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Meeting Highlights provides members, guests, and the community an overview of each speaker's presentation, significant Club and member achievements, and information regarding upcoming speakers and events.                                                                                                                                                                                                           Jim Negri, Editor
Olivia Fryling Wins
Richard D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest 
On February 23, the Rotary Club of Castro Valley hosted the First Round of the Rotary District 5170  Richard D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest for students attending Castro Valley High School (CVHS) and Redwood Christian High School (RCHS).  Due to the current Shelter-in-Place orders, the contest was held virtually under the outstanding leadership of Bernie Kempen, who served as the Speech Contest Chair for the Club.

Each student's speech was recorded live on Zoom prior to the meeting according to the Speech Contest rules.  The theme of this year’s contest was "Rotary Opens Opportunities,” which had to be clearly identified in the speech.  Each student had to clearly relate, apply, or interweave one or more of Rotary’s Four Way Test principles into the speech:  
  • Is it the TRUTH?
  • Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  • Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  • Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Click here to learn more about the Youth Speech Contest, watch the seven student speeches, learn who the winners were, learn about the students, and hear from Richard D. King about the importance of the Youth Speech Contest.
February Rotarians for the Month:
Mark Poniatowski, Bernie Kempen & Roland Williams
Mark Poniatowski
Bernie Kempen
Roland Willianms
President Gary Howard announced that the Rotarian of the Month for February is actually a trio of hard-working Rotarians committed to Service Above Self when he recognized Mark Poniatowski, Bernie Kempen, and Roland Williams for establishing the Club’s Racial Discrimination Forum, which has initiated a serious discussion of race in our community. 
 
For the past nine months through online meetings, they have facilitated honest, frank, and personal conversations in a safe environment regarding the pervasive and corrosive nature of racism in so many aspects of our lives.  The meetings have used videos, articles, and personal experiences to spark a serious discussion of the critical issues.  The Forum has focused on Rotarians making a difference rather than standing by doing nothing.  The work of this group has inspired other Rotary Clubs in the area to consider starting similar conversations of their own Clubs.
 
 “Racism continues to be a cancer in our society,” said club president Gary Howard.  “Mark, Bernie, and Roland are helping us to face up to it, and that’s a great service to us all.”  For more information regarding the work of the committee, please contact Mark Poniatowski at mponiatowski@ponlaw.com.
Vocational Committee Chair Chris Carr recently sent members an email seeking speakers and industry experts to share their insights and knowledge with students enrolled in the Eden Area ROP that are seeking alternatives to college or university programs. We especially need speakers for the engineering students (Civil, Electrical, Computer Sciences)
 
Click here to read more and learn how to volunteer.  Service Above Self.
  • Members are requested to register for lunch meetings by responding to the email invitation or using the link under Upcoming Events.
  • The new Zoom link to access all lunch meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89869870998
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March 2 - Lunch Meeting/Club Assembly at 12:00 p.m.

The Vision of the Rotary Club of Castro Valley is As the preeminent service club in the Bay Area, the Rotary Club of Castro Valley will support activities that enliven the Club and benefit our Castro Valley community and beyond.

The Club will continue working on Castro Valley Rotary 2025, the Club's strategic plan and future goals, and update the requirements for members to earn their Blue Badge.  Additionally, Jim Phillips will describe a possible new initiative that involves establishing a Community Foundation.

Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
Rotary Club of Castro Valley
P.O. Box 2107 
Castro Valley, CA 94546
www.castrovallyrotary.org
Founded 1953
Gary Howard, President