Upcoming Events
(These are the friends, the times, and the memories you wish you had.)
Join us at an upcoming event.
Contact us for more information.
Halloween Party with Old Mission Rotary
Join us for some spooky fun at our Halloween Party co-hosted with Old Mission Rotary! We’ll have a costume contest and we’ll play a game. It will be a potluck-style event so please bring your favorite fall-themed dish! Please sign up for what you’ll be bringing here.
The party will take place on the Air Conditioned Lounge’s outdoor patio. It’s a bar owned by an Old Mission Rotarian in North Park. Paid parking is available in the lot across the street from the bar for $8. The easiest spot for free street parking is two blocks away on the Adams Avenue bridge over the 805.
Breakfast Service at PATH Connections Housing
Help serve healthy and delicious meals to PATH’s 134 residents. By providing a meal to someone in need, you are making a difference in the community and the lives of others. They prepare breakfast every day of the week and need your help!
You will help chef prepare, plate and serve breakfast. Our goal is to recruit 6 volunteers. If we have just 3 volunteers, we will put out a continental breakfast instead of cooking breakfast. Please arrive a few minutes early to allow for parking and sign in and ensure you are ready to start at 7:30am.
Email us at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org to sign up.
Thousand Smiles Clinic
Thousand Smiles provides free maxillofacial surgery, dental treatment, and various associated procedures to children from financially challenged families in Mexico. The foundation is totally funded by donations including but not limited to Rotary International Grants, other foundation grants, Rotary Club donations, and personal donations. Thousand Smiles is completely managed and run by volunteers. They host quarterly clinics at their location in Ensenada to provide cleft lip and palate surgeries as well as regular dental care.
Time/Schedule
Volunteers to be onsite at 9am each day, unless otherwise noted. Lunch will be provided (but please bring your own water/snacks). Expect to finish about 5pm each day.
Expectations
We are all working together to make these two days a success. We have been doing this for forty years and have a good schedule established. However, things do shift, and we appreciate your ability to be flexible.
Meals
Please bring your snacks and water. Lunch for volunteers will be provided.
What to Bring and Wear
For general volunteering, please wear comfortable clothing with closed-toed shoes. For practitioners and nurses please bring your necessary scrubs, gowns, etc.
Tips to Remember
Plan your trip to start and finish in daylight
When possible, caravan with at least 2 or 3 vehicles.
Don’t pull over for any vehicles not marked as police vehicles, even if they display red flashing lights.
If you have more than one vehicle, try to always take the one that attracts less attention. In other words, leave the Rolls Royce at home.
Leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home.
Obey All Road Laws
Always drive within the speed limit. Remember the signs are in kilometers per hour.
Don’t drink and drive.
Try not to do anything that would give a police officer reason to pull you over. If you do everything right you will be more likely to suspect that the red flashing lights behind you are not from a police vehicle rather than pulling over automatically.
Don’t pull off the road to take a nap or camp out. Wait until you get to the rest area at one of the toll stations.
City Heights Rotaract Meeting
Join City Heights Rotaract Club at their monthly meeting. Our club sponsors City Heights Rotaract and Marge is one of their club advisors. Rotaract is a type of Rotary club for young professionals.
We encourage our members to attend at least one of their meetings within the Rotary year. Their meetings typically take place on 2nd Tuesdays. Please notify them at chrotaractclub@gmail.com if you plan on attending so they have an accurate headcount for dinner.
53rd Annual District 5340 Foundation Impact Celebration
Join fellow Rotarians for the 53rd Annual District 5340 Foundation Impact Celebration, a special morning celebrating the work and lasting impact of The Rotary Foundation throughout District 5340 and beyond.
Enjoy a continental breakfast, inspiring club presentations, fellowship, door prizes, and valuable insights from keynote speaker Shirley Grace, Rotary Zone 26 Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor.
Discover how Rotary Foundation grants help clubs develop sustainable, life-changing projects addressing literacy, poverty, clean water, health, peace, education, and other important needs in communities locally and around the world.
📄 Event Flyer: View or download the Foundation Impact Celebration flyer
Receive 250 Paul Harris Foundation recognition points with your registration. Major donors and above excepted.
Enjoy door prizes, fellowship, and much more!
Club Meeting + Friendsgiving
We meet once a month to share updates and upcoming events, to hear from a speaker representing a community organization, and to connect with one another. Upcoming events include volunteering and networking opportunities.
Instead of a speaker at this meeting, we will have our Friendsgiving social. There will be minimal club business so we can enjoy each other’s company. Note: this meeting will take place at Casa Machado by Montgomery Field instead of our usual meeting location at the Mission Valley Branch Libary.
Prospective members are welcome! Email us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org to let us know you’re coming.
Our club participates in an activity called “happy dollars” where attendees can contribute any number of dollars to share something they are happy about or looking forward to. Participation in happy dollars is voluntary and making a contribution is not expected of guests.
Volunteering at the Community Pet Pantry
The San Diego Humane Society receives bulk pet food donations on pallets that need to be re-bagged into individual portions to be distributed to community members. The pet food supports over 1000 pet owners weekly and is growing exponentially with the increasing needs throughout our community. The items are distributed through their Community Pet Pantry at their campuses and food distributions throughout the county.
Volunteers help re-bag/box pet food, cat litter, and pet treats at assembly line style workstations. They also may help with organizing items and cleaning up. Volunteers may have the opportunity to go on a tour of the San Diego Humane Society campus and see animals at the end of their shift.
Attire: Closed-toe shoes are required. This opportunity takes place indoors.
Bring: Snacks and water bottle
Signing Up: All volunteers MUST sign up through the San Diego Humane Society's website. Up to 12 volunteers can attend.
City Heights Rotaract Meeting
Join City Heights Rotaract Club at their monthly meeting. Our club sponsors City Heights Rotaract and Marge is one of their club advisors. Rotaract is a type of Rotary club for young professionals.
We encourage our members to attend at least one of their meetings within the Rotary year. Their meetings typically take place on 2nd Tuesdays. Please notify them at chrotaractclub@gmail.com if you plan on attending so they have an accurate headcount for dinner.
Holiday Party
Our annual holiday party will include a potluck and white elephant gift exchange. Participating in the gift exchange is optional and the limit is $25. Sign up here to bring a dish to share. This event will take place at a member’s home in Scripps Ranch and is for members and invited guests only.
Club Meeting
We meet once a month to share updates and upcoming events, to hear from a speaker representing a community organization, and to connect with one another. Upcoming events include volunteering and networking opportunities. A light dinner will be provided.
The speaker for this meeting is to be determined.
Prospective members are welcome! Email us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org to let us know you’re coming. If you aren’t a member, your first meeting is free. We ask $10 to cover the cost of dinner from members and visiting Rotarians.
Our club participates in an activity called “happy dollars” where attendees can contribute any number of dollars to share something they are happy about or looking forward to. Participation in happy dollars is voluntary and making a contribution is not expected of guests.
Decorate the Rotary Rose Parade Float
The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee is an enthusiastic team of dedicated Rotarians and volunteers who share a passion for spreading the magic of Rotary’s mission through the annual Tournament of Roses Parade.
With a vibrant spirit and creative vision, the committee works together to design, build, and showcase an awe-inspiring parade float that embodies the power of service and uplifts communities worldwide. Through collaboration, innovation, and a sense of camaraderie, they bring the Rotary global community together on the world’s stage, capturing the attention and hearts of audiences around the globe.
Each year volunteers have the opportunity to participate in this effort by decorating the float in Irwindale, CA. All volunteers are expected to work a full 8-hour shift. Phoenix float decorating supervisors are on a very tight schedule, which is impossible to maintain if decorators leave early. Decorating the float consists of many types of jobs, some more glamorous than others, but all are equally important. Decorators may have the privilege of decorating another organization’s float at the Phoenix Decorating site, if the number of decorators for the Rotary float exceeds the needs for any shift. The minimum age for decorators is 14.
All decorators who enter the Phoenix Decorating Company building will be required to pre-sign the Float Decorator Waiver Form. They require that all youth under 18 years have this form signed by parent or guardian and those over 18 years of age sign as individuals.
The sponsoring clubs of groups signed up to decorate the float are asked to make a donation to the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee of $25 or more per decorator. Each decorator receives a t-shirt. This donation helps defray the additional cost of building this animated float which will be more fun and eye catching than ever. Patti has already made this donation for our group so you can pay her back the $25 to reserve your spot.
We have committed to having 6 decorators attend.
Rotaract District 5340 End Polio Now Walk
Rotaract District 5340 will be hosting our End Polio Now Walk on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Balboa Park.
Come support your local Rotaract District and the End Polio Now campaign. Grab your walking shoes and join us for a short morning hike on an abridged version of the famous "7 Bridges of Balboa" walk! After the walk, they'll serve bagels and a variety of drinks!
To show your support for End Polio Now, please wear your "End Polio Now" T-shirt or anything red.
Starting Location:
The event will start behind the Natural History Museum located in Balboa Park, on the Moreton Bay Fig Lawn. Paid parking is available behind the museum, so carpooling is suggested if you can.
Registration Time:
The event officially starts at 8 am, but check-in starts at 7:45 am. Please arrive early so they can register all participants before the walk begins.
Duration of Event:
The event will take place from 8 am to 10:30 am. Since the walk duration depends on when everyone finishes, the event may end earlier or later than stated.
Food & Beverage:
They will have bagels at the end of the walk, provided by Einstein Bros. For refreshments, there be a variety of non-alcoholic beverages to replenish your energy after a brisk morning walk.
Attire: We will be walking quite a bit, so please dress comfortably. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen, if needed. If you currently have an "End Polio Now" shirt, please wear it to the event—otherwise, wear anything red!
Price:
- $10 Rotaractors
- $10 Interactors
- $25 Guests
- $25 Rotarians
- $5 Bring Your Fur Friend
They welcome any and all donations (online or day of) you would be willing to give! All proceeds will be going to support End Polio Now.
Club Meeting with Speaker on Co-Existing with Local Wildlife
We meet once a month to share updates and upcoming events, to hear from a speaker representing a community organization, and to connect with one another. Upcoming events include volunteering and networking opportunities. A light dinner will be provided.
This time we’re trying out a pre-meeting social. Join us on the patio just off the Community Room where we usually meet starting at 5:30pm. Dinner will arrive a bit earlier at 5:45pm. We’ll also have paintings available to bid on that start at $10.
The speaker for this meeting will be Andy Blue, who worked for the San Diego Zoo for over 30 years and was based at the Safari Park. He has been an animal keeper, animal care manager, and retired as Associate Curator of Mammals. He was mainly responsible for animal shipments, exhibit design, and animal welfare. Andy will speak about co-existing with Southern California wildlife such as coyotes and rattlesnakes.
Andy’s work took him all over the world including Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, and South America, accompanying international animal transports including rhinos, lions, antelope, gazelle, and zebra. He was also a member of the opening team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida and has always been interested in improving animal welfare and wildlife trafficking. He is currently working on projects in Mexico, Iraq, Lebanon, and Cuba. He worked for the San Diego Humane Society for five years and retired a second time last year as the Campus Director of Project Wildlife Ramona where they care for 1500 injured or orphaned animals a year including mountain lions, bears, coyotes, and raptors.
Prospective members are welcome! Email us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org to let us know you’re coming. If you aren’t a member, your first meeting is free. We ask $10 to cover the cost of dinner from members and visiting Rotarians.
Our club participates in an activity called “happy dollars” where attendees can contribute any number of dollars to share something they are happy about or looking forward to. Participation in happy dollars is voluntary and making a contribution is not expected of guests.
Rotary District 5340 Oktoberfest
Join us at Rotary District 5340 Oktoberfest! Admission proceeds help support Rotary District 5340 youth programs and opportunities that make a positive difference in the lives of local youth.
🎟️ Admission is $20 per person, and children 12 and under enter free.
🍴 Fun for the Whole Family
Enjoy an afternoon featuring:
🎶 Music and games
🎨 Face painting
🥨 Pretzels
🌭 Sausages and hot dogs
🍔 Hamburgers
🍦 Ice cream
🥤 Drinks and refreshments
🎉 Lots of family fun
Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the event.
🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Help make an even greater impact by becoming an Oktoberfest sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, organizations, Rotary clubs, and individuals who would like to help support Rotary District 5340 youth programs.
Click Here to view Sponsorship details
Sponsorships help make this community event possible while supporting programs and opportunities that empower, inspire, and invest in local youth.
Please consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of any sponsorship payment.
❤️ Make a Charitable Contribution
Individuals who would like to make a separate charitable contribution may do so through the Rotary District 5340 Charitable Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
👉 Click here to visit the Charitable Corporation donation page
Charitable contributions are separate from event admission, sponsorships, and vendor fees. Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your individual circumstances.
🛍️ Vendors and Community Organizations Wanted
Local small businesses, artisans, crafters, makers, food vendors, community organizations, and health-related service providers are invited to showcase their products and services.
Vendor opportunities may include:
Jewelry, purses, and clothing
Local products, arts, and crafts
Food and refreshments
Health fair booths
Health and wellness information
Community programs and services
Other locally offered products and services
Vendor Fees
Standard Vendor Booth: $100
Food Vendor Booth: $200
100% of vendor fees will support Rotary District 5340 youth programs. Vendor spaces are limited.
Vendor fees provide participation and booth space at the event and are separate from charitable contributions.
For vendor information, registration, and payment details, contact:
Miriam Gonzalez
📞 619-259-9810
📧 miriam.g.vrotary@gmail.com
📧 Additional Information
For general event information, sponsorship opportunities, or questions about making a separate charitable contribution, contact Chany Martinez at chanymartinez47@gmail.com
Join us for an afternoon of family, community, music, food, shopping, fun, and goodwill while supporting the youth of our community.
We hope to see you there! 🎉🥨🎶
City Heights Rotaract Meeting
Join City Heights Rotaract Club at their monthly meeting. Our club sponsors City Heights Rotaract and Marge is one of their club advisors. Rotaract is a type of Rotary club for young professionals.
We encourage our members to attend at least one of their meetings within the Rotary year. Their meetings typically take place on 2nd Tuesdays. Please notify them at chrotaractclub@gmail.com if you plan on attending so they have an accurate headcount for dinner.
LEAD Youth Conference
The LEAD, Leadership, Ethics, Aspirations & Determination, Conference is a leadership and personal development program for 8th grade students that has been held annually since 2009. Talented young people attend a two day (Saturday and Sunday) camp developed, presented, and hosted by the Rotarians of Rotary International District 5340. There is no cost to the student, the family, or the school - all expenses are paid by the Rotary Clubs of District 5340. Students and Rotarian Advisors all ride buses to and from camp. LEAD is held at Cuyamaca Outdoor School, a San Diego County Office of Education campus.
LEAD encourages young people to discuss issues of ethical responsibility, improve leadership and communication skills, become self-motivated to reach goals, and develop a positive outlook on life ... all while having fun and making friends. LEAD provides the opportunity for young people to refine skills and explore pertinent topics with their peers and adult community leaders. For Rotarians, LEAD offers the chance to share their love of service, help develop a new generation of leaders, provide valuable expertise, and bridge the gap between generations.
One of the great joys of being a Rotarian is to share your vision of leadership and service with young people. LEAD gives you the opportunity to participate in leadership, learning, and fellowship activities with some of the District’s finest 8th grade students.
Being an Advisor involves participating in a LEAD activity with your group and guiding the group, as necessary, during that activity. Effective advising enables each student to participate fully in each activity, to share their point of view in an effective manner with others, and to develop skills to excel at life such as ethical decision making, efficient communication, trust, personal growth, a positive attitude, and teamwork.
HOW DO I BECOME A LEAD ADVISOR?
There are no formal requirements to be an Advisor. You must be a Rotarian and be interested in working with youth. The steps to become an Advisor are as follows.
Check your personal calendar against the LEAD Club Timeline to insure that you will be available to participate in the Advisor Orientation at the beginning of October and the LEAD Conference.
Notify our Youth Chair Jessica Long that you will attend LEAD as an Advisor. There is no cost to you or to the club for you to participate!
You must become Youth Certified before you are allowed to participate in any youth program of this District or of your Rotary club. You can become Youth Certified by contacting the Youth Protection Officer, Doug Clements, at ypo@rotary5340.org, or 858-487-8617, and Doug will guide you through the process.
Fill-in all information on the Advisor Application Form and click submit.
A LEAD Advisor Coordinator will contact you with further information and instructions.
VolunBEERS: A Hoppy Service Project
Our Public Image Chair Jessie Case is inviting our members to attend VolunBEERS, a fundraiser for HandsOn San Diego where attendees have the opportunity to give back to the San Diego community through volunteer service while enjoying the best beer San Diego has to offer.
This one is dedicated to supporting the San Diego River Park Foundation through the donation of seed balls. This project will be in collaboration with Green Sports Alliance for Green Sports Day while also taking place during San Diego Climate Week!
Space and supplies are limited, so we recommend buying your tickets early. General admission is $25 for the Thumbs Up ticket which includes project supplies + one non-alcoholic beverage. Drink deals are $30 for the High Five ticket which includes project supplies + one 7oz pour, or $50 for the Handshake ticket which includes project supplies + up to three 7oz pours.
Hygiene Kit Packing Project
Alpha Project’s Harrington Heights permanent supportive housing has reached out to us about their residents’ need for hygiene items. At our September meeting we collected donations of full-size hygiene and personal care items such as shampoo, body wash/soap, lotion, deodorant, etc. with a goal of assembling 65 kits. The full list can be viewed here. Household items can be gently used or new.
Items can be ordered through the Amazon Registry. If you order/purchase items elsewhere please let us know ASAP on GroupMe or by emailing info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org.
At the service project we’ll assemble and donate the bags of hygiene products. More information on to come!
Grant Park Community Stewards
Get outside, connect with an amazing community, and help bring a new eco-park to life! Join us in volunteering with San Diego River Park Foundation for a fun and fulfilling morning at Grant Park, where you’ll connect with others, enjoy the fresh air, and make a real difference. This future nature education center and eco-park will provide free STEM and environmental learning experiences to thousands of underserved students per year! Help create a beacon of green space in the heart of Mission Valley by joining your community in vegetation removal and weeding, trash pick-up, graffiti removal, and occasional planting.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the event:
Bring: Trash grabbers, loppers, hand pruners, shovels, and gloves (if you have them). Reusable water bottle, hat, other forms of sun protection.
Attire: Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required
Weather: Light rain will not cancel the event
For safety reasons, no pets are allowed at this event
There are restroom facilities at this location
All ages are welcome, but those under 16 need supervision. Ages 16 and 17 are allowed alone but with a parent signature.
Let our Community Service Directors know if you can make it or email us at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org
Breakfast Service at PATH Connections Housing
Help serve healthy and delicious meals to PATH’s 134 residents. By providing a meal to someone in need, you are making a difference in the community and the lives of others. They prepare breakfast every day of the week and need your help!
You will help chef prepare, plate and serve breakfast. Our goal is to recruit 6 volunteers. If we have just 3 volunteers, we will put out a continental breakfast instead of cooking breakfast. Please arrive a few minutes early to allow for parking and sign in and ensure you are ready to start at 7:30am.
Email us at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org to sign up.
Club Meeting with Broadway San Diego Speaker
We meet once a month to share updates and upcoming events, to hear from a speaker representing a community organization, and to connect with one another. Upcoming events include volunteering and networking opportunities. A light dinner will be provided.
The speaker for this meeting will be Joey Landwehr, Education & Outreach Associate for Broadway San Diego. Broadway San Diego (a Nederlander presentation) is San Diego's largest theatrical presenting organization and has been a part of the San Diego arts and culture scene for almost 50 years. This season they are starting a brand-new education initiative to reach out and inspire our community through the theatrical arts.
The Education & Outreach Associate position was bespoke for Joey, and he looks forward to joining us to tell us all about their upcoming season, community initiatives, and exciting opportunities for group engagement they have in store for the San Diego community during their up-and-coming 49th Season. He will share an exclusive preview of the season and the chance to learn more about the performing arts in San Diego
Alpha Project’s Harrington Heights permanent supportive housing has reached out to us about their residents’ need for hygiene items. At the meeting we’ll be collecting donations of full-size hygiene and personal care items such as shampoo, body wash/soap, lotion, deodorant, etc. with a goal of assembling 65 kits. The full list can be viewed here. Household items can be gently used or new.
We’ll pack the hygiene supplies into kits at a service project on Sept. 27. If you’re not able to bring items to the meeting, you can order them through the Amazon Registry. If you order/purchase items elsewhere please let us know ASAP on GroupMe or by emailing info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org.
Prospective members are welcome! Email us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org to let us know you’re coming. If you aren’t a member, your first meeting is free. We ask $10 to cover the cost of dinner from members and visiting Rotarians.
Our club participates in an activity called “happy dollars” where attendees can contribute any number of dollars to share something they are happy about or looking forward to. Participation in happy dollars is voluntary and making a contribution is not expected of guests.
Dr. Alain Lescart's Author Talk on The Bloodstones of Power
Our member, Dr. Alain Lescart, will be appearing as a guest author at the Point Loma Library's Author Talks Program on Monday, September 14, 2026, beginning at 6:30 PM.
He will be presenting The Bloodstones of Power, the third book in the Norwesis Chronicles fantasy series, followed by a question and answer session with the audience. Copies will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation, so please bring your adventurous spirit and your reading list!
The Point Loma Library Author Talks Program welcomes between twenty and thirty readers each month for an intimate evening with local authors.
We may get a bite to eat afterwards if enough members attend.
Civita Concert in the Park
Our September social will be one of the free Sunset Sunday Concerts at the outdoor amphitheater in Civita Park, located at the intersection of Civita Boulevard and Russell Park Way in Mission Valley. It’s a picnic-style event so bringing a beach chair and/or blanket is recommended. Each concert features a lineup of food trucks offering tasty local eats. Feel free to bring food for yourself or to share. Wearing your club t-shirt to help us spread the word about our club is highly encouraged!
The musician will be BETAMAXX who will host an eighties dance party to close out the series. Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Depeche Mode, and the kind of songs that get the whole lawn singing.
Prospective members and guests are welcome! Contact us at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org to let us know you’re coming.
City Heights Rotaract Meeting
Join City Heights Rotaract Club at their monthly meeting. Our club sponsors City Heights Rotaract and Marge is one of their club advisors. Rotaract is a type of Rotary club for young professionals.
We encourage our members to attend at least one of their meetings within the Rotary year. Their meetings typically take place on 2nd Tuesdays. Please notify them at chrotaractclub@gmail.com if you plan on attending so they have an accurate headcount for dinner.
Club Meeting with District Governor Visit
We meet once a month to share updates and upcoming events, to hear from a speaker representing a community organization, and to connect with one another. Upcoming events include volunteering and networking opportunities. A light dinner will be provided.
The speaker for this meeting will be our new District Governor Jeb Bakke. Jeb became a Rotarian in 1991 and has been a member of Poway Rotary and Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary, serving in a variety of capacities in both clubs. He served as President of RB Sunrise in 2020-21. He has served the district as International Service Chair from 2021-23 and was an assistant governor for Area 15 that serves both the Paradise Valley and Sweetwater Rotary clubs as well as four active Rotaract clubs - D5340 of SDSU, UCSD, Pacific Beach and City Heights.
He grew up in Denver, Colorado as the eldest of five boys. He was active in sports, service clubs and singing at Cherry Creek High School and the University of Colorado, graduating in 1983 with a BS in Finance and Real Estate. Jeb has been an award winning, successful commercial real estate broker in San Diego with CBRE, Inc. since 1984. His team has been involved in many recognizable, high-profile, ground-up office developments and represented many large, well-known tenants in Southern CA, other states and countries.
Prospective members are welcome! Email us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at info@missionvalleyeveningrotary.org to let us know you’re coming. If you aren’t a member, your first meeting is free. We ask $10 to cover the cost of dinner from members and visiting Rotarians. Our club participates in an activity called “happy dollars” where attendees can contribute any number of dollars to share something they are happy about or looking forward to. Participation in happy dollars is voluntary and making a contribution is not expected of guests.
Breakfast Service at PATH Connections Housing
Help serve healthy and delicious meals to PATH’s 134 residents. By providing a meal to someone in need, you are making a difference in the community and the lives of others. They prepare breakfast every day of the week and need your help!
You will help chef prepare, plate and serve breakfast. Our goal is to recruit 6 volunteers. If we have just 3 volunteers, we will put out a continental breakfast instead of cooking breakfast. Please arrive a few minutes early to allow for parking and sign in and ensure you are ready to start at 7:30am.
Email us at mverotary@gmail.com to sign up.
City Heights Rotaract Meeting
Join City Heights Rotaract Club at their monthly meeting. Our club sponsors City Heights Rotaract and Marge is one of their club advisors. Rotaract is a type of Rotary club for young professionals.
We encourage our members to attend at least one of their meetings within the Rotary year. Their meetings typically take place on 2nd Tuesdays. Please notify them at chrotaractclub@gmail.com if you plan on attending so they have an accurate headcount for dinner.
Thousand Smiles Clinic
Thousand Smiles provides free maxillofacial surgery, dental treatment, and various associated procedures to children from financially challenged families in Mexico. The foundation is totally funded by donations including but not limited to Rotary International Grants, other foundation grants, Rotary Club donations, and personal donations. Thousand Smiles is completely managed and run by volunteers. They host quarterly clinics at their location in Ensenada to provide cleft lip and palate surgeries as well as regular dental care.
Time/Schedule
Volunteers to be onsite at 9am each day, unless otherwise noted. Lunch will be provided (but please bring your own water/snacks). Expect to finish about 5pm each day.
Expectations
We are all working together to make these two days a success. We have been doing this for forty years and have a good schedule established. However, things do shift, and we appreciate your ability to be flexible.
Meals
Please bring your snacks and water. Lunch for volunteers will be provided.
What to Bring and Wear
For general volunteering, please wear comfortable clothing with closed-toed shoes. For practitioners and nurses please bring your necessary scrubs, gowns, etc.
Tips to Remember
Plan your trip to start and finish in daylight
When possible, caravan with at least 2 or 3 vehicles.
Don’t pull over for any vehicles not marked as police vehicles, even if they display red flashing lights.
If you have more than one vehicle, try to always take the one that attracts less attention. In other words, leave the Rolls Royce at home.
Leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home.
Obey All Road Laws
Always drive within the speed limit. Remember the signs are in kilometers per hour.
Don’t drink and drive.
Try not to do anything that would give a police officer reason to pull you over. If you do everything right you will be more likely to suspect that the red flashing lights behind you are not from a police vehicle rather than pulling over automatically.
Don’t pull off the road to take a nap or camp out. Wait until you get to the rest area at one of the toll stations.
Happy Hour at Lazy Dog
Our August social will take place at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar in Mission Valley. Lazy Dog is a relaxed, lodge-chic chain serving global comfort fare, including stir-fries, pot roast & pastas. Lazy Dog's happy hour ends at 6:00, but we intend to be happy long after that, view the menu here.
Potential members and guests are welcome! Contact us at mverotary@gmail.com with any questions.
Club Meeting with Broadway San Diego Speaker
We meet once a month to share updates and upcoming events, to hear from a speaker representing a community organization, and to connect with one another. Upcoming events include volunteering and networking opportunities. A light dinner will be provided. Please note that this meeting will take place at the Linda Vista Branch Library instead of our usual meeting location at the Mission Valley Library.
The speaker for this meeting will be Joey Landwehr, Education & Outreach Associate for Broadway San Diego. Broadway San Diego (a Nederlander presentation) is San Diego's largest theatrical presenting organization and has been a part of the San Diego arts and culture scene for almost 50 years. This season they are starting a brand-new education initiative to reach out and inspire our community through the theatrical arts.
The Education & Outreach Associate position was bespoke for Joey, and he looks forward to joining us to tell us all about their upcoming season, community initiatives, and exciting opportunities for group engagement they have in store for the San Diego community during their up-and-coming 49th Season. He will share an exclusive preview of the season and the chance to learn more about the performing arts in San Diego.
Prospective members are welcome! Email us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at mverotary@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming. If you aren’t a member, your first meeting is free. We ask $10 to cover the cost of dinner from members and visiting Rotarians.
Our club participates in an activity called “happy dollars” where attendees can contribute any number of dollars to share something they are happy about or looking forward to. Participation in happy dollars is voluntary and making a contribution is not expected of guests.
VolunBEERS: A Hoppy Service Project
Our Public Image Chair Jessie Case is inviting our members to attend VolunBEERS, a fundraiser for HandsOn San Diego where attendees have the opportunity to give back to the San Diego community through volunteer service while enjoying the best beer San Diego has to offer.
This event will be dedicated to supporting Encanto Elementary, a local Title 1 school supporting 400 students annually. We'll be packing school supplies for their students to receive before school starts back up! In addition to the project, HandsOn San Diego is hosting a back to school drive and is requesting new items such as writing materials, backpacks, pencil pouches, and anything else school-related.
Space and supplies are limited, so we recommend buying your tickets early. General admission is $25 for the Thumbs Up ticket which includes project supplies + one non-alcoholic beverage. Drink deals are $30 for the High Five ticket which includes project supplies + one 7oz pour, or $50 for the Handshake ticket which includes project supplies + up to three 7oz pours.
Leadership Transition Celebration & End of Year Party
The Rotary year runs July 1 - June 30 so it’s time to celebrate our accomplishments and leaders in 2025-2026 while welcoming in our 2026-2027 leadership. The celebration will take place on the Air Conditioned Lounge’s outdoor patio. It’s a bar owned by an Old Mission Rotarian in North Park.
Paid parking is available in the lot across the street from the bar for $8. The easiest spot for free street parking is two blocks away on the Adams Avenue bridge over the 805.
We’ll have Mexican food for dinner and drinks will be available for purchase from the bar. This event is for members and their invited guests only. Please RSVP with Patti or Richard.
Breakfast Service at PATH Connections Housing
Help serve healthy and delicious meals to PATH’s 134 residents. By providing a meal to someone in need, you are making a difference in the community and the lives of others. They prepare breakfast every day of the week and need your help!
You will help chef prepare, plate and serve breakfast. Our goal is to recruit 6 volunteers. If we have just 3 volunteers, we will put out a continental breakfast instead of cooking breakfast. Please arrive a few minutes early to allow for parking and sign in and ensure you are ready to start at 7:00am.
Email us at mverotary@gmail.com to sign up.
Rotary District Governor's Dinner
Join Rotary District 5340 for an inspiring evening celebrating service, leadership, community impact, fellowship, awards, and the beginning of a new Rotary Year. This special evening will honor the accomplishments of 2025-2026, celebrate our District 5340 clubs and leaders, and welcome the incoming 2026-2027 Rotary Year.
Guests will also enjoy a unique evening inside the San Diego Air & Space Museum, including exclusive access to the museum galleries, special traveling exhibitions, and the opportunity to stroll through the museum during the reception. Your ticket includes access to Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Space: Our Greatest Adventure at no additional cost. Guests may also enjoy beautiful views of Downtown San Diego from the museum’s Observation Deck.
This is more than a dinner. It is a celebration of Rotary service, friendship, leadership, and the people who continue to make District 5340 a force for good in our communities and around the world.
Registration is now open.
Early Bird pricing is available through May 15, 2026
Included with Your Ticket
Museum reception and gallery experience
Exclusive evening access to the San Diego Air & Space Museum galleries
Access to special traveling exhibitions
Access to Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Access to Space: Our Greatest Adventure
Dinner and program
Awards and leadership celebration
Dancing to follow
Club Meeting with Baby Clothing Organization Speaker
We meet once a month to share updates and upcoming events, to hear from a speaker representing a community organization, and to connect with one another. Upcoming events include volunteering and networking opportunities. A light dinner will be provided.
The speaker for this meeting will be Camille Currier, Secretary of the Board of Gently Hugged. Gently Hugged provides new/gently used baby clothing for San Diego mothers with babies in need. Clothes are sorted and items of each size sufficient for the first year are placed in a reusable blue or pink canvas bag and labeled for a baby "boy" or "girl." The completed bags are then distributed by nurses and social workers to low income, military, immigrant, and foster families in need within underserved areas.
Camille Currier is currently retired and lives in Scripps Ranch. She is a former teacher and instructional designer. Along with serving as secretary of the Board of Directors for Gently Hugged, Camille is also a final inspector for clothing provided to babies and families in need.
Prospective members are welcome! Email us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at mverotary@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming. If you aren’t a member, your first meeting is free. We ask $10 to cover the cost of dinner from members and visiting Rotarians.
Care n' Share Toy Drive
For 15 years, Nancy Stoke at the Torrey Pines Rotary Club has been collecting toys at the San Diego County Fair. Each year, she and her team of dedicated volunteers set up collection boxes and collect toys and stuffed animals from willing participants. Volunteers interact with guests departing the fair to encourage donations of toys won there, answer questions, arrange for hand-offs of gently used donations that may be at home, and hand out bookmarks or some token item as a Thank You for a donation which has Rotary contact info on the back. Volunteers get complimentary admission tickets to the Fair, so you can enjoy the Fair before or after your shift.
Over the years, Nancy’s project has collected over 110,000 toys that have been distributed to children in need. She and her team typically receive at least 400-500 donations daily. At the end of each day, the donated toys are taken to a secure location to be sorted. Nancy retired from the project last year and transferred it to the Hospital Infantil de las Californias, one of the main beneficiaries, to coordinate.
You can view the master volunteer calendar and job descriptions to find a shift that works for you.
City Heights Rotaract Meeting
Join City Heights Rotaract Club at their monthly meeting. Our club sponsors City Heights Rotaract and Marge is one of their club advisors. Rotaract is a type of Rotary club for young professionals.
We encourage our members to attend at least one of their meetings within the Rotary year. Their meetings typically take place on 2nd Tuesdays. Please notify them at chrotaractclub@gmail.com if you plan on attending so they have an accurate headcount for dinner.
Trivia Night
Join our team for trivia! We're going to play trivia at San Diego Brewing Company in Grantville. Along with a full beer list, San Diego Brewing Company also offers ciders, seltzers, kombucha, non-alcoholic beer, pizza, and appetizers. Happy hour ends at 5pm so you’ll have to get there early to take advantage of their happy hour specials.
Prospective members and guests are welcome! Contact us at mverotary@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming. This is a no-host event.
Operation Flags for Vets: Flag Pick Up
Join Rotarians from District 5340 in picking up flags after the third annual American flag placement at Miramar National Cemetery. The Rotary District Military Coordination Committee (DMCC) is placing 22,000 flags at gravesites on Saturday May 23 for Memorial Day and will need to pick them all up on Tuesday May 26.
The cemetery is divided into 11 sections and volunteers will be assigned to a section. There is ample parking at the cemetery but carpooling is encouraged. Volunteers from the same club will be kept together as much as possible. Detailed instructions will be sent via email the week before which will include cemetery section map, distribution plan and instructions, and parking scheme with diagram.
Operation Flags for Vets: Flag Placement
Join Rotarians from District 5340 for the third annual American flag placement at Miramar National Cemetery. The Rotary District Military Coordination Committee (DMCC) has 22,000 flags to place at gravesites on Saturday May 23 in preparation for Memorial Day.
The DMCC anticipates needing between 250 and 300 volunteers and expect that the flag placements will take no more than 4 hours. The cemetery is divided into 11 sections and volunteers will be assigned to a section. There is ample parking at the cemetery but carpooling is encouraged. Volunteers from the same club will be kept together as much as possible. Detailed instructions will be sent via email the week before which will include cemetery section map, distribution plan and instructions, and parking scheme with diagram.
Club Meeting with Eye Exam Clinic Speaker
We meet once a month to share updates and upcoming events, to hear from a speaker representing a community organization, and to connect with one another. Upcoming events include volunteering and networking opportunities. A light dinner will be provided.
Unfortunately our originally scheduled speaker from Gently Hugged has a family emergency and won’t be able to make it to our meeting. In her place, our Program Chair & Past President Sesy Enriquez will share about her recent experience serving at a five-day vision clinic with LensCrafters and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation at Harry Bridges Span School in Wilmington (Los Angeles area). More than 80 volunteers, including LensCrafters, EyeMed and additional EssilorLuxottica team members, along with volunteer optometrists, technicians and support staff, worked together to provide free eye exams and prescription glasses to students who may otherwise lack access to essential vision care. More than 900 Los Angeles Unified School District students in grades K-12 received the gift of clear sight due to their efforts.
Prospective members are welcome! Email us at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at mverotary@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming. If you aren’t a member, your first meeting is free. We ask $10 to cover the cost of dinner from members and visiting Rotarians.