“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
Meeting Notes from November 14, 2023
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale

Meghan Burton called the meeting to order at 12:30

Rachelle Lopp led the flag salute

Jean Marc gave our inspirational message by sharing a story about a Soviet world record gold medalist swimmer who saved dozens of lives by diving into a cold and polluted lake to save people trapped in a bus. It cost him his career due to injuries sustained, but he was a champion in the best way.

Visitors

Michelle Myers Nelson introduced Barbara Stone, a friend and fellow Giants fan who recently retired from Intel.

Richard Bobis brought his friend Mike Butcher, who is interested in joining Rotary.
 

Our Rotarian in the Wild this week is Andrew Sterns, working in his garden and enjoying nature.

 

Meghan Burton shared a photo of the decorated eggs for veterans day with a thank you note from St Lukes Pantry. Thanks Tina and her weekly team for making it happen!

 

The club took a moment to honor all the veterans among us.

Our Fall Movie Fundraiser was a success. The final number is still being worked on, but likely over $3,000. Thank you to everyone. Proceeds will go to Los Gatos Music Boosters this year.

Happy birthday to Henry Vitkovich, Sue Heller, Suzanne Boxer-Gassman, Ensy Afdari, Stefka Bonev, Russell Couch, Avis La Grone, Nava Fathi, Misty Hartung, Greg Smith,, Anna Maria Valenzuela, LeRoy Neider, Ileana Aguilar, and Terri Trotter.

November Rotary Anniversaries: John Colwell 58 years, Ed Stahl 57 years, Tina Orsi-Hartigan 22 years, Greg Smith 10 years, Gordon Levin 9 years, Neal Mudgett 8 years, Margaret Smith 8 years, Hal Rosen 7 years, David Hubbard 5 years, Russell Couch 4 years. 

 

Jean Marc spoke about his attendance in Rotary of Bangkok DACH  and presented a flag.
 

Upcoming:

  • Our Planter Box holiday planting is Thursday 11/16 at 2pm. If you’d like to help beautify our box come to the corner of Bachman and N Santa Cruz.
  • The Holiday Parade is Sat Dec 2. Join us!
  • Presidents Brunch is on Sun Dec 3. It’s the last week to buy tickets. 
  • Toys for Tots! Please bring an unwrapped toy either to the Presidents Brunch or to our club meeting the last week in November.
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Fall Movie Fundraiser/Social
Join us for a fun fall day out on Saturday November 11 and raise money for the incredibly important Los Gatos Music Boosters organization, providing enriching music programs for our schools. We will see the 10:30 matinee of The Marvels - be sure to buy tickets here - and then head over to Willow Street for lunch. Both activities support our cause. The Rotary Club of Los Gatos has supported Los Gatos youth for 100 years. Let's continue the tradition! Can't come but want to help? Click the ticket link to see an option to make a donation. 
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Meeting Notes from October 31, 2023
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
Meeting called to order by President Mehan Burton at 12:30
 
Meghan called on John Pencer to lead the pledge of allegiance.
 
Doug Brent provided the inspiration today.
Doug noted that the inspiring act we observe - winning a medal or a perfect performance - is the result of all of the work and dedication that went into it. In talking about hard work and commitment, he drew on a web site that supports disabled students at the University of Washington, and how they viewed the extra work they most often have to do to match their able colleagues, and seeing the advantages for them in that hard work. Some closing quotes from the students: “Never give up. Do not pity yourself for the cards you have been dealt. It happened…now move on.” (University of Washington disabled student site available here.)
 
 

Introduction of guests

Richard Bobis introduced his guest Michael, who is visiting the club for the second time.
 
Nicholas Welzenbach introduced his Darling & Fischer colleague, Cary Wilson, who is also visiting the club for the second time.
 

Recognition and other business

Meghan showed a picture of some pretty happy fishermen, and lots of coho salmon! In the photo were John Colwell, John Pencer and Paul Christensen, among several others.
 
We also got to applaud Eric Eberle and Wendy, who finished first out of eight teams in a Capitola/Aptos Rotary sponsored pickle ball contest.
 
The St. Luke’s eggs this week - courtesy of Kathie and Randy as always - were Halloween and fall themed…with a pretty scary crow.
 
Meghan reminded us that first Tuesday next week is at the Colwell home. (Details will be provided in her weekly email.) Red wine will be served, but please bring any other beverage you like, as well as an appetizer. 
Everyone is welcome!
 
Meghan noted that our club’s Rotary Foundation giving is tracking well but we want to beat our $40K goal. The committee will be contacting people that have not yet donated.
 
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Meeting Notes from October 24, 2023
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
The meeting was called to order by President Meghan Burton.
 
The pledge was led by Michelle Myers Nelson.
 
Inspiration by Doug Brent. This week Doug talked about what makes us want to be altruistic? In his book, The Theory of Moral Sentiment, Adam Smith proposes that the way humans relate socially is a better guide than reason to understanding how morals develop. He considers how justice, altruism, and charity are social values. Doug ended with a quote from Smith, “Man desires not just to be loved but to be lovely.”

Visiting Rotarians:

  • Imgard Lafrentz from Cupertino Rotary.

 

Visitors:

  • Nava Fathi introduced two guests: Bliss Zin and Scott Morgan.
  • Erika Buck introduced Robin O’Hern.
  • Richard Bobis introduced Michael Butcher.

Rotarian in the Wild:

Henry Vitkovich looking like he had a great time in beautiful Norway.

 

Announcements:

  • There was concern about the pass-the-hat we did for the movie Fentanyl High. Meghan briefly addressed these concerns: Because I heard some concerns about the pass-the-hat we did for the fentanyl film two weeks ago, I wanted to provide some clarification. We are fully aware of the Club's policy to request our speakers to not ask for donations and that we have a champion form procedure in place. This was not a decision the Board made on a whim. We put a lot of thought and consideration into it. And, because this was a time sensitive issue and an important service to our community we decided to move forward with the pass-the-hat process. Thank you to everyone that donated. We raised over $2500 for this very important project. We are still accepting donations in support of the film Fentanyl High. Please contact Patti van der Burg, (408) 348-1497, if you would like to donate.
  • Jean Marc Blanchard and Tina Orsi-Hartigan reminded us about our Fall Fundraiser on November 11. We will be screening The Marvels at the Los Gatos Theater at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are available at losgatosrotary.ticketleap.com/2023-los-gatos-rotary-movie-night, at our meeting on Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 or by contacting Jean Marc or Tina. New this year, after the movie (or even if you aren’t able to join us) if you bring the flyer to Willow Street Los Gatos 20% of your food purchase will go to our fundraiser. All funds will benefit Los Gatos Music Boosters. This is good for lunch or dinner, dine in or takeout (delivery does not qualify).
 
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Club Information

JOIN US

We meet every Tuesday at 12pm and welcome visitors.
See our "Weekly Meeting Schedule" to the right for details.
Meeting Location:
​Shir Hadash
20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos, CA, 95032
 
 
Questions? Contact:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1018
Los Gatos, CA  95031
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Upcoming Events
 
 
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Our Weekly Meeting Schedule
Evening Social - NO Lunch Meeting
Dec 05, 2023
Josh Selo, CEO Bill Wilson Center
Dec 12, 2023
Center Update
Bill Sanderson, Superintendent
Dec 19, 2023
Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District
NO Lunch Meeting - Holidays
Dec 26, 2023
View entire list...
Community service
We partnered with Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley to help fix up a home in our area in October
 
We assembled back packs full of essential back-to-school supplies for Uplift Family Services in August.
 
We helped assemble 24,000 meals with Rise Against Hunger at Saratoga High School in April. 
 
We assembled activity kits for isolation patients at El Camino Hospital for our February service project
 
We helped prep materials for solar kits for Lighting For Literacy at our December service project
 
We collected a record number of toys for Toys For Tots in 2022!
Above, volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank!
 
Filling backpacks for Back-to-School drives. The Rotary Club of Los Gatos participated in 3 back to school drives this year: Pacific Clinics, West Valley Community Services, and Jewish Family Services.
 
Cleaning the Los Gatos Creek
 
Collecting and sorting books for Stanford Children's Hospital
 
Donating food to the homeless at St. Luke's Church Los Gatos every Tuesday.
 
Our Fall 2022 service project with Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley.  
 
Packing PPE equipment for the elderly at one of our Summer 2022 meetings. 
 
Our Leigh High School Rotary Interact students volunteering at Second Harvest.
 
Donating bikes to Good Karma.
 
Sorting items donated for fire evacuees in Summer 2020.
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Rotary International 2022/23 Theme