Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2021
Before ringing the bell, President Alex Robertson welcomed enthusiastic Rotarian Tom Kapocius to our Zoom meeting for the second time today. The first time was at 11:00 am!
Alex then started the meeting and led us in reciting the 4 Way Test.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Charley Crew who reminded us that the only 5-syllable word in the Pledge is “indivisible” and that we should keep this word in mind during these divisive times.
President nominee Alan Turner inspired us with the words of Malala Yousafzai, speaking at the UN about the Taliban assassination attempt on her life:
The terrorists thought they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage were born.
He said he was inspired by the leadership we see from our youth.
Virtual Greeter Bob Vaughn welcomed our guests including Barb Crew, Didi Saks, Patty Fuqua, Pat Norfolk, Jess Dawson, and Joanne Hyldahl. Joel Doss sang them our welcome song without the benefit of his baton.
Alex then recognized Vern Cook as the March Rotarian of the Month. Congratulations, Vern!
President Alex thanked today’s volunteers: Zoom setup by Alan Turner, newsletter posting by Bill Angus and these words by your scribe, Dave Brooks.
Arilla St. Laurent, back to her normal hair color, gave us a Family of Rotary update. John O’Neill is recovering in the hospital. He had surgery to clean out his vertebrae. His pain is minimal, and he is feeling good. He said they would discharge him on Thursday.
Then Arilla stepped in as Finemaster and called on Karen and Mike Stelman who have just sold their house. Karen was happy to the tune of $100 about the smooth and easy transition to their new home in Casa de las Campañas. Then Arilla collected more Happy Bucks from several folks; see the list in Treasurer Pat’s summary email. This included $25 from Tom Kapocius for showing up twice today. Also Bill Brehm had $50 worth of happiness for seeing 2 ads in the RB News Journal from our club, one discussing Women’s History Month and one publicizing the SD Blood Bank blood drive on April 16th in the Albertson’s parking lot at 12475 Rancho Bernardo Rd. This event will go from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Lynn Ross also donated $50 Happy Bucks because the Miss RB / Miss RB Teen program was able to proceed in March despite Covid. Our new queens are Miss Teen RB 2021 Charlotte Parrish and Miss RB 2021 Hailey Bunsold.
Arilla also reminded us to send her any Major Market receipts for the first quarter so we can submit those and receive $$ for the club’s foundation.
Jan Goldsmith then introduced our speaker, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
Jan, as city attorney, had worked with Todd for 8 years when Todd was a councilmember and when Todd became interim mayor after Bob Filner resigned in 2013.
Mayor Gloria was accompanied by Stephanie Estrada of his office; she is the Community Representative for RB’s Council District 5.
Mayor Gloria covered several topics during his talk and the Q&A that followed. Stephanie provided links for more information on 3 of these:
Addressing homelessness encampments: https://www.sandiego.gov/department/mayor-gloria-directs-broad-changes-addressing-homeless-encampments and
https://www.sandiego.gov/department/mayor-gloria-overhauls-outreach-homeless-san-diegans
The Climate Action Plan: https://www.sandiego.gov/department/mayor-gloria-releases-climate-action-plan-annual-report
The invitation to bid on city-wide gas and electricity franchises: https://www.sandiego.gov/department/attachment-franchise-agreements-questions-and-answers-mayor-gloria-announces-new
If you want more information, email Stephanie here at estradas@sandiego.gov
Terry Heck presented Todd with a speaker’s gift; a book titled Colonial American Craftsmen. It will be donated to the Bernardo Heights Middle School Library in his name.
Russ Haskell said we have 2 students in the Four Way Test Speech Contest Semifinals.
Alex said the District Training Assembly is this Saturday, April 10th. All are welcome to attend on Zoom. RYLA will be on April 17th.
Don Glover was pleased at the increased attendance at this week’s meeting. Also there are still 15 more appointment slots available for the Blood Drive (see info above).
Cathy Glover said we are waiting on the check from our Sees candy sales. If you want to buy more candy, please email her for the link to our store. She will resume the sales campaign later this year for the holidays.
Jim Hyldahl asked when we might be able to resume meeting at BHCC. Alex said there had been a meeting with BHCC management about this subject. The information received will be considered by the club board when deciding on when we can return.
President Alex adjourned the meeting at 6:15 pm.