March is Literacy Month 

“Dear Rotary, thank you for my first dictionary….”   One of the most satisfying times of the year for 23 of our Rotary clubs is when the thank you letters start arriving from the 3^rd graders who have just received their free dictionary – for many their first.  It’s even more satisfying for the fortunate Rotarians who deliver the dictionaries and see the excitement of the kids.  The SoCal Dictionary Project is a HUGE success in our district – over 10,000 dictionaries have been delivered so far this school year. 

If your neighborhood school isn’t involved, YOU can make a difference next year – contact John Goodrich, Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo, at www.socaldp.org.

Michael Rennie of the RB Sunrise Rotary Club with one of our happy students!

Rotarians “In the News”  

We were especially delighted last month to read about some of our fellow Rotarians who were honored by the community for their outstanding service.

Pete Griffith, Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, was recognized by President Obama and ShelterBox USA with a Presidential Volunteer Service Award for his efforts during 2010 to provide ShelterBoxes for survivors of natural disasters worldwide.  Says the announcement, “Griffith leads a team of passionate volunteers throughout San Diego who helped to raise $65,000 last year, which is enough to provide 65 families with shelter, warmth and dignity”.  The award is part of a national recognition program created in 2003 through the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation for individuals who contribute a significant amount of time to volunteer activities.

Clara Harris, Rotary Club of La Mesa Sunrise, has been selected as one of five women to be inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame of San Diego for the year 2011.  Her induction will be on March 12^th at 5-9pm at the SDSU Alumni Center.  Clara is our District Family of Rotary Chair and the Outreach Chair of Pathways for Peace.  She created the Heartland Human Relations and Fair Housing Agency, which has had a significant effect on East County and elsewhere in San Diego.  Clara is an active mentor to refugee families.  Her greatest passion inside and outside Rotary is Peace and Reconciliation, at all levels, in all places.

Steve Hamann, Rotary Club of El Cajon, was named the El Cajon Citizen of the Year during a luncheon co-sponsored by the Lion’s Club of El Cajon and the Rotary Club of El Cajon.  He was recognized for his great job of promoting the value of community service.  Here is a YouTube video of his acceptance speech – click here. 

Kathy Olsen, Rotary Club of Lemon Grove, was honored as 2011 East County Distinguished Citizen by the Boy Scouts of America for benefiting the San Diego Imperial Council.  Her firm, RCP Block and Brick, Inc has been a key supporter of many organizations throughout San Diego County, including donating product for many high schools and youth sports fields.

Congratulations Pete, Clara, Steve, and Kathy for your “Service above Self”.

Check out this video!

The La Jolla New Generations Rotary Club has produced a 2-minute video to motivate Rotarians to bring younger members into Rotary. Think of inviting into Rotary some young professionals who already have a connection to Rotary; past Rotaractors or Interactors; past RYLA participants or Youth Exchange; children and grandchildren of Rotarians. If they cannot join your own club, please refer them to a New Generations Rotary Club near you.  To watch the video, click here.

Bridging Continents

Have you been following the blog of our Vocational Training Team in South Africa?  Here’s the latest – click here.  Marty, Jamil, and Larissa are scheduled to return to San Diego Airport (Terminal 1) on Thursday, March 3^rd at 11:07am on South African Airways flight 7412 from Washington, DC.  Let’s give them a Hero’s Welcome!

More Bridging Continents

Many of you will remember Ron Denham who spoke so passionately about water projects at our May 2010 District Conference in Brawley.  Ron is the chair of WASRAG, the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group.  He has just returned from Ghana where Rotary is doing a massive water project in conjunction USAID. 

He needs your help.  You can help and leverage your cash gift by 4 to 1 -- AND receive Paul Harris credit.  Read more by clicking here.

Presidential Citation

Remember, your Presidential Citation form is due to Carl Kruse before March 31^st to be eligible.  Also be sure your Interact and Rotaract Clubs submit their forms to you for signature before you forward them to Carl – also by March 31^st.   See the HONOR ROLL for the list of those we have already received.

Let the Good Times Roll – Again

Don’t miss the Rotary International Convention in New Orleans!  Bill Gates, Jr will be there!   So far 108 of our district’s Rotarians will be there!  Will you?  If not, SIGN UP before March 31^st.  The next Rotary International Convention in the US will not be until 2017.  DON’T MISS OUT.  For more information, click here.

What’s happening in March?

March 19^th.  The Zone Assembly is an important training opportunity for district leadership.  It is designed for District Governors (past, current and future), AGs, District Trainers, District Foundation Chairs, TRF Sub-Committee Chairs, Foundation Mentors, District Membership Committees, Membership Mentors, New Generations Committees (Rotaract, Interact, Youth Exchange and RYLA), Public Image Committees, and Avenues of Service Committees.  Click here for more information and to register.

March 19^th.  The 16^th Annual Peace Conference sponsored by Rotary District 5300, “Achieving Peace in Afghanistan”, at the Mudd Theater, Clairmont School of Theology, Clairmont, CA.   The keynote speaker is The Honorable Zalmay Khalilzad, Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and the United Nations.  Click here.

March 26^th.  The District Assembly (from 8am to noon, Southwestern College in Chula Vista) is our annual training opportunity for YOU, your club leaders, your club board, and new Rotarians.  Be there.  Click here for details.

March 26^th.  The Grants Management Seminar (from noon to 4pm, also Southwestern College).   Attendance of at least two club members at one of the Grants Management Seminars is mandatory for clubs to be qualified to be able to do Global Grants with The Rotary Foundation.  Click here for details.

What’s happening in April?

April 2^nd.  District Assembly (click here) and the Grants Management Seminar (click here) in Imperial County. 

April 5^th.  District Council at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley.  Save this date and get it on your club calendar now.  Share the excitement of how our Rotarians are serving the YOUTH of San Diego and Imperial Counties.  Enjoy outstanding fellowship.  Be there!  Registration will be available on the district website very soon.

April 11^th.   Rotary at PETCO PARK.  The first of six special Padres games with special prices for Rotarians and their guests.  Click here for all the details.

April 15^th-17^th.  RYLA – Our fabulous program for high school juniors.   Want to know more? – click here.

April 30^th.  Rotarians at Work Day.  This started in our district and has caught on all over the Rotary world.  Please POST your projects NOW.  It’s easy –just click here.

HONOR ROLL

Presidential Citation with Distinction (at least 35 points in each of four categories)

Rotary Club of Chula Vista, President Lisa Johnson

Rotary Club of Coronado, President Tim Cusick

Rotary Club of Encinitas, President Roger Bolus

Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, President Dory Beatrice Griffith

Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo, President Suzie Lisio

Rotary Club of San Diego Downtown Breakfast, President Lynn Hamilton

Presidential Citation (at least 25 points in each of four categories)

Rotary Club of Camp Pendleton, President Linda Sundram

Rotary Club of Carlsbad Hi-Noon, President Al Wanamaker

Rotary Club of Chula Vista Sunrise, President Tom Miller

Rotary Club of Encinitas Coastal, President Donna Marie Robinson

Rotary Club of La Mesa, President Deanna Price

Rotary Club of Mission Bay, President Susan Thorning

Rotary Club of Old Mission, President Lee Kaminetz

Rotary Club of Point Loma, President Frank White

Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo Sunrise, President Al Watson

Rotary Club of Southeast San Diego, President Jeff Hall

Interact Club Presidential Citation

Cathedral Catholic High School (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Del Mar)

Wilson Middle School (sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Diego)

Rotaract Club Presidential Citation

None yet

Net New Members (calculated from the official starting membership)

Rotary Club of Escondido, President Linda Bailey – Net +13

Rotary Club of Chula Vista, President Lisa Johnson – Net +6

Rotary Club of San Diego Paradise Valley, President Femi Cupit – Net +6

Rotary Club of Old Mission, President Lee Kaminetz – Net +5

Rotary Club of Coronado, President Tim Cusick – Net +5

Rotary Club of Escondido East, President Peggy Rieber – Net +4

Rotary Club of Encinitas, President Roger Bolus – Net +4

Rotary Club of La Jolla Sunrise, President Rick Wildman – Net +4

Rotary Club of Encinitas Coastal, President Donna Marie Robinson – Net +3

Rotary Club of La Jolla, President Mark Leinenweber – Net +3

Rotary Club of Carlsbad Hi-Noon, President Al Wanamaker – Net +2

Rotary Club of El Cajon Sunset, President Van Hankins – Net +2

Rotary Club of Oceanside, President Vernon Allen – Net +2

Rotary Club of Point Loma, President Frank White – Net +2

Rotary Club of San Diego Downtown Breakfast, President Lynn Hamilton – Net +2

Rotary Club of Valley Center, President Mary Swanby – Net +2

Rotary Club of Bonsall, President Mark Hvasta – Net +1

Rotary Club of Calexico, President Elsa Garcia Soto – Net +1

Rotary Club of Camp Pendleton, President Linda Sundram – Net +1

Rotary Club of Chula Vista Sunrise, President Tom Miller – Net +1

Rotary Club of El Centro, President Bobby Brock – Net +1

Rotary Club of Escondido Sunrise, President Peggy Reiber – Net +1

Rotary Club of Holtville, President Manuel Nunez – Net +1

Rotary Club of National City, President Marco Topete – Net +1

Rotary Club of Ramona, President Stephen Brindley – Net +1

Rotary Club of Vista, President Tim Aspell – Net +1

Met or Exceeded Annual Programs Fund contribution goal for 2010-2011

Rotary Club of Chula Vista Sunrise, President Tom Miller

Rotary Club of Fallbrook, President Larry Rothacher

Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, President Dory Beatrice Griffith

Rotary Club of La Jolla Sunrise, President Rick Wildman

Rotary Club of La Mesa Sunrise, President Christine Evans

Rotary Club of La Mesa, President Deanna Price

Rotary Club of Mission Bay, President Susan Thorning

Rotary Club of Oceanside, President Vernon Allen

Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo, President Suzie Lisio

Rotary Club of San Diego/Spring Valley, President Michael Golz

Rotary Club of San Luis Rey, President Anne Speraw

Rotary Club of San Marcos, President Linda Strand

Annual Programs Fund per capita giving for 2010-2011

#1 -- Rotary Club of Rancho San Diego/Spring Valley, President Michael Golz, $328.95 per member!

#2 -- Rotary Club of La Mesa, President Deanna Price, $315.64 per member

#3 -- Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, President Dory Beatrice Griffith, $240.11 per member

100% Sustaining Member Club (each member $100 or more to the TRF Annual Programs Fund)

Rotary Club of La Jolla Sunrise, President Rick Wildman

100% Paul Harris Fellow Club (every member is a PHF)

Rotary Club of Camp Pendleton, President Linda Sundram

Rotary Club of Poway, President Bill Stoudenmire

Rotary Club of La Jolla Sunrise, President Rick Wildman

Rotary Club of Encinitas Coastal, President Donna Marie Robinson

Rotary Club of Mission Bay, President Susan Thorning

Rotary Club of La Mesa Sunrise, President Christine Evans

100% Annual Programs Fund participation (every member contributed to APF this year)

Rotary Club of La Jolla Sunrise, President Rick Wildman

Rotary Club of Calexico, President Elsa Garcia Soto

Rotary Club of Mission Bay, President Susan Thorning

Rotary Club of La Mesa, President Deanna Price

The Last Word

Quoting Bill Gates, Sr at the recent Large Club Conference in San Diego, “Bill and Melinda have often said that if we could randomly re-sort the world so if we lived next door to starving children we would feed them.  If we lived next door to children dying of diarrhea or polio we would immunize them.  But because they live far away and we don’t hear them or see them we tend to apply our will to other problems”.

Rotarians have a great way of “Doing Good in the World”.   We can contribute annually to The Rotary Foundation.