The Gull's Call - Jul/Aug/Sept 2025

CommunityNews Board Members Honored at Volunteer Appreciation Event by Jacqui Galvez Vasquez O N APRIL 4, 2025, THE COMMUNITY OFFICE and Community Board of Directors held a dinner honoring board member volunteers from 2024. Approximately 80 board member volunteers and their guests filed into the Community Center for an evening of good food, camaraderie with fellow board members, and opportunities to honor the past (volunteer service) while looking towards the future (plans to better the community we call home.)

Community Board Presidents Still Alive & Living in Harbor Bay

Bill Withrow 1987-1989 Gary Hoffer 1997-2000 Lee Harris 2005-2008

Mike Robles-Wong 2008-2012 Bill Pai 2012-2015 & 2019-2025 Community Board Presidents Who Are No Longer Living or Who Have Moved Away from Harbor Bay George Skezas 1989-1990 Pamela DeSimone 1990-1995 Walt Jacobs 1985-1987 & 1995-1997 & 2002-2005 Ron Lappa 2000-2002 Charles Hodgkins 2015-2019 Furthermore, two other board member volunteers were recognized for their tireless giving of self, not only to their individual project boards, but also to the greater good — Jon Hamilton for his work with CLASS as their President on behalf of CHBIOA and Mita Raval, Chair of the Community Architectural Committee. Both have laid foundations and upheld rules with persistence and dedication, always willing to step in and step up.

The Community Office staff was present to mingle and attend to the volunteers. Executive Director Dawn Jaeger introduced her staff, giving board members a chance to put a face with a name they may only usually hear over the phone, or only see on an email or letter. Community Board President Bill Pai opened the evening with a champagne toast and thanks from the entire community for all that our board member volunteers do. For a second year in a row, Asena Restaurant of Alameda catered the event, much to everyone’s delight. Time for recognition came after dinner. This year, 2025, represents the 50-ish anniversary of CHBIOA, Inc. (In case you missed Executive Director Dawn Jaeger’s article in last quarter’s Gull’s Call , she explained the reason for this being the 50-ish and not the 50th anniversary is because of all of the different dates of incorporation, start of building, official handover from the developer, etc. Hence, 50-ish!) Last year’s recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award, Mike Robles-Wong, passed the torch to Bill Pai, this year’s recipient. In addition, past Community Board Presidents still alive and living in Harbor Bay were recognized for their devotion to the betterment of their community. Their awards were inscribed as follows: “Leaders Stand Out by the Nature of Their Commitment and the Integrity of Their Character.”

Jon Hamilton & Mita Raval shake hands with CHBIOA Board President, Bill Pai, as they are awarded Volunteer of the Year runner-ups.

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The Gull’s Call