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
Climate Change: Combating the Sixth Mass Extinction?
Rotary Climate Action Council of Rotary District 5170
Hon. Ron Diridon, Sr.
Recently, the Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: Supporting the Environment. Today’s speaker, the Honorable Rod Diridon, Sr., brings a wealth of experience in public service and leadership (e.g., Chair of the U.S. High-Speed Rail Association, Emeritus Executive Director (Ret.) of the Mineta Transportation Institute) and works with the Rotary Action Council for District 5170.
In the presentation, Rod posed the question: Is Climate Change the Sixth Mass Extinction? Rod began by highlighting the previous mass extinctions:
President Gary Howard shared the experience that he and eight other Club members had on Feburary 8th when they were able to watch a demonstration by Eden Medical Center of the breathing equipment that the Club help fund with an Area 4 grant. Watch the demonstration here.
Speech Contest Char Bernie Kempen reported that the Richard D. King Student Speech Contest is being held virtually this year. Students have recorded their speeches via Zoom and the judges are now scoring the speeches. The speeches will be shown and winners announced during the February 23rd Lunch Meeting. The 1st Place winner will move on to the Area 4 contest.
International Project Chair Bernie Kempen reported on a potential global grant with a bicycle club in South Africa. During the presentation, he showed a vidoe detailed how Rotary is already involved with a major bike race in Cape Town and how the global grant will enhance particpation for individuals who cannot currently participate. Watch the presentation here.
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 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)