Doug Brent began the meeting at 12:30pm
Pledge: Ron Cassal
Inspiration: Dan Snyder talked about an education seminar he went to and the speaker spoke about happiness. Some tips from the session: social interaction is vital to happiness. Sharing with others makes people happier. Make a list of things for which we are grateful. Express gratitude to others. Focus on what makes us happy. Make time for happiness, develop healthy practices such as exercise and be present in the moment.
Visiting Rotarians: Barbara Chapman and Helena Davis from Cupertino Rotary. Kohinoor from Los Gatos morning Rotary and Mary Pelican, the Ambassador of fun and the sister of Carol Goedde, from Niles Fremont Rotary.
Guests: Shawna Rodgers, daughter of Teri Rodgers, Sami Malik, guest of Sergio Michel, Alex Bonev, Stefka Bonev’s son, and Dinah Cotton, writer for the Los Gatan.
St. Luke’s Eggs: Beautiful spring themed eggs from Randy and Kathie.
Thank you notes were received from Grateful Garment and Project Amigo for our club’s support.
Red Badge Presentation:
Carol Goedde was welcomed into our Club and Gae LaTorre presented her with her Red Badge.
Blue Badge Bio’s:
Teri Rodgers: she is a first generation American from Irish immigrants, Patrick and Terese. Her father was in finance and her mom was the youngest of 10 children and orphaned at 15. Her parents met in San Francisco and had three children of which she is the middle child. Teri went to Notre Dame High School and San Francisco State University where she graduated with a business degree. Her first job was at Raychem and she has fond memories from that workplace. She was married in 1987 and moved to Los Gatos in the Santa Cruz mountains. They lost their home during an earthquake and moved down into the town. She has two children: Shawna and Dillon and two grandchildren, Summer who is 3 and Cal who is 8 months. She has been helping take care of her mother who is suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
Teri loves to be outside hiking, running and walking.
She hiked Half Dome twenty years ago and that is one of her favorite memories. She has loved being a part of our Club and getting to know everyone. Mike Norcia presented her with her Blue Badge.
Ryan Rosenberg: Ryan’s relatives are all from Eastern Europe and they moved to Philadelphia. He was born in London when his dad was studying there. The family then moved to Massachusetts with Ryan and his three younger sisters and then to Michigan where his father worked at Michigan State University. His father was also in a Blue Grass Band. His mother started Impression 5, the first science museum in Michigan. Ryan received his Computer Science degree from Michigan State University. He went into marketing management.
He moved to San Jose after graduation and met the love of his life, his wife Maria. They have 2 children, Alexander, 20 and Andre, 18.
The whole family loves to travel. Ryan has his pilot's license and black belt, but his number one favorite activity is music. He is in a street band called Ryan and Ryan Street Band.
He volunteers for the school district and has been involved with the Blossom Hill Science Fair, Los Gatos Elementary Foundation, Los Gatos School funding, Wildcat Foundation and One community Los Gatos. He is so happy to be a part of Rotary and top continue his volunteer work.
Jeff Blum presented him with his Blue Badge.
Announcements:
- Grant/Champion forms deadline is Friday, Feb. 28.
- March 4th the First Tuesday is at Gali Tasting House.
- March 9th, Rotary Women’s Day-4-7pm in Fremont.
- March 15, big Red Cross Blood Drive-volunteer to help and donate blood.
- Rise against Hunger-March 29 at Prospect High School.
- April 7 and 14-Hunger at Home (volunteer slots are filling up fast).
Dan Snyder’s family will be shared at the next meeting for our Rotary Family picture.
2025 Richard D. King Annual Speech Contest: Tina Orsi-Hartigan introduced the contest, the rules and the speakers and then announced the winners.
The theme this year is service above self.
Two participants:
Ananya Sharma, a sophomore at Leigh High School, her speech was titled “The Heart in Service”. She spoke about her grandfather and his battle with Alzheimer's disease and how service above self is so important. She was the first-place winner.
Thomas Mei, a senior at Leigh High School, his speech was titled "Sandwich, Hours, and volunteering”. He spoke about having a heart for service and how service of others should always be the goal. He was the second-place winner.
The speech contest chair is Stefka Bonev, judges were Meghan Burton, Lissa Kreisler and Barbara Rogan. The timer was Ron Cassal, tellers were Doug Brent and Jeffrey Barnett, and Judy Rodriquez made up the certificates.
Meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm