With thanks to JOAN ROSAS for a spectacular year of action and leadership, we set off with a solid foundation and clear goals. 

With that leadership we have developed a strategic plan based on our own considerations and motivation from within. We will gather the facts and record our progress toward the goals WE have expressed. Our dedicated chair persons will recognize and nurture the enthusiasm for reaching those goals. CAMARADERIE will drive our efforts. ENJOYMENT will fill our activity. 

That being said, as member Martin Harband has pointed out: 

Our club was established in 1924. Today we are the largest Rotary Club between San Jose and San Francisco with a membership of about 130 men and women. Rotarians come from all walks of life. We are the young, and the young-at-heart. We are business-people, non-profit executives, public officials, educators, attorneys, medical professionals, and retirees. 

We provide funding for community service non-profits that benefit children and seniors 

in our community. Our club owns and operates two low-cost senior housing projects with 132 units in San Mateo. We have a major focus on student scholarships, awarding over $1.3 million in scholarships to local students over the years. 

Rotary is the world's largest community service organization: 1,200,000 members in 200 countries around the world An important part of Rotary is service aimed at advancing international understanding, goodwill, and peace, with a focus on the needs of the developing world. 

Rotary welcomes programs with community or social impact that may be political or provocative. At the same time, Rotary is a non-partisan, non-religious community service organization so neither campaigning nor solicitation of donations or funding is permitted. 

I look forward to a year of planning for the next year, exciting fellowship events and impactful community service in the company of my Rotarian friends. 

Wishing you all the best, 

Robert G. "Skip" Howie 

President, Rotary Club of San Mateo