Events

Retired U.S. Congress Member, Anna Eshoo, speaking on "Perspectives on Women's History in the Past 30 Years"

Contact Membership Committee Chair Linnet Kwok for more information

Dr. Victor Tom's talk was first given at the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, and then subsequently at many Rotary Clubs from Iowa to the UK. It chronicles how (at an innovative defense company) he leveraged camera mapping technology to win the America's Cup in 1992 and then in 2000 help Major League Baseball re-establish the correct strike zone, thereby changing the way home plate umpires call balls and strikes. A history of the events surrounding the development gives a rare glimpse into all of the problems, technically and politically, that he had to overcome.

Dr. Victor Tom received his BS, MS, and ScD, all from the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Dept. at MIT. He has worked at a number of defense companies and MIT startups and is currently a Chief Scientist at BAE Systems in Burlington, MA.  Dr. Tom is a third generation Rotarian, Past President of the Rotary Club of Bedford, Past District Governor of District 7910 (Central MA and MetroWest Boston) and advisor to the MIT Rotaract Club.  He is actively involved in leading a group of Rotarians in supporting the MIT PKG IDEAS Social Innovation Challenge by assisting students refine innovative projects designed to help underserved populations around the world.  He is also building a network of MIT alumni Rotarians to help fund humanitarian projects at and originating from MIT in the 7 Rotary focus areas.

On April 7th, our program speaker is Kristel Nazzal, PhD, speaking on "Arab American Stories: Sharing History, Heritage & Health Practices"

Kristel Nazzal, Ph.D., is a psychologist who integrates expertise in psychology, business, and education into her work, driven by a deep commitment to empowering individuals and organizations to flourish and drive meaningful change.

Currently serving in the President’s Office at Palo Alto University (PAU), Dr. Nazzal leads executive communications and strengthens external partnerships and governmental relations. Over the past decade at PAU, she has played a key role in shaping academic programs, teaching in the Counseling and Psychology department, and serving as the founding director of the university’s teaching and learning center, the Center for Educational Excellence. Beyond academia, she has applied her expertise in corporate wellness, career coaching, and workplace culture consulting.

Dr. Nazzal’s previous clinical work focused on supporting individuals navigating significant life challenges, particularly those with limited access to care. As part of this work, she designed the psychology wing for a chronic pain clinic, integrating mental health support into medical treatment. Her research aimed to enhance psychological understanding of underserved communities. Prior to her clinical work, she worked as an HR professional in the U.S. and internationally, specializing in employee relations, learning and development, and employee engagement.

Dr. Nazzal holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in Clinical Psychology and an undergraduate degree in International Business. Across all of her work, her mission remains the same: to apply psychological science in ways that create structures, shape perspectives, and empower people to thrive.

Contact President Rebecca Geraldi for more information

Leaders of the organizations receiving FY24-25 Charitable Grants from the Palo Alto Rotary will speak about how their organizations work to improve lives and support our community

Janine Zacharia, journalist and visiting lecturer at Stanford Dept. of Communication, speaking on "Era of Noise: Fake News to Future of Journalism"

Contact Membership Committee Chair Linnet Kwok for more information

The World Community Service (WCS) Committee meets on the 4th Thursday of the month, via Zoom, from 5:00 Pm to 6:15 PM on an as needed basis.  Please contact Mike Reynolds or Stans Kleijnen for more information and/or to confirm that month's meeting is taking place.

The Gunn High School Choir, led by Bill Liberatore, will perform several musical selections

Contact Sally Tomlinson for more information.

Tara VanDerveer, Stanfors Women's Basketball Coach 1985-2024, speaking on "The Changing Nature of College Athletics"

Committee to discuss and plan Palo Alto Rotary's local hands-on volunteer service opportunities.  Meets, as needed, on the first Tuesday of every other month at noon.  Contact Eric Jensen for more information and to confirm that month's meeting will take place.

Dave Edlund, aka "McCovery Cove Dave," speaking on "Scuba Diving on a Golf Course?"

Contact President Rebecca Geraldi for more information.

The World Community Service (WCS) Committee meets on the 4th Thursday of the month, via Zoom, from 5:00 Pm to 6:15 PM on an as needed basis.  Please contact Mike Reynolds or Stans Kleijnen for more information and/or to confirm that month's meeting is taking place.

Help Palo Alto celebrate four patriotic federal holidays by setting up and taking down U.S. flags on  University Ave. (July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day)

8:00 am -- Meet at the corner of Cowper St. and University Ave.  After installing flags, socialize with fellow volunteers at a local coffee shop.

5:00 pm -- Meet at the corner of High St. and University Ave.  After taking flags down and putting them away, socialize with fellow volunteers over drinks at a local establishment.

Co-sponsored with the University Rotary Club

Contact Membership Committee Chair Linnet Kwok for more information

Dorothy Brown, Professor of Law, Georgetown University, speaking on "The Whiteness of Wealth:  How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans -- and How We Can Fix It"

Quarterly Palo Alto Rotary Club Endowment Board Meeting at Sand Hill Advisors, 245 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto, Suite 300.

Club members are welcome to attend as guests.  Please let Endowment Board Chair, Betsy Bechtel, know if you plan to attend so she can plan accordingly.

Roland Greene, Stanford Professor of English and Comparative Literature, speaking on "Shakespeare: Young, Old, and in the Middle"

Contact President Rebecca Geraldi for more information.

Jonathan H. Chen, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics, speaking on "Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Real Magic or Technological Illusions"

Former Santa Clara County Supervisor and California State Senator, Joe Simitian, speaking on "Refections on a Career of Public Service"

Contact Membership Committee Chair Linnet Kwok for more information

The World Community Service (WCS) Committee meets on the 4th Thursday of the month, via Zoom, from 5:00 Pm to 6:15 PM on an as needed basis.  Please contact Mike Reynolds or Stans Kleijnen for more information and/or to confirm that month's meeting is taking place.

Debunking of President Rebecca Geraldi and welcome to incoming President Bruce Gee.

Elizabeth Santana, Managing Director, Palo Alto Players, speaking on "Challenges Facing the Arts"