By: Tom Port

 

Opening: Lucky “Can-Do” called the meeting to order with the usual: “R.I. President is Ian H. S. Riseley of Victoria, Australia, and his theme for the year is: “Rotary, Making a Difference”.

Greeter: Stacy Litteral advised “Knowing things could be better should not stop us from trying to make things better”. Stacy has been married 14 years, and has two kids: Emma and Mason. She is a graduate of Stanford’s Fellowship Program for Non-Profit Executives.

Visiting Rotarians: None present.

 

Special Guests: “Lady Ann” Patterson. Pat notes they’ve been married 61 years.

Auction: Kathy Gailey says we still need more auction items. Last year there were some 400 but this year we only have about 100 so far. Dennis Harvey is planning additional trips around the area to solicit more donations. Contact him if you are able and willing to join him in that effort. Members who are able to visit other clubs in the valley should sign up for that effort. Finally, volunteers are needed to distribute the auction items. Contact Norbert if you are able to help.

Harlan Family: Dr. Bill says he will give a presentation about the family’s history at the San Ramon Library on September 6 at 7:00 P.M.

 

Lucky Sandhu publicly thanked the board members for all their contributions of time and effort toward running our club.

R.I. Video: Lucky showed the attendees a short video, “Get To Zero”, about the 1.2 billion that Rotary has pledged to finally end polio. Although they disease has nearly been eradicated there are still pockets in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Those small pockets could, and likely will, spread unless polio is totally eliminated from the globe.

 

Recognitions: Kathy Gailey and John Milich were recognized.

 

Main Event: Nancy Kreiser, Senior Community Library Manager, gave a lively and informative presentation about the “all new” San Ramon Library. The renovation project involved the City, the County, the Parks Commission, architects and others. The effort prioritized flexibility, efficiency, connectivity and durability. They sought to make the library a gathering place for various ages and groups, kids and teens as well as adults. The renovation included a door facing the new San Ramon City Hall. The Grand Opening was held on April 15, the library’s 28th anniversary and some 4 to 5,000 people attended.

The renovated building offers significantly more space, dual wi-fi networks, literary pods, a tech lounge, study rooms and a teen lounge. The library experiences large middle school crowds and is the busiest library in Contra Costa county.

 

The San Ramon Library Foundation has pledged $100,000 in grant funds for the renovation and the library has received a $50,000 in grants for materials.  Their Gala Fundraiser is set for August 26^th. Their main goal is to rebuild their collection. They really should have 130 to 140% of what they can hold on the shelves at any given time due to the fact a large percentage of their collection is loaned out.

 

Raffle: Gary Sloan took the Greeter’s Gift and Chris Gallagher won a shot at the Progressive. All present were “very sorry” to see Chris picked a blue ball.