February 4, 2004

This week’s Bulletin was written by Alexandra M. Kwoka

 

this week’s meeting

President Frank started this week’s meeting with his upbeat and rousing Gooood Morrrrning!! call to order at 7:30 a.m., and our Pledge of Allegiance.  Sid provided a thought provoking reading reminding us that we are participants in creating our world.  Recognizing that Valentine’s Day is approaching, Linda led us in singing “A Bicycle Built for Two.”

Our guests were introduced:  V. Burst, C. Sanders, M. Galliguiri, J. Adams, E. Hennessy, our Student of the Month and his Teacher/Sponsor,  and including visiting Rotarians: Bob Plum from Coronado, Ronne Froman, from the Downtown Rotary, and several members of Club 33.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Ø      Duane Horning reported on our participation in the St. Vincent De Paul’s Career Fair on February 7, 2004, and those who attended and donated professional clothing were recognized.

Ø      Rosalie Kramm reminded us that the Rotary Club will be serving Lunch to Seniors on 2/14 at 9th and Broadway.  Rosalie thanked those who provided candy, and asked, since the guest list has grown from 100 to approximately 250, for further donations to purchase additional candy for the Senior Center Valentines Party.  A collection basket went around the room.

Ø      Lynn Hamilton reminded us that on March 3rd we will be gathering for  the 1st Annual Frank De Francesco Bowling Party.  A list for prospective attendees at the EVENT, to be held from 7-9 p.m. at the Mira Mesa Bowl ($15/person to include shoe rentals) was circulated. Family members are invited.

Ø      Maureen Eberle reported that Silent Auction items for Rotary’s annual fundraiser    have been donated, including a plant from a local green house.  Further donations are needed, and Maureen asked us to solicit from our acquaintances and merchants we know.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Carol introduced our Student of the Month, Peter Holesin, and his Sponsor/Teacher, Robert Gallo.  Robert summarized for us Peter’s impressive efforts and leadership as Senior Editor of San Diego High School’s newspaper, and accomplishments as an actor in 6 plays produced at the High School.  Peter spoke about his present activities, and told us of his educational expectations - he intends to enroll next year in college, and is considering a Sociology or liberal arts curriculum. Congratulations Peter.

Announcements

Ø      Frank De Francesco advised that attendance at the Board Meeting at his office (3655 Nobel Drive, Suite 4700 ) on 2/9 was disappointing.  Although pizza etc. was provided for those at the 5:30 meeting, only ten members participated.  Frank is hopeful members will attend future Board Meetings.

Ø      Mike Sisson reported on his attendance at a recent Rotaract meeting, on 2/10.  As members of Rotary, he encouraged us to attend Rotaract meetings.  For prospective new members, attendance may become a prerequisite.  Our membership is growing, and we are filling all tables at meetings at our present locale.

Ø      Our President, Frank De Francesco advised that membership in our Rotary Club is intended to foster our personal relationships with other members through community service.  Members are reminded that membership lists are not to be provided to others, or used as a means of mass mailing or e-mailing communications for other than Rotary purposes.

Ø      Gary Green recognized and distributed members who received the Rotary International Paul Harris award, including Joe Marshall and Michael Clarkson.

THIS WEEK’S SPEAKER:

RONNE FROMAN, CEO, American Red Cross, San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter was introduced by the Hon. Patricia Cowett.  Ronne Froman retired from military duty as a Rear Admiral after more than thirty-years of service as a naval officer.   Among her accomplishments, prior to assuming her position as CEO of our local American Red Cross Chapter, was a recent appointment  as Chief Operations Officer of the San Diego School District.

Ronne Froman spoke initially about the Red Cross’ mission, and its efforts and work during the San Diego fires in October. 

The American Red Cross, as a non-profit  organization. is mandated by Congress to provide emergency response to disasters, and contact and assistance to members of the Armed Forces.  However, Ms. Froman emphasized, the Red Cross’ mission is far broader - “To prepare for, prevent and respond to disasters.”  Summarizing her approach to San Diego’s recent fire disaster, the directives she gave her staff, and the philosophy she used when faced with difficult and novel decisions during the fires, she said: “Decide what is the right thing to do, and do it.”  

In the five weeks following the  outbreak of fires in East county on October twenty-sixth, the Red Cross operated 12 shelters (although its prior experience had been operating at maximum 6) which provided care and resources to 6200 evacuees.  As the fires moved and blazed, two of the shelters were required to move three times.  The San Diego/Imperial County Chapter was able to place in the field in the initial days 500 disaster team member/leaders, who were trained prior to and during Ms. Froman’s initial months as CEO.  Several days after the fire began 500 other Red Cross caseworkers from outside San Diego joined the relief effort.   4,000 people in San Diego volunteered on Day 1 to assist, and the Red Cross responded using this work-force; Ms. Froman aptly described the persistence and assistance, providing glimpses into the volunteers spirit through  detailed vignettes.  Ms. Froman acknowledged others with whom the Red Cross worked, the firefighters and SDGE workers, whom she called the heroes and heroines of the relief effort, as well as the on-site encouragement and participation of Dianne Jacobs, and the help of her Disaster Officer, Greg John.

More than 31, 000 homes were destroyed by the fires.  To respond to the disaster, the Red Cross under Ms. Froman’s leadership adopted a unique approach.  During the five weeks, the San Diego/Imperial County chapter recognized that each person/family was a victim of the devastation, and treated each person/family as a “customer” by offering immediate monies for alternative housing, and to provide food and other necessities.  Donations from San Diego County residents and others earmarked for the San Diego county fire disaster and for San Diego residents and specific purposes have been used as directed, and systems are in place to track and account for donations.

Ronne Froman assumed leadership of the San Diego/Imperial County Chapter on June 23, 2003, at a time when the Red Cross was under scrutiny, and faced a 3.2 million deficit.  Employing the term “transparent,” Ms. Froman told the Rotary members who listened attentively and with admiration, that our local chapter now has a Budget which is available for review by the public, with information accessible on the web.  The American Red Cross, under Ms. Froman’s guidance, reviewed and organized its records concerning the Alpine fire, which involved only 26 victim/customers, made them public, responded to inquiries, and was able to close its files on the Alpine disaster relief effort having answered all questions concerning finances and the Red Cross’ response.   Although facing a deficit, our local Red Cross chapter, Ms. Froman stated, since June underwent a re-organization, as well as a budget and administrative review process, which she briefly described.  Members were encouraged to ask questions, and to donate, in several ways, including through donation of blood.  Assurances were given that our local chapter will honor the stated intentions of donors that monies remain in San Diego/Imperial County to be used by the Chapter generally, or for designated purposes.

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