March is here and PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) is in full swing. Now is the time for our
President Elect Sherri Simoni to start on her journey to lead us into the 2023-24 year. This is an exciting time when we identify our board members and start working on next year's budget. I am so proud of the members who are willing to donate their services. I also encourage all members to support Sherri with the planning for next year.
A big thank you to all members for being flexible and working with us on the options as we work to find a new meeting location that fits us all comfortably. Thank you to the organizers who helped with our Crosswinds Church and Las Positas College options. We are close to making the decision on moving to a new location or staying at Homewood Suites. While none of the options are perfect and not everyone may agree with the outcome, I am confident we will find the best decision for the majority of members.
The Ambassadors of Compassion program will kick off on March 8. I hope everyone in the club can imagine how this program can help the students of the LVJUSD find a direction and purpose on their journey of life. This is a great example of how Rotary can Imagine a new program and execute it. Thanks to all those who have helped support and be a part of this trial program.
Spring starts on March 20th and it’s just around the corner. Please take time to smell the spring flowers.
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.
MEETING DETAILS
We meet Tuesday mornings in person and via Zoom. This month we are trying out new meeting locations, so it's very important to
check your email on Saturday mornings for information from Kevin.
DECISION ON MEETING LOCATION & TIME
All club members are encouraged to participate in the regular meeting on Tuesday, March 14, when we will vote on our club meeting location and time, moving forward. We will decide on the meeting location by a simple majority vote. The decision to change the start time of the meeting will be a vote to amend our bylaws, and requires a 2/3 majority vote.
We have met at three different locations this calendar year: Crosswinds Church, Homewood Suites, and Las Positas College. After meeting at Beeb's for years, we have not been able to return there since the pandemic, as they have changed their hours of operation. We are seeking a permanent meeting place that offers a room large enough to comfortably accommodate all members and guests. After "sampling" these potential venues, all club members were invited to participate in a survey indicating their preferences.
While our club has been meeting at 7:15 for many years, we did shift the start time during Covid to 8:00 and have heard from many members and prospective members that our current meeting time may be a bit too early. The survey invited input on meeting start time. Since our bylaws include the detail of meeting start time, we will need to revise our bylaws to revise our start time.
Please plan to be present either in person at Homewood Suites or online via Zoom so that you can vote on these important matters.
Granada Principal Clark Conover introduced us to Ria Mathew at our February 21st meeting. She is a Rotarian-in-the-making! Ria successfully balances academics, community involvement, and artistic endeavors. She excels in rigorous Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, earning a spot on the Principal’s Honor Roll or as a Granada Top Scholar each trimester throughout high school.
Outside of the classroom, Ria is involved with many clubs at Granada, including serving as the publicist for the Interact Club. She founded and is president of the Creative Services Club, and serves as an officer in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club. Ria also volunteers in our community, serving children at her church and participating in Kids Against Hunger packing events.
We were amazed at Ria’s artistic talents. She is a pianist who has attained Music Level 8 through the Royal Conservatory of Music; she plays guitar; and she has her own YouTube channel to showcase her vocal talents. Ria also enjoys painting and has shared her work by selling her art for others to enjoy.
Pictured below: Ria with the congratulatory sign placed in his front yard by our Youth Services Director, Suzanne Richerson. And, yes, she is showcasing her original artwork.
We are building on Rotary International's newest area of focus - Supporting the Environment - by launching the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley Climate Action Group. We invite you to become actively involved in keeping Earth a healthy planet for current and future generations.
A great place to start is on the Environmental Corner on our website. Please take a look, and reach out to James Hays if you would like to become more involved.
We invite community organizations and schools whose work aligns with our mission as Rotarians to apply for our Spring Grants. Applications are available on our website and are due April 28, 2023, the last Friday in April.
Individual awards typically range from $300 - $1,000. Larger grants may be available on a case by case basis.
Thanks to our Club Grant Chair, Sarah Palmer, for her leadership. And thanks to our sponsors and club members for pitching in at the Chili Cook Off to raise the money we are able to share to serve our community!
All Rotarians are invited to serve Livermore's youth by participating as a Team Coach in the Ambassadors of Compassion R.I.S.E. program that launches on March 8, 2023 for 7th and 8th grade students at Junction Avenue K-8 School. The Rotarian Foundation of Livermore is making this program possible for our local youth. Rotary volunteers will make it successful.
Ambassadors of Compassion is an innovative RESILIENCY BUILDING, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, and LEADERSHIP PROGRAM that helps middle school students develop the critical skills necessary to navigate and succeed through life’s challenges.
The program begins with a Kickoff Event at 8:45 am on March 8 and continues weekly, 1:45 - 3:00 pm through May 17. Students meet in small groups facilitated by Rotarian and Interact volunteers to discuss Ambassadors of Compassion content and process real-life issues, as they grow in their own self-awareness that will enable them to lead a successful, fulfilling life.
The Middle School RISE program focuses on teaching students about responsibility, initiative, service, and expectations. Involvement by Rotarians is key to helping students benefit from this program.
Contact Rich Goldstein with any questions about Ambassadors of Compassion.
Our annual March Madness Basketball Tournament is ready to tip off! Everyone is invited to participate in this fun event that raises money for our annual Turkey Giveaway in November.
Your contribution of $50 will give you the opportunity to identify your winning bracket. The NCAA chooses the 64 team bracketology for the tournament on Sunday, March 12, and Lori Souza and Bill Stevens will issue your brackets Monday morning. Submit your completed brackets by Wednesday, March 15th and start cheering on your teams. Lori and Bill will keep track of the stats and keep you posted!
Check your email sent from Lori on March 3, or contact Lori Souza or Bill Stevens if you're ready to sign up or if you have any questions!
KIDS AGAINST HUNGER
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
We are invited to join with other Rotarians from Area 4 to pack meals with Kids Against Hunger on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Participants are asked to donate $20 to cover the cost of the food.
You are invited to work one of two shifts: 10:00 am - 11:30 am or 1:00 - 2:30 pm.
You are also invited to enjoy lunch and socialize with other volunteers at 11:45 am.
On Sunday, April 23, 2023 we invite community members to bring their sensitive documents to be shredded, freeing up space for the future! We offer this event free of charge as a service to our community. We will gladly accept donations that will help us fund our community grants and projects.
Club members are encourage to help out at the event and to spread the word so that community members avail themselves of this opportunity!
This month, we join with the Rotary Club of Livermore, through our joint Rotarian Foundation of Livermore, to bring the gift of reading to each third grader in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District.
All club members are invited to participate in the delivery of these hardcover novels to students in their school libraries between March 20 - March 31.
Each third grader has chosen a book from three title selections, determined by third grade teachers and elementary library specialists, in collaboration with the Livermore Library and Towne Center Books: Flora & Ulysses, by Kate DiCamillo; How to Train Your Dragon, by Cressida Cowell; and The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown.
We are proud to be donating almost 1,000 books to Livermore students. Each student will receive a book with a customized bookplate attached to the inside of the book (template pictured above left).
Sign-ups for delivery dates and times will be available soon. Please check the website for current information.
Thank you to Towne Center Books and The Sourcing Group for partnering with the Rotarian Foundation of Livermore to give this gift of reading.
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 with links to details:
All club members are encouraged to participate in the regular meeting on Tuesday, March 14, when we will vote on our club meeting location and time, moving forward. We will decide on the meeting location by a simple majority vote. The decision to change the start time of the meeting will be a vote to amend our bylaws, and requires a 2/3 majority vote.
We are building on Rotary International's newest area of focus - Supporting the Environment - by launching the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley Climate Action Group. We invite you to become actively involved in keeping Earth a healthy planet for current and future generations.
All Rotarians are invited to serve Livermore's youth by participating as a Team Coach in the Ambassadors of Compassion R.I.S.E. program that launches on March 8, 2023 for 7th and 8th grade students at Junction Avenue K-8 School. The Rotarian Foundation of Livermore is making this program possible for our local youth. Rotary volunteers will make it successful.
Our annual March Madness Basketball Tournament is ready to tip off! Everyone is invited to participate in this fun event that raises money for our annual Turkey Giveaway in November.
This month, we join with the Rotary Club of Livermore, through our joint Rotarian Foundation of Livermore, to bring the gift of reading to each third grader in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District.
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!
