Reflections from President Ellen.
 
Hard to believe that summer is over! The back to school shopping at Old Navy was a complete success. One hundred kids from Cleveland School received $150 of credit at the store for back-to-school clothing and accessories. It was wonderful to see the excitement in their eyes.
 
September is off to great start with a club visit from DG Sherry Sim and the induction of two new members on September 4. Please wear purple to the meeting. I hope that many of you are planning to participate in the culmination of the peace of baton celebration on Sep 21. More details to follow.
 
When you go to the next committee meeting, participate in an event, or attend our next club meeting, take a moment to appreciate the people around you and how they got here. Maybe even sit next to someone new.
 
Many of us joined Rotary to meet like-minded people with whom we could enrich our communities. The synergy is formed by using our common intentions and different experiences to identify and solve problems. Listening with an open mind, sharing our thoughts in a compassionate manner, and working together, we create projects where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
 
We are in different phases of our lives: some are just beginning careers, while others are approaching the peak, and others are enjoying the fruits of a lifetime of labors. The responsibilities of families and other priorities can be fulfilling and draining. As you engage with other club members consider that their constraints on time, treasures and talents may not the same as yours, but with a common goal of making our world better and through mutual respect and kindness, we succeed in making a difference. 
 
President Ellen