“Together, we see a world where people unite & take action to create lasting change - 
across the globe, in our communities, & in ourselves.”
     
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Club News
Zoom Meeting Notes from September 22, 2020
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
The meeting was led by VP Gae La Torre, since President Andrew had a work engagement. The Pledge was led by Tom Dodge. Inspiration led by Judy Rodriguez reflected on the words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed this week. One quote sited was “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way so that others join you”. She served with humility and genius, and our country was lucky to have her. RIP RBG    Well done, Judy.
 
There were no guests. Lydia Norcia asked if there are any We Care outreach needs to let her know. Gae thanked the We Care Committee for the porch surprises last week. There were also chat room thanks from Liz Smith (it encouraged her to attend today), Mike Norcia, Suzanne, and many email thanks throughout the week.
 
Tom Boyce and Andrew Howard spoke about our club’s commitment to Shelter Box. For the past 13 years Lloyd Grant has been the champion, and we have given a total of roughly $35,000. They Rotary charity supplies kits that include a durable tent and food prep tools and sleeping needs to disaster zones globally, and each kit is about $1000.
 
The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is forming an event called “Around the Town Happenings” involving service clubs. See Andrew Stearns if interested.
 
Contribute time to the newest area of focus for Rotary International: Supporting the Environment. Our club’s Volunteer Committee is seeking volunteers for “Rotarians on the Roof” where we will be trained to install solar panels on non-profits in the San Jose area. Note it is not a requirement to be on the roof. Training is Oct 24. See Chris Potter 
 
Tina thanked her trusty crew again this week for feeding the homeless at the St Luke’s Tuesday brunch.
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Zoom Meeting Notes from September 15, 2020
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
Meeting was held online via Zoom and called to order at 12:30pm by Andrew Stearns.
 
We had 55 Zoom participants.
 
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gregg Butterfield.  
 
Visiting Rotarians – Liz & Bill Cilker Jr from Milpitas Rotary, Carey Lai from Sunrise Rotary, Carl Cilker from Rotary of San Jose, Elizabeth Smith from Rotary Club of Los Gatos
 
Other Visitors – Noelle Henderson
 
Inspiration – Judy Rodriguez provided our inspiration. As a continuation of our commemoration of 9/11, Judy shared caring thoughts and honored those who passed in the events of 9/11.
 

Announcements – 

Club Recognition from 2019-2020.
Ron Cassel presented 50 year pins to the following Rotarians and spoke of their accomplishments and contributions to the Club. We are the only club in the world with a 50 year pin.
  • Bill Cilker 57 years
  • Rene Friedrich 52 years
  • Ed Bowen 52 years
Ed Bowen shared some thoughts on how Rotary has changed over the years and thanked the Club.
 
Bill Cilker’s children; Bill Jr., Carl, Elizabeth Smith and Noelle Henderson spoke fondly of their dad’s time in Rotary and thanked the Club. 
 
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the following members for their contributions to the Club.
  • Tom Dodge
  • Dick Konrad
  • Hal Rosen
  • Rami Wazni
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Zoom Meeting Notes from September 1, 2020
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
President Andrew called out all the baby picture Avatars on the Zoom screens. Amy Potts attempted to capture a pic of this, and most were adorable. See larger versions of these photos at the end of this post.
 
The Pledge was led by Jack Chevlen. Inspiration led by Judy Rodriguez.
 
Guests were introduced, including District Governor and speaker Gregg Guisaian, Art Testani, and Helene Davis.
 
Marlon helped us celebrate the September birthdays and Don McCleve accompanied on piano.
 
Judy Rodriguez showed the photo of the fire on Mt. Hamilton that came close to her and Julian’s house, but thankfully didn’t require evacuation.
 
Our club continues to help fire evacuees by donating goods and gift cards. See Patti to be added to the Gift Card donation program and your card on file with the club will be charged. Patti reported $1425 has been pledged so far. Thanks to Tina for helping procure the cards. Donated items were initially taken to Prince of Peace in Saratoga, but since they are now full, items can be taken to St. Luke’s in Sunnyvale (hours are S-S: 1-4, M-F: 10-1). Our club sent 5 members to help sort donated items at Prince of Peace Monday 8/31.
 
Mike Frangadakis’s National Guard Unit has been called up to help with the fires for the next 2 weeks. Good Luck and hearty thanks to the Greek!
 
President Andrew shared some humorous photos of how we dealt with the last pandemic in 1918…not too different this time around haha.
 
Many members have agreed to give a donation weekly to the Charities Foundation, in lieu of no lunch fee being charged, in order to make up some of the fund raising losses due to Covid. Thanks for those contributing to the great response so far, and it’s not too late for others to join in.
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Zoom Meeting Notes from September 8, 2020
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
The Pledge was led by Sandy Bocks. Inspiration led by Dan Snyder reflected on the words of Chadwick Boseman who passed recently. He was the Black Panther actor, and had many other big roles. In his Howard University commencement speech he urged students to find purpose, not a career. “Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history.”
 
There were no guests. Lydia Norcia helped us celebrate the Rotary anniversaries for this month. (see slides)
 
President Andrew announced the sad passing of long time member Rene Friedrich. He joined the club in 1967, and was remembered by many for his love of craps and adherence to the rules, for his love of skiing, for his generosity at donating his Davos home for the annual club auction. Fond memories were retold by Grady, Tina, Paul Christensen, Sarita, and Andrew Howard. Ron Cassel noted that Rene had earned the 50 year pin, which will now be presented to his wife Trudy.
 
Our club continues to help fire evacuees by donating goods and gift cards. 1490 structures were destroyed, which is more damage than the Loma Prieta Earthquake. See Patti to be added to the Gift Card donation program and your card on file with the club will be charged. Patti reported $1800 has been pledged so far. Thanks to Tina for helping procure the cards. Donated items were initially taken to Prince of Peace in Saratoga, but since they are now full, items can be taken to St. Luke’s in Sunnyvale (hours are S-S: 1-4, M-F: 10-1). Our club sent 5 members to help sort donated items at Prince of Peace Monday 8/31.
  
Many members have agreed to give a donation weekly to the Charities Foundation, in lieu of no lunch fee being charged, in order to make up some of the fund raising losses due to Covid. Thanks for those contributing to the great response so far (roughly $400/week), and it’s not too late for others to join in. Increments suggested are $5, $10, or $20/week/person. See Dan Snyder.
Read more...
Club Information

JOIN US FOR LUNCH

Due to COVID-19
We zoom every Tuesday 12pm - 1:30pm
Visitors are welcome to attend our meetings.
Contact: secretary@losgatosrotary.org
for zoom login
 
When we can meet in person
it will be every Tuesdays
from 12:15 to 1:30 PM 
Los Gatos Lodge
50 Los Gatos - Saratoga Road
Los Gatos, CA  95032-5460
United States
 
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1018
Los Gatos, CA  95031
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Community Events
Guest Speakers
David Mineta, Momentum for Mental Health
Sep 29, 2020
Impact of COVID on mental health and/or broader mental health and behavioral health crisis
Impact of COVID on mental health and/or broader mental health and behavioral health crisis
Monica Gandhi, MD, UCSF Professor of Medicine
Oct 06, 2020
Masks Protect You and Others from Covid
Dr. Joel Ernst, UCSF
Oct 13, 2020
“COVID Treatments and Vaccines” What do we need and What do we have to beat the pandemic
View entire list...
Community service
We provide food and volunteer in many food pantries including St. Lukes and House of Hope in Los Gatos.  Fighting hunger and providing for low income households is just one way are helping during these difficult times.  
“For Los Gatos Rotarians, Service and Fellowship are two intertwining themes that drive much of what our club does. Our members give what they can even blood. 
 We partner with other Rotary clubs. We collected hundreds of shoes that will be delivered to Africa, South America and the Caribbean. 

Join us - we are people of Action

We meet every Tuesday 12:15-1:30pm at the Los Gatos Lodge.  Every month we complete a community service project, host social events, offer networking opportunities that build personal and professional connections.  Our two largest fund raiser are held in January CrabFest and Auction and April The Great Race of Los Gatos.  From the proceeds of our fundraisers, we have created charities and scholarship foundations, allowing us to give approximately $125,000 annually to local and international organizations and award high school seniors college scholarships. 

Rotary's 1.2 million members believe it starts with a commitment to Service Above Self. In more than 34,000 clubs worldwide, you'll find members volunteering in communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, and eradicate polio.

 

Rotary International 2020/21 Theme