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Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

For more information visit our website: www.sanramonrotary.org or
call Colette Lay at (925)325-1611
Weekly Program
Meeting Notes for April 23, 2020
 

 
Lady Grizzly (Colette Lay) unmuted us into session. We paid due reverence to RI President Mark Daniel Maloney, who reminds us that Rotary connects the world.  Glen Weber, veterinarian of distinction, was our Greeter.  He led the Salute and welcoming ritual.  His Thought for The Day was a smorgasbord of good ideas. My favorite was “On an old man’s shirt was written a sentence ‘I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years job experience.’”  I can relate.
 
Shannon Lee from Cal High Interact shared with us some of the details of their  on-going activities during the shut-down. One of the most interesting was a contest called Free Rice, the process for which was beyond the capacity of this correspondent to follow. President Colette announced that our recent effort raised $1600 to provide meals for workers at the San Ramon Medical Center provided by Clementine’s, a win-win for the community.  She requested that we send photos of our shelter activities to Ana Dominguez.  If we are aware of any community activities, be sure to let Colette know.  Also Rotary is providing on-line training for service; check with Colette for more details.
 
 

The Club board has voted to offer $1000 in matching funds for the local food banks; whatever we donate individually will be matched up to $1000 by the club.  Melanie Emig tells us the Country Club hopes to reopen the golf course soon.  (Watch for slices and hooks!) She also said that the Educator of the Year will take place on May 21; principals are in the process of selecting their choices. Don Jones has a birthday coming up soon; send him a card.
 
 
 

Then we had a special comedy interlude as President Lay attempted to obtain the audio for an inspirational Rotary video.  The multiple suggestions and advice reminded this correspondent of the old times when our original technocrat, Mark V. ,used to control the airwaves.

 
Colette introduced us to Bill Tobin, an active Rotarian and an official with Shelter Box International.  He explained how this concept of disaster relief began as a small-scale project for the Rotary Club in Helston-Lizard in Cornwall, UK twenty years ago.  It proved wildly popular and morphed into a world-wide phenomenon.  The 40-gallon plastic box provides a rugged tent and tarps for shelter, small stove for heat, basic tools, water filter, utensils and rope.  The contents can be modified to suit each disaster situation.  Over the last 20 years Shelter Box has responded to over 300 disaster situations, affecting about 1.5 million people.

Each year there are about 17 million people who are affected by natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and storms.  On the other had about 70 million are victims of war and violence.  Most of these are internal refugees within their countries; they are for the most part not interested in emigrating elsewhere.
Some of the memorable deployments of shelter boxes include the Indonesian tsunami of 2004, the Haitian earthquake of 2010 and the Syrian civil war in 2012.  The organization does send out response teams of volunteers, including many Rotarians, who spend up to a year in the field.  Much of the focus of the organization is currently on the Lake Chad basin in Central Africa which is devastated by prolonged drought and the threat of Boko Haram terrorists.   In addition to fund-raising by Rotary clubs, Shelter Box seeks contribution of storage space in warehouses.  In the field the group depends on local Rotary clubs for translation service and transportation.  Shelter Box awards Hero status to clubs which raise money.

The organization works with local groups, such as Habitat for Humanity.  It is not officially connected with Rotary International, but Rotary remains a vital part of its mission. The group has been nominated twice for a Nobel Peace Prizes, and has earned Four Stars at Charity Navigator. Mike Conklin suggested that Bill Tobin investigate partnership with Spirit of America, a group Mike works with of former military members.  Lourdes Ylagan asked about work in Philippines, where the group has deployed 27 times, and if the tents remained with the recipients.  Dennis Harvey asked why no country had undertaken this kind of work.  Bill said that governments tended to be reactive rather than proactive; they wait for the disaster before they do anything.
 

A fascinating program. Next week the Greeter is Hermann Welm, Rotary’s Mister Sunshine.
Notes from the Editor, Karen McNamara, Norbert Walz, Pat Patterson
Karen McNamara
 
Hello  - Our San Ramon Rotary Foundation has committed $1,000 to the Contra Costa-Solano Food Bank and is seeking matching donations from members, and family and friends.  The Foundation will match $1.00 for $1.00 up to $1,000 for a total contribution to the Food Bank of $2,000.
 
Food banks are serving so many people right now with many visiting food banks for the first time ever.  Please consider a donation to our San Ramon Rotary Virtual Food Drive!.
 
Here is the link to donate.
https://give.foodbankccs.org/SanRamonRotary
 
You can share the link.  By using this portal we've created for our Virtual Food Drive, we can track contributions, thank our donors and watch our $$ matches.  [I believe donations can also be anonymous].
Karen McNamara
_____________________________

Pat Paterson
 
Sheltering in place has given us a chance to see the 3,000 plus slides we have taken since 1955. We have not looked at them in 30 years. We take an hour each day. Just a few thing that we are seeing: New borns coming home & graduations, The Great Wall of China & Scottish  Castles, Two and Four legged hunting partners, Classic Car Show & Scottish Games, Mt. Rainier & Death Valley, Kid’s theme parties & learning to ride a bike, Christmas & Easter. Lastly to DISCARD the SLIDES and KEEP the MEMORIES
Giraffes & Penguins. We have visited all nine continents.
______________________________________________________________

 
Norbert Walz
 
The City of San Ramon has finally made it official: The 2020 Art & Wind Festival has been cancelled.
They will be returning our fees at some point in the future.
 
Yours in Rotary Service
 
Norbert Walz
925-216-5409
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Editor's Note

One correction to the August 16 Crows Call.  Yes, we awarded 8 scholarships last week.  There is the $10,000 Scholarship Winner - Kasey Nye.  The second highest scholarship at $3,500 went to Jeana Lee.  It is this $3500 award that is named the John Simm’s Memorial Award.
 
Ana
Speakers
Apr 30, 2020
Miracle Messages
May 07, 2020 12:00 PM
Update on Bolivia Water Project
May 14, 2020 12:00 PM
Update on Covid-19
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Upcoming Events
District 5160 Annual Conference - CANCELED
May 01, 2020 – May 03, 2020
 
Board of Directors Meeting via ZOOM
ZOOM
May 13, 2020 4:00 PM
 
Art & Wind Festival - CANCELED
Central Park
May 24, 2020 11:00 AM –
May 25, 2020 6:00 PM
 
Rotary International Convention - CANCELED
Jun 06, 2020 – Jun 10, 2020
 
San Ramon Park Clean-up
Boone Acres Park
Jun 20, 2020
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
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