The meeting was called to order by Andrew H.


Kamyar N. led all participants in the pledge of allegiance.


Patti V. asked for visiting rotarians and guests to be introduced.

  • Lisa C., introduced visiting San Jose Rotarian Audrey F.
  • Avis L. introduced her guest Heidi O.
  • Mike N. introduced Megan B., a prospective member of the club
  • Randy C.  - A pending new member whose father was a past president of our club many years ago.

Inspiration - Dan Snyder

Dan focused his comments on the importance and meaning of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, given the recent tragic news of a fire there, and that he had just returned from a vacation in France. Notre Dame has been and will continue to be both an architectural and artistic landmark. Consider the perspective of a 13th century Parisian for whom this marvel represented a common place for community, learning and inspiration. These cultural icons matter, and Dan suggested we consider the full impact of these kinds of places.


Patti V. announced the upcoming luncheon with Anna Eshoo (auctioned as part of the crab fest). It is coming up soon, and there is one spot remaining. If interested, please contact Patti.


Tina O.H. - Reviewed the big upcoming District 5170 event - that will take place over three days on the USS Hornet. There are several tracks and opportunities for learning, fun and entertainment. Former astronaut Scott Kelly is a featured speaker, and there will be a showing of the acclaimed film Apollo 11. Not to mention a business expo, golf tournament, leadership training, ship tours, Big Band dancing and more! This also will be the event where Tina is recognized as the outstanding Rotarian of the year in our District (congrats Tina!). Contact Tina as soon as you register so that our club members can sit closely together for the dinner.


Find out more about this event here: https://events.rotarydistrict5170.org/rotary-district-5170-events/2019-district-conference


There is a Board meeting next Thursday at 4:25. Service committee chairs should submit grant recommendations before that time. Andrew H. Introduced a video from Shelter Box (which Loyd G. has championed) as a great example of the kind of projects our club has supported, and Shelter Box has been a long time recipient. Shelter box sets up emergency relief boxes that provide the basics for families that have lost everything in a disaster. Shelter Box was founded in 2000. Since that time, over 100,000 shelter boxes have been sent to disaster victims on every continent of the world.


Mike F. in a 20 for $20 proudly announced his new grandchild - and a big guy!


Nicholas W. auctioned great seats for A’s vs. Blue Jays on Saturday, 20 April at 1:00. Sold to Mike N.


Marty F. Introduced today’s speaker, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. He has a distinguished background. He joined the Santa Clara County DA office in 1995. In 2011 he was elected District Attorney. In that role, he supervises 600 employees including 200 lawyers.

 

His topic for the club today was human trafficking - broadly and specifically in the Bay Area and Santa Clara County.

 

He defined human trafficking for us as:

  1. Minors under the age of 18 induced into commercial sex

  2. Force, fraud or coercion that causes 18+ to go into commercial sex

  3. Anyone forced to do work, often through what amounts to indentured servitude.

 

Those most at risk for being enslaved are teens and pre-teens who are brought in from another country, have recently exited the foster system, or have become disconnected from their families due to abuse, runaway, etc. The average age for victims of human trafficking is 12-14 years old. There are 100s of thousands of victims every year, and in every part of the world.


Different from other crimes, it is hard to see sometimes that a human trafficking crime is occurring. Jeff described it as a crime that hides in plain site, and is essentially a form of slavery.


Why has awareness of this problem started to grow? The number of victims have increased dramatically because it is a highly profitable criminal industry worth $32B world wide, and $10B in the U.S. One forced sex victim can earn $400 per night. For criminal gangs, human trafficking is only second to drug trafficking in profitability.


California is a hot spot for human trafficking. The DA’s office is currently prosecuting more than 30 cases.


The DA office has a three pronged approach to addressing what is likely to be an ongoing and evolving problem:

 
  1. Education

  2. Investigation

  3. Incarceration

 

Two new important trends:

 

Human trafficking victims working as sex workers are showing up in new places: illicit massage establishments and residential brothels throughout Santa Clara County. Jeff estimated there are 191 Illicit massage parlors just in San Jose. The DA’s office focusing on closing these down and helping the victims.


The second significant trend is that victims are bought into the U.S. from another country or from our own foster system, then moved around the country to avoid prosecution. Gangs and other organized crime groups run these residential brothels.


How to protect yourself or your family. There is lots of good information available on the Internet. Hotlines, etc. And, you can raise your awareness of this “invisible” crime. Certain red flags to look out for:

  1. Is there someone you know who isn’t free to come and go?

  2. Someone who has to work, and not able to take breaks?

  3. Someone where passport or other ID is held by someone else?

 

Don’t investigate yourself; this is a dangerous area. But, please do report concerns to the police or to the DA for further investigation.


Jeff then took a lively session of Q&A. During this session Avis L. mentioned the HEAT initiative in Oakland as another resource for information about human trafficking.


Andrew H. closed the meeting.