On February 1, 2025, the Silicon Valley Chinese Rotary Club and the Silicon Valley Business Rotary Club jointly held a grand annual meeting at the Age Well Center South Fremont, bringing together over a hundred guests and members to promote exchanges and celebrate the new year.
The theme of this year’s annual meeting was “The Magic Rotary,” with goals including expanding community impact, participating in local and international Rotary charity projects, promoting the integration of Chinese people into mainstream society, actively engaging in community affairs, and encouraging Chinese participation in politics to set an example for the next generation.
Dignitaries in attendance included former International Rotary President Gary Huang, former Rotary District Governor Richard Flander, former Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, current Mayor Raj Salwan, council members Kathy Kimberlin, Yang Shao, Raymond Liu, and school district board member Vevick Prasad. Additionally, presidents and members from the Fremont Rotary Club, Fremont Bridge Rotary Club, Union City Fun Club, and Mission Rotary Club all joined the event.
The event was co-hosted by Councilman Dr. Yang Shao and Caroline Xin. The celebration included a pledge to the American flag, a violin solo of the national anthem by Peter Guo, and a reading of the “Four-Way Test.”
Dr. Shao welcomed the guests and thanked the presence of Gary Huang and his wife, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the exchange among members. Subsequently, Annie He, President of the Silicon Valley Chinese Rotary Club, and Annie Ho, President of the Silicon Valley Business Rotary Club, delivered speeches expressing gratitude for everyone’s attendance and contributions over the years.
Former District Governor Flander reviewed the establishment of the Silicon Valley Chinese Rotary Club, thanking former President Gary Huang and the community for their support, and encouraging members to expand their networks based on his personal experiences, perpetuating the core values of Rotary – friendship.
The most anticipated segment of the annual meeting was the speech by former International Rotary President Gary Huang, with Dr. Shao providing impromptu translation. His speech, titled “Being a Joyful Rotarian,” elaborated on the spirit and values of Rotary. Huang reflected on Rotary’s establishment in 1905, boasting a global membership of 1.2 million spread across 207 countries with 36,393 clubs.
Members from diverse professions learn from each other, progress together, continuously enhance their leadership and influence. He emphasized Rotary’s commitment to community service, encouraging active participation, fostering friendships, and becoming joyful and passionate Rotarians, while inspiring, “Rotary hopes for extraordinary people to do extraordinary things!”
Mayor Salwan of Fremont gave a speech, extending New Year wishes, thanking the hard work of everyone as a member of the Isles Rotary Club, and presenting certificates of appreciation to the Silicon Valley Chinese Rotary Club and the Silicon Valley Business Rotary Club for their significant contributions.
President Annie He of the Silicon Valley Chinese Rotary Club expressed to Epoch Times that as the first Chinese-speaking Rotary Club, they aim to break the limitations of traditional English-speaking clubs and facilitate the integration of Chinese individuals into mainstream society. She hopes that through more activities and initiatives, they can inspire and attract the next generation to actively participate.
Councilmember and former Vice Mayor Dr. Shao pointed out that Rotary International has long supported business and charitable causes, working towards global eradication of diseases like polio and measles, while the Chinese Rotary Club focuses on education, elderly care, and assistance for the homeless. He hopes to continue deepening Chinese influence on mainstream society through cross-organizational collaborations.
During the networking session, guests enjoyed delicacies, traditional Chinese performances, immersing themselves in a wonderful blend of culture and friendship. As the event concluded, lucky draw winners were selected, with seven individuals receiving generous prizes, marking a successful conclusion to the annual meeting.