President Charlie Says....
San Jose East/Evergreen is continuing to become an integral part of the community. We recently took part in the San Jose citywide Great American Litter Pick Up helping to clean the local communities. Our scholarship program brought in over 20 applications from San Jose Eastside Union High School District students.
Our list of upcoming club programs is as impressive as always. We are able to attract top notch speakers and elected officials with interesting topics. While Rotary clubs do not take political stands, we do get officials requesting to speak to Rotarians. Rotarians are looked at as community leaders and get involved in community initiatives.
The upcoming speakers starting May 25, this Thursday, include Lissa Kreisler, who is known as The Voice Of Silicon Valley, will discuss her life in Silicon Valley focusing on her 40 years in radio. She worked at KLOK 1170 for ten years, doing mornings and then spent the following 29 years at 94.5 KBAY, also spending mornings with listeners.
On June 1, John L Varela, Board Chair of the Santa Clara Valley Water District will give an update on the water situation. Since it is felt we have come out of the drought, his talk about current status and futures will be most timely.
On June 8, Steve Eckert, Executive Director of the Alum Rock Counseling Center, will discuss the center's programs. The center deals with individuals that are working through trauma experiences in the Alum Rock area.
On June 22, tentatively we will have our exchange student discuss his thoughts on the exchange program. He will be leaving soon for the country in which he will live for 10 months. Rotary has a key program called Peace and Conflict Resolution. The worldwide Youth Exchange program is what I consider to be a key part of that peace effort. The Youth Exchange program sends teenagers to countries all over the world. The students meet other students from other countries. After 10 months of getting to know each other through Rotary and the families with whom they live, the students develop what will be lifelong friendships. The caliber of these youth is such, they will more than likely end up in key roles in government and business. When an issue arises between countries, they each will have good friends in similar positions around the globe to make for an easier negotiating situation. Come hear our student’s story and also hear from the Rotary District’s Chair of the Youth Exchange.
As always, visit with us at one of our meetings. We meet on Thursdays at the Ranch Golf Club, 4601 Hill Top View Ln, San Jose, CA 95138. People start to arrive at 12 noon and I start the meeting by 12:15 pm. It would be helpful if you could RSVP but if you do not get a chance to do so, come visit us just the same.
Hope to see you soon…….