In June 2025, then incoming Vice President of Vocational Service Hana Xu Wang announced her idea to hold a monthly dinner meeting for Rotarians and guests and provide a forum for business networking. Since then, these monthly meetings have drawn interest to our Club, produced new members, and increased professional relationships between our Rotarians and the community. Many thanks to Hana for thinking outside the box!
January is Rotary Vocational Service Month. It was timely and fitting for Hana and Club Member Thomas Estruth to invite some Rotarians on January 10, 2026 to celebrate our camaraderie and to brainstorm on how to have better and more successful business networking events in the new year. Join Hana, Thomas, Rotarians, and guests at the next Business Networking dinner meeting on February 4, 2026.
David Dye, President Frank Yoke, Kayla Trunecek, Dora Dye, Janet Beach, Anita Stangl, Thomas Estruth, Hana Xu Wang, Todd St Vrain, Margaret Miley, Merve Yasavur, and President-Elect Ozan Yasavur
On January 11, 2026, 24 Rotarians and friends gathered at the home of Robin Azevedo to celebrate two holidays: Día de los Reyes (Three Kings' Day) and Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas). Three Kings' Day on January 6th celebrates the wise men visiting baby Jesus, while Candlemas on February 2nd is a related celebration where the person who had earlier found a baby Jesus figurine in the Rosca de Reyes (Kings' Wreath or Three Kings' Bread ) hosts a tamale party with food, family, and tradition to tie the two holidays together. Both days mark the end of the Christmas season in Mexico and other Latin American cultures.
Club Member Carlo De la Sancha Verduzco explained how these two holidays are celebrated in Mexico and discussed the foods associated with the two days and served at Robin's home: tamales, rice and beans, Mexican cole slaw, chips, salsa, guacamole, and the Rosca de Reyes. Those who found a baby Jesus figurine in the Rosca de Reyes were Christopher Davies, Carrie Schucker, and President-Elect Ozan Yasavur.
President Frank Yoke III (Development | Serra Residential Center, Inc.) welcomed everyone on Zoom or in person at the Salvation Army headquarters in San Francisco. He thanked the staff of the Salvation Army for letting our Club use their conference room for our luncheon today.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Today's Visiting Rotarians were District 5150 Governor Mitone Griffiths from the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay; Jeanne Gnuse from the Rotary Club of New Canaan, CT; Mike Hebel from the Rotary Club of San Francisco Greater Mission; James Horsman from the Rotary Club of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC; Jay Miller from the Rotary Club of Burlingame and Hillsborough; and Douglas Person from the Rotary Club of Burlingame and Hillsborough. Our guests were Katherine Au, Karen Banks, Michele Martinez Reese, Katherine Thompson, and Vanessa Wellmann. Today's speaker was Steve Adami. Welcome to all!
Our January DEI Film Festival movie is The Long Walk Home. This powerful drama follows two women in Montgomery, Alabama during the 1955–56 Bus Boycott, one Black and one white, whose lives become intertwined during one of the most pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Following the screening, we will host a group discussion over beverages, snacks, and pizza. This is a great opportunity to reflect on the themes of the film and the continued relevance of the Civil Rights Movement today.
Join Family House, a grant partner for the Rotary Club of San Francisco, for an opportunity to set up, cook, serve, and clean up dinner for their community. Volunteers will serve approximately 70 people, and Family House staff will be on site to provide support. Event is limited to 10 people, and Rotarians may bring a guest. Volunteers are encouraged to wear Rotary-branded attire that can get dirty, as well as layers to be prepared for multiple weather conditions. Dinners will be served in one of the Family House kitchens.
Join us for our Club's NEXT EVENING MEETING where we will conduct some Club business, have dinner, and enjoy Rotary fellowship. There is no charge to attend this meeting, but each attendee pays individually for food and beverages ordered at MoMo's. Please register yourself and your guests so that we can plan the space.
Join the Rotary Club of San Francisco's Social Committee for a performance of the Tony and Grammy Award winning musical, The Book of Mormon, on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at the Orpheum Theater. The performance is a 1 PM show. Dinner will be arranged after the performance. There are only 15 tickets for this performance in the Orchestra section. Ticket sales closed on December 19, 2025.
Join us to build grocery boxes for seniors, sort donations, and perform other various tasks as needed. The Food Bank continues to need your helping hands. Registration is limited to 9 volunteers; so register early!
From the halls of Congress to the County Supervisors dais, how is our self-government doing? Former U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier will answer this question and more.
Join us for our Club's next BUSINESS NETWORKING meeting where we will have dinner and enjoy an evening of productive and fun networking. There is no charge to attend this meeting, but each attendee pays individually for food and beverages ordered at DACHA Kitchen & Bar. Please register yourself and your guests so that we can plan the space.
Join your fellow Rotarians, guests, and prospective members on Super Bowl Sunday for fun and fellowship as we watch the game together and enjoy great food. This is a family-friendly event. Winners of the Club Super Bowl Squares will be celebrated at the end of the half and the end of the game.
For more than 40 years, the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival has made the words and themes of Shakespeare accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, financial status, or level of education. Come and hear some Shakespeare, and learn more about SF Shakes.
On February 14 (Valentine's Day), join Rotarians from District 5150 for an interactive workshop to inspire and reignite your Rotary service by introducing you to the concepts of positive peace and the many tools and resources available to build peaceful communities, neighborhoods, organizations and other environments where people can thrive.
