BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//github.com/ical-org/ical.net//NONSGML ical.net 5.1.4//EN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: John Wong with Friends of Roots will explore how understanding our heritage can strengthen not only our families\, but also our communit ies and global connections. Through a compelling blend of personal storyte lling\, historical insight\, and practical application\, John connects the Chinese American immigrant experience—particularly roots in Guangdong —to the core values of Rotary: service\, fellowship\, and international understanding. John will share personal and participant stories from the R oots program. From there\, he provides historical context\, explaining why many Chinese American families trace their origins to Guangdong and highl ighting the early migration to California during the “Gold Mountain” e ra. Next\, John will introduce the Roots program\, which helps participant s uncover their family histories through U.S. based research and immersive travel experiences in Guangdong. Finally\, he will share practical lesson s for Rotarians\, emphasizing how exploring one’s heritage can build emp athy\, deepen cultural awareness\, and strengthen international fellowship . Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on their own roots and consider how personal history can inspire meaningful service and connection in thei r Rotary journey and beyond. Born in Shanghai\, China\, to Taishan parents \, John immigrated to the United States via Hong Kong at the age of 12. Af ter arriving in San Francisco in 1963\, he attended public schools and eve ntually graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. During his college years\, John served as a youth l eader with the Chinatown YMCA and later spent two years in the Teacher Cor ps while earning his teaching credential. John’s professional career inc luded eight years in the corporate sector followed by 28 years operating a chain of One Hour Photo shops. Since retiring in 2008\, he has dedicated himself to volunteer leadership. He joined the Him Mark Lai Family History Project (Friends of Roots) in 2009 as a leader and coordinator for its Ro ots Plus program. This is a regular membership meeting of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, open to all Rotarians\, visiting Rotarians\, prospectiv e members\, and guests. Meeting Schedule: 12:00 Noon Registration & Netw orking 12:15 PM (sharp!)  Meeting begins  1:30 PM  Meeting adjourns   Register here for In Person or Zoom attendance. For in-person attende es: We welcome all attendees! The in-person registration cost for all adu lts and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on Friday\, May 8\, 2026. The meeti ng cost increases to $60 at noon and beyond on May 8\, 2026 and includes a ny walk-ins on Tuesday\, May 12. The Hotel Nikko holds us to the headcount that we submit on Friday at noon\, prior to our Tuesday meeting\, whether those registered attend or not. In Rotary spirit\, thanks for helping us to maintain a good relationship with our host hotel.  For attendance via Zoom: For those who wish to participate via Zoom\, there is a $15 fee to attend. Accessibility: Hotel Nikko San Francisco offers accessible entranc es\, accommodations\, restaurants\, meeting spaces\, and facilities so tha t every guest enjoys a comfortable visit. Parking: If you are driving to t he Hotel Nikko for this meeting\, please leave your car with the Hotel Nik ko valet. Pick up a validation sticker available at our check-in table. Th e discounted parking is $25 for three hours. Photo Policy and Disclaimer: By attending events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you give to the Club permission to publish photos of you at our events. If you have questi ons about this policy\, please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com. Email Policy a nd Disclaimer: By registering online for events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you give to the Club permission to use your email to invite y ou to future events. If you have questions about this policy or wish to op t out at any time\, please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com. DTEND:20260512T203000Z DTSTAMP:20260514T132740Z DTSTART:20260512T190000Z LOCATION:Hotel Nikko SEQUENCE:1 SUMMARY:ROTARY LUNCHEON: John Wong — Strong Roots = Strong Family and Com munity UID:e50dbb59-9eec-4eba-9baa-56a3131e9fd8 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

John Wong

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John Wong wi th Friends of Roots will explore how understanding our heritage can streng then not only our families\, but also our communities and global connectio ns. Through a compelling blend of personal storytelling\, historical insig ht\, and practical application\, John connects the Chinese American immigr ant experience&mdash\;particularly roots in Guangdong&mdash\;to the core v alues of Rotary: service\, fellowship\, and international understanding.\n\n

John will share personal and participant stories from the Roots p rogram. From there\, he provides historical context\, explaining why many Chinese American families trace their origins to Guangdong and highlightin g the early migration to California during the &ldquo\;Gold Mountain&rdquo \; era. Next\, John will introduce the Roots program\, which helps partici pants uncover their family histories through U.S. based research and immer sive travel experiences in Guangdong. Finally\, he will share practical le ssons for Rotarians\, emphasizing how exploring one&rsquo\;s heritage can build empathy\, deepen cultural awareness\, and strengthen international f ellowship. Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on their own roots and consider how personal history can inspire meaningful service and connectio n in their Rotary journey and beyond.

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Born in Shanghai\, China\, to Taishan parents\, John immigrated to the United States via Hong Kong a t the age of 12. After arriving in San Francisco in 1963\, he attended pub lic schools and eventually graduated from San Francisco State University w ith a Bachelor&rsquo\;s degree in Mathematics. During his college years\, John served as a youth leader with the Chinatown YMCA and later spent two years in the Teacher Corps while earning his teaching credential.

\n\n< p>John&rsquo\;s professional career included eight years in the corporate sector followed by 28 years operating a chain of One Hour Photo shops. Sin ce retiring in 2008\, he has dedicated himself to volunteer leadership. He joined the Him Mark Lai Family History Project (Friends of Roots) in 2009 as a leader and coordinator for its Roots Plus program.

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This i s a regular membership meeting of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, open to all Rotarians\, visiting Rotarians\, prospective members\, and guests.< /span>

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Meeting Sched ule:

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12:00 NoonRegistration &\; Networking
12:15 PM (sharp!) \;Meeting begins \;
1:30 PM \;Meeting adjourns
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Register here for In Person or Zoom attendance.

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For in-person attend ees: \;We welcome all attendees! The in-perso n registration cost for all adults and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on F riday\, May 8\, 2026. The meeting cost increases to $60 at noon and beyond on May 8\, 2026 and includes any walk-ins on Tuesday\, May 12.

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The Hotel Nikko holds us to the headcount that we submit on Friday at noon\, prior to our Tuesday meeting\, whether those register ed attend or not. In Rotary spirit\, thanks for helping us to maintain a g ood relationship with our host hotel. \;

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For attendance via Zoom: \;For t hose who wish to participate via Zoom\, there is a $15 fee to attend.

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Accessibility: Hotel Nikko San Francisco offers accessible entrances\, accommodations\ , restaurants\, meeting spaces\, and facilities so that every guest enjoys a comfortable visit.

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Parking< /strong>: If you are driving to the Hotel Nikko for this meeting\, please leave your car with the Hotel Nikko valet. Pick up a validation sti cker available at our check-in table. The discounted parking is $25 for th ree hours.

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Photo Policy and Disclaimer : By attending events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you giv e to the Club permission to publish photos of you at our events. If you ha ve questions about this policy\, please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com.

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Emai l Policy and Disclaimer: \;By registering online for e vents of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you give to the Club permissio n to use your email to invite you to future events. If you have questions about this policy or wish to opt out at any time\, please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com.

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