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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
June 4, 2020
President Elect Mary Rogren - Planning and Goals for 2020-21
Article by Stacy Trevenon
Screen Shots by Dianne Bobko
President Elect Mary Rogren spoke about her preparations for her upcoming presidential year. She modeled her own Rotary T-shirt and said she hopes to make it possible for all Half Moon Bay Rotarians to get one too. EJ offered her fashion tips around the shirt. Mary said the shirts cost around $15 and she will get information as to how we can get them.
Mary also shared images from a Powerpoint presentation, including moments from past meetings, memorable club moments, and club visitors she hopes to see again in person, not on a computer screen. Looking ahead, Bill asked about gathering outside? Thinking of some of those moments, Ed remarked that "Together, we connect, transform, are people of action," which will continue, such as the work we do with Eric DeBode.
Discussion revolved around previous Rotary work that did good for the community, like our support of the Relay for Life, and the Rotary club's identity in the community and in the world. There was also discussion about the future of our club in Half Moon Bay, of how we can get others to join, and how to communicate our values.
Discussion went on to focus on the effects of the pandemic -- there will be no Pumpkin Festival, one of our chief fundraising opportunities, and no Fourth of July celebrations. Still, 2020 can and should be a great year for us. Questions arose: 1) Pertaining to defining Rotary to the public and prospective members, what is our mission and whom do we want to serve and how? President Mary opened the floor and invited our thoughts.
Bill Johnston discussed the foundation in terms of serving the community, and talked about individuals making a difference, . He also, in the course of the virtual meeting, brought up assisting an Abundant Grace project of building a center for local workers and constructing fencing for it. We have club board approval for giving $2,600 in DDF for this, though as of Monday this still needs to be signed off by Rotary International.
Steve Wilson pondered fundraising and service in a landscape shifting due to COVID-19.
Mitone pondered how we can articulate our community service, and recommended thinking about membership goals and growth. Dianne suggested our club become known as a club that does.
JUNE 7, 2020 - Club Meeting
The meeting began as President Ed adjusted the screen to make sure he could see everyone, and then rang the bell.
Mitone led the Pledge of Allegiance with Stacy holding up a small American flag where it could be seen on everyone's computer screens.
Dianne offered a particularly pertinent inspirational thought:
What if 2020 isn’t cancelled?
What if 2020 is the year we’ve been waiting for?
A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw——
That it finally forces us to grow.
A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us
From our ignorant slumber.
A year we finally accept the need for change.
Declare change. Work for change. Become change.
A year we finally band together, instead of
Pushing each other further apart.
2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather
The most important year of them all.
leslie dwight
Announcements
Announcements began with an update on the See's candy distribution. Liz said she got her portion of the chocolates, and hopes the rest of us will too in the next few days. Ed asked that prior to picking up our portions we contact him by phone or email.
Ginger said she is making Rotary-themed masks available for us. We can pick them up from her or we could purchase wine and arrange delivery of masks with the wine. Ginger also encouraged supporting the causes of local nonprofits, citing the Purple Heart Anglers and Coastside Pride.
Bill Johnston said that the Rotary district approved our suggested dissemination of $2,600 in DDF. We still need ***. Bill said he will meet with Bryan Bodas to ***. He also brought up the idea of a Rotary work day, that we can discuss scheduling.
Krystlyn remarked that Half Moon Bay retail businesses are now slowly reopening following the lockdown, and asked Rotarians to please visit the businesses. That includes restaurants which will reopen this weekend, that have set up tables for outdoor dining. The city, she said, is anxious to "allow businesses to get back to business."
When happy/crappy news was called for, Dianne told how Bo had talked to some local sixth-graders about his experiences and about Space Camp, and would like to do more of that, though they were not sure how or if this would be possible in this time of lockdown. "We were all holding our breaths," she said, adding that students' family members were also interested in his presentations.
EJ said that as of Sunday he had officially retired from playing music in public, which he has done regularly every day except when it was raining.
A very proud Mitone said that her daughter had graduated from Half Moon Bay High School on Thursday, and that despite the current challenges, the school had put a graduation ceremony together that was "attended" virtually by family and friends. Her daughter walked across the stage to get her diploma from principal John Nazar, who gave an individual, personal message to each student. The graduation was "closure for her," said Mitone. adding that everyone was impressed by her Interact stole.
Dianne said she had heard from former Half Moon Bay Rotarian Bonnie Dunham, who said she misses everyone here. Ed said he has invited Bonnie to visit club meetings.
PHOTO GALLERY
