Meeting Highlights - October 27, 2020

A New Polio Vaccine - Raul Andino, Ph.D. University of California, San Francisco Raul Andino is a virologist and professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the UCSF. He is noted for leading a team of researchers that developed the first new oral polio vaccine in 50 years. Raul started by noting that his research ties into two of Rotary International's goals: providing clean water and prevent diseases (i.e., developing and distributing vaccines). The presentation was built around three points: RNA virus evolution; oathogenesis; and, vaccines.
His currrent polio research is based on live-attenuated vaccines (LAV), which have many advantages including easier distribution of the vaccine; however, there are some disadvantages.  Dr. Andino described LAVs and advantages/disadvantages in detail (e.g., RNA evolution and mutations) while relating the process to particle physics.  His research looks at the evolution and impact of virus on the human population at both the macro and micro levels.  The goal is to reduce the ability of the virus to recombine and infect people. 
 
The research is focused on re-enginering the Sabin vaccine into a stronger, more effective vaccine, which Dr. Andino described as a form Kaizen, a Japanese term that means "change for the better."  Learn more about Kaizen here.  This polio research is funded in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that has had a generous 2:1 match for contributions to the Polio Plus campaign.  The research is also connected to the research being done on COVID-19.
 
Dr. Andino answered a many question after after his presentation.  One of the interesting questions focused on people who are opposed to vaccines.  He mentioned the work of Laurie Garrett and her book, The Coming Plague.  Click here to learn more about her work. 
 
Be sure to use the link below to watch this very informative and detailed description of the ressearch to eliminate polio from the world.
 
The Club sincerely thanks Dr. Raul Andino for an excellent presentation.
 
  • The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Chair Dwight Perry provided an update on TRF's efforts to eradicate polio.  When the Polio Plus campaign started in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio annually.  Since that time, over 3 billion children have received the polio vaccine.  In 2020, there are only  77 cases in Pakistan and 52 in Afganistan.  On August 25, 2020, Africa was declared polio free.  Dwight thanked Club members for their generous support of the Polio Plus campaign over the years.  The Club consistently ranks as one of the top Club in District 5170, which consistently ranks in the Top 10 Districts in the world - over 160 countries.  This year, the Polio Plus campaign will be March 1-April 30, 2021, but donations are always accepted.  Watch Dwight's brief, but informative presentation here.                     
  • Castro Valley-Eden Area Chamber of Commerce President David Gehrke announced the Chamber Executive Director Ashley Strausburg has left the Chamber for new opportunities and that the Chamber Board of Directors has iniated the search for a new Executive Director. The Board is looking for an individual with experience in the local community, but it open to individuals outside the area with the appropriate experience. In the interim, Board members, staff, and volunteers are handling the the day-to-day running of the Chamber, which is vital to the business community.  The Board hopes to have a new Executive Director in place in January. Watch David's announcement here and read the press release here.                       
  • Presient-Elect and Rodeo Parade Chair Murline Monet announced that she has sent an email to all Club members with planning detail for the Parade, which the Club hopes to present on May 8,2021, which like the Chili Cook-off on May 7, 2021, is an All Hands on Deck event for members.          
  • John McPartland shared information regards a virtual community meeting that BART was conducting that evening.  John will report to the Club at a later date.                                                                                                          
  • Rotary International Board of Directors is challenging Rotarians to ensure that underrepresented groups have greater opportunity to participate in Rotary as members and leaders, regardless of a person’s age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.   To achieve this goal, RI is offering a webinar,The Power of Connection with Diverse Communities, on November 12th at 1:00 pm (PST).  The webinar will focus on buiilding authentic and lasting connections with diverse communities is critical to demonstrate that we mean what we say. The webinar we will:  (1) Acknowledge our unconscious bias;  (2)  Champion the value and benefits of connecting with diverse communities; and, (3) Learn to build authentic relationships, especially when it comes to volunteering.  For more information and to register, click here.  This webinar aligns with the work of the Racial Discrimination Forum.                                                                      
  • The FARMcurious, who hosted the Club's virtual cheesetasting, is hosting a Crafting Brie & Camebert at Home online event on November 15-16.  For information, click here.
  • Members are requested to register for lunch meeting on ClubRunner under Upcoming Events.
  • The Zoom link to access the the lunch meeting is always: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/240179056 
November 3 - Lunch Meeting via Zoom at 12:00 p.m.
  • Topic:  Eden Area Regional Occupational Program (ROP) 
  • Speaker:  Linda Granger, Superintendent Eden Area ROP
November 10 - Lunch Meeting via Zoom at 12:00 p.m.
  • Topic:  American Association of University Women (AAUW)
  • Speaker:  Julia T. Brown, Chair of the National Board of Directors of the American Association of University Women.
November 17 - Lunch Meeting via Zoom at 12:00 p.m.
  • Topic:  Club Assembly - Strategic Plan 2025
  • Facilatator:  President Gary Howard.
  • Watch for details in an email.
November 24 - No Lunch Meeting 
Russell Hampton
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