Posted by Dora Dye on Aug 05, 2020
President JT Harold Forbus (Accounting | Bogdan & Frasco) called the meeting to order at 12:14 PM. In today's audience were over 45 members and about 10 guests who each unmuted and self introduced themselves. 
 
President JT shared how to wear a mask for maximum protection.
 
Rotary Moments
Rotary's campaign to end polio began almost four decades ago. Today, we were excited to learn that Nigeria has recently joined the list of countries that are polio-free. President JT also shared Rotary's seven areas of focus.
 
There was a brief presentation about Rotary's involvement in the formation and vision of the United Nations. The presentation included a video clip.
 
Week In Review
President JT reminisced about attending a baseball game with other Rotarians in the Club.
 
He also expressed pride that his alma mater will now require students to complete a course in ethnic studies and social justice as a general education requirement beginning in 2023.

Dr. Lily Muldoon (Healthcare: Physician | University of California, San Francisco) issued a call for more help to deliver PPE as demand for PPE has increased. She also mentioned that 5,000 face shields are being assembled. President-elect Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | Vanguard Properties/JM Real Estate Group) offered to pick up and drop off face shields for assembly for members living in San Francisco who do not have transportation.
 
Marti Sullivan (Development | The Arc San Francisco) thanked the San Francisco Rotary Foundation for the funding and the following Rotarians for helping to launch the inaugural virtual dinner club for clients of The Arc:
  • Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired);
  • Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired);
  • Rhonda Poppen (Grant Writing | GRANTdog);
  • Bill Poppen (Banking: Management | MUFG Union Bank);
  • David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired); and
  • Dora Dye (Education: Community College | City College of San Francisco).
After packing up the dinners with the help of Marti, Lance Scott, and Mark Williams of The Arc, Bob and Dan; Rhonda and Bill; and Dora and David delivered the dinners to clients of The Arc. Starting at 5:30 PM, the clients were able to meet via Zoom and enjoy their delivered dinner and a game night. Rotarians were invited to join the Zoom as well. The smiles on the faces of these clients say it all. If you missed this opportunity, the dinner club will be held on the first and third Monday of each month going forward.
 
Membership Month
Vice President of Membership Terry Pickering (Financial Services | Retired) announced activities planned for this month such as more personal outreach by membership connectors and more engagement in Club activities and committees.
 
Paul Harris Fellow
The Club congratulated Greg Gutting (Nonprofit Management | The Salvation Army, Golden State Division) for earning his PHF+6. Greg talked briefly about why he had joined our Club and what earning a PHF means.
 
$20 for Twenty Seconds
Those pledging today included: 
  • Anita Stangl (Medical Services| Alliance for Smiles) who donated to announce the upcoming Alliance for Smiles fundraiser in September involving pets to bring smiles.
  • Jianying Chen (Healthcare: Acupuncture | American Institute of Zhizhen Therapy and New Qigong) who donated to raise awareness of how a speech by a Chinese General two decades ago is relevant today.
  • Bob Hermann who donated to promote Community Service activities and the priority to make these activities safe for all.
  • Dan Joraanstad who announced that $2,500 had been added to the 50/50 Campaign: Helping Neighbors Near and Far.
  • John Hoch (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) who donated in honor of the wedding of his niece, Lindsay.
Guest Speaker
President-elect Mary Liu introduced Maria Goodavage and explained how the two of them had met. Maria is a former USA Today journalist and considered one of the foremost author experts on working dogs. Her latest book, Doctor Dogs: How Our Best Friends are Becoming Our Best Medicine, follows her books Soldier Dogs, Top Dog, and Secret Service Dogs.
 
Maria discussed how dogs are able to detect disease and help people who suffer from a wide range of physical and mental conditions. She also shared some heartwarming photos and videos of these devoted dogs in action and led a discussion on whether dogs can detect COVID-19. For more information on Maria and her work, please go here. President JT thanked Maria, and mentioned that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in her name.
 
Marti Sullivan and Kristina Whitney won today's door prizes.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.
 
Many thanks to Bob Hermann and Rhonda Poppen for the photos taken at The Arc