We meet every Thursday

12:00 PM

at the San Ramon Community Center Terrace Room
12501 Alcosta Blvd

Join Us!

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

Weekly Program
Meeting Notes for March 24, 2022
 
The meeting was called to order by President Showtime at 12:07p.   Shekar Mehta is the RI President and this year’s theme was revealed again: “Serve to Change Lives”).  Terry toasted in the new week per usual. The always pleasant and agreeable Kerry Richard was introduced as our Greeter for the day.  His thought for the day:  “Don't wait for your ship to come in...  Swim out to it!”
 
 
 
 
Following the flag salute, Kerry shared that he is a realtor in the Bay Area for the past 4 decades since 1979.  He had been married for 39 years resulting in 3 adult sons in their mid 30s.  His eldest son lives 2 miles away and blessed Kerry and his wife with 2 granddaughters (Ava and Sophie).  Kerry recently adopted dog “Jasmine” having lost “Harley” four years ago.  Not surprisingly, Kerry is a Harley Davidson rider and has a passion for pinball machines (playing, fixing and buying).
 
 
A tearful Mindful Moment was shared by Colette Lay who heroically read a letter written by Horace Crawford who passed away last year.  Highlights of the letter:
 
Horace had been a member since 1986.  He received his first Paul Harris recognition one year later.  He has been honored as Rotarian of the Year and awarded the Hammer Award. He started as an Architectural Engineer but later in his life became a full time “Homeless Advocate”.  Horace was instrumental in guiding the club in our support of the Trinity Center with annual Christmas lunches and gift cards
 
Horace became indispensable to the Rotary District serving as the editor of the District Directory for 8 consecutive District Governors.  Horace shared that his greatest honor in his thirty-plus years in Rotary was being our Club President in 1998-99.  Judy Lewis, the Sargent at Arms, presented Horace with a different hat every week since his handle was “The Cat in the Hat”.  He introduced the “Cactus of Shame Award” which disappeared at his demotion party.  San Ramon Rotary Club won Best Club in the District in 1998-99 and 1999-2000.
 
Horace was involved in multiple International Rotary Conventions and joined the club when Polio Plus Project was conceived.  He supported current Rotary efforts to address Covid-19, HIV/AIDS, Climate change, and clean water projects.  He reminded Rotarians that we belong to “one of the world’s greatest humankind organizations serving to help care for our planet”.  
 
Horace’s final thoughts were:  “I believe that my best deeds have been the ones that no one ever knew about”
 
 
His favorite quotation is from Frederick Buechner and quite appropriate in this moment of passing:
 
“When you remember me, it means you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are.  It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us.  It means that if we meet again, you will know me.  It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart”
 
Dennis Harvey described Horace as a Gentle Giant with a huge heart, a man among men.
 
We will miss you dearly, Horace.  You have taught all of us to be better people, better Rotarians, and better friends.
 
Announcements
 
  1. It is Water and Sanitation Month among Rotary Organizations.
  2. Past and Upcoming Meetings and Events:
3/20:Rise Against Hunger – Almost 20,000 meals prepared with wide participation from 6 club members and Interact
3/31:State of the Schools – Dr. John Malloy
3/31:Chamber of Commerce Expo (Cheri, Patti and Julie thank you for volunteering)
A cool new postcard will be distributed to prospective new members.
4/7:Choice in Aging- Mike Maxwell
4/14:Looking for a speaker
4/19:(Tuesday) Super 680 6-Club Dinner 6p to 8:30p San Ramon Community Center
Each One Bring One. All Rotarians bring a guest.RSVP with club President by 4/8/22
Excellent Speaker, Kevin Adler, CEO of Miracle Messages.Speaker, Author.
Not to be missed
4/21: Educator of the Year Luncheon. Look for the RSVP being sent. Ten educators will be honored. Guest lunch charge will be $40.
4/28:Club will be dark
4/30:Smoke Alarm Project.HOA approval obtained, Fire Department participation
Arranged.We need 20 Rotarians to participate with 10 Interactors.930a – 12:30p
WE ARE A SERVICE CLUB – PLEASE PARTICIPATE.
5/29-30:Art and Wind Festival. Application is being prepared. In discussion with beer distributor. Dennis and Glen will approach Crow Canyon to obtain a needed golf cart. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE 2 BOOTHS.
 
Other Club Announcements
 
3/31    SR Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Mixer Bridges Golf Club
4/16     Alamo Club Easter Egg Hunt
4/30    Truck time
4/30     Super 680 Club Dinner
4/30     Martinez Rotary Paper Shredding Event
5/7       Spring Assembly
5/14     Alamo’s Shredding Event
6/12     Danville/Sycamore Amazing Race Event
 
Recognitions
 
Both Steven Porschet celebrated his birthday and Dennis Harvey’s wife Sharon celebrated her birthday who both got recognized for $50.   Dennis shared that some friends are coming to town after which they plan to celebrate in Las Vegas.
 
Lunch was then served to a hungry Rotarian crowd.  Cordon Bleu was the main course.  Delicious.
 
Program Habitat for Humanity
 
Terry introduced our speaker, Mike Heller who has been a volunteer builder for Habitat for Humanity for 18 years, since retiring from Silicon Valley.  He does mainly electrical work, but helps out with other things (except plumbing!).
 
He has enjoyed interacting with the low-income families buying the over 300 Habitat homes he has personally worked on.
 
He has worked on Habitat developments from Brentwood to Cupertino, including recent developments in Martinez and Walnut Creek.  He is currently working on a project in Oakland and a new one near the Pleasant Hill BART station.
 
Mike and his wife are empty-nesters, with a crowd of adult kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids to mentor.  They recently moved back to Walnut Creek from Danville.
 
The East Bay Habitat for Humanity is the 2 largest Habitat organization in California covering Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara.  There are 45 chapters in California, 1700 in the USA and over 700 in other countries.  Habitat builds new homes for working families with limited income.  In this area, the income qualification can be as high as $100,000 to $140,000.
 
An important aspect of Habitat is that participates must activity volunteer, act as a partner with the buyer (Habitat) and share in the values of environmental stewardship.
 
90% of the labor in building a home is done by volunteers who must be over age 16.  For those who don’t want to do the physical work there are other alternatives such as raising funds, seeking land, working with the city and interviewing families.
 
Conditions for the applicant include a need for better housing, good credit and a willing partner.  Each candidate must pledge 500 hours of labor in lieu of a down payment for a 30 -year mortgage. The applicant pays only principle on the house and much like a lease buy back over a 30 year period after which the applicant owns the house.  He/she cannot sell the house or rent it during this period.  If the applicant moves, Habitat will pay for the home at the amount equal to the principal paid into the house to that point.  Therefore, the applicant does not gain equity until a 30-year period has passed but there is no pre-payment penalty.
 
Habitat receives support from volunteers, cash and material donations and sponsorships.  Cisco, Wells Fargo and PG&E assist through direct donations to build a home.
 
Habitat has built hundreds of homes throughout the region.  Recently, Martinez completed a 20 detached home project and Walnut Creek built 10 townhouses near the Bart Station.  New projects include 42 Townhouses (8 buildings) in Pleasant Hill near the Bart Station.  A unique design to create 5 complexes that are distinct facades.  It is located near Las Juntas Way off of Iron Horse Trail in a location that was a former swim club.  However, being located right next to Bart creates high noise levels that are being addressed with triple window panes.  Site work is underway with grading and deep trenching.
 
The second project consists of 23 townhouses near Pacific Landing at Bay Point.  This project begins June 2022.
 
When an applicant completes 500 hours of Habitat service, the keys to the house are presented at a block party.
 
For more information go to:  www.habitatEBSV.org for local projects or www.mike-sandyheller.com
 
There were numerous questions that followed clarifying the “ownership” of the home and what occurs if the applicant fails to make scheduled payments.  Terrific presentation enjoyed by all.
 
 
 
Kathy Gailey sent out information on Wheelchair distribution in Uganda.  There is no date set yet but it will probably occur in the Fall.  Anyone interested should contact Kathy.
 
The raffle was held with Ray Giles winning $20.  Three weeks ago, our President Elect won a $300 pot in the second raffle.  Last week, Patty Hennigan won $50.  What are the odds of pulling the white marble for a third consecutive week?  Your humble scribe (Gary Sloan) achieved this feat winning $50 much to the chagrin of our treasurer.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 1:17p over the grumbles of the Rotary faithful.
 
 
Respectfully and gratefully submitted,
 
Gary Sloan
Your Faithful Scribe
Horace Crawford
He was a charter member of the Club, past Club president, and all-around special person.  He organized lunches for Trinity Center members, food drives, clothing drives, Target gift card giveaways and he volunteered to help the unhoused in so many ways. He used his big white truck to pick up deliveries for the Center and help Trinity members move their belongings. He will be deeply missed.
 
Speakers
Mar 31, 2022 12:00 PM
State of the Schools
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Weekly Club Meeting
San Ramon Community Center
Mar 31, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting
San Ramon Community Center
Apr 07, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting
San Ramon Community Center
Apr 14, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
 
Educators of the Year Luncheon -Thurs April 21
San Ramon Community Center
Apr 21, 2022
11:45 AM – 1:30 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting
San Ramon Community Center
Apr 21, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting
San Ramon Community Center
Apr 28, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
 
View entire list
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.ca to your safe sender list or address book.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
 
ClubRunner
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
Advertisement for Russell Hampton
Advertisement for ClubRunner
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile