis, Rick Draper, Wayne Goodroe, Beth Hillman, Cap Lyons, Bryan Morgan, Bob Peltz, Peter Turner and John Weaver. If we have missed any of our Club members who are veterans, please let Pat Williams know (executive.director@oakland-rotary.org or 510.451.2120), as the Club is trying to compile a comprehensive list.

Pam Claassen introduced new member Jennie Hunsberger, a financial advisor with Next Step Retirement. Two interesting facts about Jennie: she likes walking to and supporting local merchants in the community.  She grew up in Pennsylvania where she enjoyed riding horses, including equestrian jumping events.  Welcome Jennie!

Past President David Stein introduced our speaker Danny Wan, Executive Director of the Port of Oakland, noting that he received his BA in Rhetoric from UC Berkeley and his law degree from UCLA.  Go Bears and Bruins!

Danny Wan gave an overview of the Port of Oakland’s history as well as an update on challenges it is now facing. The Port was founded in 1907 but did not receive funding for its development until the voters approved a bond measure in 1927.  Danny sees “the Port of Oakland as the foundation of the city” providing 84,000 well-paying jobs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Port faces challenges from competition, the need for investments and space to grow and the demands of social responsibility and regulations. The Port oversees the Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and Jack London Square waterfront buildings. The opening of the Panama Canal expanded competition from many more ports. As a result, our port volume has dropped. It is now the 8^th busiest container port in the United States. More than 99% of the containerized goods moving through Northern California pass through the Port of Oakland.

Due to the pandemic, currently we have only 35% of normal market share at Oakland International Airport. The Port is working toward zero emissions by 2030. The demands on our Port due to California’s commitment to minimize pollution gives other ports an edge. Danny pointed out that many of our competitors in other parts of the United States get tax dollars to sustain their operations, while we do not.

“Everyone’s Port” is an educational campaign in progress to explain the Port’s significant contributions to our city.

At the end of Danny’s talk we participated in a short survey to see how much Rotarians know about the Port and how it is structured.  We proved to be well informed.  Many questions came from guests wanting to know more, but the meeting was out of time. The Club is providing the questions to Danny and understand that he will send his responses back. Stay tuned to learn more.

To watch Mr. Danny Wan's video click here.

Clancy the Clown (aka Jack McAboy) shared some Halloween jokes that he wrote in the 5th grade, including this chestnut – “Why do skeletons have low self-esteem? They have nobody to love.” He also shared this thought – As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul.

Kevin Kelley gave his self-introduction. He has been a member of Oakland Rotary for two and one-half years. In 2001, he moved from Boston to California. Kevin was a college lacrosse player and created a lacrosse team in Piedmont. In 2004, he began working with Richmond youth and discovered what was possible when children have resources.

In 2012, he formed The Oakland Lacrosse Club with a focus on nutrition, education and leadership. The club partners with 12 Oakland schools to give young people the opportunity to explore a new sport. Participation is free. Three of our Rotarians, Tom Limon, Sean Marx and Harold Lowe, serve on the board of directors. When we resume regular meetings, Kevin will receive his permanent Blue Badge.

Sponsor Keith Uriarte introduced Sheng Thao. Sheng represents District 4 on the Oakland City Council. Her parents were Hmong refugees and she is the 7th of 10 children who grew up in unincorporated Stockton. She is a domestic violence survivor and a single mother, who put herself through college. Sheng’s parents taught her the importance of building community and helping others. It is through this lens that Sheng has charged herself to give back to the community. As a college student at UC Berkeley, she helped establish the Bear Pantry for students with families who could not afford to buy healthy food.  Sheng is the first Hmong woman in California to serve as a city council member. In that role, she fights for transparency, wildfire prevention and addressing homeless and affordable housing crisis and quality of life concerns. President Ces inducted Sheng to our club and discussed the requirements and benefit of being a member where we do Service Above Self. WELCOME!!!

Past President and Chair of the Nominating Committee Sean Marx told members they have to until 8:00 pm tonight to vote for members of the Nominating Committee via a special web link supplied by Executive Director Pat Williams.  Attendees can cast seven votes, either distributing them among the nominees or giving one person all seven. The Nominating Committee will have its first meeting following next week’s Civic Thursday meeting.

Editor’s note: Members were notified on October 30th the seven elected members are CJ Hirschfield, Robert Kidd, Harold Lowe, Alex Poulsen, Mary Rudser, Diane Schaffer and David Stein.  They will be joined by Past President Peter Sherris and Nominating Committee Chair Sean Marx.

CJ Hirschfield introduced our speaker, Jim LeBrecht, an Oakland based filmmaker, sound designer and disability rights activist. He and Nicole Newnham are co-producers/directors of the film Crip Camp, an award-winning documentary executive-produced by Barack and Michelle Obama. The film tells the story of Jened, a teen summer camp and its impact on the disability rights movement. This year the film won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and just announced this week the film is one of three nominated by the Critic's Choice Association for Best Documentary Feature.

Jim LeBrecht discussed how the East Bay has been the hub of the Disability Rights Movement since the 1960’s. Growing up in Westchester County, New York and like so many others, he was lured to the Bay Area by the siren call of the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. He attended the University of California San Diego and moved to Oakland in 1974.  He served as the Berkeley Rep sound director until 1979. In 1975, he attended Camp Jened. Jim felt a sense of belonging in the East Bay – there were many people with disabilities and the community was inclusive.

The Disability Rights Movement and the Independent Living Movement were closely intertwined. The impetus occurred when the Civil Rights movement began inspiring women, seniors and others to claim their rights as citizens. In the late 1960’s UC Berkeley began admitting many students with disabilities and provided accessibility to education, housing and personal assistants if needed. Ed Roberts (1939-1995) was a founder of UC’s Physically Disabled Students Program. This served as the blueprint for Berkeley’s Center for Independent Living (CIL). Mr. LeBrecht shared a story that may well go beyond urban legend. In the early days of the Disability Rights Movement, a group of students went out in the middle of the night with sledgehammers and created curb cuts for wheelchair accessibility.

The Center for Independent Living was a godsend for Mr. LeBrecht. He found a home and people who would build ramps, provide assistive technology and connections to personal aides. He noted that the Bay Area, particularly Berkeley, is a great accessible place because so much of it is flat. He spoke about the advocacy work provided by the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) which has assisted families in obtaining proper placements in education for disabled students and has been ready to litigate if necessary.

Mr. LeBrecht discussed care from the CIL and others in the disability community. When blackouts were occurring, people were provided with generators. He emphasized the strong ties among the disabled community and expressed concern over the Affordable Care Act, which does not factor in pre-existing conditions, while providing him and so many others with necessary insurance. The major concern in the disability community is not to be marginalized and to ensure that all voices are heard.

The film, Crip Camp, is available on Netflix and YouTube. It was released as part of Netflix’s celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The website www.cripcamp.com has some educational materials and conversation starters. He also encouraged business owners to abide by the ADA and make the accommodations because they want to and not because they have to, and he guarantees a change in heart.

To watch his video recording click here.

Adam Sbeta reminded the Zoom audience that the California Consumer Privacy Act gives consumers control over personal information that businesses collect about them. California consumers have the right to know about the personal information collected, the right to delete personal information collected, the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising their privacy rights.

President Ces introduced District Governor Gregg Giusiana. Gregg is a retired police chief and member of the Gilroy Rotary Club. He was selected as Gilroy's "Man of the Year" in 2015. Gregg commended the Rotary Club of Oakland for its work in the community and for District 5170.

Leeann Alameda, co-chair of The Rotary Foundation Committee, kicked off the presentation of Paul Harris Fellow awards. The Paul Harris Fellow program recognizes individuals who contribute or who have contributions made in their names, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. President Ces virtually presented PHF pins to the following members:

• Ann Chretien - PHF+7
• Julie Fox - PHF+4
• Mary Geong - PHF+5
• Merlin Edwards - PHF+1
• Ruth Stroup - PHF+1

Mary (wearing all of her PHF pins) and Ruth thanked Ces for the pins and underscored their support of the PHF program.