I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be present last Tuesday to hear Community activist LuCretia Dowdy provide a very energetic and interesting presentation about her work supporting the community through her positions with First 5 San Bernardino, LUE Productions, and the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Dowdy has a proven history of supporting artistic talent in the Inland Empire and she was instrumental in the success of the MLK Day Parade held on San Bernardino's West Side the day before, which brought community members together to celebrate and recognize the important work and legacy of a wonderful civil rights leader.
Our new pianist made his debut at our January 17, 2023, Rotary meeting. Please welcome Thorger Baker, a high school junior from Oak Glen. Thorger provided wonderful musical accompaniment for our songs this week and played beautiful background music as we convened together.
Please join me in offering my condolences to Shirley Jean on the passing of her father last week. Shirley, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Next week we have our new San Bernardino Mayor, and fellow Rotarian, Helen Tran as our keynote speaker. Let’s have a great turnout to congratulate Helen, and to hear her speak about the current state of the City and her vision for a bright future in San Bernardino.
See you Tuesday!
President, David Hahn 2022-2023
Rotary Club of Downtown San Bernardino
Rotary Board Meeting
Board members – please remember we have a board meeting immediately following our luncheon meeting this Tuesday, January 24th.
Rotarian Tawnya Rhodes-Hensley (left) and our guest speaker from Tuesday 1/17/2023 LuCretia Dowdy
Rotarians (left to right) Ed Hensley, Tawnya Rhodes-Hensley, and John Hoeger.
Rotarians (left to right) Mel McMullen, Terri Relf, Phyllis Kates, and Darcy McNaboe
Featured Presentation
Helen Tran, Mayor, City of San Bernardino
Helen Tran is a public servant, non-profit leader, and mother of three. Helen grew up in San Bernardino, the daughter of Vietnamese refugees in search of the American Dream. After graduating from Cajon High School, she became the first person in her family to graduate from college, earning her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz.
Helen’s professional experience started in high school, when she worked as a grassroots organizer, helping to elect candidates across Southern California. In 2006, Helen began working for the City of San Bernardino as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Human Resources. Ten years later, Helen became the youngest Director of Human Resources for the City of San Bernardino.
Helen has always been passionate about giving back to her community and understands the importance of reciprocity and engagement. She devotes much of her spare time to civic leadership, taking on numerous roles in the city, including School Site Councilmember for Bob Holcomb Elementary; member of the Verdemont Revitalization Project (VRP); member of the San Bernardino League of Women Voters; member of the National Women’s Political Caucus; member of the Rotary Club of San Bernardino; member of Kiwanis; Board Member of the Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area; and member of the San Bernardino County Trails Committee. Helen previously served as a member of San Bernardino’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission.
On November 8, 2022, Helen was elected Mayor of the City of San Bernardino by an overwhelming 63% of the vote. Helen is the first Asian American and the third woman to hold the position of San Bernardino Mayor. She was officially sworn in on December 21, 2022, and has already hit the ground running during her first month in office.
Proposal of New Member
Do you know someone who would be a great addition to our club? Click on the link to download the Proposal of New Member form.
Rotary Board Meeting
