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Rotarians As Santa's Elves

On Saturday, December 8, Santee-Lakeside Rotarians gathered to help the Santee Santa's Foundation get ready for this year's Christmas outreach. Santee Santa's has been bringing the spirit of the holidays to Santee for over 60 years. Rotarians John Morley and Sam Modica have been providing leadership to this non-profit organization for some time. Initially started and operated by the Santee School District, the Santee Santa's grew so large that a non-profit was formed to operate and coordinate this 100% volunteer organization, each year bringing comfort and joy to Santee residents by providing food and gifts, especially during the holiday season.

The Santee Lakeside Rotary Club has offered both financial and volunteer support to this worthy group of compassionate citizens. For the past several years, the Club has taken on the task of putting together nearly 1000 boxes to be used to bring food and toys to families in need. Many also help sorting food and toys and boxing items for delivery, including distributing poinsettias to senior shut-ins in local mobile home parks.

Rotary International Convention - Capture the Moment!

June 1-5, 2019, the annual Rotary International Convention will be held in Hamburg, Germany. The registration price will increase on December 15. Sign up now and be sure to book housing as soon as possible. You want to be staying as close to the convention as possible!

District 5340 will have a reception at the convention. The details are not yet set, but we will keep you updated as information becomes available.

For more convention information click here.

You're Invited to the 2018 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championships

Posted by Brett Morey

Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, friends of the surfing community and, of course, members of Surfers Unite will gather at La Jolla Shores on December 12-16 for the 2018 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championships. There is still time to signup and volunteer. Don't miss this opportunity to extend the invitation to your Interact Club members, neighbors and friends.

More details on this International Surfing Association event can be found on our site: http://surfersuniterotarianfellowship.wildapricot.org/event-2966435.

PRIP, Frank Devlyn to Speak

The East County Rotary Leadership Team is hosting a meeting on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Past Rotary International President (2000-2001), Frank Devlyn will be the guest speaker. Join us for a very informative meeting.

El Cajon Elks Club

1400 E. Washington Avenue

El Cajon, CA 92019

Lunch: $17.00

This may be your last time to hear from a Rotary International representative since the International Assembly is moving to Florida next year. All Rotarians and guests are invited. This is a great opportunity to show how strong Rotary is in District 5340! Our goal is to see at least two members from every club in attendance and we encourage attendees to bring their club banners. For more information, contact Bonnie Welch at bawelch@Pacbell.net.

Old Mission Presents Two Grants

The Art Pratt Foundation of Old Mission Rotary awarded a grant on November 27, 2018 to the San Diego Rescue Mission. The funds of $8,716 will be used to refurbish a computer and study center for the children of homeless families. Ameatra Smith of the San Diego Rescue Mission accepted the check and was so excited that her very first grant request for the organization was approved!

In addition another grant in the amount of $2,499 was presented to Clairemont High School's Clairemonster Robotics Team on November 20, 2018.

Photo L-R: Old Mission Rotary President, Bob Chalfa; Ameatra Smith from the San Diego Rescue Mission; Art Pratt, board members Erick Benink, Mark McAnelly, Sherrie Suanico, Lee Kaminetz and Gary Collins.

Photo L-R: Erik Benink and Judy Copeland of the Art Pratt Foundation of Old Mission Rotary with robotics engineers, Charlie Jenkins and Keegan Holmes.

Assistance for the Migrant Caravan in Tijuana

There have been requests for ways to assist the migrants that are in the Central American Caravan in Tijuana. The city of Tijuana has reported that they are needing assistance to provide basic needs to the men, women and children who are there. There are people who need help. If you would like to help the United Nations Association of the USA had set up two drop off locations for those that want to donate. The locations are:

Chula Vista: (Private Residence) 711 Marbella Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Hours are 10 am to 8 pm

San Diego: (UN Association San Diego) 2171 Pan American Plaza, UN Building, San Diego, CA 92101. Hours are 9:45 am to 4:45 pm

Jack Nicklaus Plans to Thank PolioPlus Donors

Posted by Stephen R. Brown

Twelve generous supporters of Rotary's polio eradication efforts will have the opportunity to play golf with legend Jack Nicklaus, a Rotary ambassador for polio eradication.

Nicklaus plans to thank the next 12 individuals who make a new donation of $250,000 or more to the PolioPlus Fund by inviting them to play golf with him at the Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida, USA, on March 12, 2019. There, donors will be divided into three groups of four, and each group will play 18 holes of golf - six with Nicklaus. Donors who prefer not to play golf may allow one friend or family member to golf in their place.

Space is limited to the first 12 donors. To qualify, donors need to complete a Gift of intent Form and make the full donation by January 22, 2019. Contact Harvey Newcomb III, director of principal gifts at The Rotary Foundation for more information. Please see the gift intent form for details.

If they wish, the donors will also be inducted into the Arch Klumph Society in recognition of their support for Rotary's polio eradication efforts. Please contact Steve Brown for more details.

Daniel Gensler Becomes District Governor Designate, to Serve as Governor in 2021-22

Rotary District 5340's Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that Daniel Gensler from the Rotary Club of Coronado will officially serve as District Governor Designate (DGD), leading District 5340 during the Rotary year 2021-2022. Gensler was selected by District 5340's Nominating Committee to serve, pending any challenges from clubs across the District. No challenges were received, and the selection has become final.

"We had a terrific slate of candidates to choose from, and I'd like to extend a special thanks to all of the dedicated Rotary members who interviewed for this important role," said Immediate Past District Governor Scott Carr, who served as Chair of the Nominating Committee. "We are incredibly proud of Dan's accomplishments and for his continued commitment to Rotary. He is an incredibly warm, giving individual who has a tremendous amount of experience at both the club and district level. On behalf of the all of the Nominating Committee members, as well as District Governor Mel Gallegos, we congratulate Dan on his terrific achievement."

Gensler is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ who has owned his own financial planning and investment firm since 1995. He served as President of the Coronado Rotary in 2006-07. Since then, he has served many roles within the District, and currently serves on the Foundation Committee for Rotary District 5340.

Imperial Valley District Council Dinner

District Council Dinner

January 26,2019

in the Imperial Valley

Registration and Reception begins at 5:30 pm

Dinner served at 6:15 pm Choice of

Carne Asada Buffet or Vegetarian
Cost $40.00 Rotaract $20.00

Click here to register
Registration ends on January 24
Ricochet Rec Center
450 W Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251
Click here for map

District Foundation Gala 04.29.19

Rotary International District 5340
2018 Foundation Gala
Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine
Click here for map and directions
Keynote Speaker - Johrita Solari
Rotary International Director Elect 2019-20 Zones 26/27
April 29, 2019 6pm to 9pm
Cost - $95.00 -- Rotaractors $45.00
Dinner selection of Filet of Beef or Vegetarian
Black tie optional and bring your dancing shoes!

Click here to register

2019 District Conference

Join your best Rotary friends at the 2109 District Conference at the beautiful Catamaran Hotel in Mission Beach. You can learn what is going on in the District, participate in sharing ideas and successes, take a cruise on the historic Bahia Belle and enjoy the beach and the tropical setting of the resort. Registration is open. Click to register here.

You will want to stay overnight so that you don't miss any of the fun. We have arranged a special rate for you, which includes free parking for those who stay at the resort. You will find the link for the hotel registration when you register for the conference. See you there!

Holiday Connections Update

The MCAS Miramar Enlisted Recreation Center has a program that connects single men and women with home hosts for sharing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. These are soldiers who cannot be with their families or loved ones during these traditional holidays. The applications will ask questions to coordinate preferences for both the Marines and the hosts. You will be required to pick them up on base and return them after dinner. You can apply online separately for each of the two holidays. There is a limit of two service members per holiday. Use the application forms for the host family and NOT the service member. To learn more and to obtain application please go to the website. THANKSGIVING IS COMPLETELY FILLED. Opportunities still exist for Christmas.