“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
Club News
Zoom Meeting Notes from June 8, 2021
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
Andrew called the meeting to order.
 
Erika Buck led the pledge of allegiance.
 
Henry Vitkovich gave the inspiration, talking about the vital importance of water in this year of drought and asking us not to take it for granted.
 
Terri Trotter welcomed our guests: Bobbi Bornstein from West Valley Community Service and Niki Canotas from Mike and Niki’s Honey.
 
Myron Smith was the member spotlight of the week. Thanks Myron for all you do!
 
Marlon Smith announced our Rotary anniversaries.
 

Announcements

Dick Konrad announced our volunteer opportunities - West Valley Community Service needs help with drivers and with the summer’s back to school drive. Go to their website to sign up - https://www.wvcommunityservices.org/volunteer  
 
Avis LaGrone and Dan Snyder updated us on the Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus drive. It’s time! Please donate this month to be counted for this fiscal year. Let Dan know what you’d like to contribute. (Reply to his email from last week). We ask a minimum donation of $200 for the Foundation and $100 for Polio. Or you can match Avis and Dan at $1000/$500.
 
Shelter Box hit a major milestone: they have hit 2 million shelters given to refugees. Congrats to all who are a part of that.
 
Rachelle Lopp asked everyone to respond to a very short survey being mailed out soon that will help the marketing/PR team with our club communication efforts on social media. 
 
Marty Fishman reminded us to sign up for the Roast and Toast on June 29 at Villa Ragusa. 
 
Patti van der Burg sent our next Second Harvest Food bank service opportunity for July 10. See her email to sign up.
 
June 22 avatar/background challenge (in 2 weeks) is your favorite song, album, band, concert, composer, etc (anything musical).
 
 
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Zoom Meeting Notes from June 1, 2021
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
Greeter was Jane Marashian.
 
Meeting was called to order by Gae La Torre, filling in for President Andrew Stearns, who was in court. (yes, there were jokes about bailing him out)
 
Pledge was led by Sarita Johnson.
 
Inspiration was Henry Vitkovich. Henry hoped we all took a moment yesterday to think about the veterans we have lost, but what about today? Think about anger, forgiveness, listen to others, volunteer, embrace our differences. To be a strong, secure and safe nation, everyone must feel safe and secure in their homes, their community and their country. 
 
Prior to the meeting Gae and Mike Norcia were talking about the Memorial Day celebration at Los Gatos Memorial Park. They said it was a wonderful day. Nicholas Welzenbach was the MC and the keynote speaker was Otto Lee. Gae and Mike agreed it was a very moving event.
 
Gae asked the veterans to raise their hands. Lisa Cheskin read the names of the club veterans:
  • Gary Allison
  • Rob Chaykin
  • Mike Frangadakis
  • Grady Jeter
  • Dick Konrad
  • Art Rabitz
  • Myron Smith
  • Ed Stahl
  • Gordon Levin
Thanks to all who have served.
 
Guests: Barbara Fishman introduced her guest Bobby Bornstein from West Valley Community Services. Thanks for being here Bobby, hope to see you again soon.
 
Member spotlight this week is one of our new members Eric Beckstrom.
 
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Zoom Meeting Notes from May 18, 2021
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
Meeting began at 12:31 called to order by Andrew Stearns
 
Pledge: Wes Sadumiano
 
Inspiration: Gary Allison: Found a message in his library that relates to Rotary.
 
Tell three people today how much you love them. How important it is to tell people how much you care and do not put it off or wait. Call or write a note or tell them in person.  Challenged each of us to call someone today or tomorrow and tell them.
 
Greeter: Patti van den Burg. No visiting Rotarians or guests today.
 
Member Spotlight: Jeffrey Blum. Joined Rotary in Jan. 2021 because it is aligned with his values. Rotary is a positive force, builds good will and community. He has made new friends and Rotary also takes him out of his comfort zone, which is a good thing. He loves being a member.
 
Membership Minute: Lisa Cheskin. May 13 was the new member schmooze. Suzanne gave a presentation on finances. There were 12 people in attendance. 
Margaret Smith was re-inducted into our club.
 
Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus: we are behind in our club with pledges for TRF. Only 12% of the membership has contributed and we have only collected $10,000 of a $25,000 goal.
 
We as a club are also behind on our pledges for Polio Plus. If you wish to donate by credit card contact Dan Snyder, and if you wish to write a check send it to Avis. Dan will send an email out to all members asking for pledges for both RTF and Polio Plus. You can also go to rotary.org to make a direct monthly payment to TRF and our club gets the credit. We receive 40-50% of the donations back to our club to use as needed.
 
Suggested donation ask: TRF: $200.00 and Polio Plus: $100.00, but any amount is welcome and appreciated.
 
Vocabulary Lesson: Andrew Stearns said that there are 1200 new words connected to the coronavirus. Some examples: new normal, covid fatigue, quarantining, covinated, zoom bombing and doom scrolling.

Club Announcements:

  • Board Meeting is May 20, 2021 at 5pm
  • Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer event will take place on July 10 , 10:30-2:30. Save the date, signups in June.
  • Santa Maria Donations continue: they can use clothes and some packaged foods, no books
  • Roast and Toast is June 29, 2021 at Villa Ragusa in Campbell. 
  • Leigh High Scholl Interactors are still doing personal shopping
  • Background Avatar challenge next week: First Automobile or combustion engine mode of transportation
  • St. Luke’s Volunteers: thank you!
  • How are we doing with our pollinator plants? Make sure we are attracting, bees and butterflies
  • Remember that you can sign into a meeting from anywhere
 
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Zoom Meeting Notes from May 25, 2021
Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale
 
Meeting began at 12:31 called to order by Andrew Stearns
 
Pledge: Margaret Smith
 
Inspiration: John Pencer: told a story about a father and daughter and the value of a used car. Never let yourself be undervalued. The right place and the right people will value you the right way. Those who know your value are those who appreciate you.
 
Greeter: Gae La Torre. She introduced three guests: Ken Duncan, Mike Scoggins and Jennifer Barrier.
 
Member Spotlight: Tina Orsi-Hartigan. She has been a member since 2001. Values Rotary and all of the club members. Has traveled all over the world and sees the signs of Rotary everywhere. Loves the fact that Rotary has a worldwide impact.
 
Avatar Challenge: First Car or Mode of Transportation
  • Doug: Honda 450
  • Andrew: 1969 Camaro
  • Tina: 1976 Chevy Chevette
  • Grady: 1977 Porsche
  • Jeffrey Barnett: 1962 Volvo 122 S
  • Gordon: 1968 Cutlass Convertible
  • Jamie: 1985 V8 Chevy S10
  • Michelle: 1957 Plymouth Belvedere
  • Patti: Volkswagen Jetta and 1970 Karmann Ghia
  • John Pencer: 1958 Corvette
  • Greg Smith: 1982 Ferrari
  • Lydia: 450 SL Red Mercedes
  • Rachelle: Toyota Tercel
  • Dan: 1969 BMW 2002 TI
 
Membership Minute: Lisa Cheskin. Welcomed Len, Jen and Mike. She is ordering Blue Badges for those eligible.


Red Badge Bio: Jeffrey Blum. Joked that the Bio presentations are either a therapy session, group wide intervention or used as blackmail if a member decides to quit the club! He is sensitive, impatient, intense, obsessive compulsive, and is an exercise and health food fanatic, Loves to swim, walk and bike. He is a worrywart, sarcastic and scrupulously honest. Born and raised in Kingspoint, Long Island. His father was a jeweler; his mother was the original helicopter mother and a legal stenographer. He said that her lack of cooking skills were some of his funniest memories. He graduated from Rutgers and just retired from his law practice. He is thrilled to be part of Rotary and helping to make a difference in the community.

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Club Information

JOIN US ON ZOOM

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
 
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1018
Los Gatos, CA  95031
June 2021
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Community Events
Guest Speakers
Catherine Somers, Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce
Jun 15, 2021
Los Gatos - The Next Chapter
Los Gatos - The Next Chapter
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Community service
We provide food and volunteer in many food pantries including St. Lukes, House of Hope in Los Gatos, Second Harvest in San Jose, and Rise Against Hunger.  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