TOGETHER, WE

TRANSFORM

TOGETHER, WE

CONNECT

TOGETHER, WE

INSPIRE

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SAVE LIVES

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FIGHT HUNGER

TOGETHER, WE

EMPOWER

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MENTOR

Attend a meeting

Join us on a Wednesday convenient to you and experience the fun and friendship of the Rotary Club of San Jose!

Contact our Executive Director, Leslee Hamilton for more details and to RSVP at (408) 297-6101.

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Fill out an application and join community leaders. Become a member of the Rotary Club of San Jose.

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“Service Above Self”

Rotary is a service organization of business and community leaders united worldwide. Rotarians are making a positive impact in our local and global communities.

The Rotary Club of San Jose

Benefiting the community and our world through action, integrity, service, and fellowship.

The Rotary Club of San Jose is the largest, most active and well-known service organization in the community. We are a leadership organization working together to make a difference. Our members include local business, nonprofit, professional and civic leaders. We form lasting friendships through our shared Rotary experiences including weekly meetings with interesting speakers, committee meetings and projects, social events and group service projects within our community and internationally.

Diversity & Inclusion

Having a diverse and inclusive Rotary Club means we value and welcome individuals of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, and races to our Club. We invite younger people, women, and minorities who support Rotary’s values, ideals, and mission to join our members in service to our community, and we strive to give all members equal opportunities to serve as leaders within our Club.

Service is the life blood of our Club, and it all happens through our Committees

The Speaker for March 5th: Ann Ravel

Mexican Democracy: A Model for the U.S.?

Barbara Marshman in conversation with Ann Ravel will explore democracy in Mexico. Through their conversation we will learn more about our neighbor to the south and dispel misperceptions that it is a drug-ridden culture that is overcome with crime and cartels. Instead, we’ll learn about civil rights and a strong, and respected, legislation of equality, which could be a model for the US going forward.

Ann M. Ravel is an attorney, adjunct professor, and lecturer at UC Berkeley School of Law, widely recognized for her leadership in government law and public service. Appointed by President Barack Obama, she served as Vice-Chair of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from 2013 to 2017. During her time at the FEC, she was a strong advocate for campaign finance reform and greater enforcement of election laws.

Prior to her tenure at the FEC, Ravel spent 11 years as County Counsel for Santa Clara County, where she provided legal guidance on complex governmental matters. From 2009 to 2011, she served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, overseeing consumer litigation. In 2011, California Governor Jerry Brown appointed her as Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), where she led efforts to strengthen campaign finance reform and political transparency.

Ravel continues to be an influential voice in election law, government accountability, and public policy.

Lunch Order for March 5th Meeting

Scott's Seafood will provide lunch ($30*) at Wednesday's meeting. The buffet lunch menu includes:

The buffet lunch menu includes:
Starters: Pear and Strawberry Salad (VGT)
Entrees: Grilled Salmon, Steak Diane and Herb Risotto (VGT)
Sides: Sauteed Seasonal Vegetables and Roasted Yukon Potatoes (VGT)
GF - Gluten Free, VGT - Veg

Please order by Monday, March 3rd at 12noon. Plan ahead and order early! Late orders will be charged an extra $5.

Important note: If you have a 10-pack, you still need to register, so we have enough food.

Click here to place your lunch order.

*Rotary is underwriting the Service Charge and Sales Tax. Your lunch reservation is non-refundable once the order is placed on Monday at noon.

Announcing Kaleidofete tickets!

GALA tickets are now available! Tickets are available online at: 2025 Rotary Gala - Kaleidofete

Join us on Saturday, Mar 29, 2025 at 5:30 pm at Signia Hotel for a shiny and fun-filled evening. Dress to theme in vibrant colors, sequins and sparkles or black tie optional with a flash of color! Individual tickets and tables of 8 are now available. Ask your committee to coordinate a table so you can all have fun and sit together!

We are still looking for unique auction items and would love your special donation. Please reach out to co-chairs Stephanie Bielanski-Fehr or Suzanne Wolf if you can sponsor the Gala or provide an auction item.

Here's the link to donate: DONATION FORM

A Big Thank you to our Gala Sponsors

Foundation Recognition

This week we honored the remarkable generosity of members who have contributed at least $50,000 to our Foundation. Donors at this level will have their names on a recognition plaque at the Gordon House in perpetuity.

Silver ($50,000 - $99,999): Sean Cottle, Janet Dashiell, Dave Davis, Dennis Fong, Fulton Family, John Kennett, Art Lund, Don Mac Millan, Ray Silva, Sinunu-Towery Family, Speno Family, Larry Stone

Gold ($100,000 - $249,999): Jon & Paula Ball, Carl Cilker, Cindy & Jeff Faulkner, Dave Henderson, Marlin Krebs, Levitt Family, John "Chip" Macdonald, Toeniskoetter Family

Platinum ($250,000+): Mike Blach, Bert & Cyndie George, Syd Hardt, Bob & Lenoir Kieve, Carl & Marianne Salas

While these are the leaders in generosity, over half our members have contributed at least $2,500 and were recognized at the Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 meetings.

Rotary International Convention in Calgary June 21-25

Join President-Elect Matt Braker and other San Jose Rotarians for RI's annual convention.

Embark on an exhilarating journey of connection and inspiration at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary! Engage in riveting discussions, learn from distinguished speakers, and explore enlightening breakout sessions against the backdrop of Calgary's picturesque beauty nestled amid the Canadian Rockies.

Fueled by friendship and a spirit of collaboration, exchange best practices, ignite innovative projects, and form lifelong connections with fellow changemakers from around the world.

Take part in this transformative, one-of-a-kind event and experience the Magic All Around at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada 21-25 June 2025.

To learn more, click here Rotary Convention

Let us know you're going! Please call the office or email staff.

The Meeting Summary for February 19, 2025

President Heather Lerner opened the 5,471st meeting of The Rotary Club of San Jose at 12:15 p.m. on February 19, 2025 and welcomed members and guests. The Book Club, chaired by Arthur Weissbrodt, greeted members and guests.

While a video loop of Rotary scenes played, the president thanked pianist Jeff Pohle for playing before the meeting and coming up with new pieces for his Rotary serenades. She then introduced Red Badgers Catherine Pendleton and Erin O’Neill to handle the traveling microphones for individual members to introduce their guests.

The recent passing of much loved community leader Ron James at age 96 saddened his

fellow Rotarians, and Brian Adams delivered a moving eulogy for his cherished friend. Coming from a longtime San Jose family, Mr. James joined Rotary in 1952 and became active in civic life. He was elected to the city council in 1965 and in 1967 became the first directly-elected mayor of San Jose since 1916, reportedly receiving 79 percent of the vote. (He was followed in 1971 by the late Norm Mineta.) From 1974 to 1990 he was president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. Concluding his remarks, Brian asked for a moment of reflection. Auld Lang Syne was played by Jeff Pohle at the piano and Matt Roben on the bagpipes.

Dave Davis, former president of the Rotary Foundation board, took the stage to recognize donors newly inducted to the top categories of giving: silver ($50,000 to $99,999), gold (100,000 to $249,888) and platinum ($250,000 or more).

Silver inductees were Sean Cottle, John Kennett, Dave Davis, the Sinunu-Towery family, Speno family, Fulton family, Art Lund and Larry Stone. (Yes, when he was introduced for this honor, the audience still booed.)

Gold inductees were Jon and Paula Ball, Cindy and Jeff Faulkner, Dave Henderson and Charles Toeniskoetter.

Platinum inductees were Mike Blach; Joseph, Glenn and Bert George; Bob and Lenoir Kieve, and Carl and Marianne Salas.

Dave Davis and Carl Salas both offered gratitude to all members for their community service, whether their gifts are the standard $400 a year or more.

Karen Fox, co-chair of the membership committee, reported 45 new members have been added during the first half of President Heather’s term, leaving 55 to be found in the second half to meet the president’s goal of 100. Sixty red badgers enrolled at this time bring tremendous energy to the room, she said, praising Tim Gill and Steve Ellenberg for bringing the team together. She then asked all members to take action that day and send a text to someone who should be in Rotary.

Three red badgers were presented with their blue badges: Ryan Sebastion, Carlos Singh and Eddie Truong.

During her President’s Time, President Heather congratulated winners of the recent Bocce Ball Tournament – Tim and Sondra Gill, Scott and Mary Kay Paine, and Sue Smith and Jill Podosky. She reminded everyone to mark their Rotary Oscar Ballot by Feb. 21, and to save the date of June 4 for the spring barbeque.

Dave Cowan, chair of the program committee, introduced Chris Kirchhoff to speak on “How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War.” The talk was engaging, enlightening and thought provoking.

During the Cold War, defense technology outpaced the private sector in research and often achieved breakthroughs that became part of consumer products. But the government agencies became burdened with rules meant to protect taxpayer dollars but doing the opposite. As time went on, technology developed in the private sector by startup companies – Apple, Microsoft – far surpassed the speed and capability of what defense contractors could accomplish through their cumbersome bid specifications 3 and the massive amount of paperwork dealing with the government required.

During the Obama Administration, Defense Secretary Ash Carter – an intellectual icon – saw this and recruited Mr. Kirchhoff to form an alliance with Silicon Valley to develop and purchase technology that could modernize defense and bring costs under control. They formed what became known as Unit X and began breaking down barriers. “Unit X” is the title of the recently published book Mr. Kirchhoff wrote with his partner, Raj Shah, a scientist and, by the way, an F-16 pilot, explaining the magnitude of the challenge they faced and how they are meeting it. On the cover of the book is an illustration of an F-35 stealth bomber superimposed on an iPhone. Which has faster computer processing speed? The iPhone – by a magnitude of 400 times. This sets the tone for the book, and for Wednesday’s presentation. If you missed it, it’s worth checking out the YouTube video of the meeting posted on the San Jose Rotary website.

President Heather thanked Mr. Kirchhoff and told him a donation to The Dancing Cat Lounge was made on his behalf.

Next week will be Brian Adams’ traditional program on the Academy Awards. Remember to fill out those ballots.

President Heather will be gone next week, so as a preview, incoming president Matt Braker will be chairing the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m

Respectfully submitted, Barbara Marshman, Rotary Meeting Summaries committee.
To see all pictures, click here thanks to Jeff Faulkner, Photography Committee.
Video is available here, thanks to John Duhring.

New Member Ben Taylor Sponsored by Jeff Hare

Ben is currently the General Manager of the San Jose Giants, overseeing the day-to-day stadium, marketing, event and ticketing operations of the organization.

A graduate of UC Davis, Ben is a San Jose native (Go Leigh Longhorns!) and business veteran of the sports industry. He began his professional career with his hometown team and in his first four seasons with the San Jose Giants served in various digital, marketing operations and media relations capacities. In these roles, he facilitated the team’s social media growth into the Top 5 in all of Minor League Baseball and was proud to be an integral part of the staff that was presented with the 2014 Larry MacPhail Award.

Following 2015, Ben and his family moved to Colorado where he served as the Director of Marketing and Promotions for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, then Triple A Affiliate for the Milwaukee Brewers. During his tenure, he oversaw a number of improvements to the in-game experience and ballpark along with single game attendance records.

In addition to his experience in Minor League Baseball, Ben has worked in the United States Olympic movement having led partnerships for USA Cycling where he managed a multi- dollar portfolio of accounts and signed the largest partnership collaboration in organization history.

Ben currently lives in Morgan Hill with his wife, LeeAnn, daughter, Callie, and dog, Simon.

New Member Mike Cirimele Sponsored by Kathryn Vandiver

Mike is a Bay Area product of a large 1960’s frugal household that was full of kids and commotion, lead by two hard working parents who emphasized education and empathy toward the disadvantaged.

He is a graduate of San Jose State University, an avid supporter of all things local and a proud father of three – while living vicariously through his young adult children as they finish college and enter the working world.

Through Mike’s life, he has benefited from a support network of family or friends – and can appreciate and empathize with those who were not blessed with the same. He sees Rotary as a conduit to provide support to those without.

Mike is a retired Finance professional, SJSU alum and longtime supporter of City Team which provides services to the less fortunate. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and skiing, but can most likely be found walking a golf course at daybreak. He is thankful for the opportunity to represent Rotarian values of giving back to a community, the same community that has shaped and supported him. He is humbled to be in the company of so many who have contributed to the local and global community through Rotary.