San Mateo Rotarians received an inspiring update at the March 5th meeting on our Club's Micro-Credit Project in Guatemala supporting women as they start and grow small businesses. The Rotary Club of San Mateo partners with the Effect and Namaste Direct to help women create more prosperous futures for their families & their country. Namaste CEO Desiree Lyons was the speaker-for-the-day and provided an inspiring overview of what's been accomplished so far and what still needs to be done. She noted with appreciation the impressive fund-raising of the Effect and of the Rotary International Global Grant received by our club, thanks to the grant-writing expertise of Don Leydig and Brian Sullivan.
Many thanks to photographers Peter Webb and Martin Harband for sharing their photos of Guatemala and the March 5th meeting!
Don Leydig, a prime mover in working on the Effect, fund-raising from District 5150 clubs, and writing the Global Grant greeted
guests from The Effect as well as Desiree Lyons.
President John welcomed Desiree to the podium. Based on her smile, it looks as though all systems were "Go!" for her remarks. Always good when the Power Point works!
Brian Sullivan, sporting a dapper 3-piece suit, was pleased to have Desiree and the Effect students together with their advisor, Greg Lance, visit us for lunch. Brian launched the Effect 16 years ago!
Greg Lance introduced the Effect students who joined the Club for lunch & the program. They're incredible fund-raisers and look forward to visiting Guatemala this summer to see the results of their hard work.
Desiree Lyons was joined by Hannah Kwan, an Effect member who visited Guatemala during a recent summer trip. The Effect students are looking forward to this summer's trip.
Reminder to all San Mateo Rotarians: You have the chance to visit Guatemala this summer together with The Effect. Click on the link below for the itinerary. Reach out to Don Leydig or Martin Harband ASAP if you'd like to join the trip.
The District 5150 Assembly is just around the corner on Saturday, March 23rd. It's a great opportunity to learn more about Rotary, meet other Rotarians, & enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch prepared by the Rotary Club of Foster City - The Club That Cooks! Even better, it's a time to celebrate the incoming Rotary Presidents, so plan to attend, clap & shout when our very own President-Elect Joan walks across the stage to receive the new 2024-25 Rotary banner and to be introduced as the next president of the Rotary Club of San Mateo!
Go to the link below to register. Don't worry about the registration fee. Our Club picks up the tab! Looking forward to a big turnout from San Mateo!
We welcome our very own Tom Huening to the podium as he shares his new book, Thomas Jefferson's Bible. Tom is a great speaker so this promises to be an engaging, fascinating, & informative program
