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 2013 at this week’s breakfast meeting.

The presentation to Sarah McDonald was made by teacher Janice Pepin and RB Sunrise Rotarian Jeanne MacLaren.

“Sarah is in her fourth year of our transition program, and is doing a phenomenal job getting her life in order,” reported Pepin. She added “She’s been working hard, has lost 30 pounds since August, and is very excited about this next phase in her life.”

“She’s ready to take on the world!”

“Sarah is a wonderful example of what each of us can do to improve our lives when we set our minds to it,” Ms. MacLaren told the room packed with area professionals. “She’s been aggressively pursuing her education, and understands how important it is to her future.”

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

The RB Sunrise Rotary Club is comprised of 55 north county business and community leaders who meet 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 San Diego.

More information about Abraxas High School is available at www.powayusd.com/PUSDAHS/. The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club can be found online at www.rbsunrise.org.

From Left to Right – RB Sunrise Rotarian Jeanne MacLaren joins student Sarah McDonald and teacher Janice Pepin at the breakfast honoring Sarah's academic accomplishments.

RB Sunrise Rotary Announces Meeting Speakers for February, 2013

The RB Sunrise Rotary Club has announced the following lineup of speakers for February, 2013. Their meetings are a MUST for anyone interested in camaraderie, community, and business insight. The schedule includes:

             · February 05 Irene Dunny of American Association of
                                             University Women recommends ways to
                                             improve science and math education for
                                             young girls.

· February 12 Jeanne MacLaren – Community Projects Chair
for the RB Sunrise Rotary club - will
discuss the lineup of projects the club
will be participating in during 2013.

· February 19 Rex Teets – Chair of the Four-Way Speech
Contest - will host the best and the
brightest high school students from
throughout the region to present how
Rotary's Four-Way Test improves
their everyday lives.

· February 26 Ray McKewon - The president of Xceptional Music examines the difference good music makes for any event.

Doors open at 7:00 am, and all RB Sunrise Rotary 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.

Krusin' into the new year with Governor Carl

District Governor Elect Carl Kruse visits with us at the RB Sunrise Rotary Club to share his experiences at the International Conference, Governor training, and what to expect during the coming year. Hold onto your hats, gang - this should be vintage Carl!

RB Sunrise Rotarians Give Toys For Tots

Members of the RB Sunrise Rotary Club know to count their blessings. “If the poor economy is hitting us hard, it’s hitting others even worse.” says Rotarian Sue Herndon.

Which is why Herndon takes it upon herself each year to organize a Toys for Tots collection, working closely with the Marines at Miramar’s 4^th Medical Battalion.

“We collect several hundred thousand new, unwrapped toys annually and provide holiday cheer to around 75,000 children from our base alone,” said Sgt. Arron Miller at this week’s breakfast meeting. He noted “Three or four toys are given to each child, so there’s plenty of room for a happier holiday.”

“This is the fifth time our Rotary club has participated in the Toys for Tots program” reported club president Paul Sullivan. Every holiday season Herndon initiates and coordinates the entire RB Sunrise Toys for Tots effort, which typically generates donations of between $3,000 - $4,000 in gifts and cash contributions.

The club’s 55 members can always be counted on to respond enthusiastically,” notes Herndon.

According to Miramar News, the official web site of the Marine Corps Air Station (Miramar), toy drive coordinators distribute the toys to children of needy families through churches, foster homes, The Coalition for the Homeless and several other local non-profit agencies. The Toys for Tots program originated in 1947, and in 65 years has distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 million needy children.

“You’ve got to say this for Sue” says the obviously impressed Sullivan. “She’s a Rotarian through and through! This is a woman who knows how to make good things happen.”

Contributions can still be made to Toys for Tots by contacting Herndon at 858-344-9000.

The RB Sunrise Rotary Club is comprised of 55 north county business and community leaders who meet 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 San Diego.

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

 

From left – RB Sunrise Rotarian Sue Herndon, Corporal Stephen LaRochelle, Sargeant Arron K. Miller gather around the tree to celebrate RB Sunrise Rotary’s generosity

RB Sunrise Rotary Announces Meeting Speakers for January, 2013

The RB Sunrise Rotary Club has announced the following lineup of speakers for January, 2013. Their meetings are a MUST for anyone interested in camaraderie, community, and business insight. The schedule includes:

• January 08 Maurice Wilson, co-founder of NVTSI/REBOOT, visits to address high rates of unemployment, homelessness, drug abuse and other issues associated with military-to-civilian reintegration. Mr. Wilson has been named a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama.

• January 15 Bob James, Jr. – Membership Chair for Rotary District 5340 (San Diego and Imperial Counties) – explores the benefits of membership in Rotary International and the potential benefits that come from increased numbers of people committing themselves to giving back to the community.

• January 22 Carl Kruse – Former Poway City Council member, Former Poway mayor, and Governor-elect of Rotary District 5340 (San Diego and Imperial Counties) – returns to his home club fresh from the annual International Governors Assembly, where all 512 governors from around the world gather to discuss Rotary’s place in today’s society. Attendees will be among the first to learn of themes and messaging being utilized by 34,000 Rotary clubs around the globe beginning July 1.

• January 29 Alison Farrin, President of Innovative Pension Design, will do a presentation on the 100 Mile One Day Western States Trail Ride (the Tevis Cup Endurance Ride). Since 1955, this annual tradition has been the very definition of extreme sports – a 24-hour run over 100 grueling miles that tests horse and rider alike. This year’s run is scheduled for June 1-2, and Ms. Farrin will tell what it looks like from the saddle.

Doors open at 7:00 am, and all RB Sunrise Rotary 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.

Marc Nimetz joins RB Sunrise Rotary

Marc Nimetz may be the newest member of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary, but with 24 years as a Poway resident, he brings a LOT of local experience with him when he walks through the door each week.

“Early on in my career I worked 70 hour weeks for my employer. This taught me to work for myself AND to help those with less than I have,” he says.

The young entrepreneur opened his own Farmers Insurance Agency in 2011 and never looked back.

“Now that I’m controlling my own destiny and reaping the fruits of my own labor, it’s time for me to give something back. And THAT is why I joined Rotary.”

“I want to help this community that has given me so much for so long. This is my home and these people are my family, and I wouldn't trade it for anyplace in the world.”

“We truly are privileged to live in such a wonderful area – rich with culture, history, and talent. I see it as the responsibility of everyone who enjoys and appreciates Poway and RB to lend a hand, both personally and professionally. And I see it as my own responsibility to lead by example.”

You’ll find Marc 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 www.rbsunrise.org.

RB Sunrise Rotary Announces Meeting Speakers for November, 2012

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

·         November 6       Bill Brelza of the Salvation Army focuses on the upcoming holiday season and helping those most in need.

·         November 13     Paul Gorman, International Events chair for the RB Sunrise Rotary, discusses the club’s efforts at helping those most in need in Mexico. 

·         November 20     Club is dark for Thanksgiving

·         November 27     Ron Sekeel of New Generations talks about hands across time – helping those who will be most in need tomorrow.

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.

Feeding people with a club

The board of the RB Sunrise Rotary has agreed to help Interfaith Community Services by hosting a hole at the first annual mini golf for good, being held September 2 in Poway, CA. Come visit the wackiest, wildest mini golf course to ever hit San Diego County and help feed the hungry and house the homeless...all for less than you'd spend going to the movies.  www.minigolfforgood.org

The Doctor is IN at RB Sunrise Rotary

Elvis may have left the building, but Jason Keckley is in…at least on days when the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club is in session.

As the newest member of the RB Sunrise Rotary, Dr. Keckley is used to serving others and finding ways to improve their lives.

“Here is a man who served his country as a marine,” observes club president Paul Sullivan. “He has earned a BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a Doctorate of Dental Medicine, and has already set his sites on how he can use his professional dental experience at Poway’s Pomerado Cosmetic Dentistry to help the community at-large.”

With programs ranging from reading to children to driving seniors to medical appointments, Dr. Keckley certainly has a wealth of opportunities to select from. He notes, “There’s a program where the club goes to Mexico to provide free dental services to indigent children, and to me that’s a natural.”

“To know you can spend a day and a few hours doing what you love and positively impact dozens of lives is just amazing,” says Dr. Keckley, who adds “Understanding that you’ll make new friends at Rotary clubs on both sides of the border because of your efforts – THAT is what Rotary International is all about.”

Dr. Keckley and his wife Kristy live in Poway with their English bulldog Diego. Besides dentistry, Dr. Keckley enjoys attending SDSU Aztec basketball and football games.
You’ll find Dr. Jason Keckley 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 www.rbsunrise.org.

RB Sunrise Rotary Initiates Jeanne MacLaren

San Diego’s newest resident has joined the RB Sunrise Rotary Club.

Jeanne MacLaren, who moved here after spending 27 years in Scotts Valley, is a retired speech language pathologist who willingly swapped the mercurial weather patterns of central California for the steady sunshine of Rancho Bernardo.

“Jeanne is an amazing woman and we’re thrilled to have her with us,” said club president Rick Coburn as she was inducted at a recent breakfast meeting. He cited her lifetime of professional and personal accomplishments, including 16 years of previous Rotary experience, participation as a member of the board of trustees for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, involvement with community cultural councils, and an active role in countless non-profit and educational boards of directors.

Added RB Sunrise Rotary Membership Chair Karen Mortimer; “Jeanne MacLaren has won an embarrassment of awards and commendations over the past 30 years, and she brings a wealth of experience, talent, and ability with her. It seems if there’s a place to help the community, Jeanne can be expected to be there. Knowing that, it’s no surprise that she joined our dynamic club as a way to help her get plugged into the happenings in her new home.”

“Rotary has been my base for so long that there wasn’t any question about my joining once I’d moved,” says Jeanne. “As I began exploring San Diego I attended several Rotary meetings and found the RB Sunrise club to be refreshingly dynamic. These are people who genuinely enjoy each other. They have fun, even as they look for ways to help people in need.”

You’ll find Jeanne MacLaren 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 – Jeanne MacLaren

RB Sunrise Rotary adds Paul Harris Fellow

The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club has added another Paul Harris Fellow to its ranks.

The Paul Harris Fellowship Award is one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow upon an individual. Recipients are typically Rotarians, professionals and community leaders who are recognized for their outstanding contributions to those around them.


The honor and recognition accompanies a donation of $1,000 or more in the name of the recipient to Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fund in support of Rotary’s world-wide programs.


Honored at a recent Tuesday morning breakfast meeting was Mitra Nasseri who, with husband Fred and other family members, owns and operates the iconic Unicorn Jewelry in RB.


“Community is always high on the list of priorities for our friends at Unicorn Jewelry,” said past club president and future district president Carl Kruse. “Organizations of every stripe know they can count on Fred and Mitra Nasseri, and I take great personal satisfaction in giving Mitra this honor as a small token of our esteem and thanks for everything they do for the rest of us.”


Club president Rick Coburn noted of the experience; “Since its inception, the Paul Harris Foundation has been dedicated to doing good for those who may not be able to help themselves. The very first grant in 1930 provided seed money for what became the Easter Seals Foundation.”


“We can only hope our efforts here today also have that kind of positive result.”


The RB Sunrise Rotary can be found online at http://www.rbsunrise.org/.


From left – Future Rotary District Governor Carl Kruse, Rotarian Fred Nasseri, Mitra Nasseri

4-way speech contest - sub-regional finals

This morning's excitement focused around the sub-regional finals for the 4-way speech contest.

Joining us were (from left) Julian Stanley, Ashley Hope, Erin Singer, Emyle Rogers, Kathryn Markham and Danielle Ashmun. Ashley Hope will go onto the regional finals, having claimed first place with her presentation about broken promises.

RB Sunrise Rotary Announces Meeting Speakers for April, 2012

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

· April 3 Wayne Saunders, Curator at the History of Man Museum, will be in talking about the History of Games.

· April 10 Joe Molina of Navy Seals – Team Red, White and Blue – discusses his actions in Afghanistan and his receipt of both Silver and Bronze stars for bravery.

· April 17 Katrin Belenky of the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum shows how to inspire children to learn about the world they live in through exploration, imagination, and experimentation.

· April 24 Brett Weiss of Scan Diego will examine ways pre-digital media are deteriorating and how to salvage them from the ravages of time.

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.

Publicity - the gift that keeps on giving

Publicity - the gift that keeps on giving. Just ask Wayne Hamburger about this article that appeared today in the North County Times.

The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary recently welcomed computer consultant Wayne Hamburger as its newest member. Hamburger, a New York City native who graduated from MIT in 1976 with a degree in mathematics and computer science, owns Computer Software Consultants Inc. in Poway, which provides technical support and part-time IT department services to small businesses to help minimize overhead. RB Sunrise Rotary meets at 7 a.m. for breakfast every Tuesday at the RB Country Club, 12280 Greens East Road. Visit rbsunrise.org.

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/community/photos/rancho-bernardo-new-member-inducted/article_fa4397cd-fdf6-5079-9724-721a64f5fc42.html#ixzz1p6beUXDc

Teenage voices restore hope

Just came from a meeting of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary where we were treated to a concert by the RB High School Madrigals - 32 of the most talented teenagers you're ever likely to encounter. They started the meeting with the national anthem - sure to perk you up regardless of your politics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qsy67oQdEe0&feature=youtu.be

Paul Harris x 3

Meet the three newest Paul Harris Fellows from the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club.

At this morning's meeting we met Jim Stewart (Left - Paul Harris x3), Nasrin Barbee (Center - Paul Harris x5) and Alison Farrin (Right - Paul Harris x3).

The Paul Harris Fellowship Award is one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow upon an individual. Recipients are typically Rotarians, professionals and community leaders who are recognized for their outstanding contributions to those around them.

The honor and recognition accompanies a donation of $1,000 or more in the name of the recipient to Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fund in support of Rotary’s world-wide programs.

RB Sunrise Rotary Announces Meeting Speakers for March, 2012

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

· March 6 State Assembly member and Mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher will address the state of the community and field questions regarding the future.

· March 13 The Rancho Bernardo High School Madrigal Singers will provide a special, one-time only, Spring concert.

· March 20 Rick Coburn, president of Coburn Restoration, will speak about the challenges associated with Huntington’s Disease.

· March 27 The annual Four-Way Speech Contest - Sub-regional finals for Rotary District 5340 (San Diego/Imperial Counties) - will be held at the RB Sunrise Rotary Club.

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 http://www.rbsunrise.org/.