President JT Harold Forbus (Accounting | Bogdan & Frasco) celebrated the 35th anniversary today of the finding of the wreck of the Titanic on September 1, 1985. He led us virtually to the dining room in the Titanic and showed us the menus. President JT welcomed Rotarian Kerri Murray (also today's guest speaker), Rotarian Bill Tobin, prospective members Liam Sheridan and Sharonda Grant, and all members of our Club in attendance.
After a quick peek at today's agenda, everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance. President JT then spoke about why it is good to be a Rotarian now and how our Club and each of us should go forth to celebrate all backgrounds and explore new opportunities in the world.
Rotary Moment
Today, we heard from Peter Logan (Law: Insurance | Peter Logan Law Offices) who described his participation in a historical moment in U.S. history. At the age of 14, Peter marched in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. The purpose of the march was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. At the march, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech in which he called for an end to racism.
Today, we heard from Peter Logan (Law: Insurance | Peter Logan Law Offices) who described his participation in a historical moment in U.S. history. At the age of 14, Peter marched in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. The purpose of the march was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. At the march, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech in which he called for an end to racism.Breakout Session
President-elect Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | Vanguard Properties/JM Real Estate Group) broke the audience into small groups. Each group discussed being a participant or a witness at a historical moment. The alternate topic was selecting a new hairstyle for Vice President of Club Service Michael Petricca (Education Management | Academy of Art). See to your right for one of the styles recommended by President JT.
President-elect Mary Liu (Real Estate: Sales | Vanguard Properties/JM Real Estate Group) broke the audience into small groups. Each group discussed being a participant or a witness at a historical moment. The alternate topic was selecting a new hairstyle for Vice President of Club Service Michael Petricca (Education Management | Academy of Art). See to your right for one of the styles recommended by President JT.50/50 Campaign
Vice President of Development Christopher Wiseman (Event Planning | Glaucoma Research Foundation) gave an update on the 50/50 Campaign. Donations in any amount are welcomed.
$20 for Twenty Seconds
Those pledging today included:
Those pledging today included:
- Anita Stangl (Medical Services | Alliance for Smiles) to remind everyone to participate in the Alliance for Smiles Pet Project.
- Greg Gutting (Nonprofit Management | The Salvation Army, Golden State Division) who donated $100 in memory of Dr. Howard Denbo who worked tirelessly on the Club's annual blood drive. Greg learned of Dr. Denbo's passing in Grindings.
- Joining in to praise and remember Dr. Denbo were Jim Patrick (Retail: Office Supplies | Patrick & Co.), John Hoch (Financial Services: Advising | Retired), Cecile Chiquette (Accounting | Fiduciary Administration), Evelyn Abad (Medical Services | Rotaplast International), Anita Stangl, and President JT Forbus.
Guest Speaker
Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) introduced today's guest speaker - Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA, and a member of the Rotary Club of Montecito. Kerri spoke of the work of ShelterBox and specifically discussed the global displacement caused by COVID-19 as well as the importance of shelter in mitigating the spread of this virus. President JT thanked Kerri and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in her name.
Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) introduced today's guest speaker - Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA, and a member of the Rotary Club of Montecito. Kerri spoke of the work of ShelterBox and specifically discussed the global displacement caused by COVID-19 as well as the importance of shelter in mitigating the spread of this virus. President JT thanked Kerri and announced that 100 children would be inoculated against polio in her name.In today's audience was Bill Tobin, a visiting Rotarian from the Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills and the Rotary Relations Manager for ShelterBox USA. Bill provided the following resources for us to view and learn more about ShelterBox and its work:
- ShelterBox, USA Website
- ShelterBox, USA Facebook page
- ShelterBox volunteer opportunities
- Join a live Webinar on September 9, 2020 at 9 AM PT. The topic will be "Global Displacement and the Role of Shelter in Mitigating the Spread of COVID-19". Kerri Murray with special guest Sanj Srikanthan, CEO of ShelterBox. Register here
- Family activities: Educational and fun, something for everyone.
- ShelterBox USA 2019 Annual Report
- Video: 20 Years of ShelterBox (great introduction for new members)
- Video: Kunyumba - The Story of Home. Having lost everything after Cyclone Idai in 2019, Stephano and Mary were determined to rebuild their lives in Malawi.
Immediate Past President Casey Blair (Financial Services: Private Trading | KCB Trading, LLC) said, "If it's Tuesday, it's time for Rotary." Past President John Mathers (Management Consulting | eVo Associates) rang the gong. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.