Dugan and Philippe Lamoise receive recognition from PDG Marge Cole for becoming Level 3 Bequest Society members (with PDG Janice Kurth and current DG Marta Knight)
PDG Janice Kurth speaks about the importance of supporting the Rotary Foundation
PDG Scott Carr congratulates current DG Marta Knight on becoming a member of the Paul Harris Society
San Pasqual High School SuperNurds robotics team (with faculty advisor Yun Lutgen, far right) demonstrate the skills of their latest robot
Rotarians from across District 5340 gathered at the Institute of the Americas at UCSD to learn about different community and international club projects, hear from Peace Scholars, and thank those whose generous donations to their clubs and Rotary International help make these projects possible.
Past Rotary Foundation Trustee Steve Brown remembered the five Past District Governors (PDGs) we lost in the past year: Bob Tomko (PDG ’68-’69), Jack Mayo (PDG ’92-’93), Larry Scott (PDG ’02-’03), Dave Breeding (PDG ’10-’11), and, most recently, Wayne Cusick (PDG ’96-’97). All of these PDGs made important contributions to the District, and Wayne founded the Paul Harris Society (PHS). PHS members now provide nearly 1/3 of annual donations to Rotary International.
PDG Scott Carr recognized current District Governor Marta Knight as one of our newest Paul Harris Society members. PDG Janice Kurth explained that the apples scattered around (including on the podium) represented importance of continued giving- gifts made now plant the seeds for future Rotary successes. This point was echoed by PDG Pam Russell, who outlined options for Legacy Giving, including the Bequest Society. Pam recognized Dugan and PDG Philippe Lamoise as Bequest Society Level 3 donors.
Rotary Peace Fellow Bogdan Matuszynski spoke about the training he received as a fellow in Peace and Conflict Resolution and his founding of iSERVE, an organization that uses education and mentorship to promote the idea of global citizenship. Philippe Lamoise spoke about the Gamru Village School (see separate story for November 14, 2019 meeting) and Al Chalfant from Old Mission Rotary Club covered the support his club gives to the Thousand Smiles Clinic.
The UCSD Rotaract Club was represented by Kaeley O’Shea who explained what a WAPI is (water pasteurization indicator) and WAPI-making projects they hosted to produce WAPIs for use in Africa. Yun Lutgen, a math teacher at San Pasqual High School, introduced her SuperNURDs (Never Underestimate Robotic Domination) Robotics Team, sponsored by Rotary Club of Escondido- and the team members spoke about what the team has meant to them (for many, a change of career path).