Posted by Dora Dye on Jun 17, 2021
President JT Forbus (Accounting | Bogdan & Frasco) opened the final meeting of his term as our Club's president and welcomed everyone. He shared the following Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement from Rotary:
 
"As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
 
Rotary will cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which people from underrepresented groups have greater opportunities to participate as members and leaders."
 
Then, President JT led the audience virtually to the Empire Room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel for one final visit. The Hotel remains closed from the pandemic and has also been sold. Our Club closes a chapter in its history of meeting at the Sir Francis Drake and begins a new chapter on June 22, 2021 when we will start meeting at the Hotel Nikko.
 
In Memoriam
Sue FarlowPresident JT announced the passing of two former members of our Club: Sue FarlowRoger Steiner (Education: Secondary | Retired) and Roger Steiner (Real Estate: Management | Steiner Properties) and extended our Club's condolences to their families.
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
In today's audience were Josefina Jimenez, a Rotarian; Maria Sol Casas, a Rotaractor; Harmony Ma, ALPS Program Manager; and the following Interactors:  Chloe Chau, Kaylee Ong, and Emily Yang. 
 
Carmel FinnertyNew Member
President JT and our Vice President of Membership Terry Pickering (Financial Services | Retired) inducted Carmel Finnerty (Real Estate: Property Management | Ros Hills Property Management). Carmel wants to give back to the community through Rotary and is also looking forward to networking opportunities. Welcome to Carmel!
 
ALPS Report
Harmony Ma, Manager of the Action Leadership Program with Students (ALPS), introduced these Interactors: Chloe Chau, Kaylee Ong, and Emily Yang. During the month of May, we celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Interactors shared with our Club what they had done to support Asian American youth.
 
2021 Club Assembly (Part 2)
On June 8, 2021, President-Elect Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | JM Real Estate Group | Vanguard Properties) and the incoming Board of Directors presented the annual Club Assembly. If you missed it or want to see it again, view here.
 
At today's meeting, President-Elect Mary presented Part 2 of the Club Assembly. She introduced Brian Lan (Information Technology: Financial Services | DocuSign), Vice President of Public Relations and Communications. Brian shared his vision for the upcoming Rotary year. Next, President-Elect Mary shared and discussed the results of the member survey.
 
New Initiatives
The theme for today's meeting was "How Our Club Changes the World". The presentation focused on three initiatives within our Club that are inspiring Rotary clubs around the world to move in new directions.
 
Ending Human Trafficking
Highlights include a new website coming soon and plans to do a statewide awareness campaign on this issue.
 
Rotary Climate Action Team
The audience watched a short video on the work of RCAT to combat the climate crisis.
 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) shared a detailed slideshow showing how our Club fares in diversity, equity, and inclusion and how we can move forward.
 
$20 for Twenty Seconds
Rick Harrell (Arts Therapy | Heroes' Voices) led off today's $20 for Twenty with a donation to celebrate live, in-person singing, poetry, and guitar lessons again for Heroes' Voices.
 
President JT donated to celebrate our new member, Carmel Finnerty. Rhonda Poppen (Grant Writing | GRANTdog) matched JT's donation, as she has been Carmel's mentor.
 
Sacha Shashi (Information Technology: Consulting | Nimbus Systems) donated to celebrate his first contract post-COVID.
 
Andrés Vera (Entertainment | Self-Employed) donated to celebrate Mary Liu as our new Club president starting July 1, 2021.
 
Visiting Rotarian Josefina Jimenez donated to celebrate her wedding anniversary.
 
The following donated to celebrate President JT's success in completing a very hard year as Club president and to welcome President-Elect Mary to her year as Club president: Ann Daugherty (Financial Services: Private Trading | IBN Financial Services); Jeff Lerner (Retail: Home Improvement | Floorcraft); Tom Brunner (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation); and Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles).
 
Ann also donated to thank David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired) for his work in RYLA.