Featured speaker Dr. John Blount, spoke about changes Rotary is making to maintain its organizational vibrancy
We joined five other clubs: Del Mar Solana Beach, Encinitas, Encinitas Coastal, Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach Eco, at the Hilton San Diego Del Mar for our annual 6-way meeting. More than 130 Rotarians (including six past District Governors (DGs), Bob Blum, Janice Kurth, Philippe Lamoise, Marty Peters, and Marilyn Sanderson; two Assistant DGs, Steve Weitzen and Ole Prahm, and one DG elect, Marta Knight) attended to hear club presidents showcase their club’s activities.
- Rotary Club of Del Mar Solana Beach: 30 members, meets Fridays at 7 AM. President Bill Sutton told about their Bocce Ball tournament that raised funds to support Just in Time for foster youth and Solutions for Change that helps homeless families re-integrate into society.
- Rotary Club of Encinitas: 95 members, meets Wednesdays at noon. President Jim Merrill reminded us of why this club earned the nickname “Animal House”. Money raised at their annual Food and Wine Festival (June 2 this year) goes to support over 14 organizations, including their Home Team that provides help with household projects for seniors.
- Rotary Club of Encinitas Coastal: 44 members, meets Tuesdays at 12:15, President Richard Cohen. Their fundraiser, the Golf Ball Drop, supports the Navy SEAL Foundation and other organizations. A helicopter drops numbered golf balls over an Encinitas Ranch Golf Course green and holders of balls coming closest to the pin win one of several prizes. Members also helped decorated the 2018 Rose Parade float and prepare hygiene kits to combat the recent hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego.
- Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe: 80 members, meets Wednesdays at noon. President Luis Carranza noted that more than 50% of his club members are women. Their Taste of Rancho Santa Fe event (October 18 this year) supports over 10 charities and organizations, including Spay-Neuter Project (SNAP), ConnectMed, and Future Legends.
- Rotary Club of Solana Beach Eco: 18 members, meets Tuesdays at 6 PM. President Niels Lund kicked off the meeting with a song he wrote: “You Can Do Good in Rotary”. Their club focuses on projects that promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, including Latrines for Life in Cambodia, Project Amigo in Mexico, and Shelter Box.
The featured speaker, Dr. John Blount, DDS, from Rotary Club of Sebastopol, highlighted ways that Rotary is evolving to diversify membership and increase the number of younger members, including introduction of more flexible membership levels, while continuing to provide opportunities for servant leaders to enrich communities at both the local and international level.