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
What's Up in Oakland? - Mayor Libby Schaaf
On Janaury 26th, as part of the Club’s ongoing effort to highlight surrounding cities by hosting elected officials and other key community and business leaders, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf spoke to the Club about what has been happening in Oakland both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic as well as look ahead for the City of Oakland. Mayor Schaaf concluded her presentation by noting that she is looking for 2021 to be a year of hope and healing. Watch Mayor Schaaf's entire presentation here.
On February 2nd, Bob Rogers, Chair of End Polio Now! Campaignfor Rotary Zone 27, shared the work of the Campaign to erradicate polio from the world as well as his personal story with polio as a child. The presentation includeds an outstanding video of the 2020 National Immunization Day (NID) in India where 400 million vaccinations were adminstrered. The video featured Brad Howard, who has spoken to the Club many times, and Ceta Dochterman who particated in the NID. Read about Bob's amazing and inspiring background here.
No words can fully capture the emotion of the presentation and video; therefore, every Rotarian should watch the presentation (link is posted below) and share it will family, friends, and colleagues.
As Bob noted, there are only two countries where polio cases have been reported - Afghanistan and Pakistan. Bob reminded members about the 2-for-1 match from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He shared that Rotary International had established The Polio Plus Society. Membership in the Society requires a donation of at least $100 per year until polio is erradicated. Members received an email from Dwight Perry with the details on how to donate.
Rebuilding Education In The Midst of a Global Pandemic! - The Redwood Christian Story.
Superintendent Al Hearne II
On January 26th, the Club warmly welcomed back Redwood Christian Schools (RCS) Superintendent Al Hearne II, PhD for an update on how RCS is educating students during the pandemic. Superintendent Hearne started by thanking the Club for its $1,500 grant that help to provide hand sanitizer stations for RCS.
During his 10-minute presentation, Superintendent Hearne the precautions that RCS is taking to education its students both on campus and via Zoom.
Dwight Perry presented a Paul Harris Fellow to long time community member and Rotary supporter Dwight Roberts for his generous donation to The Rotary Foundation. The Club sincerely thanks Dwight Roberts for his ongoing support.
Dwight Perry also honored Ajay Ahluwalia, Carol Bigelow, and Cliff Sherwood with their Paul Harris+ recognition. Pins will be presentated at a later date.
Earlier this year, the Club partnered with other Clubs in Area 4 to use DDF to support COVID projects, which doubled the Club's contribution to Eden Medical Center and allowed Eden Medical Center to ourchase high-capacity oxygen nasal cannulas. Eden has invited Club members to see a demonstration of the cannula systems presented by two physicians on Monday, Feburary 8th at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom with this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82960302696.
Mark Poniatowski announced that the next meeting of the Racial Discrimination Forum will be on February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. Please contact Mark directly for the Zoom link.
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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February 9 - Lunch Meeting at 12:00 p.m.
Speaker: Rod Diridon, Sr.
Topic: Rotary and Climate Change
February 16 - No Lunch Meeeting
Evening Presentation in conjunction with CVEF
Speaker: John Perkins, Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL)
Topic: Nuclear Fusion & More
February 23 - Lunch Meeting at 12:00 p.m.
Topic: Richard D. King Student Speech Contest (2020 winners pictured)
