(SOME PHOTOS ARE FROM THE CROW'S CALL ARCHIVES)
The meeting began like a Three Ringed Circus as the least likely technically challenged population of Rotarians attempted to master signing onto ZOOM. As it turns out, it was not that hard and if you did not attend, you should try it. Colette (Lady Grizzly) Lay called the meeting to order at 12:04 after the chaos subsided. The obligatory salutations and acknowledgment that our RI President is Mark Maloney and that the theme this year was “Rotary Connects the World”. Some suggested that the theme should be modified to Rotary Connects the World Virtually. Indeed, this ZOOM experiment was breaking new ground for the club.
Barry Toby was our greeter for the day. He had the foresight to bring his own flag so everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance. Barry was required to lead us in the 4 Way Test but thankfully Colette put it on the screen so everyone could read it. The Thought For The Day was from an old Tibetan Proverb: “The secret of living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure.” Barry added …and wash your hands, stay 6 feet away from everyone and use a mask when required.
Thankfully there was no singing. Instead, Barry shared his profile. Retired for one year from being an attorney for 42 years (he passed the Bar when he was 10 years old), Barry is married to Cindy, has 3 kids, 3 Grandchildren with a 4th one on the way who will be named “Corona Toby”. Barry is a past President 2013-14 and joined the club in 1995 along with Marie Galbo.
After Barry yelled to Cindy to “get me another beer”, our Prez took back control of the meeting by providing some technical instruction and relishing the fact that she was able to mute any of the participants at her whim.
The Board would also be meeting by ZOOM in the coming month having successfully conducted a meeting this past week.
PE Chris Gallagher was asked to share his experience at the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS). Since this was the second time around (something of a remedial re-training course), Chris showed his certificate of completion and thanked Ana for the forgery. Even though the training was Pass-Fail, Chris claimed to have graduated in the top 10% of the class. He stayed at the DO_BLETREE Hotel (the light on the U was out) the week before COVID restrictions were put into place.
The new RI President auctioned off his tie to the attendees, and, you guessed it, Chris came home with the prize after bidding $1200! The funds go to the Stop Polio project and Chris received double Paul Harris points. The theme for the coming year will be “Rotary Opens Opportunities”.
Highlights of PETS were the receipt of the Club Poster with all of the club’s support for Chris. It goes without saying that Chris enjoyed a few libations, wore a tiara, ended up laying on the bar and met “Chris Gallagher”, a female counterpart from 5150.
Quoting Dennis Garrison, “Change is something other people do”, Chris indicated that his take home thought for PETS was that the club will need to adapt through “design thinking”. Toward that goal he is considering the addition of a New Director of Innovation (Prija) who will address new ways of communicating, promoting and engaging Rotary.
Colette followed-up with her ideas regarding Rotary engagement:
-Weekly meetings via Zoom – visit other clubs!
-Occasional Happy Hour via Zoom – Monday, April 6 at 5p
-Donate Virtual Lunch fees - (previous donation sent to Trinity)
-Share “Good News” with Ana (due each Tuesday)
-Share Community Needs – Rotacare translators needed
-Super 680 6-Club plans
-Occasional Happy Hour via Zoom – Monday, April 6 at 5p
-Donate Virtual Lunch fees - (previous donation sent to Trinity)
-Share “Good News” with Ana (due each Tuesday)
-Share Community Needs – Rotacare translators needed
-Super 680 6-Club plans
Colette fielded questions and suggestions:
Lourdes suggested exploring poly-ethelene mask production, more like N95 masks that might be able to be made at home and donated. Various alternative materials was discussed and the need to research what can be done by supportive Rotarians.
Use of Facebook and Next Door was suggested a one mode of communication.
Dennis Harvey asked how Mo, our server, was faring during this pandemic. Colette shared that the country club had an employee fund, there was a take-out service still in operation. Several members indicated that they would be willing to donate their lunch fees to assist Mo during this time.
Recognitions
Julie McKinney announced three recognitions for birthdays:
⦁ Barry Toby: Who after fumbling with mute and unmute settings shared that “we would be making Lasagna for a birthday dinner”. He would be boiling the water and primarily contribute by eating the dinner.
⦁ Glenn Weber: A creative cocktail neighborhood block party in their respective yards. He shared that this has become something of a new tradition in the neighborhood and he is just beginning to get to know his next door neighbors.
⦁ Chris Gayler: Was absent, but we assumed some alcohol related event would occur for his birthday.
Julie shared that there were no less than 16 Rotary membership anniversaries this month.
Colette announced that next week the San Ramon Police Chief would be the speaker and Brent Tucker, the Greeter.
She also expressed her thoughts about Shelter in Place:
And Colette shared her feeling about what is permitted during the pandemic:
It’s still the year of dessert!
Feel free to eat as much as you’d like during the pandemic.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 pm
Post meeting: A few Rotarians stuck around to engage in fellowship.
Highlights: Mark made it back from Uganda just in the nick of time.
Members can participate in other club Zoom meetings. Colette has a directory of meetings she may send out
Vera is heartbroken over many friends in Brazil who have contracted the virus. She is torn and feels powerless to help those in need. She asked for all of us to pray for their recovery.
Instruction on Zoom intricacies such as Chat, backdrop and mute elements. Marco Bronzini terrorized Gary Sloan over private chat indicating that Gary was touching his face too often and had a twitch.
Rotarians came to the support of Patti whose son was missing and was in a high-risk category. Additionally, with her salon closed, Patti was having difficulty in determining the correct path to obtain governmental assistance. Mark and Carolyn to the rescue (!) with promises to send her the forms she should complete to get financial assistance. (Seriously, it was very touching and compelling the way Rotarians stepped up for a fellow Rotarian. Sorry you missed it).
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Here is the link to apply as an interpreter for Rotacare. You can also reach out to them at info@rotacarebayarea.org for more information.
Ana - can you include this information in the Crow's Call as well?
https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=943144224