Serving Rotarians in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties ● July 2015

If someone were to write a book about your life, would the title be something like The Predictable Tale of (Insert Your Name Here)’s Monotonous Existence — or would it be The Exciting Escapades of (Your Name)’s Wild and Adventurous Life? Your real life probably falls somewhere in-between agonizing moments and wanton exhilaration — long stretches of boredom (or busyness) interspersed with moments of joy. As creatures of habit, our routines are comfortable and comforting. Living an exciting life appears great in theory, but it’s a bit daunting when we are faced with the possibility of actually doing something to make it exciting. Life in Rotary faces a similar challenge. How do we offer programs and activities that are truly fun and exciting? How do we make our weekly programs fresh and inspiring? How do we create activities to appeal to more people? How do we engage people who have never parti-cipated before? These are questions I considered as I prepared to step into the role of district governor.

This is why I have decided to set some new challenges and why I am asking you to embark on a new journey with me – to pursue our common purpose while launching into some adventures we have not tried before. In 2015-2016, I am asking District 5150 to focus its work on one topic, and I have chosen the topic of “peace.” I chose this theme because it is at the very core of everything we do, of The Rotary Foundation mission “to advance worldwide under-standing, goodwill, and peace.” To pursue that mission I am asking you and your club to support “peace” in four ways: Implement a peace project, Attend and support a Rotary

World Peace Concert, Attend a Peace Conference, Make District 5150 a Rotary Peace Builder District In the days ahead, you will learn more about these activities. Together, let’s write our own book – or at least a chapter in The Amazing Adventures of Ordinary Rotarians Who Do Extraordinary New Things to Bring Peace to the World. I look forward to embarking on a new journey together! In Rotary, for peace, Leah

Embarking on a New Journey

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W News

Rotary announces world peace concert

Rotary District 5150 announced today that it will hold a Rotary World Peace Concert on Saturday, November 14, 2015, 7:30 p.m. at the Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. The concert will feature two outstanding performers whose music and philosophy support the development of worldwide understanding, goodwill, and peace: headline performer Brett Dennen, and former American Idol star Crystal Bowersox. Rotary World Peace Concert Chair Melissa Cross, a member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Evening said, “We reached out to these two performers based on their popularity with a younger demographic and their commitment to making the world a more peaceful place through music and charitable work. Both Brett and Crystal exemplify Rotary's mission for Peace! They are a new breed of musician: conscious, mindful activists. We hope to bring in new people from the Bay Area to this Rotary event." Talent Coordinator Dennis Hagerty, a member of the Rotary Club of Novato, agreed, “When I started playing Brett Dennen’s CD Smoke and Mirrors in my car, I just couldn’t stop playing it. I love his songs. And Crystal Bowersox is a rising star whose powerful voice is sincere and soulful. These are two amazing performers!” Information on the event, the performers, and ticket availability will soon be available at www.rotaryworldpeaceconcert.com. Watch for it, as there will be a short pre-sale period for Rotarians before tickets go on sale to the general public. In the meantime, to learn more about Dennen and Bowersox, visit their web sites:

Brett Dennen: www.facebook.com/brettdennen

Crystal Bowersox http://www.crystalbowersox.com/

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On July 23, 2015, Rotary District 5150 will celebrate its 100th anniversary as a district… so wherever you are, and whatever you may be doing, raise a glass to salute District 5150. From the beginning of the first Rotary Club in Chicago, until 1915, there were no Rotary districts. Clubs acted independently and came together in exchanges between clubs that were geographically near each other. H.J. “Bru” Brunnier, president of the Rotary Club of San Francisco in 1914, is the originator of the district concept in Rotary. On a train ride, he developed a map of the approximately 100 Rotary clubs existing at that time, and this map and idea were the basis upon which Rotary leaders adopted the “district plan” at the San Francisco Rotary International Convention in 1915. Our district began as District 13 on July 23, 1915 with “Bru” Brunnier as its first district governor. Bru’s territory was the largest territory in our history, including clubs within New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Since that time, the explosive growth of Rotary clubs necessitated several reorganizations, some resulting in changes

in numbers – including District 513 from 1957 to 1989, to District 515 from 1989 to 1991, and ultimately to District 5150 when, in 1991, Rotary International decided to add a “zero” to each district’s number worldwide. Even today, redistricting becomes necessary as some Rotary districts lose clubs and members and other districts continue to add new clubs. Over the years, Rotary District 5150 has been involved in many changes and currently has one of the smallest geographical areas in the Rotary world. Nevertheless, its record of achievement within the geographical area designated by RI has been matched only by a handful of Rotary districts throughout the world. District 5150 continues to thrive and every club in the district is invited to acknowledge and celebrate the 100th anniversary of our district at their club meeting the week of July 23, 2015. Happy 100th Anniversary to Rotary District 5150! May every club in our district continue to flourish!

District 5150 celebrates 100 years

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Stacie Strassberg, Rotary Club of San Rafael Harbor, sang The National Anthem at the start of the San Rafael Pacifics game on June 28, 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giyDnTJQYiU&feature=youtu.be or you can pick it up on District 5150’s Facebook page.

A “for real” letter received by the Rotary Club of Peninsula Sunrise.

Christopher Major, Rotary Club Novato Sunrise; with Past Rotary International President John Kenny, and Immediate Past President Mark Nelson, Rotary Club New Kingston, Jamaica, at Rotary District 7020 District Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

the District A bout

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The Rotary Club of Menlo Park presented grant checks totaling $25,000 to local non-profit organizations.

the District

Members of the Rotary Club of SF Evening volunteered at Stern Grove's 5th summer event to help with donations, ushering, cleanup, check-in, and other needs

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Priorities

The mission of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation is “to advance worldwidde understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.”

To support this mission, Rotary clubs throughout District 5150 are focusing their attention on the District theme of PEACE during the 2015-2016 Rotary year.

Specifically, each club in the district has been asked to sponsor or participate in some type of “peace project.” This project can be a project in the local community or an international project. The only criteria are that:

1. It is an activity or project that extends beyond the club members only, and

2. It in some way supports the goal to achieve recognition of Rotary’s role to advance peace in our communities and in the world.

Given that Rotary clubs are autonomous and vastly different, the type of peace project that each club selects is entirely up to the club. For example, the Rotary Club of San Francisco is sponsoring a Rotary Peace Film Festival. The Rotary Club of Millbrae plans to dedicate a peace pole and bench in a local park. The Rotary Club of Central Marin is presenting an Academy Award winning film and discussion

with a Mideast expert and professor of political sciencefrom Dominican University. Many clubs are considering events on International Peace Day – September 21, 2015.

For ideas and resources to help your club select a project, go to: www.rotary5150.org/Peace/ on the new district website that will be launched soon.

In 2015-2016, Rotary International President K. R. “Ravi” Ravindran has designated the annual international theme: “Be a gift to the world.” What gift does the world need more than the gift of peace? Throughout District 5150, Rotarians are asked to “Give the gift of peace.” We can all be peace builders. For a little inspiration, check out this video from the Rotary Action Group for Peace, titled “Go Wage Peace.” Be a Rotary peace builder! http://www.rotarianactiongroupforpeace.

org/2015/06/04/peace-is/

Give the Gift of Peace

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Moment

As we embark on a new Rotary year, as we do each July; we learn of and embrace a new theme. This year’s theme from RI President K.R. Ravindran is “Be a gift to the world” This wonderful message brings to mind all of the wonderful gifts that I have received by belonging to my Rotary club. As you reflect on the new year, I am sure you also think about the numerous gifts you have received as a Rotarian; whether at home or abroad. Guess what, there are many old friends as well as new friends that have not had this privilege. On August 1st, we will be gathering to engage in a discussion to help each person learn how to attract more individuals just like ourselves….so they too can receive these wonderful gifts. So, mark your calendars and save the date: Come and learn how to attract and retain members for your club. Everyone should have a chance at receiving these gifts.

In Rotary,

Helen Abe Membership Chair

Saturday, August 1, 2015 Membership Training

SF Recology Center

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Professor John Dracup, a member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, has been selected as District 5150 Rotarian of the Month. Assistant Governor Laine Hendricks said he was selected because of his outstanding commitment to Rotary's area of focus, "Providing Clean Water," and for living Rotary's motto, "Service Above Self.“ Professor Dracup is an ambassador for Rotary and District 5150 on the international level. He designed a water purification system on Remba Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya, which supplies the 10,000 residents with 100,000 liters of clean water each day, and continues to steward that project on behalf of the Rotary Club of San Francisco. Though he's the chair of U.C. Berkeley's Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, his work with the Remba Island project is completely voluntary, and he donates all of his work and pays his own expenses (what a loyal Rotarian!). In addition to this project, he chairs the Water Task Force for "Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group" (WASRAG), a position he's held since 2010. On the home front, Professor Dracup is passionate about connecting people with Rotary. He recently hosted the U.C. Berkeley Chapter of Engineers Without Borders as the program at a SF Rotary Meeting, which -- by chance -- connected the students with some visiting Rotarians that day... leading to a possible new site for their water purification projects. In addition, Professor Dracup has served as a speaker for many District 5150 Rotary clubs and frequently brings guests to meetings. Professor Dracup has been a Rotarian for six years and is a regular contributor to The Rotary Foundation. Please congratulate John Dracup as the first 2015-2016 Rotarian of the Month!

R of the Month July 2015

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Every month, Pacific Currents will feature a profile of one or more members of the District Leadership Team. We hope you will get to know the people who are volunteering their time to coordinate districtwide events and activities to support your club. This month, it is a pleasure to highlight the person who is serving as DG Leah Lambrecht’s Chief of Staff and who has also been elected to serve as District Governor in 2017-2018:

your Team Ron Gin

Ron Gin is a native San Franciscan, born at Chinese Hospital in Chinatown. He and his older sister and brother grew up in the Richmond District and he attended George Washington High School. While in high school, he worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken and his family ate a lot of the Colonel’s chicken.

Ron attended City College of San Francisco, and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served three years toward the end of combat operations in Viet Nam. He returned to City College of San Francisco, where he received an AS degree in radiologic technology. He completed his Bachelor of Science at SF State University and worked as a hospital technologist, vice president of operations, and regional sales manager.

After 13 years in medical management, Ron began studies for an MBA at the College of Notre Dame in Belmont and, in the process, met someone from Morgan Stanley who inspired him to make a career change. Since starting at Morgan Stanley in 1998, he has received multiple national sales awards and continues at Morgan Stanley as a Certified Financial Planner™, financial advisor, and vice president.

On the Rotary front, District Membership Chair Helen Abe asked Ron to lunch in 2007, and the rest is history. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Chinatown and served as the charter president-elect 2009-2010. Since that time he has served in numerous positions with his club and at the district level, including assistant governor, area membership coordinator, programs chair, current chief of staff, and now district governor 2017-2018.

Personally, Ron is divorced with two adult children. He enjoys muscle cars, golf, cycling, tennis, and spending time with his girlfriend Liz Mark, who is also a member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Chinatown. Last January, Ron organized the Hug It Forward Guatemala Bottle School project in which Liz and his daughter Tracy accompanied him.

As anyone who knows Ron will tell you, he is a special guy…a true Rotarian in every way.

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July 18, 2015 Basic PRLS Earn yourself a Rotary pearl pin by attending this one-day Potential Rotary Leader Seminar program. It is chocked full of useful information – leadership tips, communications strategies, Rotary info, and more. Well worth the $50 price, which many clubs pay for. To learn more and register, go to www.rotary5150 and click on Training/PRLS.

Programs Training Pick up ideas on how to plan and implement community, vocational, and youth service projects – including “peace projects” in this Saturday training session. The value is great. The price is right – free. To register, email gpchow@comcast.net.

July 23, 2015 100th Anniversary of Rotary District 5150 See the description on page three for more details and raise a glass. Each and every club in the district is encouraged to celebrate in its own way – being part of one of the best ever districts in Rotary!

August 1, 2015 Membership & Public Image Training To learn more and register, visit www.rotary5150.org and click on “Calendar” and “August 1.”

August 8, 2015 Master PRLS #3 – Facilitation Skills Learn more at www.rotary5150.org and click on Training/PRLS.

August 15, 2015 The Rotary Foundation & Grants Training To learn more and register, visit www.rotary5150.org and click on “Calendar” and “August 8.”

August 23, 2015 Rotaplast Bocce Ball Tournament Enroll one or more teams from your club and join us in San Rafael to toss the bocce ball and shake up some fun. For more information, go to www.rotary5150.org and click on the “Calendar” and “August 23 .”

October 10, 2015 Master PRLS #4 – Strategic Leadership Learn more at www.rotary5150.org and click on Training/PRLS.

November 7, 2015 Master PRLS #5 – Business Planning & Project Management Learn more at www.rotary5150.org and click on Training/PRLS.

November 14, 2015 Rotary World Peace Concert Saturday, November 14th, 7:30 p.m., Herbst Theater, San Francisco Ticket information coming soon!

For listings of specific club events, please go to www.rotary5150.org and click on “Calendar.” Clubs are encouraged to list all “special events” to which others are invited.

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Through the generosity of Rotarians like you, our work has made a difference in the lives of millions around the world. Your gift to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) allows us to improve communities by promoting peace, preventing disease, bolstering economic development, providing clean water and sanitation, enhancing maternal and child health and improving basic education and literacy. TRF is the lifeblood of Rotary—without it projects in our communities and around the world, our visions would not become a reality.

TRF CONTRIBUTIONS: Here are the top District 5150 contributing Clubs as of June 23, 2015 (interim data):

RANK ANNUAL FUND Per Capita

POLIO PLUS Dollars

TOTAL GIVING Dollars

TOTAL GIVING Per Capita

1 Marin Evening Woodside/Portola Valley San Rafael Harbor San Rafael Harbor

2 San Rafael Harbor Half Moon Bay San Francisco Marin Evening 3 Millbrae Marin Evening Marin Evening Millbrae

ANNUAL PROGRAM FUND: TRF has two significant funds: Annual Programs Fund (APF) and the Permanent Fund. Our District emphasizes giving to APF because 50% of funds given today come back to our District in three years as District Designated Funds (DDF) which Clubs use to fund projects. Some Clubs use these funds to fund their Dictionary projects while others choose to leverage these funds with matching dollars from TRF for Global Grants.

PROMOTING PEACE: Today, 42 million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution. Through Rotary’s partnerships with several leading universities, Rotary Peace Fellows develop the skills to strengthen peace efforts, train local leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and support long-term peace building in areas affected by conflict. Rotary provides up to 100 peace fellowships per year at Rotary Peace Centers and more than 1,000 are Peace Fellow alumni. 95% of these Peace Fellows continue to work in the area of peace and conflict resolution. Your donations to TRF support these important fellowships.

TRF AND GRANTS TRAINING will be held on Saturday, August 15. This informative session will provide information on Global Grants and TRF. Presidents, Foundation Chairs and World Community Service Chairs are encouraged to attend. Registration will be available soon.

POLIO UPDATE: New cases of Polio in 2015 have been significantly reduced. July 24, 2014 marks the last case of wild polio reported in Nigeria, the only remaining endemic country in Africa. Remember, every US dollar Rotary commits through 2018 to Polio eradication will become three dollars, thanks to a 2-to-1 match from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Officially reported Wild Polio Virus cases 2015 Year to Date

2014 Calendar Year

Total Global Cases 27 359 Pakistan 24 108 Afghanistan 3 8 Nigeria 0 5

Data from World Health Organization – June 10, 2015

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& That The Rotary Months designations will change, effective 1 July 2015. The new designations for 2015-2016 are listed below. Use them at your regular meetings to promote Rotary's involvement in these activities.

Month Designation

July 2015 No special designation

July 1 - Start of new Rotary officers’ year of service

July 23 – District’s 100th Anniversary (see page 3)

August 2015 Membership & Extension Month

September 2015 Basic Education & Literacy Month

September 21 – World Peace Day

October 2015 Economic and Community Development Month

November 2015 Rotary Foundation Month

December 2015 Disease Prevention and Treatment Month

January 2016 Vocational Service Month

February 2016 Peace and Conflict Resolution Month

February 23 – Rotary’s anniversary

March 2016 Water and Sanitation Month

April 2016 Maternal & Child Health Care Month

May 2016 Youth Service Month

28 May-1 June: RI Convention, Seoul, Korea

June 2016 Rotary Fellowships Month

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.......On a Final Note EDITOR’S NOTE: We appreciate all your submissions—but due to limited space, all content submitted is subject to editing and approval by the District Governor. To be considered for inclusion, material must be received at news@rotary5150.org by the 15th of each month. Aline Estournes, editor

Pacific Currents July 2015

“The Fruit of Service is Peace” ─ Mother Teresa

“Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to

contribute the best that they have and all that they are.” ─ Hafsat Abiola

“Peace is always beautiful.” ─ Walt Whitman

“Friendship was the foundation rock on which Rotary was built and tolerance is the element which holds it together.”

─ Paul Harris My Road to Rotary

PEACE

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