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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Epic Day of Service - Gardening at Grant Park
Join a global movement of service making a real impact in communities around the world with Mission Valley Evening Rotary Club in partnership with the San Diego River Park Foundation! On May 16, 2026, Rotarians and community volunteers across the globe come together for a record-breaking day of hands-on service, called Epic Day of Service—addressing local needs while contributing to a powerful global impact.
For our club’s Epic Day of Service we’ve partnered with the San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF) to help bring native plant gardens to life at their new eco-park, Grant Park, in Mission Valley! This new nature education center and eco-park in the heart of Mission Valley offers free STEM and environmental learning for underserved students and engaging nature programs for all ages—serving as a vibrant beacon of green space along the San Diego River for the entire community!
Volunteers will dig in and join the fun to help plant native plants, weed, water, mulch, and maintain their native seed library. No experience is necessary! We may also help with trash pick up and graffiti removal. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment knowing you're helping create important wildlife habitat and a vibrant green space for students and the community in the heart of our city.
The project will take place during River Days, SDRPF’s annual 9-day celebration of the San Diego River! SDRPF and an estimated 20 partners host fun nature outings, volunteer opportunities, art activities, bike rides, hikes, and much more along all 52 miles of the river.
RYLA Youth Leadership Camp
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, or “RYLA,” is a program that originated with Rotary International and has since been specifically designed by Rotary District 5340 for students in San Diego and Imperial counties.
RYLA encourages servant leadership in youth by recognizing and rewarding deserving 11th grade students who are chosen to attend RYLA as an "award" for their past and present leadership and service activities.
These select young people attend an all-expenses-paid full-day experience where they are inspired by a diverse group of exceptional speakers, make life-long friends through fellowship activities, and discuss the ethical and social issues of today. These activities are conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect. The result is that these students return to their schools and communities motivated to take on additional leadership roles and to find additional ways to serve.
RYLA's intent is to encourage students to be more effective servant leaders. RYLA is not a camp intended to teach leadership skills (it is assumed that the students in attendance already possess those skills), however the following topics naturally arise in the course of RYLA activities and discussions:
Fundamentals of leadership
Ethics of positive leadership
Qualities of a "servant leader"
Importance of communication skills in effective leadership
Conflict management and problem solving
Building self-esteem and self confidence
Elements of community and global citizenship
Rotary's purpose of service to the community and world
Facilitators
One of the great joys of being a Rotarian is to share your vision of leadership and service with young people. RYLA gives you the opportunity to participate in leadership, learning and fellowship activities with some of the District’s finest high school juniors.
Your RYLA "Family"
Families are the essence of the RYLA conference. Participants will be divided into families to provide a more intimate learning and sharing experience. Each family consists of a Rotarian facilitator and up to 10 students from different high schools throughout our Rotary District. The family will become a close-knit community as a result of working together and sharing ideas after each major presentation and activity.
The process of facilitation is to guide or lead the family as it reflects on an experience, whether that experience was a speaker, a workshop or an activity. Effective facilitation enables students to share perspectives on a common experience through a productive dialog and then develop behavioral changes through enriched communication, trust, and teamwork.
What's required?
A desire to spend a weekend in a beautiful location with a group of inspiring young leaders.
All facilitators must undergo the Rotary District 5340 youth certification process.
Facilitators have a list of supplies to bring, which typically cost around $100. If you need assistance with this cost, please contact the facilitator coordinator.
RYLA takes place at a youth camp in Idyllwild, which is at an elevation of about 5,400 feet.
Facilitators may share a dorm or cabin with students. In this case, they are expected to ensure students are accounted for each night before lights out.
RYLA is a busy three days starting at around 7 a.m. and ending between 9 and 10 p.m. You won't have time to check in with the office, take phone calls or much else while you are with your student family.
The terrain at the RYLA camp is uneven with some hills. Facilitators need to be able to walk a couple of miles a day and sit on the ground.
If you have questions about becoming a RYLA facilitator, contact our club’s Youth Chair Jessica Long.
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 us know our Community Service Director Linda know if you can make it or email us at mverotary@gmail.com
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.
The March VolunBEERS is dedicated to Groundwork San Diego - Chollas Creek. We'll be repotting succulent cuttings and Groundwork will be donating them to elementary students and families that attend their EarthLab events. Volunteers are encouraged to wear green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
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.
Outreach Program Meal Packing Project
We are inviting the San Diego community to join us for a hands-on service project to provide over 10,000 high-protein meals to the San Diego Food Bank and Just in Time for Foster Youth.
California food banks are seeing more families requesting food assistance now than before the pandemic, and fewer donations of food. Our goal is to provide thousands of shelf-stable, protein-rich meals to the San Diego Food Bank to help them meet the demand for healthy food options.
All training and instructions will be provided. Adults and minors age 7+ with a parent are welcome. This project is hosted in partnership with Old Mission Rotary and with grant funding from Rotary District 5340.
SD Themed Trivia Night Fundraiser
Join us for San Diego Themed Trivia!
Get ready to show off your knowledge of all things San Diego at our 2nd annual trivia night fundraiser - it's going to be a blast!
Mission Valley Evening Rotary invites you to join us at Novo Brazil Brewing Mission Valley for a night of fun and friendly competition. Test your knowledge of all things San Diego while supporting a great cause. Gather your friends, form a team, and get ready to answer questions about our sunny city. Prizes await the top trivia masters, so bring your A-game! Let's come together for a memorable evening filled with laughter, good drinks, and a dash of friendly rivalry.
You can sign up either as an individual or as a team of up to 4 members. Each round will include one San Diego focused question in addition to general knowledge questions. Delicious food and drinks will be available for purchase from Novo Brazil Brewing. Please arrive at 3:30pm so we can start promptly at 4:00pm. Attendees are encouraged to dress in San Diego themed attire so wear your favorite Padres jersey, rep your Aztec gear, wear your favorite beach look, or get creative!
With the help of Old Mission Rotary and a matching grant from Rotary District 5340, we’ll be able to pack over 10,000 meals for San Diegans experiencing food insecurity if we reach our goal of $1,500. Any additional funds raised our goal will go to the Mission Valley Evening Rotary Foundation (MVE Rotary Foundation). The MVE Rotary Foundation is the grant giving arm of Mission Valley Evening Rotary which provides funds to local and international organizations.
Mission Valley Evening Rotary is a group of professionals and community members serving San Diego, CA. Our club hosts service projects and social activities, along with our monthly meetings.
UCSD Rotaract WAPI Project
Rotaract at UCSD presents its 11th annual WAPI Project -- their signature annual event! All are welcome to attend! Help them get to their goal of making and testing 1000 water pasteurization indicators (WAPIs) to send to resource-poor regions across the world. Don't know how to make a WAPI? No worries -- they have volunteers ready to help you through the process!
The deadline to fill out their RSVP form is Wednesday, January 21st 11:59 P.M.
When:
January 25th (Sunday), 2026
10:00am to 4:00pm - Feel free to arrive and depart anytime throughout the event!
Location: UCSD, Great Hall in ERC's I-House. Located directly across Scholar's Lane from Pangea Parking Structure.
Visitor Parking: Pangea Parking Structure is $4.50/hr (maximum of $9)
FREE OPTION: There is normally parking at Gliderport or the road leading down to it. Would be about a 10-15 minute walk from Gliderport to Great Hall.
What is a WAPI?
WAPIs (Water Pasteurization Indicators) are reusable devices specifically designed to melt a wax coating inside the device when water has reached pasteurization temperature and is safe to drink. In some areas of the world, people collect water from natural sources, which are often ridden with disease-causing bacteria. To prevent getting sick, the water is typically boiled prior to drinking/using. However, water does not need to be boiled in order to be safe to drink, because pasteurization (the act of using heat to kill off the dangerous bacteria) occurs at 150° F, a much lower temperature than water's boiling point (212° F). Therefore, a lot of time and resources, such as fuel and wood, are wasted when water is brought to the boiling point, rather than the pasteurization point. This is where the WAPI comes in. A WAPI contains a special wax that melts at 150° and indicates when the water is safe to drink. Thus, WAPIs help communities lacking easy access to clean, drinkable water save time, money, and energy, by indicating when their water is safe to drink, before it boils!
Contact UCSD Rotaract at secretary@rotaractucsd.org, if you have any question/concerns/comments.
Holly Tamales Packing for Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels reached out to us to help with their first ever Holly Tamales program where they're selling boxes of a dozen tamales to San Diegans as a fundraiser. For every dozen sold, they'll be able to provide a lunch and dinner to a senior in need this holiday season (with many of their clients based in Mission Valley).
Meals on Wheels is seeking volunteers to assist with putting boxes together and packing tamales in them. It's a great intro to get to know their organization, without making a regular commitment. Volunteering for Holly Tamales take place at their brand new Kitchen and Senior Innovation Hub in Kearny Mesa.
Our goal is to recruit 12 volunteers to participate. If you’re a member, RSVP on GroupMe. If you’re a potential member or guest, email us at mverotary@gmail.com to let us know you would like to participate.
Rotaract District 5340 End Polio Now Walk
Rotaract District 5340 is hosting their End Polio Now Walk Sunday, October 26 at Balboa Park.
Come support our local Rotaract District and the End Polio Now Foundation. Grab your walking shoes and join us for a small morning hike on an abridged version of the famous "7 Bridges of Balboa" walk! After the walk, they will be serving breakfast burritos and a variety of drinks! Since they want everyone to show their support for End Polio Now, they ask that you wear your "End Polio Now" t-shirt or anything red to show your support!
Starting Location:
The event will start behind the Natural History Museum located in Balboa Park, in Moreton Bay Fig Lawn. There is free parking available behind the museum. The exact address is 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101.
Registration Time:
The event officially starts at 8am, but check-in starts at 7:45am. Please arrive early so that they can register all participants before we start the walk.
Duration of Event:
The event will take place from 8am to 10:30am. Since the duration of the walk depends on when everyone is completed, the event may end earlier or later than the time stated.
Food & Beverage:
They will have breakfast burritos at the end of the walk, provided by Broken Yolk. For refreshments, they will have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages to replenish your energy after a brisk morning walk.
Attire: You will be walking quite a bit, so please dress comfortably. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen, if needed. If you have an "End Polio Now" shirt, please wear it to the event -- otherwise, wear anything red!
Price:
- $10 Rotaractors
- $25 Guests
- $25 Rotarians
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.
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.
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 us know our Community Service Director Linda know if you can make it or email us at mverotary@gmail.com
Social with a Purpose
Join us for a walk along the San Diego River to pick up trash and socialize. We’ll also be collecting non-perishable Thanksgiving food donations for PATH (People Assisting the Homeless).
We’ll meet at the Mission Valley Branch Library at 9:00am then walk along the Ben & Nikki Clay San Diego River Trail, picking up trash along the way. Pickers, bags, and gloves will be provided. Feel free to bring your own! At 11:00am we’ll enjoy lunch at Oggi’s in the nearby shopping center. You’re welcome to join us for lunch even if you can’t join the walk. We’ll eat on the patio so you can bring your dog if you like.
Please park behind the library at the park or in the main parking lot for the mall area, so we don’t take up the library’s parking spaces.
Donation Drive
This Fall, PATH will distribute hundreds of Thanksgiving meal kits to individuals and families impacted by homelessness to ensure that everyone in our communities can enjoy a special holiday meal. The following items are most needed by the people they serve:
$20 grocery store gift card for a turkey
Quick bread mix
Boxed stuffing mix
Mashed potato mix
Boxed mac and cheese
Cookie/cake/brownie mix
Canned gravy
Canned vegetables (corn, yams, green beans, etc.)
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 us know our Community Service Director Linda know if you can make it or email us at mverotary@gmail.com
Dry Creek Bed Landscaping Project
The San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF) reached out to our club for help recruiting volunteers for a project at Grant Park, their soon to be nature education center in Mission Valley. They need help moving large rocks to create a simulated "dry river bed/watershed" at the park that will also serve as drainage and irrigation help when it rains.
The rocks are between baseball and large melon sized (or a foot). They have been using wheelbarrows, hands and have a dolly for the few largest rocks. The photo to the right is an example of what they are trying to create.
To the left is is a picture of the actual area we will be working. It will need some digging for shaping and slope, before the rocks are moved into it. Volunteers can join in or leave whenever they need anytime between 8:00am - 12:00pm. This is going to be a great park to enjoy when it's completed and will be even more enjoyable knowing we were a part of it.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the event:
Attire: Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required
Other Items to Bring: Reusable water bottle, hat, other forms of sun protection
Weather: Light rain will not cancel the event
All ages are welcome!
Education Event & Habitat Restoration at the San Diego River Mouth
Join a community of like-minded volunteers with the San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF) working to restore the San Diego River Estuary- a highly sensitive habitat that is home to several endangered species. By removing invasive plants, you’ll directly support the return of native pollinators and wildlife, prevent erosion, improve water quality, and protect endangered species, like the California Least Tern. Together, we will create a healthier, more accessible natural space for the entire community to enjoy. This is a huge effort and a great opportunity for those looking to try out field work, connect with fellow nature lovers, make a meaningful difference for a critical and fragile ecosystem, and explore the beautiful estuary habitat!
At the same time, the SDRPF education team will also be promoting their Cool River Education Program. SDRPF offers free, nature-focused STEM learning opportunities that encourage students to explore and learn about the significance of the San Diego River through hands-on activities, experiments, and games. This event will showcase the variety of experiences we provide, which includes nature-based arts and crafts, as well as games designed to teach participants about local birds, pollinators, aquatic invertebrates, and more!
What to Expect: Many of these invasive plant species are small annuals that require hand pulling, so be prepared to get dirty. All necessary tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own gloves or safety glasses if preferred.
Please note: The meeting location is NEAR the address listed. We will meet at the small grassy area between the main parking lot, the San Diego River Bikeway, and Ocean Villa Inn.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the event:
Attire: Long Pants and closed-toe shoes are required.
Items to Bring: Reusable water bottle, hat, other forms of sun protection, snacks
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
No experience necessary!
All ages are welcome, but those under 16 need supervision. Ages 16 and 17 are allowed alone but with a parent signature
Let us know our Community Service Director Linda know if you can make it or email us at mverotary@gmail.com
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 us know our Community Service Director Linda know if you can make it or email us at mverotary@gmail.com
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 us know our Community Service Director Linda know if you can make it or email us at mverotary@gmail.com
Rotary River Walk to End Polio
Join us for a walk along the San Diego River to fundraise and raise awareness about Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate Polio. Participants are encouraged to donate to Rotary International’s PolioPlus fund prior to the walk. Please try to wear an End Polio Now t-shirt, your Mission Valley Evening Rotary t-shirt, or a red shirt.
We’ll meet at the Mission Valley Branch Library at 5pm then walk along the Ben & Nikki Clay San Diego River Trail, picking up trash along the way. Pickers, bags, and gloves will be provided. Feel free to bring your own! At 6:30pm we’ll enjoy happy hour and dinner at Pho Ca Dao’s patio (same shopping center as the Mission Valley Library). You’re welcome to join us at happy hour even if you can’t join the walk.
Please park behind the library at the park or in the main parking lot for the mall area, so we don’t take up the library’s parking spaces.
Operation Flags for Vets: Flag Pick Up
Join Rotarians from District 5340 in picking up flags after the second 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 24 for Memorial Day and will need to pick them all up on Tuesday May 27.
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 of May 21 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 second 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 24 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 of May 21 which will include cemetery section map, distribution plan and instructions, and parking scheme with diagram.
RYLA Youth Leadership Camp
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, or “RYLA,” is a program that originated with Rotary International and has since been specifically designed by Rotary District 5340 for students in San Diego and Imperial counties.
RYLA encourages servant leadership in youth by recognizing and rewarding deserving 11th grade students who are chosen to attend RYLA as an "award" for their past and present leadership and service activities.
These select young people attend an all-expenses-paid full-day experience where they are inspired by a diverse group of exceptional speakers, make life-long friends through fellowship activities, and discuss the ethical and social issues of today. These activities are conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect. The result is that these students return to their schools and communities motivated to take on additional leadership roles and to find additional ways to serve.
RYLA's intent is to encourage students to be more effective servant leaders. RYLA is not a camp intended to teach leadership skills (it is assumed that the students in attendance already possess those skills), however the following topics naturally arise in the course of RYLA activities and discussions:
Fundamentals of leadership
Ethics of positive leadership
Qualities of a "servant leader"
Importance of communication skills in effective leadership
Conflict management and problem solving
Building self-esteem and self confidence
Elements of community and global citizenship
Rotary's purpose of service to the community and world
Facilitators
One of the great joys of being a Rotarian is to share your vision of leadership and service with young people. RYLA gives you the opportunity to participate in leadership, learning and fellowship activities with some of the District’s finest high school juniors.
Your RYLA "Family"
Families are the essence of the RYLA conference. Participants will be divided into families to provide a more intimate learning and sharing experience. Each family consists of a Rotarian facilitator and up to 10 students from different high schools throughout our Rotary District. The family will become a close-knit community as a result of working together and sharing ideas after each major presentation and activity.
The process of facilitation is to guide or lead the family as it reflects on an experience, whether that experience was a speaker, a workshop or an activity. Effective facilitation enables students to share perspectives on a common experience through a productive dialog and then develop behavioral changes through enriched communication, trust, and teamwork.
What's required?
A desire to spend a weekend in a beautiful location with a group of inspiring young leaders.
All facilitators must undergo the Rotary District 5340 youth certification process.
Facilitators have a list of supplies to bring, which typically cost around $100. If you need assistance with this cost, please contact the facilitator coordinator.
RYLA takes place at a youth camp in Idyllwild, which is at an elevation of about 5,400 feet.
Facilitators may share a dorm or cabin with students. In this case, they are expected to ensure students are accounted for each night before lights out.
RYLA is a busy three days starting at around 7 a.m. and ending between 9 and 10 p.m. You won't have time to check in with the office, take phone calls or much else while you are with your student family.
The terrain at the RYLA camp is uneven with some hills. Facilitators need to be able to walk a couple of miles a day and sit on the ground.
If you have questions about becoming a RYLA facilitator, contact our club’s Youth Chair Bélgica Crespo.
Outreach Program Meal Packing Project
Join us in packing 10,000 high-protein meals for the San Diego Food Bank to be distributed to San Diegans experiencing food insecurity!
California food banks are seeing more families requesting food assistance now than before the pandemic, and fewer donations of food. Our goal is to provide thousands of shelf-stable, protein-rich meals to the San Diego Food Bank to help them meet the demand for healthy food options.
All training and instructions will be provided. This opportunity is open to volunteers ages 7+ when accompanied by a parent. This project is hosted in partnership with Old Mission Rotary and with grant funding from Rotary District 5340.