The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting our families, schools, and communities with the ongoing social distancing, self-quarantines and lockdowns. In addition to isolation, loneliness and anxiety, many people have been financially impacted. The pandemic has also adversely impacted Rotary operations, events and service projects. Is this a pivot point or the end point for today’s Rotary? Our speaker, Bradford (Brad) Howard will give us an interesting perspective on the topic.
Brad is a Past District Governor of District 5170 (California’s Silicon Valley), and a past member of the Board of Directors of Rotary International’s for the 2015-17 Rotary years. He is currently serving as aide to Jennifer Jones, the 2022-2023 Rotary International President.
Brad just completed serving a three-year term as Chairman of Rotary’s Communication Committee, and was a member of the 2020 Rotary Convention committee, which planned two conventions – one that was to have been held in Honolulu, Hawaii, and a second one that actually occurred – the 2020 Virtual Convention. In addition, he has served on a number of Rotary International committees.
The eradication of polio has been a significant part of Brad’s Rotary experience. He served 10 years as the Zone 26 End Polio Now Coordinator, and has led 34 Rotarian groups, comprised of over 1,600 people, to participate in polio national immunization days in sub-Saharan, West Africa and India.
Brad is president of Howard Tours and managing director of Howard Properties. He has dedicated much of his time and talents to the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, as a board member, chair of fund development and trustee of the Berkeley Foundation.
Brad is a recipient of Rotary’s Service Above Self Award, The Rotary Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award and the International Service Award for a Polio Free World, a recognition provided to no more than 10 people each year.
Dr. Ed Manansala has been the County Superintendent of Schools for El Dorado County for nearly five years. He related to us an overview of EDC schools and about how the Covid-19 virus is impacting our local schools and what is being done to ensure a safe learning environment. Dr. Manansala’s tenure as the County Superintendent has been marked by strong collaboration with education and community leaders to increase achievement, equity, and successfully implement the California Statewide System of Support. He is responsible for leading 31,126 students, 69 schools and 5,445 education staff in El Dorado County.
The County still wants to stay with the hybrid model for education, even with the recent increase to the Purple Tier indicating Widespread risk of COVID-19 transmission. Schools are one of the safest environments in the county. Only 6 cases of transmission in schools have occurred this academic year while 6 districts are using hybrid model.
Members had questions about the equity challenges involved in distance learning. Dr. Manansala said that there were those challenges, but they have largely been met. All students either had or have been provided with devices to access the internet, and for those that needed it, internet access has been provided by county libraries and community colleges. As far as basic needs, Dina Gentry, Communication Director with EDCOE, told us that many students are lacking a warm winter coat. An Annual Coat Drive is underway in which the goal is to be able to gather donations of $10,000 to be able to buy and distribute 400 coats. See the Happy Bucks section below for how the club has reacted to this basic need.
Dr. Manansala told us that another way that we can help is just to offer our words of encouragement and praise to the hard-working teachers and staff in our County. Since educators are teaching online and in-person, they are putting in many more hours of work than is typical. This could be in the form of a formal acknowledgement or by inviting teachers to our meetings to acknowledge them. The attendees enthusiastically thanked Dr. Manansala and Ms. Gentry for their educational and moving presentation!
For those who missed the meeting, the introduction and Dr. Manansala's presentation start at the 5:04 point at this FaceBook link. - drag the progress marker dot to that time.
Joe Ryan on the Bicycle Program: Tuesday we will pick up 80-100 bicycles. In mid-December, the warden has approved the bike give-away again: Approximately 50 bikes to Alameda County; 50 Bikes to Chico/Paradise; Steve Long says 50 Bikes for El Dorado County for the schools and Casa. Perhaps more to Union Gospel Mission, and perhaps Volunteers in America at Mather for the veterans.
Anne Eckert: New member candidate, Dwight Bentz, Farmer's Insurance Agent from Shingle Springs, is due to be inducted during our Dec. 3 meeting. Former RI Director, Brad Howard may be able to take part in that ceremony.
President Mike Dugan: A Paul Harris Fellow pin with 4 pins on it was found and presented to Sabrina Ho.
Laurie Edwards: At the future meetings, starting with Dec. 3, we will try to start the Zoom meeting at 3:30pm, a half hour before the official meeting starts, so that members can visit with each other.
And, on New Years Eve, using Zoom, we will have an informal social program and toast at 4pm.
Guests and Visitors:
Dina Gentry, Communication Director with EDCOE. She assisted our speaker.
Sara Edwards, Laurie's mother
Pastor Kim Nelson, Federated Church Placerville
Happy (or Not) Bucks
Mike Dugan - $20 in honor of Laurie Edward's successful and ongoing efforts to line up outstanding speakers
Among the projects going on is a drive to buy and distribute 400 winter coats to needy youth in the county schools. They cost $25 each. At the meeting, the following each contributed $50 towards EDCOE's coat drive (Many thanks to Dave Sargent for getting the ball rolling with his donation):
Jim Buckley
Mike Dugan
Anne Eckert
Laurie Edwards
Tom Elken
Dick Franks
Bill Gallant
Roger Hassler (plus $26 more in honor of Angie's birthday)
Sabrina Ho
Bill Hughes
Don Mai
Joe Ryan
Dave Sargent
Dave Tavernetti
Ben Young
On Saturday Nov-21, President Mike sent out an email to all the members, urging those that did not attend the meeting to contact mtdugan@comcast.net or dickfranks@gmail.com about making a donation towards the coat drive if they are willing and able.
As of this writing, additional members have signed up to contribute:
Bob Dorr
Don Fuller
Marlyn Pino-Jones
Bringing the total to $1,000 so far. That's 40 coats!
Birthdays in November
Laurie Edwards
Rich Grieco
Ben Young
-----Spouses-----
Alex Ho
Joshua Amador
Angie Hassler
Judy Long
Anniversaries in November
Jana and Howell Ellerman
Upcoming Words of Wisdom/Greeter/Front Desk Assignments
Dr. Ed Manansala has been the County Superintendent of Schools for El Dorado County for nearly five years. He related to us an overview of EDC schools and about how the Covid-19 virus is impacting our local schools and what is being done to ensure a safe learning environment. Dr. Manansala’s tenure as the County Superintendent has been marked by strong collaboration with education and community leaders to increase achievement, equity, and successfully implement the California Statewide System of Support. He is responsible for leading 31,126 students, 69 schools and 5,445 education staff in El Dorado County. 
