At the Sept. 7 San Marino Rotary meeting, there was a full house for the induction of three new members to the club.
Added to the club were Sophia Chan, a business development professional in the senior care industry and owner and manager of Arcadia Living, a place for senior living. Chan received her MBA through the Cal State system where she has taught and lectured. Chan is an active volunteer, having served last year as president of the East Meets West Club in San Marino. She and her husband, Sidd Futaba, have four children who matriculated through San Marino schools. The Club thanks Isaac Hung for sponsoring Chan.
Michael Rizzo, originally from New York, has lived in Los Angeles for 25 years and is a current resident of San Marino with his wife, Suilma, and their two children, who will be attending the San Marino schools. Since 2008, Rizzo has been the president of Hot House Productions, an award-winning , independent and live action and animation television and film production company based in Los Angeles. Rizzo is sponsored by Nicolle Basseri.
Jeff Wang, a South Pasadena resident, was the third inductee, accompanied by his wife, Dolly Yang. Wang’s interest in Rotary was motivated by his father who has been a Rotarian for over 30 years in Taipei. Wang has enjoyed a career in business and finance, with prior experience in banking and investment management at a hedge fund and in corporate management. He is currently a director of finance and operations at Mark Foods. The club is grateful to Shody Chow and Gilda Moshir for sponsoring Wang.
Following the induction and a warm welcome from members, the program followed. Barbara Hoskins is an educational consultant with more than 30 years of experience working with children and parents through her private practice in Pasadena. She has authored curriculum materials and presented workshops throughout the United States and Canada to demonstrate how to meet the needs of a diversity of learners.
For the program, Hoskins’ topics focused on those in her book, “Life Lessons from Kenya.” Hoskins tells a compelling story of her 15 years volunteering in Kenya and what she has learned from the people and their culture. Hoskins’ dynamic presentation held the group’s rapt attention for 25 minutes as she discussed her love affair with the people in remote communities of Kenya. She discussed the values that guide the lives of the Maasai people and how they raise their children to be strong, competent and responsible adults. In discussing “The Seven Lessons of Life,” Hoskins provided illuminating examples of how the Maasai culture values community, responsibility, hard work, respect, courage, humility and generosity. There are lessons we teach to children on a daily basis and lessons we can learn from others as well. Hoskins’ heartfelt presentation revealed much about which we all can learn.
Hoskins donated a copy of her book to one lucky Rotarian, but following the meeting many Rotarians flooded her with requests for copies of their own. She said 100% of the proceeds from book sales go directly to her foundation, the Maasai Cultural Conservation Foundation. The program was one not to be missed and the San Marino club looks forward to Part Two of Hoskins’ amazing, journey with the people of Kenya.
A $100 donation was made in Hoskins’ name to Rotary Charities, the philanthropic arm of the Rotary.
Members were reminded to sign up for the Sept. 21 tribute to the San Marino Police and Fire departments to be held in the San Marino Fire Department and catered by Gus’s BBQ of South Pasadena.
There will also be an off-site fall social to be held on Sept. 28 at a Pasadena restaurant.
The meeting was adjourned, but members lingered to visit with new inductees and to purchase copies of “Life Lessons.”
First published in the Sept. 14 issue of the San Marino Tribune
