Both President JT Forbus (Accounting | Bogdan & Frasco) and Past President Casey Blair (Financial Services: Private Trading | KCB Trading, LLC) welcomed everyone to today's meeting held virtually at San Francisco's Dolores Park. Everyone attending quickly selected a social distancing circle to join. The theme was "A Day of Thanks" with President JT dressed as a pilgrim (pictured) while Past President Casey was dressed as a roasted turkey (not pictured). On the Zoom Chat, folks posted what they liked to do for Thanksgiving.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
Among today's guests were Mark Enis, a former member of our Club; Arturo Guillen of The Arc San Francisco; Jessie Chin of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO); Margaret Miley, a prospective member; Steve Wright, Past President of the Rotary Club of Pacifica and currently performing many roles in Rotary District 5150; and Dr. Kiran Dabholkar of the Rotary Club of Deonar, Mumbai, India.
Among today's guests were Mark Enis, a former member of our Club; Arturo Guillen of The Arc San Francisco; Jessie Chin of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO); Margaret Miley, a prospective member; Steve Wright, Past President of the Rotary Club of Pacifica and currently performing many roles in Rotary District 5150; and Dr. Kiran Dabholkar of the Rotary Club of Deonar, Mumbai, India.
A Message from Director-General Lai of TECODirector-General Scott Lai of TECO appeared via video to express his sympathy for the loss of life in the United States due to COVID-19. He briefly explained how Taiwan had combated this virus and talked about the donation of 54 million masks worldwide to help stop the spread. TECO donated 5,000 masks alone to our Club to be distributed with the hygiene kits. Jessie Chin of TECO was at our meeting today and affirmed TECO's commitment to cooperate and work with Rotary.
Your Rotary Moment
Steve Wright joined on behalf of Rotary District 5150 and District Governor Mary Bates to recognize the members of our Club who had joined the PolioPlus Society. Those members are: Dora Dye (Education: Community College | City College of San Francisco) and Terry Pickering (Financial Services | Retired). Past District Governor and Past President of our Club Bill Sturgeon and his wife also joined the PolioPlus Society. Steve will be sending to Dora, Terry, and the Sturgeons a special pin, an End Polio Now Wristband, and a Certificate proclaiming their membership.
The PolioPlus Society is a District program to promote individual giving to PolioPlus. Members of the Society agree to give $100 per year toward polio eradication until polio is wiped out of the world.
First Five Rotary Clubs Hygiene Kit Project
President JT shared the highlights of the project of the First Five Rotary Clubs in the World to distribute hygiene kits to the homeless in the respective five cities. On Saturday, November 14, 2020, our members in partnership with the Salvation Army distributed these kits citywide to the homeless. Club Member Alex Omoko (Human Services | Geo Re-Entry Services) volunteered and shared his experience doing distributions that Saturday. Altogether, 4,500 hygiene kits were distributed in San Francisco.
President JT shared the highlights of the project of the First Five Rotary Clubs in the World to distribute hygiene kits to the homeless in the respective five cities. On Saturday, November 14, 2020, our members in partnership with the Salvation Army distributed these kits citywide to the homeless. Club Member Alex Omoko (Human Services | Geo Re-Entry Services) volunteered and shared his experience doing distributions that Saturday. Altogether, 4,500 hygiene kits were distributed in San Francisco.
The Arc San Francisco Thanksgiving Meals
Marti Sullivan (Development | The Arc San Francisco) joined to invite Club members to celebrate Thanksgiving with The Arc as our Club has done for years. This year, it will be different. This year our Club will deliver a meal to those most in need and food insecure this Thanksgiving. Marti called for volunteers for the following jobs on November 23 and 24, 2020: food packaging, runners, and drivers. For more details, go here. Arturo Guillen of The Arc joined to encourage volunteers and to thank our Club for its support.
Breakout Sessions
President JT broke the audience out into six breakout rooms where we shared what we were thankful for at this time and what we would like from our Rotary Club. After the breakout session, the following reported on the discussions in their group: PDG Sue Rokaw (Law: Insurance | Deans & Homer), Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired), David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired), Lisa Christian (Development | Community Housing Partnership), Past President Casey Blair, and Marti Sullivan.
The meeting concluded with a Thanksgiving toast led by Past President Casey Blair.
