As we step into 2026, I am deeply grateful for what we have built together. Standing on the strong foundation created by past leaders, our club continues to grow through service, friendship, and shared purpose.
Over the past months, we supported our students at RYLA, launched our first short-term Rotary Youth Exchange between Brazil and the United States, served our unhoused neighbors through Joy in the Streets in Downtown LA, supported the Peace Concert in Altadena with Dena United – Power Up Altadena, joined the multi-district Ponies to End Polio event at Santa Anita Park, and carried forward the Eaton Fire Grants begun under our Immediate Past President David Morales’s leadership.
Looking ahead, 2026 brings exciting opportunities to highlight our theme, “Peace – Unite for Good.” Beginning in February, we will kick off Rotary’s youth competition season with the Four-Way Test Speech Contest, Hensel Ethics Essay Contest, Dan Stover Music Competition, and Business Competition, leading to the District Finals on May 23 at the District Assembly.
Each of these moments reflects the power of Rotary when we come together. Thank you for your dedication, generosity, and heart. I am honored to serve alongside you.
Yours in Rotary service,
Betty
Betty Bui
President, Rotary Club of South Pasadena
RY 2025-2026
Peace – Unite for Good
Pax Per Servitium
Marchelle Sellers and President Betty Bui at Ponies to end Polio event at the Santa Anita Track
Elizabeth Dever representing South Pasadena Rotary while serving community members at the South Pasadena Senior Center during the New Year’s Luncheon on Wednesday, January 7.
Share Your Rotary Member Moment With Us!
Submit your memory today for a chance to be featured on our club Instagram and win a very special Prize. This year, we are showing our gratitude for this dedicated community by highlighting stories from Members just like you, ranging from the heart-warming to the hilarious. With this year’s Member Appreciation Day (on Wednesday, February 11th) just around the corner, we want to know what makes your connection to the Rotary Club of South Pasadena (aka RCSP) so special!
What Is a Rotary Moment?
A Rotary Moment is a real, meaningful snapshot of Rotary in action. It’s a story, photo, or short video that captures the heart of what we do: serving others, building friendships, developing leaders, and creating positive change in our communities and around the world.
A Rotary Moment can be:
A service project in action
A youth leadership breakthrough
A new member induction
A partnership with the community
A simple act of kindness
A behind-the-scenes moment that shows teamwork
It doesn’t have to be perfect or staged. it just has to be real.
📸 Share Your Rotary Moment : Here’s How
Have a photo, short video, or special Rotary memory to share? Here’s how you can submit it:
Help showcase the impact of South Pasadena Rotary:
Email your photo to rotaryclubofsouthpasadena@gmail.com and a short caption (1–2 sentences) to our club communications team. Please include:
• Event name or project
• Date and location
• Names of members pictured (if applicable)
✨ When we share Rotary Moments, we tell our story and inspire others to get involved. Let’s keep showing the world how South Pasadena Rotary is uniting for good.
From left to right: President Betty Bui with Santa Claus and an elf; Tom Camarda and Mike Bernard (Pasadena Rotary Club); Priya Trachtenberg; Mei Vieth and George Vieth III; Luke and Elizabeth Dever; Carol Evans and Patsy Simmons, wearing coordinated attire; Lauriane and Welner Deriu-Trujillo; San Marino Rotary Club President Ginny Hsiao with her husband Chris; and Elsie Wong, President of the Alhambra and Monterey Park Rotary Club.
George Vieth III serving the seniors
🎩🏇 Ponies to End Polio - A Winning Moment!
On Sunday, January 25, 2026, Wende Lee from the Pasadena Rotary Club took first place in the Rotary Hat Contest at the Ponies to End Polio fundraiser.
Ponies to End Polio is a signature Rotary District event held at Santa Anita Park that combines community fun with global impact. The event raises critical funds to support Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign, helping provide life-saving vaccines to children around the world and bringing us closer to eradicating polio forever.
👏 Congratulations to Wende for representing Rotary in style - and for helping turn fashion, fellowship, and fundraising into meaningful global service!
From left to right: President Betty Bui, Lauriane Deriu, and newly inducted member Craig Rettig, alongside Immediate Past President David Morales.
📸 Club Highlights: Moments That Built Our Momentum
From left to right, top to bottom: November meeting with District Governor Gilda Moshir; Laurie Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer of the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce; induction of Dr. Stephen Sanko; meeting the youngest guest of our club, Magnolia Megara Bethany Deriu-Trujillo (two weeks old); The Dudes visiting our club for the induction of T. Kurera; Josue Arias of the Beverly Hills Rotary Club presenting his kindness campaign with Sara Munshin and Elizabeth Dever; Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Omari Ferguson at Joy in the Streets; newly inducted member Charissa Kurera at Joy in the Streets; Rotary Youth Exchange student Lara from São Paulo and Raquel from South Pasadena High School.
In November, we were excited to welcome Craig Rettig, whose professional background in communication and marketing, along with his community-minded spirit, immediately added depth and fresh perspective to our club conversations.
In December, we proudly inducted Thivantha “T” Kurera - a senior business executive and Treasurer of our city’s Chamber of Commerce and his wife Charissa Kurera, a senior tax executive. Together, they bring not only leadership and global experience, but also the warmth and partnership that truly strengthen our club culture.
And now, we are thrilled to welcome Stephen Sanko, whose enthusiasm, background in emergency medicine, and strong commitment to Rotary service - including his experience as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar (now Global Grants) - represent exactly the future-forward energy Rotary stands for.
What makes this moment so exciting is not just the number of new members: it’s who they are.
Each brings a unique voice, skill set, and perspective, making our meetings more dynamic, our service projects more impactful, and our fellowship even more fun.
This is what happens when Rotary evolves:
It becomes more vibrant.
More inclusive.
More relevant.
And honestly… pretty cool.
If you’ve been wondering what’s happening at South Pasadena Rotary lately, the answer is simple: momentum - and it’s only growing.
1) ATTEND THE NEXT RLI - Rotary Leadership Institute happening on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 8:30 - 4 at Antelope Valley College.
Grow your leadership skills, deepen your Rotary knowledge, and connect with Rotarians across the district. RLI Levels 1, 2 & 3 available.
💵 Fee: $45 (fully reimbursed by our club - includes materials, breakfast & lunch)
📩 Register via DACdb or email elizmariedever@gmail.com
2) ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON MEETING
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 — Club Luncheon Meeting 1424 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030 12-1:30 PM Join us for an engaging midday meeting featuring Tim Yeh from Athens Services, who will share insights on sustainability, community impact, and local environmental initiatives. We’ll also hear a special Craft Talk from our own Ines Kuperschmit, offering a personal and inspiring look into her professional journey and Rotary connection.
3) Saturday, February 14, 2026, ROTARY ESSENTIALS: Vocational Services 9 - 10:30 am on zoom. Come learn about Rotary Means Business - and supporting member businesses & the Biz Plan Competition. Register via DACdb or email elizmariedever@gmail.com
4) Charter Party of the Rotary Club of Greater El Monte is scheduled for Feb 17, 2026 5:30 pm ringing in the Lunar New Year 2026. Potluck dinner.
Email elizmariedever@gmail.com to confirm details.
PS: The Charter President Cindy Wu is the field Representative of our State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
5) ROTARY CLUB SOCIAL: WELCOME BABY MAGNOLIA Wednesday, February 25, 2026
6:30 - 8 PM
Details to follow
6) Rotary Means Business Mixer Joint with D5280 (the westside district) and D5300 (our district) - Thursday, March 5, 2026 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Blinn House - Home of the Pasadena Heritage. Sponsorship opportunities are available for member businesses and non-Rotary member businesses. Look for details in the coming week or email elizmariedever@gmail.com
7) Teen Leadership Camp - TLC Weekend - Friday March 20 - 22, 2026.
8) Multi-District Conference Better Together Better THE World is being held at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Hotel from April 24 - 26, 2026.
On Saturday we will have an Interact Symposium, calling all Club Interact Chairs to invite their Interact club members to attend this conference and collaborate with Interact clubs from 3 districts. They can share ideas, projects, challenges and how to overcome them for their success. Early Bird Registration through Feb 20. Secure your seat at the Early Bird Pricing NOW. Feb 21 rates go up. Here is the Registration link: https://unitedforgood2026.com/
January Birthdays - Happy Birthday!
Sara Munshin — January 1
Craig Rettig — January 7
Elizabeth Dever — January 15
Omari Fergusson — January 18
Priya Trachtenberg — January 24
Wishing each of you a wonderful year ahead filled with joy, health, and Rotary magic! ✨💙
Flag Exchange: Rotary Without Borders
When Rotarians visit clubs around the world, exchanging club flags symbolizes friendship, mutual respect, and our shared commitment to service. These small but meaningful moments help build international understanding and lasting connections.
During a recent family trip to Mexico City, Omari Ferguson, Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem of South Pasadena, visited the Rotary Club of Bosques de las Lomas (District 4170) and proudly exchanged flags representing the Rotary Club of South Pasadena - strengthening the global Rotary bond.
I JUST HAVE TO SAY -
THANK YOU
WHAT WE ARE BUILDING TOGETHER WITH ROTARY MATTERS
See you soon in February
With so much love,
Betty Bui
President, rotary club of south pasadena ry 2025-2026
PO BOX 362 South Pasadena, CA 91031, United States
