Mike Norcia was out sick, so Michelle led the meeting. Hal Rosen led the pledge of allegiance.
Barry Cheskin talked to us about inspiring leadership. He listed Captain Kirk’s 5 key leadership secrets according to Forbes: 1. Never stop learning 2. listen to differing input. 3. be part of the away team 4. play poker not chess, and 5. blow up the enterprise (don’t be afraid to give up on your personal passion to do what is right for the team).
Visitors
Barry Cheskin introduced Larry Fox, a friend and neighbor
Paul Johnson introduced Thomas and Sunny Lettiere. Thomas is the maintenance director for LGUSD and both traveled to Guatemala with Paul for the Rotary/LGUSD project.
Rachelle introduced Jennifer Karno, visiting from the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise
New Members
Paul introduced Jenna Mittleman as our newest club member. She is the principal at Daves Elementary and we are very excited to have her join us!
Announcements
The family BBQ was a great success. Thanks Tina Orsi Hartigan and Andrew Stearns for putting it together.
First Tuesday - thank you Patti and Erik van der Berg for being fabulous hosts.
Diaper Drive! Please bring diapers, size 4 and larger, for those affected by the Pajaro floods to next week’s meeting (last day to donate).
Roast and Toast. 6/27 6-9pm. Nicholas Welzenbach reminded us to sign up for a chance to get dressed up and recognize Mike Norcia’s great leadership and pass the baton to Meghan Burton. It’s a great celebratory evening.
Dick Konrad is receiving a Senior of Distinction Award. He will receive the award at the Terraces 6/22 at 3pm. Let Mike Norcia know if you can be there.
Business
Avis LaGrone handed out our Paul Harris recognition awards.
Paul Harris: Randy Cobb, Irene Carrion-Upson, Jeffrey Blum, and Rami Wazni.
Paul Harris +1: Richard Bobis, Barbara Fishman, Meghan Burton, Jean Marc Blanchard, and Gordon Levin.
Paul Harris +2: David Wells, Hal Rosen, and Lydia Norcia.
Paul Harris +3: Nava Fathi
Paul Harris +4: Gary Allison, Haryl Pascal, Art Rabitz.
Paul Harris +8: Tom Boyce, Doug Brent, Grady Jeter
Paul Harris Society: Richard Bobis, Ed Bowen, Meghan Burton, Don Kuehn, Mike Norcia, Haryl Pascal, Judith Propp, Andrew Stearns, Patti van der Berg.
Paul Johnson updated us on the Rotary/LGUSD trip to Guatemala in April to oversee two large deliveries. 1. A container of school desks and chairs, shipped courtesy of a grant from our club, supplied needed furniture for 10 schools. 2. Three pallets of technology equipment (RACHEL devices supplied via our club, particularly from the Crabfest Raise Your Paddle) was flown in courtesy of the US Airforce and supplied 6 schools. We impacted thousands of students. Thank you Paul for making this happen and to Marty and Barbara for their long-standing relationship with the communities in Guatamala.
Guest Speaker
John Cowan introduced our guest speaker. Omar Chughtai, Chief of Growth Officer at El Camino Health
Omar complimented our club as embodying the idea of a 'life of service'.
El Camino started out in the Mountain View area in 1961. It’s a non profit healthcare district led by five publicly elected individuals. Profits are sent right back into the programs and healthcare offerings for community benefit. The Los Gatos location was added in 2008. They opened a center for mental health in 2021, they are currently expanding their women and newborn facility, they opened a new cancer center, and they recently expanded emergency care. El Camino is especially known for their rehabilitation services in Los Gatos.
They invest in technological innovation, partnering with tech companies. They believe in community involvement in LG - bringing healthcare to communities, not staying in the hospital. He gave some examples such as participating in the Los Gatos Children’s Holiday Parade for awareness, the Los Gatos Saratoga Rec Dept 55+ program to address social isolation, LGUSD for mental health support, Better Care for South Asians and South Asian Heart Center, and the Chinese Health Initiative for screenings, education, and more. They have given $7M in grants and uncompensated care They want to reach all spectrums of healthcare across the entire community.