Meeting Notes from May 26, 2026

Los Gatos Rotary Meeting notes The Cat Tale


Call to Order
Paul Johnson called the meeting to order at 12:30pm.
Pledge
Greg Gentile led the pledge of allegiance.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
  • Allison Snyder
  • Ken Glass
  • Maureen Heath
  • Shailaja Venkatsubramanyam
Inspiration
Jean-Marc Blanchard talked about Memorial Day and thanking all service members and remembering those who gave their life in service. He also read about those who endured the least to give others a feast.




Decor
Beautifully decorated Memorial Day eggs by Kathie and Randy for St. Luke’s! Thank you, Kathie.




Service Opportunities
  • Hunger at Home on June 22 and 29 from 8-1pm
  • JW House on June 29, 5-7pm
Upcoming Events
  • May 27: Board Meeting, 5:30pm at LGUSD offices
  • June 2: Happy Hour Social, 5:30-7:30pm at Mike Norcia’s House (2246 Coronet Dr. San Jose)
  • June 30: Roast and Toast at Shir Hadash
  • June 17: Ride & Taste Los Gatos (Tom Picraux) this is for people 60+, to learn to ride the bus and navigate public transportation, limited to 10 applicants. Includes a free bus ride on Route 27, complimentary lunch at a Los Gatos restaurant and raffle opportunity for $25 prepaid rides.




Rotary Youth Exchange
Merel Mattijssen is finishing her exchange year at Los Gatos High School and thanked the club for sponsoring her. Since being here, she has learned to become more independent, more social, gained a better understanding of different cultures, explored the State, and made lasting memories.

She will take back to the Netherlands with her the ability to be more open, more kind, be curious, give back to the community and others, and enjoy the small things.

Paul presented her with a Rotary backpack as a gift from our Club.




2026-2027 DDF Project Update
  1. Grande School in El Salvadore: building and providing materials for Spanish classroom libraries.
  2. Guatemala Schools: providing literacy programs and partnering with 3 Rotary Clubs, LGUSD, USAF, and World Possible. The project is to install RACHELs and Computers into 8 schools and add Spanish classroom libraries for each grade level.
  3. Ghana, Africa: Three Washroom Projects for 3 schools, New Senchi Basic School, Mepe Basic School, and Saviore Cambridge School. The project is to connect running water to schools and 14K liter tanks. Build washroom with boys, girls, and staff toilets and sinks. Provide hygiene and cleaning products to schools.

 
 
30 for 30
  • Michelle Strachan: $50 to Charities because she was inspired by Doug’s talk about driverless cars and she and her husband took a Waymo when they were in SF.
  • Dick Konrad: $30 to the Club for the time he spent over the weekend with his 8-month-old great granddaughter.
  • John Pencer: $100 to Charities for the wedding of his daughter Lindsay.
  • Carol Goedde: $30 to Scholarship for time spent with her family in Madera and her and her sister, Mary’s birthday celebration at Palermo.
  • Gae La Torre: $30 to the Club for her granddaughter’s wedding in Santa Barbara.
  • Sue Heller: $50 to the Club for her granddaughter who graduated High School in Hawaii.
  • Skip Brewster: $30 to the Club for the Los Gatos High School Baseball team.
  • LeRoy Neider: $100 to the club for the trip to Idaho that was a gift from his daughter and son ($50 for each child).