RB Sunrise Rotarians with Attitude!
Posted by Rob Weinberg
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RB Sunrise Rotarians – the next generation (left to right – Jon Streeter, Kristina Granskaia, Sonali Soni, Joe Giamanco, Heather Dugdale, Jon Shea, Mark Kirkpatrick. Not shown – Carly Bohnsack)
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Heather Dugdale isn't alone anymore!
A year or so ago she was the youngest member of the RB Sunrise Rotary club – the only member under the age of 40, and feeling decidedly outnumbered in the room full of 65 professionals.
"I've always believed in giving back to the community" she says "and I wanted to do more than just write a check. There's a mix of opportunities that you only seem to find in a Rotary club."
Rotary's reputation for being the place where the community's movers and shakers meet and mingle initially attracted the Boys & Girls Club Resource Development Director. Still, there was the age thing…
The problem has vanished as the club's membership has risen to include eight people in their twenties and thirties, with more in the pipeline. "We've kind of become a club within the club" says Farmer's Insurance agent Joe Giamanco. "We've brought new energy and new ideas to this club".
"And a new attitude!" laughs Kristina Granskaia of Life Management Concepts.
Financial pro Mark Kirkpatrick confesses that joining Rotary was a mix of personal and professional goals. "Someone my age is building their future, and the appeal of Rotary in general – and the RB Sunrise Rotary club in particular – over a networking group is threefold."
"First, there's tremendous camaraderie in that room. It's instantly apparent that the members of this club genuinely like each other."
"Second, the organization does great things. They give out dictionaries to third graders, raise money for service dogs, and help soldiers in Iraq stay in touch with their kids. RB Sunrise Rotary was the first group I heard about helping people in need after the fires devastated San Diego two years ago. All of this tells me that there is a very special group of people present in this room."
"Finally" he says earnestly "I like the idea of rubbing shoulders with people who can teach me about life, and maybe even help my career somewhere along the line."
"Let's face it" says graphic designer Sonali Soni "Most people my age think of Rotary as a bunch of retired white men who meet for lunch each week. But nothing could be further from the truth. Rotary represents every age, gender, political disposition, and ethnicity. Anyone will feel comfortable in this room."
"Rotary is an amazing organization" observes printer Jon Streeter, the club's newest member. "Half this club is women, people of all ages are welcomed with open arms, and you've got some really smart, friendly people showing up each week. They're international, and I can walk into thousands of meetings around the world and know I'll make friends. They get great speakers, and we're finished by 8:30 because these are almost all business owners who have work to do."
"Sure we're there early to network. We meet, greet, eat and an hour or so later, we're on the street. Yet while we have lots of fun in that room, everyone is also committed to finding ways of providing service above self.
"Realtor Jon Shea summarizes it this way: "I'm no different than anyone else – I'm torn in 10 different directions. But life needs to be about more than just paying bills."
"Were I speaking with a friend, I'd say 'set aside the video games and the TV remote and come to a Rotary meeting. Learn what it means to really give something back to the community – it feels GREAT!"
"And if you can get up early enough for a 7AM meeting, come be my guest for breakfast at RB Sunrise. I'll buy."
"And a new attitude!" laughs Kristina Granskaia of Life Management Concepts.
Financial pro Mark Kirkpatrick confesses that joining Rotary was a mix of personal and professional goals. "Someone my age is building their future, and the appeal of Rotary in general – and the RB Sunrise Rotary club in particular – over a networking group is threefold."
"First, there's tremendous camaraderie in that room. It's instantly apparent that the members of this club genuinely like each other."
"Second, the organization does great things. They give out dictionaries to third graders, raise money for service dogs, and help soldiers in Iraq stay in touch with their kids. RB Sunrise Rotary was the first group I heard about helping people in need after the fires devastated San Diego two years ago. All of this tells me that there is a very special group of people present in this room."
"Finally" he says earnestly "I like the idea of rubbing shoulders with people who can teach me about life, and maybe even help my career somewhere along the line."
"Let's face it" says graphic designer Sonali Soni "Most people my age think of Rotary as a bunch of retired white men who meet for lunch each week. But nothing could be further from the truth. Rotary represents every age, gender, political disposition, and ethnicity. Anyone will feel comfortable in this room."
"Rotary is an amazing organization" observes printer Jon Streeter, the club's newest member. "Half this club is women, people of all ages are welcomed with open arms, and you've got some really smart, friendly people showing up each week. They're international, and I can walk into thousands of meetings around the world and know I'll make friends. They get great speakers, and we're finished by 8:30 because these are almost all business owners who have work to do."
"Sure we're there early to network. We meet, greet, eat and an hour or so later, we're on the street. Yet while we have lots of fun in that room, everyone is also committed to finding ways of providing service above self.
"Realtor Jon Shea summarizes it this way: "I'm no different than anyone else – I'm torn in 10 different directions. But life needs to be about more than just paying bills."
"Were I speaking with a friend, I'd say 'set aside the video games and the TV remote and come to a Rotary meeting. Learn what it means to really give something back to the community – it feels GREAT!"
"And if you can get up early enough for a 7AM meeting, come be my guest for breakfast at RB Sunrise. I'll buy."