Matt Maiocco
49er Football Season Preview
Award-winning NFL sports writer Matt Maiocco has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 1995 and has been the 49ers Insider at NBC Sports Bay Area since 2010.
President Louisa Roberts called the meeting to order.
Louisa led the group in reciting Rotary's Four-Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? And then added her own playful twist, a fifth question to make it a "Five-Way Test": Is it fun?!
President's Club - Please Click here to see the President's Club Presentation
Jim Davis gave an update on his recovery from a recent fall and thanked fellow Rotarians for their support.
PP Bill Kerr made a tribute to past president Bruce Ullman, who died recently. There will be plans for donations in his name.
PP Helene Davis joined in honor our Louisa’s first meeting as president.
Mauri Okamoto-Kearney shared that her nephew, Jack Kearney, graduated from West Point and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, celebrating with family and high school friends at the ceremony. He will be assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY.
Funsters celebrated Louisa’s “leave of absence” from Funsters as she enters her term as president.
Larry Dean announced his 4th granddaughter, Kayden Julia.
Peter Halpin celebrated his milestone birthday with a clever poem, “Fourscore and zero years ago….”
July Birthdays
Peter Halpin led the singing of happy birthday to the 20 Rotarians with July birthdays, all of whom were presented with birthday leis. Happy birthday to Mandy Andrei, Thomas Deng, Jean Gasperini, Craig Cummings, Peter Halpin, John Bruzus, Richard Lowenthal, Steve LeFevre, Aaron Rhoads, Susan Latshaw, Rita Chiang, Gary Latshaw, Sunita Merchia, Bob Pruitt, Jerra Rowland, Vardy Shtein, Dana Stern, Barry Whall, Kathy Yates, and Janice Yeh.
Affinity Moments
Wendell Stevens announced upcoming golf activities: Peter Hay Golf Course on July 17, with 16 participants confirmed (slots are full). There will be an outing at the Santa Teresa Short Course for lessons or casual play on Sep 4 (tentative date); and a regular course outing is to be announced. Contact wendellstephens@mac.com.
Louisa reminded attendees that Bocce Ball continues on 2nd Fridays. Join the fun on July 10th and August 7th. Meet at Blackberry Farm Bocce Ball courts at 5:00pm. Bring a drink or snack to share.
Fundraisers
Kelly Wissmar announced Global Elegance 2026, a summer evening soirée at Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills on Saturday, August 15, featuring cocktails, small plates, and dancing. Hidden Villa is a non-profit that connects children and families with nature through summer camps and environmental education. Proceeds support Rotary Club of Cupertino's global grant projects, including clean water, medical care, and education initiatives in Guatemala, Vietnam, India, Ecuador, and South Africa. You will receive an email with instructions for signing up. Click here to see the Presentation.
Jen Shearin reported that over $3,200 was raised through the first two volunteering events at Levi Stadium, with more events planned for August and the regular season. Please sign up on Clubrunner to volunteer for this fun event.
Membership Moments
John Rowe was inducted as a new member, and the first member of the 2026-27 class. He is sponsored by Linda Ogata and mentored by Bill Furniss. Raised in Cupertino, John earned degrees from UC Berkeley and Stanford, then founded Rowe & Associates construction 26 years ago, working on the Bay Bridge restoration and the BART to San Jose project. He lives in San Jose with his wife, Paula, and enjoys fitness, guitar, and his dog, Louie. Click here to see the Presentation.
Club Announcements
PP Jeff Moe shared photos from Kathy's Kick Out Celebration, a wonderful send-off for a great year of Cupertino Rotary under Kathy's leadership. Thanks to the Kick Out Planning Committee: Leslie Hay, Steven Onishi, Dana Stern, Judy Wilson, Helene Davis, George Denise, Jean Gasperini, Alysa Sakkas, Stuart Rosenberg, and Valerie Hayes. Relive the evening through Steve Onishi's video (link on the CR home page), and view Alex Verstak 's photos (link on the CR home page, lower left under Club Photo Albums). Kalpana Aroda has also put together a video summary.
Partner Announcements
Cassius Williamson spoke about the June 20th VA BBQ Service Event for veterans at the mental health facility, led by Cassius and American Legion Post 642. Cassius, Wendell
Stevens, John Bruzus, and Lynn Ching volunteered cooking and serving burgers. The next BBQ is in August; let Cassius or Mauri know if you're interested in joining.
President's Corner
PP Judy Wilson, as assistant to the president, gave a reminder on weekly announcements. To get on the MXM, notify Louisa and copy Judy as soon as you know, no later than Sunday. If you'd like a slide, please use the new template no later than Sunday evening. The MXM goes out Thursday, Sunday (last call), and the final MXM on Tuesday. If you're championing a project, announcing a fundraiser, or promoting any activity, please think through timing and plan ahead.
PP Alysa Sakkas presented congratulations to Steve LeFevre & Sherry Auerbach (LARC) on the D5170 Climate Action Award, a new award honoring the legacy of Ron Diridon. Steve and Sherry have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to protecting our environment while advancing Rotary's mission of Service Above Self. Steve humbly added that it is really a team award, The Climate Action Team. Click here to see the Presentation.
Speaker
Meet Louisa Roberts, our new Club President
Louisa Roberts introduced herself as Cupertino Rotary's new president, sharing her journey from Broadstone, Poole, England, where her parents served in the Royal Navy during WWII to becoming a US citizen in 2014. She studied Land Use at Sheffield College and later Housing Studies in Southampton and Farnborough. Louisa and her husband Gary moved to the U.S. for his work at Apple initially in Elk Grove, finally settling in Cupertino in 1996. She worked as a school librarian at Regnart before retiring in 2018 and joining Rotary. She was sponsored by Helene Davis and Rose Ann Woolpert. Memorable Rotary moments include teaching poetry in Cambodia and attending the International Convention in Melbourne.
The comments included a health survey conducted by Debbie Textor where members provided anonymous feedback about what they love and don't love about the club, and what changes they would like to see. Results to come soon.
Following the survey, Louisa outlined her vision for the year — inclusion, wellness, and community — including new meeting formats, a Wellness Center honoring Hung Wei, continued malaria relief work in Zambia, and breaking ground on Mary Villas. She also introduced new Leadership Team and Board members. Click here to her closing comments.
Rod announced next week's speaker, Matt Maiocco, a long-time reporter covering the 49ers.
President Louisa Roberts closed the meeting and adjourned, to the music, “Let’s Work Together” by Canned Heat.
The following information is for club members with articles to submit to the Rotator.
Deadline for Article Submission: To help the editors in the work they do, please plan to make your submissions by the end-of-the-day Thursday. Please email them to cupertinorotary@gmail.com. Later submissions might be deferred to the next week's Rotator, depending on how far along the editor is in processing the meeting and program staff reporting for the current week.
Our outstanding editors are assigned as follows: First Wednesday - Kalpana Aroda; Second Wednesday - Susanne Millar; Third Wednesday -Gary Latshaw ; Fourth Wednesday -Dana Drysdale; Fifth Wednesday - Peter Troop.
Our highly esteemed meeting reporters are assigned as follows: First Wednesday Sharon Sammon; Second Wednesday Debbie Timmers Third Wednesday -Lisa Chapman Fourth Wednesday - Dana Stern-; Fifth Wednesday Open
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