Rotarians Gary Christmas, Tim Kelley, Christopher Cox, Matt Barth, and Tom Evans gathered at Carbon Nation Brewing for the first “Riverside Jams” featuring Riverside’s best live Ukulele music!

After leaving Taipei, President Elect Nick Lopez has continued on his goodwill tour to Japan, and continues to be reminded of Rotary everywhere he goes.

Arriving in Tokyo:

Tater Tots with a local twist:

Rotary Banner exchange with fellow  Joyce from Nairobi, Kenya.

And pictured here with spouses:

Today we were joined by our very own Richard Lemire, District Governor Elect, who talked to us about his trip to the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan. Also attending the Convention was Nick Lopez, President Elect.

The convention ran June 13-17 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and the Taipei Dome, drawing more than 37,000 Rotary members and participants from over 140 countries.

At the opening ceremony, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te welcomed attendees and urged Rotarians worldwide to work together: “Let’s work together to Do Good in the World. In our commitment to peace, public health, environmental sustainability, humanitarian aid, and beyond, Taiwan will continue to walk hand in hand with Rotarians worldwide.”

Highlights of the convention included a general session address by Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as well as remarks from Mike McGovern, chair of the polio oversight board for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, on progress toward a polio-free world.

It marked the first time in 32 years that Taipei had hosted the Rotary International Convention.

Screenshot

Screenshot

Screenshot

At the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taiwan Richard Lemire reconnected with Yin Wei Huang (Wally). Wally is a Youth Exchange student that Riverside East Rotary hosted in 2001-2002. He and his wife Erica are both Rotarians. Wally remembers being at Riverside’s North High School and the winter trip Richard took him on to Washington, Montana and Wyoming.

Riverside East Rotarian José Medina’s birthday party at Soboba Casino, joined by Chris & Jackie Gray and Gary & Kathy Christmas. Happy Birthday Jose!

Gary Christmas and Richard Lemire proudly represented Riverside East Rotary at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Alberta.

At the Zone 26/27 Big West Breakfast, Richard had the honor of presenting a beautiful drawing of Rotary trailblazer Sylvia Whitlock—created by fellow club member Ben Ziraba Nyende. Sylvia, the first woman in Rotary, remains a true hero and inspiration to Rotarians everywhere.

While at the convention, Richard also joined Bob Tincher (Redlands), Stacy Fifield (Indio), Francesco Arezzo (Rotary International President-Elect), and Cal Boothby (Redlands) for a group photo.

The Rotary International Convention is an extraordinary gathering that brings together Rotarians from around the world to celebrate service, share ideas, and find inspiration through powerful stories and global connections.

Congratulations to Riverside East Rotarian Richard Lemire as he continues his journey to become our District Governor in Rotary year 2026-2027!

Past President Emily Hudson and President  Shirley Coates attending the Unforgettables Foundation Awards Luncheon on Friday at the Fox Center in Redlands.

Riverside East Rotary was recognized for their dedicated work and philanthropic support that empowers communities  through the mission of the organization:  “Service above self”

President Shirley Coates and Past President Emily Hudson attending the March Air Museum Gala.