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MENTOR

Attend a meeting

Join us on a Wednesday convenient to you and experience the fun and friendship of the Rotary Club of San Jose!

Contact our Executive Director, Leslee Hamilton for more details and to RSVP at (408) 297-6101.

Join us

Fill out an application and join community leaders. Become a member of the Rotary Club of San Jose.

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“Service Above Self”

Rotary is a service organization of business and community leaders united worldwide.  Rotarians are making a positive impact in our local and global communities.

The Rotary Club of San Jose

Benefiting the community and our world through action, integrity, service, and fellowship.

The Rotary Club of San Jose is the largest, most active and well-known service organization in the community. We are a leadership organization working together to make a difference. Our members include local business, nonprofit, professional and civic leaders. We form lasting friendships through our shared Rotary experiences including weekly meetings with interesting speakers, committee meetings and projects, social events and group service projects within our community and internationally.

Diversity & Inclusion

Having a diverse and inclusive Rotary Club means we value and welcome individuals of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, and races to our Club. We invite younger people, women, and minorities who support Rotary's values, ideals, and mission to join our members in service to our community, and we strive to give all members equal opportunities to serve as leaders within our Club.

The Speaker for September 2nd: Rose Gottemoeller

Security Through Cooperation:  Space, Nuclear Weapons, and US-Russia Relations after the Cold War (Books available for sale)

Bio: Rose Gottemoeller is the William J. Perry Lecturer at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Research Fellow at the Hoover Institute.
Before joining Stanford, Gottemoeller was the Deputy Secretary General of NATO from 2016 to 2019, where she helped to drive forward NATO’s adaptation to new security challenges in Europe and in the fight against terrorism.  Prior to NATO, she served for nearly five years as the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security at the U.S. Department of State, advising the Secretary of State on arms control, nonproliferation and political-military affairs. While Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance in 2009 and 2010, she was the chief U.S. negotiator of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with the Russian Federation.
Prior to her government service, she was a senior associate with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, with joint appointments to the Nonproliferation and Russia programs. She served as the Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center from 2006 to 2008, and is currently a nonresident fellow in Carnegie's Nuclear Policy Program.  
At Stanford, Gottemoeller teaches and mentors students in the Ford Dorsey Master’s in International Policy program and the CISAC Honors program; contributes to policy research and outreach activities; and convenes workshops, seminars and other events relating to her areas of expertise, including nuclear security, Russian relations, the NATO alliance, EU cooperation and non-proliferation. 

 


Lunch Order for September 2nd Meeting

Scott's Seafood will provide lunch ($30*) at Wednesday's meeting.

The buffet lunch menu includes: 
Starters: Classic Caesar, Tomato Basil Bisque
Entrees: Turkey & Avocado Club, Roast Beef & Cheddar, Grilled Vegetable & Mozzarella Sandwiches
Sides: House Made Potato Salad, Seasonal Fresh Fruit, Dill Pickles

Please order your lunch by Monday, August 30th by 12noonPlan ahead and order early! Late orders will be charged an extra $5. Same-day lunch will be $40.


Important note: If you have a prepaid pack, you still need to register, so we have enough food.
 
Click here to place your lunch order. 

*Rotary is underwriting the Service Charge and Sales Tax. Your lunch reservation is non-refundable once the order is placed on Monday at noon.


New New Lunch Option - Annual Payment

Want to prepay your lunch and not have to remember to place your order for the rest of the year?

Well friends, for $900 you'll have that benefit. Please note that you will not receive credit for any missed meals, but, as long as you opt in before the end of September, you'll be getting a discount over the weekly rate. 

This offer only applies to the regular Wednesday lunches; funds cannot be used for the BBQ, Holiday Lunch, etc. 

If interested, email Bookkeeper Lisa Reigel - Lisar@sjrotary.org 


Rotary Fall BBQ

To purchase your ticket, please use the QR code or click here.

Rotarians, please login as a member and do not use the guest registration tab.
If you need assistance with your login or password information, please call the office for help. Thanks.


Holy Moly Guacamole!


Car Show at the Fall BBQ


Rotary Collaborative Impact Summit

Join President Tim on September 19th — registration fee goes up on 9/18.


Staff Schedule Update

Marie will be moving from 30 hours/week to 40 on September 1, while continuing to work from home on Fridays. Her schedule will be 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Mon-Th, and 7 am to 1 pm on Fridays.

Leslee will be shifting to a Monday–Thursday schedule on Sept. 1, and the Gordon House will be closed on Fridays. 

Lisa will continue to work from 1:00–3:30 pm on Mondays and 9 am to 3 pm Tuesday–Thursday.


Rotary Ski Trip


The Meeting Summary for August 26, 2026

Rotarians and guests were met in the Joe Levitt Lobby of the Rotary Summit Center by members of the Executive Chefs committee, chaired by RICK ALPERS, SAM WOOL, and JIM NIELSEN. 

Following the Call to Post and the song, Who Let the Dogs Out (we learned that today was National Dog Day), President TIM GILL rang the bell at 12:12 p.m. calling to order meeting 5,535 of the Rotary Club of San Jose and then thanking the Executive Chefs committee for forming today’s greeting line.  He also mentioned that the PAWS to Consider committee is attempting to find a good home for a dog named Prince.  Hmmm, wondering if that would be Paw Prints or …? 

SARAH CLISH and AMELIA CAPSUTO led the singing of This Land is Your Land, which was appropriate given the topic of our guest speaker, and then President Tim delivered an historical On This Day tidbit, involving 1952’s property tax.
That was a nice segue to U.S. Representative SAM LICCARDO honoring LARRY STONE, recognizing Larry for his 46 years of service to Santa Clara County.  Sam showed a video clip of his having honored Larry on the floor of Congress, and then at our meeting he presented Larry and his wife, Carmen, with a plaque commemorating Sam’s Congressional address, which is now part of the Congressional Record.  That moment was met with a standing ovation with, naturally, a smattering of “boos.” 
JEREMY SHAPIRO and ROBERT FREIRI had travelling mic duty, and due to a full agenda, there were no individual guest introductions. 
Rick Alpers made a pitch for the September 16 Fall Barbecue, and then we were introduced to new member NICHOLE EDRAOS, sponsored by DAVID COHEN.  President Tim then presented coveted blue badges to members SIMONE LUNDQUIST, NOELLE RABAGO, and CARLOS ROSARIO.

KELLY DIPPEL delivered an update regarding the Service to Seniors committee, and SAL PIZARRO provided the 411 on What’s Hot in the 408.

LISA REIGEL presented the Club’s finance module, taking members through finding all things financial on our website, then President Tim made announcements related to upcoming events, including the Downtown Happy Hour, Fall Barbecue, and the Rotary District 5170 Collaborative Impact Summit.
RON GONZALES introduced guest speaker Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, who addressed the topic, Nature: The Hidden Infrastructure Keeping Silicon Valley Sustainable. 
Some of the key points made by Andrea included:  The economy is dependent on the health of the environment; nature is 30 percent of the climate solution; the health of nature and business is deeply intertwined; investment in nature is underfunded; ecosystem services have economic value; awareness of nature’s value and benefits is growing globally; to date, 30 thousand acres have been protected by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority; Coyote Valley is a critical landscape; land use planning must consider nature’s services; and nature is not just “nice to have.” The presentation concluded with a short video clip narrated by Dr. Jane Goodall. 

Following her address and a question-and-answer session, Andrea was thanked by President Tim, who mentioned that a donation will be made in her honor to Washington School through the Los Amigos committee, and to the Wheelchair Foundation.
Next week, our scheduled speaker is Rose Gottemoeller, former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Congrats to Karen Fox for being the Rotarian of the Week.
Meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m. 


 
Respectfully submitted by Brian Adams, Meeting Summaries Committee
To see all pictures, click here thanks to Hal Hendrickson, Photography Committee.
Video is available here.

 


New Member Nichole Edraos

Sponsored by David Cohen

Nichole Edraos is a San José-based insurance professional and community builder. A licensed insurance producer, she is with Barnard & Associates, an established, second-generation Independent & Farmers Insurance brokerage on Stokes & Bascom, where she works with local business owners — from multifamily property owners to contractors, HOAs, and mortgage and real estate professionals — to navigate complex insurance decisions with clarity and care. She brings a relationship-first approach honed through years of marketing and operations, and prior work as Deputy Chief of Staff for San José City Councilmember Dev Davis.

While we can't predict the future, we can still protect it — and that belief drives two service ventures Nichole pursues in concert with her insurance work. “Love, Secured” provides life insurance so your care for the people and causes you love never has to stop. Her second venture, “Love, Secured: The Care Table” is a business networking group that convenes and vets trusted elder-care professionals and connects families through referrals, safeguarding your elder's future so you're freed to be a son, a daughter, or a spouse again — not a case manager. Both endeavors grew out of her own experience of caregiving for her husband, Jim Augustus, while managing a demanding career, and her belief that families need and deserve trusted eldercare guides to secure what matters most. 
A graduate of Vassar College with a degree in Science, Technology & Society, Nichole is an active member and founder of her neighborhood association, and serves on the Membership Committee of the San José Chamber of Commerce. She's recently rediscovered the joy of swimming. Nichole is thrilled to be part of the Rotary Club of San José and looks forward to getting to know fellow members.

 


Calendar

ELC Meeting

More info

Unhoused Impact Committee Mtg

More info

Paws to Consider Committee Meeting

More info

Book Club

More info

Refugee Support Committee Meeting

More info

Fall BBQ

More info

Greater Downtown Committee Mtg

More info

International Service Committee Meeting

More info

Fun and Friendship Committee Meeting

More info

Environmental Sustainability Committee Meeting

More info

Red Badge Committee Meeting

More info

Neurodiversity

More info

Leigh Weimers Committee Meeting

More info

SJSU Committee Meeting

More info

Gala Sub Committee Leads Meeting

More info

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS

Rose Gottemoeller, William J. Perry Lecturer, Freeman Spogli Ins
Speaker: Rose Gottemoeller, William J. Perry Lecturer, Freeman Spogli Institute for Inter
Security Through Cooperation:  Space, Nuclear Weapons, and US-Russia Relations after the Cold War
September 2nd 2026 at 12:15 pm
More info

John Doll
Speaker: John Doll, Author, St. James Park
St. James Park, a novel about a crime committed in 1933 in San Jose. Based on true events, the novel presents a vivid portrait of San Jose's labor unrest, government corruption, and anti-immigrant racism
September 9th 2026 at 12:15 pm
More info

No Meeting due to Fall BBQ
Speaker: No Meeting due to Fall BBQ

September 16th 2026 at 12:15 pm
More info