The past year has been a time of bold momentum for the Rotary Club of San Francisco, the second oldest Rotary Club in the world. Leading the charge: President Bob Hermann, whose steady hand and visionary leadership helped shape one of the Club’s most dynamic years in recent memory.
Bob is part of a proud tradition of strong leadership in the Club. He took office in July 2024 for a year of intense work and engagement to build peace through good works at home in San Francisco and across the globe. His theme for the Rotary year, July 1–June 30, was Tradition, Teaching, and Transformation. (The presidential theme for the year for Rotary International was “The Magic of Rotary.”) He brought clarity to the Club’s mission and an openhearted leadership style that encouraged others to step forward and lead alongside him.
One of the year’s strongest themes was an expanded commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Under Bob’s leadership, the Club embraced a variety of cultural, social, and religious traditions—such as breaking the fast of Ramadan, celebrating Hanukkah, exploring Buddhism, and participating in the San Francisco Pride Parade. These efforts helped deepen the Club’s sense of belonging and connection, both within its membership and with the broader community. That commitment continues.
In the spirit of renewal, Bob also led the creation of Rotary Evenings at MoMo’s—a fresh, informal meeting format that offered an alternative to the traditional lunch meeting in Union Square and provided flexibility for members with busy schedules. The program has quickly become a favorite and is now a model for clubs seeking to reimagine member engagement.
The Club was recognized with six Rotary Club Excellence Awards for outstanding achievement in Membership, Community Service, International Service, Youth Service, Public Image, and Vocational Service. The membership also grew by approximately 12% in the past year or 15 people— a remarkable achievement that speaks to the health and appeal of the Club under Bob’s tenure.
One of the most impactful service efforts this year was the Annual Bike Build, which provides bicycles to children who wouldn’t otherwise have access. This year’s project was nearly derailed by rising international tariffs, but thanks to smart negotiations by the Bike Build team, the project secured the promised number of bikes within budget. In one powerful image from the day, Bob is pictured guiding youth volunteers as they learn to assemble bikes—just one example of his hands-on style. The effort drew wide community support, including help from public agencies and volunteer organizations. Notably, Gays for Good was the largest non-Rotarian contingent building bikes.
The Club also ran a highly successful fundraising campaign benefiting both the San Francisco Rotary Foundation and The Rotary Foundation (TRF). These funds support projects aligned with Rotary’s global priorities: peace, health, education, and economic opportunity.
In a deeply personal act of philanthropy, Bob and his spouse, Dan Joraanstad, made a major gift to The Rotary Foundation. Their generosity earned them induction into the Arch Klumph Society – Foundation Circle, one of Rotary’s highest honors for lifetime giving.
Reflecting on the year just passed, Bob said: “This year has been nothing short of magical. We’ve reimagined what Rotary can be while holding fast to the values that define us. We’ve built on our legacy, welcomed new leaders, and laid a foundation for transformation that will carry our club into its next century.”
The Rotary Club of San Francisco moves forward into the future with energy, vision, and renewed purpose—thanks to a year shaped by thoughtful leadership and shared commitment.
Rotary Club of San Francisco
Published on June 26, 2025
Recent Comments