Old Mission Rotary meets Tuesdays at noon in the community room at the Copley-Price Family YMCA, 4300 El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego. Parking is free.
RoseAnn on Grossmont Community College Drone Program
On Tuesday, May 20th we were treated to a fascinating talk by drone pilot and instructor RoseAnn Denton.
RoseAnn is on the faculty at Grossmont Community College where they are proud to offer a robust and accelerated training program in Drone Technology to train novices to become FAA-certified, commercial drone pilots.
The official names for drones are unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and most of us think about them as a hobby requiring no training or qualifications. In fact, the program at Grossmont College will first provide UAS Ground School and Federal Aviation Administration 107 certification classes that students take to become licensed commercial drone pilots. The FAA 107 certification school will provide students comprehensive classroom instruction to pass the FAA 107 written test which is administered free to students. Once students complete the ground school module and possess a drone pilot license, they can then go on to take UAS Surveying and Mapping or UAS Cinematography.
RoseAnn described many of the commercial uses for drones and the opportunities for licensed drone pilots. RoseAnn is even involved in the FIDA Drone Soccer World Cup that Rotarian Lee Kaminetz remarked that it reminded him of Quidditch in the Harry Potter series.
Our members were very impressed by RoseAnn's program on this remarkable technology and the opportunities it presents.
Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute Art Pratt Foundation of Old Mission Rotary Grant
On Tuesday May 20th, the Art Pratt Foundation of Old Mission Rotary presented a grant to the Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute.
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is a non-profit scientific research organization committed to conserving and renewing marine life to ensure a healthier planet.
The Institute was founded in 1963 to conduct research in the tradition of world-renowned scientists, Dr. Carl L. and Laura C. Hubbs. Since 1963 their charter has been: “To return to the sea some measure of the benefits derived from it.”
The Rotary grant of $9347 will be used to upgrade audio visual equipment that will be used in such education programs as The Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering (BE WiSE) program. This program aims to engage female and female-identifying students in grades 7–12 with exciting STEM learning experiences in partnership with the region's research, industry and academic institutions.
Photo: (L-R) Old Mission Rotarians Tom Sandler, Judi Copeland, Susan Josephson, Hubbs Institute Community and Grants Manager Janine Watts, Old Mission Rotary President Bob Chalfa, Old Mission Rotarians Aryanna Edwards and Stan Vogelsang and Hubbs Institute Chief Science Officer Danielle Haulsee, Ph.D.
Tuesday, May 20th, Paula Kelly served as club host
On Tuesday, May 20th, Paula Kelly served as club host and took the opportunity to tell us about the
TCM Classic Film Festival that she and her husband Paul attended in April in Los Angeles. In addition to film screenings, Paula and Paul were able to hear talks by such film industry greats as George Lucas, Al Pacino and Rob Reiner.
Paula and Paul love Zydaco music and Cajun cooking and attended the Gator by the Bay Festival in Spanish Landing. They are planning to participate in the Shake your Tail Feather Paddle Parade on October 18, 2025, in Breaux Bridge LA. The event involves a 4.5-mile kayak paddle.
The Old Mission Rotary club "So you think You've Got Talent San Diego? Fundraising Gala" showcased some of San Diego's hidden talents in a fabulous night of entertainment this past Saturday, May 17th.
This year Makena Stumpo won first Place with Zen Parris and Arthur Lin placing second and third went to Brian Chen.
Dominic Pizarro and his band “Midnight Collective” performed during dinner for everyone and was our Master of Ceremony.
We thank our great judges James Morrison, Lisa Roudebush and Arquitecta Adriana P. Ayón Palacios.
The fundraiser benefits many of Old Mission Rotary's philanthropic endeavors as well as a main event beneficiary Thousand Smiles.
The Thousand Smiles Foundation is a non-profit charitable foundation that provides free cleft lip and palate surgeries and dental care for underprivileged children in Latin America.
Old Mission Rotary Past President Eric Benink served as club host on Tuesday, May 13th
Old Mission Rotary Past President Eric Benink served as club host on Tuesday, May 13th.
Eric took the opportunity to talk about his legal career and law firm Benink and Slavens, LLP
Their mission is to protect the rights of taxpayers and ratepayers from the overreaching arm of local and state government and agencies.
One very interesting case involved a client that had created an event ticket sale company that Ticketmaster expressed interest in buying. Instead, it was alleged that Ticketmaster attempted to steal their trade secrets and Eric won a large settlement for his client.
Another case involved copyright infringement of a client in the adult entertainment industry who alleged that their website operator was taking liberties with "images and photos." Eric did all he good not to thoroughly examine the evidence!
and is now an Honorary Member of the club. Dave was an active member for decades and is once again helping the club with our Talent Show Gala staging. Dave brought lots of energy, a cheerful personality and a sparkling wit to the club.
Stan Vogelsang credits Dave with getting him to join the club back in 1995. Stan was interested in Rotary and had visited the club three times and was ignored at each meeting until Dave introduced himself and made him feel welcome. One act of friendship was all it took!
District Governor Dianne Crawford and Area 8 Assistant District Governor Celia Ramirez
District Governor Dianne Crawford and Area 8 Assistant District Governor Celia Ramirez returned for a third to visit to help Old Mission Rotary develop a 12-month Action Plan for Membership and Club Development.
Dianne and Cecilia used SWOT- a strategic planning term that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
In two previous sessions, Diane identified the challenges facing Old Mission Rotary:
Membership
Knowledge of Rotary / Education
Hands On Projects
Mentoring New Members
Planning In-effective
Member Engagement / Participation
Leadership Continuity
Community Engagement
At our club meeting on Tuesday, may 13th Diane proposed a set of actions to help the club meet our challenges:
Create a Membership Committee & Select Chair
Manage & track progress
Contact speakers, follow-up as potential members/volunteers
Engage Foundation Recipients
Open House/Meet & Greet- Invite potential members and community organizations.
Target marketing
Increase visibility & impact
Hands-on Community Projects
Review social media and update as needed.
Engage all members in committees.
Give members opportunity to lead.
Member Education
Now it is up to the leadership and members of Old Mission Rotary to follow through and execute this vision.
President-Elect Susan Josephson and incoming President-Elect Cesar Cervantes are very enthusiastic!
Photo: (L-R) District Governor Dianne Crawford and Area 8 Assistant District Governor Celia Ramirez
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where youth develop their skills as leaders while having fun and making connections.
This year, Old Mission Rotary sponsored a total of 12 High School Juniors from Saint Augustine, Crawford and Our Lady of Peace High Schools and at our meeting on May 6th, six of the students visited and spoke about how this brief but powerful program impacted them. Tom Sandler has served as our club's RYLA Chairman for 21 years and once again represented Old Mission Rotary at the RYLA Conference.
Mahnaz Ahmadi, from Crawford High School spoke at length about her and her family's 650 day journey from Afghanistan to the United States to escape the repression of the Taliban.
Photo: (L-R) Henry Barwick, Brayden Flippin and Mason Bautista of St. Augustine High School and Oscar Palomera, Diana Gonzolez and Mahnaz Ahmadi from Crawford High School.
The Art Pratt Foundation of Old Mission Rotary Grant to YMCA Camp Marston
On May 6th, The Art Pratt Foundation of Old Mission Rotary presented a grant of $21,000 to the YMCA Camp Marston Overnight Camping program.
Jamie Cosson is the Executive Director of both the Camp Marston in Julian and the Surf Camp in Imperial Beach YMCA Overnight Camping programs and was at our club meeting to accept the grant. Jamie.has worked in YMCA overnight camping since 1993 when he started his career as an international camp counselor from Australia.
The funds will be used to rebuild the 24 bed Pratt Cabin that was recently lost to an electrical fire. In a twist of fate, the original cabin was built and named after an Art Pratt Foundation Grant in 1998!
Photo: (L-R) Art Pratt Foundation members Tom Sandler, Bob Chalfa, Aryanna Edwards, Stan Vogelsang and YMCA Executive Director of Overnight Camping Jamie Cosson.
Susan, Don and I went to the District Training Event yesterday. One of the things they covered was prerequisites for receiving Global Grants. One that needs our attention now is the minimum $100.00 average annual donation from our club members to The Rotary Foundation.
We are short of that and need to achieve the minimum before the end of this Rotary year (June 30, 2025), or we will not qualify for Global Grants during the coming year. Anything you can donate will help. At least $100 is recommended but if you can't or don't want to do that even $10 or $20 will bring us closer to the minimum. You can make the donation direct by going to:
When you become a member of Old Mission Rotary you begin a journey that lasts a lifetime.
Your time, energy, and a passion to improve your world are all you need to “Get involved with Rotary”
Become one of Rotary’s people of action or explore the many opportunities we have for anyone — whatever your age or interest — who wants to improve lives in communities near and far.
Join Rotary’s 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Old Mission Rotary brings together people across generations who share the ideals of service, leadership, diversity, friendship, and integrity and wish to create lasting change in the world, in their communities, and in themselves.
This history of the past 75 years of our Club is dedicated to all of our past presidents. Take a moment to click on the image and read our history.
Remember the Bwana of Old Mission, Mike Rogers is our longest tenured member. He joined our club in 1962. That is remarkable.
Read his section on our past presidents in the beginning of the history. Dave Blum who kept the Tom Baumann Old Mission Rotary History Book is included. Win Bishop's photo albums are included. Many parts of Matt Risi's past newsletters are included.
In the "About our Club" section of our website are all the individual sections of the History. You can download and save them for yourselves.
Read and offer edits or updates. Unlike a regular printed book, this is a living document that I can update till end of my time.
Join us at the Copley-Price Family YMCA in City Heights – Kensington at 4300 El Cajon Blvd. We meet on Tuesdays at Noon for lunch, fellowship and guest speakers that make a positive difference in and around our community. All are welcome to attend.
Copley-Price Family YMCA is "Located at the Corner of Fairmont and El Cajon".
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