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Sandy Pugliese - Newbits Editor

Sandy Pugliese is the publisher and editor of Newsbits - the District newsletter you are reading now. Sandy also maintains the District web site: rotary5340.org. For this, and more, I am eternally grateful to Sandy for what she does. She makes me sound half decent and keeps me in line with unreasonable deadlines.

District Administrator Position Now Open

JOB WANTED:

District 5340 is seeking a District Administrator. This remote (work-from-home) opportunity is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week and will report to the District Governor.

Anti-Human Trafficking Educational Videos Now Available

Together, we possess the ability to break the cycle!

District 5340's dedicated Anti-Human Trafficking task force proudly launches a series of initiatives that are designed to increase the awareness of San Diego County's human sex trafficking scourge and generate measures to help prevent individuals -- primarily young people -- from becoming victims.

Toastmasters Courses Offered to Rotary Members

Last year, Rotary formed a strategic alliance with Toastmasters International. As part of this collaboration, Toastmasters has developed a structured curriculum of communication and leadership courses for Rotarians and Rotaractors.

Zoom Video of Past RI President Barry Rassin

This past week, Past RI President Barry Rassin spoke via Zoom to District 5340 leadership on the topic of the 7th Avenue of Service - the Environment. He also responded to a variety of questions on topics affecting Rotary worldwide. Shown below is the link to view the Zoom presentation.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/WeEezI3bf3VGv-NvTi3hBLjsMPE8x8VEAj6lc8D-1O0WyZUqe5HSPLBmCtARisY1.TE611MxZfTiOgMp0?startTime=1610582642000

Community Service Ripe for the Picking

Photo: La Mesa Sunrise Rotary club at a recent harvesting of oranges and tangerines at a local neighborhood home.

Happy New Year. It's fruit picking season! Citrus trees around San Diego County are ripe with fruit. Last year several clubs including La Mesa Sunrise picked and donated fresh citrus fruits to local food banks. La Mesa Sunrise alone harvested and delivered over 16,000 pounds of oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and other fruits and vegetables. We encourage all clubs to get involved! Let's do our part to find a partial remedy to the challenge of hunger and nutrition in San Diego County.

Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo Provides Funding for Distance Learning

When Christine Testa, a speech therapist at Pomerado Elementary School, told her father about the distance learning needs her students were encountering. Alan Turner, Christine’s father and membership chair for the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo began to raise funds specifically for distance learning needs at Title I elementary schools in the Poway Unified School District (PUSD).

In a short time, Alan raised funds from Rotary members. Mike Fuqua, the president of the Rancho Bernardo Rotary club’s foundation provided an additional matching gift. Together they donated over $6,000 to the PUSD Foundation specifically for students and families in need of hotspots, Internet access, headphones and other equipment to help ensure students are able to learn and work at home.

Photo: Valley Elementary School was one of the first recipients of funding for hotspots devices. Pictured above are: Veronica Tapia a counselor at Valley, Christine Testa, Dolores Canizales, Alex Robertson the Rancho Bernardo Rotary Club president, along with Alan Turner and Mike Fuqua.

Sunday Musings - January 10

The Rotary Brand - January is Rotary Awareness Month.

Volunteer Vaccinators

Anyone with a current nurse or physician license can volunteer to vaccinate through Sharp HealthCare. If you qualify and are interested, please contact Dr. Jenny Parker at jenny@jparkermd.net for more details. HOT OF THE PRESS: More information will be coming out soon about how Rotarians throughout San Diego County can help in the vaccination effort with Sharp HealthCare. There will be positions open for non-medical volunteers as well. Stay tuned.

Videos Now Available

Yesterday, Part II of the District's Membership Seminar occurred. Members asked that the Zoom session video be distributed to enable others to take advantage of the rich conversation and ideas shared today. You can watch the seminar by clicking on this link.

Earlier in the week, over 1,200 passionate Rotarians signed up to listen to John Hewko, RI General Secretary and his suggestions on how clubs can survive for the future.

Many requested the video of John's message. Notes and the full video of John's message can be accessed by clicking on this link.

Exceptional Speakers Slated for February

Please join the San Diego Coastal Rotary Club in their Zoom meetings in February. They have planned some exceptional speakers for Peace and Conflict Resolution Month and want to open up the opportunity for Rotarians throughout District 5340 to participate. Their meetings are Wednesday night from 6-7:30pm and speakers usually start around 6:45pm. The 4th meeting is a social.

You are invited to four (4) Zoom meetings for Peace. You only need to register once.
When: Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 17, Feb 24, 2021 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Here are the dates and speaker bios:

Go Fund Me Effort to Support Honduras

The Rotary E-Club San Diego Global is asking for help supporting the victims of Hurricane Etna in the Honduras. The devastating hurricane hit some of the poorest communities in Honduras who were already suffering from the effects of Covid 19.