Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce A Chamber Update During COVID-19 Ashley Strasburg, Executive Director - Ashley began her presentation (18:30) with a history of the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, which was founded in 1937 with a Mission to Advocate for businesses and help the community thrive through advocacy, economic development and building relationships. The Chamber's Core Values are detailed in the slide below.
April 14, 2020
Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce
A Chamber Update During COVID-19
Ashley Strasburg, Executive Director
 
 
Ashley began her presentation (18:30) with a history of the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, which was founded in 1937 with a Mission to Advocate for businesses and help the community thrive through advocacy,
economic development and building
relationships.  The Chamber's Core Values are detailed in the slide below.
 
During the presentation, Ashley shared
  • The benefits a business receives from being a member of the Chamber.
  • The advocacy, services and education that the Chamber provides for members.
  • A review of the wide-range or year around events that the Chamber offers throughout the community including the Fall Festival.
  • How the Chamber has expanded into the Eden Area with services and programs through numerous partnerships.
  • How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Chamber events and how these events are being rescheduled as well as the COVID-19 services that the Chamber is providing for members.
 
  • For updated information about Chamber programs and events, please check its website regularly.  
  • To see access  Ashley's PowerPoint presentation, click here.
  • To watch Ashley's presentation, click here and start at the 18:30 minute mark.  (Due to technical difficulties this week, the video is posted on the Club's Facebook page.)
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Members of the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at its Installation Mixer in January 2020.
 
Meeting Announcements/Information
(timing marks)
  • President Todd Anglin opened the meeting (0:00:00) by discussing the Club's plan to support a local Restaurant of the Week (i.e. Rotarians would order from that restaurant to support it during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Todd reviewed last week's effort with JP's Family Restaurant and Sports Lounge.  Then Dawn Deardorf from Aurora Catering (1:19), this week's Restaurant of the Week, shared what it is doing regarding its no contact take-out and delivery meals.  Aurora Catering changes the menu each week, which is available on its website.  See this week's menu here.  Dawn also shared that Aurora Catering is partnering with the Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs Athletic League (DSAL) to provide meals for seniors who are sheltering in place.
  • President Todd noted that Rotary's partnership with Castro Valley Matters and Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce has raised approximately $10,000 to provide meals for the staff at Eden Hospital.  Donations are always welcome on the Castro Valley Matters website site.
  • The Thought for the Day, Four Way Test, and Birthdays & Anniversaries begin at 4:09.  Birthdays and Anniversaries are always posted on the Club's website in the left hand column.
  • President Todd recognized Jim Negri as the Rotarian of the Month in April for his behind-the-scenes work (e.g., Meeting Highlights, Zoom Meetings, ClubRunner, general advice).  (7:28)
  • Dan Willits announced that the Club's grant to the DSLA Drumline was recognized on Easter Sunday by First Presbyterian Church.  (8:10)
  • CVUSD Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi shared how the district is providing 1000+ meals twice a week for students while schools are closed.  She thanked Mothers Against Poverty (MAP) for providing over 300 bags of groceries from Whole Food every week for needy students and their families.  Learn more about MAP here.  (9:18)
  • President Todd shared a Facebook posting about another Club grant to Billy Bradford of Bad Business Model Bikes.  Members were encouraged to repost these types of stories on their own social media to spread the good news. (11:48)
  • Clifford Sherwood commended Randy Vandererbilt on his 220-page history of Castro Valley and then reported on the status of the Breathing for Life (BFL) Project in Nejo, Ethiopia.   Cliff reported that the generator is on site, the building is scheduled to be completed by June 1st, the project has generated interest and recognition for Obse Lubo throughout Ethiopia, and has helped Ethiopia access additional funds from the World Health Organization (WHO). Carol Wikle will be sending out project photos shortly.  The next step is to finalize the business plan to sell the oxygen to surrounding hospitals. (13:18)
Next Online Meeting:  April 21, 2020
Gary Huisingh, Deputy Executive Director of Projects for the Alameda County Transportation Commission, will describe the work of the Commission in dealing with transportation and traffic issues in the County.
 
Members and guests may register for the meeting here.
 
To access the meeting via Zoom, click here.
 
Texas Hold'em Now Scheduled for October 10
Texas Hold'em Chairperson Dawn Ortiz announced that the annual tournament and dinner is scheduled for October 10th.  The location once again will be Stack Center at Our Lady of Grace Church in Castro Valley.  Mark your calendars, start recruiting players. line up sponsors, and recruit donations.  Meeting schedule and details will follow shortly.