RB Sunrise Rotary Initiates New Member

The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary this morning welcomed computer consultant Wayne Hamburger as their newest member.

Hamburger owns Computer Software Consultants, Inc. in Poway, providing technical support and part-time IT-department services to small business to help them minimize overhead.
The New York City native graduated from MIT in 1976 with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. After a couple of years working at the MIT Francis Bitter National Magnet Lab on magnetic containment systems for fusion reactors, Wayne left the northeast in search of warmer climes. He’s lived in San Diego since 1978, and has two grown children who frequently cause the buttons on his vest to pop off.

“I’ve long respected and admired the work done by Rotary International” he says of his reasons for joining the organization. “Here is a group of over a million professionals around the world who are willing to give up their time, their talent, and their money to improve the lives of those around them. It’s amazing, and I want to be part of that scene. I want to give back to the community like they do, and look forward to finding opportunities to serve and to make new friends.”

“The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary is a fun group with something for everyone. I came to a few meetings and saw these were people who could enjoy each others’ company, even as they were seeking ways to make the world a better place. They appealed to the character in me, even as they connected with the altruistic side of my personality.”

Hamburger also observes how he’ll have a good deal of extra time over the next few months, making this a great point in his life to get involved with Rotary. “The love of my life is a CPA” he smiles “and this is her busy season. Since I don’t expect to see much of her for the next few months, we both figured this would be a great way to avoid getting into trouble.”

Besides his lady friend, Hamburger’s passion is developing custom software for small businesses, both on the desktop and on the web.

You’ll find Wayne Hamburger and the other 50+ business and community leaders in the RB Sunrise Rotary meeting for breakfast every Tuesday at 7am at the RB Country Club on Greens East Road in RB. Professionals from throughout the region considering membership in the club are invited to attend for a free breakfast and some of the finest camaraderie to be found in north county.

More information about the RB Sunrise Rotary can be found online at http://www.rbsunrise.org/.

Meet the newest RB Sunrise Rotarian – Wayne Hamburger

RB Sunrise Rotary Selects Abraxas Student of the Month

As part of its ongoing partnership with Abraxas High School, the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club announced their Student Of The Month award for January 2012 at this morning’s breakfast meeting.

The presentation to Derek Hudgins was made by teacher Bill Palmer and Rotarian Joseph Giamanco.

“Derek is a poster child for all the good things that come from an education at Abraxas High School,” explained Palmer to the room of 50+ professionals. “He’s been aggressively pursuing an education, understands how important it is to his future, and will actually be graduating three months ahead of the rest of his class.”

“Derek also plans to attend college, then go into the US Air Force,” his teacher proudly announced.

Said Mr. Hudgins; “Abraxas is an amazing school that lets students work at their own speed. I’m treated well there, and have really had a chance to improve my life.”

Joining in the conversation, Rotarian Joe Giamanco also noted how Abraxas has successfully cut dropout rates by fifty percent. “Obviously they’re doing something right over there.”

As a reward for his hard work, Derek received a gift certificate and an award in honor of his achievement from the RB Sunrise Rotary.

More information about Abraxas High School is available at www.powayusd.com/PUSDAHS/. The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club can be found online at http://www.rbsunrise.org/.
From Left to Right – Abraxas student Derek Hudgins, teacher Bill Palmer, and Rotarian Joe Giamanco at the breakfast honoring Derek’s academic accomplishments.

RB Sunrise Rotary Announces Meeting Speakers for February, 2012

The RB Sunrise Rotary Club has announced the following lineup of for February, 2012. Their meetings are a MUST for anyone interested in camaraderie and community insight. The schedule includes:

• February 7 Jonathan Smith MD, MBA – An Anesthesiologist for almost 40 years and an MBA, Dr. Smith combines insights into human behavior to provide solutions to many of today's personal and business issues. His topic: HEALTHIER is WEALTHIER.


• February 14 Mel Robinson of US Identity Theft Solutions, LLC will discuss identity theft and how businesses can become compliant with the FACTA (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act) Law.


• February 21 Rotary District 5340’s Four-Way Speech Contest.


• February 28 Gary Rossi will discuss strategic planning working with the Malcolm Baldridge school of Performance Excellence.

The meetings start promptly at 7:15 am at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego, CA 92128. Speakers begin their presentations at 8:00 am. Members of the public are invited to attend these meetings at no charge if staying for just the speaker. A $15 fee will be charged to those staying for breakfast.

The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club itself can be found online at www.rbsunrise.org.

RB Sunrise Rotarians Teach Youth to LEAD

“Thank you, thank you, thank you Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club for giving me this priceless opportunity. Not only did I make friends and memories that will last me a lifetime, but I also got started on the path to making a difference in the world.”

These words poured from Samantha Lee at a recent breakfast meeting after her participation at Rotary’s LEAD Conference. LEAD stands for Leadership, Ethics And Determination.

This conference is a leadership and personal development program for 8th grade middle school students. Talented young people attend a two day camp developed, presented and paid for by the members of Rotary International District 5340 (San Diego and Imperial Counties).

Samantha was sponsored by the 50 professionals who make up the RB Sunrise Rotary Club.
LEAD encourages regional youth to examine ethical responsibility, improve leadership and communication skills, and develop a positive outlook on life. They do all this in an atmosphere that fosters fun and making new friends. Simultaneously, participating Rotarians have the opportunity to share their love of service, develop a new generation of leaders, provide valuable expertise, and bridge the gap between generations.

“There are only a few words to describe the experience” Samantha noted, mentioning “amazing” and “unforgettable” as those that are high on her list. She reports she returned from her weekend knowing she can make a difference in the world.

“LEAD tackles issues large and small,” observes club president Rick Coburn. “From long-range life planning to learning how to give firm handshakes, we’re providing these kids with the tools they need to build a better future for themselves and the world around them.”

“I learned a great many things,” Samantha says now. “I learned to stop putting myself down, to ignore my insecurities, and to work towards making a difference in the world. This experience changed my perspective on life.”

Students who will be in the eighth grade in the school year 2012-13 and are interested in participating in LEAD should contact club coordinator Kendra Jeffcoat (kendrajeffcoat@gmail.com) for additional information.

Samantha Lee – Rancho Bernardo’s newest leader

Visit of the Five Rotarians

This past Saturday five members of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary began the year right for 78 orphans in Tijuana.

Coordinating with Club Rotario Milenio Minarete and Club Rotario Tijuana Oeste (both based in Tijuana), RB Sunrise arrived bright and early at Sonrisa de Angeles Orphanage.

Their primary goal was to participate in an annual religious celebration called the Visit of the Three Kings. Yet with the idea of service above self firmly in mind, the five San Diegans also brought with them sweatshirts and shoes as presents for each of the children.

“The facility is located in a remote location on the periphery of Tijuana, and houses 25 children on a full-time basis,” explained project coordinator Paul Gorman. He also noted an additional 24 young children are left there to allow their single mothers to work.
Wanting to maximize the opportunity, the three Rotary clubs also coordinated similar donations for the children of nearby Ciudad de los Niños orphanage.

A total of $1,600 was raised from contributions by generous San Diegans to purchase the sweatshirts and shoes for these 78 children in need. Said Gorman appreciatively; “We could never do this without the help of the larger community, and look forward to being able to help even more children in the future.”

Lupita and Kevin celebrate the Visit of the Three Kings

RB Sunrise Rotary and Interact Start 2012 Right for 1,300 Needy Kids

With support from the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary, the Interact Club of Scripps Ranch High School helped 1,300 needy children start the new year off on a positive note.

By participating in the Annual Copley YMCA Holiday Party, Interactors helped deliver gifts for kids who needed them most. The day included raffling bicycles and other large gifts, playing games, applying temporary tattoos, snacks, a jumping machine, piñatas, and a photo booth.

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for students ages 12 to 18. Sponsored, supported and guided by individual Rotary clubs, it is the equivalent of a Rotary club at the high school level.

Interact clubs are expected to complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of leadership skills, personal integrity, helpfulness, respect for others, individual responsibility, hard work, international understanding and general goodwill.

There are over 10,700 Interact clubs with almost 200,000 young people in 109 countries and geographical areas around the world.

“We’re VERY proud of our Interactors” said program coordinator Joe Giamanco, who noted that 20 students represented the RB Sunrise Rotary at this year’s event. “These are the kinds of kids who demonstrate the quality of students working with Rotary International and their love for community service. They help provide a shining example for the rest of the community to follow.”

RB Sunrise Rotary Doesn’t Understand the word “NO”

Determined to continue improving lives at every age and income level throughout the community, 20 volunteers from the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club recently fanned out across area elementary schools to distribute free dictionaries to third graders.

“We organize this effort in cooperation with the SoCal Dictionary Project,” reports club president Rick Coburn. SoCal DP is dedicated to providing free English and Spanish/English bilingual dictionaries to all third grade students in the nation’s public schools. “We are very proud to have been involved in this excellent effort.” says Coburn, noting this is the ninth year the RB Sunrise Club has worked with area schools in this way.

Each year RB Sunrise Rotary distributes almost 1,350 dictionaries – one for every third grader at 11 San Diego-area elementary schools. The money used to sponsor this year’s program was raised during the club’s 2011 holiday campaign, an annual event that uses a full-page ad in area newspapers to thank the generosity of area individuals and businesses responsible for donating tens of thousands of dollars to help make North County a better place to live. RB Sunrise Rotary returns every dollar to the community through programs like the Dictionary Project.

Children at Dingeman, Ericson, Hage, Hickman, Jerabek, Mason, Midland, Painted Rock, Park Village, Valley, and Walker elementary schools benefited from the dictionary program. Coburn reports efforts are already underway to raise money for next year’s dictionary campaign.

About Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary: The RB Sunrise Rotary is a group of professional men and women dedicated to service above self. They meet each Tuesday morning at 7:00 am at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego, CA 92128. Prospective members are invited to attend a meeting as a guest.

Each club meeting includes a speaker addressing items of interest in business, politics, finance, and the world at-large. Speakers begin their presentations at 8:00 am. Members of the public are invited to attend these meetings at no charge if staying for just the speaker. A $15 fee will be charged to those staying for breakfast.

The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club itself can be found online at http://www.rbsunrise.org/.

Rotarians Harold Dokmo (white shirt, standing, right) and Michael Rennie (teal shirt, beard, right) left Ericson Elementary with a whole new bunch of friends. The kids have been sending in thank you notes without a spelling error in sight.