(L–R) Skip McCowan, Scott Parsons, Kevin Carroll, Mark Lewis, David Lipscomb and Jim Kendall volunteer with the newly formed Rotary Project-Based Service Group to install deer fencing at Wagner Ranch Nature Area in Orinda, part of a hands-on effort supported by Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary to engage residents in flexible, project-based community service.
Too busy to go to weekly meetings but still looking for an organized way to help the community? The Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary may have the answer.
A new Rotary Project-Based Service Group has formed in the Lamorinda area with a goal of engaging Orinda residents who want to give back locally but have not found a traditional service club to be a good fit.
Sponsored by Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary, the service group is organized around hands-on service projects rather than weekly meetings. Participants join on a flexible, project-by-project basis, choosing opportunities that match their interests, availability and energy.
Organizers say the new group is intended to complement existing Rotary clubs, not replace them, by reaching people who care about service, but may not participate in a traditional club format.
“We see this as an addition, not an alternative,” said Dave Kemnitz, president of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary. “Many Orinda residents want to help their community, but their schedules or preferences don’t align with weekly meetings. This creates another way to get involved while strengthening Rotary’s overall impact.”
Instead of attending regular breakfasts or lunches, participants come together for practical local work.
Past projects included volunteer efforts at Wagner Ranch Nature Area, a historic preserve that provided hands-on environmental education to Orinda school children. Rotary volunteers contributed funding towards storm recovery efforts, installed deer fencing and built raised garden beds before work was paused due to unsafe conditions following the 2022 storms.
“As someone who lives in Orinda and serves on the board of Friends of Wagner Ranch Nature Area, I’ve seen how valuable hands-on volunteer help can be,” said Brad McCullough, an Orinda resident and member of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary. “Projects like installing deer fencing protect took years of work and made a real difference for students and the community. The property is now under the stewardship of the John Muir Land Trust, and organizers expect volunteer activities at Wagner Ranch to resume as restoration work continues.”
For younger working professionals, flexibility is a key part of the appeal.
“As a nurse in my 30s, I want to give back, but it’s hard to find opportunities that fit a demanding schedule,” said Curtis Pollard, an Orinda resident. “This group allows me to focus my time on hands-on projects and know that the organizations we’re supporting are really helping people in our community. It helps me make the most of the time I’m able to give.”
Additional projects included trail restoration, tree planting, environmental cleanup efforts, and improvements to school and nonprofit grounds in Orinda and throughout Lamorinda.
While the structure is intentionally flexible, participants remain connected to Rotary International, which provides organizational support, experience and a long-standing commitment to service.
The Rotary Project-Based Service Group is open to working professionals, parents and other community-minded residents in Orinda and nearby communities. No prior Rotary experience is required, and participation can vary from project to project.
Organizers are currently inviting founding participants to help shape upcoming projects and priorities.
More information is available at lamorindasunrise.org/get-involved. Contact Tom Guyette at 925.890.9761 or rotarytg@gmail.com, or Pat Flaharty at 925.683.5865 or patflaharty@gmail.com.
Contributing Writer Tom Guyette can be reached at rotarytg@gmail.com
