Mill Valley Rotary - Becoming A Member - Our Members Testimonials

Joining Mill Valley Rotary was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have had the opportunity to work with and enjoy 60 of the finest people in the community. Our

service projects help those less fortunate people both locally and throughout the world.

It is personally enriching to be part of an international organization dedicated to peace, goodwill and the welfare of others.

Doug Scherf

The most important reason I joined Rotary was that someone invited me to be a guest at a Rotary meeting. At the time, I was new as the General Manager of the Golden Gate Bridge District and knew very little about Rotary. I first told them I was too busy. They invited me to come to a meeting and see what it was like. I attended a meeting, liked what Rotary was doing, and have now been an enthusiastic Rotarian for 41 years.

Dale Luehring

Twenty five years ago, I was working 10 hours a day and 6 days a week building my engineering practice. Rotary offered an hour and a half respite from work each week.

I was with friends, listened to speakers on interesting subjects that generally had nothing to do with business, and went back to work refreshed. Although I didn’t join Rotary for business, the wonderful friendships and relationships developed at Rotary helped my business flourish. Today, I value my friendships and activities with fellow Rotarians among my most precious treasures.

Don Herzog

I joined 38 years ago: to be involved in Mill Valley, to give back internationally, to meet interesting people, to be informed about Mill Valley and Marin, to work on interesting local and international projects, because it is the oldest and most successful Service Club in the world. Joining Rotary was one of the very best things I ever did, and it has been a big part of my life for 38 years. The power of a million service-minded business and professional women and men from all over the world working together to help others is awesome, and I feel empowered and privileged to be a part. I have found that Rotarians are busy, successful people who don’t waste time. They get things done and have fun at the same time. My efforts are leveraged many times over. 38 years ago my sponsor told me the more I put into Rotary, the more I would get out of it, and to be honest, I have received far more from Rotary than I have put in. I value the friends I have made, the experiences I have had, the things I have learned and the feeling of sharing some of my good fortune by helping make Mill Valley and the world a better place.

Greg Dyer

I joined Rotary, initially, in order to meet the leaders in the Mill Valley community. I then found out that Rotary does and supports projects in Mill Valley and all around the world to accomplish things beneficial to people who need assistance. Rotary is a great way to meet people, to learn many new things from the variety of speakers at meetings, and to give time and service to help others.

Bruce Wrisley

I was taught by my parents that volunteering is an important part of being a member of a community. It provides an incredible opportunity to give of your time and money for the betterment of those less fortunate. It is a special character trait that comes from within a person and is what embodies the work and efforts of the Mill Valley Rotary. I joined the Rotary Club of Mill Valley to share a lunch with friends, to hear great speakers, to work side by side with other Rotarians on community projects, to get to know my community better, to work as a group to achieve greater challenges, to help raise money for individuals and organizations in need, to be a better person, to make a difference in the world.

Kimberly Jessup

I resisted invitations to join Mill Valley Rotary for some time. While earning a living as a virtual "one man show" I found it impossible to commit to attend weekly luncheon meetings, but when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and was making plans to retire, I decided that joining Rotary would be an excellent way for me to keep my hand in community affairs. It worked out even better thanplanned—I have been able to maintain my activity in the community AND do some good throughout the world thanks to Rotary and its myriad of international programs. Mill Valley Rotary has been a wonderful experience and I'm looking forward to many more years of the same.

Burnett Tregoning

I joined the Rotary Club of Mill Valley because I wanted to become more actively involved both locally and globally. I've especially enjoyed the two international projects that I've worked on in Mexico. I've met some really incredible people through Rotary, and in the process made many new friends over the years. I've been able to benefit professionally by networking with other business people in a wide variety of occupations. I like to think that I am a better person having witnessed and been a part of Rotary's good work around the globe.

Bob Canepa

One of the stated goals of Rotary is to build peace and goodwill throughout the world. Those of us fortunate enough to be able to travel have an opportunity to help this by attending meetings in most parts of the world. Even more important is the Ambassadorial Scholarships Program sponsored by Rotary. As one who believes strongly in education and exposure to other cultures, I believe this is one of the finest actions of Rotary. It is the largest privately funded scholarship program in the world. To date over 38,000 students have received a year’s graduate education abroad. What better way to build an understanding of another culture than to have a person live and study in that culture? Rotary also has the size and financial resources to accomplish large and small projects which improve the lives of people around the world. Polio Plus is the best example of taking on large programs. Started in 1985 from action taken be a District in the Philippines, over $855 million has been raised from Rotarians worldwide to remove this scourge from the earth. Although we have yet to be successful in this task as polio still exists in a few countries, we will win in the end. Every Rotarian can rightfully take pride in this action. Small programs which our Club has aided include eye camps for cataract surgery, water wells where potable water was not available, and support for an orphanage and an hospital in Zimbabwe. While I cannot do these things myself, I can participate in them by my support for the Rotary Foundation and our own Endowment Fund. They not only aid those less fortunate than us, but they also show what Rotary stands for and help counteract those who oppose the United States. Building peace and goodwill is needed more than ever and Rotary is an avenue where all can lend a hand. That is why I joined.

Chuck Waldron

I joined Mill Valley Rotary because of two relatively new friends (a husband and wife) who have become best friends. They are both Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Mill Valley. I thought by joining this service club, I might meet people as nice as my friends. I have not been disappointed and have met many other "salt of the earth" people. I've had fun participating in club community projects and social events. For me, the most rewarding reason for becoming a Rotarian has been the opportunity of being involved in a nutritional education project which will literally save lives of malnourished children in Nepal.

Bill Lambrecht

I have enjoyed living in Mill Valley for over 30 years. Unfortunately my job took me away from home most of the time. I joined Rotary to reconnect with my city and the people who make it such a special place, The fact that Rotary is involved in so many charities at home and abroad is an added bonus to all with special interest and a desire to help.

Margareth Tanner

I joined the Rotary Club of Mill Valley because I wanted to meet other business owners

and participate in a community oriented club. I have remained an active member of

Rotary after realizing that Rotary is much more than another business club. Rotary

provides an opportunity to assist other communities locally and internationally.

Richard Rider

I joined Rotary to facilitate the giving back to my community and to the world at large. Because every dollar I give is used for the greater good and every hour I spend working on projects is helping others. I believe there is no better partner than Rotary.

Marguerite Burbank

I joined the Mill Valley Rotary Club because I enjoy volunteering and helping others. As I’ve raised two boys, I volunteered as a soccer coach, Little League coach and as a Boy Scout Leader. I found it rewarding to give back to the community. With Rotary I can continue helping others both at home in Mill Valley and across the globe. I look forward to working with my fellow Rotarians as we help make our world a better place to live.

Jim Simkalo

Rotary gave me the opportunity to be apart of a well established, reputable organization. I know that the efforts that are made will have an impact in the commumity. The four way test is a true test of character, it is nice to be with members that share these words.

Richard Simon

I am a member of the Mill Valley Rotary Club for fellowship, informational meetings, good works for our community and conscientious efforts to provide care to those less fortunate in the third world.

Phil Richardson

When I was going to Jr College in my home town of Boise, Idaho I was dating a lovely young lady whose father was a Rotarian. I had never heard of such and when he said he was going to attend his Rotary club I asked him what that was. He said come with me to lunch and I'll show you. I was so impressed by all the members, what Rotary stood for and the good things they were doing I knew that some day I wanted to be a Rotarian. Not long after I came to Mill Valley Dr Martin Long took me to visit the club and ultimately sponsored me for membership. I was delighted because that had always been a strong desire. I didn't marry that girl but I'm glad I met her father.

Lee Smith