By: Gary Sloan

 

Lucky “Can Do” Sandhu called the meeting to order at 12:15p sharing that Ian Riesley was the President of Rotary International with a theme of Rotary Making a Difference.  Without a Greeter, Lucky extemporaneously shared a thought for the day which was “if you are absent from your Greeter responsibility, you will be recognized for $40”.  Jerry Marrs will be surprised to learn that he missed his turn but he should be forgiven since he has been hard at work with family and a new job.  He did miss a beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful.

Ana introduced her friend Vanessa and her friend’s 8^th grade daughter who reportedly could perform Hamilton if we needed a program for the day.  But as it turns out Barbara McClain, a retired Professor from Berkeley was announced as being on tap to provide the program.

Announcements:

 

Auction:  Kathy thanked the members for their work in getting items for the Auction which numbered 230 items!  Last year, we were able to obtain 400 items so all members were asked to help facilitate a successful auction by seeking more items and filling in the appropriate paperwork.  Kathy also reminded the club to bring more wine for the very profitable wine basket.  Yard signs, beautifully made by Ana, were now available for distribution.  Handout flyers were also available.  Public advertising is now a key for our success.  Members of the club were asked to visit a Rotary Club to announce our event.

Lucky showed a 1 ½ minute video of our city Mayor giving a sales pitch for the Auction.  He encouraged sponsors, products and participation in the auction as well as offered a Mayor for the Day auction item.  He promoted the work of the Education Foundation as a true community asset.  Lucky shared that these funds go to scholarships and the Imagineering project sponsored by the Education Foundation.  He tried to educate the clueless about Facebook and how those that have a Facebook page can “like the page” to get updates and share with others about our auction.  Go figure the modern advances of social media.

 

Club Administration and Fellowship:  Patti Hennigan shared that there were possibly three club events to encourage fellowship –

 

 

Golf Tournament:  Guy Greco thanked Steve Wilcox for hosting the Blackhawk Golf outing.  On October 12^th Edgardo and Glen would host at Crow Canyon.  Guy noted that all Italians know the significance of October 12^th as it is Columbus Day.  Guy also shared that his mother turned 104 years old last week. (OMG)

 

Special thanks:  Naeem Katiby thanked Chris Gayler for assuming his responsibilities last week due to his unexpected absence but Chris did not seem to understand what it was all about.

Baseball dreams: Proud father Marco Bronzini announced that his son’s team won the U.S. 13 year old Babe Ruth champion.  Marco’s son pitched 2 games  and the team went 6-0.    Five kids were from San Ramon region.

 

Program:  Many members thought that Lucky Sandhu was the program after his very long (but touching) introduction of our speaker.  26 years ago as a new immigrant, Professor Barbara McClain, assisted Lucky in acclimating to America and provided guidance in how he could obtain entrance into U.C. Berkeley despite his immigrant status.  Professor McClain became a mentor to Lucky and 20 years later assisted him in getting into Graduate School.  Ms. McClain has many awards including teacher of the year (Golden Apple Award). 

 

 

She shared her journey from South America to the USA.  After 48 year in America she has navigated the language, cultural and ethnicity issues she faced in her early years.  She expressed how proud and privileged she was to be in America contributing to humanity.  Her ambition to be a teacher was waylaid for child rearing but she prepared for a teaching career during these years getting a B.A. in English then a Master’s degree.  She taught for 22 years at Contra Costa College and U.C. Berkeley.  As far as this scribe is concerned, one of Professor McClain’s greatest achievements is rearing her daughter who became a Registered Nurse working at San Ramon Regional Medical Center (for which we are eternally grateful).  Oh yes, she has another offspring that is a physician in the East coast.

 

Ms. McClain emphasized the concept the “People need people” and that over the years she has taught students from over 40 countries where she teaches mutual respect and responsibility.   Her connection to Lucky is rewarding.  Now retired, she continues to assist individuals in achieving their aspirations.

 

Geoff Disch ran away with the honors of winning $20 and another $10 having had his numbers drawn TWICE!

 

Lucky shared that the Scotch and Cigar event would be held by the San Ramon Valley Rotary Club on October 21^st.  He then read from a book of inspiration sharing why Rotarians become Rotarians.  (Joy of serving, development of humanity, improving community and world peace to name a few.)

 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted

 

Gary Sloan, Scribe for the week.