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President's Message

Hello Fellow Rotarians,

Our guest of honor at our last meeting was the Interim President of San Bernardino Valley College, Dr. Linda Fontanilla. Dr. Fontanilla has a very interesting career history, with service in the United States Air Force and as a civilian air traffic controller for many years before going into higher education.  
 
This year, SBVC celebrates 98 years of educational service to the community and boasts over 850,000 alumni and over 200,000 degrees and certificates awarded. Dr. Fontanilla and the Board of Trustees are focused on eliminating barriers to student access and success; ensuring a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist educational institution; being leaders in addressing regional issues; and ensuring fiscal accountability and sustainability. She discussed the college’s five-year strategic plan and current and future projects to grow the school including plans for student housing and a new technical facility.
 
In 2023, SBVC was named one of the top 10 online community colleges in California and the #1 most affordable community college in California. Dr. Fontanilla shared a fun video merging her career as an air traffic controller and her work at SBVC, which you can view here: https://youtu.be/F2tZQfA8SAw
 

Rotary Life Philanthropy Project

Each year, the Rotary Life sophomore class organizes a philanthropy project, which is supported by the other Rotary Life classes. This year’s project was the creation and donation of Easter baskets to children staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda. Rotary Life students worked hard to solicit donations of items to build and fill the baskets. Some of our club members supported the cause by purchasing and donating baskets and fillers or by offering cash donations.
 
 
The students had a great time assembling over 60 baskets for the Ronald McDonald House children to enjoy. We are proud of our Rotary Life students and their ongoing efforts to support the community. Thank you to all of our Rotary Life advisors, including Rotarians Lindsey Cobaugh, Dr. Shirley Jean, Tawnya Rhoades Hensley, Ed Hensley, and Carrie Gilbreth, for their hard work making the Rotary Life program a success!
 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today is Saint Patrick’s Day, which observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. Our fine session last Tuesday quizzed Rotarians on their Saint Patrick’s Day knowledge. Larry Asmus stood out from the crowd with several correct answers to the trivia questions—great job Larry!
 
It has long been recounted that during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (now called Croagh Patrick), and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland. In fact, Ireland was never home to any snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” was actually a metaphor for the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the installation of Christianity. And so today, whether you view Saint Patrick’s Day as a religious holiday, a celebration of all things Irish, a day to just let loose and have fun, or just another Sunday, may you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold—and at the end of your rainbows may you find a pot of gold.
 
 

District Club Leader & Member Assembly - April 6th

The annual District 5330 Leader and Member Assembly is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Tahquiz High School in Hemet. This is a great opportunity to learn about Rotary International, the Rotary Foundation, District-level activities, and club-level roles. Attendees can choose their own training sessions based on what interests them most. Topics include club roles, fundraising, peace building, community service, public relations, grants, club administration, Paul Harris society, invigorating clubs, Rotaract, membership, grant writing, international service, and student programs. All members are encouraged to attend and board members should make every effort to attend to learn more about their important roles. Registration is $35 via DACdb and is reimbursable by the club. If you have any questions, please ask. I hope to see a great turnout by our club!
 


President, Brian Pellis 2023-2024
Rotary Club of Downtown San Bernardino

 

 

 

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Featured Presenter

Toni Momberger, Editor

Toni is the current executive editor of Follow Our Courts. She brings to this position experience and recognition as a journalist. She was former editor of the Redlands Daily Facts. She was recognized as National journalist of the year for small dailies in 2012 and National Journalist of the Year in 2013.

Her professional journalism associations include the Society of Professional Journalists, and the American Copy Editor Society. Other professional associations include the bar associations of San Bernardino County, Western San Bernardino County, Riverside County and the Desert.

In addition to her profession, Toni is civically engaged. She served as council member for the City of Redlands, the Chairwoman of the Redlands Measure T (sales tax) Oversight Committee. She is a member and former board member of Redlands Sunrise Rotary. She is a member and former president of Redlands AAUW, a board member of San Bernardino Area League of Women Voters and a board member of Redlands Hometown Heroes Foundation.

Toni is a graduate of the University of Colorado. She has been married 32 years with two grown children. She enjoys singing, playing piano, cooking, sewing, dogs, Broadway musicals, reading and playing games.

Toni will be speaking to us about Follow Our Courts, a publication about the legal industry in the Inland Empire. This news is intended for everyone since the publication follows cases, legislation and courthouse happenings that affect all people and professions.

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Rotary Club Website

Attention San Bernardino Rotarians,
You can now access the Rotary Club of San Bernardino website by entering the domain name: rotarysb.org and rcsb.net.
 
 

Member Assignments

 
Greeter: ............  Larry Asmus
Invocation: .......  Jim Smith
Pledge: .............. Ladd Seekins
Four-way Test: .. TBD
Songs: ............... Mary Ellen Grande
Fines: ................ Brad White
Rotarian of the Day: Darcy McNaboe
 

ROTARY LIFE ADVISORS

Freshman Class – 
                                             
Sophomore Class – Lindsey Cobaugh and Shirley Jean
 
Junior Class – Ed & Tawnya Hensley
 
Senior Class – Kevin & Carrie Gilbreth
 
Updated 07/2/23
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Spouse Birthdays
Gale Seekins
March 24
 
Join Date
Phil Savage
March 1, 1972
52 years
 
Lindsey Cobaugh
March 6, 2019
5 years
 
Speakers
Mar 19, 2024
Mar 26, 2024
Apr 02, 2024
Apr 09, 2024
Apr 16, 2024
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Immediate Past President
 
President-Elect Nominee
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Director At Large
 
Director At Large
 
Director At Large
 
Director At Large
 
Director At Large
 
Director At Large
 
Rotary Club of San Bernardino Newsletter Editor: John Jamerson