What an incredible first week as President! Thank you to everyone who helped make the start of this Rotary year so memorable.
Our first meeting was truly one for the books. We had the privilege of welcoming District 5170 – District Governor Geeta Kadambi as our featured speaker, and I was honored to share the stage with her before a packed audience of more than 100 attendees.
During the meeting, I introduced my presidential theme, Serving All Mankind, a tribute to former Rotary International President Richard D. King, whose inspiring motto, “Mankind is our Business,” continues to remind us that our greatest purpose is serving others.
We also celebrated some very special moments that exemplify the spirit of Rotary. It was our honor to present Steve Landon with the Rotary International – Community Service Award and Manuel Franco with the Rotary International – International Service Award. These prestigious recognitions are a testament to their unwavering commitment to Service Above Self. Congratulations to both Steve and Manuel on these well-deserved honors.
Our commitment to serving others continued as we distributed grants to the League of Volunteers, S.A.V.E., and SheKonnect. These organizations are making a meaningful difference in our community, and we are proud that our club can help support their important work.
We also celebrated the growth of our Rotary family by inducting two new members into the Niles Rotary Club of Fremont. Every new member brings new ideas, talents, and opportunities to expand our impact, and we are excited to welcome them.
The excitement continued later that evening when I had the honor of representing our club at the City of Fremont’s Concert in the Park and Drone Show. Speaking to a crowd of more than 10,000 people gave us another wonderful opportunity to share the story of Rotary and the positive impact we make in our community and around the world.
Our service didn’t stop there. Many of our members proudly represented the Niles Rotary Club of Fremont during the Fourth of July Parade and Celebration. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and demonstrated what Service Above Self looks like in action.
We also enjoyed another fantastic Fellowship Friday. A special thank you to Nancy and Richard Godfrey for graciously opening their home and creating such a welcoming evening. Fellowship is one of the greatest benefits of Rotary, and I encourage everyone to join us at future gatherings—you won’t want to miss them!
One final reminder: Wear your Rotary pin with pride. It is much more than an accessory. It symbolizes your membership in Rotary International—a global network of leaders dedicated to service, integrity, fellowship, diversity, and peace. Your pin tells others that you are committed to making a difference in the world. And yes… it also helps you avoid Sergeant-at-Arms fines!
As we continue this Rotary year, I invite each of you to embrace our theme, Serving All Mankind, by challenging yourself to:
- Serve with purpose.
- Lead with compassion.
- Welcome others into our Rotary family.
- Create lasting friendships through fellowship.
- Together, let’s create a lasting impact by serving all mankind.
Thank you for your dedication to our club, our community, and the world. I look forward to serving alongside each of you as we continue making a difference—one project, one friendship,
and one act of kindness at a time.