It has been my honor to serve this club for the past 365 days. The year is almost over, and I have fond memories of the club’s accomplishments. We are members of Rotary to serve, to create friendships, to network for careers, and to be part of an organization that is larger than ourselves. Our purpose is strong, and I am hopeful for the future of the club.
The strength of this club is the engaged membership collectively making an impact. This high-performance team accomplished so much this past year, and everyone should be proud to rejoice in our success. We have vibrant youth services, fundraising, community services, vocational services, and club services. I have purposely not listed our accomplishments and outstanding contributions from members because I do not want to leave anyone off the list. Everyone contributed to our success, and I am proud of every member.
In business I adopted a mindset – “evolve or die.'' Once we become stagnant, the world passes us by. Let’s keep learning, keep what’s working, get rid of things that don’t work, and have the courage to change. Finding a new club meeting location is one example of the embracement of change by members. The president's term is only one year in length and here is the wisdom for changing annually. By the end of the year a president’s battery runs low and it’s time to change to a new president full of energy and with new fresh ideas. I am excited about passing the torch to Sherri Simoni and ask all members to embrace change and make our club better.
As I close out my year as president, I am particularly grateful for the fellowship that’s been extended my way by so many supportive members. Our club is doing exciting things and having great success. Let’s seize this moment to grow our club and welcome new faces. Let’s share our fellowship to continue having an impact on the world.
And finally, thanks again for giving me a great experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
We meet Tuesday mornings, gathering at 8:00 and ringing the bell to start the meeting at 8:15 AM.
Meetings are in person at Las Positas College, Room 1011 in Building 1000, 3000 Campus Hill Drive, Livermore or you can join via Zoom
THE GRAPEVINE
Club members receive The Grapevine following each Tuesday meeting. Please reach out to Kevin Drake if you would like to receive a copy in your inbox.
THANK YOU
We are grateful to Roy Porfido for serving as Club Photographer this year and providing the images we all enjoy!
IT'S RODEO WEEK!
JUNE 6 CLUB MEETING AT RODEO GROUNDS
Our regular Tuesday club meeting will take place at the Rodeo grounds this coming week, in honor of the 105th Annual Livermore Rodeo! The Cattlewomen's Association will make breakfast for us, and we will hear about the Rodeo Foundation and the upcoming Rodeo from our past president Kathleen Minser.
Wear your western clothing! And for a little inspiration, remember how Rosie embraced the theme last year!
We are invited to volunteer at the Rodeo Parade by serving as Parade Marshalls. We will join other volunteers at breakfast at the Riata before the parade, and then help corral the parade goers. And we will get to cheer on President Kevin McCallum as he rides in the parade along with President Sblend Sblendorio of the Livermore Club.
All club members and their guests are invited to a special Introduction to Pickleball event courtesy of the Tri-Valley Pickleball Club. They will teach us how to play pickleball and then provide pizza (we bring salads or desserts) for a social after our activity.
Please RSVP by Tuesday, June 6 by clicking on the flyer:
DEMOTION DINNER IS JUNE 27
SUPPORTING OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
BY DONATING TO ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
President Kevin is urging each of us to donate to Rotary International before the end of June so that our club can retain the honor of being recognized as an Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) Club. Our donations to the Rotary Foundation support the global causes of Rotary:
Ending Polio Worldwide
Growing Local Economies
Supporting Education
Fighting Disease
Promoting Peace
Saving Mothers and Children
Providing Clean Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Protecting the Environment
Read more about each of these global efforts and become part of the progress by making a donation.
As members donate $1,000, they earn recognition as a member of the Paul Harris Society, named in honor of the founder of Rotary. Our Rotarian Foundation Director, George Wineinger, keeps track of donations and leads us in honoring members as they attain this level of recognition and gratitude. Thanks to all who have donated to Rotary International!
Pictured below: Beth McCormick is honored for becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, with President Kevin and Foundation Director George.
We were impressed by outstanding senior, Shunsuke Sakagami, who has both enjoyed and excelled in high school. With a 4.48 GPA, Shun has mastered Advanced Placement curriculum and is well prepared to study molecular biology at Brown University in the fall.
Shun is active in the Biology Club, Math Club, Chess Club and the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. He is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, the National Honor Society, the California Scholastic Federation, and he has been active on the Granada Varsity Tennis Team as well as in the Jazz Band.
Off campus, Shun has participated in the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Biotech Program. He has volunteered at Fertile Groundworks. And, he is trilingual, speaking and writing English, Japanese, and Spanish!
Pictured below: Shun with his congratulatory sign presented by Suzanne Richerson, Club Youth Services Director
Our club was proud to award $7,732 in grants to support local schools and nonprofits during our 2023 Spring Grant Program. Thanks to Sarah Palmer who organized the application and review process as well as the award meeting on May 30, 2023.
Our community grants help us fulfill our mission of serving our community. We are grateful to our sponsors and to community members who participate in our fundraisers, especially the Annual Chili Cook Off, as well as to our members for funding these grants.
Pictured below are President Kevin McCallum and Grant Chair Sarah Palmer with some of our winners.
Mary Wyosnick, Transitional Kindergarten teacher at Sunset Elementary School, will be able to purchase dramatic play materials to help her students learn.
Ginny George, who has worked with the Junction Avenue School Color Guard for over 20 years, will be able to purchase new props and equipment for the team.
The Tri-Valley for Black Lives organization, represented by Kristie Wang, Regis Harvey, Tina Jones Williams, & Rachel Wysong, will be able to provide logo T-shirts at this year's Juneteenth Celebration on June 17, 2023.
Open Heart Kitchen, represented by Denise Bridges, will be able to fund the Livermore Senior Meal Program.
Kristina Bethea and Jeff Ribera, of Monthly Miracles, will be able to fund Welcome Home Kits.
Co-Founders Pamela Jacobson and Walter Pratte of Girls Soccer Worldwide received funding to help run their leadership workshops for girls.
IT'S TIME TO PLAN FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL CHILI COOK OFF
We are already preparing for the best ever Chili Cook Off, coming up the first Saturday in October. It's time for booth merchants, nonprofit organizations, and food and beverage vendors to reserve a spot in beautiful Carnegie Park. And it's time for chili cooks to register to showcase their best recipe to win the Cook Off Contest!
Remember to check out the upcoming events listed on our website and in your ClubRunner mobile app. Events listings include everything you need to know including a Google Maps link! Here's a partial list of upcoming events:
