CROW’S CALL -- May 3, 2018

By: Dr. Bill Harlan

 

President Lucky Sandhu (“Can-Do,” “Short-Timer”) quelled the rebellion in the corner and called the meeting to order, as always fulfilling his Riseley Obligation recognizing the RI President.  Greeter Marie Galbo presented us with an “attitude make-over,” calling for Happiness as the new Riches, Inner Peace as the new Success, Health as the new Wealth and Kindness as the new Cool.  This was followed by Lucky offering a Yelp Review on different dating sites. Marie led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, which had not changed since last week.  Norbert Walz, standing on tippy toes to emulate Don Jones, led us in “God Bless America” for a change.  The Visiting Rotarian was Aparna Madireddi of the Dougherty Valley Club.  Others visiting us included Ben Adhikari of Reliance Financial, Tom Hart of Berkshire Hathaway,  Vanessa Benastain and Leslie Arpunna both of the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation.

Announcements

Don Bierman, who is adept at multi-clubbing, shared the news about his Lions Club annual fund-raiser, “A Taste of Danville,” an eating/drinking tour of 17 establishments in Old Town on May 15.  See  Don for tickets at only $30.

Lucky presented a Past President’s badge to Kathy Gailey, the African Queen. It only took 11 months.

Lucky also shared with us a video on the club and our Interact partners made by Justin Wong and thanked the Ed Foundation for honoring us at its recent event.

Those who are attending the upcoming District Conference in Tahoe stood and were recognized for $50  each.  (You can always tell when a Rotary president is in the final weeks by frantic recognitions.)

Lucky thanked those who are helping get Jay Tonz to and from the meetings.

Jerry Marrs won two tickets to a 49ers game and will be providing legal advice on domestic violence for  team members.

Dennis Harvey plugged the Rotarian Magazine which covers Rotary’s good works around the world.

Our demotion party will be June 14 under the direction of Kathy Gailey.

Naim Katiby will be inviting everyone to his place for a party on June 9.

 

Induction:

Dennis Harvey introduced two new Rotarians: 

Cathie Opila was one of 11 kids.  She attended Rensselaer Institute in Troy, New York and took a degree in electrical engineering.  After having two daughters she became a web site designer and got involved in quilting and soccer coaching.  She has already begun her Rotary service having survived the Sunny Glen Smoke Alarm Jamboree with Dennis Garrison and doughnuts.

Carolyn Degnan is our old friend and Honorary Rotarian.  She has been on a seven-year hiatus while working on the Peninsula.  Now she’s back in San Ramon, working as the head of the National Lyme Disease Foundation and rejoining our club.  Carolyn offered the tip that Justified would win the Kentucky Derby and he did.  Rotary raffles are no longer safe.

 

Program:

Lucky introduced our speaker, Satish Malhotra, chief operating officer of Sephora Beauty, a $5 billion company. They were fellow students at UC Berkeley where they faced the challenge of achieving academic success in a sometimes hostile situation.  Despite his best efforts, Lucky was always bested by Satish.  After graduation they entered the work force and in 1999 Satish went to work for Sephora, an upscale beauty company.  He survived the dot.com debacle and rose to a position of leadership.

 

Satish explained that his company discouraged his speaking to outside public groups, but that Lucky had assured him that we were family so he felt confident in sharing some his business philosophy.  He began by telling us that the company had won an award as the best retailer last year while its business had grown by 83%.  Sephora had begun partnering with J.C. Penny’s around the country.

 

Satish had helped develop the company’s mission and motto – “Inspiring Fearlessness.”  Its products and services are more than a transaction; they stand for doing good in the world.  He described four initiatives which he had helped to launch at Sephora:

Sephora Confidence – classes in beauty and self-confidence aimed at women suffering from cancer; they have already reached over 8,000 people.

Sephora Accelerates – mentorships for women entrepreneurs with funding and training.

Ability Works – employment program which focuses on what workers can do and not their disabilities; Satish introduced us to a deaf woman and a vision-impaired man who have become successful workers.

Sustainability – a reduction of waste in packaging and carbon footprints aimed at 30% by 2022.

 

In response to questions Satish said Sephora hopes to open a store in the planned Bishop Ranch shopping center we heard about a couple of weeks back.  Generally his company is scaling up its online presence and moving out of big shopping malls.  Shoppers seek ease and convenience and further contact through classes and consultation.  He closed by reiterating that business, like Rotarians, needs to do good in the world in order to do well.  It was as if the four objects of Rotary had been embodied in his enterprise.  After the talk we learned that Lucky had agreed to donate a $100 to help convince Satish to come and talk with us and allow his picture to be taken in front of the Rotary banner.

Raffle:

Naim Katiby conducted the drawing for the Greeter’s Gift which was won by …..Naim Katiby!  A team of international inspectors will be looking into possible irregularities.  The chance for the progressive prize was won by newly-minted Cathie Opila who thought she was rich when she drew blue amid the chants of her peers.

 

Next Program:

Grads to Patriots with Dr. Bill.  Chris Gallagher greeter.