Raised in Silence: Changing the Way We Communicate, Connect & Include 

What happens when we stop assuming everyone experiences and communicates with the world the same way? Drawing from her experience growing up as a hearing child of Deaf parents, Maria Gallucci shares powerful and often humorous lessons about communication, resilience, inclusion, and human connection. Her message goes far beyond the Deaf community, challenging all of us to notice who may be feeling unheard or overlooked and reminding us that meaningful change often begins with something very simple: Just Try. 

Maria Gallucci is a best-selling author, award-winning REALTOR®, speaker, and advocate for inclusive communication. As a CODA, Child of Deaf Adults, Maria learned American Sign Language before English and grew up navigating the world between Deaf and hearing cultures. Those experiences shaped her 30+ year career in real estate, her commitment to creating more inclusive spaces, and her book, Raised in Silence. Through her personal stories, humor, and “Just Try” philosophy, Maria encourages people to communicate differently, challenge assumptions, and make sure others feel seen, valued, and included.

2 Voices: 2 Visions: Transcending Boundaries Through Country Music

Henry Evans and Nick Tayler have been collaborating online creating beautiful country music since 2021. Henry writes the words; Nick creates the music. Their most popular song in Daisy Jane – a tribute to Henry’s wife Jane. This will be the first time that they are meeting in person Their story was featured on a CBS Morning Segment last August: A robotics activist's remarkable crusade

Rising country artist Nick Tayler is bringing his authentic Southern sound to the West Coast for a very special collaboration and performance that will highlight the beautiful music that can be made when we showcase our true abilities. Born in Nashville with bluegrass roots and gospel inspiration, Nick grew up immersed in music, but also defying the odds. Nick was born completely deaf in his right ear, but he turned what many would see as a limitation into a strength. That challenge shaped a voice that’s raw, emotional, and intentional—delivering songs that cut straight to the soul.


Henry Evans is a dear friend of Rotary with many San Jose Rotary connections, including Randy Zechman who first got Henry to speak to the San Jose Rotary Club in 2015 via a robot. Henry Evans is an enthusiastic world traveler. In the past year, he has visited Vermillion, South Dakota; Sydney, Australia; and Qusar, Azerbaijan. He’s explored halls of the Smithsonian, gone scuba diving in California, and flown over Bora Bora. He is in the midst of finagling a trip to space.
Evans, it should be noted, does all this traveling from his home in Palo Alto, California. Each trip is a technological feat. Quadriplegic after a stroke in 2002, Evans is a pioneer of “tele-tourism.” Using new technology, he is finding ways to travel and experience the bounty of the world.  In 2013, Evans gave the TED Talk “Meet the robots for humanity.” In it, he demonstrated how PR2 robots can be “body surrogates” for the disabled. “I shaved myself for the first time in 10 years,” said Evans of this robot. “I opened my refrigerator on my own.”
 

To submit a proposal, please fill out this form by Friday, November 6.

Rotarians were welcomed to an Oktoberfest beer garden prior to this week’s meeting—many thanks to Jose Plascencia for providing the beer! And happy birthday to Jay Corbett today.

President Tim, clad in lederhosen and Bavarian hat, called meeting 5,539 of the Rotary Club of San Jose to order and thanked the greeting line—the Greater Downtown committee chaired by Jeff Hare and Emily Ruvalcaba.

• “Turn It All Teal” Sharks Opening Weekend
• Symphony San Jose 25^th Anniversary Season, beginning October 3
• Art + Climate Symposium, “Reimagining our Waterways,” at the San Jose Museum of Art October 16-17
• Eureka Day! at City Lights through October 11
• Barcelona, at San Jose Stage, through October 18
• Phantom of the Opera, Broadway San Jose, October 7-18
• Pumpkins in the Park, Discovery Meadow, October 10, 10am-4pm
• 10^th Anniversary Gala & Halloween Party, New Ballet, Hammer Theatre Center, October 17

• International Feast, 10/9, Providing Sustainable Irrigation for Terraced Fields in Vietnam
• Autumn Ride 10/11, 10am (Rotary Cycling Club)
• SJ Rotary New Dance Committee (Kathleen Thomas)

 

Dr. Udey Chaudhry is a technology executive with IBM Consulting, specializing in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. He holds multiple patents and has published extensively across technology, business, and corporate governance.

He earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College of California and studied at Lehigh University and the MIT Sloan School of Management. An MIT alumnus, his interests include emerging technologies, corporate governance, and enhancing board effectiveness.

He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Meriwest Credit Union, where he is committed to advancing effective governance and supporting its mission of serving members and local communities.
Beyond his professional and board responsibilities, he is passionate about giving back, supporting initiatives focused on financial education, microfinance, financial inclusion, and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.
 

Sponsored by Hal Hendrickson

Ben Jordan is a lifelong South Bay resident who was born in San Jose and graduated from San Benito High School before earning his Engineering degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Today, he lives in Campbell near his mother, brothers, and sister, and treasures time spent with his four nephews and one niece, who know him affectionately as “Funcle Ben.”
Service to others has been a defining part of Ben’s life. While living in San Luis Obispo, he participated in the Leadership SLO Class XV thru the SLO Chamber of Commerce, gaining insight into community challenges, opportunities for positive civic impact, and friendships that remain some of his closest today. He later served in leadership roles with the San Jose Elks Lodge, including as Club President, and remains active through volunteer work at Valley Medical Center and Elmwood Correctional Facility. Community involvement and helping others are values he strives to live every day, making Rotary a natural fit for his continued service journey.
Outside of volunteering, Ben is an aspiring powerlifter, a determined runner, a cautious motorcycle rider and a distracted student of meditation. When he's not pushing himself with exercise, you'll likely find him embracing his inner beach bum in Santa Cruz splashing around in the ocean and soaking up the sun. Ben is a self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things ice cream.
Professionally, Ben works as a financial advisor at Merrill in Palo Alto, helping clients pursue their financial goals and build confidence in their future.