Pledge and Inspirational Thought - After the Pledge of Allegiance, Nancy Wolfberg gave the inspirational thought for the day, from Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Kevin reported on the International Convention in Calgary from which he had just come. It was “pretty crowded and a lot of fun,” having drawn some 15,000 Rotarians. One of its main themes, he said, was peace, not as in the absence of war but peace as in the well-being, sense of safety. So our mantra is, and he began singing “All we are saying … is give peace a chance” a la John Lennon. The club joined in as he sang a few verses.
Guests - Several members of Rotary royalty were at the meeting: Guests included Past District Governor Steve Wright, current District Governor, and our own, Mitone Griffiths.
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News - Kevin asked for happy-crappy news, which when Mitone was our club president had initiated. Dianne Bobko had two items of news: her son Paul, Rosanna and their two children, a 3-and-a-half-year-old and an 11-month-old, came to visit her for a “wonderful, busy, hectic, exhausting and chaotic” week; and she wanted to thank club members who over time had given her all the things needed to keep them happy; like Mary, Liz and Terri and Kevin and Debbie; so she was “fully ready” to keep them entertained. Secondly, she had a late email last night from a classmate of Bo's in Colorado Springs; tomorrow is the 70th anniversary of the 306 cadets who showed up in Denver to start the Air Force Academy, and 210 graduated. Bo was the third youngest in the class, and the only member of the class to become an astronaut, for which he was chosen seven years after his graduation. Congratulatory applause followed.
Liz had brought back maple candy from Calgary to share. She also had gone to Lake Louise, which she called “absolutely stunning.” A card for Irwin, who is recovering from throat surgery yesterday, was passed around by Liz for members to sign.
Kevin called on Mike for more happy news: Of his four grandchildren, one is going to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, and will receive the doctor’s white coat at a white coat ceremony.
Presentation of the Rotary District 5150 Governor Home Club Banner - PDG Steve Wright was introduced, and he called up Half Moon Bay Rotarian and District 5150 DG Mitone Griffiths. He presented the banner to Pres. Kevin for our Club to hang for the year. Ours!
Announcements - Kevin introduced a new award this year, the Half Moon Bay Rotary Club Star Award, for a Rotarian who does something exceptional, and he presented the first one to Mitone as the District Governor. Steve also mentioned that he had come, on behalf of Past District Governor and RotaPlast Cofounder Peter Lagarias, to announce the annual Bocce Ball Tournament on Aug. 24, at which our District Governor Mitone will be present. Mitone needs a theme, he said, and needs at least three Rotarians to join her. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Pacifica, they have an unbeaten record—not once have they made it past lunch. The goal for the team is to play the first two games, have lunch and go home. He challenged us, to give funds that would go to RotaPlast, to do surgeries to correct cleft lip and cleft palate around the world. He encouraged us to join in the bocce ball tournament for that good cause. RotaPlast is a tremendous organization, and the bocce ball tournament is a lot of fun.
Kevin drew attention to cookies in the back of the room, that Debbie made, wanting do to something special for this first meeting. She also donated, for the upcoming fundraising auction, a never-been-used Isabelle Fiori handbag which retails for more than $550; we could auction it as is or put some special things in it.
Next, Kevin announced a trivia contest. First, he divided the room up into teams, and said he’d ask a question and whomever knew the answer, shout it out. First question: Three signers of the Declaration of Independence (Drew guessed John Adams; Erika Pardo guessed John Hancock, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin (correct!) Name the three manufacturers of these three autos: Seltos, Vistiq, Grecale (Maserati). Who won the Academy Award in 2024 for Best Actor? (Gillian Murphy). Who is the Mayor of Half Moon Bay? (the answer got lost in laughter) Kevin handed out a bag of Dove chocolates to be passed around.
Reports from the Rotary International Convention in Calgary - Kevin then asked each Rotarian who had attended to briefly state what they had gained from it.
Pat Roma said, there were people in Alberta who wanted Canada to become the 51st (U.S. State).
Mitone said that what she loved about international conferences was getting to see friends from everywhere; she had had lunch with Catherine Yaque (as part of the Malaria Action Group,) saw Sue Rokaw and made a point of visiting with them all.
Steve Wright noted that every Rotary International convention begins with a parade of the flags from every Rotary country (219 of them) and this year the flag bearers were sitting District Governors; he noted “the thrill of being part of that presentation; to see 219 flags when the U.N. only has 195.” He noted how in that procession the flags were carried by District Governors and each flag and country is announced.
Kevin mentioned how the plenary sessions at the convention were held in the Saddle Dome which was “packed with Rotarians.” He guessed there were 15,000 at the convention and at least 12,000 at each of the plenary sessions.
Liz Schuck also added her thoughts: 15,000 people, 144 countries represented, and meeting Rotarians from other countries who shared their projects (“and we have some in-common projects with,”) she specifically identified talking with some people working on projects in Uganda and for her, “the most powerful thing was recognizing that all 15,000 of us belong to the same organization, doing the same kind of work in the world.”
Kevin noted that “we are part of a huge organization … and when we marched in the parade (in Half Moon Bay) on July 4,” we showed this community that our organization is not all that small in Half Moon Bay. We had a lot of people that marched in the parade … It makes you feel very, very proud, in my opinion, to be part of an organization that is so far-reaching and does so much good in the world.”
He also mentioned that “polio is not gone yet. We are this close” (he held up two fingers) to wiping out polio. He mentioned a video that included Bill Gates saying that donations would continue to be matched 2 to 1, and he “gave credit to Rotary for getting it going” … the first time Kevin had heard Gates do that. So he would “ask you people” and he held up the polio jar. He did the math: “Remember, every dollar you put in there is $3; every $5 you put in there is $15. So let’s see what we can do to make Bill Gates pay.”
2025-26 Club Board Introduced - Kevin introduced his board: Liz Schuck, Club Administration; Susan Kealey, Community Service (she couldn’t be here because she tested positive for Covid; Joe Brennan, International Service; Ginger Minoletti and Mike Osborne, Membership; Dianne Bobko, Public Relations; Bella Bono, Vocational Service; Mary Rogren, Treasurer; Nancy Wolfberg, President-Elect and Secretary; Warren Barmore, Rotary Foundation Chair, Ed Daniels, Sergeant-at-Arms; Irwin Cohen, Past President.
Kevin laughingly noted that “his board looks a lot like the last board,” and that’s because it is. He made the point that we need to get more people involved in board positions – it’s interesting, fun and doesn’t take a lot of time. He asked members to help identify someone in the club who they think might be able to fill in for their position next year in Nancy’s term. He asked those who were approached, to do so because that is a way to help out the club and “it will be good for you too.”
He also recognized Rotarian Paul Wrubel who helps set up the room, i.e. tables and chairs, for every meeting. He wanted to give a second Rotary Star to Paul Wrubel. That brought enthusiastic applause.
Magic of the Coastside Lobsterfest Update - Even though it is a month away there is some concern over auction items. Mary noted that we need items by the 25th of this month since we need to put together a program including the items. We need the people who signed up to bring gift certificates from, say, restaurants, to go out and obtain them; we also need interesting items. We have a signed Buster Posey jersey donated by Mike Osborne.
What can members give – what do we have? We have a signed Buster Posey jersey donated by Mike Osborne and Nancy donated A Donatello Hotel timeshare. Stacy donated a warm hand-knitted cap and matching scarf.
What else can we get? Sports memorabilia? Alcohol, i.e. a bottle of tequila? Theatre or sports tickets? Vacation experiences such as timeshares? Luxury items? Lessons, such as cooking? Comedy shows? Could members approach restaurants that have not been included yet (Joe’s on the Coast, Café Society?
How did people hear about Rotary and/or the auction? Ninety-nine percent say they’re coming to the event because a Rotarian asked them. We also heard about how Rotary had been mentioned by emcee Cameron Palmer at the recent Fourth of July, Main St., Half Moon Bay parade. Sponsorship was discussed; the lowest level of sponsorship is $250 (and it goes up from there.) Kevin is donating a tie he got from Calgary, as an auction item. Donations of bottles of wine, at a value of $15 or above, are welcome.
AND .....Kevin spoke of the goals he would like to achieve in his presidential year. He’d like to add 10 new members; he’d like to see our club total 45 members. Current members can submit names to be approached as potential club membe
Steve Wright suggested clearing our wallets and donating pennies to Polio Plus.
Coming Up - Rose Serdy will hold a luminaria decorating event at her home, at 6 p.m. on July 10. Participants will decorate lumenaria for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life with which Rotary is involved. Renee Lewis obtained bags in which the luminaria will be placed, around the Half Moon Bay High School track. The Relay itself is scheduled for July 19.
Next week's meeting will be the annual visit from District 5150 Governor Mitone Griffiths. Alway an important meeting for all members.
Marble Game -Steve Wright won the draw – but alas, he got a green marble.
Future Meetings -