My Rotary Journey to DG for 2028-2029
By Dess Benedetto
In June 2007, I was a relatively new estate attorney in a new city with a new life ahead of me. A friend of mine, a fellow lawyer who I met through a business networking group a couple years earlier, when we were both marketing our young law practices, invited me to speak at her Rotary Club in Walnut Creek. My presentation on estate planning was probably not the most exciting topic but had enough details about taxes and laws that at least some people stayed awake through the whole meeting. In any event, they all clapped at the end and the President told me they donated a book in my name at the local library.
As I left the meeting that day, what struck me most about Rotarians was how friendly they all were. I felt welcomed. Also, my friend was in the club and I already respected and admired her so if she was a member of Rotary, then it must be a good thing. I decided that I wanted to join and become a Rotarian, too.
Three years later, with no service commitments on my part other than attending every weekly meeting (back then you could not miss a meeting without making it up!), I found myself wondering if I was getting anything out of my Rotary affiliation. I liked hearing the weekly speakers and I liked being friendly with the members, and doing occasional community service projects and going to the Holiday Party. But I was starting to drift away.
Then something happened that flipped my thinking 180 degrees and opened my eyes to what Rotary really is, and what Rotary does, and why I was attending Rotary, and what my true purpose was… in life! I later learned this was my “Rotary Moment.”
A speaker at a regular lunch meeting was talking about a Rotary project, I think in Mexico, but it could have been in Africa or even in the US, where Rotarians were helping people. Then the speaker showed photos on the projector screen, then a graphic video. What I saw changed me.
A man was crawling on the ground. A woman was dragging herself up to a chair at a table. A child was in the street, lying between cardboard boxes, trying to avoid being stepped on by people walking above him. Then a Rotarian stepped into the video frame and literally lifted the child into a simple wheelchair. Other Rotarians lifted the man into a wheelchair. The video showed the woman sitting at the table, now in her wheelchair. The joy in their eyes was incredible! Their lives were instantly changed with that one act of kindness by Rotarians. None of them had to crawl anymore on dirt floors or rough pavement. They were given the basic dignity that every human being deserves. They were lifted up.
Rotary literally lifts people up! Rotarians are people who care. Rotarians are people who make a true and lasting difference by improving the quality of life of people all around the world.
When I had my Rotary Moment, my own life changed. I found a new purpose and new meaning. I got into service in my Club. I became the Club Secretary, then Membership Chair, then Board Director, then Club President, then Community Foundation Director, then Chair of the Community Foundation, then Sargent at Arms in the District, then Assistant Governor for two consecutive governors.
With those Rotary service commitments over the years, and countless fellowship events, fundraisers, and community projects, I made wonderful, lasting friendships in Rotary. One of my favorite things in Rotary is going to District Conferences and International Conferences because I always come back home inspired. I stopped asking what Rotary was doing for me, and now I ask, how can I be of service in Rotary and to my community? Where and how can I do the most good?
In 2022, I decided to move back to Southern California. I was raised in San Diego, my son was going off to college at SDSU, and other close family members live in So Cal and the Coachella Valley. Rotary District 5160 in Northern California was full of vibrant, active Rotarians and I will always cherish my time and friendships in my prior club and district.
For two years I lived in a small community in Riverside called Canyon Lake. I went to various Rotary clubs in our District 5330, meeting new people and looking for my new Rotary home club. I stayed a member of my prior club during this time, attending the weekly Zoom video meetings and visiting periodically when I was in town for client meetings or business.
In January 2025, I moved to Palm Springs and officially transferred my Rotary membership to the Palm Springs Sunup Club. My club has a great group of active Rotarians and even a couple of Past District Governors who are always willing to share advice and Rotary stories to newer Rotarians (and Rotarian transplants!). In fact, I was motivated to apply as District Governor in large part because of the support and encouragement of several PDGs (thank you!).
Though I am a newer Rotarian in this district, I plan to bring the best of my 18 years of Rotary experience to District 5330 as the District Governor. The world needs great leaders to unite people and bring goodwill and lift people up. Rotary is giving me a chance to be that kind of a leader. I am also excited to be making new Rotarian friends in District 5330 who are fun, full of integrity and passion and camaraderie as they work together to make the world just a little bit better. I am honored to be the District Governor for 2028-2029.