Tuesday’s Program

This past Tuesday, we had the pleasure of welcoming Myrna Rivera, Founder and Senior Advisor of Consultiva and President of Pro Arte Musical. Myrna shared an engaging and practical presentation on personal finance, investing, and retirement planning. Through simple examples and easy-to-understand concepts, she demonstrated how small, consistent financial decisions can have a significant impact on long-term financial security.

Members appreciated her straightforward approach to topics such as investment strategies, portfolio diversification, retirement planning, and the changing financial landscape. Her presentation reminded us that successful investing is often less about complexity and more about discipline, planning, and consistency. Thank you, Myrna, for helping us better understand how to prepare for the future while navigating today's economic uncertainties.

Service Opportunity: Verano Semilla 2026

The Rotary Club of San Juan is proud to support Verano Semilla 2026, a two-week summer program serving youth ages 11–17 in Río Piedras. Through hands-on activities focused on Design Thinking, creativity, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving, students will develop the skills and confidence needed to become future leaders in their communities.

Our goal is to raise $6,750, or $135 per student. Thanks to the generosity of fellow Rotarian Dr. Annie Evans, every contribution made by Rotary Club of San Juan members will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling its impact.

If you would like to sponsor a student, simply email EnidMarieReyes@gmail.com and request that $135 be charged to your Rotary account. You may also donate directly through the Puerto Rico Education Initiative.

To donate:

Puerto Rico Education Initiative

P.O. Box 10050

San Juan, PR 00908-0050

Please email gmarrero@predfoundation.org to notify the organization that a check is on the way.

You may also donate online via PayPal, Venmo, or credit card:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=258U73SWVNC9L

Thank you for helping us invest in the next generation of Puerto Rico's leaders.

Looking Ahead

Please remember that next Tuesday's meeting will be held via Zoom and will feature a special guest speaker. We look forward to seeing you online and sharing another informative and engaging program with our Rotary family.

Enid

Dear fellow club members,

The Verano Semilla program kicked-off at Escuela Ramon Vila Mayo on Monday this week.  It's not too late to join Dr. Annie in supporting the launch this summer.  We haven't raised the full $6,750 required to fully fund the program yet.  So please consider making a contribution.  Remember Annie is matching and donations 1:1.  Here is an update from one of the program managers (Antonio Gonzalez): 

"Reflections on the First Day of Verano Semilla 2026

The first day of Verano Semilla 2026 brought together educators, artists, volunteers, and community partners to launch a summer experience designed to integrate art, design, photography, video, emotional intelligence, and learning from nature. Hosted at Escuela Ramón Vilá Mayo and Escuela Hawthorne in Río Piedras, the program creates opportunities for young people to explore their identities, strengthen community connections, and develop creative forms of expression.

The day began with activities focused on body awareness, movement, and energy. Through simple exercises, students were encouraged to become more aware of their physical and emotional states, release tension, and build the trust necessary for collaborative work.

From there, students moved into idea development through a series of guiding questions: Why the heart? Why the form of a seed? What shapes character? These “seed questions” were intended to spark curiosity and reflection about the contributions each student can make to their communities and futures.

In the art studio, participants created a Self-Portrait Seed, exploring color, symbolism, and personal expression. Art served not only as a creative medium, but also as a way to examine broader concepts related to beauty, identity, and the natural world.

Students then entered the photography and video studio, where they explored composition, framing, and lighting. These activities also invited self-discovery as students learned to see themselves—and one another—from new perspectives.

The day concluded in a closing circle accompanied by music. Students reflected together, listened to one another, and experienced how individual voices and experiences can contribute to a stronger collective community.

As the first day came to an end, Verano Semilla had begun its work: planting the seeds of creativity, reflection, and belonging in the young people of Río Piedras.

This version is intentionally more reflective and descriptive, suitable for a program update, newsletter, or social media post from Laboratorio Semilla."

If you are able to donate, please refer to the earlier email that I sent last week with all the details.  Or feel free to reach out to me at (650) 504-2062 or robertcbolt@gmail.com