Member Spotlight

Meet Luke

Meet Dawn

Roy Meenes

Why I joined Rotary - Roy Meenes

After more than 30 years working in both the public and private sectors—particularly in planning, land use, and human resources—I’ve always believed in the power of community. Throughout my career, I’ve supported individuals in their professional growth, from recruiting public safety professionals to providing career development and training opportunities.

The opportunity to serve the community, make a real difference, and connect with like-minded people who care deeply about giving back—that’s what drew me to Rotary. Being a Rotarian allows me to use my time and talents to help others, and I’m proud to be part of a group committed to making a lasting, positive impact.

Joining Rotary also helped connect me with two areas I care deeply about -- supporting our military and working with youth. Through Rotary, I’m proud to be involved in programs that honor our veterans and assist the families of active-duty Marines. I also find great joy in seeing lives transformed through our Tecate Smiles partnership in Mexico and helping high school juniors grow as leaders over RYLA weekend.

Kristina Ray

Why I joined Rotary - Kristina Ray

I thought I knew what Rotary was about, but when a friend invited me to visit a meeting, I discovered that the stereotype I had in my head needed some updating. Rotary has been such an amazing experience, exposing me to new ideas, new friends and new ways to serve the community.

I especially like the "choose your own adventure" aspect to Rotary. There are so many different ways to get involved and so many important causes. You could easily be busy every week with all Rotary has to offer. You can also discover your passion and focus your efforts there. So far, I have helped build a house in Mexico, host a leadership camp for high school juniors, work with Rotary Peace Fellows from around the world and organize holiday gift giving for those in need. And I have really only just scratched the surface!

Dawn Van Siclen

Why I joined Rotary - Dawn Van Siclen

"Be the change you want to see in the world." This Gandhi quote still echoes through me, and was the impetus for my involvement with Rotary.

13 years ago at a Carlsbad Village mixer, I overheard two men discussing people/communities around the world they were helping. I was curious, introduced myself, and soon was invited to my first Rotary meeting....and my life has never been the same.

My sponsor missed the initial meeting, but I introduced myself to several people, ate lunch, and settled in for the speaker. When the PowerPoint began, it showed visions of abused African mothers and children. Hundreds of children were sent from their homes to live in train stations to survive gang violence. These firsthand accounts shook me to the bone. I contributed to the speaker’s organization, but needed to find out more about Rotary and its effect on the world.

Joe Ramirez

Why I joined Rotary - Joe Ramirez

My father worked with Cesar Chavez in Ventura County in the 1960s, arbitrating on behalf of migrant farm workers protesting for better working conditions for the migrant farm workers.

I grew up in the Oxnard area, surrounded by those who felt strongly about the need for human justice and treating others fairly, so I got to see a lot of the civic activities they were involved with. For obvious reasons, I quickly learned to appreciate the impact one person could have on the world around him.

Ray Pearson

Why I joined Rotary - Ray Pearson

Ray Pearson’s not one of those guys who just last week discovered Rotary’s global impact. “I started my Rotary journey in high school. The Rotary Club met at the YMCA I worked at, with many of the Rotarians serving on the board of the Y or otherwise involved in improving the community,” he recalls, adding “And I wanted to be like them.”

So Ray sought out his school’s Rotary-sponsored Interact club, got hooked…and has never looked back. Since Rotary membership allows him to work side-by-side participating on a daily basis in finding ways to make the world a better place, he’s surrounded by likeminded people all dedicated to giving back to the world around them.

“There’s a satisfaction that comes from positively impacting the local community while helping those most in need,” Ray says. His love of being an active force for good in the world around him is what led him to a career in the cable industry, where he’s spent the past 40 years helping spread the word about everything from children’s programming to fashion accessories.

Gale Tweedy

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Gale Tweedy

We caught up with Gale Tweedy, one of our newest members, to learn what motivated her to join Rotary International. A state licensed Holistic Health Practitioner/Massage Therapist who has spent her entire life in the Oceanside/Carlsbad corridor, Gale’s bubbly personality and can-do attitude would gladly be welcomed anyplace.

Dan Sweeney

Why I joined Rotary - Dan Sweeney

Like so many southern Californians, Dan Sweeney said “Adios” to the cold weather of Chicago and Cincinnati, choosing in 2002 to make Carlsbad his permanent home. And BOY are we glad he did!

Having shepherded three kids through the Carlsbad school system, Dan has had innumerable opportunities over the years to get integrated into the fabric of our community. That’s why he’s worked so hard since 2013 actively supporting Carlsbad Fill-a-Belly, which operates with the simple belief that we can all make a difference in our community, one meal at a time.

At the urging of Carlsbad Rotarian Ray Pearson, Dan joined our intrepid troupe this past January. “I saw Rotary as the perfect opportunity to leverage my contacts, resources and sales and marketing experience. My goal at every turn is to always support the larger community’s philanthropic demands to help those around me most in need.”

Brian Crumbaker

Why I joined Rotary - Brian Crumbaker

Meet Brian Crumbaker: principal of an independent insurance brokerage, Carlsbad Rotarian, and one heck of a nice guy.

Having lived on both coasts, Brian’s spent decades in the insurance and precious metals industries, coming at the business world from a wide variety of directions. Walking through our doors almost two years ago with both an MBA AND a law degree, Brian joined us looking to extend a career that’s helped a lot of people. Originally from Carlsbad, he, his wife Lorrie, and children Kyle, Matthew and Allison are longtime members of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Carlsbad.

Like most of us, Brian originally joined Rotary because he was looking for an opportunity to have an impact in the local community and to work with others with a similar set of values. “I was a Rotary Youth Leadership Award winner as a high school student and had a lot of respect for the organization,” he says. Becoming a part of our international service group thus became a natural step and the perfect way for him to give back within…and beyond…Carlsbad’s borders.

Peder & Julie Norby

WHY WE JOINED ROTARY: Peder & Julie Norby

“As is so often said, you get out of Rotary what you put into it!” says Julie Norby, who joined Rotary in 2006. She adds “I am proud to be a Rotarian and I am even more proud to be a member of THE Rotary Club of Carlsbad!”

“I joined Rotary shortly after Peder and I were married, having attended a few meetings with him while we were dating. Each meeting I attended left me feeling better than when I arrived, and I quickly realized it’s the people who make Rotary in general…and this club in particular…such a special organization. It’s among these wonderful, kind-hearted, involved, and genuinely good people who are all there for the right reasons that I want to invest my personal time.”

Judy Garvey

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Judy Garvey

As a child I remember watching my mother get prepared to go out for the evening. In her jewelry drawer she always had a dozen white envelopes into which she’d slip a few dollars each for donation to a variety of charities. And each week, without fail, she’d give these envelopes out to help those in our community who were in need.

Robby Robinson

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: James “Robby” Robinson

After 20 years in the Marines, I found myself torn between wanting to maintain my relationship with the Corps and a desire to help teenagers in my adopted home of Carlsbad.

I tried public speaking at Camp Pendleton, and that helped fill some of the void in my soul, but it just wasn’t enough.

Felicia Hansen

WHY I JOINED ROTARY: Felicia Hansen

After years on the corporate side of TV & Radio sales & marketing, and 20 years as head of my own boutique advertising agency, I’ve learned the importance of being a “life learner.” Because of this desire to learn, I found myself attracted to the high-quality level of the speakers at the meetings of the Carlsbad Rotary.

Rick Borg

Why I joined Rotary - Rick Borg

When it comes to Polio, Rickard “Rick” Borg and his family have been dedicated to the disease’s eradication for 100 years.

As Partner at Carlsbad’s Borg Norris, attorney, mediator & trial lawyer Rick Borg is known as a Lawyer’s Lawyer. We turn to him for help on business issues, as well as discussions about real estate and estate matters.

But it wasn’t business that originally drew Rick to join Rotary, so much as an interest in improving both his immediate community and the world at-large.