President Heather called the 5,461st Rotary Club of San Jose meeting to order. Before the meeting, a Rotary photo loop from last week’s meeting played. (We missed Jeff Pohle on the Piano.) President Heather thanked the Culinary and Hospitality Committee chaired by Cindy Faulkner for forming today’s greeting line.
President Heather reminded us that it is time to purchase holiday luncheon tickets before they sell out.
Introductions of guests and visiting Rotarians were facilitated by Red Badgers Emily Esparza and Edesa Bitbadal.
Siena Guardino, daughter of Rotarian Leslee Guardino, sang Colors of the Wind and won a warm ovation.
Hekmat Ehsas and Chelsey Souza both received their Blue Badges, which signifies completion of their first year in our club.
President-Elect Matt Braker made a strong pitch for every member to make contribution to our Foundation
which supports crucial community services, both large and small. So far this year, 69% of the club has
contributed to the Foundation. Your badge will show a pink dot if you have participated. Pink dot cupcakes were in the lobby to celebrate your generosity.
Rotarian Kelly Dippel, chair of Service to Seniors, reported that Rancho Roben Rescues provided
petting animals and with the help of the Paws Committee, hosted a special day at Hearts and Minds Activity Center.
Past-President Karen Philbrick announced some upcoming Fun and Friendship events. She is again hosting
her wonderful Christmas in the Park party on December 11 from 6 to 7:30 at The 88, downtown. On
January 16th from 4 to 6 p.m. there will be a bowling event. February 1 at 5 pm, there will be a bocce
tournament at Camp Di Bocce in Los Gatos. Sign-ups will be in the lobby before meetings.
Rotarian Steve Ellenberg presented the Sandy Ellenberg Humanitarian Award. Sandy was a devoted
member of our club for many years; his legacy is celebrated today through our Rotaplast missions and this
award. Sandy’s wife, honorary member Maureen Ellenberg, was also present today. This year’s honorees went to someone who followed Dr. Ellenberg’s path to success. Past-President Fernando Zazueta was also the child of immigrants and a leader in his profession, the law. Fernando will designate his award of $5,000 to a Club committee.
Rotarian Lenoir Kieve introduced our speakers for The Bob Kieve Annual Thanksgiving Program. This year 12 Rotarians shared their thanks.
1. Dan Orloff was grateful that Lenoir has continued the tradition of this Program and proud of his family and their traditions with a special interest in music.
2. Daniel Zazueta was grateful for the nature, politics and the culture of San Jose as well as his amazing family. He provided a list of his interests which gave us a glimmer of his personality.
3. David Cohen decided to participate today while trying to navigate the Seattle airport with his healing Achilles tendon, a scooter and luggage; he was impressed by the small acts of kindness he received. He loves his community, college age children and wife.
4. Ed Correia talked about his stroke 15 years ago and soul-searching that followed. He changed his life after that event. After a search for meaningful community work, he found this club for which he is most appreciative.
5. Emily Roben shared that she is currently exhausted but thankful for her emergency room work, the animals in the foothills she hears during the night, her cozy home, and her recovery from recent surgery.
6. Steve Preminger came of age in the 60’s and became involved in union work in the 70’s. He is grateful for his dream job as director of Civic and Community Engagement for the County. And he is especially thankful for this Club and its mission to improve the human condition.
7. Elizabeth Monley also came of age in the 60’s; she saw the change of our community from Valley of Hearts Delight to Silicon Valley. She described the struggles her father had as an engineer who worked project-to-project and thanked him for his dedication to his family.
8. Janikke Klem honored a host of Rotary women and described their strengths.
9. Kathryn Vandiver had a life-changing skiing accident as a young adult. She learned that bad experiences could make one resilient. Through her volunteer efforts, she is thankful she can help others facing obstacles.
10. Larry Stone (Booo) first told a little bit about himself and his amazing life. He expressed gratitude for the way his parents reared him and the wisdom they passed on.
11. Sarju Naran is most thankful for his wife, daughters, mom, and the amazing woman in his life. He believes “women will save us all.”
12. Sean O’Kane gave a shout out to Lenoir. He thought after losing his son, he would never again enjoy Thanksgiving. He has now come to believe that his gratitude for life, humor, family stories and this club will give him great Thanksgivings and replace his sorrow.
President Heather thanked Lenoir Kieve and our impassioned speakers for a program that did not disappoint. President Heather made a contribution on their behalf to the Dancing Cat Lounge
There will be no meeting next week.
President Heather gave us a few reminders: The Downtown Happy Hour will be at 5 pm tomorrow at Cash Only downtown. The Gordon House is decked out. Caicai Wu is moving to Washington State but will still join us on Zoom.
This great meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Karyn Sinunu-Towery, Rotary Meeting Summaries committee.
To see all pictures, click
here, thanks to Carl Cilker Photography Committee.
Video is available
here, thanks to John Duhring.