Home Page | Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo Sunrise (San Diego)

Welcome to RB Sunrise Rotary Club

Rotary's Motto: Service Above Self

We meet Tuesdays at 7:00 AM
Country Club of Rancho Bernardo

12280 Greens East Road
San Diego, CA 92128
United States

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Visit us at any meeting as our guest. We want to meet you!

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Nov 2015 Project Mercy House Build in Mexico

Rancho Beernardo Early Bird Special

Just announced...don't miss this opportunity!

Early Bird Discount for the 2018 Rancho BEERnardo Festival!

$10 off per person for tickets purchased during July 2018 only.

Go to https://ranchobeernardofestival.com/buy-tickets/ for tickets!

Do this today...otherwise you will forget and not get this huge discount...

President Mike Moffat Takes The Helm

July 1 is the official beginning of the new Rotary Year. In Rotary therefore, July 1 could be called New President's Day because that is the day that the new term of for a the incoming president of Rotary International begins and every club in the world has a new president.

Because of the Independence Day Holiday, July 4, the first official duty for the president of RB Sunrise Rotary Club is the opportunity to ride in the Spirit of the Fourth parade. This year 2018-2019 RB Sunrise Rotary President Mike Moffat rode in his Corvette in the parade.

As a result, every year the new president of RB Sunrise Rotary Club has as his first official duty, the honor of representing all of us by riding in the Spirit of the Fourth Parade in RB on Independence Day, July 4.

You should come down to meet Mike and the rest of the gang at our weekly breakfast meeting. Each Tuesday we gather at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club for friendship and to find ways to give back to the community. We'll be there next Tuesday, 7am-8:30, and hope to see you there. And be sure to connect with us on Facebook to keep up on all our activities.

Meet the New RI President

Barry Rassin

President 2018-19

Rotary Club of East Nassau

New Providence, Bahamas

Barry Rassin earned an MBA in health and hospital administration from the University of Florida, and is the first fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives in the Bahamas. He recently retired after 37 years as president of Doctors Hospital Health System and continues as an adviser. He is a lifetime member of the American Hospital Association and has served on several boards, including the Quality Council of the Bahamas, Health Education Council, and Employer’s Confederation.

A Rotarian since 1980, Rassin has served Rotary as director and is vice chair of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees. He was an RI training leader and the aide to 2015-16 RI President K.R. Ravindran.

Rassin received Rotary's highest honor, the Service Above Self Award, as well as other humanitarian awards for his work leading Rotary’s relief efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there. He and his wife, Esther, are Major Donors and Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation.

To learn more about RI President Barry Rassin: go to Meet RI President Barry

Tracy Rides in the Parade!

Posted on Jul 09, 2018

Since 1991The Rancho Bernardo Business Association has elected an Honorary Mayor of Rancho Bernardo from among its members. The candidates each year are selected from the members of the association who have also contributed to the local community beyond their business activities.

This last year Tracey Van Putten was selected as a candidate for her community involvement that included being a key leader in the successful fundraising event of the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Beernardo Festival.

Tracey van Putten, who at the time was working at Skyline Home Loans, . In a spirited competition with the candidate from Greenway Lawn Aeration, Alex Lawn. Tracey ran an excellent campaign that ultimately came up short. The ultimate winner was the RBBA because both candidate worked hard in this fundraising competition.

In recognition for her efforts in supporting the RBBA, Tracey is the current Deputy Honorary Mayor of Rancho Bernardo. In the photo above you can see that Tracey had a great time riding in the parade. Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary is proud to have such a dynamic civic-minded person as a member.

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Rob Weinberg

Posted by Rob Weinberg on Jul 05, 2018

In 2004, having recently moved to San Diego, I needed to bolster my local professional network. While attending a Chamber of Commerce event I allowed myself to be persuaded to check out a single breakfast meeting of the RB Sunrise Rotary club.

Entering the room expecting a group of old men, I was pleasantly surprised to see men and women of various ethnic, political and religious persuasions, aged 25-85, sitting side-by-side and sharing the goal of improving their community.

Naturally, I immediately joined the group…and never left.

I’ll confess I joined Rotary in search of friends and business connections, but I stayed for the people. Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary is filled with dozens of genuine people who say what they mean without a hidden agenda. It’s a community of professionals who are always quick to offer help to anyone needing any kind of assistance.

Over the intervening years I’ve become part of this club’s fabric, helping to build houses for the homeless, distributing dictionaries, providing services to housebound seniors, and aiding disaster survivors half a world away. I’ve met amazing people I’d never have encountered any other way, and become active at the District and Regional levels.

And there’s no better feeling than knowing you’ve had a positive impact on others whom you may never see again. That’s why I’ve used my marketing skills to train thousands of Rotarians to communicate with their local communities. Whether I was leading seminars educating club presidents or one-on-one idea development, it’s been incredibly satisfying to know that I’ve played some small part in helping hundreds of Rotary clubs to improve their branding and strategic planning.

Just as the RB Sunrise Rotary raises hundreds of thousands of dollars that gets returned to the local neighborhood, it’s nice knowing I’m helping have a similar impact in a wider circle.

Joining Rotary has given me an opportunity to give something back to the community that’s given me a good life. And the relationships I’ve built over the years have helped to make my life even better, both personally and professionally.

Please plan to join me next Tuesday at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club. We meet at 7am, and I promise to have you out on the streets by 8:30. Or you can go to www.rbsunrise.org to learn more.

Whether you visit online or for breakfast, though, you’ll quickly discover the people are amazing, the organization has a global impact, and the experience of being involved with this group is one you’ll never forget.

The Great American Dream

This morning members of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary met David Alemian, noted author and regional expert on our nation's shortage of highly-skilled talent.

David educated us about the coming shortage of doctors (90,000) and nurses (500,000) over the next few years, how the overall talent shortage endangers our economy, and how employers can protect themselves (it's complicated, but basically comes down to a return to the pension system and forcing employees to stick around for a few years in order to become vested).

David has spent over 23 years in the life insurance industry and will be happy to walk through the details with you, or to arrange to speak at your organization, if you contact him at www.davidalemian.com. For more about the amazing speakers we have each week at RB Sunrise Rotary, stop by www.rbsunrise.org. Better yet, plan to join us here at the RB Sunrise Rotary Club. We meet almost every Tuesday at 7am at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club, Greens East Road in San Diego.

Almost? Yes, we're closed on July 3 because of the holiday. See you on the 10th!

Oct. 20th. Rancho Beernardo. BE THERE!

Posted on Jun 16, 2018

DRINK BEER. HELP A BUNCH OF WORTHY CAUSES. BECOME A SPONSOR. GET MORE INFORMATION NOW!

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Adrienne Wells Holmes

Posted by Adrienne Wells Holmes on Jun 06, 2018

When you spend your working life in the non-profit community and collaborating with the family to run Blue Apple Ranch, a facility that connects animals and people while teaching youngsters to be mindful and kind, that should be enough, right?

When layered atop maintaining a foundation honoring Toby Wells, dedicated to making positive contributions to the San Diego Community by investing in a brighter future for both people and animals, you might be tempted to think I’d want a little “ME” time.

But when you’re taught from an early age the importance of giving back to the community around you, participation in a group like Rotary is a natural step.

So it was for me, having been raised with a philanthropic heart and a desire to do what I can to help others.

My membership in the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club came about originally because of my long-term friendship with numerous current members. I knew them all to be the highest quality people…and, perhaps not coincidentally, they were all members of the RB Sunrise Rotary.

I visited the club…first with one of my friends, then another…and found the spirit and the personality of the room to be a great fit. Here were people always willing to lend a hand, and who took volunteering much more seriously than they took themselves.

It was a perfect match!

I found the group to be passionate about the Military, Youth, and Seniors, all of which dovetailed with my interests. And the values that we shared were just too many to list.

The club’s philosophy of leading by example matched my desire to be a good role model of community involvement and giving back for my daughter. As Sir Winston Churchill said; “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

So last September I joined this amazing club, where I’m able to indulge in “ME” time surrounded by friends, professional associates, and the most amazing group of people it’s ever been my pleasure to work with. I happily get up a little earlier on Tuesdays, knowing I’ll always get more from this organization than I give.

Joining and staying have been, without question, one of the best professional and personal decisions I’ve ever made in my life.

If you’re interested in being part of the larger solution, go to www.rbsunrise.org for more information.

Better yet, join us for breakfast for our next meeting. We gather together at the RB Country Club almost every Tuesday morning at 7am. I guarantee you’ll be as impressed as I was.

Thriving at RYLA

Posted by Rob Weinberg on May 31, 2018

The RYLA kids come from all over District 5340, and are thrown together for three intense days, practically living in each other's pockets. Hundreds of high school juniors, sponsored by their local clubs, who have a chance to learn about Rotary, society, leadership, themselves, and each other.

And by the time they're done they don't want to leave. They've had fun and formed lasting friendships while they:

Built communication and problem-solving skills
Discovered strategies for becoming dynamic leaders in school and community
Learned from community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors
Unlocked their potential to turn motivation into action

They all leave recognizing two things: They've learned a lot, and the event was WAY too short! And this was the report from the four students sponsored this year by the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club, who were all nervous when they didn't know what to expect; threw themselves with gusto into the opportunities presented to them; and have already started signing up to be alumni campers next spring. Coached by counselor Leslie McDonald and Rotarian Lloyd Trilling, these remarkable students went from being unsure of what was coming to demonstrating the full range of leadership skills that we had seen in them.

This was just one more example of the good the RB Sunrise Rotary does in the local community. For more ideas about how you can help be a force for good in the community, plan to join us here at the RB Sunrise Rotary Club. We meet every Tuesday at 7am at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club, Greens East Road in San Diego. Or stop by www.rbsunrise.org to learn more online.

Pictured, L-R, are Jerry Yang, Kianna Abedi, Zoe Kaegi, and Sevin Brune

Martin Sheps Passes

Posted by Rob Weinberg on May 24, 2018

Story Update

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Martin Shep. Martin was a longtime member of the RB Sunrise Rotary. He was good friend to us all. Coming from an engineering background, Martin was known for his creative ideas. He was noted for his gentle good humor and his genuine caring attitude towards those around him. He truly epitomized Rotary’s philosophy of Service Above Self and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 25th, at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley. For the funeral service at 3:00 pm, among the family and friends were 20 members with 3 spouses from RB Sunrise Rotary Club. During the service, mourners reflected on the many accomplishments of this quiet man. He had a fulfilling career as an engineer with multiple patents for devices that impacted all our lives. Even in retirement, he continued to use his considerable skills as a volunteer to assist others to solve problems with his engineering expertise. A reception was held afterwards at Milton’s Deli in Del Mar.

REPORT FROM THE FIELD: Sole Effects

Posted by Rob Weinberg on May 21, 2018

The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club is known for its long-term relationships with community groups.

One of them is SOLE Effects, an organization dedicated to growing strong leaders through influential role models, research, mentoring, and leadership experiences.

SOLE Effects develops leadership and coaching skills in college-age students. In turn, these leaders mentor teens, equipping them with strong interpersonal and life skills they need to make positive choices in their lives, bringing hope to our communities.

In a recent conversation, co-founder Karen Ogden shared this update:

“Last week we finished up piloting our student leadership ‘SWITCH’ program not only for our 7th/8th grade at Twin Peaks Middle School (our 3rd and last year for piloting), but for our first year in 9th grade at Del Norte High. Other PUSD schools as well as other districts are now asking for our program. Our #1 issue we’re facing is guaranteeing that we can fill the quota of 14 strong college mentors per 200 MS/HS students Spring 2019, we will need 42 college mentors.”

“We’re also looking into having a spring course titled ‘Building Leaders’ or ‘Introduction to Leadership’ through Palomar College out of their new facility in RB where we could teach a spring course with our program implementation of our in-school program as part of this course.”

“Finally, we’re working with the CSUSM Community Engagement team to help support students and get them better suited for employment with:

Soft & hard skills
Understanding passion
Exposure to possibilities
Mentoring/internship/leadership developing
Valuing the process”

For information on how you can help SOLE Effects build tomorrow’s leaders, reach out to them at www.soleeffects.com. For more news about how you can help heal the world, one person at a time, plan to join us here at the RB Sunrise Rotary Club. We meet every Tuesday at 7am at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club, Greens East Road in San Diego. Or stop by www.rbsunrise.org to learn more online.

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Marc Nimetz

Posted by Marc Nimetz on May 03, 2018

I was 28 when I joined the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club. This made me younger than many members, but uncontrollably compelled to become a part of this multi-age, multi-disciplined, multi-ethnic group of working and retired executives with whom I shared an instant bond. They were smart, sassy, witty, and committed to the community I love.

The previous year I had started my own Farmers Insurance Agency, and I made both Rotary and insurance the centers of my professional experience for the same reason; to satisfy my passion for helping others get more from life.

Without realizing it, I had been preaching Rotary's philosophy of Service Above Self since I was a child. So the marriage of volunteer and organization was a natural one.

Still, it wasn’t until a few years after I had become part of this amazing group that I truly integrated Rotary into my day-to-day mindset. I joined a group of several dozen Rotarians and volunteers, some as young as high school, and together we traveled to Tijuana to help build a house for a family in need of more permanent shelter. From rising at 4am to a day of backbreaking work to help people I’d never see again, I found the entire experience to be one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

I can’t wait to do it again!

Our weekly breakfast meetings are something all our members look forward to with great anticipation. There we learn new things about each other, hearing stories of why we all joined Rotary AND why we stay. We listen to fascinating speakers on every subject imaginable. Plus I enjoy getting to hear the great things that Rotary International is doing locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally to help those who need so much.

And I know that, whether it’s helping with odd jobs at the Ronald McDonald House, providing clean water to remote locations where disease runs rampant, or playing my part in helping to eradicate polio globally, Rotary is the place I need to be and the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club is the group I’m proud to call my second home.

Come be my guest and let me introduce you to some of my friends. Stop by the RB Country Club some Tuesday morning at 7am and see for yourself just what a great experience it is to be part of Rotary International. You’re sure to be amazed.

A Day At Blue Apple Ranch

Posted by Rob Weinberg on May 15, 2018

Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary is all about helping those in need, and that doesn't always mean people. That's why we recently went for a tour of the Toby Wells Blue Apple Ranch. Their mission is to inspire responsibility and compassion by connecting people and animals. Through innovative programs that encourage young people to be mindful and kind while also providing at-risk horses a second lease on life, Toby Wells Blue Apple Ranch strives to encourage humanity while strengthening the bond between people and animals.

RB Sunrise Rotary to Beautify Espola Rd at Poway High

Posted on Mar 19, 2018

RB Sunrise Rotary is participating in an effort initiated by current RB President Ian H. S. Riseley. His theme for his term, 2017-18 is Rotary, Making a Difference.

He is asking all 1.2 million Rotarians to plant a tree. His goal was to have this completed by Earth Day, April 22, 2018. RB Sunrise Rotary. Because of the amount of planning required, RB Sunrise Rotary has elected to make this tree planting project its Rotarians at Work project for 2018.

At Poway High School, old plantings were removed in the area of the football field adjacent to Espola Road. Dale Long, RB Sunrise project coordinator for this project, has been working with the maintenance staff at the high school to get the site ready. Such things as the exact location for each tree needs to be preplanned so that that proper irrigation and other considerations are finalized.

The site for the beautification planting of trees is along a drainage canal adjacent to Espola Road. The plantings will assist if reducing the potential for damage in the area due to erosion.

Rotarians at Work is a Rotary Program that began here in San Diego over 10 years ago. Former District Governor, the late Bob Watson, suggested that on one day Rotary clubs could do community projects such as school cleanup, tree planting, and maintenance projects around their community. District 9100, Northern Baja California, Mexico joined District 5340, San Diego and Imperial Counties, California in the first year. Since that time, Rotary districts around the world had participated in this event that occurs on the last Saturday in April each year.

RB Sunrise's project this year will definitely make a difference. The plantings will beautify the site and also be a critical environmental solution to control erosion.

We've got social media presence!

DID YOU REALIZE The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club is now on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and INSTAGRAM? Come check out our latest postings on your favorite social network, and friend us to keep current on all the exciting happenings here.

Or you can just join us at one of our meetings. Tuesday, 7am, Rancho Bernardo Country Club, Greens East Road in San Diego. Either way, we'd love to hear from you.

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Richard Barron

Posted by Richard Barron on Mar 14, 2018

WHY I JOINED RB SUNRISE ROTARY: Richard Barron

I’ve heard it said that once a Rotarian, always a Rotarian, and I now understand the meaning.

My brother-in-law, Dr Ian Richardson was long time member of Rotary International in the UK, and I admired the work he and his club did. Their contributions to the community were extensive and impressive, and I recognized the value I could add to the world by following suit.

From 2007-12 I belonged to the Escondido Sunrise Rotary when I ran for a seat on the City Council. This was an opportunity to meet people and get involved with projects affecting the City. For a year I was the Program Chair and enjoyed finding interesting and fun speakers. We had a Hula class one week and had everyone learning to dance and another time a vet that had volunteered for Afghan to look after the service dogs brought a new understanding to that situation. My contributions allowed me to become a Paul Harris Fellow and it was satisfying to know that those contributions helped programs like eliminating Polio World Wide.

Still, I wanted to contribute to more regional causes, and left Rotary to instead help local groups focused on aiding the futures of North County youth. As such I became a supporter of the Tarik Khamisa Foundation that teaches Restorative Justice, Peace and Forgiveness and has made a huge impact on the lives of kids in the Middle Schools

After 10 years of having our business office located in Downtown Escondido it was time to move, so we relocated our business to Rancho Bernardo to better serve our expanding client base. An invitation from the president of the RB Sunrise Rotary club to visit them for a free breakfast and some camaraderie came at just the right time, and I took it as the perfect opportunity to re-connect.

Today the ink is barely dry on my application, but I already know this is where I’ll be calling home for years to come. These are good people in this club, and I’m pleased and proud to be part of this family. Not a week goes by without my meeting someone new, and the quality of the members, multiplied by the energy in the room every Tuesday morning, ensures my future participation at every level.

Why don’t you stop by the RB Country Club some Tuesday morning at 7am and see for yourself just what a great experience it is to be part of Rotary International?

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Laura Mello

Posted by Laura Mello on Mar 02, 2018

I attended my first Rotary meeting at the age of 6. My dad was president of his club and brought me and my older sister to one of their lunch meetings.

I wasn’t impressed! There was singing (not my thing), quite a few people napping and not a single woman in the room.

Fast forward 20 years to my taking a job in my home town of Rancho Bernardo, where I was looking to get involved within the community and connect with other professionals. Besides working full-time in the financial services industry, my sister and I had just started a 501c3 organization located in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Sister Beth told me about a Rotary club who helped fund a security wall at one of our children’s homes in Johannesburg. I loved the idea of people across the world connecting for a cause and doing good things. It wasn’t a big leap to connect individuals in South Africa having a need and manpower but no funding with San Diego Rotarians and their money. This connection was to be amazingly impactful for the 10 children who called that house a home.

I attended my first meeting at the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club in 2011. There was no singing, definitely no napping and quite a few women in the room. I immediately found the room to be full of dynamic individuals who were passionate about making our community and our world a better place.

These were the kinds of people I wanted to surround myself with. I immediately saw they’d provide the substance in my life that I so desperately craved…and I was hooked.

Fortunately, I was working for a firm that stressed networking and community involvement. As I didn’t feel a purely “networking” organization was the right fit, I sought out more relationship based networking. And that’s just what I discovered at RB Sunrise Rotary.

These were not the kinds of people passing out business cards and forced referrals back and forth. Rather, they were professionals building partnerships over a cup of coffee or at a social hour where everyone took the time to truly get to know each other and each other’s families. There’s a genuine interest in discovering how we can support one another, and I’ve come to trust these Rotarians with the needs of my clients and with those of my own family as well.

Indeed, this trust and personal insight helped guide my career as I developed a relationship with a fellow Rotarian (and president of Cornerstone Wealth Management). And I know that any services I need, personally or professionally, I’m going to find the right partners within Rotary, and I’m going to look within my club first. Because in the years since I’ve joined Rotary I’ve found these people are the best of the best; intelligent and effective individuals with integrity and a willingness to tell me what I need to know…even if it’s not always what I want to hear.

Since I originally joined Rotary my life has changed a lot. Now married, I have two children, a new job, and still run my non-profit. My available time is extremely limited, and I need to make every minute of every day count as much as possible.

Still, giving back to the community is what I’m all about, and my involvement with Rotary ensures I have balance between philanthropy, work and family. From hands on projects to our annual fundraiser, RB Sunrise allows me to fulfill my craving for philanthropy without bombarding me with too many requests. I appreciate our club’s flexibility, allowing us each to find our niche and grow within it.

Members know they can get involved building houses, handling finances, pouring beer…the list is endless, and each is equally important to the club and the community.

Because when work and mom life seem overwhelming, taking a few hours to drop off dictionaries at a local elementary school or spending the morning at Junior Achievement Biz Town helps put things into perspective. And I never seem to get tired of sharing my passion for this club and all the good work we are able to accomplish locally and internationally with the money we raise.

It’s funny: At this point I’ve visited dozens of Rotary clubs around the region and the world. Each one is unique…but I haven’t found a club that compares to the RB Sunrise Rotary club. The members of this club push me to be a better professional, philanthropist and person. My motivation is renewed each time I’m in this room, surrounded by successful people who passionately strive to make this world a better place.

And though my life will undoubtedly get busier over time, there’s no doubt in my mind that I will always make time for my Rotary club.

You might also fit in well in our club. Join us for breakfast any Tuesday morning, 7-8:30am at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club on Greens East Road. Tell them Laura sent you.

Want more information? Visit the club online at www.rbsunrise.org.

Dictionaries Come to Pomerado Elementary

Posted by Rob Weinberg on Feb 19, 2018

One of the service projects almost every Rotary club enjoys participating in involves providing dictionaries to third graders throughout the community.

And Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary is no different. Each year we distribute dictionaries through 11 area elementary schools to roughly 1,000 children. The kids LOVE the visits, but then again…so do we!

Which is what brought us to Pomerado Elementary, where Alison Thompson and principal Laura Crow worked with Rotarians Mary Stanton, Rosemarie Bergdahl and Kim Varey (L-R) to make everybody happy.

Whether you’re interested in improving the lives of students or seniors, the healthy or the homeless, the RB Sunrise Rotary Club is there to help make our corner of the world into a better place.

You can become part of the solution by joining us for breakfast next Tuesday at 7am at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club on Greens East Road in San Diego. Or visit us online at www.rbsunrise.org to contribute to the cause or to learn how you can fit into our organization.

Service Above Self Awards

Posted by Rob Weinberg on Feb 15, 2018

Everyone knows if you buy into an idea at an early age, odds are excellent you’ll stay tied to those principals throughout your life.

Which is why we at the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club take heart when students at the Turtleback Elementary School come in for their Service Above Self Awards. Shown here are the current batch of visionaries - (L-R) Emma Litzenberg, Theresa Skiano and Arianna Malcolm - each with their respective families and cheerleading sections.

These kids represent a brighter tomorrow, and it’s comforting to see them being recognized for helping each other and the community at-large. Award nominees are typically cited by their peers with comments like “I was new in school and didn’t know anybody when she came over and sat next to me on the playground,” or “Johnny and I were fighting, and Tommy held my jacket so it wouldn’t get torn.”

Today we seem to live in a world where nobody is interested in getting along, talking with strangers, or learning from each other. Our young friends (and leaders of tomorrow) have taught us all something valuable.

Now…if only we adults are smart enough to hear what they’re saying.

To get involved in shaping future generations and making the world a better place to live, visit the RB Sunrise Rotary any Tuesday morning from 7:00-8:30 am at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club on Greens East Road. Or learn more about us at www.rbsunrise.org.

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Laurie Oakland

Posted by Laurie Oakland on Feb 12, 2018

My name is Laurie Oakland, and I’m a retired mortgage broker in Rancho Bernardo.

Though I currently live in Escondido, I remain tied to the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club; a group I made part of my life in 2006.

I originally joined Rotary International for three simple reasons: to give back, to meet and work with successful people, and to be a part of something that has a global impact. But I quickly realized I’d signed on to something MUCH bigger.

Because belonging to Rotary means passing everything you think, say and do through a filter that asks:

• Is it the truth?

• Is it fair to all concerned?

• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Meaning my membership there almost instantly transformed my thought process and pushed me to do the right thing, even when nobody was watching. And though my personal philosophy already leaned in those directions, surrounding myself with others with the mindset of helping others in need pushed me to become the best version of myself.

Today I don’t get to participate as much as I might like, but the positive impact Rotary has had on my life and my views continues. Because even though I’m not in Tijuana building a house for the homeless, or handing out dictionaries to third graders, or even pouring beer at Rancho Beernardo, I’m still part of Rotary…and it’s part of me.

I’m able to share its philosophies with everyone in my circles, and the friends and positive outlook I’ve gained from the RB Sunrise Rotary Club are the first thing I consider when I awaken, and the last thing on my mind when going to sleep.

Whatever your age, politics, race, gender, or religion, there’s something for you in Rotary. Join me, and become a part of it.

Rotary is a leadership organization.

We're made of of local business, professional and civic leaders.

We meet regularly on Tuesday mornings, get to know each other, form friendships and through that, we're able to get things done in this community.

...and we have fun doing it !!

You are welcome to visit us as our guest to learn more about our fun organization.