“Together, we see a world where people unite & take action to create lasting change - 
across the globe, in our communities, & in ourselves.”
  
Follow & tag us on social media: @losgatosrotary

Saturday, September 26th!
CLICK HERE to register!
Club News
Kindergarten of the Blossom Hill Elementary School opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and singing Grand Old Flag.

Guests
  • David Dury, guest of Jeff Blum
  • Zane Daughtery, guest of Tom Picraux
  • Robin S., guest of Nitze Dormady

Inspiration
Susan Boxer-Gassman shared a few fun facts:
  • It’s impossible to be angry and laugh at the same time!
  • Why do people say no offence right before they offend you?

What Our Club Has Done Lately
Rotary Collaborative Impact Summit
Great speakers and non-profit organizations from Rotary and outside organizations:
  • Wyn Spiller - Rotary International Director 2025-27
  • Lex Gillette - A world record holding Paralympic long jumper who is blind since the age of 8
  • Shirley Grace - Endowment and Major Gifts
Volunteering at Schools

Coming Up Activities
  • Campbell Rotary Club Social event: Sept. 24th, 6-8 - The Vesper
  • Great Race - Sept. 26th, lead by Mike Norcia - Patti van der Burg thanked all the sponsors
  • Santa Cruz Shakespeare - Private Lives Oct. 3
  • First Tues. social at Enoteca Oct. 6
  • Walk to End Alzheimer's Oct. 10
  • Rise Against Hunger at the Methodist Church Oct. 11
Meeting was held at the Blossom Hill School multi-purpose room due to Shir Hadash being unavailable. Rachelle called the meeting to order at 12:30.

Visitors
  • Joe and Louise from Grande Center, our grant recipient in El Salvador
  • Karla Carlen, almost red badger
  • Judy Levin, Gordon’s wife and brave co-pilot of many years
  • Dave, husband of Eleanor Yick, about to join

Inspiration
Suzanne gave inspiration, reading a mother’s letter to the world about treating her son gently as she sends him to kindergarten.
Club News
President Rachelle announced the arrival of member Bliss Zin’s new baby this week, named Zed. She also noted we were remiss in announcing member Derrick’s son Liam who is now 2?

Grande Center
Joe and Louise from the Grande Center spoke briefly, thanking us for our ongoing support, including the school bus that gets the students to the campus in El Salvador. 1st through 6th grade is now open in this bi-lingual school. There will be a spring trip coming up for interested Rotarians that want to visit the school.



The Great Race
The Great Race is coming soon Sept 26! Please register yourself and gift a registration to a friend. We need to get our numbers up for this important fundraiser. Post flyers, like the club’s social media posts, and volunteer through sign up genius. See Martha Sterne for more details.
President Rachel called the meeting to order at 12:30.
Pledge
With all of us getting off to a bit of a rough start, Charlie Goss successfully led the pledge of allegiance.

Inspiration — Suzanne Boxer Gassman
Suzanne’s inspiration focused on the idea of planting seeds: we can dare to grow, or hold back because we’re afraid of what that growth might bring.

Visitors
  • Visiting Rotarians included Dave from Willow Glen Rotary and Kent from the Almaden Valley club.
  • Other guests included Martha’s son and Rob, a third-generation Los Gatan introduced by Ron Cassel.

Club Activities
Rachel reviewed a number of recent club activities, including the Club BBQ, First Tuesday at Anjana’s house, the Bike Rodeo and our Blood Drive, which had a great turnout.
The third Supper Club was held last week with a full house of 18 people. More than 40 people have now participated in the first three dinners. Good food and fun — which seems to be exactly what Supper Club was intended to produce.
There is plenty more coming up, including another Bike Rodeo, Community and Culture Nights, the Rotary Collaborative Impact Summit, Rise Against Hunger, and a First Tuesday social at Enoteca. Please see the communications both from Rachelle and Lissa for dates, details and sign-up information.


Call to Order
Doug Brent - Designated President since Rachelle couldn’t be there
Flag Salute
Doug Brent


Visiting Guests
  • Michele Myers Nelson introduced Thuy Luc
  • Sue Keller brought Babette Ito
  • Suzanne brought Dan Deguara, who is applying for membership
  • Doug Carlen brought his wife Karla
  • Ellen Slosman was a visitor
  • Eleanor Yick brought her husband David



Inspiration
Jean-Marc Blanchard explained Kendo - The Way of the Sword, and how it was a hobby of today’s speaker
What’s Going On
  • Last Tuesday social was at Tasting House and photos were shared
  • Avis talked about National Night out in her neighborhood - Collecting backpacks for children in apts in the Pioneer School neighborhood. In addition to back packs, 12 bikes were given to children, face painting and free dinner for all
  • Hunger at Home last Monday - Great turn out of Rotarians

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We meet most Tuesdays, 12:00-1:30PM at
Shir Hadash
20 Cherry Blossom Lane
Los Gatos CA 95032

Upcoming Events
 
 
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Centennial Video
Our club is celebrating 100 years of service in our community. Check this out to see what we've been up to!
Weekly Meeting/Speaker Schedule
Jacob Kuykendall, Native American and Engineer
Sep 29, 2026
From reservation to worldwide engineer
Robin Shepherd
Oct 13, 2026 1:00 PM
Brain Health and Dementia
Kristin Hayden
Oct 20, 2026 1:00 PM
How Rotary exchange to South Africa During Apartheid Changed Her Life
Mantin Lu
Oct 27, 2026 1:00 PM
SLAY the Dragon: Why We Must Change the Game, Not the People
Laura Toller Gardner, Chelsea Denton
Nov 10, 2026 1:00 PM
Pets In Need
Melinda Snavely
Nov 17, 2026
Healthier Kids Foundation
Debra Townley
Dec 08, 2026 1:00 PM
West Valley Community Services
Paul Gunsky
Dec 15, 2026 1:00 PM
Los Gatos Theater
Our Service to the Community!
We regularly volunteer with Hunger at Home, assembling and passing out bags of groceries to those in need.
We serve Thanksgiving Lunch at Live Oak Senior Center
 
We packaged 22,000 meals at our most recent Rise Against Hunger event.
 
We feed families burdened by extended hospital stays at JW House on a regular basis
 
We assembled hygiene kits for the Catholic Charities Shower of Hope Mobile Van bringing hot showers to the unhoused population in East San Jose.
 
Each Fall, we stuff back packs full of essential back-to-school supplies for underprivileged kids.
 
We assembled activity kits for isolation patients at El Camino Hospital 
 
 
Choose a Rotary Cause & Donate here