TOGETHER, WE

TRANSFORM

TOGETHER, WE

CONNECT

TOGETHER, WE

INSPIRE

TOGETHER, WE

SAVE LIVES

TOGETHER, WE

FIGHT HUNGER

TOGETHER, WE

EMPOWER

TOGETHER, WE

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.

Join us

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

Take action

“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.

Leigh Weimers Emerging Artists Awards

Just a reminder that there will be no noon Rotary meeting this Wednesday! Instead, join us for a very special evening at the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Awards. Doors open at 5:30pm. Program begins at 6pm.

Use the QR code or click here to RSVP


In Loving Memory


Next Big Project Committee Is Seeking Proposals

To submit a proposal, please fill out this form by Friday, November 6.
To submit a proposal, please fill out this form by Friday, November 6.


End Polio

 

You may have received a donation request from Rotary International in support of the campaign to end polio. Our Rotary Club’s PolioPlus champion, Sandra Jewett, will speak to our club on October 28th. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about the campaign and make a donation to support this important cause.
 


Downtown Happy Hour


Work Day at Rancho Roben Rescues sponsored by I-House


A Day at Rancho Roben Rescues: Nature, Community & Action
Join us for a unique day outdoors with members of Rotary Fun and Friendship and the San Jose State University International House (I-House)! 
Meet Rescued Farm Animals: Get up close with the resident rescued animals at Rancho Roben Rescues and learn about their stories and care.
  • Habitat Restoration & Field Work: Help clear invasive plant species that threaten vital grazing land. Prepare to break a sweat, roll up your sleeves, and do some meaningful physical work!
  • Enjoy the Outdoors: Take a break from urban campus life to relax, socialize, and enjoy the fresh outdoor air with a welcoming community.

Transportation & Attendance

  • Carpooling Encouraged: Parking at the ranch is very limited, so please arrange to carpool.
  • Full-Event Commitment: To help us coordinate logistics and complete our land restoration projects, attendees are expected to stay for the entire duration of the event.

What to Bring & Wear

  • Sturdy Footwear: Wear closed-toe shoes or boots that you don't mind getting muddy or dirty.
  • Sun Protection: Bring a hat, wear sunscreen, and bring sunglasses.
  • Hydration: Bring a full, reusable water bottle.
  • Attire: Dress in comfortable layers suitable for physical outdoor work.

Families are warmly welcome to join! However, please keep in mind that this is an active workday—everyone in attendance is expected to participate in the outdoor dirty work.

We look forward to a rewarding day of work, friendship, and fresh air!

Address: 15115 Clayton Rd. San Jose CA 95127
Due to road construction on lower Clayton please ensure your GPS routes you up Mt. Hamilton Rd.
RSVP to Jeremy Shapiro

 


Saturday Hike sponsored by Fun and Friendship


Veteran's Day Parade

Save the Date for the Veterans Day Parade!

Instead of our regular Wednesday noon meeting, we’ll be joining the Veterans Day Parade or cheering on those who participate. Come out and show your support for our veterans!

More information to follow.


The Meeting Summary for October 14, 2026

Rotarians and guests were welcomed to the Joe Levitt Lobby of the Rotary Summit Center by members of the Be Bald and Free Club, all of whom were celebrating Be Bald and Free Day (with support from some folks donning bald caps).

Upon arrival, all had the opportunity to purchase libations being served at the new Scott’s Seafood lobby bar that we have witnessed being constructed during recent weeks.  (After tossing back a couple of drinks, it might have helped some folks unsee what was witnessed in the greeting line!).

President TIM GILL rang the bell at 12:14 p.m. to open meeting number 5541 of the Rotary Club of San Jose.  He did so after taking a little off the top by presenting a “I Miss My Hair” slide show, depicting before and after images of some of our members, and then he thanked those who participated in the hair raising greeting line shenanigans.   

We received the sad news that longtime Rotarian KEN WIENER has passed away.

On a happy note, ROBERT FREIRI and MEGAN TOENISKOETTER received a shout out as they both celebrated a birthday on the day of our meeting. 

President Tim acknowledged the success of the October 9 International Feast event with a slide show of event images. 

President-elect KATHLEEN THOMAS and SARAH CLISH, accompanied by JEREMY HARRIS on piano, led the singing of Take Me Home, Country Roads, followed by President Tim delivering a bit of history in his On This Day segment, noting the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and history making actions by SJSU’s John Carlos and Tommie Smith. 
The travelling microphones were handled with great aplomb by JUDY DAVIS and JACOB LEUNG as we met visiting Rotarians and guests in attendance.
The Club had 49ers fever as two SF 49ers tickets and parking passes for the October 19 game, courtesy of LARRY “BOO” STONE, were auctioned off by MATT ROBEN, with proceeds going to the Club’s permanent endowment.  Congratulations to the highest bidder, GINGER “YAY” SOTELO.
In preparation for the October 21 evening offsite meeting, which will be the 2026 Leigh Weimers Emerging Artists Awards event, we were treated to a performance by vocalist Alycia Adame, a 2023 Leigh Weimers Emerging Artists Award winner, who was introduced by STEPHANIE BIELANSKI-FEHR.
New member DAN CARTER, sponsored by MATT BELL, was welcomed to our Club, then JOSH BURROUGHS provided a summary of What’s Up Downtown, focusing on real estate developments in the downtown core, which Josh described as a 10 x 10 block area representing 0.2 percent of San Jose’s total land area. 
Chris Jensen, Director of Business Operations for San Jose’s new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team, presented information regarding the PWHL, and while he was not at liberty to reveal the name of the new team, he did promote the December 5 home opener that will take place at SAP Center.  This is the fourth year for the PWHL, and the inaugural season for San Jose’s team.  Go (insert team name here)!
JAMES WILLIAMS from the Enterprise Leadership Conference (ELC) Committee provided an overview of ELC and made a pitch for additional volunteers to assist with the conference in March 2027.  The Committee is especially in need of adult mentors to work with student teams.   
President Tim acknowledged BONNIE BAMBURG as Rotarian of the Week and then, with a full agenda and being tight on time, he promoted several upcoming events, including the Downtown Happy Hour, the Fun and Friendship Committee’s Rotary Hike on October 24, and the Veterans Day Parade on November 11.
DeANNA PURSAI introduced today’s program, which was fascinating, inspirational, and entertaining, as we learned about Henry Evans and his collaboration with Nick Tayler.  The topic title was Two Voices, Two Visions: Transcending Boundaries Through Country Music.

Evans and Tayler have been collaborating online creating country music since 2021. Henry writes the words; Nick creates and performs the music. Nick came out to the West Coast from Florida, and we experienced Henry via Zoom.  They met in person for the very first time just one day before our Rotary meeting.
The backstory is incredible, as Henry, who suffered a stroke in 2002, left him without speech, but with the assistance of technology he can communicate song lyrics, which Nick, who is deaf in one ear, puts to music and performs.  Their story was featured on a CBS Morning Segment last August.  Many will recall that Henry, a good friend of RANDY ZECHMAN, presented a program to our Club via a robot in 2015.No notes here can adequately convey the emotion of today’s program, so please take time to view the video from the meeting. 
Following the presentation and some questions from the audience, President Tim thanked our guests and noted that, in their honor, a donation to Washington School through the Club’s Los Amigos Committee had been made, as well as a donation to the Wheelchair Foundation. 
A reminder that there will be no noon meeting on October 21, as the meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Hammer Theatre Center for the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artists Awards.  All are encouraged to RSVP. 

The speaker for our October 28 meeting is scheduled to be the Honorable Sam Liccardo, U.S. Representative for District 16.  There’s also word that we will celebrate Halloween at that meeting.  Will we experience tricks or treats?  Be there to find out.

President Tim rang the bell to end the meeting at 1:15 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted by Brian Adams, Meeting Summaries Committee
To see all pictures, click here thanks to Carl Cilker, Photography Committee.
Video is available here.


New Member Udey Chaudhry

Dr. Udey Chaudhry is a technology executive with IBM Consulting, specializing in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. He holds multiple patents and has published extensively across technology, business, and corporate governance.

He earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College of California and studied at Lehigh University and the MIT Sloan School of Management. An MIT alumnus, his interests include emerging technologies, corporate governance, and enhancing board effectiveness.

He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Meriwest Credit Union, where he is committed to advancing effective governance and supporting its mission of serving members and local communities.
Beyond his professional and board responsibilities, he is passionate about giving back, supporting initiatives focused on financial education, microfinance, financial inclusion, and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.

 


New Member Dan Carter

Dan Carter owns a Senior Care Authority franchise, focused on helping people make informed decisions about senior care and living options. Most often working with the adult children, Dan strives to simplify an often complex and emotional process.
 
He grew up in Connecticut and was fortunate to jump on the personal computer wave in the early 80's. What started as assembling machines led to jobs in tech support and ultimately a successful sales career that brought him to Virginia, then California. 
 
Dan and his wife Karen will celebrate their 32nd anniversary in October, and their 2 kids are both engaged with weddings being planned for the spring.
 
So far he's joined the Service to Seniors committee, and looking forward to other opportunities to give back and help the community.



 


Calendar

Greater Downtown Committee Mtg

More info

International Service Committee Meeting

More info

Fun and Friendship Committee Meeting

More info

Refugee Support Committee Meeting

More info

Gala Sub Committee Leads Meeting

More info

Red Badge Committee Meeting

More info

Refugee Support Committee Meeting

More info

Neurodiversity

More info

Leigh Weimers Committee Meeting

More info

SJSU Committee Meeting

More info

Sip & Swing Hosted By Fun and Friendship

More info

ELC Meeting

More info

Unhoused Impact Committee Mtg

More info

Paws to Consider Committee Meeting

More info

Book Club

More info

Environmental Sustainability Committee Meeting

More info

Paws to Consider Committee Meeting

More info

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS

Leigh Weimers
Speaker: Leigh Weimers

October 21st 2026 at 5:30 pm
More info

Congressman Sam Liccardo
Speaker: Congressman Sam Liccardo
Updates on California's 16th Congressional District
October 28th 2026 at 12:15 pm
More info

Professor Dean Winslow
Speaker: Professor Dean Winslow
Providing life-saving medical care to Iraqi children with Rotarians' frequent flier miles
November 4th 2026 at 12:15 pm
More info

Veteran's Day Parade--no noon Meeting
Speaker: Veteran's Day Parade--no noon Meeting

November 11th 2026 at 12:00 pm
More info