Speakers - Upcoming
NO LUNCHEON IN AUGUST - ATTEND OUR ANNUAL BBQ INSTEAD!
Our speaker for September 16, 2026 will be Steve Kroner, sportswriter, producer, columnist and analyst
Steve Kroner was born in S.F. and raised in Millbrae. He went to Capuchino High (Class of '77) and to Cal (Class of '81), where he earned degrees in Journalism and Political Science. Steve worked as a sports producer and reporter at KPIX (Channel 5) from 1981 to 1998, working with Wayne Walker, Joe Fonzi and Dan Fouts. Steve was a sportswriter and copy editor at the S.F. Chronicle from 1998 through 2024, covering mainly college football, college basketball and the Giants and A's. He took a buyout from the Chronicle at the end of '24, but still writes part-time for the paper. For the past two seasons, Steve has been the analyst on St. Mary's men's basketball telecasts on ESPN+ and has written a weekly column, "Kroner's Corner," for the St. Mary's website.
Steve will discuss the College sports Transfer Portal and NIL, what they are and how they operate. You may recall that Fernando Mendoza used the transfer portal and a large NIL package to transfer to Indiana where he won the MVP and a national championship. Steve will explain the transfer portal and NIL and discuss how they are changing college sports, for better or for worse.
Steve will discuss the College sports Transfer Portal and NIL, what they are and how they operate. You may recall that Fernando Mendoza used the transfer portal and a large NIL package to transfer to Indiana where he won the MVP and a national championship. Steve will explain the transfer portal and NIL and discuss how they are changing college sports, for better or for worse.
Our October 21, 2026 speaker will be Kristin Connelly, Contra Costa County Register of Voters
Kristin B. Connelly was elected as Contra Costa County’s Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters in November of 2022 and began her term on January 3, 2023. She oversees the 74 employees that work across the Clerk-Recorder, Elections and Administration Divisions of her department.
With respect to the Elections Division, Kristin has spent her first three years in office focused on increasing access to voting, ensuring transparency about elections processes, highlighting election security, battling misinformation about elections, and improving internal processes. She also proudly promotes the important work of the Clerk-Recorder Division which handles hundreds of thousands of property transactions and vital records each year. Kristin co-chairs the Elections Legislative Committee for the statewide California Association of Clerks and Elections Officials (CACEO) and serves on its board of directors representing the Bay Area region.
Prior to being elected Clerk-Recorder, Kristin worked as the President and CEO of the East Bay Leadership Council (EBLC) for more than 8 years. Kristin served on the Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board from 2018-2023, including one year of service as president.
A native of Contra Costa, Kristin earned a law degree from Fordham, a master’s in public policy from Georgetown and a bachelor’s in political science from UCLA, as a Frank H. Buck Scholar. Kristin recently completed the 12-course sequence to become a Certified Elections and Registration Administrator (CERA) through the University of Auburn. Kristin practiced employment law at the firm Sidley Austin LLP in New York City.
Our November 18, 2026 luncheon will feature SIR128 veterans and their stories
Join us for our November 18, 2026, SIR Branch 128 Luncheon, where some of our own veterans will share personal stories from their military service. Through firsthand accounts of their careers, deployments, and experiences, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment of the men in our branch who served our country. This promises to be an informative and entertaining program that offers a unique opportunity to learn more about fellow members and honor their service. We hope you'll join us for this special luncheon.
The Marines will collect Toys-For-Tots donations at this meeting.
On December 2, 2026 we will hold our annual Holiday Gala
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a night of great drinks, food, prizes and friendship. The 2026 Holiday Gala will once again take place at the Blackhawk Country Club. Tickets will go on sale September 17th and will be limited to the first 240 members and guests. If you haven’t attended in the past-reconsider. If you are a new member-do not miss the Holiday Gala. Mark your calendars for September 17th to purchase tickets and December 2nd for a fantastic night of fun.
There will be no regular luncheon meeting in December.