Secretary John – Introduction of Visiting Rotarians and Guests:   Frank S. was Jack’s guest.  Frank has been approved for membership in Rotary.  El Cerrito Mayor Greg Lyman was also in attendance. 

Announcements:

• Sal and Don went to see Ilhami.  He is doing ok but obviously is becoming frail.  For those who are going to visit Ilhami, the address for Ashby Care Center is 2270 Ashby Ave, Berkeley. 
• Jane reminded us of the demotion dinner on June 1st.  Everything is on track for the event.
• Paul announced the annual Bike the Bridges fund raiser for the Special Olympics.  This will happen on June 9.  If you want more info please visit bikethebridgesSO.com and you can support the event.
• Nobuko reported on the candy sale and indicated she make a contribution to the club foundation in the amount of $200.
• Nobuko had Jim Spain auctioned off the remaining box of candy.  Joe Conwill won it for $50.

Happy Dollars:    

Don went to a fund raiser for the RotoCare clinic at the Freight and Salvage and he purchased a CD that he will bring to the club so we can hear the Rotary songs.  Sal is happy just because.  Mark F is happy for his daughter getting straight A’s at her first year at SMU.  Allen is happy he quickly recovered from his sprained ankle. Terry is happy he went to the SF Symphony and saw Nobuko and Jon and they bought him a glass a wine. Tracy is happy about the ECHS drama department doing a fund raiser. Michael Chang is happy about his son being accepted to USF’s Law school. Jack is happy about his mother’s celebrating her 105th birthday. Paul is happy to be going camping with his wife and kids. This will be his kid’s first camping trip.

Sgt at Arms Steve:   Asked Jim Spain what was important about May 18th?  Answer his 39th anniversary.  Mark F was asked about May 14th?  Answer his 25th anniversary.  Both were duly recognized.

Today’s Program:  

Tracy introduced Jeffrey Hall, does Entrepreneur Education.  He is currently is working with the City of El Cerrito to start an eleven week entrepreneur training program next April for El Cerrito residence who want to start us companies.

Jeffrey began by sharing how he got be in his current profession.  He worked many years for S&W foods and was very successful until the company changed direction and ultimately got purchased by Del Monte.  He went back to school and to get a Calif teaching credential.  He also obtained an MBA. From that point he taught school and then began to work for the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center where he did many things until he was action director.  He found that he was not qualified for the position he held (the county changed the rules) so once again he had to seek another opportunity.  

Now he works with a few cities who want to teach aspiring small business founders on how to successfully do what is necessary to become successful. He is working with El Cerrito as one of his engagements and was here today to tell us about what is happening.  He gave a very interesting presentation about his work and how it will benefit the students who participate in his eleven week class.  At the end of his presentation Jeffrey answered several questions and stayed after the meeting to answer a number more.  Thanks Tracy for having Jeffrey speak to us!