accomplishments of many outstanding

MORAGA individuals, and installing the new

President. He led the Pledge of
Allegiance, and acknowledged guest
ROTARY Larry Tessler, Honorary members
Lillian Roodveldt and Carol Irwin,
snowbird member Jody Parker, and
NEWSLETTER roving member Mary Hogan.

June 30, 2020

_________________________________
Next: July 7, Noon
We are now conducting regular
meetings on-line video or by phone!

Program: Lillian, Rich, & Deb R.—

Tales of Rotary Exchange
Students
____________________________
To participate next week:
Zoom connection information for July 7th will
be distributed early next week
Moraga Rotary 2019-2020 Co-Presidents
Upcoming Speakers: Debbie Koo & Evie Michon
July 14 – Friendly Flash Fiction
Accordingly, Debbie Koo and Evie
July 21 – David O’Connell: Saklan Michon were virtually (and virtuously)
School presented plaques of appreciation for
July 28 – Kid Power: Erica Leonard their excellent service to Rotary Club of
Sept 8 – Mark Nagel: St. Mary’s College Moraga during their year which ended
Dec 1 – DG visit: Mark Roberts today.
Debbie Koo covered several highlights
of the previous year in a comprehensive
~~DEMOTION OF CO-PRES ~~ slide show presentation, beginning with
The meeting was opened by moderator an acknowledgement of the many
Rich Render, who announced that for Rotarians who do the “behind the
Moraga Rotary (and most Rotary Clubs) scenes” work in Club administration,
the last meeting in June was devoted to props setup and storage, and the many
recognizing the accomplishments of the other necessary things that make the
current President(s), recognizing the Club work well. She acknowledged
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several new members this year that
have already contributed significantly to
Club success: Stephanie Dickerson,
Fran Rathjen (returning member), Jeff
Assadi, Adarsh Gupta, and Hubert
Ma.

MSD Superintendent Bruce Burns (center)

receives a big check

The second major project was the

fundraising and the District Grant to fund
a two-way communication radio for
every administrator and teacher in the
Moraga School District, and by January
2020, the radios had all been purchased
Cliff with Karen Orwig and Elena Toohy, and were in use. The leader of this
celebrating 60+ years in Rotary project was new member Stephanie
The first Club effort was the very Dickerson, who was also on the MSD
successful luncheon to honor Cliff safety committee.
Dochterman’s 60+ year anniversary as
a Rotarian, and many Rotary friends
and family members attended from as
far away as Arkansas.
This party was organized by Ron
Mucovich, Debbie Roessler, and
Roger Gregory, and the highlight was
the speeches and videos from former RI
officials, family, and friends. Cliff
donated Rotary treasures he had kept
from the many gifts he had received
during his RI Presidency to an auction,
which raised almost $10,000 for Moraga
Rotary.

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“Á Nite at the Races”, masterminded valorous by far was Al Simonsen,
again by Frank May and backed by the who flew an A-4 from an aircraft
usual suspects, raised a record amount carrier off North Viet Nam, for two
of net donations and was a great party tours of duty.
besides, with many guests in, shall we
say, a younger demographic group. • Successful completion of the
Frank was smart enough set the date on Sierra Leone orphanage project,
the Saturday before the COVID with all the orphans taken care of
lockdown. Specific donations for school and assured of attending school.
safety items and the Congo Library
raised a record amount as well.
Other completed projects were:
• Completion of a new Club
brochure with updated
information, led by Jennifer
Brophy, who also updated and
improved the Club’s web site.

Fidel Bafilemba and Goma-Tumaina

Rotarians

• Advanced the Lumumba

Community Library project in
Congo with the Goma-Tumaina
Rotary, with construction close to
starting. Many book clubs are
contributing $25 or more to the
Jennifer Brophy and her posse effort.

• Donated to the Moraga Junior • Payment of $28,373 to the Town

Women’s Society for their annual of Moraga representing surplus
Hometown Hoedown fundraiser, funds raised for the All-Access
and participated with them in their Playground, as promised.
annual Grandparents Day at the
Moraga Royale. • Sent more than $3200 (excluding
direct personal donations) to Polio
• Awarding Quilts of Valor to the Plus to meet the challenge grant
six Club members who served in by the Gates Foundation.
the Armed Forces. The most
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 Then we get to the old timers who
• At Hubert Ma’s suggestion, started when perfect attendance rules
Debbie Koo organized a project were much stricter: Lad Lynch (28
for our Club to make 1000 plastic years); Angelo Costanza and Doug
face shields, which took some Damaschino (43 years); John
flexibility to obtain materials and Erickson (52 years); and (drum roll
arm-twisting to get the workers, please) Cliff Dochterman (62
unskilled as they were. The years).
shields were sent to major medical
complexes as well as 100 to Remember, there was a time when Cliff,
Contra Costa bus drivers. and others listed above, had just one
year perfect attendance. Do you?
• Successfully relocated our Club
meeting spot from Moraga Country
~~ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR~~
Club to Michael’s Restaurant, This award is given annually by a vote
where the food was good, the bar of all Club members, and conducted by
was close, and the setting was Cliff Dochterman. It recognizes
intimate. When COVID required outstanding service and dedication, and
social distancing, we moved to he announced that this year’s winner is
virtual meetings via Zoom. Evie Michon AND Debbie Koo, a well-
deserved honor and just the second
Co-Presidents Debbie and Evie gave
time two Rotarians won the honor.
“oceans of thanks” for the wonderful
support they received from Club
Members this year.

Perfect Attendance: Moderator Rich

stated that the requirements for perfect
attendance include not just meetings,
but other Rotary activities such as Board
or committee meetings, and projects.
Awardees are:
Jennifer Brophy and Brian South (1
year); Rich Render (2 years); Roger
Gregory, Ron Mucovich, Linda May,
Debbie Koo, and Dianne Wilson (3
years); Evie Michon (5 years); Frank
May (9 years); Tony Schoemehl (12 Rotarians of the Year
years); Gary Irwin (13 years), and Debbie Koo and Evie Michon
Debbie Roessler (16 years).
Page 4 of 6
Moderator Rich then recognized the have been doing, but will add some new
end of the very successful Co- activities and items of fun and interest to
Presidency of Evie and Debbie, and our meetings. He is open to new ideas
pronounced that they are officially and suggestions, and wants to do a
demoted, and that Moraga Rotary is simple club survey. He may even bring
now in the care of President Brian back the raffle!
South for the 2020-2021 year!
Emphasis will be on 1) completing the
school safety projects already
underway, 2) advancing the Lumumba
Community Library project, 3)
developing new fundraising ideas, and
modifying “Races” as necessary. E-
waste collections will continue.
New ideas to explore would be 1)
Teacher of the Month, to replace
Employee of the Month which wasn’t
getting enough nominations, 2) support
a Child Interview Center, which is a
neutral, comforting place where child
victims or witnesses of a crime may be
interviewed, 3) explore a “Ribs for
Rotary” fundraiser, which other Clubs do
successfully.
The meeting was adjourned with the
ringing of the bell by Debbie Koo and
Evie Michon.
President Brian South with Chief King and
Roger Gregory

~~PRESIDENT BRIAN SOUTH~~

President Brian complimented Debbie
and Evie for a very successful year
despite turbulent times, and said that
the “Party” part of this demotion will be
held as soon as we can socialize again.
He is grateful that the club culture is a
team effort, and is glad that he was fully
“in the loop” of Club business during the Farewell to Michael’s restaurant
year. He basically wants to what we
Page 5 of 6
 Moraga Rotary Directors 2020/2021
President Brian South
President Elect Brian South
Past Co-Presidents Evie Michon & Debbie Koo
Secretary Jennifer Brophy
Treasurer Rich Render
Club Administrator Debbie Roessler
Foundation Chairman John Erickson
Youth and Community Service Chairman Tony Schoemehl
Public Relations Chairman Gary Irwin
Fundraising Chairman Frank May
International Service Chairs Dianne Wilson & Debbie Koo
Membership Chairman Roger Gregory
Director at Large Mary Sue Erickson
Director at Large Linda May
Advisor to the Board John Erickson
Advisor to the Board Jim Campbell
Advisor to the Board Cliff Dochterman

District Governor 5160 Mark Roberts

President, Rotary International Holger Knaack
June newsletter editor – Gary Irwin

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