Councilman Brown launches social service club

When one hears the words “social club,” images of crusty curmudgeons in overstuffed chairs, smoking pipes and cooking up some order of patriarchal cabal to decide the fate of the little people. Then there’s the Sonoma Bear Flag Social Club, a social service start-up conceived by city councilman Ken Brown.
Steeped in a legacy of social outreach in his native New York City, Brown’s vision is more attuned to the organizations that benefit those in need.
“Where I grew up in New York City, there were lots of social clubs – organizations that perhaps brought you a turkey on Thanksgiving or helped you out in some fashion. There were definitely politically oriented. There were Republican, Democratic, Progressive, Socialist, Communist – you name it.”
Brown sees his newly launched club as a continuation of the professional commitment to community service he has illustrated as a three-term council member and as a former general manager of the Sonoma Community Center.
“I think my imprint in the community is to do social service. My adult life has been given over to being a dad, a husband and providing social service in the community and I have no intention of leaving that field,” said Brown, who has opened an office above the Plaza Bistro on First Street East. “I’m good at it. It’s easy on the brain. I don’t go to sleep at night concerned about what I’m doing. I’m just doing it as I’ve done and I’m getting lots of calls. I’ve picked up a few gigs already and so off we go.”
Among Brown’s accomplishments in the two weeks he’s been in business is a recent presentation of kid-themed rock act the Sippy Cups and sponsorship of the reprise performance of Nuestra Voz, both at the community center.
“Right now, I’m doing referrals, events and producing parties, plays, whatever you want. Eventually, this will morph into a membership organization, similar to Native Sons of the Golden West, except that you won’t have to be a native and you won’t have to be a son,” said Brown, whose business model is predicated as much on capitalism as altruism.
“I’m not adverse to making money nor am I adverse to giving it away,” he said. “You just put it out and you get it back.”
Brown culls the Sonoma Bear Flag Social Club’s philosophy from a variety of influences, including nods to the Golden Rule and even the Ten Commandments. He points out that it’s not a religious organization, though it does welcome people of all faiths with an interest in social service.
“I’ve long thought there was a need for an all-inclusive social organization,” said Brown. “People love this idea.”
Brown’s words ring true – literally – as his newly installed office phone seems never to cease ringing.
“You’re one of the first ones to call the Sonoma Bear Flag Social Club,” Brown’s outgoing message coos from the answering machine. He has maintained his signature sign-off from his community center days: “Please leave a clear and concise message” – which apparently went unheard by a caller who subsequently rambled off a two-minute monologue regarding paper plates. Such is Brown’s blessing and bane – people want to share their thoughts with him and, as always, he seems happy to hear them. Discourse is one of Brown’s strong suits, which bodes well for the club.
“I like to talk, I can use the phone, I have a great Rolodex and I’m ready to roll,” he said.
For more information about the Sonoma Bear Flag Social club, call Ken Brown at 707.938.8623 or e-mail ken@bearflagsocialclub.com.