THE ROTARY UPDATE
September 2026 · Service Above Self
⚙️ A Message from the President
Dear Members and Friends of Rotary Club of Coachella Valley,
As we begin a new Rotary year, I am filled with optimism about what we can accomplish as a club. Every year offers a new opportunity to strengthen our commitment to service, increase our impact, and build on the incredible foundation our members have built over the years.
It is an honor to serve as your Club President for 2026–2027. I first became a Rotarian back in 2015, and after some time away, rejoined our club in 2023. As I step into this role, I’m looking forward to working with you to build momentum toward a great year of success.
Rotary International’s theme for 2026–27 is “Create Lasting Impact,” and that’s exactly the spirit I want to bring to our club: strengthening what already makes us strong, while creating new ways for our members to make a difference together.
I have a few project ideas of my own that I’m looking forward to sharing with the club, but just as important, I want to hear from you. If there’s a cause, a partnership, or a project idea you’ve been wanting to bring to the club, I hope you’ll bring it to me directly.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting, whether you’re a member, a friend, or just curious about Rotary.
Go Rotary! ⚙️
Maximiliano Ochoa
President, Rotary Club of Coachella Valley
🌐 Our New Website Is Live
We’re excited to share that the Rotary Club of Coachella Valley now has a brand-new website: coachellavalleyrotary.org.
Head over to learn more about our club’s history, see what we do, check our meeting schedule, and find out how to get involved.
Got a great photo from a meeting, a service project, or just being out and about as a Rotarian? Share it with us on social media or send it our way. We’d love to feature members’ Rotary moments!
✈️ Summer Recap: Rotary International Convention, Taipei
This summer, I had the honor of representing our club at the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan (June 13–17), alongside fellow Rotarians from District 5330. Between the District 5330 Dinner, the House of Friendship, and a post-convention tour hosted by local Rotarians, it was an incredible few days of connection with Rotarians from across our district and around the world.
“Rotary has changed us. It has shaped who we are and made us better people.”
— Olayinka “Yinka” Hakeem Babalola, 2026–27 RI President, speaking at the Taipei convention
His theme for the year, Create Lasting Impact, is exactly the spirit we’re bringing into this Rotary year.
📅 Join Us This Month
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
5:30 PM — Dinner & Social | 6:00 PM — Program
Sloan’s Restaurant, 81539 US Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201
🌎 Job Huerta, Blue Zones Project Coachella Valley
A community well-being initiative making healthy choices easier for residents where they live, work, and play.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
5:30 PM — Dinner & Social | 6:00 PM — Program
Sloan’s Restaurant, 81539 US Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201
🩺 Dr. Martin Pallares Perez, MD
A local physician sharing an update on medical research happening in the Coachella Valley with a focus on care and treatment.
Whether you’re a longtime member, a prospective member, or just curious about what Rotary does in the Coachella Valley. You’re welcome to join us at either meeting. No reservation required; just come hungry and ready to connect.
🌎 From Rotary International: Barcelona 2027
Registration for the 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona (June 26–30) opens September 17, with early-bird pricing through September 21. Details at convention.rotary.org.
🩸 Coachella Valley Rotary Blood Drive
Saturday, September 19, 2026
All 16 Rotary clubs of the Coachella Valley, including us, are teaming up with LifeStream Blood Bank for a valley-wide blood drive. This year, every unit collected also earns a donation to FIND Food Bank for Hunger Action Month, with a combined 16-club goal of 100 units.
Mobile drives: Palm Springs Police Dept. Training Center & Palm Desert Family YMCA
Also open that day: LifeStream’s Rancho Mirage & La Quinta donor centers
Can’t make it on the 19th? Donate at Rancho Mirage or La Quinta the week before, using code 9SUR. Schedule at lstream.org/rotarycv. Can’t donate? Bring someone who can.
🍧 Support One of Our Own: Paleta Festival
Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20, 2026
3:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre, Hemet, CA
Our own club member Jose Esparza is behind the Paleta Festival, Southern California’s first-ever ice cream and paleta festival, happening at the historic Ramona Bowl. It’s a two-day family celebration of food, culture, and entertainment, with artisanal paletas and ice cream, live music and mariachi, folklórico and escaramuza dancers, and more.
Let’s show up for one of our own! Tickets are available now at Eventbrite.
🩺 One of Our Own: Flying Doctors Oasis Clinic
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Desert Mirage High School, 86150 66th Ave., Thermal, CA 92274
The Flying Doctors (Los Médicos Voladores) will be holding one of their most popular clinics right here in the Coachella Valley, and it’s being organized by our very own Lucy Moreno. Her leadership on this one has been nothing short of amazing, and we’re proud to see a fellow member driving this kind of impact.
The Oasis Clinic serves financially challenged families and migrant farm workers with free dental and vision care, plus limited medical and pharmaceutical support.
This is exactly the kind of grassroots, high-impact work that lines up with our club’s focus on the Eastern Coachella Valley.
Volunteers needed: dentists, physicians, nurses, optometrists, translators, and general/support volunteers of all kinds.
Can’t volunteer? Donations help cover clinic supplies.
Learn more or sign up at flyingdocs.org.
🎗️ Meet Your Club Leadership
- Maximiliano Ochoa, President
- Frank R. Ceja, Immediate Past President
- Joe Reyes Ceja, Treasurer
- Luz E. Moreno, Board Member
- Guillermo E. Mendoza Jr., Board Member
- Karina Rodriguez, Board Member
🌵 Who We Are
Chartered in 1963, the Rotary Club of Coachella Valley serves Coachella, Mecca, Thermal, North Shore, and Oasis through youth, education, and community service.
Our history gives us something to build on. Our members give us something to build toward.
🤝 Get Involved
This newsletter is for our members and for anyone in the Coachella Valley who believes in Service Above Self.
There are a lot of ways to be part of what we’re building this year:
- ⚙️ Attend a meeting
- 🎓 Support local youth & education
- 💡 Bring a project idea
- 🌟 Consider membership
Curious which one’s for you? Come to a meeting as our guest, meet the club, and see where you fit.
Know someone who’d like this? Forward it along! New here? Subscribe or update your contact info.
Rotary Club of Coachella Valley · Club #867 · District 5330
Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 5:30 PM · Sloan’s Restaurant, Indio, CA
📩 rotaryclubofthecoachellavalley@gmail.com · 🌐 coachellavalleyrotary.org
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