Meet Our Members

"I joined the club because of its environmental focus. It is a great way to meet like-minded people and develop projects aligned with my passions for nature, sustainability, and everything related to the environment and climate change. My involvement with the club grew as I learned more about the value of Rotary, the personal and professional development that follows, and the impact of projects led by Rotarians locally and internationally. I became chair of the District 5340 Environmental Sustainability Committee in June 2020.

Through my membership with the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), I have the opportunity to create relationships throughout the world and participate in national and international scale projects. Additionally, I joined several local groups in San Diego: Sierra Club North County Coastal Group, San Diego Green Building Council, CleanEarth4Kids.org, Eco Sustainability Peeps, and San Diego Green Drinks, and I regularly attend workshops and presentations by many other local organizations. This is a great way to learn more, create professional connections, and increase our Rotary Club’s visibility."

 

"By way of introduction, my schooling was as a biochemist and I have worked in the biotech industry for the past 45+yrs. focusing on tissue regeneration. A couple of years ago I was invited to accompany a group of scientists, medical professionals, and the BOD for Miraglo (a non-profit charity founded by a world-renowned cardiologist Mimi Guarneri) to visit the Golden Temple Peedam outside of Vellore, India. The founder of Peedam, Amma, is interested in scientists understanding and assessing the various green programs for dissemination to the wider world including zero waste, permaculture & reforestation, just to name a few.  This was my first introduction to many of these ecologically-minded approaches and processes. During my stay, I noticed that every day a case of plastic bottled water would be left at our room doors as there was no easily accessible facility for clean, potable water.  In the spirit of the green model so ardently pursued by the Peedam, I thought this practice was out-of-place as it generated single-use plastic waste.  Nearly a year after my India trip I ran into Amelie Catheline (SBERC President 2019-20).  Knowing her experience in water purification systems I described the situation to her wondering if she could suggest an eco-solution.  Amelie introduced me to the workings of the eco-rotary and a few months later I joined the club.  One cannot be of service in solving eco-problems unless one understands the problems.  My point of gratitude is having access to a great source of learning, that is the SBERC, and I expect to convert some of that education to help heal the Earth in some small way.