September is Education and Literacy month. This is a focus that resonates deeply with me.

When I was three years old my father died and my mother had to raise 5 children ages 3 to 14.

I saw her work her fingers to the bone with every cent she made going into the sink hole of her children’s needs.

She always told me that education breaks through the barriers of limitations and she made a deal with me.

She would do the working and I will do the studying.

I accepted the deal. I studied and I was accepted into one of the most exclusive schools.

I knew from there on there was no stopping me and conquering the world was just around the corner.

But I was wrong. After I graduated there were no more scholarships and to go further, money was needed, which I did not have.

I do believe that success is a combination of abilities and opportunities and as Rotarians we have this powerful platform of Rotary to provide opportunities to others so that they can realize their full potential.

As I visit the clubs in our district I am thrilled, I am excited, and very grateful to find that without exception, each club has a focus on education & literacy.

When you light the lamp of opportunity for someone it illuminates a path to endless possibilities.

Let us continue to light those lamps through education and literacy.

District 5240 has no shortage of outstanding Rotarians whose service to humanity can serve as an inspiration to all of us.

This Rotary year, we plan on recognizing and sharing their inspirational journey.

Each of the 12 Groups in the District has been assigned one month in the Rotary 2019-20 year for the Assistant Governor and Presidents to select one Rotarian of Action in their Group

For the month of August the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Tammy Dobrotin. 

In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Tammy will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition.

Tammy Dobrotin – Goleta Evening Rotary

Tammy is easily on of our most active and dedicated members and has been for several years! She can always be counted on to get involved in our numerous service projects, both in the planning and the actual work. Her level of commitment does not simply end with showing up on the day of the event but rather she typically takes on a leadership role simply because she is incredibly smart and committed to all things Rotary!

Rotary Clubs of Ojai and Ojai West Raise 10,000.00 for the "End Polio Now Drive”

President Cheree of the RC of Ojai and President Steve of the RC of Ojai West combined forces and created  a spectacular evening of food, entertainment and inspiration for District Governor Savi. 

It was  held at the Boccali’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant of Rotarian Dewayne Boccali who serenaded the audience while they enjoyed the food and the ambiance.

The theme was “Spaghetti Western” and they decided to have a polio drive which they appropriately named ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ 

President Cheree said they had to count the donations several times before she made the announcement to make sure she was  accurate and not dreaming

They raised $10,000.00 in less than one hour for the ‘End Polio Now Drive’. This becomes $30,000.00 with the Bill & Melinda Gates 2 for 1 match.

The close to 100 attendees dug deep into their pockets to help Rotary keep its promise to the children of the world that they will live in a Polio Free world.

Dear Action Group Officers,

I’m writing you to introduce the Open World Program (a program funded by the Congress of the United States) that offers Rotary clubs in the US a unique opportunity to enhance international understanding and peace by hosting emerging leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.