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By: Hermann Welm President Terry “Showtime” Koehne opened the meeting at the San Ramon Community Center and reminded us that this year’s Rotary International President is Shekhar Mehya from India, whose theme for the year is “Serve to Change Lives.” San Ramon Rotary’s slogan for the year is, “Reconnecting back together again!” (This Scribe wonders if this phrase is actually “good” English! Are there not three words, in succession, which means the same thing?) Our Greeter, Marco Bronzini, was not present and therefore found it difficult to actually greet members. Sooooo, Showtime Koehne had to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Instead of muttering some incomprehensible words in Spanish, Showtime simply greeted all present by reciting his three goals for this year; (1) Be Open to Change, (2) Grow Membership, and (3) Go from Survive to Thrive! Visiting Rotarians: Renee Matsomoto, from the Dougherty Valley club, who is serving as Assistant District Governor for our area. Guests: Cindy Zhu, this year’s President of the Cal High Interact Club. Joe Gorton and Steven Spedowfski, City Manager and Assistant City Manager, respectively, for the City of San Ramon. Announcements: Our semi-annual Six-Club Meeting scheduled for October 24th, has been postponed. It was to have celebrated World Polio Day. The Club is working on an outdoor “Beer and Brats” event at the Growler. More details later. The Run For Education Health and Wellness Expo needs Rotarians to man the Rotary table (DVSR and us). Dates: Saturday, Oct 9, 9am-3pm and Sunday, Oct 10, 10am-2pm. Sign up at: Per Carolyn Degnan, Club Virtual Happy Hour will be happening again, on the last Thursday of the month. Showtime listed the Polio Plus Society members in our club: Kathy Gailey, Chris Gallagher, Ray Giles, Bill Harlan, Colette Lay, Gary Sloan. Karen McNamara updated us on the Trinity Center Project. Rene Matsomoto presented the District’s check for this “technology” project’ $10,900 for a total of $19,000! Karen McNamara announced that the San Ramon Historic Foundation will be having their Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 2nd. Beer, an Ooompah Band, a Bavarian Dance Group, Sheepherding, and tours of the Tractor Barn and the Glass House will all be available! 2xPP Chris Gallagher noted that Vera Packard, who recently moved to the Midwest, has resigned from her position with Lazerex. She had been planning to continue in that position via Internet connection but has opted to not do so. The Third Grade Dictionary Project is underway. Dr. Bill will soon be recruiting members to make presentations at the five schools assigned to our club. Interact President Cindy Zhu reviewed the club’s objectives for our members. They are (1) addressing homelessness, (2) the environment, and (3) working with the Trinity Center in Walnut Creek. Good News, Fine Free: PP Gary Sloan read a letter from Davis Ryan, aka “Rocketman,” who had received a Rotary Scholarship from our club. He wrote about his continuing interest in building better rockets. This summer he built Spirit with which was able reach 2,800 feet at a speed of 713 MPH! It earned him a Level 1 High Power Rocketry Certification from the National Rocketry Association. With this success, he will now enter college and will build Ursa Major, which will stand more than 6 feet tall and will be four times as powerful as Spirit ! He’ll send us an dated after he launches Ursa Major in December! Program: San Ramon City Manager Joe Gorton addressed the club about the City’s dealings with the COVID-19 impacts. Revenues were severely impacted because of huge decreases in the Hotel and Occupancy Taxes and for having to shut down city facilities which eliminated rental income and money-generating programs. The use of accumulated Reserves, as well as the $8 million in Federal Relief Funds, mitigated much of the impact. Staff and the City Council and Commissions also had to learn to handle meetings using ZOOM, which took some time to work out so it could be done effectively. Joe was particularly pleased with the “substitute” work performed by the Parks and Community Services staff, who after all, had little to do once programming came to a halt. They reorganized themselves as a COVID Rapid Response Team! Their efforts were focused on assisting the vulnerable members of the San Ramon community who were able to get immediate assistance by calling a new Hotline! The tally of positive impacts includes: - 3,500 calls received by the Hotline.
- 1,060 requests fulfilled for food, essential items, face masks and sometimes just human contact.
- 43,000 meals served to senior citizens.
- 175 hours of assisting with the very successful and efficient vaccination program led by the SRV Fire Protection District.
- 200 Classes, Events and Programs modified so they could be handle virtually.
- 73 local businesses, employing 740 people, enrolled in San Ramon’s Business Assistance Program which received a nearly $5 million Federal grant.
Raffle: The Greeter’s Gift, $20.00, was won by Interactor Cindy Zhu. The chance to draw the Golden Marble for a big cash prize was won by 2xPP Chris Gallagher; he drew Blue and everyone was delighted (except him!). This means more money for a deserving Rotarian at a future drawing! Next Week’s Program: A ZOOM meeting. Then, on September 30th, we will be Dark but look for a ZOOM Happy Hour! |
