President Christopher Wiseman (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation) called the meeting to order at 12:17 PM and welcomed everyone attending either online or in person inside the Anzu Restaurant. Due to the large number of Visiting Rotarians and Special Guests today, President Christopher had all visitors in person and online stand for a big round of applause.
I
n Solidarity with Ukraine
n Solidarity with UkraineWhat a moving meeting! The room and the agenda were packed full! Club members and guests stood in solidarity as the National Anthem of Ukraine was powerfully sung by Natalie Ter-Agopova, a soprano soloist, who is a choir mate of Ann Daugherty (Financial Services: Private Trading | IBN Financial Services). Brightening the room were two very large baskets of sunflowers (the Ukrainian national flower), thoughtfully donated by Harold Hoogasian (Retail: Florist | Hoogasian Flowers).
Meeting Volunteers
President Christopher thanked today's meeting volunteers (listed at the end of this story).
A Rotary Tradition
President Christopher explained the tradition observed by other Rotary clubs of toasting a Rotary club in another part of the world to celebrate the international nature of Rotary and to recognize that clubs are active and doing good in every continent. Today, the Rotary Club of Manila, the Bromley Rotary Club, and the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbour raised a glass to toast the Rotary Club of San Francisco. President Christopher invited our members to nominate a Rotary club in the world that we can toast.
Rotary Flag Exchange
President Christopher exchanged Rotary flags with the Rotary Club of Global Champions and the Rotary Club of Bangalore.
Recent Events
President Christopher thanked Social Chair Alisha Marfatia (Information Technology: E-Commerce | EvolveWare) for the Spark Social on July 20, 2022 and the social with the Rotary Club of Fisherman's Wharf the next day.
Basic PRLS
Ozan Yasavur (Engineering: Mechanical | Bioforcetech Corporation) and Ann Daugherty completed Basic PRLS. Ozan spoke briefly about his experience and encouraged all to participate in PRLS. Those eligible can register for Master PRLS 3 on August 20, 2022.
Club Calendar and Events for Rotarians
Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events.
Global Grant Update
The audience watched a video on our clean drinking water project in India. This project was delayed due to COVID-19 and is in honor of former member, Dr. John Dracup, who cared and dedicated his life to building sustainable clean water systems funded by Rotary International in remote regions of developing countries. Rotarians are invited to India to work on this project from September 9-11, 2022. If interested, please contact Sacha Shashi (Information Technology: Consulting | Nimbus Systems) at (781) 696-4834.
RYLA 2022
President Christopher acknowledged the Rotarians from our Club who will serve at this year's RYLA Camp: Lynn Luckow (Development | LikeMinded.org), David Dye (Management Consulting | Retired), Steve Lindstrom (Software Engineering | Chairish.com), Lisa Christian (Development), and Todd St Vrain (Education: Administration | University of Melbourne). Also joining them will be John Mathers (Management Consulting | eVo Associates).
Thank You from Roots of Peace
Heidi Kuhn (Peace Building | Roots of Peace) presented a copy of her book, Breaking Ground (with foreword by Queen Noor), to President Christopher and to Ukrainian Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk. She thanked Rotary for its support of the mission of Roots of Peace to remove landmines and replace with grapevines and expressed sorrow that landmines were being planted in Ukraine now.
New Honorary Member
President Christopher and our Vice President of Membership Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired) inducted Dr. Elisa Stephens (Education: Administration | Academy of Art ) as the newest Honorary Member of our Club. Dr. Stephens is the president of the Academy of Art and has generously donated resources that have benefited our Club, our partners, and our District.
Grant Presentation
Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | McRoskey Mattress) presented on behalf of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation. She announced that 16 grants were funded this Rotary year. One of the 16 grants is to the Rotary International Disaster Relief Fund for Ukraine in the amount of $5,000.
Share Your Good News ($20 for Twenty Seconds)
All of the money collected from today's $20 for Twenty Seconds will go to the Rotary International Disaster Relief Fund for Ukraine.
- Margaret Miley donated to celebrate the birth of her first grandchild.
- Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) donated in memory of his paternal grandparents, both of whom were born in Ukraine.
- Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) donated to reflect on the remarkable role that women play in our Club. He recognized Heidi Kuhn and Dr. Elisa Stephens for their leadership.
- Emily Borland (Engineering, Architecture, and Construction | Emily Borland Specifications) donated to celebrate her parents selling her childhood home and moving to a smaller home closer to her brother.
- Jianying Chen (Healthcare: Acupuncture | American Institute of Zhizhen Therapy and New Qigon) donated to celebrate the birthday of Dora Dye (Education: Elementary and Community College) and to thank her for her service to our Club.
- David Dye donated to invite everyone to the BBQ at the RYLA camp on August 6, 2022.
- Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles) donated in memory of Dr. John Dracup.
- Todd St Vrain donated to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the passing of his Uncle Dave.
- Stephanie Schmautz (Elder Care and Senior Services | The Carlisle) donated to celebrate The Carlisle raising $10,000 for Nova Ukraine.
- Rhonda Poppen (Grant Writing | GRANTdog) donated to celebrate Harold Hoogasian for the special things he provides for all occasions.
- Jim Simkalo, president of the Rotary Club of Sausalito, donated because his family is Ukrainian, and he wanted to celebrate today's speaker - Ukrainian Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk.
- Christopher Wiseman donated in honor of Dr. Elisa Stephens.
Table Talk
This was a chance to have lunch and chat. Today's topic was your favorite beverage or your favorite bread.
Guest Speaker
President Christopher introduced Ukrainian Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk, whose role has changed drastically due to the situation in his country. He spoke of the war, its impact, and Ukraine’s needs. He was appreciative of the help from the West, but stated the need for military assistance such as long range missiles and added that defeat will be achieved on the battlefield. While 12 million people have left Ukraine, 3 million have returned. In many parts of their country, life goes on. President Christopher thanked Consul General Kushneruk and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in his name.
Donation to MedShare
Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors) expressed his admiration of and sympathy for the citizens of Ukraine. He donated $5,000 to MedShare to benefit Ukraine and challenged others in the audience to match his donation. Among those accepting this challenge were Dan Joraanstad, Rhonda Poppen and Bill Poppen (Banking: Management | MUFG Union Bank), Harold Hoogasian, Jeff Lerner (Retail: Home Improvement | Floorcraft), Heidi Kuhn, Alisha Marfatia, Emily Borland, and Maureen O'Shea (Governmental Relations | Retired).
Today's Meeting Recorded
Today's meeting was recorded for all to enjoy. Click here to view.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Editor's Note: Thank you to Robin Azevedo for serving as scribe at this meeting; to Ozan Yasavur for serving as photographer; to Jeff Lerner for managing the microphone; to Kurt Burdick of the Academy of Art University for managing the audio-visual equipment during our in-person meeting; to Margaret Miley and Anita Stangl for serving as greeters; to Scott Plakun for managing those who were attending via Zoom; and to Bob Hermann (Information Technology: Administration | Retired UCSF) and Jeff Lerner for doing check-in at the Hotel Nikko.