Posted by John Weiss

Looking forward to October and Remembering September

October is upon us and the Rotary Monthly Theme is “Economic and Community Development.  I hope your club is presenting a program on one of this month's suggested topics - perhaps on Micro Lending or on local development updates. As many of you will remember, our district has an excellent history of supporting Micro Loan programs that make a real difference and offer sustainable hope for those who just need a helping hand.  The first Microcredit Matching Grant issued by The Rotary Foundation was awarded to the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise.  You can read about this effort by following this link: TRF Funds Microcredit Grant for Local Job Creation 

Christine and I have thoroughly enjoyed our (20) club visits in September!

We were greeted by bagpipes (Westlake Village), taken on a boat ride (Westlake Village), round of Golf (Westlake Village), two great club socials with root beer floats (Ventura East), a Facebook recording (San Luis Obispo), two songs in the District Governor’s honor (Ventura South and East), another autographed basketball (Santa Maria), and Green Jello (Westlake Village) followed by a steak! Each club visit also featured a Board Meeting and we learned about the club’s many projects:

  1. Huge support for RYLA (all clubs visited)
  2. College and Trade School Scholarships – Rotary really supports Youth! (all clubs so far)
  3. Mexico Home Build with Rotaract and Rotary Clubs (Ventura and San Luis Obispo)
  4. Vets Outreach
  5. Coats for Kids (San Luis Obispo Rotaract)
  6. 4th of July family friendly Events
  7. Architecture Project to teach students (Santa Ynez Valley)
  8. Senior meals (several clubs)
  9. School for girls to reduce Human Trafficking (PACE)
  10. Local Free Dental Clinic (Thousand Oaks)
  11. Fund STEM – Robotics for 150 children (Santa Ynez Valley)
  12. Salvation Army Bell Ringing support local families
  13. Storybook (reading) Project for inmates support children (Thousand Oaks)
  14. Eye Care Clinic in Mexico, Jaws of Life, Teach English (San Luis Obispo)
  15. Tanzania Hospital Water Collection system (San Luis Obispo)
  16. El Chorro Outdoor Classroom Amphitheater (all 4 SLO clubs)
  17. Clean up senior living quarters (SLO Daybreak)
  18. Support Women’s Shelter (Santa Maria)
  19. Holiday Parade supports many community non-profits (Santa Maria clubs and Nipomo)
  20. Exchange Students (RYE does over 9,000 exchanges per year
  21. Medium size club planting 100+ trees
  22. Peace Building projects and district certification
  23. Support Habitat for Humanity (Paso Robles Sunrise)
  24. Water Sanitation education (Paso Robles Sunrise)
  25. Annual ethics and leadership conference (Atascadero and Ventura clubs)
  26. Kids Day in the Park – fishing (Santa Maria Breakfast)
  27. Carpenteria Talent Showcase
  28. Road clean ups include local Interact club
  29. Amp Surf for disabled Vets (Grover Beach and Pismo Beach)
  30. School Backpacks (several clubs)
  31. Support local Boys & Girls Clubs (several clubs)
  32. Trivia Challenge and adult literacy (Ventura South and others)
  33. High School Speech Contest
  34. Support Turning Point recovery programs (Ventura and Oxnard clubs)
  35. Teacher Recognition programs (Oxnard)
  36. Major Sanitation Projects India (Westlake Village)
  37. YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) – (Simi Sunrise)
  38. Botanical Garden project Ventura ($250k Ventura Clubs)
  39. Mossy Foot – Ethiopia (Ventura East)
  40. Operation Splash – teach children to swim (Ventura East)

District Conference is just around the corner! Our Committee has delivered on an amazing weekend!

Registration is now closed, but those of you who have registered will be treated to:
  1. Super speakers will talk about Emerging Leaders, Youth, Polio Survivor wins a Gold Medal, and Making a Difference
  2. Marching Band Saturday morning (I love a marching band) and the 🎉Celebrate Theme: (Trouble Viewing? Click here for YouTube video
     
  3. Rotaract – Rotarian Home Build
  4. Sister District Rotarian leaders from South Korea (D3721 and D3722) and Mexico (D4140)
  5. Super Live - Music Sgt Peppers band 1-2 hours of dancing!
  6. Polio Fundraiser, booth and Inspirational Moment
  7. 100 steps from the beach and close to the Ventura Harbor
  8. Experience the amazing collection at the Mullin Car Museum plus other great excursions!
  9. Aloha Welcome Reception!
  10. Project Expo – check out all the club projects!

So what does your district do for you?  

Not an uncommon question to ponder. The Rotary district was the brainchild of Arch Klumph along with the Rotary Foundation and the position of District Governor. To start, the Rotary district provides training to club leaders with PETS (President Elect Training Seminars), President Elect Retreats, District Trainings, Mid –Terms for the club president lines, manages youth programs like RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and RYE (Rotary Youth Exchange), PRLS (Practical Relevant Leadership Skills). 

Your district staff also organizes Club visits, provides resources like Avenue of Service Chairs, and Assistant Governors. Please reach out if you have questions to your club leaders, district leaders, and yours truly your Governor John Weiss.

🎉 Celebrate a great October!

Christine and I are enjoying our visits, Club programs and Board meetings. Health-wise I’m feeling great and Celebrating each day. Remember to Celebrate your 🎉Rotary friends, 🎉Projects and Service, 🎉Fun and FUN, and 🎉your health! Next month, I plan to share Membership tips: How to recruit and sponsor 50+ new members with no fuss, just FUN!