Home Page | Rotary District 5240

Rotary District 5240 is made up of over 3,300 members, from 72 clubs, in 4 different counties within California, United States. We meet regularly to not only form bonds and friendships, but we also strive to improve lives locally and around the world.

There have been so many inquiries asking where people can help with the current fire disaster in our beloved District. There are several avenues people can donate money:

Ventura County Community Foundation (This is the foundation we worked with last year with the Thomas Fire.)
District 5240 Charitable Foundation - If you want to donate to our D5240 Charitable Foundation, send checks to: District 5240 Charitable Foundation, Attn: Barry VanderKelen, Chair, 1212 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Write "Fire Relief" in the memo section on the check. Or click on the Donate button below.
In response to the #HillFire and #WoolseyFire, United Way of Ventura County and United Way of Greater Los Angeles have created the Southern California Disaster Relief Fund to support long-term recovery for affected low-income individuals and families. Make a donation online at www.unitedwayla.org/en/give/disaster-relief-fund/ or text ‘UWVC’ at 41444 for Ventura County only.

Donate to the Rotary District 5240 Charitable Foundation

Sandi Schwartz

District Governor 2018-19

Rotary District 5240

Rose Parade Float Decorating Story

SERVICE ROCKS INDEED!

By: Jim Hoover, Rotary Club of China Lake

You don’t inspire future Rotarians by telling them about Rotary as much as you do by giving them a Rotary experience – even if it’s gluing split peas on a sign, one seed at a time.

Decorating a Rose Parade float as a volunteer is no small act of service, and the experience for Interactors and Rotarian chaperones too ☺ can be inspiring in many ways. Opportunities abound to meet and work with other Rotarians and Interactors and even meet master float builders like the specialists who work for Disney. A satisfying sense of accomplishment is felt, partly by seeing a huge work of art take on color and texture before your eyes, with your own hands; and partly through the teamwork spirit of eager, smiling volunteers. Being the inspiration isn’t necessarily easy work, but it can result in being inspired too… a wonderfully positive, reinforcing cycle.

Our group of 10 volunteer decorators in the Interact Club of Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, CA journeyed to Irwindale, CA – the site where Phoenix Decorating Company is building the Rotary Rose Parade Float, a Princesses’ Trophy-winner in the 2017 and 2018 Rose Parades. The group’s 1 December, all-day, hands-on lesson was how to decorate a Rose Parade float. Chaperoned by their Math teacher, an Honorary Rotarian and the local, Rotary Club of China Lake president, the students prepared and applied dried flowers and seeds that make-up the natural, colorful, textured background for the fresh flowers that go on in the final hours.

So, when a giant, “duded-up” crocodile rolls-out and rocks-out on parade day, at least 10 Rotary inspirations from Burroughs High School will be able to watch with a very personal satisfaction knowing they had a part to play in that – and be inspired that much more.

Please find more information about the Rotary Rose Parade Float at https://www.rotaryfloat.org and enjoy seeing seeds of “service above self” being planted during the Rose Parade.

Rotary Club of Paso Robles Sunrise Welcomes 5 New Members

Paso Robles Sunrise Rotary is a dynamic group of early risers. Our participation in community projects and fundraisers is productive and diverse. We recently facilitated our “Peace is Possible” seminar, which was a resounding success. We’ve also welcomed several new members who have already demonstrated their commitment to our “service above self” mission. We’re thrilled they chose to become a part of our Rotary family.

Amy Edney is originally from New York and has lived in California five years. She worked in financial services for many years, and is now employed in recruiting. She joined Rotary to serve her community.

Rotary Club of Ventura South "Trivia Challenge" Fundraiser

At its 30th annual Trivia Challenge fundraiser on November 7, 2018, the Rotary Club of Ventura South raised approximately $5,000 for the Ventura County Library’s Adult Literacy Program. Twenty-four three-person teams competed in the Jeopardy-like event, answering trivia questions ranging from science to popular culture to sports to history. Entry/sponsorship fees were $300 per team.

Teams were divided into divisions, and the trophy winners included Channel Islands High School Seniors (Youth Division), Rotary Club of Camarillo (Service Club Division), MJP Computers (Business division), Beat the Library/Court of Appeals (Community Division), and David Corona (Spectator Division).

5 Things You Didn't Know About Rotaract

MY EXPERIENCE AT THE 2018 BIG WEST ROTARACT CONFERENCE

By: Yuan Xie

Hello! My name is Yuan Xie (pronounced like you and me). I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at UC Santa Barbara, and I am currently president of the campus-based Rotaract club. We started the chapter in September of last year, and it’s been a blast ever since!

Fact 1: Rotary Club of Santa Barbara has sponsored two Rotaract Clubs – one at SBCC and one at UCSB.

Fact 2: UCSB is the last undergraduate UC to have a campus-based Rotaract Club.

UCSB, UCLA, UCSC, UCD, and UC Berkeley Representing at BWR Conference 2018

4-Way Test Essay Contest

Goal

To encourage students to consider how “The 4-Way Test” can be used in everyday decision-making. This is accomplished by expressing their thoughts in an essay that relates a case or story where they applied these principles in their everyday life.

Who is Eligible?
All elementary school (1-5), middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12) students.

Awards
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for elementary, middle, and high school

First Place - $300 Second Place - $200 Third Place - $100

Winners will be selected by a District Review Team for the above listed cash awards. The cash awards will be handed out by the sponsoring Club President and the District Governor, or District Representative.

District 5240 2021-22 Governor

Dana Moldovan was a partner in a high tech company that was acquired by a public company. After completing her contract with the buyer, Dana started a 501©3 nonprofit organization, Children Skills for Life, whose mission is to help children build their future through education, and began working full time on humanitarian projects.

Dana joined Rotary International in 2002 and is an active member of Newbury Park Club, District 5240. She is Past President and was always involved in the Club in International and Local Community projects; she is the Club Grants expert. Dana served as the Club International, Grants and Foundation Chair, District Chair for the 100^th Anniversary District Foundation Gala, District Country Coordinator for Youth Exchange. At the Rotary International Level Dana serves as Inter Country Committee - General Secretary and National Coordinator for USA. Dana is also part of Rotary International Action Group for Peace.

Origins of a Global Grant

Why should you give to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund? Your contribution to the Annual Fund is the primary source of support for Rotary Club projects worldwide. “To ensure that the funds for the projects are there when needed,” says Past RI President Ron Burton, “all contributions to the Foundation’s Annual Fund are invested for three years.” When the three years period is up, the investment earnings of your gift go toward the operating expenses of the Foundation. Your principal is split 50/50, with half going to our District Designated Fund and half going into the World Fund, a pool that the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation use to match grants where they are most needed.”

To better explain how the TRF Global Grant process works, I want to tell you about a project that I am personally involved with that originated on my trip to India last January. Prior to joining the D5240 2018 NID team in Delhi, Kay Bliss, Susan Weaver and I spent five days visiting the Prashanti International School in the city of Puri, India. Puri is in the state of Odisha on the Bay of Bengal. Odisha is one of the poorest states in India - 80% rural, with many families living well below the poverty index, often on less than 50 cents per day.

District 5240 NID Trip 2019

District 5240 is putting together another team of Rotarians to India to participate in a NID (National Immunization Day) on February 3-4, 2019.

The trip will most likely start on January 28th and end around February 9th 2019. Besides the activities on Feb. 3rd, door to door immunization will be conducted over a few days starting on the 4th (we will do door to door immunization only for 1 day). This will entail some long hours and lots of walking (which means you need to be in good shape, physically and mentally).

Here are some guidelines that will influence the selection process:

New Generations District Conference Recap

84 in attendance for Conference Sat. Oct 6th in Bakersfield

22 Rotaractors in attendance

Speakers:

R.I. Zone Dir John Matthews

PDG Wade Nomura

PDG Deepa Willingham

R.I. Dir. Steve Solomon

DG Sandi Schwartz

Keeping Paso Robles Beautiful

The Paso Robles Rotary Club connected with their local Interact club to help clean up the Salinas River Bed this last Saturday. Rotarians and Interactors in Action, together, helping keep Paso beautiful.

Read Previous Stories...

Rotary District 5240 encourages clubs within the District to submit short articles, "Club Stories," to be published on the District Website and in the District Newsletter. Take advantage of this FREE opportunity to showcase your club's accomplishments. Here are the guidelines and the "how-to" for submitting your stories.

WHAT qualifies as a Club Story?

Club Stories are highlights of District 5240 Club-specific activities. The following examples illustrate activities that qualify as District 5240 Club Stories (upcoming or after the fact):

Community Service Projects
International Service Projects
New Membership Highlights
Club Fundraising Events
Member Award Recognitions

HOW do I submit my Club Story?

After you make sure the story qualifies as a "Club Story," you may submit it by emailing ALL of the following items to stories@district5240.org:

A short summary of the activity, minimum 50 words and maximum 250 words. Please submit as a Word doc and proofread prior to sending. If the content is copywrited/re-used from another source, permission must be granted and please reference the source.
Include 2-3 of the best photographs taken from the activity. If there are individuals included in the photo, please include names and Club titles of each Rotarian. (If there is a YouTube video link taken from the event, please include as well).
Include the contact information of the most appropriate Rotarian that others may reach out to regarding the featured story.

WHERE will my Club Story be posted?

The three most recently published Club Stories will be highlighted on the homepage of www.rotarydistrict5240.org, while an archive of previous Club Stories will be included and available to view under the menu tab, District -> Archived District Stories.

Your story may also be selected for the District Newsletter which goes out to our nearly 3300 active members.

WHEN will my Club Story be posted after I submit?

Depending on the amount of Club Stories in the cue, your article could take as short as 24 hours or up to 2 weeks to be published after all necessary information is received.