Candidate for Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, feels that his four years as Secretary of Justice and eight years as Resident  Commissioner, gives him the experience, capability and relationships in Washington, plus total commitment to make a difference for the benefit of our people.   Three years of turmoil call for transforming the government to put first a growing economy where we can feel safe and live fully.  Two main issues are (1) to grow the economy and (2) to trust our government again.  The five-year fiscal plan needs to be revised to reflect government resources.  Our speaker will promote bio-tech companies, seek comprehensive tax reform, and Statehood for Puerto Rico.  A simple vote of Yes or No for Statehood.  If Statehood wins, as he is confident it will, we should put the issue to rest and get on with working together.  Thanks to Sherman Wildman for bringing us this timely program.

San Juan Rotary has awarded a $1,200 grant to the AAUW of Puerto Rico to kick start a campaign to close the gender pay gap in Puerto. Closing this gap means greater financial security for Puerto Rico’s women and their families. The president of the AAUW of Puerto Rico, Betsy Parker (also a San Juan Rotarian) sees this partnership with Rotary  as an effective way to work together on a common goal.

The San Juan Rotary grant will specifically help to publicize the free online salary negotiation course called Work Smart. AAUW is not just offering this seminar, it is avidly working to get 10 million U.S. women to take it during the next five years:  AAUW of Puerto Rico wants 40,000 women in Puerto Rico to take the course.  Grant funds will be used for social media advertising, seminars and promotional materials.

AAUW members in our club include Pat Schneider, Angela Schlump, Juanita Morris, Carmen Hammel, Jennifer Bates, Hallee Paterson, Russ Paterson and Gerry Cumpiano. For more information about this project, contact Ms. Parker at PuertoRicoStatePresident@gmail.com.

http://salary.aauw.org

Club Foundation Director, GEORGANNA HILDEBRAND, presented Past President & Past District Governor, JOSE ‘Pepito’ RIVERO OLMEDO, with his 8th Paul Harris Award. 

As you will see from the photos, our Thanksgiving lunch with the Boys & Girls Clubs of PR was a banner affair, made even more festive with the surprise appearance of New York State Governor ANDREW CUOMO, accompanied by his daughters.  Commonwealth High Interacters came to help and to face-paint the kids.  Many fellow Rotarians helped to serve the delicious lunch prepared by the chefs at La Concha Resort.  La Concha's special pricing, together with donations from Rotarians and suppliers, were greatly appreciated.  There were some highlights that didn't make press time but will be noted in a future Garita.

(More photos on the WEB page of San Juan Rotary Club (Photo Album) -  www.sanjuanrotary.org  

San Juan Rotary sent a donation of $5,500, .through the Rotary Disaster Relief Fund, to the Bahamas, thanks to the generosity of our members who responded immediately to help alleviate the  destruction and suffering caused by Hurricane Dorian.

ROTARY YEAR 2018-19 PERFECT ATTENDANCE:  JOSE "PEPITO" RIVERO-OLMEDO, BOB SCHNEIDER, ENRIQUE SIGAS AND WITH NINE STRAIGHT YEARS OF 100%, JUANITA VALENTIN MORRIS.

President Gerry Cumpiano began his talk by thanking District Governor Marilyn Lopez and the many other District officials who came to the Change of Command meeting as well as his wife and fellow-Rotarian, Betsy Parker, and members of his family.  Gerry then proceeded to lay out his vision for the direction of the Club in the new Rotary year.  With "Service Above Self” as its theme, Rotary has many different Avenues of Service for Rotarians to get involved.  Service to the Community is a tradition with our Club as is investing in Youth Leadership through Interact and Rotaract.  A major goal is increasing our membership.  He urged Rotarians to bring more people to lunches to learn about who we are.  By inviting guests and recruiting new members, the audience is enlarged and we will attract excellent speakers. Gerry touched on many areas that need improvement and asked Rotarians to look around the room at the team of people who are about to embark on this year's trip.  The Rotary Team is YOU.

District Governor Marilyn Lopez, her husband PDG Jorge Vazquez, DGE Mercedes Peguero, her husband AG Agustin Montanez were seated at the Head Table with Pepito and Gerry.