President Louisa Roberts called the meeting to order.
Mauri Okamoto-Kearney and Linda Ogata recited the Five-Way Test… in Japanese!
President's Club
Click here to watch the Presentation. Lauv Aeron talked about the organization he founded and directs, Cupertino FC, which offers soccer for all skill levels. He spoke specifically about their Adaptive Soccer program for kids with special needs, and encouraged anyone interested to stop by Jollyman Park on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.
Service Corner
PP Rod Sinks gave a Programs Committee update. The committee identifies proven speakers who are experts on topics of interest to members and willing to speak without reimbursement, preferably in person, sourcing candidates through member surveys, topic suggestions, and vetting research. He shared results from a spring survey showing members are most interested in public affairs, science, and the economy.
The committee convenes twice a year to brainstorm and prioritize topics, and also handles speaker recruiting, logistics, and website promotion. Members are welcome to join. Their next meeting is October 21st at 1:45 in the Quinlan Social Room, where they'll select speakers for January through June 2027. Member suggestions — topics, potential speakers, or help with recruiting — are welcome in advance.
George Denise spoke about the YMCA garden project, to which Rotary has contributed approximately 2,000 volunteer hours. He made an appeal for donations to complete funding for a plaque commemorating the group involvement.
Affinity Moments
Sunita Merchia will lead the Trailblazers hike this Friday, September 25, at the Stanford Dish Loop Trail. Meet at the trailhead (Stanford Ave & Foothill Expressway, Palo Alto) at 9:45 AM or carpool from Monta Vista Park (since parking is limited). It's an easy/moderate 3.7-mile hike with 534' of elevation gain, followed by lunch at Siam Thai. The Trailblazers 26–27 schedule is almost full, though March/April remain open. Please let Judy Wilson and Jean Gasperini know if you want to be included on the emailing distribution list.
Fundraisers
Ram Mohan provided an update on the Silicon Valley Fall Fest, highlighting the event's progress with sponsors, entertainment, and activities. Kelly discussed volunteer opportunities, offering incentives for early volunteers (free pizza!).
Click here to watch the Presentation.
Jennifer Shearin and Louise Fishler made a heartfelt plea for more volunteers for Levi's stadium, particularly for the September 20th date. Please contact them or sign up in Clubrunner.
Aaron Rhodes gave his personal talk, sharing photos and stories from his life with family. Aaron was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He graduated from Missouri State with a degree in Business Management. Little known fact, he was their Bear college mascot! He later completed his MBA in Sports Management.
Click here to watch the Presentation.He worked in local Parks and Recreation positions before joining the Boy Scouts of America executive program in Branson, MO. He was a member of the Branson Rotary Club from 2019-2022 before being assigned to the Far East Boy Scout council in Japan, just outside Tokyo.
He spent two years in Japan where he met his wife and enjoyed extensive travel throughout Asia.
Currently he is the District Director of the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, Scouting of America.
Aaron and his wife Moe live in San Jose. He is especially looking forward to engaging in Youth Service Projects. His hobbies and interests include sports, camping and travel.
Club Announcements
PP Stuart Rosenberg (Nominating Committee chair) presented the Nominating Committee report and the proposed Board and Officer slate for 2027–2028. The committee considered all nominations offered and the club will vote on the slate on the 23rd at the Annual Meeting. Newly nominated are President-Elect: Jagi Shahani; and At Large members, Marcia Elmer (2030) and Vidula Aiyer (2030).
Lynn Cheng shared updates about VA barbecues held in Palo Alto for veterans with mental health issues, and Padma Chari encouraged members to sign up for the Impact Summit on September 19th at the San Jose Convention Center, where Jagi will be a featured speaker on WASH. The registration for the Rotary International Convention in Barcelona opens on the 17th.
Mauri Okamoto-Kearney and Lynn Cheng gave an update on the Veterans BBQ service events. At the June 20 BBQ, led by Cassius and American Legion Post 642, Cassius, Wendell, John, and Lynn volunteered cooking and serving burgers for veterans and staff at the mental health facility (25 served). At the August 29 BBQ, led by American Legion Post 642 with PGE Vets and Cupertino Rotary (Lynn, Mauri), 20 were served, several kept in the ward; the club received warm feedback from residents, including that this is the one BBQ the ward doesn't share with others. More BBQ service is planned for next summer; anyone interested in joining should contact Cassius (text 408-916-6293) or Mauri (email mauriokearney@gmail.com or text 650-888-6727).
District Announcements
Padma spoke about the Rotary Collaborative Impact Summit, Saturday, September 19, 9 AM–5 PM, at the San Jose McHenry Convention Center (150 W San Carlos St, San Jose), themed “Inspire. Collaborate. Act.” It is a project fair, a chance to meet non-profits, and meeting other members. She also noted that Jagi Shahani is a speaker, where he will be talking about WASH (Water-Sanitation-Hygiene).
President's Corner
Louisa announced that registration for the 2027 Rotary International Convention opens September 17. The convention will be held in Barcelona, Spain, June 26–30, 2027. You can save $200 by registering in the first week.
Louisa led a moment of silence for the 25th anniversary of 9/11. She spoke about the impact of the attacks, which resulted in the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. She also mentioned various memorials including the National September 11th Memorial and a lesser-known memorial on Staten Island, where there had been a very high number of casualties.
Speaker
Pearl Chang introduced the speaker,
Lee Lambert, Chancellor and CEO of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, who spoke on “Preparing Our Communities for the Next 20 Years,” a look at how FHDA intends to help advance human potential, and what we can do today to prepare for 2046.
Click here to watch the Presentation. His talk covered the "Hummingbird Effect": how innovation in one domain reshapes systems elsewhere. One example: fixing sewage pollution in the Chicago River led to downstream advances that eventually produced ultrapure water for semiconductor manufacturing, which in turn helped accelerate the evolution of AI capabilities. Technology builds the possibility, humans give it purpose and judgment, and innovation turns it into impact. The goal isn't to compete with intelligence. It's to become more capable because intelligence is available.
He then gave an overview of the California Community College system and Foothill-De Anza's role in it, the district's financial foundation. He emphasized the importance of developing human skills to work alongside AI, including productive struggle, technology augmentation, and critical thinking. In the end, he called for mentoring, opening doors, and shaping the next generation of leaders., work that requires community partnerships like those with Rotary.
Rose Ann Wolpert announced next week's speaker, Tanya McQuade, who will present “Civil War Letters: A State Divided.”
President Louisa Roberts closed the meeting and adjourned. This week's closing song was “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
Watch some of our recent speakers..JPG)
