Stories
Hospice care is a compassionate approach to end-of-life support, offered free of charge and commonly accessible in many parts of the world. It focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing terminal illnesses by providing comfort rather than cure. This type of care addresses not only physical pain but also emotional and spiritual needs, helping patients and their loved ones navigate the final stages of life with dignity and peace. |
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Niñas Sabinas: Empowering Girls Through Knowledge and Care in MexicoThe photo below displays a collection of educational materials used in Mexico as part of the “Niñas Sabinas” (Wise Girls) program, which is designed to teach young girls about their bodies in a respectful, empowering, and age-appropriate way. These materials serve as visual and interactive tools to facilitate open, informed conversations about female anatomy, hygiene, puberty, and overall health. By presenting this essential information in a culturally sensitive and supportive environment, the program helps to foster confidence and body awareness among young girls. |
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Offsite Meeting at the Yarrow Family YMCA, Westlake Village on April 11, 2025
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Building Futures: A Hands-On Tradeshow Empowering Tomorrow’s Skilled ProfessionalsOver the past ten months, Simi Sunrise Rotary has been diligently planning a Vocational Trade show aimed at providing students with a meaningful and engaging experience. This initiative is grounded in our belief that early exposure to career pathways can empower students to make informed decisions about their futures. With careful planning and a clear vision, we are working to ensure the event is not only educational but also inspiring.
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Simi Sunrise Rotary: Building a Better Community, One Act of Service at a TimeAt Simi Sunrise Rotary, service isn't just something we do — it's who we are. Over the past year, our club has been hard at work making a real impact in our community through a wide range of service projects and events. From supporting those in need to beautifying our neighborhoods, we are proud to stand alongside our incredible volunteers to make a difference right here in Simi Valley. One of our most heartwarming events was our Bike Building for Underprivileged Children. There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s face light up when they receive their very first bike. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of our members and partners, dozens of kids now have a new way to ride, explore, and simply enjoy being kids. |
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Celebrating Fellowship: A Look Back at Our Year of Rotary FunAt Simi Sunrise Rotary, we know that service and fellowship go hand in hand. As part of the Family of Rotary, we make it a priority not just to work together, but to enjoy life together—and this past year has been full of moments that brought us closer as a club and as friends. From the glow of holiday lights to the warmth of summer barbecues, our calendar was filled with events that reminded us just how special our Rotary family is. We kicked off the holiday season with a magical boat ride through Ventura Harbor, where twinkling lights and laughter set the tone for a festive year ahead. |
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Simi Sunrise Rotary Raises Funds Through Flag-Planting Event
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Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Brings Stories and Smiles to Hawthorne ElementaryYouth Service Project in Celebration of Literacy and World Book Day To celebrate Read Across America and World Book Day, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo visited Hawthorne Elementary to read to students during their library time. The books, chosen by the school librarian and focused on themes like kindness and self-confidence, were purchased by the Rotarians and gifted to the library after reading. |
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Interactors Volunteer at Buena Vista MuseumOn Saturday, March 29th, Centennial High School's Interact Club (of Bakersfield East Rotary Club) volunteered at the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science's annual Spectacular World of Science event. Promoting science education and curiosity, CHS Interactors guided children and visitors around various science-related booths and led activities, ranging from showing how to use a microscope to sharing fun facts about fossils!
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Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary Community Service Event for the UnhousedCome rain or shine, Westlake Village Sunrise Rotarians deliver. On a drizzly day in March, a group of Westlake Village Sunrise Rotarians delivered 150 bags containing self-care or hygiene products to Harbor House to be distributed to unhoused individuals in our community. The contents of each bag included such products as soap, lotion, lip balm, a toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, lip balm, a comb, 2 ‘N 1 shampoo/conditioner and a protein bar. These items were donated by the members of our club and the bags were assembled at one of our morning meetings in February. The assembly of the bags allowed our club to foster camaraderie while supplying essential items to unhoused individuals.
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Westlake Village Rotary Supports James StorehouseIn 2022, near the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris Daleiden saw an article about an area nonprofit’s need for help putting together Easter baskets for foster and at-risk children. Chris, the community service director of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village, thought it would be a great club project. She approached then President Mike Dutra, who got the club to allocate money. That money, along with donations from club members, enabled the Westlake Rotary Club to put together baskets for children supported by James Storehouse, a Newbury Park 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps children in foster care, young people aging out of foster care and exploited and at-risk children. |
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Westlake Sunrise and Interact Raise Funds for Armenia GrantThe Interact Club at Oak Park High School, with the supervision of Westlake Sunrise Rotarians Beverly Wisotsky and Dan Harutunian arranged a zoom call with Rotaract members from Yerevan, Armenia. They were able to tell us what children in their orphanages needed or wanted for Christmas. The Oak Park high school Interact club raised money and included it in another grant. With that money, the Armenian Rotaract club bought items of clothing for the kids living in orphanages. The Armenian group is called “Magic in Action. It proved to be a very rewarding experience both to Zoom with Armenian Rotaracters and to provide clothing for the orphanages. |
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SLO de Tolosa - MembershipRotary de Tolosa is growing again! Today the club welcomed Ben Arrona as a new member. Ben is a History teacher at Cuesta College and also owns Benny’s Pizza. Ben also volunteers for a number of local organizations around the community – we know stand at 95 members strong with an extremely strong retention rate and lots of new member interest, especially with those under 40.
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SLO de Tolosa Youth Service ProjectRotarians had the honor of serving as judges for today’s San Luis Obispo County 4-H speaking competition, and wow—these young people blew us away! From elementary-age students to high schoolers, participants took the stage to present on a wide range of topics they’re passionate about—from raising chickens to the history of photography, to football strategy, anatomy, and even how to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookies. |
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SLO de Tolosa Vocational ServiceBig thanks to Rate - Guaranteed Rate and Reach Central Coast for sponsoring our Rotary Business Social this week! It was a fantastic evening of great connections, engaging conversations, and plenty of fun. These business socials are a chance for our members to see one of our other members place of business and invite potential members to an informal get together to spread the Rotary mission. A special shoutout to Donna Lewis at Rate and Russ Levanway for being such wonderful hosts—we truly appreciate your support!
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SLO de Tolosa Community Service ProjectRotarians in action! Rotary de Tolosa teamed up with the amazing Mission Prep FFA crew and their dedicated teacher, Deanna Payan, to plant trees on Righetti Hill—leaving a lasting impact for future generations. Service, sustainability, and community—this is what Rotary is all about! Keep an eye out for our signs on trails around town, thanks to The Sign Place, marking the spots where we've "planted it forward"! |
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SLO de Tolosa Club ServiceRotary de Tolosa was thrilled to hear from Coralee Macias that we were able to gain $28,000 from our recent fundraiser at the PAC to go to our charitable giving efforts that focus on youth. We welcomed our newest member JW Dobbe who was sponsored by Louis Summer. Rotary Foundation Chair Lyle Meek shared the worldwide impact of The Rotary Foundation in eliminating polio and promoting health and well being. The club was inspired and raised a large amount of money for the Rotary Foundation by generously bidding on donated auction items.
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Rotary Club of Ojai Membership ProjectThe Rotary Club of Ojai had a Membership project involving new members which helped involve them in one of our Club’s weekly meeting activities, and was much more fun for them to do as a group. Our Club meets for lunch weekly, and we have a different member each week who is assigned to be the “Finer”. The questions can involve almost any subject (not political or religious), and we often ask tricky questions about members’ lives in order to get to know them better. |
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Rotary E-Club of One World Partners with Rotary Club of Spintex to Empower Ghanaian Students
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Los Olivos Rotary Club Turning a Fifth Thursday into a Fundraiser
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Coats for Kids: A Gift of Warmth and JoyEvery December, as the winter chill settles over Paso Robles, the Interact Club of Atascadero High School comes together to make a difference. Through the Coats for Kids program, they help ensure that no child in the community has to face the cold without a warm jacket.
Weeks before the event, the students work tirelessly—organizing coat drives, reaching out to local businesses for support, and spreading the word. On the day of distribution, they arrive early, setting up tables filled with coats of all sizes, cozy scarves, gloves, and even holiday toys for children in need. |
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Westlake Sunrise Locks in Two Global GrantsUganda FAST (Finance Accelerating Savings Group Transformation)
Westlake Sunrise Rotarians Dan Harutunian and Nick Frankle have been hard at work on the $800,000.00 Uganda FAST Village Savings grant that, in partnership with Vision Fund Uganda, will help the ultra-poor women of rural Uganda lift themselves out of poverty and hopelessness. The proven FAST model by Vision Fund creates community-based savings groups that, seeded with the grant’s funds, will allow members to present business ideas, get startup funding and turn their business ideas into reality. Vision Fund Uganda helps facilitate the project by providing traveling support administrators and a mobile banking solution. |
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May is Mental Health Awareness MonthCalling all Rotary Clubs of District 5240 Mental illness touches all of us to some degree within our close friend and family circles. The Alma Rosa Winery in Buellton has announced its sixth annual fundraiser to support mental wellness: Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction on Saturday, May 17. The funds raised from this 4.5 mile walk through the rolling hills of the exclusive Alma Rosa Vineyards will be shared by Mental Wellness Center (MWC) and One Mind. One Mind (www.onemind.org) advances cutting-edge neuropsychiatric research, bettering diagnostic tools and treatments for brain health conditions. The MWC (www.mentalwessnesscenter.org) serves individuals and families impacted by mental illness through 1) interactive fellowship for adults living with mental challenges, 2) housing, and 3) extensive mental health education. |
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Laps For LifeA Distance Swim Fundraiser for a Cause Close to the HeartThe Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise is pleased to announce the Laps for Life Fundraiser. Our Past President, Jim Wisdom, will be distance swimming again in 2025 to raise funds for two causes near to his heart this upcoming April –– Swim with Mike and the humanitarian projects of the Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary Club. Swim With Mike provides financial resources for the advanced education of physically challenged athletes to overcome their tragedies and realize their full potential. Over the past 42 years, the nonprofit has raised approximately $28,000,000 and provided scholarship assistance to 271 scholarship recipients at 142 universities nationwide since Swim With Mike’s inception. |
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Simi Sunrise Rotary's Second Annual Peace VigilOn Martin Luther King Day, Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise with its fellow International City of Peace partners, co-hosted its second annual Peace Vigil to build bridges of understanding amongst neighbors.
The Peace Vigil included the passing of the peace baton, live music, meditation, a candlelight vigil, and screening of MLK’s infamous “I Have a Dream Speech’. The nonpolitical and nonreligious gathering brought together dozens of residents to reflect and celebrate the concept of togetherness and thoughtfulness for one another. The event was covered in the Simi Valley Acorn: https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/articles/dreaming-of-peace/ |
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China Lake Community Scholarship FairThe Rotary Club of China Lake is proud to announce the creation of the Community Scholarship Fair in Ridgecrest, CA! The fair was held on February 20th and hosted community organizations offering scholarships to local learners. Whether they were a high school senior, current college student, or considering college later in life, we created a one-stop shop for scholarship opportunities. Attendees were able to meet local organizations offering scholarships for trade and vocational schools, community colleges, and 4-year universities; complete applications onsite; learn about the application criteria and process. Spanish bilingual translation was available; Financial Aid Reps were there to assist; and we encouraged parents to attend. |
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GET READY FOR CAMBRIA ROTARY’S EXCITING 2025 GRAND RAFFLE!Picture yourself enjoying a culinary adventure in Tuscany, marveling at the Northern lights in Iceland, or relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. How does a tranquil retreat by the water in Costa Rica sound? If wine is your thing, indulge in a trip to Napa Valley for lunch aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train and then soar high with a hot air balloon ride. Or perhaps you’d prefer a Nashville experience with a tour of the iconic Jack Daniels Distillery. If relaxation is the goal, a 3-night escape at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad awaits you. And for baseball enthusiasts, there are tickets for a memorable view from atop the Boston Red Sox Green Monster or the Chicago Cubs Wrigley Rooftop. |
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Taft Rotary Arranges Donations for Wildfire VictimsRotarian Ed Herrera volunteered his truck to take donations of supplies to the Wildfire Victims of Los Angeles. Donations were from Santa Rosa Catholic Church in Cambria and from Taft Rotary. Arrangements were made to deliver the supplies to St. Vincent de Paul in Los Angeles. Upon arrival at St. Vincent de Paul they were told that they no longer were accepting donations for the fire victims. So new arrangements were made to take the items to Altadena to Sacred Heart Catholic Church which has a comprehensive fire victims' distribution center. They brought hygiene items and N95 masks, and Taft Rotary donated heavy duty trash bags which are really needed for putting clothing and personal belongings in them.
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Rotary Club of Santa Maria Noontime Unites for Los Angeles Fire Relief
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Magic in Action, Two Rotary Districts Team UpThrough careful coordination by Westlake Village Sunrise Rotarians Beverly Wisotsky and Dan Harutunian, Oak Park High School’s Interact Club teamed up with the Rotaract Club of Yerevan in Armenia to help displaced and critically ill children celebrate the holidays.
The students on both sides of the world met and worked together via zoom with the Oak Park team, headed by Sanjeevani Kumar, organizing a “Pomegranate Key Chain” sale and the Yerevan team, headed by Nare Abgaryan, organizing the kid’s letters to Santa” and gift distribution campaign. Pomegranates are a traditional symbol of hope and good fortune for Armenians and, in keeping with Rotary’s theme of “Magic in Action”, the collaboration produce both magic and hope. |
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Rotary Club of Paso Robles Announces $100,000 in Scholarships for 2025 GraduatesThe Rotary Club of Paso Robles is pleased to announce they will be giving out $100,000 in scholarships in 2025 to Paso Robles High School and Liberty High School students to further their education after graduation through trade schools, colleges, and universities. The Club set out to achieve this milestone 25 years ago with their annual fundraiser, the Winemakers’ Cookoff. The Paso Robles Rotary Winemakers’ Cookoff was a vision of the Club over 25 years ago, spearheaded by Rotarian and winery owner, Gary Eberle (also the 2025 Robaln of the Year). Now, a committee serves to run the event each year led by co-chairs Sharon Ross and Vicki Silva from the Rotary Club of Paso Robles. This year will be the 26th year for the event on August 9th at the Paso Robles Event Center. Tickets go on sale in April at winemakerscookoff.com. Attendees must be 21 years or older to attend and tickets to the event have sold out over the last several years, aiding in the scholarship fund. |
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Cambria Rotary’s Secret Santa ProjectCambria Rotary's Secret Santa project is a favorite of many of our members. President Miguel Sandoval and his wife Judy pour their hearts and souls into it every year. Rotarians and community members helped create unforgettable memories for 51 children and their families this holiday season. |
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Rotary’s 28th Annual ChildSpree Brings Holiday Cheer to Local KidsNearly 100 elementary school children in San Luis Obispo received brand-new winter clothing at the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa’s 28th annual ChildSpree event. Held on December 7, 2024, at Kohl’s, Rotarians and volunteers paired with children to shop for essential items like coats, shoes, and socks, helping families who struggle with the high cost of clothing during the holidays.
“This event is about dignity and confidence,” said Geoff Straw, ChildSpree Coordinator. “Choosing their own new clothes gives kids a boost in self-esteem and readiness for school and life.” |
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Rotary Team Trip to Ak’ Tenamit in Guatemala
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Carpinteria Rotary, Local Vets Donate Goats Through Heifer International ProjectThe Rotary Club of Carpinteria is currently collecting donations to purchase goats for the Heifer International Project, which provides livestock to struggling families around the world to help them become self-sustaining.
The club met with veterinarians Dr. Laura Putnam and Dr. Matie McPeters, as well as their staff members Sarah Robinson, Catherine Malone. Tabatha Keller and Michele Alaniz, on Oct. 22 to formally announce joining the project, the Carpinteria effort was spearheaded by member Paul Wright. The veterinarians and their staff collected donations enough to purchase three goats. |
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On Saturday, October 19, the Rotary Club of Cambria held a 5K Walk/Run to Eradicate Polio. About 66 people laced up their sneakers and joined a community of like-minded people coming together for a great cause. It was a beautiful day along the Pacific Ocean, with waves crashing and seagulls soaring. In the end, $9500 was raised! With the 2 to 1 match provided by the Gates Foundation, this total escalates to $28,500 towards Rotary’s goal of ending Polio for good! |
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Santa Maria Breakfast Initiates Fundraising EventsWe “passed the hat” around at our October 10th meeting for the victims of hurricane Helene. This was after a plea from Rotary Zones 33 and 34 who were affected by the damage. We collected $3,095 dollars from our members that morning and added a $1,000 from our Foundation. The $4,095 was sent to the Rotary link (https://www.rizones33-34.org/disaster-relief/) as provided by Director Patrick Eakes from Zones 33 and 34.
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Nipomo Rotary Supports Programs to Combat Human TraffickingJohn DeRohan, Hubble, and Jay Connor from Cops n Kids, along with Harry Walls, Walter Con, and George Dubois from the Rotary Club of Nipomo, gathered to present a check for $4,546.39 to District Attorney Dan Dow. This donation, the result of Human Trafficking Awareness seminars hosted by Rotary clubs across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties in partnership with Cops n Kids, will support the DA’s office in funding local training programs aimed at combating human trafficking. The collective effort highlights the commitment of Rotary and community organizations to addressing this serious issue and fostering a safer community. |
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Bakersfield North Rotary’s Annual Back to School Shopping EventOn Saturday, August 3 at 6:30 am, Bakersfield North Rotarians along with volunteers, shopped until they dropped with nearly 200 students from Standard and Beardsley School Districts, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County. It was North Rotary’s annual Back to School Shopping event which provides new school wardrobes for pre-selected 5-17 year old kids at Kohl’s. ![]() |
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Saturday, September 28th - Day of Service at Rotary ParkA great day Saturday at Rotary Park where we planted trees, mulched, and cleaned up the area. Thank you to Bakersfield and West Rotary volunteers! A special shout out to our student volunteers from BC Rotaract, Centennial, West High, and Chloe from BCHS. |
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San Luis Obispo County Presents Proclamation to Rotarians![]() On September 24, District Governor Sherry Sim received the Proclamation declaring September as ‘Service Club Month’ from the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors for our District. DG Sherry said, “It’s an honor. The Proclamation underscores our 17 Rotary clubs in San Luis Obispo County’s dedication to uphold Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self”, and commitment to carry out sustainable projects to impact communities positively”. Rotarians District Attorney Dan Dow, Region 4 Executive Assistant Governor Berni Ann Lennon Lewis, District Youth Chair / Youth Exchange Officer Scott Astrosky, District Chair for Environment Don Maruska and Brian Reynolds joined DG Sherry to accept the Proclamation.
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Rotary District 5240 Shines at 2024 Zones 26 & 27 InstituteEach year, the Director of Zones 26 & 27 convenes a Rotary Institute known as the Big West Zone Institute, which brings together members and guests from throughout the western United States and Canada. Last week at the 2024 Zone Institute in Spokane, Washington, Rotary District 5240 proudly participated in the activities, where our District's hard work and dedication were recognized on a grand scale! Mike Dutra graduated from Governor Elect Training and Margarida Eidson graduated from Governor Nominee training. Additionally, while recognizing achievements in Zone 26, District 5240 achieved several significant milestones for the 2023-24 Let's Have FUN! year that highlight our commitment to Rotary’s mission and values. Here are the achievements that brought District 5240 into the spotlight:
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D5240 WDD MULTI-ACTIVITY FAMILY FELLOWSHIPTo observe World Diabetes Day (November 14) and Diabetes Awareness Month (November), Rotary District 5240 is organizing a Multi-Activity Family Fellowship Meet-Up in Thousand Oaks California. DG Sherry Peckhoon Sim and Event Co-Chairs Jim Wisdom, Edwin Velarde and Kim Fly are inviting you to join this fun-filled family-friendly Sunday.
The 3 year (2024-2026) theme of World Diabetes Day is Diabetes and Well-being. |
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Walk (or Run) With Us For Those Who Can’t
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Rotarians: People of ActionBoth Simi Sunrise and Simi Sunset Rotary clubs recently demonstrated the true spirit of Rotary by coming to the aid of a local elderly citizen in need. Faced with a daunting weed abatement task and no means of assistance, this citizen turned to us for help. John Tolson received the request and immediately mobilized our members into action.
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PeaceBuilding through Rotary Service: The Power of Baton Passing in Uniting Club Members and the CommunityIn the spirit of fostering peace and unity, PeaceBuilding through Rotary Service introduces the concept of "baton passing" as a metaphorical and practical tool for community building. This initiative symbolizes the seamless transfer of responsibility, knowledge, and enthusiasm from one individual to another, creating a continuous flow of energy and commitment within the Rotary Club and the broader community.
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2022-23 Rotary District 5240 Awards |
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Rotary Club of Ojai - MembershipOur Membership Committee organized a couple of fireside chats for newer members at a local brewery. Our Fireside Chats are smaller, more informal gatherings which give us an opportunity to get to know these newer members. It also gives the newer members an opportunity to ask questions about Rotary. At this particular meeting we had a light agenda about a specific Rotary topic e.g. TRF What does it mean? What does it do? We also hand pick some long time members to show up and share about how they got into Rotary and to say what Rotary means to them. It’s always a super feel good event. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of SLO de Tolosa Supports The Rotary FoundationRotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa had a spectacular day for the Rotary Foundation. Dave Juhnke, Rotary Foundation Chair, and our District Governor, Scott Phillips, presented 43 Paul Harris Fellow awards to club members on January 25, 2023. Scott Phillips then presented our program for the meeting where he encouraged members to “Get Loud” about the great work of Rotary International. The meeting ended on a high note with the following statement, “Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come for miles to watch you burn." ![]() |
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RC of Thousand Oaks and Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation Jointly Fund New Van for Gold Coast Veterans FoundationThe Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks and its affiliated Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation jointly provided $33,000 in funding to Gold Coast Veteran’s Foundation (“GCVF”), a local nonprofit, to purchase a van so it can increase its capacity to serve veterans in Ventura County through greater outreach efforts and veteran access. The van increases the capacity of GCVF to rapidly serve veterans in need, with one-on-one, peer-to-peer assistance, enabling the nonprofit’s Mobile Veteran Outreach Program to reach and change the lives of a greater number of veterans. The van is used to deliver food and to transport veterans to essential medical, counseling, employment and financial appointments. The van is also used for wellness checks of at-risk veterans... |
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Grover Beach 5 Cities and Pismo Beach 5 Cities Support Grover Beach Elementary in a Clean Water ProjectIn January 2022 the Grover Beach Rotary learned of Grover Beach Elementary’s efforts to provide a clean water project for a kindergarten in Viet Nam. This project is an educational fundraiser for the installation of a Gravity Water Project. The school that Grover Beach Elementary decided to partner with is a residential Kindergarten that has difficulty providing clean water for its students in the Ban Lien District of Vietnam. Grover Beach Elementary decided to partner with Gravity Water, (c) 3 non-profits focused on turning rain into safe drinking water through a rainwater capture and filtration system to clean the water of waterborne Illnesses and diseases...
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Rotary Club of Cayucos International ServiceA Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family. It stands vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four sides. There are estimated 250,000 Peace Poles in nearly every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace. The Rotary Club of Cayucos, in collaboration with the Cayucos Elementary & Middle School installed a Peace Pole on the school grounds in April 2023. The Pole's message, May Peace Prevail on Earth... |
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Westlake Sunrise Socials: More Than Just Fun!Membership growth and development were top priorities for Michelle Ramsey during her presidency at The Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise and it’s no surprise that socials played a crucial role in welcoming new members and integrating them into our vibrant Club culture. We all know time is a precious commodity these days. Between family commitments, work responsibilities, and personal aspirations, finding availability can be a challenge for both new and existing members. But fear not! Our socials were here to enhance the Rotary experience while fostering connections. To kick things up a notch, we added "New Member Socials" to our calendar. These events served as a delightful blend of getting acquainted and learning more about Rotary and our Club. Trust us, they were a hit! Two standout socials deserve special mention. First up was "Introduction to Westlake Sunrise," where we dished out all the juicy details about our Club structure, esteemed board members, talented committee chairs, and ongoing and upcoming projects. It was an eye-opener! Next, we had "Understanding the Rotary Foundation," led by our very own Nick Frankel. This informative session helped new members grasp the ins and outs of the Rotary Foundation. It was an enlightening experience! But, we're not done yet! Our upcoming program will shine a spotlight on The Sunrise Rotary Foundation. It's a chance for our new members to explore the distinct roles of the Rotary Foundation and the Sunrise Rotary Foundation and understand how our fundraising efforts and their contributions can make a lasting impact locally and internationally. ![]() Introduction to Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary ![]() Understanding of The Rotary Foundation |
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RYLA Story- Westlake Sunrise RotaryWestlake Sunrise Rotary Club was well represented this year at RYLA. We sponsored one student, and we had three Instructors at RYLA. Our Past President and Past Rotarian Nadine Allen taught Leadership Fundamentals. Our current Treasurer ( and Past Rotarian of the District), Marilyn Lippiatt, taught Ethics, and Kelsey Wisdom ( daughter of Past President Jim Wisdom) taught Goal Setting. In addition, Jim Wisdom and Dan Harutunian ( Rookie of the Year last year, and on the Youth Services Committee this year) attended the Closing Ceremonies. RYLA District 5240 can be a life-changing experience for not only students, but also the Counselors, Instructors and Staff. Below are the words of Kelsey Wisdom, who was a RYLA Student in 2009, and has been a RYLA Counselor for six years, an Instructor for one, and was the Co-Producer for the only virtual RYLA in 2021: “Every year, it’s like reading a favorite book. I get to re-evaluate my life, re-evaluate my priorities, it’s a marking of time for reflection. Every year, it seems like everything we teach becomes more important. Not just for the students, but also for the instructors and staff. The type of community and support that the RYLA students get to experience is very rare.” I asked Kelsey what percentage of RYLA students have life-changing experiences like she did in 2009. She said she wasn’t sure, but even for those who don’t immediately sense a life-changing experience, she said ( quote from Oprah) “The world talks to you in whispers.” Her point is that RYLA teaches you truths and things that you hear and may not always immediately accept and appreciate. However, sooner or later, it will become more clear in time that those things that were taught at RYLA were invaluable to you if you embrace them in your own life. Attached are two pictures from RYLA: Jim Wisdom ( who has been a Counselor of RYLA for about eight prior years) with Nadine Allen, and Kelsey Wisdom with Cabin 6 on the final morning of RYLA. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Cayucos MembershipRotary Club of Cayucos is pleased to share that our club has inducted seven new members this year. Our first new addition, David Nygren is a 12-year Rotarian who relocated from Lake Arrowhead. We are so proud to share that Dave is our President-Elect Nominee and will serve as Club President in 2024-2025. The other new members as pictured below are: Gail Riley, Larry & Laura Clark, Jennifer Gaviola, and Brian Beckham. All new members worked hard at our recent Masquerade fundraiser in March. Our club is looking to add one more member before end of this Rotary year. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Cayucos Club ServiceIf you have not been to Cayucos Rotary's Masquerade evening, please mark your calendar for 2024; it's usually held on the 3rd Saturday in March, to commemorate Cayucos Rotary's charter on March 25, 2008. This Rotary year, Cayucos Rotary conducted our Masquerade fundraiser successfully and reined in about $75,000 from sponsorships, ticket sales, live auction, silent auction, desserts sales, raffle tickets and bar sales. The event is well supported by the local community, as residents stride in their favorite costumes or evening wear of their choice each year. Tickets typically sell out. In addition to dinner, guests are entertained by a DJ and dancing follows when the auctions are completed. Cayucos Rotary also wishes to thank District 5240 Rotarians for supporting our club's annual fundraiser every year. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Cayucos Community ServiceDecember is one of Cayucos Rotary’s favorite times. In addition to furnishing a Santa house with one of our members dressing up as Santa Claus to provide joy and photo opportunities to children in town, another member, with the help of a local contractor, will decorate the lamp posts along Cayucos Pier. When the lights come on in the evenings, it’s a spectacle to behold. The Rotary Club of Cayucos had been decorating the pier since 2019. Local residents and visitors send their compliments as they enjoy their walks along the pier. The decorations stay on till the first week of the new year, so more will have a chance to experience the festive ambiance. Cayucos Rotary hopes to provide this delight to the Cayucos community for years to come. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Cayucos Vocational ServiceFor the past 7 years, with the exception of Covid, Rotary Club of Cayucos has awarded three to four $1,000 scholarships annually to students majoring in music at Cuesta Community College in San Luis Obispo. This vocational service project is carried out in honor of our club mentor, Past District Governor, Chungsam Doh & aptly named the ‘Chungsam Doh Music Scholarship Fund’. The aim is to support students desiring to pursue music as a career. Cuesta students must meet a set of criteria and have to undergo an audition to apply for Rotary Club of Cayucos’ music scholarships. Each student would have to perform their own recital to be selected. It’s a delight to watch each performance, as the students are talented. This Rotary Year, District Governor Scott Philips had a chance to watch the recital, and opportunity to share Rotary with students at Cuesta College. District Governor Scott Philips also did the honors and awarded three scholarships to Regan Rowin, Daniel Gomez and Joseph Montano at Cuesta College. |
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Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Inducts New MemberThousand Oaks Rotary inducts Sara Collins from the Studio City Rotary! Sara is already involved in our wine fest and membership team. Once a Rotarian, always a Rotarian. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Moorpark Community Recognition EventMaking up for lost Covid time on April 28, 2023 Moorpark Rotary is delighted to honor law enforcement officers of the year for Moorpark and Ventura county. Commander Jeremy Keys with CHP Officers of the Year: Ryan Ayers (2019) Jessica Varel (2020) Laura Ray (2021) Captain Darren Henneman with Moorpark PD Officers of the Year: Dave Rodriguez (2019) Steve Donlin (2021) Tim Sperber (2022) We can’t thank you enough for your service to our community! ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Camarillo Club SocialOn Saturday October 8, 2022, The RC of Camarillo had an awesome club social at Institution Ale in Camarillo. More than 40 people attended and had fun tasting every flavor of pizza available along with salads and all sorts of delicious beverages. Since the club meets every Wednesday at noon for our club business, having a social/offsite meeting every so often allows the members to” let their hair down”. In addition to just plain having fun, we gained two new members from that event! ![]() ![]() ![]() Laurie Bennett, Club President and Max Copenhagen, Club Secretary, Enjoying the camaraderie ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Camarillo Awards Paul Harris FellowsOn Wednesday October 12, 2022 the RC of Camarillo was proud to give out eight Paul Harris Awards during District Governor, Scott Phillips, club visit. CHRIS BANNON (Randy Churchill), LONI DRUMRIGHT (Dave Drumright), KEN EASTMAN (Laurie Bennett), ROBERTO MARTINEZ (Rotary Club of Camarillo), THOMAS McADAM (Mary Lingua), NICOLE MESSNER (Doug Messner), TONY TREMBLEY (Wendy Pazen), and MIKE MOSS (Al Lowe). ![]() Left to right: Al Lowe, Mike Moss, Mary Lingua, Brenda Bravo (accepting for Thomas McAdam), President Laurie, Roberto Martinez, Randy Churchill, Chris Bannon, Dave Drumright, Loni Drumright, Wendy Pazen, Tony Trembley and District Governor Scott Phillips. |
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Rotary Club of Camarillo Viva La ComidaRC of Camarillo held their 51st community enchilada dinner on Monday, March 20, 2023. The event was held at the Camarillo Community Center from 5PM-8PM. Over 700 enchilada diners were served between walk-in and sit down or pick-up and drive thru. The Oxnard Union High School District Mariachi Band entertained the crowd as well as two pinada busting events for the young at heart. This is a community event that Camarillans have looked forward to attending for generations. The event raised a net of $14,000 +/- for our Foundation Community Grants and Scholarships. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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OXUSD YES!RC of Camarillo along with RC of Camarillo Sunrise and RC of Oxnard sponsored our first ever YES! Event on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The Oxnard Union School District was our key community partner in making this daylong event a success. Over 40 high school youth from the Oxnard Union High School District as well as Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and other areas of Ventura County participates in this OXUSD Youth Empowerment Summit fashioned after the YES! Programs of Kern and Simi Valley. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast Club SocialBakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club’s Membership Chair, William Gordon and wife Nicole are expecting their first Baby! William Dean! For BBRC’s March Social, Club Social Chair, Holly Kuntz and Past President Denise Haynes arranged a couples “surprise” baby shower at the home of 2023-2024 President Elect Pat Thompson and wife Karen. A great time was had by all 20 plus BBRC Club Members that attended with catered food, mimosa’s, beer, and wine (lemonade for momma Nicole!). The afternoon consisted of many baby shower games with some nice prizes. The weather shaped up, so some members spilled out onto the Thompson’s covered patio. Nicole and William were provided a bounty of baby gifts and loads of diapers! But best of all, we were Blessed with fellowship as a Club and in the support and celebration of little William Dean! Being a Club with many new, younger members, it’s almost assured we will have future Baby Shower Club Socials! Well done Holly and Denise!! Congratulations! William, Nicole and Baby William Dean!!! ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning Celebrates 15th AnniversaryApril 16th members of the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club set sail on one of our members yachts in Marina del Ray Harbor to celebrate our clubs 15th anniversary. We had a great time, sharing food and stories as we cruised around the harbor. ![]() |
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Reconnecting Former Rotarians to Rotary de TolosaOn May 10, Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa hosted a special reunion meeting, bringing together 18 former members to lunch to catch up and network. A list of inactive members was generated in ClubRunner from the past 10 years, and culled by by criteria, including: members left in good standing; had not joined another Rotary club; and hadn’t moved out of the area. Many invitees who couldn’t join us responded with a “thank you” and indicated that they would join next time. Our former Rotarian guests were welcomed by the Membership Director and had a “Rotary Host” to introduce them to others. They were treated to a taco bar lunch provided by the club, while current members shared recent and upcoming projects, confirming the club's continued commitment to community service. The program featured SLO Rep Artistic Director Kevin Harris, who shared details about the plans for the Downtown SLO Cultural Arts District, the long-awaited new parking structure, and the latest developments with SLO Rep's new theater. The reunion was a great success, sparking interesting discussions and being an excellent opportunity for the former members to reconnect with old friends and make new connections. Everyone left feeling energized and inspired by the club's good work in the community. President Cheryl thanked all attendees for joining us, and invited the former members to stay involved, inviting them back to join us any time. This was the first time we’d held such an event, but certainly won’t be our last. For more information on Rotary de Tolosa’s Reunion meeting, please contact 2022-2023 Membership Director, Mary Verdin at mary@verdinmarketing.com. ![]() ![]() |
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Kern YES! 2023![]() |
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Lompoc Rotary Inducts 3rd Generation of Civic-Minded Family Into Its ClubThe Lompoc Rotary Club inducted its newest member, Halle Bedford Dyer, on Wednesday, September 14th 2022, making her the 3rd generation from the same family to be in the club, simultaneously. She follows in the footsteps of both her mother and her paternal grandfather, joining the club to become active in the Lompoc community. Halle’s grandfather, George Bedford, is a long time Lompoc business owner and philanthropist. He has co-owned Sunset Auto Center since 1988 and has devoted his life and energy to advancing the culture, sports, and non-profit entities of Lompoc. He served as Mayor of Lompoc, was on the City Council, was the President of the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce, has been active in Lompoc Elks Lodge and SB County Cattlemen’s Association and has made several large donations to many local entities such as: Youth Sports, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts, DARE program, Police & Fire Departments, amongst many others. In 1994, Bedford was elected Lompoc Man of the Year and in 2007 he was awarded by the Lompoc City Council with a tree in Recognition Grove at Beattie Park. Bedford has been a member of Rotary since 1983. Halle’s mother, Heather Hudson Bedford, a Lompoc native, has been helping in the community most of her life. “I grew up with parents who volunteered at church, in the community and at our schools, so giving back to the community is something that is ingrained in my being,” she reported. “Every year we had so much fun working as a family at Brushes & Blues and Lompoc Valley Marathon (eventually the half marathon and most recently, The Hank Hudson Sprint Triathlon, named after her father), that I swore that I would instill the same values in my children. Community service is so important and its exciting to see the rewards of your efforts.” She has been on several board of directors for non-profits over the years, both in Lompoc Valley and Santa Ynez Valley, where she travels back and forth to each as she co-owns Inklings Printing Company with an office in each location. In 2010 she received the “Super Star” award from the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, and in 2014 she received the “Volunteer of the Year Award” from the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce. Bedford currently serves as President of The Rotary Club of Lompoc (a member since 2019), the Vice-President of the Rancho Purisima Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution and is a Director on the board of The Lompoc Theatre Project. In 2020 she started another local business, The Lompoc Company, which specializes in all things Lompoc: stationery with local photography, olive oils and vinegars, seasoning blends, flower seed packets, and assorted merchandise with The Lompoc Company logo on them. Halle Bedford Dyer, Rotary Club of Lompoc’s newest member, is the recipient of this year’s Lompoc Valley Small Business of the Year Award. She is the owner of South Side Coffee Company in old town and loves to be a part of the community. “I just love my customers and all of the people who come into the café from the local non-profits. I see my company as a bridge to help people plan meetings, gather and do good things for Lompoc. I’m very fortunate to be able to help and I’m happy to do what I can,” she said. Dyer has made several donations to the North County Rape Crisis Center, the local sports teams, LHS Special Education field trips, has helped with many local funerals and has worked with The Food Pantry. Dyer has been a member of The Rancho Purisima Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, a board member of the Development Committee for Family Service Agency and is exciting to start her relationship with Rotary. “Rotary is a great fit for me and I’m eager to get to work on some of our local projects as well as help with the international ones. I’m ready!” The Rotary Club of Lompoc is a is a humanitarian organization which brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization and the members are dedicated people who share a passion for both service and friendship. The club has made donations in the past several years to The Bridge House, Huyck Stadium, The Lompoc Hospital Foundation, Lompoc Theatre Project, as well as many others. To become a member, visit their website: LompocRotary.com ![]() Photo contributed by permission. Pictured left to right: George Bedford, Halle Bedford, Heather Bedford |
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Lompoc Rotary Club to Give Out Several ScholarshipsThe Lompoc Rotary Club will have several $500 and $1000 scholarships available to Lompoc Valley graduates who are seeking to attend a 4-year academic institution or a vocational training school. The money can be used for tuition, supplies, tools, books, transportation and living expenses. Any student from any high school or home-school are invited to apply by April 1, 2023. The applications are available at Lompoc, Cabrillo and Maple High Schools as well as online at LompocRotary.com. Since its inception in 1925 the Lompoc Rotary Club has granted more than $50,000 in scholarships to college-bound high school seniors graduating from Lompoc area schools. This is the first year that scholarships will be awarded to vocational or trade school applicants. “We have had a lot of success as a club with our academic scholarships in the past”, reports Heather Bedford, Rotary President. “But we can do better for people by opening up the process to include 2-year programs or vocational or trade schools. Many young adults are finding the benefits of these shorter programs, but they can be very expensive. Our scholarship process will help them.” Rotary International reports that over 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population. Rotary’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. Rotary supports education for all. Donations to the Lompoc Rotary Scholarship Fund can be made at: LompocRotary.square.site ![]() |
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Lompoc Rotary plays a major part by making a $40,000 donation to The Lompoc Theatre ProjectThe Lompoc Rotary Club made a $40,000 donation to The Lompoc Theatre Project on Monday, August 8, 2022. “We have been wanting to make a substantial donation for a long time,” said Heather Bedford, Lompoc Rotary President. “We chose them to be the biggest recipient of this year’s annual fundraiser, held February 27th, because they are going to be starting their capital campaign soon, and we want to help them reach their goals of revitalizing the downtown area,” she added. “The Lompoc Theatre Project threw themselves whole heartedly into our event, selling tickets, getting sponsors, collecting silent and live auctions, and funding the VIP Bubbles Reception. On the day of the event, their board of directors showed up to help with everything from setting up to cleaning at the end of the night. We had a lot of fun working on the event with them and are proud of what they have accomplished thus far. The theater will bring much needed arts and education programs for all the youth of Lompoc, as well as having a positive economic impact on our local economy, “Bedford stated. “We are very excited to receive this generous donation,” stated Barbara Satterfield, Lompoc Theatre Project President, “It couldn’t come at a better time as we are making significant progress in our fundraising efforts. It means a lot to us that their club has faith that we can get the job done.” The Rotary Club of Lompoc is a is a humanitarian organization which brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization and the members are dedicated people who share a passion for both service and friendship. The club has made donations in the past several years to The Bridge House, Huyck Stadium, The Lompoc Hospital Foundation, as well as many others. To become a member, visit their website: LompocRotary.com ![]() Photo contributed by permission. Pictured left to right are: Rob Klug, Anne Ramsey, Barbara Satterfield, Karin Hauenstein, Heather Bedford, Mark Herrier and Jim Lowsley. |
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Heather Bedford takes office as President of Lompoc Rotary Club
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Rotary Club of Ojai Educational Project to Develop Prashanti International School in Puri, IndiaThe Rotary Club of Ojai is helping to develop Prashanti International School (PIS) in Puri, Odisha, India. PIS is a non-profit school in a poor village area providing quality education focused on English language competency for 310 students K-10. Tuition is kept low for local poor families. PIS is adding grades 11 and 12 to prepare students for university and vocational training. PIS program includes a residential children’s home for 40 students from the most deeply impoverished backgrounds providing full scholarship with housing, food, clothing, medical care, books, education, and daily tutoring. Since 2016, we have completed district grants, club grants, and a global grant, totaling over $115,000 to benefit the students of PIS. These grants have funded drinking water, computers, septic systems, restrooms, water storage tanks, flood mitigation, roads & boundary walls, security gates, a playground, classroom furnishings, plus teacher training in advanced English instruction, class management, and Education in Human Values. Our club has provided thousands of pounds of emergency food for families experiencing extreme food insecurity. We have a new 2023-24 District Grant to provide a backup diesel generator for PIS. Our club has developed a strong sustainable relationship with the school and with local host Rotary Club Srikshetra, Puri, that will benefit the students for generations to come, and Ojai Rotarians have visited PIS on a yearly basis. The relationship between RC Ojai and PIS remains vibrant into the future, giving impoverished students better childhoods, brighter futures, and the opportunity to become leaders of their communities. ![]() Prashanti International School Students ![]() Ojai Rotarians Mike Weaver, Kay Bliss and Leslie Bouche meeting with Srikshetra Puri Rotarians Rabi Mohapatra and Biraja Dhal to create our Global Grant ![]() Two PIS students with their mother who sells fish by the side of the road. These students come from very poor village families. |
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Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast Kicks Off Annual Rotary Foundation PledgeThis Rotary Year, the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Foundation Board “kicked off” our Annual Rotary Foundation Pledge drive with a more personal, informative, and interactive means with which to impact Club giving to The Rotary Foundation. In past years, announcements were made, and emails followed. But there definitely appeared to be a “disconnect” as to what TRF represents from some members, especially newer members. Also, there was some uncertainty as to the distinction between TRF giving and Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Foundation giving. The solution: From mid-August through early November, we set-up a separate Foundation Pledge table for the purpose of assisting members with questions, providing information on TRF and BBRF programs and assisting members with payment. At least two Foundation Board members were on hand at the table at every weekly meeting to provide assistance. We even commissioned a vinyl banner (see attached) to hang off the front of the table. By being available, our Club’s Foundation Board was to provide better information and insight on the designated giving options between the “Annual Fund” and “Polio Plus”; needless to say, our members responded with a significant increase in designating giving to Polio Plus this year. Overall, it appears total TRF commitments also increased over Rotary year 2021-2022. ![]() |
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Ojai Rotary Celebrates 75 Years!
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Rotary Club of Ventura Holiday PartyOn December 17, 2022, the Rotary Club of Ventura in cooperation with Boys and Girls Club of Ventura, Arise Church and a sponsorship from So Cal Gas, held a full-day holiday party for Ventura west end families. We provided 347 children and their families with our club’s annual Coats for Kids, toys including prized large Disney plushes, food gift certificates and visits with the California Highway Patrol AND Santa! ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning Guatemala ChapterBetza Guevara a Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 patient who in a first surgery lost her right foot. Now she's undergone a second surgery and has been amputated just below her right knee. Betza is a former businesswoman who owned a hostel for University Students near Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, and who as a result of Covid-19 lost her entire business and had to sell all her belongings. As a result of her last surgery, Betza needed a wheelchair and approached me, and I was able to obtain a donation coordinated with the Rotary Club Vista Hermosa District.4250. Thank you Richard Rivera from Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning for making it happen and Getting Loud for Rotary and your community. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Ojai Student Poster ContestThe Rotary Club of Ojai held a Poster Design Competition for Ojai Unified School District students as part of its 75th Anniversary Celebration. Students were asked to design a poster that depicts how we can protect the Ojai Valley environment. From the over 50 entries that were received, 3 winners and 2 runners-up in each of the following three categories were chosen: Elementary Schools K-5, Matilija Middle School 6-8, and Nordhoff/Legacy High Schools 9-12. The Elementary K-5 Winner is Meiners Oaks 5th grader, Hunter Rogers; the Matilija 6-8 Winner is 7th grader, Peyton Kennedy; and the 9-12 Winner is Legacy High School student, Adrienne Kearney. The winners at each level received a $100.00 at a Rotary Poster Contest Award presentation April 21 at 6:00 pm. at the Ojai Valley Museum. The winning posters and the runners-up posters are now on display in the Wilson Gallery at the Museum until Sunday, May 14. ![]() Payton Kennedy, Matilija Middle School environmental poster winner, 2023. ![]() 9-12 winner-Adrienne Kearney |
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Santa Maria Breakfast Club Participates in Boys and Girls Club Back-A-Youth NightOver a hundred Boys & Girls Club members along with community leaders and business professionals came together for the 33rd annual Back-A-Youth night at the Santa Maria Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast. Rotarians were paired with a youth for an evening packed with fun, activities and dinner. Participating Rotarians served as mentors to the youth as they participated in an art activity, sports, a STEM activity and character development. Left to right in the photo are Rotarians Mark Jackson, Club President, Roberto Rodriguez, Kathy Simas, Steve Fuhring, Mike Gibson and Leonard Champion with their mentees (all of whom have signed photo releases). Missing is Rotarian Suzanne Levy and her three mentees. Contact Roberto Rodriguez for additional information or questions. 805-354-7426
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Westlake Village Sunrise Meets at Art Trek!
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Rotary Club of Nipomo Participates in Career DayOn April 21st the Rotary Club of Nipomo participated in a Career Day at Nipomo Elementary School. Over 1,000 students participated at the event organized by Rotarian Aaron Meloncon. Many students asked probing questions to the roughly 60 adults ranging from a chemist to a rocket scientist, from an artist to a banker. It was an exciting day for the students and the presenters. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Ojai Awards Business Ethics Award to Carolina Murillo
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Rotary Club of Goleta Invites You to 2nd Annual Goleta Golf ClassicThe Rotary Club of Goleta invites you to come out and join us for a day on the course at the 2nd Annual Goleta Golf Classic, which will be held on Monday, May 22nd at the beautiful Glen Annie Golf Club. The tournament, which draws Rotarians from around the district, benefits Rotary community service projects, including scholarships for local students. Mark your calendar for Monday, May 22nd with check in at 11:30, followed by a 1:00 shotgun start. Your registration fee ($175 or $700 for a foursome) includes dinner and awards on the lovely Glen Annie Patio and a silent auction. In addition to have a great time networking with some of the region’s finest on the course, you’ll be an important part of a fund-raising event that supports local non-profits, including the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, United Boys and Girls Club, and Transition House. For more information on playing in or sponsoring this event, see our website at goletarotarygolf.org. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise - The Home TeamOn Saturday the 8th the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise kicked off its newest community service program called the Rotary Home Team with a very successful turnout of members. Too many to list, members showed up with their Rotary outfits and participated in an initial training course to learn how the Home Team would operate. After a brief social over coffee and healthy, low fat, no sugar, non-gmo, organic, pasture raised, free range and no hormones donuts the crew spent a little over 45 minutes learning the proper way to work with seniors in their homes. From initial introductions and administrative paperwork, to looking at the repairs that have been requested to deciding on who does what, the Rotarians learned that for many seniors simple minor repairs that are performed are so necessary for the seniors to continue living at home. Many questions were asked and answers given, and then teams were formed to go out to this months senior requests. Everything from light bulbs needing to be replaced and smoke detectors being checked, to leaking sinks and door bell fixes were performed at the seniors homes we visited. In the end the seniors were so thankful for our work and just kept repeating what a nice program we have developed. I know the Rotarians that participated really enjoyed the work we did because we made a difference in the seniors' lives, albeit a small one, but one nonetheless. A success all around, next Home Team date is on June 10th and we expect to have many more requests for help as the word gets around that the Rotarians from Westlake Village Sunrise are ready, willing and able to get the job done. Thanks to all that showed up and participated and to Senior Concerns of the Conejo Valley for being our partner in this much-needed community service project for our seniors. ![]() |
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St Patrick’s Day at Topa Topa BreweryIrish stew and St Patrick’s Day brew with bagpipes and fiddlers too! In partnership with local Topa Topa Brewery in support of the Ronald McDonald Family room at Ventura County Medical Center, the Rotary Club of Ventura East hosted a good time for a good cause on March 17. Topa Topa donated 10% of all beer proceeds and the club sold tickets that included food as well as a drink. As a kickoff event for the Ronald McDonald Walk for Kids on March 19th, it was well attended by families too! Lots of room in the beer garden, complete with an entertainment stage that hosted: Claddagh dancers, the local band “A Pint of Irish”, and the Ventura Firefighters Pipe Band. This was the first of what is sure to become a popular annual event! ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise - TRFWe are happy to report that our club member Tim Gray, along with his wife Kim, became Bequest Society members with a $175,000 donation. Tim joined our club in 2007 and personally and through his company have made donations to our various projects and events. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise - MembershipOur club is always promoting and encouraging members to bring new people to our meetings and events so that they can see what we are all about. One such fun evening we called “Rotary Reunion”. We invited past members to join us to encourage their possible return, new potential members so that they could meet us in a more casual environment, and current members. There were more than 60 people who joined in. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise - Vocational ServiceOur club wants to help Simi Valley student entrepreneurs turn their business idea into reality or help expand an already existing student business by offering grans up to $500. We are offering grants to students that are starting a new business or want to expand their business. We believe that by providing funding to our students will allow their idea to take flight and to grab more opportunities that come their way to help their business grow. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise - Youth ServiceHigh Students throughout Ventura County attended a one-day workshop in the Fall at Camp Rotary in Simi Valley, where were inspired by a diverse group of exceptional speakers, made life-long friends through fellowship activities, and discussed the ethical and social issues they are faced with daily. The day included the following sessions that enhance personal growth and development: • Ethics • Team Building • Diversity • Blast (Building Life-long Acceptance through Social Tolerance) YES! is dedicated to empowering young people to become life-changers by gaining a greater understanding of both personal and global issues, developing effective communication, decision-making skills and a greater understanding of the human connection. The students arrive early in the morning – strangers mostly – and by the end of the day they are filled with one-of-a-kind experiences – have met lifelong friends and have learned a little more about themselves and their potential to make a difference in their world. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise - Community ServiceOur club helped Simi Valley become an International City of Peace. To encourage residents to promote peace in their lives and in the community, Simi Valley students were invited to design hand-painted rocks with uplifting words and art. More than 400 rocks highlighting themes of peace and hope were placed at Corriganville Park. International Cities of Peace defines peace as the consensus values of safety, prosperity and quality of life for all people in the community. The City of Simi Valley and its police department, school district and Chamber of Commerce, along with our two other Rotary Clubs, soroptimist International Simi Valley and the For the Need Foundation, all partnered in this effort to create an atmosphere of tolerance, foster a culture of goodwill through education and promote sustainable economic and social development in the community. ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise - Club ServiceLaura Berger, Club President, and Dorina Timbol, Club Service director conducted a Club Assembly. President Laura talked about increasing participation and attendance by Rotarians in all of the Club's activities, programs, service projects and social events. The purpose of this Club Assembly was to share information with Club members – particularly those that are new to our club, identify issues and discuss future plans. This assembly was focused on the coming Rotary year, our projects and upcoming fundraisers. Club directors rotated to each table to discuss their plans for the year, answer any questions and to have members share their ideas and opinions. ![]() |
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Alpacas, Llamas & Bison, OH MY!You may have heard that Carpinteria Morning Club often tours the local farms in their quaint little seaside community, but did you know Carp has an ocean view farm of exotic animals…you almost want to have as pets? Club members, families and friends of the Carpinteria Morning Club support locals farmers and their livelihoods. “It’s especially important to help our local ranches after the preceding 3 years of events”, Mary Layman, Vocational Chair explains, “Carp is not only known for Avocados, Cannabis, Orchids (and recently…celebrities), but the club is serving the coastal community with lots of good vibes, service activities and monetary support”. If you get a chance, make a reservation and visit the Carpinteria Canzelle Alpaca Farm, you will not be disappointed! ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Cambria Announces Winner of the Peace Essay ContestAt our meeting on March 24, Coast Union High School English Teacher, Ogo Agbo read the 3rd Place Peace Essay from senior Emily Reed who was unable to attend our meeting. Emily wrote about the journey to find peace after the death of her father. Patricia Acosta, also a senior, submitted the 2nd Place Essay about finding peace in the outdoors. Patricia will be attending Boston College on a QuestBridge Scholarship. Declan MacKenzie, a sophomore, received 1st place honors for his essay. Declan was home-schooled in Viet Nam, where his family lived due to his father’s job, until last year when he relocated to Cambria and enrolled in Coast Union. Declan entitled his essay “Interpretations” and came to the conclusion that “we must continue to do our best to strive towards peace, regardless of the challenges and pushback we might face. Whether that means cultivating your own inner peaceful disposition or promoting peace in your community, never give up on hope that one day all of humanity will be able to fully live in and experience a peaceful world”. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Cambria Welcomes Three New MembersDuring the month of March, our club was pleased to welcome 3 new members. John Kraetsch recently retired and relocated to Cambria. He decided to check out Rotary because he was looking to meet people and, quite frankly, found he was getting bored. John looks forward to volunteering his time and learning more about Rotary. John was sponsored by another newcomer to our club, Luanne Kittle who stood by his side as he was sworn in on March 10th. Doug and Debbie Koerper are part-time Cambrians who are looking to give back. Doug spent his career as a heavy equipment operator and Debbie is a marriage and family therapist who also volunteers with equine therapy. We were thrilled to welcome them into the “family.” Doug and Debbie were sponsored by PE Bob Kasper and were sworn in on March 24th. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning Fall Rush 2023To get the year started, Carpinteria Morning Club instituted a Fall Rush, (remember those college days?) hosted by Mary Layman Vocational Chair, inviting the community to hear about the great events and projects planned for the year and enjoy a FREE enchilada dinner and mockeritas. Each board member introduced their projects and guests were invited to visit each member’s table to sign up for future activities planned. As a guest and member signed up, they received a raffle ticket and at the end of the night, lots of gift baskets were given out. This was a fantastic way to share the many service projects the club was doing and to invite the community to join in the fun! Some guests became Friends with the club on social media (invited to future activities) and others joined right away. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning Valentines Day FundraiserResiliency Makes the Heart Grow Stronger Adversity teaches resiliency transforming our hearts. For Valentines Day, Carpinteria Morning Club hosted its annual fundraiser to raise money and honor young adults who needed to retrain after Covid in a new job. “Thankful to have ‘Turned the corner’ we have strengthened a commitment in our community to support those young adults who need additional classes after having to change jobs,” shared Mary Layman, Vocational Chair. After application review, Beth Cox (renowned as Carpinterian of the Year) and Carie Smith (PE) of Carpinteria Morning Club presented 3 scholarships to resilient hard working Gen Zs, (one applicant recently from Ukraine). ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise -- International ProjectThe Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise worked with Club Rotario Centenario in Ensenada to bring supplies to a clinic that provides cleft palate surgery for children, along with dental restoration, speech therapy and more. This clinic is open only 4-6 times a year with approximately 80-90 volunteers assisting more than 200 patients. The clinic provides life-saving surgeries and related health care for FREE to underserved children so that they can eat properly, speak normally, and be more accepted in their communities to live normal lives. Simi Sunrise brought supplies that the clinic will provide to their patients. In collaboration with Club Rotario Ensenada Centenaria our club realized the need to assist with providing supplies to patients at the dental clinic in the city run by Thousand Smiles. Thousand Smiles, a 501(c)3 foundation, provides free maxillofacial surgery, dental treatment as well as, various associated procedures to children from financially challenged families in Mexico. This project is totally funded by donations including but not limited to Rotary International Grants, other foundation grants, Rotary Club donations, and personal donations. The project is completely managed and run by volunteers. ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Carpinteria Talent Showcase
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Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Vocational Service StoryThis month as Vocational Chair of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club we had the opportunity to interview four mostly newer members of our club one of them being the new police chief for Thousand Oaks Jeremy Paris. Jeremy gave us some insight into his typical schedule during the day organizing staff and responding to emails and messages as part of his administrative duties for Thousand Oaks and surrounding areas. He noted that the training for a police officer is never the same as a real life situation as first responders many times have to deal with situations that are not exactly the same as training exercises. Reacting in real time in real life it is impossible determine someone’s reaction until they are confronted with a live situation. Many times newer officers are left in the background to see how they handle themselves before being thrust into a face to face confrontation. He also discussed how new DNA databases such as 23andme or Ancestry can be subpoenaed by authorities to obtain a close match to a DNA sample which can then be used to narrow down potential suspects of a crime. This is how the authorities tracked the Idaho suspect of the college kids murders all the way back to Pennsylvania where he was living with relatives thousands of miles away from the crime scene. A database match was made of a relative and he was followed until a sample could be obtained from him and a match was made. Although body cameras seem to be perceived by many to be somewhat controversial Jeremy said that most officers welcome their use as they can help sort out facts from fiction in confrontations with officers. He went on the say that the biggest challenge today is finding qualified personnel to fill vacancies at various departments. ![]() |
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Fall Fundraiser for Rotary Club of NipomoIn fall of 2022, Rotary Club of Nipomo held another successful fundraiser to benefit the youth of our community. We hosted an evening of fun at our Winner Winner Chicken Dinner drawing and live auction event, which benefited Nipomo Youth Soccer (AYSO Region 716) and the Drama Department at Mesa Middle School. We served barbecued chicken with all of the fixin's and offered an auction with many different items, experiences, getaways, and desserts for sale to the highest bidder. Working together with those groups makes for an outstanding night! For our entertainment that evening, the drama students performed a selection of songs from their fall show, "Disney's Aladdin Jr.," prior to dinner service. Parent volunteers from both groups, as well as our Rotarians, assisted in different roles on the day of the event, as well as working to sell event tickets and solicit the donation of auction items prior to the fundraiser. The proceeds from the event resulted in a donation of $9000.00 to each youth group. Nipomo Youth Soccer plans to install lights on their fields in order to facilitate later practice times in the fall, while Mesa Middle School Drama is hoping to replace 20 years-old stage infrastructure and to update its sound equipment. Rotarians ready to BBQ (left to right): Howard Hess, Jim Harrison, Harry Walls, Sean Schurr, Chris Wise Outside the Edwards Barn, Nipomo, at our Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Fundraiser ![]() Presenting the donation to Youth Soccer (left to right): Rotarians Judy Henbury, Kelly Ricker, Cathy Cachu. From Youth Soccer, Josh Krebs, Sarah Mendoza ![]() Presenting the donation to Mesa Middle School (left to right): Rotarians Judy Henbury, Cathy Cachu. From MMS, Marcia Geyer, Hanh Nguyen Hays. Rotarian Kelly Ricker
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Rotary Club of Cambria Offers a Chance at a Dream Trip and Offers Thanks to CommunityGRAND RAFFLE: How does a vacation on the beach in Bermuda, Los Cabos, Cancun or Costa Rica sound to you? Or a trip exploring the beaches and jungles of Belize or a wine train and hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley? Maybe checking out the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or New York’s Broadway are more up your alley. Whatever your preference, it's time for Cambria Rotary’s Grand Raffle! Enter to win one of 8 travel experiences! Winner will be drawn at our VIVA event "Spring Fling" on April 29th but the winner does not need to be in attendance to win. Purchase your ticket for $50 from any Cambria Rotarian or email us for more information at vivacambriarotary@gmail.com. Proceeds will help fund local and international projects including Feeding the Needy, Polio Eradication, Disaster Relief, Basic Education and Literacy, High School Scholarships, Promoting Peace, Sustainable Clean Water and much more. ![]() BLOOD DRIVE: Once again, Cambrians answered the call to give blood at our March 2nd Dave Melendy Blood Drive. Forty locals rolled up their sleeves to help save a life. In the end, up to 120 lives will be saved thanks to the generosity of our friends and neighbors. And thanks to Cambria Pines Lodge for hosting the event. Our next Blood Drive will be held in August. Stay tuned for more detailed information as it becomes available. ![]() |
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Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club Celebrates 1,000th Book DonationThe Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club celebrated the efforts of two Rotarians who established the Club’s book donation program that is still in place twenty years later. Club President Roberto Rodriguez and Orcutt Union School District Supervisor Holly Edds commended Rotarians Betty Miller and Doug Palmer on this project. In 2002, Betty Miller, the Club’s first woman President, established a program to honor each week’s speaker by donating a book in their name to one of the 26 local elementary schools in Santa Maria and Orcutt. Doug Palmer has selected and purchased the books which are hardback Caldecott or Newberry Medal books. After twenty years, the Club donated it’s 1,000th book and determined a celebration was in order. Literacy, and reading in particular, has a great impact on an individual and on a community at large. Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary recognizes the positive impact of investing in literacy in our community. It was fitting that the celebration was held on a local school campus, Joe Nightingale Elementary School. The meeting ended with a tour of the school library for some Rotarians while others participated in reading books to a second-grade class. ![]() ![]() |
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Coast Union Interact Club Bakes Up a StormThe Rotary Club of Cambria is proud to sponsor the Coast Union Interact Club and watch these students take action to make a difference each year. The Interact Club members plan various fundraising activities so they can raise money to donate to causes selected by the Interactors. In previous years, the club has donated to such causes as high school scholarships, Camp Ocean Pines, HART, Feeding America, Doctors Without Borders, St. Jude’s, Skate Cambria and FFRP. One of their annual fundraisers is a Bake Sale conducted at one of Rotary’s February meetings. It is always one of our favorite meetings because the baked goods the students make are auctioned off and, invariably bidding wars break out as auctioneer Bob Kasper uses humor to encourage higher and higher bids. It is just another example of our motto: “If it ain’t fun, it ain’t Rotary”. At our February 10th meeting, there were a lot of laughs, Rotarians got to enjoy some delicious baked goods and the 2023 Interact Bake Sale raised almost $4,500! ![]() |
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Community Service - Rotary Club of Thousand OaksWe gathered one Saturday afternoon at a club member's home to make 75 bagged lunches for the homeless and hungry people of Thousand Oaks. Our local non-profit works to get folks housed as well as helping people with utilities or whatever they need to stay in their homes. Partnering with local churches, they feed 70-80 people a hot meal every night and give them a lunch bag for the next day. We included messages and jokes in each lunch bag. ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks: Open Table Foster Youth Program
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Emely Marquez Honored as Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Alt Ed Student of the Month
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Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Club Service StoryThe Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks has potluck fireside chats a few times a year. Here we are at Danny and Marissa's house. Excellent smoked beef by Danny. Great way to get to know each other when you have a big club! ![]() |
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CHS Rotary Interact Club “Unite to Light Ukraine”
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Human Trafficking on the Central Coast Summit![]() Please join us for a cross-sector collaboration forum designed to educate and inform the community on human trafficking on the Central Coast. You are invited as an individual, agency, educational or governmental leader who is essential in uniting the community on important topics. Whether or not you or an agency has joined the anti-trafficking movement, we are looking forward to collaborating with the hope of building a firm foundation for community action.
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Rotary Club of Cambria Secret Santa Project![]() Thanks to the generosity of many in our community, 43 children in the Oceanside Apartments in San Simeon had a very Merry Christmas. On December 21, Santa (aka Rotarian Tom Tierney) along with a group of very helpful elves, delivered packages of gifts for each of the children and their parents. Cambria Rotary’s Secret Santa’s purchased 3 of the gifts the children asked for in their letter to Santa. An anonymous Cambria Rotary member donated a pair of shoes to each of the children. Cambria Connection and Cambria Rotary both gave each family gift cards for groceries, another anonymous donor gave each family a Target gift card, several San Simeon businesses chipped in so each family could receive household items (detergent, soap, shampoo, cleaning items, etc.) and Rotary donated a soccer ball to each of the kiddos. Needless to say, the children and their parents were thrilled, and the Rotary elves ended their evening with warm hearts. |
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Rotary Club of Cambria Honored![]() On Saturday evening, December 3rd, Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria held a Legacy Dinner to honor both our Rotary Club and Cambria Rotarian Del Clegg.
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Cambria Rotary Donates to the Food Bank![]() At Cambria Rotary’s November 18th meeting, we heard from Branna Still of the San Luis Obispo Food Bank. She told us that 26% of households in SLO County do not earn enough to afford an essential cost of living, and 1 in 6 children may experience food insecurity in the US this year! The SLO Food Bank serves over 31,000 individuals each month. 28% are children and 25% are seniors. Community Service Chair, Sandy Cha, was pleased to present Branna and the SLO Food Bank with a check for $500 to help families and individuals during this holiday season. |
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Employee Recognition at the Rotary Club of Simi SunrisePart of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise's vocational service program this year is encouraging our members to recognize and honor their employees by inviting them to attend one of our meetings. |
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Career Day for Rotary Club of Bakersfield Twilight![]() The Rotary Club Bakersfield Twilight over the past several years has sponsored the Mt. Vernon Elementary School in various education projects, and this year they supported the school’s inaugural Career Awareness Day. Organized by the school principal, Mrs. Xochitl Prieto (zoh-chee pry-eh-toh), and her staff, several Bakersfield Twilight Rotarians gave up their busy Tuesday morning to share their passion for the business occupations they take a part in.
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Rotary Club of Cambria Donation to Compass Zambia![]() At a recent Rotary Meeting, we heard from Paula Van Zyl of Compass Zambia. Paula is an amazing lady, born in Glendale, CA who has dedicated her life to help people in need in Zambia. Paula moved to Africa in 2003, Mwandi Village in 2005. They have built 199 homes for those most in need in the village with the help of volunteers.
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise Mid-Year Board Retreat![]() The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise held an additional Board retreat this year. It was a mid-year retreat to reinvigorate our Board and support one another in achieving our goals. The club members were invited to give feedback and joined a strategic planning session. We discussed our future plans regarding membership, retention, officer transitions, templates for future officers, integration of new members, fundraising, allocation of funds, Foundation goals, and future international grants and partnering. |
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Rotary Club of Cambria Welcomes Four New Members![]() Just short of 3 months into our 2022-23 Rotary year and we welcomed four new members into our family. Each new member is invited to attend a casual evening Orientation, where new members get to socialize with veteran Rotarians and learn more about Rotary while sipping wine and enjoying some snacks before their formal induction at a Rotary meeting.
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Danish Days Returns to Solvang — Solvang Rotary Steps Up![]() Members of the Rotary Club of Solvang stepped up to operate a food booth during this year’s Annual Danish Days Festival, which honors the 1911 founding of Solvang by Danish-Americans. Running from Friday, September 16th through Sunday, the 18th, it was the first Danish Days celebration since 2019. Solvang Rotarians, for the first time, cooked and served more than 400 “Viking Burger” meals, consisting of grilled pork patties with Swiss cheese and grilled onions, served on toasted egg dough cheese/onion buns. Chips and beverages completed the meal. YUM…! The event drew thousands of visitors both Saturday and Sunday, as reported by the Santa Barbara News-Press. In addition to many Danish costumes, the festival featured two parades, an axe-throwing contest, and a Lego Building Competition, for which the first prize garnered $500. |
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Volunteer Opportunity to GuatemalaRotary Team Trip to Ak’Tenamit in Guatemala Ak’Tenamit is a boarding school of over 600 Indigenous Mayan students aged 12-18 in the Rio Dulce area of Eastern Guatemala. Numerous Rotary clubs have built and supported this school for over 20 years. George Poulakos (RC Ventura) is looking for anyone interested in joining this trip on March 25 to April 2, 2023. Details and George's contact info is in the flyer linked below. |
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Kristina Health Center: Ten Years of Saving Lives, Improving Lives and Bringing New Lives Into The World![]() Julius Achon and Jim Fee's shared vision — to build and operate a health clinic in remote Northern Uganda — once seemed impossible to realize: construction, electrification, staff recruitment and equipment delivery would prove virtually impossible in a region so lacking in infrastructure and even passable roads. The need was great but so was the determination of Julius, Jim and the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund team. Cambria Rotary was honored to get a chance to meet Julius in 2018 when we sponsored a run and barbeque at El Chorro Regional Park and a film/narration of “The Boy Who Runs, The Odyssey of Julius Achon”, organized by Bruce Howard, at the Fremont Theater The events raised $20,000 towards the purchase of an ultrasound machine for the health center. The next day, Julius attended our Rotary meeting and International Services Chair, Gerry Porter, presented Julius with a check for $1,795 for the purchase of a chemistry machine. An additional $1,000 was raised by club members at the meeting for the ultrasound machine and training. In 2022, our club donated a motorbike to the center so staff can deliver medications to those in need. We are proud to have played a small part in the success of the Kristina Health Center, now celebrating their 10th anniversary.
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Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Helps the Monarch Butterfly![]() Through the efforts of its International Committee, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is planting 108 Milkweed plants in their yards. The Monarch Butterfly lays its eggs exclusively on Milkweed. When the caterpillars emerge, they eat the Milkweed and metamorphose into the beautiful Monarch butterflies which migrate between Canada and the Central Coast. Mark Shelton and Sandy Lee spearheaded the project after hearing about a similar project by the Passport Club. The plants were donated by a generous local, native plant breeder.
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Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Raises Over $11,000 for Ukrainian Relief![]() The conflict in Ukraine and the need for support of the Ukrainian people was taken head on by Bob Hather, a member of the Monday Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo. Bob owns many businesses, and one of them is a manufacturing plant that produces portable water drilling equipment. Bob needed to visit the plant, located on the east coast. Instead of taking a commercial flight to the manufacturing plant, as an avid motorcyclist, Bob came up with the idea of having the Monday Rotary Club members, and his friends and business associates, sponsor his ride by pledging money for every mile he rode. Through his efforts, Bob raised over $11,000 that was sent to the Rotary Foundation for Ukrainian Relief efforts. |
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Rotary Club of Ojai Raises Over $5,000 for Ukrainian ReliefOver recent weeks, the Rotary Club of Ojai has raised $5,510 to be sent to The Rotary Foundation to contribute to the worldwide Ukrainian Refugee Relief effort. Rotary will work with local Rotary clubs and international aid organizations in the impacted region to provide food, shelter, clothing and medical needs of the 2.5 million women, children and elderly who have been forced from their country because of of the unjustified Russian invasion. |
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Cambria Rotary Welcomes Teachers and Staff to a New School Year![]() It's hard to believe it is that time again! School is starting and the Rotary Club of Cambria was ready to show the local teachers and staff just how much we appreciate them for all they do for our local students. So, on Sunday club members gathered at the high school cafeteria to begin preparing breakfast items. There was ham to be chopped, potatoes and fruit to cut and dozens upon dozens of eggs to crack and scramble. The next day we gathered again, just after sunrise, to work on final preparations. The staff was treated to scrambled eggs, ham and cheese, potatoes, fruit, croissants, sweet rolls, juice and coffee. The hard work is always worth it when the staff shows up with smiles on their faces. We know how hard they work all year, so it is our pleasure to do this annual breakfast as our way of saying thank you.
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise Holds Pickleball and Picnic Membership Drive![]() Simi Sunrise Rotary held a Pickleball and Picnic membership drive, during the membership month of August.
We had about 55 participants and met many new potential members; alongside enjoying our existing members. Fellowship and fun are one of our goals this year. We are gaining more interpersonal knowledge about our fellow Rotarians. We are building on our inclusive, family culture. |
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New Member Inductions at the Rotary Club of Ventura South![]() What a great way to kick off Rotary International’s membership month. The Rotary Club of Ventura South inducted 3 new members into the club on August 1. Cynthia Cordero, Daniel Cervantes, and Dustin Tondreau were inducted into the club. Rick Weber from CBC Federal Credit Union and Tony Suleiman from the Suleiman State Farm Insurance Agency provided introductions of the new members. Maria Prendiz from CBC Credit Union was not able to attend. The new members bring great experience and energy to the club. They are already taking part in a couple of our service committees. |
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$22,500 awarded in scholarships![]() The Rotary Club of Ventura South President Nkosi Khumalo (“NK”) is proud to announce the 2022 Senior Graduate Scholarship recipients from St Bonaventure High School ( Olivia Escobedo, William MacNeil, Maria Bernal, Jessica Sanchez ) and from Ventura High School (Juerta Pirraci, Iliana Macias, Ryan Palmisano, Jesus Alvarez Flores, Taylor Denger). Each graduate received a cash check of $2,500 towards their university tuition.
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Insurance broker chooses community service![]() When David Drumright joined the Rotary Club of Camarillo in 1999, he was focused on networking. The insurance broker quickly realized, however, that community service was more valuable than gaining new clients. “What motivates me is that I love the club, I love the people and I love what we do in the community,” said Drumright, 62. He was nominated by former presidents to assume a leadership role in 2006, and he said he has been dedicated to reviving important traditions while developing new strategies to serve the city. The greatest challenge he’s faced as president is the pandemic, he said. Unable to hold long-standing events in person, the club struggled to maintain participation. |
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Rotary Club gives scholarships, funded by Talent Showcase![]() Money from the Rotary Club Talent Showcase and the Carpinteria Rotary Foundation is now in the hands of the Carpinteria Education Foundation (CEF), earmarked for student scholarships.
The money will fund seven scholarships. This includes two $2,500 scholarships for members of the Carpinteria High School Interact Club, in Doc Carty’s name; one $2,000 scholarship for a student pursuing music and the arts, in Nilo Fanucchi’s name; and five $1,000 scholarships for Career Technical Education students selected by the school staff. School board trustee Sally Green accepted a check for the scholarships on behalf of CEF. |
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Cambria’s Coast Union High School Interact Club![]() Cambria Rotary sponsors, mentors and guides the Coast Union High School Interact Club each year as they carry out projects and develop leadership skills. We could not be prouder of this year’s club and salute them for all they have accomplished. President, Lisi Happel, Vice President, Caiden Kennedy, Treasurer Violet Wills, Secretary Emmy Johnson and Social Media Director Rory Cloward led the 2021-22 club which conducted monthly beach cleanups, volunteered at the Harvest Festival, Toys for Tots, Camp Ocean Pines Anniversary Dinner, Skate Day, San Simeon Easter Egg Hunt, Beautify Cambria’s Dark Skies and the Bee Festival. |
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Bakersfield Clubs Assist College with Peace Initiatives![]() In celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birthday in 2019, Bakersfield College started the first of many peace initiatives with support from the Patel Foundation, the Bakersfield College Foundation, and area Rotary clubs. The first of many proposed peace gardens on campus, with a Rotary Peace Pole, was dedicated on October 21, 2021. A second peace garden will break ground soon. Bakersfield Breakfast Club Rotarians and Peace Committee members Cheryl Scott and Mindy Wilmot continue to be involved in the Peace Initiative on Bakersfield College campus. They were also involved in the Bakersfield College Peace Initiative President’s Seminar Series where the connection between Rotary and Peace were showcased. “BC and Rotary: Building Peace in Kern County” may be found at this link. Additionally, a video further discussing the partnership may be found on YouTube. |
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Simi Sunrise Annual "Bolio" EVent![]() On Sunday, April 10th the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise held their annual Bolio event at Harley's Simi Bowl in Simi Valley. This event is a fundraiser to support Rotary's battle against the Polio virus which has been eradicated in all but two countries in the world. It is an opportunity for fun and fellowship centered around 10 pins which one attempts to knock over using a 12 pound ball with 3 holes drilled in it for your fingers. Sounds primitive, doesn't it?
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"Lost @ Sea" Memorial Service : A Community Project![]() Reputedly the only memorial service that honors and remembers those who are lost at sea, Cayucos Rotary is proud to be the sponsor of this annual event since 2009. This is probably our club's most emotional community service project.
Each year, fishermen, veterans and civilians honor and remember all who fought, and anyone else who has been lost at sea. The ceremony has grown from about 100 curious eyes to almost 400 prior to Covid. Local agency officers, like County Supervisor Bruce Gibson, County Sheriff Ian Parkinson, and even past Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian had come to officiate the event. Today, the event is co-organized by the Lost-at-Sea Committee with representatives from Cayucos Rotary, Morro Bay Rotary, Cayucos Lions, Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen's Organization. The Coast Guard is on hand to help as well. |
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Membership Story - Husam Hishmeh![]() Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary President Jim Wisdom reached out to Husam early in his year as President to gain some ideas about how to grow membership. While Husam and Jim talked at length about membership early in this Rotary year, and Westlake Sunrise attempted to incorporate some ideas to increase membership, our club had challenges in maintaining and increasing membership- in part due to challenges with COVID. We found that about a third of our members were not showing up on a regular basis to our meetings (either on zoom or in-person, because we have hybrid meetings). |
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Promoting Peace![]() To promote peace, Cayucos Rotary is gathering a group of school-age students to create peace posters and raise the need for peace in our community and the world.
The youths will be invited to our meetings to share their thoughts and their posters will be laminated and posted on the windows of local merchants, to demonstrate our support against the war in Ukraine, and anywhere else in the world. This peace activity will be promoted via our website, club's Facebook page, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. |
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Cayucos Rotary Lead with Music Scholarships![]() One of the fun projects that's unique to Cayucos Rotary is awarding music scholarships to college students looking to pursue a career in the music industry or related industries.
Five years ago, Cayucos Rotary created a "Chungsam Doh Music Scholarship Fund" to honor and thank Past District Governor, Chungsam Doh, for mentoring and supporting Cayucos Rotary. PDG Chungsam was so humbled that he personally contributed to the fund. |
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Conejo Valley Rotary: About Our Club![]() Established in 1978, we are a smaller more intimate club that is known locally for being mighty and getting wonderful things done locally and internationally. We’re known for providing Thanksgiving meals that feed over 3,300 local children and families in dire need with respect and honor, providing K9s for Warrior, helping distribute over 11,000 wheelchairs to those who desperately need one, and starting the first local drive-in movie charity event! Some recent projects we’ve undertaken during are helping finance and supply books for a literacy program called Little Free Library, stuffing backpacks with school supplies, participating in a global grant to bring clean water to Zimbabwe, helping the local Casa Pacifica organization with volunteering, and much more! |
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Conejo Valley Rotary Program: Interactive Peace Building Game![]() The Rotary Club of Conejo Valley invited back Anahita Dalmia to update us on her peacebuilding project. Anahita is the CEO of Alterea and daughter of a past president of the RC Delhi Premier (Aneesha Dalmia). Anahita first presented her project to RC of Conejo Valley in March 2021. She explained that, when she was a student, she read that more polio cases are now caused by the vaccine than by wild viruses. She was concerned because she knew of her mother’s and Rotary’s involvement with the polio vaccine. After researching the subject, she realized that the statement was misleading and that much of the information accessible to students is misinformation or disinformation. Anahita wanted to help. |
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Westlake Sunrise Youth Service: RYLA![]() From Thurs. 4/28/22 through Sun. afternoon 5/1/22, Westlake Sunrise Rotary sponsored Jarrett Frey, a student here in the Conejo Valley. He learned many things at RYLA: How to take charge, how to inspire people, connect with teammates, and how to bring out the best in them. Because of the education he received in leadership, a winning attitude, perseverance, and ethics, he will be seeking a more active role in his Interact Club and spread his knowledge about how to improve both leadership and character. He wrote to WLV Sunrise President Jim Wisdom the following: “ It is frightening to think that without your support, I would not have experienced this life-changing opportunity.” |
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Cayucos Rotary Is Growing![]() At Cayucos Rotary, every member is responsible to bring in potential members. Before we learn of Rotary International President Shektar Metha's initiative on "Bring One, Keep One", Cayucan Rotarians have been practising this mantra since our charter in March 2008.
As a small club in a small beach town, it is essential that we know our members and learn how to retain them. Cayucos Rotary is not unlike other Rotary clubs. Our club has our ups and downs. Members do leave. We depend heavily on our sponsors to mentor each new member and we get our new members going in our projects. Also as a small club, we need our members to participate in every way possible : donate and /or contribute in kind and work on projects. |
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A Polio Affair (TRF Story)![]() Prior to Covid, Cayucos Rotary has organized “Paddle for Polio” in conjunction with the Cancer Survivors Group from the Morro Bay Dragon Boat Association to raise awareness of polio and fundraise for polio eradication. Participants included Group 11 Rotarians, who raised funds within their club. We were not able to do so for the past two years.
For 2021-2022, past president Sherry Sim adapted and did the “Peddle for Polio” by committing to wake up at 6:00 AM to peddle on her exercise bike for half hour daily for two weeks prior to World Polio Day. Sherry is not an early riser. She was penalized 4 days out of the two weeks, for failing to wake up on time to peddle and her ‘penalties’ added to her contribution to the PolioPlus fund. Club members supported her efforts and the club raised $400 last October. Participants from the club included Michele Lilley, club president; Emily Campbell, Past President; Donna Archer, Past President; Pamela Cookson and Sherry Sim, Past President. |
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Westlake Sunrise - Teacher Appreciation![]() On Fri. 5/6/22, Westlake Sunrise Rotarians gathered together at the beginning of their Rotary meeting at Los Robles Greens and assembled over 353 Teacher Appreciation bags filled with goodies and sweets to thank the teachers for their hard work during this COVID-challenged school year. Our President Elect and Community Service Chair, Michelle Ramsey, supervised the assembly process and helped us assemble the bags. Once the bags were assembled, WLV Sunrise Rotarians delivered them to a number of schools in the Conejo Valley and surrounding area. We delivered these packages to Westlake High School; Oak Park High School; Westlake Elementary School and Westlake Hills Elementary School. |
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SLO Rotary Sponsors Four RYLA Students![]() The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo was pleased to sponsor 4 students from San Luis Obispo High School to attend this year’s RYLA, the first in-person camp in several years! Three students completed the leadership camp (one became ill on the first day and had to return home): Katerina Harris, Kylee McNabb, and Dawson Sennes. Katerina and Kylee are juniors, Dawson is a sophomore and already involved in ASB leadership at their school. All three had an outstanding, life-changing experience, and made scores of new friends from all over the district. Kylee received two awards, one for talent show, and the other for Service Above Self.
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SLAINTE! (Gaelic for “Health”)
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Simi Sunset Membership![]() Ready to close up this great Rotary year and we look back to the small things that make a bi difference. There are times that showing up are enough but then there are the times that people need a take away. This year we provided all our members business cards to hand out inviting potential members to join us at our meetings. Something that can fit in your hand and remind you of the good that a community can do. All it takes is one small phone call and we have them hooked. Get them in the door to get them involved and word of mouth and excitement of giving back is all you need.
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Cayucan Rotarians Know How to Have Fun![]() In addition to great speaker programs, Club President Michele Lilley decided to turn it up a notch this year to make our meetings more interesting. For certain months, we would have a "themed" meeting and every member is encouraged to participate and have fun.
We kicked off Club Pres. Michele's first meeting last July with a garden theme, and members came in garden garb and boots. Pictured above obviously is our "Halloween" meeting, and we rocked it. We endured covid and ended 2021 with a special Christmas social ~ all were dressed to impress. Soon we will get to "roast" President Michele under another theme. |
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Cayucos Rotary Believes in Girls' Education![]() For the past six years, Cayucos Rotary has supported PACE Universal by sponsoring the cost of educating at least two-three girls each year. This is one of our favorite international projects, and our club's delight to support Past District Governor Deepa Biwas' girls school at PACE Universal in Piyali, India.
Education & literacy, as Rotarians know, is one of the seven areas of focus for Rotary. Cayucan Rotarians believe education is the key to helping these youths lay the foundation to help them become more self-sufficient and more successful in life. |
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Cayucan Kids Pick Up with Cayucos Rotary![]() Despite covid, Club President Michele Lilley remained steadfast and continued to receive undeterred interest from school kids around town to join us in our bi-monthly beach clean-ups. These youths are a joy to work with. They are enthusiastic and scour all over the beach and street to find that "treasured" trash. Cayucan Rotarians started picking up way back when the club was first chartered in 2008-2009. The project has become an annual project since inception, and grown stronger from a quarterly clean-up to a bi-monthly sting. Kudos to our club president Michele Lilley and our young aspiring Rotarians-to-Be. We appreciate them. |
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Cambria Rotary "Consider Yourself One of Us" Membership Story![]() Sandy Cha, the new owner of The Cambria Business Center, is given an inspirational New Member Orientation at the home of Roger and Sue Robinson. Sandy was an Interact member in her youth. She and her husband, Johathan Mumper, have two young children, encouraging a renewed interest in pursuing family-oriented events and projects. Membership Chair, Donna Crocker, affixes Sandy's mini-me figure onto the Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary Cambria "Member Ship". Julian Crocker reads a Seventh Grader's prize-winning essay to teach Sandy about the 4-Way Test, and other members give Sandy highlights about Rotary's history and the projects they most appreciated & enjoyed. The "Artful Dodger" Otis Archie & Donna lead the attendees in welcoming Sandy with a rendition of "Consider Yourself One of Us" from the musical "Oliver". Although Otis is snowbound for this February orientation, he joins the event virtually. Cambria Rotary has welcomed 4 new members in the 2021-2022 term, all of whom are taking active roles in the Club. We are blessed. |
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Westlake Sunrise Rotary Club Service![]() On Thursday evening, April 21, 2022, the two Westlake Village Rotary Clubs ( Westlake Sunrise and Westlake Village Rotary Club) came together for a signing ceremony at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks to sign a MOU ( Memorandum of Understanding ) in preparation for our 2nd Annual Holidays In The Village event on Sun. 12/4/22. The enclosed picture identifies those on the planning committee for this event. They are as follows. From Left Matt Midura- PEN- WLV Sunrise Ryan Majus- WLV Rotary Cristina Ortega- WLV Rotary
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Westlake Sunrise President Swims for a Cause![]() Rotarians support peace when we address the inhibitors to positive peace which include lack of opportunity and lack of hope. To increase awareness of and to provide opportunities and hope to athletes who have suffered paralytic injuries, Westlake Village Sunrise formed a partnership with Swim With Mike, an organization that provides scholarships to injured athletes. The mission of Swim With Mike is to change the lives of student-athletes who have experienced catastrophic injury or illness by providing scholarships, creating community and instilling hope and purpose in their lives. Representatives from Swim With Mike spoke at club meetings. A fundraiser was held led by President Jim Wisdom who himself had suffered a serious injury as a teenager. An article on April 8, 2022, in The Acorn local newspaper provided public awareness of the club and the cause. President Jim participated in a swimathon to increase awareness and providing funding to Swim With Mike. Jim's 250 laps raised more than $2500 for Swim with Mike and the athletes it supports. Through these efforts, the Rotarians of Westlake Village Sunrise have increased positive peace in the communities and athletes served by Swim with Mike. |
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Practicing Vocational Service Is Key to Holidays In The Village Success![]() Rotarians are asked to serve their communities using their skills, strengths, and talents. Westlake Village Noon wanted to create Holidays In the Village (HITV), a European style Christmas Market, as an annual community event in early December that was family friendly. It was too big a challenge and needed more skills than they had in their Club. Solution – partner with Westlake Village Sunrise and the City of Westlake Village! We pulled it off! On Sunday, December 12, 2021, HITV was an amazing success with thousands of attendees! The overwhelming feedback from attendees: We had a wonderful time! Please tell us you are doing it again next year! Well – we are! The second annual HITV will be on December 4, 2022. |
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ROTARY JESSORE HOSPITAL SUPPORT AND HEALTH CARE![]() The Rotary Health Center Jessore, Bangladesh It is a non-profit 50-bed general Hospital for the poor people in this region. Both outdoor and indoor medical services are provided for the poor in the community at nominal cost. Every year in the outdoor section 2500 patients receive medical consultation, treatment and medicine from an outdoor medical officer. More than 1000 operations are conducted yearly in the indoor section of the hospital. The health center also offers arsenicosis patient management as arsenic contamination is rampant in Jessore. |
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The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise Helps its Neighbors![]() The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise places a priority on neighbors in need. From cleaning up yards for people who cannot do it themselves to installing smoke alarms in the homes of senior citizens and to coordinating with other local services to assist us in these efforts, our Rotarians are People of Action! |
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Santa Maria Noon Interact Event![]() The Rotary Club of Santa Maria Noon Interact Club held the 1st Annual International Food Faire May 3rd. There were 12 countries represented. Noon Rotary Youth Director Erinn Dougherty brought the group in. Club Advisor, Honorary Rotarian Jules Tuggle is a teacher at St. Josephs High School where the club is located. Jules put this 1 minute video together for our benefit. The Food Faire activity was designed to introduce the entire 450 student body to other cultures. It was a peace building activity. $1000. was raised to send to a "sister high school" in Africa. A handful of the Interact Club members were brought in a van by Sports Coach Tom along with school Principal Erinn from the school to the Noon Club meeting May 10th. |
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Santa Maria Noon Membership Activity![]() The Rotary Club of Santa Maria Noon is in an area where farming is the top industry. Our Club had no active members in this Classification. Our Club Classifications Director Tom Allen asked us to focus on this area. We then had two off site tours during the year; one at a farm and one at a new Vocational Ag High School campus. We had one program at the meeting site in addition focused on "farm box vegetable service". Our programs were revved up in topics like economics and international peace fellows that have worked in farming as well as other areas. The net result is that we have attracted two potential new members. One will be inducted later in May. |
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Conejo Valley Rotary Youth Service Projects![]() We’ve got two excellent youth service projects we’d like to share! One is working with Conejo Valley High School seniors and the other with a middle schooler that has an excellent passion project! For several years we’ve sponsored our local Conejo Valley High School Interact. These young adults are not what most people think they are. Some of these students come from very challenging backgrounds without transportation to school. Others have basic needs that are not met and do not allow them to have an environment to grow. For example, some of the students must care for their siblings, thus they fall behind in academics in other high schools in the Conejo Valley. |
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Three RYLA Students Sponsored by Simi Sunrise![]() Youth Service opportunities were limited this year, but the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise is proud to have sponsored three amazing students for RYLA this year. All three students came to one of our meetings to share their experiences with us. Their words were powerful. One of them said, “Coming here has inspired me to chase my dreams, have a voice and become a better leader.” Through programs like RYLA and our scholarship awards for graduating seniors, the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise is proud to be helping our youth build a brighter future. |
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Simi Sunrise Foundation Giving![]() The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise maintains a Club per capita contribution of at least $200 to the TRF Annual Fund. From awarding a Paul Harris Fellow to a new Rotarian this year to holding drawings for a PHF for contributing members , we are proud to support The Rotary Foundation, the work it does and the Rotary values it stands for. |
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Moorpark Morning Rotary Tree Planting![]() In celebration of Arbor Day the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club planted a tree at Miller Park in Moorpark on April 30! It was great to have some of our newer members come out and help make the event happen. Here are just a few benefits trees bring to our community: • Trees help absorb the sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40%. • Neighborhoods with trees are seven to nine degrees cooler than those without. |
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Two Moorpark Clubs Celebrate Cinco de Mayo![]() For the two years I have been President we have talked about bringing the Moorpark Morning Rotary and the Moorpark Rotary together for a group social. Cinco de Mayo was the day it finally happened. We made new friends, caught up with old and had a few drinks to celebrate the occasion! |
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Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Eto Park Project![]() Volunteers of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo recently completed the restoration of Eto Park at 170 Brook Street in San Luis Obispo, CA. The Park, originally constructed in 2002 by SLO Rotary, was built in recognition of Eto family who contributed to the development and culture of the community over the past century. The Park had fallen into disrepair and was restored by 46 Rotary volunteers this year. In 1902, 18-year old Tameji Eto emigrated from Japan to California, settling in San Luis Obispo County in 1914, where he organized various agricultural organizations, was involved in the Co-Operative Farm Industry of Southern California, and serve as a leader of the Japanese community in San Luis Obispo. |
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Carpinteria Sunset Raises Over $200,000![]() We wanted to share our club's success regarding our foundation's hard work in the community. In response to Covid starting March 2020, our Foundation, Rotary Club of Carpinteria Sunset Foundation, Inc we rolled out the 93013fund. We raised over $200,000.00 between now and then. Please follow the website link below and select to read our article ran in our Coastal View newspaper July 2021: https://93013fund.org |
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SLO Rotary Book Club Event![]() We had a really special Book Club and Author Event during this Rotary Year. I am fortunate enough to know a woman who is a good friend of best selling author David Michaelis, who has written an extraordinary biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, “Eleanor”. It was a New York Times bestseller, and Pulitzer Prize winning author David Michaelis presenting a “stunning” (per the Wall Street Journal) breakthrough portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt, America’s longest serving First Lady. All our Rotary Book Club members had read the book, and I think we were riveted by David’s incredible presentation of his many years of research on this remarkable woman. I personally am a real history buff, and learned a huge amount about her I had never known before. I think it was a very special and memorable event. |
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Rotary de Tolosa Hosts Teen Track Event for Middle Schoolers![]() The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was pleased to bring back its annual Teen Track event for Central Coast middle schoolers on a beautiful spring day! Athletes in grades 6-8 gathered at Cuesta College to compete in all kinds of track and field events – races, relays, long jumps, shotput, high jump, and more! The students and volunteers had a great time and we were glad to see so many families gathered to cheer their athletes on.
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Rotary of Carpinteria Morning Club Launches its mentoring program![]() The official launch of the Mentoring program was a huge success. Steve Gerteis, Interact Liaison and Mary Layman, Vocational Chair person talked to students about the program and invited them to become mentored by our Rotarians. About 45-50 students at Carpinteria High expressed interest which shows how hungry our kids are for help. The Rotary Student Program connects high school students with business professionals living their dream career. By exploring the possibilities in the earliest stages of their career development and selection process, they have the chance to confirm or redirect their dreams. In live, virtual reverse-interview settings hosted by Rotarians, student participants gain rare access to professionals that are considered experts in their fields —from CEOs of global corporations to small-business owners and startup entrepreneurs. |
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2021 THANKSGIVING MEALS DISTRIBUTION PROJECT![]() In the Summer of 2021, the Conejo Valley Rotary Club, set out to continue and expand our Annual Thanksgiving Meal Distribution. The annual mission of the distribution is to help rebuild local communities by connecting families to their impoverished neighbors in need. We identified families in need through local charities including CancerFit, Conejo Community Outreach, and The Bumblebee Foundation. In 2020, we had cooked and served about 1,260 meals and in 2021 we set out to double the meals cooked and delivered. All in all, with the help of Group 4 Rotary Clubs, other District 5240 Rotary Clubs such as RC Simi Sunset, D2 Giving Inc, and local Rotaract and Interact Clubs we nearly tripled our production and cooked and delivered over 3,300 meals. |
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Camarillo Rotary Receives Recognition at Walk For Kids Event![]() The Rotary Club of Camarillo won an award for being the top fundraising team at the recent Walk for Kids benefitting the new Ronald McDonald Family Room at Ventura County Medical Center. Here is President-elect Laurie Bennett with the trophy. |
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E-Club Rotarian’s Book Sales to Support Rotary Projects![]() Dawn O'Bar, Charter member and Past President of the Rotary EClub of One World, has written and published a book called, COVID 2020- A Year Like No Other; a roller coaster ride of losses, challenges and opportunities. The book started out as a memoir of her experiences during the start of the pandemic, but became a larger project as she interviews people from around the world including Rotary members from eight different countries. The chapters are framed with inspirational stories and there are reflection questions posed for the reader to process his/her own thoughts and experiences for future generations. |
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Bakersfield East Helps Provide Scholarships for High School Seniors![]() This year we are once again working with Jose Gonzales of the Lamont Chamber of Commerce to assist with Scholarships for academically qualified and financially needy High School Seniors graduating from Arvin High School. Lamont/Arvin is a rural agricultural area in Kern County with economic challenges. Many of these students are the first in their family to attend College.
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SLO de Tolosa gathers for 4th Business Social of the Year![]() The Rotary Club of SLO de Tolosa has a longstanding tradition of bringing together its seasoned, new, and prospective Rotarians for social events at members’ businesses. On April 27, the club gathered for an early Cinco de Mayo-themed event at Cerro Pacific Wealth Advisors. As you can see, we had a great time! |
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Simi Sunrise Does Community Outreach for Membership Growth![]() On Saturday, April 30th, Simi Sunrise Rotary attended the Simi Valley Chamber Street Fair. There were hundreds of visitors that walked a stretch of approximately 1/2 of a mile. The street was packed with community members; we were able to talk about our club and the activities that we are currently engaged in. We delivered our Rotary elevator speech. We sold tickets to our upcoming music festival, invited people to color a picture, and handed out cards to attend a meeting, as a guest. |
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Evolving Membership to Reach Young Professionals![]() The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1984, is currently 84 members. We aren’t looking to grow larger, but want to maintain this size. For 2021-2022, our membership committee identified these goals: · Attract Young Professionals (less than 11% of our members are under age 40) |
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Promoting Peace Building Efforts in Kern County![]() As Rotarians we should make every effort to have our clubs incorporate PeaceBuilding/Conflict Resolutions projects. Rotary Clubs in Kern County continue to do community service projects that could qualify as Peace Building projects. In 2020 Bakersfield College kicked off the BC Peace Initiative to create a Peace Garden on campus. Dr. Sonya Christian President of Bakersfield College at the time, indicated partnership with Rotary and other community groups working towards peace. Several seminars designed to engage small groups including women, veterans, educators and police in conversations about peace and how we can build it. In October 2, 2021 Dr. Bharati Shah unveiled the BC Peace Garden on the birthdate of Mahatma Gandhi. Bakersfield East Rotary funded the Rotary Peace Pole the first in our area. |
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Kinko’s Founder Speaks at Ventura South Rotary![]() Paul Orfalea, the Founder of Kinko’s, was the Guest Speaker at the Rotary Club of Ventura South on April 25th. Paul Orfalea is an American businessman who founded the copy chain Kinko's in Santa Barbara in 1970 for 100 square feet and a $5,000 loan. He built the business to 1,200 locations and over $2 billion in sales and was named the best company to work for three years in a row by Fortune Magazine. Some lessons from Paul: “There are only 3 things you do in business 1) motivate your workers 2) understand your customers and 3) Balance your checkbook.” |
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Cambria Rotary Donates Motorcycle to Kristina Health Center![]() Julius Achon had a dream to build a Medical Clinic in his village of Awake in honor of his mother Kristina who was shot and killed during the war in 2004. With the closest access to health care being 78kms away, there was a huge need within the rural northern Uganda community for a clinic to treat the local residents. Kristina Health Center provides primary medical care including triage and appropriate treatment, disease testing, inoculation, medication dispensing and education. The most common illnesses are malaria, typhoid, cough and flu, pneumonia and other serious conditions including internal organ issues requiring referral to Lira Regional Hospital. |
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Cambria Rotary’s “Member Ship”![]() As she began her tenure as Membership Chair, Donna Crocker pictured us on a Rotary Member Ship: Pas- sengers of all backgrounds sharing revolutionary ideas, culinary delights and camaraderie docking just to do good deeds and take on new passengers. Turning her vision into reality, Donna placed tiny figures, representing each member of our club, on the ship. At new member orientations, the new members placed their “mini-me’s” wherever they wanted on the ship, which was adorned with Golden Jubilee signage, Rotary pins, photos of officers and a smoke-stack of “energy spent” on Rotary projects. Cambria Rotary members always say, “If it ain’t fun, it ain’t Rotary!” |
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China Lake Received the ShelterBox Hero Bronze Award![]() Rotary Year Round Up This past October the Rotary Club of China Lake was recognized with a ‘ShelterBox Hero Bronze’ award for their donation of $2,000 to ShelterBox international. Established in the year 2000, ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and other aid items to people worldwide who have lost their homes as the result of a disaster or conflict. Each easily transportable “shelter” box contains a tent, tools, and cooking gear to support a family in their time of need. This was a new project for China Lake’s International Directorate, and was sufficient to fund two such boxes. |
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Thousand Oaks Socials are a Highlight of Club Membership![]() The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks has socials throughout the year. We have Holiday Parties, Super Bowl Parties, Mystery Nights, Peace Fellowship Dinners and of course, our famous Fireside Chats. Fireside Chats are always fun, where small groups gather and bring potluck to a Rotarian's home. These usually last late into the evening and are quite loud! We have 3 sets of Fireside Chats a year. Next one to be in the Fall of 2022!
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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE CENTRO MEDICO ROTARIO DE MARGARITA![]() The Centro Medico Rotario de Margarita (CMRM) is a Health Foundation created and directed since 1996 by the ROTARY CLUB MANEIRO, Rotary District 4370, Margarita Island, Venezuela to provide quality health care at cost for low income people in the island of Margarita and to help prevent pathological diseases by utilizing an intense patient educational program and periodic screenings. To continue providing this important service and expand capacity, CMRM needed to replace old equipment, acquire new equipment, and increase the stock of medical supplies. The Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise partnered with the Rotary Club Maneiro on Global Grant 2118572 to provide the needed equipment and supplies. The Global Grant was supported by six clubs in District 5240. Supplies were purchased in the United States and shipped to Margarita Island. |
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Rotary Club of Ojai Steps Up to Aid Babies, Students and Families in Need
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Thousand Oaks Rotary Grows with Five New Members![]() The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks welcomed five new members in one big induction. Thank you to their sponsors- Darin Arrasmith, Mike Murphy and Herb Gooch. We have lots of work to do so welcome to our wonderful club. Our membership team will work with these folks to get them fully integrated into our large club.
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Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower Program![]() Debra Weaver and Patty Evans from the Rotary Club of Goleta joined forces with Annie Vu (President), Taylor DeVries (Social Media), and Nathan Bero (Secretary) from the Santa Barbara Rotaract Club to create lovely flower arrangements the for the Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower Program! We arrived at 8 am and suited up a crash course in flower arrangements. The Rotaract team has been supporting the Dream Foundation in this way for a while, so their bouquets were quite tremendous! Together, we made several spring bouquets that were whisked away by another set of volunteers to bring cheer to members of our community. |
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Rotary Club of Fillmore presents Spring Fling 5K/10K Run plus Fun Run/Walk![]() Join us for Spring Fling! One of the best runs you'll participate in! Our scenic course in picturesque Fillmore takes all participants alongside the wild Sespe River with beautiful mountain views. The 10k runners will enjoy running by avocado orchards on one side and lemon orchards on the other. Spring Fling costumes are encouraged! After the run, grab a snack, relax and enjoy the sounds of our local DJ. Bring the kids for the Bounce House located at the Finish Line. There will be plenty of awards and raffle prizes for a great day of fun! |
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Derby Day Wine Fest at Windfall Farms![]() After more than two decades of hosting a successful crab feed fund raiser, the Rotary Club of Paso Robles Sunrise is switching gears! Our first annual ‘Derby Day Wine Fest at Windfall Farms’ wine tasting event will be held on Saturday May 7, 2022, from 1:00 to 5:00 at the Windfall Farms foaling barn located at 4710 Flying Paster Lane, Paso Robles. The event will be limited to thirty-six Central Coast wineries where they will showcase their most favorite wines. |
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Viva la Comida Returns to the Camarillo Community Center for the 51st year![]() Community Center on Monday, April 25 from 5pm to 8pm. Last held in January 2020, the dinner’s return was delayed by the pandemic and renovations to the Center’s kitchen. The event had been held every year since 1971 when Mike Loza, the founder of El Tecolote Restaurant, had the idea for a Mexican dinner fundraiser for local youth programs. Admission includes an enchilada dinner, chips and salsa bar, mariachis, opportunity drawings and piñatas for the kids. A bar serving margaritas, beer and wine is also available. A “Grab and Go” drive thru will also serve dinners. |
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Thousand Oaks Rotary Club Partners with Calcutta Metropolitan Club
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Rotary de Tolosa and Passport “Plant It Forward” in Day of Service![]() Rotary de Tolosa and Rotary Passport Clubs joined forces on February 5 to plant 15 live oak trees in the Terrace Hill Open Space in the City of San Luis Obispo. Rotary de Tolosa started the tree planting initiative to beautify open spaces, boost community enjoyment, and capture carbon. Rotary de Tolosa seeks opportunities to work with additional Rotary Clubs and community partners to plant 100 trees per year for 10 years. At maturity the trees will have converted over 3200 tons of CO2 in the atmosphere to living carbon. Thus far, we’ve planted a total of 140 trees. |
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CAMBRIA ROTARY’S PICKETS FOR PEACE PROJECT![]() While we are constantly bombarded with news about violence and conflicts around the world, Cambria Rotary’s Peace Builders committee saw an opportunity to promote peace right here in our community. Several years ago, Rotary installed Peace Poles in the Peace Garden at the Vet’s Hall and on the campuses of each of our schools. The Peace Poles are planted with the Universal Peace Message “May Peace Prevail on Earth”. The time seemed right for finding a way to promote peace right here at home once again. It was decided to approach the local school district to see how the students might participate in a Pickets for Peace Project. |
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SLO Rotary Spaghetti Western Fundraiser Raises Funds for Local High School & College Student Scholarships![]() Yeeee – Haaaw! Join the San Luis Obispo Rotary Club at their annual Spaghetti-Western Fundraiser Saturday, May 7th 2022 at the SLO Veteran's Hall from 5 PM - 8 PM. Join us for this family friendly event - Enjoy Cafe Roma Pasta, Top Sirloin BBQ, Wine & Beer, Cal Poly Country Line Dancing, Western Movies, Sweet Shoppe & Cake Walk, Carnival Games for the kiddos, and an AMAZING Silent Auction. Silent Auction items include… local staycations & other vacation packages, TONS of local dining gift cards & wine, Fishing Trip, handcrafted jewelry & arts, spa packages, photography, golf packages at several area golf courses including the San Luis Obispo Country Club, and much, much more! |
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Tree Planting at the South Hills Hiking Trailhead![]() Today about 30 Rotary de Tolosans and family members brought their shovels, trowels, knee pads and gloves to plant 40 live oak tree seedlings at the South Hills Hiking Trailhead (intersection of Exposition and Woodbridge in SLO). This event starts the Climate Action Committee’s plan to plant 1000 trees over the next 10 years in support of SLO’s desire to plant 10,000 new trees by 2035. Interested in the next Oak Tree Planting, or in finding out more about Rotary de Tolosa? Email mary@verdinmarketing.com! |
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Supporting Growing Grounds Nursery![]() Community service is a driving force behind the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. This past Sunday our members were out at Transitions - Mental Health Association Growing Grounds Nursery, helping them maintain their facility that helps support so many others. For over 35 years Growing Grounds Farm & Nursery has offered a supportive and empathetic environment for personal growth, recovery, and the acquisition of soft job skills for individuals with mental illness. The Nursery is a wholesale business growing succulents, trees, and Mediterranean climate zone perennials including California native plants and the funds raised here are used to support the Growing Grounds social enterprise mission. For more information: https://www.t-mha.org/program-details.php?id=13 |
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Humanitarian Concert for Ukraine![]() The Rotary Club of Tehachapi and the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District are sponsoring a “Humanitarian Concert for Ukraine”. All proceeds will be routed thought District 5240’s efforts to support the humanitarian crisis that is building in Ukraine and surrounding countries. Four Bands and dancing! What could be better? April 24, 2022, 2-6 pm. Tickets are $25. |
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Pismo Beach 5 Cities Rotary Club Recognizes Essential Employees![]() The Pismo Beach 5 Cities Rotary Club recently recognized essential employees at their weekly meeting. Vocational Chair, Eddie Salame, introduced each recipient being recognized and told of their hard work and commitment that led to the recognition. Club President Karen Zappia then presented the recipients with a plaque and a gift card for dinner at a local restaurant. The employee’s supervisors and a guest were present to witness the recognition. It was a wonderful opportunity for the club to thank the employees, from various professions, that work hard to serve the public every day. |
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Beautify Goleta![]() The Rotary Club of Goleta is volunteering with the City of Goleta as part of the City’s Beautify Goleta campaign. On Saturday, March 26th, the City hosted the first Beautify Goleta event at multiple locations around town. Close to 20 Club members participated, picking up trash and showing support for our community. Club and community members cleaning up the Old Town area of Goleta were treated to a BBQ lunch courtesy of Community West Bank. The City of Goleta will be hosting additional Beautify Goleta events throughout the year. For more information on Beautify Goleta: https://cityofgoleta.org/beautifygoleta For more information about this event, contact Frances Gilliland, PR Chair, Rotary Club of Goleta, FranEG@msn.com or (805) 705-1686 |
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Ojai Rotary Adds 5 New Members![]() On a beautiful Ojai evening, fireside fun and fellowship were recently on tap for new Rotary Club of Ojai members, pictured here from right to left, Kevin Davis, Fern Barishman, Sean McDermott, President Betsy Watson, Renee Halbrook and club membership co-chair Greg Webster (not pictured, new member Dominic Peno and membership co-chair Cheree Edwards). Currently at 67 members, RC Ojai has inducted five new members this Rotary year with several more in the “pipeline” for membership in the coming month. |
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Taft Rotary Donates Dictionaries to 3rd Graders![]() The Rotary Club of Taft started a tradition in 2006 of donating a dictionary to every local 3rd grade student in our area. We have a total of 8 schools that we serve. Each year we donate around 350 books…..which means we have donated approximately 5,600 dictionaries during the life of this project!! We involve our entire club in this project by putting stickers of the 4-Way Test on the inside cover of each dictionary and distributing the books to each school. When we donate the dictionaries, we put on a mini assembly explaining what our club does for the community and going over the 4-Way Test. The kids have fun learning about words from our motto and it is a joy seeing their faces light up! |
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School Supplies to Anguilla![]() The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks worked with the 5240 Rotary Next Generation Club in sending school supplies to the island of Anguilla, east of Puerto Rico, which has been impacted by natural disasters and COVID. The children of Anguilla were in need of school supplies. We helped by purchasing school supplies and promoting the project. 5240 Rotary Next Generation Club, who deserves most of the credit, raised a total of $4,000 in supplies including computers, laminators, backpacks, calculators, etc. Thank you to President James Hilser and the members of Rotary Next Generation Club for this project. |
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Member Spotlight![]() As we emerge from a difficult time in history, education has changed significantly. I wanted to recognize and congratulate Jimmy Cantillon, of the Camarillo Morning Club, for creating a program that enriches high school students in areas that the typical classes don’t offer. Jimmy and his brother, Kevin are both passionate about education, and have created a program for high school students that bridges the gap in areas that kids are currently missing out on. |
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A Playground for Prashanti School, India![]() Nothing brings a smile like watching joyful children playing! Active play develops bodies and minds. But many children in slum areas in India do not have safe places to play, and this problem was heightened as Covid closed schools. Since 2016, the Rotary Club of Ojai has had a close relationship with Prashanti International School (PIS) for low-income children in Puri, India. We completed several Club and District Grants plus a Global Grant in partnership with Rotary Club Srikshetra, Puri, funding drinking water and septic systems, computers, boundary walls, gates, restrooms, classroom furnishings, teacher training, etc. When the need for a safe playground at PIS became apparent, we jumped at the idea. |
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Cambria Rotary Blood Drive![]() The nation is in the midst of a blood shortage due to the coronavirus pandemic, impacting the supply at San Luis Obispo County hospitals where patients depend on blood donated from community members. Hospitals receive blood from Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, and give it to patients every day—not only for emergencies but also as part of cancer therapy, surgery, and treatment for burns or blood disorders. Vitalant has seen a 10% decline in Central Coast donors in the past 12 months compared to the year before. There were 58,000 fewer individuals who gave blood in 2021 compared with 2020. |
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Interact Club Bake Sale![]() The Rotary Club of Cambria is proud to sponsor the Coast Union Interact Club and watch these students take action to make a difference each year. They plan various fundraising activities so they can raise money to donate to causes the club members select. In previous years, the club has donated to such causes as high school scholarships, Camp Ocean Pines, HART, Feeding America, Doctors Without Borders, St. Jude’s, Rotary’s Neighbors Feeding Neighbors and FFRP. |
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Ventura South Donates $4,000 to Boys & Girls Club![]() The CEO of The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura Patti Birmingham was our club Guest Speaker on Monday, February 7, 2022 at The Tower Club and the Foundation Board presented her with a $4,000 check donation. In the picture are Rotary Club Foundation Board members - Jackie Sanchez, Lee Gibson, Miriam Estrada, Ed Keay, Patti Birmingham, CEO, and Peter McClintock, Director of Resource Development at the Boys & Club of Ventura. |
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Bakersfield Clubs East & North Collaborate for Jamison Center![]() Bakersfield East Rotary participates in many community service projects. One of those projects is the Jamison Center located in Bakersfield California. This agency, supported by Kern County Human Services, provides temporary housing and care for children from neglectful and abusive home environments. They are housed, fed and able to live at the center until a qualified family member can take them home. This agency has saved many children throughout the years. The good work done by this agency is heart-touching. |
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20-Club Collaboration Highlighted in Rotary International Magazine![]() Over 900 collaborative Rotary projects throughout the world have been submitted on the Rotary Showcase website this year, and Rotary Magazine's February issue included a spotlight of a Backpack Project for students coordinated by the 20 Rotary Clubs in Ventura County. District 5240's Groups 4, 5, 6, and 7 each coordinated these backpack stuffing events in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations and school districts in their communities. RI President Shekhar Mehta challenged Rotary clubs to participate in Rotary Days of Service worldwide, and highly encouraged group collaboration with other clubs and other organizations. The Ventura Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters played a huge role in this project by arranging for 1200 backpacks to be donated through the NBA and NFL. These events were very successful and brought together club members and potential members.
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Three Group 8 Clubs Collaborate with Sister City Education Project![]() At age 72 most men think of perfecting their golf swing or cruising or traveling to exotic destinations. Not Art Fumerton. We Rotarians in Rotary Clubs of Santa Barbara North, Santa Barbara Sunrise, and Carpinteria have an incredible program collaboration with the Volcanes Education Project in Santa Barbara Sister City Puerto Vallarta. It is built and operated by an amazing Rotarian, Art Fumerton. Art and his wife, Mayra, moved to Puerto Vallarta from California in 1994. Art became involved with the International Friendship Club and the School of Champions providing English and computer programs to underprivileged children in areas surrounding Puerto Vallarta. At one location, the Magisterio (former dump), they provided a hot breakfast and lunch to 250 children. But like all noble endeavors, funding became scarce and the program came to an end. However, two sponsors continued their support - Cafe Roma and The Hard Rock Hotel. |
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Solvang Rotary Spearheads Vocational Collaboration of Four Clubs![]() Solvang Rotary sponsored a Tour of the Career Technical Education Center and Agricultural Farm (“CTE Center”). Representatives from four Rotary Clubs (“RC”), the Santa Barbara County Education Office, Allan Hancock College Foundation, and Rotary District 5240 participated in a tour of the new CTE Center in Santa Maria on January 13th. The tour was conducted by Dr. Paul Robinson, CTE Director for the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. Participants viewed and heard descriptions of the CTE Center’s Culinary, Machinery, Diesel, Construction, and Agricultural Farm areas. |
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Thousand Oaks Rotary Vocational Service Project![]() High School is always a difficult coming of age time for any student, especially someone who questions what career pathway might be appropriate for them to pursue given their interests, talents and abilities. The Conejo Unified School District Career Technical Education department might have made this journey slightly easier for some students with a new website that went live in December 2021. |
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Bakersfield Breakfast members help “Ring the Bell”![]() About 12 Rotarians from Bakersfield Breakfast helped to “ring the bell” for Salvation Army at the local Hobby Lobby store. We did this on a very cold December day (12/17) over a four hour period, engaging shoppers and promoting both Salvation Army and Rotary in general … helping to raise funds during a time when Salvation Army was short handed for bell ringers. |
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Rise Against Hunger Guatemala Project![]() The Rotary Clubs of Ventura South, Ventura, and Ventura East collaborated with other service organizations for the Rise Against Hunger Guatemala Project. They packed 10,000 meals in 90 minutes destined for Guatemala even though they had to move inside when it started drizzling! |
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Rise Against Hunger Guatemala Project![]() The Rotary Clubs of Ventura South, Ventura, and Ventura East collaborated with other service organizations for the Rise Against Hunger Guatemala Project. They packed 10,000 meals in 90 minutes destined for Guatemala even though they had to move inside when it started drizzling! |
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Rose Parade Float Decorating![]() Look at all the individual seeds!! Santa Maria Noon Rotary sent 6 decorators down to the Phoenix warehouse near Pasadena. They found that the “Glue Man” was a very popular guy. He dispensed with several specific types of glue for specific jobs. At the end of the shift, Mr. Glue Man was pretty darn tired. |
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Enriching Fellowship Through Vocational Awareness![]() Rotary Club Bakersfield Twilight — Every other meeting of our club, we have either a “vocational moment” or a brief “two truths and a lie” presentation focused on one of our members. The objective is to get to know most of our membership. We are an age-diversified club with new, young, veteran and seasoned members, each with a story to tell. This year we are making a cooperative effort to develop our understanding of our newly found friends through attention to the Rotary objectives and the Vocational Avenue of Service. |
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Cambria Rotary’s Secret Santas Bring Gifts![]() The evening of December 18th, our club continued the tradition of delivering gifts of toys and clothing donated by club members to 45 children in San Simeon. Club members “adopted” a child (or children) and purchased and wrapped items that child asks for in the letter to Santa. In addition, one of our secret Santa’s (who prefers to remain nameless) donated a pair of shoes for each child. San Simeon businesses and individual donors provided soccer balls and sweaters as well as household items and gift cards for each family. Some of the families were so overwhelmed they insisted on inviting the Rotarians delivering the gifts to come inside to see their Nativity Scenes and Posadas and then entertained us by singing Christmas Carols. What a great way to end 2021! |
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Cambria Rotary Time Capsule![]() On the afternoon of December 18, we continued the celebration of our 50th Anniversary by burying a time capsule which included photos, a club roster, a Rotarian Magazine, a Peace Quote and a Rotary mask (Covid) among other things. Thanks to the Cambria Historical Society, we were able to bury the capsule next to the town clock that our club donated to the town and placed on the museum property back in 2010. There was champagne, nibbles, camaraderie, some short speeches and lots of cheers. What more could you want on a sunny Saturday in December? |
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Cambria Rotary’s World Polio Day Challenge![]() At a meeting of the Rotary Club of Cambria in early October, our Polio Plus Chair, Julie Jenkins reminded us that October 24th was World Polio Day and that RI was encouraging clubs to hold challenges from October 24 to November 24 to both create awareness of and raise money for Polio. Our own “Rotarian Extraordinaire”, Otis Archie quickly volunteered to do “Push-ups for Polio”. In three weeks, at a buck each, the senior-citizen & stroke survivor’s athletics amassed $2,821 in donations from club members that will pay for an amazing 4,702 vaccinations! Photo shows Polio Plus Chair, Julie Jenkins, counting some of Otis Archie’s pushups at a recent meeting. |
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Service Clubs United![]() During this holiday season the Rotary Club of Nipomo was able to collaborate with several other service clubs in our area to provide service to our community. On November 22 the entire community came together to provide a free Thanksgiving dinner to all Nipomo residents. Due to Covid this was our second year in a row to offer a drive-up meal but we still managed to serve 1000 dinners. Our club responsibility was to cook and carve the turkeys. |
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Kern County Rotaract: "Help Warm Those in Need"![]() Kern County Rotaract, in collaboration with the Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Center, partnered with the Bakersfield East Rotary Club and the Twilight Rotary Club of Bakersfield in raising funds for and acquiring warm clothing to benefit the homeless population. The service project was titled “Help Warm Those in Need”. The donated items were collected by the participating clubs over the course of a month and a half, beginning in mid-November to late December, along with financial contributions from both Rotary clubs. |
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RC of Santa Barbara’s Teacher Recognition Award![]() Monte Vista Elementary School teacher Allison Heiduk has received the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara’s Teacher Recognition Award for the 2021 fall quarter. Heiduk, who teaches third-grade, was presented with a plaque and $1,000 by the Rotary Club on Oct. 29. "We celebrate Ms. Heiduk's continued dedication and commitment to providing meaningful engagement and learning experiences for her students and serving as an educational leader," said County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido, whose office coordinates the recognition with the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara. "The Rotary Club's recognition program underscores the value our community places on high-quality education," she said. “Thank you to the Rotary Club for supporting teachers and our schools." |
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Carpinteria Morning Delivers Solar Light to Roatan![]() Back in February, 2020, the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning hosted a matching grant for a project called Unite To Light. Rotarian Mary Layman worked on this project which included the purchase of solar lights and batteries for an Orphanage in Roatan, Honduras. Mary’s son, David Cicleo is also working on this project. Since the pandemic, the solar products were not able to be delivered. Months later, on Nov 12, 2021 we were able to meet and Mary and her son hand delivered the solar products to Roatan and visited the orphanage.
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Instruments for Nicaraguan Children![]() The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise provided funding for musical instruments for the children of Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua. The municipality will maintain a music school where children, adolescents, and youth from the city can learn to play music. The city has instructors in place, a physical location, and some basic instruments, but they lack a larger variety of instruments to be able to develop the music training. The grant funded the purchase of the following musical instruments and supplies: 18 guitars (15 clasica and 3 electroacoustic), 1 bass guitar, 19 guitar bags, 1 guitar strap, 2 cables, 12 classical guitar pedistals, 4 keyboards, 4 keyboard adapters, 4 keyboard pedestals, 4 keyboard bags, 1 bongo, 1 pedestal for bongo, and 1 Peruvian percussion box. |
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Environmental Grant Awarded to Channelkeeper![]() The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise presented the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper with a $3,500 grant for their Youth Environmental Science Education Program. Students from two classrooms from Harding Elementary School will participate in the program. Once the students complete this program they are taken on an educational kayak paddle in the harbor. Channelkeeper recognizes that today’s youth are the decision makers of tomorrow and that their environmental ethics are critical to our planet’s future. Photo: Diana Washburn, Community Service Committee Member, with Penny Owens, Channelkeeper Education & Community Outreach Director. |
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Camp Whittier Peacetime Adventures Camp![]() Michael Baker, President and CEO of the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, attended the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise’s recent meeting to thank members for their support of the Global Grant to operate a one-week camp, called Rotary Peacetime Adventures at Camp Whittier. The grant, developed and written by members Janet Napier and Luz Maria Ortiz Smith, with funding provided by District Designated Funds from two Rotary districts in South Korea, one in Mexico and our own district 5240, as well as $5,000 cash from the Sunrise Club and $2,500 from the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara, provided $47,500 to operate a five day camp for 62 children between the ages of 8 and 13 years old. Because of the coronavirus, it was unclear when the camp would be able to take place but, with increased vaccination rates and an easing of the rate of COVID, the camp was held August 3-7, 2021.
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Rotary Club of Oxnard marks 100 years![]() On Oct. 19, 1920, the Rotary Club of Oxnard held its first meeting. Its minutes show that over 20 people were in attendance. However, it wasn’t until December of that year that the club received its charter from the Rotary District Governor and became an official member of Rotary International. The Rotary Club of Oxnard celebrated its 100th year of support of area children and its role shaping community leaders at a luncheon earlier this month. |
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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner![]() After cancelling last year due to Covid, the Rotary Club of Nipomo was able to resume our major annual fundraiser, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. With participation from two other local organizations, Nipomo AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) and LMUSD (Lucia Mar Unifies School District) Robotics Teams, we had our most successful event yet. After the final tally was in we were able to provide checks of $9,000 to each of our partnering organizations. |
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Next Gen Charter Celebration December 4![]() The NextGen Rotary Club of 5240 has announced its Charter celebration will take place on December 4th at 5:30 pm. The last time our district had a new charter was in 2016. NextGen has just completed their first fundraiser to support Rotary’s newest Area of Focus - Protecting the Environment. Club President James Hilser is extending an invitation to Rotarians in the District to attend the charter celebration at the Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks.
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New Twin Club Relationship![]() The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (District 5240) and the Rotary Club of Morelia Experiencia y Juventad (District 4140) established a Twin Club relationship. Thank you to Wade Nomura for introducing the fantastic Mexican club to us! Members from the two Clubs have exchanged physical and virtual visits and plan to do many more in the future. |
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Santa Letter Party![]() Each year the Cambria Rotary Club adopts about 40 children in a low-income housing complex in neighboring San Simeon and provides them with gifts to put under their Christmas tree. The kids fill out "Letters to Santa" listing what they would like for Christmas (usually toys) and what they need (clothing, etc.). Club members then adopt one or more of the children and donate some, if not all of the items they requested, wrap them and deliver them to "Santa" who will distribute the gifts to the families closer to Christmas. |
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Santa Barbara Sunrise Rotary Online Auction![]() The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise is pleased to announce its virtual auction in support of The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Charitable Foundation is now open for bidding! The collection of auction items offered during this fundraiser include experiences, restaurant certificates, memberships, wine, artwork, and more. Please bid with your heart knowing it will benefit our local and international projects. These offerings and much more are available for bidding now through November 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. PT at https://paybee.io/@sbrotary. |
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Arroyo Grande Rotary teams up for Day of Community![]() The Rotary Clubs of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Pismo Beach have been long-time supporters of the Boys and Girls Club, so when we were challenged with a Day of Community project, we knew exactly what needed to be done. The landscape of the Boys and Girls Club in Oceano was badly in need of some tender loving care.
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Arroyo Grande Rotary teams up for Day of Community![]() The Rotary Clubs of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Pismo Beach have been long-time supporters of the Boys and Girls Club, so when we were challenged with a Day of Community project, we knew exactly what needed to be done. The landscape of the Boys and Girls Club in Oceano was badly in need of some tender loving care.
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Rotary District 5240 Mourns the Passing of Donald Joseph Sabol![]() District 5240 mourns the passing of Donald Joseph Sabol, a charter member of the Newbury Park Rotary and a Conejo Valley Pioneer Pharmacist. Don passed away at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks on Aug. 12, 2021, from COVID-related pneumonia after battling three cancers over the past 25 years.
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Rotary is More than Service![]() The Rotary Club Bakersfield Twilight gathered together with its sponsored Centennial High School Interactors at the City of Bakersfield 911 World Trade Center Memorial to learn and appreciate our first-responders who risk their lives for us every day. It was ironic when we arrived to find that our host Fire Department had all of its personnel out on duty for a major gas pipe leak in the City. |
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Rotary District 5240 Mourns the Passing of Ari Larson
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20 Ventura County Rotary Clubs Collaborate in Back-2-School Drive![]() The planning of this Rotary Days of Service project, the Back-2-School Backpack Drive, started in July 2021 in anticipation of completion to coincide with the beginning of the Fall semester. These backpacks were stuffed with the essential school supplies that are necessary for educational success. Our county has several organizations who work to assist children in need in lower income situations and are supported by our Rotary clubs in Groups 4, 5, 6, and 7 in District 5240.
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Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks distributes financial support to 32 nonprofit organizations![]() Thirty-two local nonprofit organizations were recently invited to and attended a luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks. “The purpose was two-fold; the members of Rotary recognized the financial pinch these organizations are in, due to a halt in fundraising, and wanted to provide a bit of financial support, as well as letting these organizations know how important they are to people in need in our community,” said David Stowell, last year’s club president.
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Rotary Club of Montecito 2021 Community Grants Program![]() The Rotary Club of Montecito has opened applications for its 2021 community grants program, which awards grants to non-profit organizations located in Santa Barbara County. Grants range from $1,000 to $1,600 and can be used to fund future projects that help the Santa Barbara County area. The one-page, online application is available at montecitorotary.org. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 8.
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Rotary Club of Paso Robles Hosts 22nd Annual Winemakers Cookoff![]() Calling all wine lovers! The 22nd annual Paso Robles Rotary Winemakers’ Cookoff is returning for a night filled with quality wine, gourmet food and fun. Twenty of the region’s best winemakers and breweries will battle it out for the Judges’ Awards and People’s Choice. All proceeds will benefit the Harlow Ford Scholarship Fund for local high school seniors. The Paso Robles Rotary Club is dedicated to helping youth in the community. During the 2020 pandemic, our club donated more than $75,000 in scholarships. Help us continue supporting local youth and delight your taste buds with choice wine and excellent food at the 22nd Annual Winemakers Cookoff. We hope to see you there!
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Passport Club of the Central Coast - Top Reasons to Join a Rotary club![]() We all know that Rotary’s motto is ‘Service Above Self.' If you have an inkling to help others, Rotary is a great place to do it. However, Rotary is SO MUCH MORE than that. WIIFM? What is in it for you?.... VALUE! Rotary offers lots of amazing opportunities to meet influential business leaders in your community and professionally network with them. Rotary club members represent a cross-section of the community’s owners, executives, managers, political leaders, and professionals – people who make decisions and influence policy. |
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New Santa Ynez Valley Leadership Program Aspiring Community Leaders![]() The Rotary Club of Solvang is piloting a Santa Ynez Valley Leadership Program for residents who aspire to leadership roles in municipal government, public agencies and not-for-profit organizations. This is in response to requests for such a program that Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara County have had to develop community leaders for 30+years.
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Rotary Club of Cambria’s New & Different Rotary Year![]() We are thrilled to be doing things a bit differently this year. For the first time, we will have 3 Co-Presidents who will share the duties of heading up our club for the next 2 years. We are proud to introduce the trio of amazing ladies who will be taking on that role the next two years: Patty Griffin, Christel Chesney and Linda Sherman. |
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Rotary Club of Cambria Celebrates 50 Years![]() On Friday, June 4th our Rotary Club gathered both in person and via Zoom to celebrate our 50th Anniversary! We were pleased to have Past District Governor Deb Linden attend via Zoom and say a few words about this special event.
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Bakersfield East Fundraiser![]() The Rotary Club of Bakersfield East served up over 200lbs of tri tip that went into over 300 dinners served for their fundraiser Saturday night. Proceeds benefited several organizations including the Ronald McDonald House of Bakersfield, Valley Fever Americas Foundation, and Bakersfield East Rotary Foundation.
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June Message from DG Deb Linden![]() Welcome to the last month of our Rotary year, and what a year it has been! Challenging, weird, heart-wrenching, and heart-warming all at the same time. You - our members and clubs - have done an amazing job adapting to our “new normal” and finding ways to provide service and support to our communities and across the globe. I could not be prouder! And even though I did not get to visit you in person, I am so glad we had the technology that allowed me to be with you virtually. Although we cursed Zoom daily, imagine what we would have done without it this past year! And now, as our clubs are opening back up to in-person meetings and events, I urge you to consider hybrid meetings where members can join virtually when they need to so they can stay engaged and involved even when they can’t be there in person. Since this is my last newsletter message, I would like to share some personal news. Husband Bill and I have decided to move to the Monterey area to be closer to our sons and our siblings and their families. We just purchased a home in Marina and will be physically moving in August. But, thanks to the support of my club’s leaders, I’ll be staying in my club and in the District. I will be attending club meetings remotely and contributing and supporting my club however I can. I will continue to serve on the District Board and PETS Committee for another year and starting July 1, 2021, I start a new assignment as the Zones 26/27 Communications Officer. And I’ll be coming back for our really cool events such as the District Conference in October! We are excited for this new chapter in our lives and to be moving closer to our families. Speaking of Cool Events… I am so excited to announce that registration is now open for Encore: 2020-2021 District Awards & Year-End Celebration! This FREE virtual event will be on Friday evening, June 25, 2021, at 6:00 pm. We will be giving surprise awards to clubs and members, honoring those we have lost this year, and celebrating the end of this very unique year. The event is free, but you must register in advance. Information and the link to register can be found at this link: https://rotarydistrict5240.org/sitepage/encore Be sure to register for the 2021 Virtual RI Convention June 12-16, 2021! This is your chance to experience an RI Convention for only $65. For more information and registration information, click HERE. |
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Healing Little Hearts in Romania![]() This past week, DGE Dana Moldovan visited a Global Grant project she helped develop in Romania. The project, called Healing Little Hearts, provides life-saving heart surgery for infants and children. The project was developed by Rotary Clubs in Romania and USA and with two foundations, Gift of Life International based in USA and Save a Child’s Heart based in Israel. |
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Roatan Clinic—A Vocational Service Team Project![]() 19 years ago, Glenda Fae Woods had a dream. She saw the needless complications of diabetes and hypertension, no access to medical care or medications were killing her people. With a small inheritance from her father’s estate, she built a clinic and volunteer house for her people. This was 19 years ago. Since then, her dream has been realized. Glenda was born and raised on Roatan, a 40-mile-long island, 30 miles off the coast of Honduras. She moved to Los Angeles where she currently works as a registry nurse on the obstetrics wards of several Southland hospitals and enjoys dual citizenship. She works tirelessly and makes 2-3 trips a year to the Island to serve her people. |
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Garden Boxes for Boys and Girls Club![]() Moorpark Morning Club President, Chris Barrett, was picking up his kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Moorpark when one of the staff noticed he was wearing a Rotary mask. She mentioned that they were hoping to start a gardening project for the kids, but wanted to know if Rotary had anyone who might know a source for building garden boxes. As a firm believer that we are people of action, Chris let the staff member know that Rotary would make it happen. When his club heard the need, they quickly had a committee formed to make this dream a reality. After pricing to build the boxes themselves, they found a source who could make the boxes cheaper than they could get the wood for, so they ordered 8 boxes. |
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Wheelchairs Delivered To Ukraine, Venezuela, and Colombia!The Rotary Club of Conejo Valley along with 11 local Rotary Clubs, The Wheelchair Foundation, and friends distributed over 330 wheelchairs! The need for wheelchairs around the World is tremendous. "It is estimated that over 100 million children, teens, and adults with physical disabilities worldwide need wheelchairs, though less than 1 percent own or have access to one." ~ Wheelchair Foundation In 2020, International Service Director, Diego Velasquez, along with his Rotary Club of Conejo Valley, set out in their mission to distribute a container of 280 Wheelchairs to Ukraine. |
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Hand Sanitizer Distribution![]() The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo has distributed 1,000 16-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer to local non-profits and schools, as part of their local COVID relief outreach. Obtained through a special program by the California Medical Association, the Club was assisted by Transitions-Mental Health Association which contributed to the shipping costs and storage pending local distribution. Recipients have included Shower the People, PathPoint, CAPSLO, SLO County YMCA, Noor Clinic, San Luis Coastal Unified School District, Casa de Flores, and Transitions-Mental Health Association, each of which will utilize the hand sanitizer in connection with their local community programs. Delivery to the recipients was made by local Girl Scout Troop 40104, as part of their efforts toward their Silver Award.
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Little Free Pantries![]() The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo was proud to be the first club in our district to participate in the Little Free Pantries program. Similar to Little Free Libraries, these Pantries are built and stocked by volunteers. There is a tremendous need for easy access to food and personal care items, and the Pantries, being located in residential neighborhoods, are an important supplement to existing programs. Club member, Greg Gillett, approached the club with an urgent request for help shortly before Christmas, 2020. He provided the plans and materials list, and members sprang into action, building 5 Pantries in time for the holidays. Our members continue to keep them stocked, and have since built more Pantries which have been placed in a variety of locations throughout the county. The club project received widespread recognition, and was featured, with credit to Central Coast Rotary clubs, on the front page of New Times in the February 11-18, 2021 issue. Photo: Joel Sheets, President-Elect, Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, stocking one of the Little Free Pantries |
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RC of Cambria Helps With Uganda EducationJesca Acipa is from Oduworo Village, a remote village in northeast Uganda. Upon completion of primary school she was selected by the Rotary Community Corps from the village to attend Lords Meade Vocational School in Jinja where she studied tailoring. She was then accepted to St. Peter’s Secondary School in Kampala. Upon graduation, Jesca decided she wanted to be come a nurse or midwife, applied to and was accepted at Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery in Apac, Uganda. She is now in her second year of Nursing School which was de layed one year due to COVID. If all goes well, she will graduate in 2022-23. Because improving girls’ education can help pull families out of the poverty cycle, the Rotary Club of Cambria is proud to have sponsored Jesca for the past 6 years. It is reported that every additional year of education yields a 10-25 percent increase in the income of a woman, 90% of which is then reinvested into her family. |
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Happy Face Hill![]() Why has Happy Face Hill Become so popular? The simplicity of a Happy Face 100 foot in diameter on the hillside entering Simi Valley brings a smile on one’s face. Let us face it. It has been a tough year. People are looking for signs of joy. Simi Sunrise Rotary does maintenance on the hillside about every 4 months. The cars beeping in the distance on the 118 freeway as they go about their work fills their souls. The neighbors surrounding the hillside bring them water to drink. They want to say thank you to the ones doing the work. The club gives out a baseball cap with the Happy Face on the front and their Rotary logo on the back. The meeting speakers wear it immediately and the club knows it will be worn promoting the Rotary Brand. It has become an important part of the club. Club President, William Klepper says, "We say it jokingly we bring Happiness to the Community, but we know in our heart, we really do. It is our privilege."
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My Stuff Bags and the Blanket Brigade![]() My Stuff Bags is a project that the Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary Club completed in January for an organization called “My Stuff Bags”. It is a local organization with a nationwide outreach and the club has been working with them over the past several years to support their mission. My Stuff bags are bright blue individual duffels filled with brand new age and gender, appropriate toys, books, a stuffed animal, school supplies, clothing, personal toiletries and a warm (often hand-made) "security blanket" that is all theirs to keep. My Stuff Bags provide things to do and to hold during a difficult time. This year there was a particular need for fleece blankets for the many bags that are to be distributed. This need provided an opportunity to create a "hands-on" project in a safe environment while many of the club's members continue to remain at home during COVID challenges. And so was born the WLV Sunrise Blanket Brigade! |
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RC of Goleta Noontime Backpack Project![]() The Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime did a successful backpack program where they packed 288 backpacks in August. The project outline was to get school supplies for students in need, pack the supplies in backpacks and distribute them to the students one day a couple of weeks before the school started in August. The school district identifies who those students would be and provide Rotary with their needs. 40% of the students in Goleta are coming from low income families, most who do not have funds to pay for a new backpack or supplies.
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Mural Paintings to Stop Graffiti![]() Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary and Golden Valley High School Interact, along with neighborhood children, joined with the Arts Council of Kern and artist Alex Gallardo to paint a beautiful butterfly mural at Kern Bridges Youth Homes in Bakersfield. KBYH is a non-profit organization that provides a safe, stable, and consistent environment for children ages 0 to 21 years old. When a child is adopted through KBYH, a butterfly with his/her name and date of adoption is added to a wall inside the building. Reaching of butterflies in the mural signifies the more than 1400 youth hoping for a home. The mural covers a wall prone to graffiti and makes a welcome addition to the southwest neighborhood. It also encourages others to become interested in art and to beautify blighted areas of Bakersfield. |
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Dictionaries for Santa Barbara Third Graders![]() Sunrisers worked from their homes to prepare dictionaries that will be delivered to 600 third grade students at Santa Barbara schools. Club members would normally gather in one location for the assembly part of the project and teams would deliver the dictionaries in person to each of the class4rooms. With health restrictions the assembly was done by each club member at home and the dictionaries were dropped off for teachers to distribute to their students.
Each Student Dictionary includes the Rotary emblem sticker on the front and a book plate inside honoring the name of one of our speakers from the previous year. |
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Camarillo Rotary's Earth Day Project![]() For Earth Day, and to advocate for Rotary’s new area of interest in Protecting the Environment, project kits were distributed to 950 Second-Graders in Camarillo and Somis. The kits consisted of a bucket, shovel, packet of 100 carrot seeds, and a card with planting instructions and a QR code for more information. Each class was also given a bag of potting soil donated by B&B Hardware. Mary Lingua and five Interactors prepared 1000 seed packets. New Rotarian Megan Cooper wrote a brochure about Rotary’s interest in the environment. To avoid waste, the brochure was not printed on paper, but was linked with a QR code (see below). A packet of 100 carrot seeds was attached to a card showing the QR code and planting instructions. |
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May Message from DG Deb Linden![]() Happy May Day Fellow Rotary Members! May Day (usually celebrated on May 1) is a celebration of Spring. It symbolizes a time of rebirth and unity as the flowers begin to bloom, the weather gets warmer, and we begin to emerge from our COVID isolation. Youth Service Month: May also marks Youth Service Month in Rotary when we turn our focus to the many programs and projects organized by our clubs and District to serve youth in our communities. We just concluded two of these programs – RYLA and the annual Four-Way Test Essay Contest. Our District organized its first ever Virtual RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) for over 130 high school students and it was a huge success! Congratulations to our RYLA Director Darin Arrasmith and his RYLA team for their willingness to adapt and for creating an amazing event. And Steve Geil once again led our District Four-Way Test Contest where nine outstanding students will be recognized and receive cash awards from their sponsoring clubs. Thank you Steve! I would also like to welcome our newest Interact Club: The Vista Real High School Interact Club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Santa Paula. Forming a new Interact Club can be a challenge at best and even more so in the middle of a pandemic. I can’t wait to see what amazing things this club does for their school and community. Because of the continued threat of COVID in many parts of the world, Rotary International has suspended in-person Rotary Youth Exchanges for 2021-2022. But that does not mean we are giving up on RYE! Many Districts are engaging in different types of virtual exchanges and this is something our District Rotary Youth Exchange Chair Barry VanderKelen is exploring for the upcoming Rotary year. Rotary Foundation Donor Recognition: Registration is now open for the 2021 District 5240 Rotary Foundation Donor Recognition & Celebration, which is virtual this year on Friday, May 7, 2021, at 6:00 pm. The event is free, but you need to register in advance by clicking HERE. We will be recognizing YOU – our members who have achieved various donation levels to The Rotary Foundation – and we will have a special presentation by the CFO from Feeding America about the dramatic increase in food insecurity during COVID and how organizations like Rotary helped address the crisis. A flyer for the event is below. Registration is Open for the 2021 Rotary International Convention: Registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual RI Convention June 12-16, 2021! This is your chance to experience an RI Convention for only $49 (promotional rate good until May 7, then $65 after that). You can also register for pre-convention events focusing on Rotaract and Inter-Country Committees. For more information and registration information, click HERE. Save the Date for the District Awards and End of Year Celebration: On Friday evening, June 25, 2021, we will be coming together to honor very deserving Rotary members and clubs and celebrating their successes at our Virtual District Awards and End of Year Celebration. Despite the challenges this past year presented, our clubs and members have done amazing work deserving of recognition and celebration. We will also be remembering the members we lost this year and keeping them in our hearts. And we’ll be looking to the future as I turn over the virtual District gavel to our incoming District Governor Dana Moldovan! Please save the date and look for more details and registration information coming soon. |
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Bakersfield Clubs Come Together for District Cleanup![]() Rotary Club of Bakersfield Twilight (“Twilight Rotary Club”) joined members of Bakersfield East Rotary Club (“BERC”) and students from Centennial High Interact Club (“Interact”) for the District 5240 Rotary Work Day on Saturday, April 24th. The volunteers met at the Rotary Wheel area of Panorama Park, also known as Rotary Park, where they cleaned up the Rotary Wheel area and areas surrounding the pathway along the Bluffs. The volunteers enjoyed perfect weather as they fanned out in groups of three and four to pick up an eclectic mix of trash and debris that littered the pathway along the bluffs and pruned overgrown and dead shrubs around the Rotary Wheel area. When the volunteers were done, there was a large pile of dead shrubbery removed from plants and numerous large bags of trash collected by the Rotary and Interact members. |
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RC Arroyo Grande Water Project in Uganda![]() The Arroyo Grande Rotary Club has been staying busy throughout 2020-2021. We partnered with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church of Monterey Park, CA to fund a clean water project for the Village of Wakiso,, Mukono District, Uganda. A well was dug to access clean water, underground piping was laid and an 8 foot high structure was built for three water storage tanks to provide water pressure and protect from the unwanted animals. Additionally solar panels were installed to power the well pump ensuring continual operations. Now the over 350 families of Wakiso Village have clean water and the children can spend their time in school rather than traveling daily to carry containers of water gathered from ponds they find. |
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Cambria Rotary’s High School Peace Essay Contest![]() In an effort to empower youth as informed peacebuilders, we reached out to Sarah Johnston, CUHS English teacher, to ask whether she was interested in coordinating a Peace Essay contest for her students. As the daughter of Rotarians, she embraced the idea immediately but needed to figure out how to work it into the year’s course work. A few ideas were sourced from Rotary’s website for Sarah’s consideration. |
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RC of Thousand Oaks Helps James Storehouse![]() The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks created a grant to benefit James Storehouse that helps out young men and women transition from a foster program to being successfully independent. The club recently provided approximately $600 worth of cookware, containers, utensils, bathroom items, and more to get a young woman started in her apartment. Thank you to Deborah Kniss for organizing this. The club plans to set up 8 more apartments and provide 50 kitchen kits and 20 bathroom kits for these young adults. They are glad to be partnering with James Storehouse.
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RC of Thousand Oaks Cleans Up Hometowns![]() Members and Friends of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks participated in this year’s Coastal Cleanup. Because of COVID, instead of being at the beach, Coastal Cleanup encouraged the volunteers to clean up their hometowns. They cleaned up in Thousand Oaks. 18 individuals picked up approximately 800 pounds of trash from two locations. 15 volunteers cleaned up the wash that runs along the 23 Freeway between Janss Road and Paige Lane, which includes a homeless encampment and 3 volunteers cleaned up at Wildwood Park. Thank you to everyone who helped out. |
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2021 4-Way Test Essay Contest Winners![]() |
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Mexico Hearing Aid III Global Grant Project![]() Thousand Oaks (and Sister Tijuana Club) Rotarians Partner to Help Hearing-Impaired Children and Elderly The Thousand Oaks Rotary Club is the International Sponsor of a Global Grant providing hearing aid devices, fittings and speech therapy to underprivileged children and elderly individuals in Tijuana, Mexico. The Tijuana Rotary Club (which has been the “Sister Club” of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club for over 15 years) was the local Host Club, and the grant project also involved the assistance of two medical services charities located in Tijuana. Given the COVID-19 pandemic public gathering restrictions, fitting sessions were spread out over four months (from November 2020 through March 2021), with each session involving a small number of recipients, instead of two large fitting ceremonies as was initially planned. |
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Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa helps local families survive the pandemic![]() Last Fall, after six months living through the pandemic, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa knew more support was needed for local charities as these organizations struggled from the lasting impacts of COVID-19. To meet this need, the Board of Directors voted to accelerate the club’s annual community grants program, which would normally have occurred in Spring 2021, and to focus specifically on COVID relief. A total of $25,000 was distributed by the end of calendar year 2020 to five organizations, each receiving $5,000. |
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District 5240 Joint International ProjectSenguio, Mexico, Additional Schoolroom Project The RC of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is working with the RC of Morelia Experiencia & Juventad District 4140 to provide an additional schoolroom at the Teodora Medina de Guijosa elementary school in the Senguio Community near Morelia in the state of Michoacan. The effort is to provide educational opportunities for youth with the aim of diverting them from joining gang life. Earlier projects undertaken with support from District 5240 RC San Luis Obispo Daybreak and RC Conejo Valley provided a new classroom, computer room, water, bathrooms, computers, desks, chairs, school supplies, and school uniforms. As a result, enrollment increased from 17 to 70 students, who are meeting in 2 classrooms (3 grades in each). |
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Conejo Valley Rotaract Helps Manna![]() On March 13th of this year Rotary year, the Rotaract club of Conejo Valley worked with the local Manna food bank to sort food. When they arrived, they were shown around the facility and were told that Manna would soon be moving into a larger facility they had purchased. Rotaract was told about the precautions they had to take during COVID and how those in need would have to fill out a form to receive their food. The Rotaract Club was instructed on how to check for dates to make sure items were safe to give out to the community members that needed them. While it got hot during their service project, they were able to stay cool by drinking water and wearing sunscreen. Overall, the club members had a wonderful time sorting the food and making sure they put the items in the correct locations. Current club president, Benjamin Wilson, is confident that their club will be back to help again and enjoyed the time bonding over whether the item belonged in the ramen bin or the pasta bin. |
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April Message from DG Deb Linden![]() Dear Fellow Rotary Members, I can’t believe it is already April! Spring is here, COVID vaccines are more available, and there is a feeling of hope in the air. April also marks Maternal and Child Health month for Rotary which spotlights Rotary projects around the world that expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger. Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. Many of our clubs in District 5240 are involved in projects that address this tragic situation. You are making a difference in the lives of countless mothers and children! PolioPlus Update Presentation: You are invited to a very special presentation - PolioPlus: Signs of Progress - on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 5:00 pm via Zoom, presented by Michael McGovern, Chair of Rotary International’s PolioPlus Committee. Mike will provide a "hot off the presses" update on the progress being made worldwide to eradicate Polio and you will have a chance to ask Mike questions. The event is FREE but you do need to register in advance by clicking HERE. After you register, you will receive an email confirmation containing the meeting link. Rotary Foundation Donor Recognition: Registration is now open for the 2021 District 5240 Rotary Foundation Donor Recognition & Celebration, which is virtual this year on Friday, May 7, 2021, at 6:00 pm. The event is free, but you need to register in advance by clicking HERE. We will be recognizing YOU – our members who have achieved various donation levels to The Rotary Foundation – and we will have a special presentation by the CFO from Feeding America about the dramatic increase in food insecurity during COVID and how organizations like Rotary helped address the crisis. A flyer for the event is below. 2021 District Training Assembly: This year’s District Training Assembly is virtual on Saturday, April 17, 2021. We are offering a wide range of classes open to all members in the District. And it is free to attend! Click HERE to see to the session schedule and descriptions. Click HERE to register. 2021 Rotary International Convention: This year’s RI Convention will be virtual due to COVID-19, which means it is accessible and affordable for everyone! The convention will be June 12-16, 2021. Event registration will open in mid-April and will include a promotional fee of $49 for 21 days, with an increase afterward to $65. For more information and registration information, click HERE. Finally, I want to say Thank You for the creative ways our clubs and members continue to serve our communities even through the COVID challenges. We’re not out of the woods yet and there are significant concerns over additional COVID surges, so I urge everyone to still be careful and please get vaccinated as soon as you can. Take care and stay safe! |
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Moorpark Rotarian’s Providing Healthier ChoicesAt the beginning of the Pandemic, the Moorpark Rotary Club knew they were going to be be needed, now more than ever, so they developed a plan to focus on their local food pantry. They kicked off their plan by providing much needed school supplies, and throughout the pandemic held various food drives to help back fill the increasing needs of those who were food challenged. As Rotarian’s, they knew they could do more, so they asked the food panty what other critical items were needed. The food pantry quickly responded by sharing what they really needed: fresh vegetables and fruit. Moorpark Rotary Club President, Kelly Best, reached out to a local farmer and told him their food pantry was in need of healthier choices in food. He provided the Club with the opportunity to purchase local vegetables, and also connected them to a fresh fruit connection in Los Angeles. Each week Club members from the Rotary Club of Moorpark picked up several large boxes of fruits and vegetables from the farm and they delivered them to the food panty in Moorpark. They consider each delivery a win/win, as it provides healthier food choices for their families and a very rewarding experience from the heart.
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Centennial Interact Pet Event Service Project![]() Twilight Rotary Club of Bakersfield Sponsored Club Submitted by CHS Interact President Makenna Moseley On Saturday, March 20, Centennial's Interact Club held an Animal Shelter Drive collecting items for the local SPCA center. The students from the club participated in the drive through event at Riverlakes Ranch Park from 12-2pm, donating items such as dog food, cat food, treats, blankets, and toys to all be donated this week. There was a great turn out for the event, some students donating 20+ pound bags of cat/dog food! The SPCA is excited to work with Centennial's Interact Club and receive these generous donations for the animals. Thank you Centennial Interactors for such a great turn out and always giving back to the community! Submitted by Ana Heron, CHS Interact Service Project Director Our Interact Club at Centennial High School collected over 80 items for abandoned pets at the SCPA, a no kill shelter in Bakersfield. CHS Interact President Makenna Mosley and I, as well as members Abby Khoury and Will Foulk helping set up a table at Riverlakes Ranch Park from 12 to 2 while members dropped items off. One member, Jonathan Hernandez, brought 35 items by himself! We’d like to thank everyone for the incredible turnout. Makenna is delivering the the items on Monday, the SPCA has already expressed their appreciation for the donations over the phone. |
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The Art and Process of Wood Carving as a Meaningful Occupation![]() One aspect of Rotary’s Vocational Service calls on us to empower others by sharing our unique skills and expertise which will help others discover new professional opportunities and interests. During this COVID-19 period, many people find themselves light on work or are embattled in unemployment situations. If you are an active, engaged Rotarian, you probably view vocational service as a way of life, even if you find it difficult to characterize a clear definition. I have found myself to be a type-A person, with characteristics associating self-worth with achievements and always looking for something to do. This parallels the notion that “work is dignity,” where I’ve transitioned from career to career with the passion to engage in what I believe is important and what I find fun in “doing.” |
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RC of Camarillo Gives Exemplary Service Award![]() The Rotary Club of Camarillo gave its first Exemplary Service Award to Kate Lewis, Chaplain at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital, in recognition of her "extraordinary effort and sacrifice for fellow citizens through this difficult time." Nominations are being accepted from the community to recognize Camarillo's local heroes including first responders and other essential workers. Nominations can be sent to tsprinkl@aol.com. Photo (L to R) is of President Dave Drumright, Kate Lewis and Community Service Chair Tim Sprinkles |
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Rotary Club of Simi Valley Presents Mount McCoy RemembranceRotarians to read the names of loved ones lost during the pandemic year at the cross at Mount McCoy Simi Valley, CA – Lighting the Cross at Mount McCoy in Simi Valley during Easter week has been a tradition for the Rotary Club of Simi Valley for nearly 60 years. Club members volunteer to light the cross from dusk until midnight and on many nights, they are joined by community members. Many of whom express their gratitude for this special gift to the community. Last year the Cross remained dark during Easter week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We were disappointed that we had to cancel the lighting last year. I am happy to share that we will be resuming our tradition and lighting the cross March 29 – April 3,” said Lynne Kline, president of the Rotary Club of Simi Valley. |
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Ojai Rotary Global Grant for Prashanti International School, Puri, India![]() An Amazing Journey of International Cooperation March, 2021 - by Leslie Bouche, International Service Committee Chair Prashanti International School (PIS) is a non-profit day school for Kindergarten through 8th grade in a poor village area outside the city of Puri, India. PIS provides a quality, values-based education for a current enrollment of 270 students at a very low tuition accessible by poor families. Enrollment is growing each year. The program also includes a residential children’s home for 40 of the students from the most impoverished backgrounds that provides housing, food, clothing, medical care, education and daily tutoring for them on full scholarship. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the Rotary Club of Ojai created and successfully completed five District and Club grants to benefit the children of Prashanti International School. These grants provided drinking water purification units, laptop computers and related items, water storage tanks, washrooms tiling and fixtures, and a septic tank and sanitation system for the school. The grants ranged in value from $1032 to $10,937. Additionally, RC Ojai granted $1000 to PIS to provide emergency food items to local families who were unable to get basic foods at the beginning of the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown in Puri. The projects totaled over $20,000, and they were very successful and completed on time and to budget. |
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Rotaract – Rotary Funded Uganda New Water Source Community Project![]() A new clean water source community project in Africa, which was awarded a Rotary District 5240 grant (round two) for $850.00, was recently completed. In a unique collaborative partnership, the DDF FY 2020-2021 project grant monies, were combined with Rotary Club of Bakersfield Twilight ($850.00) and Rotaract Club of Kern County ($2800.00) funds to benefit Ugandan residents with a clean and sanitary water source that includes establishing a community water committee and a repair savings account, and providing instruction on sanitation/hygiene and preventative maintenance. The $4,500.00 global community water source project now provides a clean community water source to approximately 500 villagers for the Naibinga community in Uganda. The global project was made feasible by the international community development non-profit Love Water Incorporated (LWI) which is based in Bakersfield, California. Since 2010, LWI has provided clean, potable water in developing countries to over 63,000 people.
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Santa Barbara Sunrise Rotary Gives Donation to Food Bank![]() Eric Ryan, President of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise, presented a contribution of $2,375 to Erik Talkin, Chief Executive Officer of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. The donation was made through the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Charitable Foundation.
As thousands of families have struggled with food insecurity during the COVID-19 crisis, the Foodbank has stepped up to provide tons of nutritious food to community members in need! |
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March Message from DG Deb Linden![]() Dear Fellow Rotary Members, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Month: Rotary International has designated March as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene month to bring greater awareness and support for these critical needs. Clean water, safe sanitation, and healthy hygiene are basic human needs, but millions of people throughout the world – including in our own communities – do not have access to resources to meet these basic needs. Here are links to information If you want to learn more about how Rotary clubs and The Rotary Foundation are addressing these needs: DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Update: This past month, Rotary International President Holger Knaack issued an update on RI’s efforts to ensure Rotary is committed to inclusion, diversity, and respect for all throughout our clubs and programs. You can read President Holger’s update HERE. To further DEI efforts in our District, the District 5240 Board of Directors has approved a new DEI Coordinator position to be a centralized resource to District staff and clubs on DEI-related initiatives, education, and resources. More information about the position will be coming soon. If you are interested in volunteering for the DEI Coordinator position, please email your interest and qualifications to me at rotarylinden@gmail.com. Leadership Development Courses from Toastmasters: As part of Rotary’s alliance with Toastmasters International, Rotary is now offering a series of leadership and communication courses to Rotary and Rotaract members. The courses, now available in the Learning Center, discuss fundamental leadership skills like motivation, integrity, and team inclusiveness. You’ll also discover how ethics, decision making, goal setting, and delegating help you develop the skills necessary to lead a team effectively. Watch this video to learn how to find the courses in the Learning Center and how to get the most out of them: Toastmasters Course Info Video. To access the courses, log into the Learning Center at www.rotary.org and search for Toastmasters. Save the Dates: District Training Assembly: Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 17, 2021, for the kick-off to our 2021 Virtual District Training Assembly. We will be offering a wide range of classes open to all members in the District. And it is free to attend! More info to follow soon. District Rotary Foundation Recognition Event: Our annual TRF Recognition event will be virtual on Friday evening May 7, 2021. Save the date and look for more info soon! |
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Tehachapi Rotary Recognizes Students with SOARTehachapi Rotary was happy to recognize 61 Jacobsen Middle School students with their SOAR award on February 18th. Student Outstanding Achievement Recognition was created in late 2019 to recognize those JMS students who had improved on their first quarter Grade Point Average (GPA) by at least .5 with no F grades. (The program was not done in the spring 2020 because of Covid-19.)
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New Signage for Carpentia Rotary Clubs![]() Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning President Karen Glancy shows off the new signage for all three Carpinteria clubs; Carpinteria Morning, Carpinteria and Carpinteria Sunset. The updated signs hang at the community welcome kiosk across the street from Carpinteria City Hall.
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Teens in Need![]() Centennial Interact Club members hosted a drive up drop off event for the homeless teens in need in Bakers during the holiday season. They collected items such as clothing, blankets, hygiene products, shoes, games, etc. It was all donated to the Bakersfield Homeless Center teens the following day. The CHS Interactors love giving back to their community! |
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Brookdale Senior Center Project![]() On Saturday February 13, Centennial Interact club set up a drive by Valentine’s Day card event for the Brookdale Senior Center! All cards were hand made by the Interactors and dropped off on Valentine’s Day. All the seniors were thrilled to receive such kind and thoughtful cards from the students. In total, the Interactors created about 225 cards for the 175 residents! A special recognition to Jonathan Hernandez for hand making 51 cards! Happy Valentine’s Day from Centennial Interact Club!
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Morning Rotary of Carpinteria Places Solar Lights and Chargers Internationally![]() ...and your Club can too. Rotarian Mary Layman put the Carpenteria Club in contact with the Roatan Village Project on a small island off the coast of Honduras. Many villagers and local schools were without reliable electricity. Mary led the way for the club to support the schools and families there. She recruited other team members, and applied for a Peacebuilder Solar Matching Grant for solar powered lights and cell chargers from the Carpinteria Morning Rotary Club. The grant matched each solar light and solar cell charger with a free solar light and charger. In the first phase, 40 Unite to Light solar lights and 10 cell chargers were sent to Roatan. |
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Thousand Oaks Rotary Club Foundation Program![]() The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks had the honor of hosting Brenda Cressey on January 21st. Brenda was the first female governor for district 5240 serving 2001 – 2002. She and her husband are members of the Arch Klumph Society, Major Donors, Paul Harris and New Legacy Societies. They established the Brenda and Richard Cressey Endowment for Peace supporting peace certificate fellows. Brenda is the recipient of the RI Service Above Self Award, the Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and the Foundation’s highest recognition, The Distinguished Service Award. She was kind enough to award Paul Harris pins and a Major Donor level 3 award at the meeting. Her program was focused on the Foundation and all it does on our behalf. She also spoke conflict resolution and the Peace fellowship. |
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Paso Robles Rotary Club Community Service Success StoryStory By: Robert Fonarow, President of the Rotary Club of Paso Robles The Drop your Drawers project is just one part of the overall effort of 4 Rotary Clubs in the North County to support ECHO, but it has already been a great success story. Initially, a small group of Paso Robles Rotarians met with management of the new ECHO shelter that just took over a Motel 6 in the North part of town. The shelter has 60 rooms for homeless people to stay overnight in a warm, clean environment, including an evening meal. When asked what was needed at the shelter, our Rotarians got a list of about 10 things, with the most important one being new mens and women’s underwear. |
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February Message from DG Deb Linden![]() Dear Fellow Rotary Members, February marks Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention month for Rotary, a cause that is a priority for many members and clubs. Nelson Mandela said, “Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference.” Through our many projects and efforts throughout the world, Rotary helps create this environment by providing opportunities for education, combating disease and food insecurity, and promoting peace through the Rotary Peace Centers and Scholars. Our District Peace Page contains a variety of resources to help our clubs get involved in Rotary Peace efforts, including becoming a Peace Club. Here is the link: https://www.rotarydistrict5240.org/sitepage/peace-page-1 Save the Date - District Training Assembly! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 17, 2021, for the kick-off to our 2021 Virtual District Training Assembly. We will be offering a wide range of classes open to all members in the District. And it is free to attend! More info to follow soon. Rotary International Convention Going Virtual: The 2021 Rotary International Convention will be virtual this year due to COVID-19. This is a great opportunity for all members to experience an International Convention. Convention information can be found at this link: https://convention.rotary.org/en Public Image Grants Now Available! Did you know that groups of clubs can apply for a Public Image Grant from the District Charitable Foundation? Check it out at this link: https://www.rotarydistrict5240.org/sitepage/district-public-image-grants Rotary Rose Parade Float Commemorative Patches: As you know, the annual Rose Parade was cancelled this year because of COVID, only the second time in history this has happened. To memorialize this unique occasion and to raise funds for next year’s Rotary float, the Rotary Rose Parade Committee created commemorative patches available in exchange for a $50 donation. The patch is dedicated to everyone who has been affected by COVID-19. You can purchase your patch and support next year’s float by clicking on this link: https://rotaryfloat.org/product/commemorative-patch/ All Things Rotary Podcast – New! Rotary International (Club & District Support Office) has launched a new Podcast series called “All Things Rotary” that will cover various Rotary-related subjects. A link to the podcast channel is included under the “Links” tab on the District website, and here is the direct link: https://allthingsrotary.buzzsprout.com Finally, thank you all for the incredible service you continue to provide to our local communities and throughout the world. You make a difference every day and I am so proud to serve in Rotary with all of you! |
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Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Inclusion in ActionThe Way Forward: Let's Get Uncomfortable The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara presents the third lecture in the Inclusion in Action series, titled “The Way Forward: Let's Get Uncomfortable” with Myke Rousell on February 16, 2021 at 12:00 PM PST. Myke Rousell will present a thought-provoking talk on the experience of being Black in America. By sharing personal encounters and experiences he will disabuse us of the belief that we live in a color-blind society. Mike is a Rotarian, a Texan, a CPA, a husband, and a father of 4 children. He will share experiences that may not make news, but do leave scars. He doesn't think of BLM so much as an organization, but rather as a long-desired wish. Myke was inspired to speak for the benefit of his children and impress upon those of us who are not a visible minority that we as a nation can (and must) do better. |
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Twilight Rotary of Bakersfield Brings Holiday Cheer to Local Children and Seniors![]() Rotary Club of Bakersfield Twilight joined together with local Rotary clubs and others in our community to make the holidays a little brighter for children and seniors in need by participating in two local projects to collect new toys for children in need and much needed sundry items for low income seniors. Twilight Rotary members donated generously to both the 17 Days of Christmas Project spearheaded by local news station KGET and Christmas for Seniors coordinated through the East Niles Senior Center. The donated toys were given to children at the Bakersfield Homeless Center and the Boys and Girls Club Kern County, while the donated sundry items were given to low income seniors through the East Niles Senior Center. Through the collective efforts of Twilight Rotary members and others in our community, children whose families are experiencing homelessness and other financial difficulties and seniors living on limited fixed incomes experienced extra holiday joy this year. |
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Solvang Rotary Club Partners with Sister Clubs![]() The Solvang Rotary Club is pleased to announce that they have recently partnered with two Rotary clubs in two different countries as their Sister Club. The premise behind a Sister Rotary Club is that you establish a partnership with another club to further international and cultural understanding and to foster goodwill through long standing fellowship and international service and relationships. Both partnerships were confirmed in November of 2020. Solvang Rotary is pleased to confirm Aalborg City Rotary Club of Denmark as our Sister Club because of the long standing relationship with the city of Aalborg. The City of Solvang established a Sister City relationship with Aalborg, Denmark, on May 13, 1976. This relationship was cemented between Solvang and Aalborg because of the many Danish immigrants and the Danish heritage brought to our area. |
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Thousand Oaks Rotarians Thank 2500 Essential Workers Across the Area![]() Every Thousand Oaks Rotarian received a stack of these cards in the mail. The Thank You cards are passed out to postal workers, truck drivers, cashiers, baristas, anyone who is working hard with the public. The cards are lovely alone or with a little money or gift card attached. |
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Thousand Oaks Rotary Honors Grocery Store Workers![]() Thousand Oaks Rotarians are recognizing 20 grocery stores in Thousand Oaks with a framed Certificate of Appreciation and a poster reminding customers to show their appreciation to all employees. We visit one store per week and the poster gets moved from store to store every week, so it doesn’t end up in the trash can. |
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Tehachapi Food Drive![]() A Rotary Club project that was originally designed by Rotarian Rhonda Brady just for members as a way to give back this past holiday season grew by leaps and bounds into a food project that included people from all over the greater Tehachapi area. There were donations of cash from local individuals and bigger donations from Terra-Gen and BHE Renewables LLC that allowed Rotarians to shop for food to fill the nearly 200 boxes. Many individuals in our community put together the boxes of food, many with extra Christmas surprises. |
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Cambria Rotarians Respond![]() Since the Regional Stay at Home order went into effect in early December, local hotels and restaurants have had to layoff many of their employees once again. Over 100 families in Cambria and neighboring San Simeon, affected by layoffs, find themselves struggling to feed their families and to provide every day necessities. While both the San Luis Obispo Food Bank and Cambria Vineyard Church have regular bi-weekly food distributions and the Cambria Lions Club is providing a hot meal each week, families are still in need. So, Cambria Rotary has once again jumped in to help by providing gift certificates for our local market to the 100+ families identified as being in need. It was determined that providing gift certificates rather than groceries gives people the opportunity to purchase items that may not have been included in the various food pantries such as paper goods, over the counter medications and perishable items. The plan is to continue to provide gift certificates every other week until the stay at home order is lifted and people are able to get back to work.
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KernYES! 2021 AnnouncementThe KernYES! Board of Directors met during the Holiday break and decided that in an abundance of caution to not hold the upcoming February 2021 event. The first priority is the safety of our students and volunteers and student education. As the pandemic rages on with students still not meeting in person, we felt it was not safe or prudent. We also took into consideration the burdens on teachers and counselors coupled with the difficulties they face even after they return to in-person learning; we could not add the challenge of coordinating KernYES! registration, it would be too difficult and a near impossible task. We will be meeting mid-August 2021 to plan our February 26, 2022 KernYES! event and very much look forward to continued collaboration in support of our youth.
On behalf of the KernYES! Board of Directors, we thank you for your support! Li Gibbs Executive Director, KernYES! |
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Rotary of Westlake Village Holiday Drive In Movie Elf Event![]() There’s room for everyone on the nice list when you are a volunteer with Rotary of Westlake Village. Their enthusiastic member Erin Culbertson, took the challenged to create a COVID safe event and she did it. On December 12, a simple Drive-In Movie Elf night idea turned into a sold-out EVENT. The Club's members all pitched in to help with every detail. Lynn Jacobsen created a colorful Candy House Village and Christina Ortega took it one step further to build an amazing Tunnel of Light. Mike Dutra dressed up as Buddy the Elf and Ventura County Sheriff Ayub was a jolly Santa. The local businesses, Home Helpers In-Home Caregivers, Reed Capital Management, PEDEGO, and The Arledge Group helped to offer this special event to the Conejo Valley Community. All the proceeds went to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley. |
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Packing Food for Distribution to Families at Christmas![]() The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise had Team Rotary volunteers pack up 200 bags of groceries donated by Albertsons to be distributed to United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara families at Christmastime. Big thanks to Tina for her tireless work for UBGC and to all Sunrise Rotarians for lending a hand to help families during this holiday season. |
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January Message from DG Deb Linden![]() Happy New Year Rotary Members! Thank you for all you did to serve your communities in 2020 during one of the most challenging years in recent memory. I know you and your clubs will make 2021 an even more memorable year, in a good way, with the help of the COVID-19 vaccine! Vocational Service Month: January is Vocational Service Month in Rotary, which marks the intersection of your professional life with your Rotary one. Our members represent a wide range of professions and skills and Rotary opens opportunities for business networking and mentoring of others. To help inspire ideas for Vocational Service Month (or anytime), click here to see the Rotary Vocational Service in Action Handbook. Also, check out our District Rotarian Business Network webpage where you can list your business for other members to find: https://www.rotary5240.biz Rotary DEI Webinar Series Throughout 2020-2021, Rotary International is hosting a webinar series called Accountability + Inclusion to explore diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Rotary. Here is a link to the webinar schedule and the recordings of the webinars that have already been held. This is an excellent opportunity to learn how your club and members can create welcoming and inclusive Rotary clubs and projects: http://msgfocus.rotary.org/files/amf_highroad_solution/project_188/DEIWebinar-Sept2020-Description.pdf Rotary and COVID: I have received some questions about Rotary’s role in the COVID education and vaccination program. Here is an official statement from RI staff regarding RI’s involvement in the COVID response: Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) have built a global health infrastructure that has brought polio to the brink of eradication and is now also being used to help protect communities from COVID-19. Given promising new developments on effective COVID-19 vaccine candidates, many Rotary members are wondering whether Rotary and its partners can play a role in the eventual distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, utilizing the polio eradication infrastructure--including the polio vaccine cold chain. While there are conversations ongoing within Rotary and between the GPEI and other organizations involved in the pandemic response, a strategy to use the polio eradication infrastructure to distribute a future COVID-19 vaccine has not yet been decided. We will keep members updated with any developments as possibilities are explored. When we hear more from RI, I will notify all members in the District. New Year Message: Finally, here is a special New Year message from your DG Line – Deb, Savi, Dana, Scott, and Marta: https://www.jibjab.com/view/make/countdown/fab73ac1-441e-4d3f-8e9a-0c413d07d9be |
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Simi Valley Clubs Come Together During Covid 19During Covid 19 Pandemic, members from Rotary Clubs in Simi Valley got together to help out at the Simi Valley Senior Center. The clubs help in getting food and supplies to our seniors who have been impacted by this terrible virus. The Senior Food Share Program has been in existence for over 18 years feeding seniors in the Simi area who are financially unable to provide for themselves. There are about 70 folks who use this program. But when Covid-19 hit, the program doubled and the volunteers at the Senior Center were needing help from other volunteers. That’s when the Simi Clubs went into action. They are working every Sunday and Monday collecting food from three different stores. Every other Monday afternoon, they drive their trucks up to the Oxnard Food Share Warehouse and load their trucks up with all kinds of food which is donated by the big stores. On Tuesday, the group separates all of the food onto tables and load up approximately 140 shopping bags of food. There is usually extra eggs, milk, bread and desserts that are added in addition with the bags. At 8:30am, the distribution starts, the seniors drive their cars through a line and the bags are then loaded up into the trunks or back seats of the senior’s cars. All this work is being done utilizing Covid-19 PPE’s and procedures.
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Pismo Beach 5 Cities Rotary Honors Essential WorkersIn recognition of Rotary Gratefulness Week, the Pismo Beach-5 Cities Rotary Club honored several essential workers at their November 17th meeting. This was a wonderful meeting that the club enjoyed because they were able to personally thank some very special people for the great work they do on a daily basis. The workers recognized were representatives of their profession and their colleagues. Each was given a plaque to commemorate their recognition and all but one received a $100 gift card to an area restaurant. One honoree, California Fresh Market, received a check for $100, which they matched, to be used for a pizza party for all their employees before the start of the holiday rush. The honored essential workers are listed below with a picture of them receiving their plaque from club President Shannon Bowdey. |
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Rotary Club of Ojai’s Virtual “Taste of Ojai” a Success, netting $33,000!![]() We’ve all learned during these times that we need to not only carry on, but also learn how to “reimagine” carrying on our events. It was with great enthusiasm that the Rotary Club of Ojai’s 2019/2020 “Rising Star” and Taste of Ojai Chair Tara Saylor did just that and more!
Along with a stellar committee effort led by Tara, the club’s annual fundraising event went both live at Ojai’s Topa Mountain Winery and online via Zoom, with a well-choreographed and beautifully filmed event highlighting local restaurants, ranches, wineries and breweries for the entire community to enjoy. |
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December Message from DG Deb Linden![]() December in the Rotary world marks Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, a truly relevant focus since we have all been impacted by COVID-19 in some way. Today also marks Giving Tuesday, a global movement for good that began in 2012 on the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving. As I’m writing this message in the warmth and comfort of my home, I’m reminded how fortunate my family and I are compared with so many people in this world, and how blessed we are to be able to help others through Rotary. Today’s newsletter includes some ways you can Do Good on this Giving Tuesday and beyond. Rotary and Giving Tuesday: The Rotary Foundation supports communities all over the world through local projects and global efforts such as Polio Plus. Here is a short video from Rotary in honor of Giving Tuesday: https://vimeo.com/474720383/b16d6743b7. Honduras Relief Fund: Over the past few weeks, Honduras has been hit by two major hurricanes - Eta (Category 4) and Iota (Category 5) - causing widespread devastation. Buildings have been destroyed, bridges washed-away, and infrastructures obliterated. Many people have been left homeless or are simply missing. The 33 Rotary Clubs in Honduras have come together to start the Rotary Honduras Hurricane Relief Fund, in partnership with Florida-based Make It Count Foundation, to help provide food, clothing, and shelter to those in need. Many clubs in our District have done projects in Honduras and our District participates in an Inter-Country Committee (ICC) with Honduras. Here is a link to the Relief Fund should your club or members wish to make a donation: https://rotary.themakeitcountfoundation.org PolioPlus Fundraising – Thank You! As you know, our District participated in the Step Up for Polio project from August through October to raise funds for Rotary’s polio eradication efforts. We also raised funds for Polio during our Party for Polio kick off to the Virtual District Conference. I am thrilled to announce that our members and clubs raised $17,861 through the Step Up Campaign, and the Party for Polio donations and club pledges raised another $14,382, for a total of $32,243 raised/pledged for Polio! The even better news is that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is matching our donations $2-to-$1, which means our money will be tripled! Thank you all so much for your strong continued support of our PolioPlus fund. Our goal this year is 100% club participation in PolioPlus giving, so if your club/members have not participated, it is not too late. Here is the link to donate: https://www.endpolio.org/donate $52.40 Annual Fund Challenge: Only one month left for clubs and members to meet the $52.40 Annual Fund Challenge! Help your club meet this challenge with a donation of at least $52.40 to the TRF Annual Fund. The Annual Fund makes our local and international grant projects possible! Click HERE for more information about the $52.40 Challenge. Rotary Partnership with Toastmasters: Rotary International has formed an alliance with Toastmasters International to offer additional benefits to our members. As part of this alliance, Rotary is offering a series of leadership and communication courses to Rotary and Rotaract members. The first two courses, now available in the Learning Center, discuss fundamental leadership skills like motivation, integrity, and team inclusiveness. You will also discover how ethics, decision making, goal setting, and delegating help you develop the skills necessary to lead a team effectively. Watch this video to learn how to find the courses in the Learning Center and how to get the most out of them. Meet our 2023-2024 District Governor! Marta Golding Brown from the Rotary Club of Oxnard has been selected as our District 5240 Governor for 2023-2024. Marta has been a member of Rotary for 15 years and served twice as President of the Rotary Club of Lancaster Sunrise. She has served in various positions in two Districts (5240 and 5300), including Education and Training Director, PRLS Director, Assistant Governor, Executive Assistant Governor, Group Study Exchange Area Coordinator and Director, and PETS Trainer. Marta participated in a 30-day Group Study Exchange to Brazil in 2005. Professionally, Marta is the Government Affairs Director for the Ventura County Coastal Association of REALTORS. She is married to her husband Forrest Brown and they have one grown daughter MacKenzie and a Queensland Heeler named Cairo. In her spare time (and pre-COVID), Marta loves to travel. Marta is a strong supporter of The Rotary Foundation and is a Major Donor Level 1, Benefactor, member of the Bequest Society, and member of the Paul Harris Society. Congratulations Marta! |
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Tablets and Backpacks Donated to La Casa de la Raza Community Center![]() Members of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise presented La Casa de la Raza with 30 tablets and backbacks. The supplies will be utilized by the center for students in their after school programs and center staff. The La Casa staff gave a tour of the facility and described some of the many programs they offer. Eric Ryan, President of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise, stated, “We were impressed with the number of programs that are run out of La Casa and with the potential of the facility.” The Rotary club will be looking into ways to develop further partnership through their Community Service and Youth Service avenues of service. |
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Twilight Rotary Club of Bakersfield Service Project![]() Twilight Rotary Club of Bakersfield (“Rotary Twilight”) helped make sure the children of Mt. Vernon Elementary School in Bakersfield, California, enjoyed Halloween despite remotely learning from home because of the pandemic. As part of Mt. Vernon Elementary School’s Red Ribbon Spirit week of October 26, 2020, Rotary Twilight delivered an astounding 400 pumpkins (enough so each student picking up breakfast and lunch at the school could have their very own pumpkin.) All 400 pumpkins were generously donated by Rotary Twilight President Elect Robin Paggi’s husband, Pat, and his company, Daniells, Phillips, Vaughan & Bock. Rotary Twilight members, Robin Paggi, Laura Williams, Pamela Elisheva (with hubby, Irvin), PP Anselmo Moreno and Brad Henderson picked up and loaded the 400 pumpkins from Trader Joe’s and transported them across town to Mt. Vernon Elementary School where a very happy Principal Xochitl Prieto was there to receive them.
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November Message from DG Deb Linden![]() Virtual District Conference & Party for Polio: The Rotary District 5240 Virtual Conference is less than a week away! It will be LIVE on November 6-8, 2020 so be sure to register now. We have amazing Keynote presentations and breakout sessions planned and be sure to visit the virtual Exhibitors on our Whova conference app. A detailed agenda and link to registration is on the Conference website at www.rotary5240dc.com. The kick-off to the conference will be our Party for Polio on Friday evening November 6 featuring an interview with Jim Messina, live musical performances of his songs, a journey on a National Immunization Day (NID) in India, door prizes, and more. During the Party for Polio, we will be raising funds for Polio in a virtual version of passing the hat. In addition, we have a very generous donor who wants to remain anonymous who will match the first $3,000 donated, and the Rotary Club of Santa Ynez Valley has added another $1,000 to this matching challenge for a total of $4,000! Even more incredible is any funds we raise will be matched 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation, so our donations will be tripled for PolioPlus! We have set up a direct donation platform for the TRF PolioPlus fund and you can donate by clicking HERE anytime before or during the Party for Polio. We will announce the total raised at the Party. Rotary Gratefulness Week Honoring Essential Workers – November 16-22, 2020: Our Rotary Zones (Zones 26/27 comprised of 30 districts) have developed a wonderful community service opportunity called Rotary Gratefulness Week to honor essential workers. All clubs are encouraged to do something to honor the essential workers in your community anytime during November 16 - 22, 2020. A flyer is below with additional information and a list of sample projects. And please share photos and videos of your efforts on your club and District Facebook pages. Let's all come together during Rotary Gratefulness Week to show our essential workers how much we appreciate them! Rotary Zone Institute: Each year, our Rotary Zones convene a Rotary Institute, which is similar to a district conference but bigger and open to Rotarians throughout the two Zones. This year, the Zone Institute will be virtual from Thursday, November 12 to Saturday, November 14, 2020 and is open to everyone! The cost is $49 per person. Here is the link to the Institute website that includes registration and additional information, including a detailed schedule: https://zone2627.org/2020-rotary-institute. You will see that on Thursday and Friday, there are special classes in a variety of topics you can sign up for. New COVID Order Regarding Private Gatherings: Unfortunately, COVID-19 remains a significant concern and risk throughout our District. On October 9, 2020, the California Department of Health issued a new order concerning private gatherings (such as those at peoples’ homes or gatherings of families/friends at parks, etc). The order can be found at this link: Please continue to use caution and follow State and local regulations regarding COVID. We want to keep all our members and their families safe and well! |
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Centennial Interact Canned Food Collection![]() The world of those experiencing hunger and homelessness seems very far from the students at Centennial High School, Bakersfield, CA. To bring this issue to the forefront of teen awareness, the Centennial INTERACT Club is illuminating this plight through its early Canned Food Drive. The Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week will be recognized Nov. 15-22 this 2020 COVID year. The Centennial Interact Club has sponsored a drive-thru Can Food Collection project, Saturday, October 24th from 11:00AM – 3:00PM. This school year, it appears the Kern High School District will continue its restriction on campus activities that are also a part of this Interact Club’s association and its contiguous social base. ![]() |
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Tehachapi Rotary & Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids![]() On Wednesday, October 21st, Tehachapi Rotary donated 35 coats to the Tehachapi Salvation Army. These coats were purchased by monies budgeted by the club along with a donation from the Walmart in Tehachapi. Rotarians Rhonda Brady and Cathy Criger went shopping at the Burlington Coat Factory in Bakersfield and Walmart a few days before, choosing coats for teenagers at the request of Salvation Army. Tehachapi Rotary is happy to continue supporting the Coats for Kids drive and looks forward to its next service projects, Rhonda’s idea of a Twelve Days of Christmas food drive and participating in Salvation Army’s annual bellringing in front of different Tehachapi businesses.
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An Update from ShelterBoxJoin us online for “An Evening to Experience ShelterBox” An Evening to Experience ShelterBox THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET Join ShelterBox for an hour of inspiration, highlighting the lifesaving work you have enabled and the lives your support has transformed. 2020 Global Humanitarian Service Award presentation to Rotary International. This event is free; registration is required. https://www.ShelterBoxUSA.org/ ![]() |
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Rotary & Interact Clubs Keep Bakersfield Beautiful![]() At the invitation of Mayor Karen Goh, Bakersfield citizen volunteers in their socially-responsible masks, banded together to help beautify Downtown Bakersfield, Saturday October 17th. Among the sea of red shirted Centennial Interact Club members were dozens of volunteer Rotarians from East, West and Twilight clubs, including several city representatives. Home Depot donated six flats of perennial flowers for the planters at 'H' and Eye streets. ![]() |
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Bakersfield West Rotary Club Emergency Services Project![]() Bakersfield West Rotary Club Facilitates Donation of Ambulance to Hospital in Guatemala. The Hall Ambulance Company of Bakersfield has generously donated an ambulance as part of an international service project organized by the Bakersfield West Rotary Club. The Bakersfield West Club will ship the ambulance to Guatemala for use by a small hospital located in the highland community of Santiago Atitlán in the Sololá Province of Guatemala. Bakersfield West Rotary is partnering with the Guatemala City West Rotary Club, who identified the hospital’s need for the ambulance. |
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Twilight Rotary of Bakersfield Donates to Homeless![]() While Covid-19 has been difficult for everyone, it has been especially difficult for members of our community who are homeless. The Bakersfield Homeless Shelter is a lifeline for many families with children and other individuals who are faced with the challenges of being homeless while trying to stay safe during a pandemic. Rotary Twilight members came together during a drive by and drop off "event" staffed by several Rotary Twilight members (with face masks and proper social distancing, of course). They dropped off and gathered a significant amount of much needed hygiene items, new underwear for adults and children, diapers, hand sanitizer, and face masks for later donation to the Bakersfield Homeless Center. For those staffing the drive by and drop off event, as well as those driving by to drop off items for donation, it was a much welcome "non-virtual” experience. The collected items were subsequently donated to the Bakersfield Homeless Center by Rotary Twilight President, Li Gibbs, Past President, Nancy Pollard, and Community Service Chair, Laura Williams. Seeing the large number of items collected and donated was a reminder to all of us that small clubs can make a big difference!
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2020 Rotary Council on Resolutions![]() The Rotary Council on Resolutions meets online every year to vote on proposed resolutions and urgent enactments. Resolutions are requests to the Board or the Trustees to take an action that is outside the purview of the constitutional documents. A resolution should affect the Rotary world, rather than address local or administrative issues. An urgent enactment is a change to the constitutional documents, proposed by the RI Board, that the Board has determined cannot wait until the next Council on Legislation, which is held every three years. Representatives from all Rotary districts vote as a Council on Resolutions on proposed enactments and resolutions. Adopted resolutions are then considered by the RI Board or The Rotary Foundation Trustees. Urgent enactments that have been adopted will amend the constitutional documents, and will take effect one month after the Council on Resolutions report has been sent. The 2020 Council on Resolutions will take place 15 October through 15 November. This year there is one emergency enactment and twenty-seven resolutions for consideration. As a Rotarian in District 5240, you have the right to review the proposals and provide comments to the District’s representative. A list of the resolutions and instructions on how to read a resolution can be downloaded by clicking here. If you have comments or questions, please send them to the District 5240 Council Representative PDG Nick Frankle via email at nickdg1617@earthlink.net. Be sure to include your name, contact information, club name, resolution number and whether your comment is in favor of or opposed to the resolution. All comments must be received by November 1. Results of the Council on Resolutions will be posted on the District 5240 website when they are announced. |
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October Message from DG Deb Linden![]() October is a special month in Rotary! On October 24, we celebrate World Polio Day when we join together to celebrate our success so far in eradicating Polio and raise funds to “Get to Zero.” Our Group 8 clubs have organized a very special event for World Polio Day and everyone is invited. Craig Needham, an attorney in San Jose, will share his amazing and inspiring story of being raised by him mother while she was confined to an iron lung after being paralyzed from Polio. Click on the flyer below or on this link to register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcocOmrpjIsGtecQY1o1iqPcOQiHbGA_5hH Rotary Alumni Reconnect Week: October 5-11, 2020 is Rotary Alumni Reconnect Week, a special time to renew relationships with former Rotary program participants, including Peace Fellows, Youth Exchange Students, RYLA students, Rotary Scholarship recipients, and former Rotaractors and Interactors. Take some time to reach out to these Alumni and invite them back into the Rotary family. Invite them to your virtual club meetings or schedule a special virtual social to reconnect and hear their stories. Every Rotary Alumnus is a potential Rotary Member! Virtual District Conference: We are SO excited for the Virtual District 5240 Conference, LIVE on November 6-8, 2020! A detailed agenda is now posted on the Conference website at www.rotary5240dc.com. Here is your Call to Action for the conference:
Rotary Newsletters: Did you know that Rotary publishes electronic newsletters in over a dozen topics, including leadership, membership, youth, service, and peace? You can subscribe for free for any of the newsletters and they will be emailed you on a regular basis. They contain super relevant and interesting information. To see the list of newsletters and to subscribe, click on this link: https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/newsletters Rotary Zone Institute: Each year, our Rotary Zones (Zones 26/27) convene a Rotary Institute, which is similar to a district conference but bigger and open to Rotarians throughout the two Zones. There are 30 Districts in Zones 26/27. This year, our Zone Institute will be virtual from Thursday, November 12 to Saturday, November 14, 2020 and is open to everyone! The cost is $49 per person. Here is the link to the Institute website that includes registration and additional information, including a detailed schedule: https://zone2627.org/2020-rotary-institute. You will see that on Thursday and Friday, there are special classes in a variety of topics that you can sign up for. In Memory of Staci Ingram: Finally, let us all remember and pay tribute to Staci Ingram who died late Tuesday night September 22, 2020, from a sudden and unexpected illness. Staci was a member of the Rotary Club of Ventura and an incredibly active and valued member of her club and her community. She was a wonderful mother and spouse and an accomplished professional at Roth Staffing Companies. She was generous with her time and her talents and she supported her Rotary club and the community of Ventura in countless ways. She has left a legacy that will live on long after her passing. Staci’s family has set up a Go Fund Me account to assist with funeral expenses. Here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-honor-of-staci-ingram. Please keep Staci’s family and the members of the Rotary Club of Ventura close to your hearts as they deal with this tragic loss. |
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Camarillo Rotary Helps FoodShare![]() The Rotary Club of Camarillo recently donated $7,000 to FoodShare of Ventura County to help feed people in need during the Covid19 pandemic. The funds are being used to purchase thousands of cardboard boxes for food items being distributed at community pop-ups. This is the largest grant that Camarillo Rotary has given FoodShare. |
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September Message from DG Deb Linden![]() As I finish my first two months visiting clubs virtually, I am blown away by the creativity and adaptability our clubs have demonstrated during these challenging times. Despite the impact of COVID-19, our clubs are continuing to serve their communities, getting creative in their fundraising, and recruiting new members. Rotary truly Opens Opportunities and you should all be immensely proud! District Conference Registration Now Open! Our District 5240 Virtual District Conference is November 6-8, 2020, and registration is now open. You can find more information and a registration link at http://www.rotary5240dc.com. Here are some highlights:
Promote your Business! Did you know that the District has a place where you can promote your business for other members to find? Well, we do! It is our online District 5240 Rotarian Business Network where you can add your business and where members can search for Rotarian-run businesses in our District. Let’s support each other! Go to https://www.rotary5240.biz for more info and to add/find a business. Community Service Opportunity during COVID: Are you or your club looking for a community service activity you can do safely even with the COVID restrictions? The California Coastal Commission has an opportunity for you (and you don’t need to live near an ocean!). The Commission has designated every Saturday in September as Coastal Clean Up Day in your own Neighborhood. For safety reasons, there are no large, centrally organized cleanup sites this year. Instead, cleanups will be self-guided and close to home. Cleaning your neighborhoods, local parks, streets, and storm drains helps protect our coast. Trash travels through storm drains, creeks, and rivers to become beach and ocean pollution. Help clean the beach by picking up litter in your community with your household. And if Saturdays don't work for you, don't let that stop you! You can clean up any day, any time. Go to https://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html for more information, including a “Most Unusual Item” contest. Step Up for Polio! Don’t forget…we’ve launched our District-wide Step Up for Polio project, a way you can raise funds for PolioPlus through a personal fitness challenge. Click on the Step Up for Polio flyer in this newsletter for more information. Let’s all get moving and Step Up for Polio! Public Image Grants Still Available: There are still funds available to clubs for Public Image grants from the District 5240 Charitable Foundation. Have I piqued your interest? Go to https://www.rotarydistrict5240.org/sitepage/district-public-image-grants to learn more. Finally, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Past District Governor Loretta Butts’ husband, John Butts, passed away on August 19, 2020, of health complications related to cancer. Loretta was our District Governor in 2014-2015 and John was her "official driver" for her club visits and her #1 cheerleader, not only during her DG year, but throughout their lives together. Loretta and John were married for 25 years and friends for much longer. John was a generous and giving soul and would support and encourage Loretta in whatever she undertook. John’s wish was to be cremated and no services will be held. If you would like to reach out to Loretta with a card or note, you can mail them to her at 7400 Pinal Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422
Take care and stay safe, |
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RC of Simi Sunset Donates to Make-A-Wish![]() The Rotary Club of Simi Sunset was asked by Make-A-Wish to support a local Simi Valley resident. Joey fell into a swimming pool when he was 18 months old. The accident dramatically changed his and his family's lives. Now at the age of 15, he suffers from a nervous system disorder which has left him confined to a wheelchair. He can communicate through a tablet and with smiles and noises. His wish... An adaptive swing! Many wish kids avoid large groups during COVID-19 as it could put their health at risk. Having this swing would allow him to enjoy being outside with his family.
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Message from Polio Plus Chair, Jim Lewis![]() Dear Fellow Rotarians in District 5240, As most of you know eradicating Polio from the face of the earth is Rotary International’s #1 objective. In 1985 that objective began. At that time there were 126 countries in the world endemic with 3 types of polio. 350,000 children and adults were paralyzed with one of the 3 types every year. Over the past 30 plus years, through the very hard work of those countries, Rotary, WHO, CDC, UNICEF and in 2007 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we can celebrate that all but 2 of those countries are polio free. The last countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only ones with wild polio cases. The good news is this week we have seen zero cases of Polio in the world. And even much better news Africa has been declared by WHO as completely Polio Free…this is such fantastic news, I felt I had to share it with all of you. Check out the links to Rotary and Time Magazine's articles: |
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RC of Cambria Delivers Food and More![]() The Rotary Club of Cambria recently purchased and delivered bags of cereal, juice, canned fruit, snack bars and other snacks to over 90 families identified as being in need. They were also made aware of the concern about the children in low income families falling behind in school due to the difficulties of distance learning. Many of these children are in households with adults that have little or no education and cannot provide their children with the educational assistance needed. They were able to purchase 186 age appropriate activity books and games to give them a head start for the school year. These were delivered along with the bags of food.
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RC of Moorpark Community Service ProjectThe Rotary Club of Moorpark gathered donations and purchased badly needed school supplies in support of students at the Moorpark Food Pantry Plus. Although they followed physical distancing guidelines, it provided them with an opportunity to be social as they filled 300 bags with school supplies. It was a fun community service project that made a big impact on the lives of their students. Club President, Kelly Best always says, "many hands make light work." They all look forward to another social gathering like this one very soon!
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Santa Ynez Rotary Clubs Donate $33,500The COVID-19 virus has altered life for all of us. Many residents have found themselves unable to provide basic needs for themselves and their family. Local nonprofits have stepped up and are working hard to meet the huge surge in demand. However, the need is great with the increase in demand coupled with the loss of several nonprofits main revenue stream; thrift stores. These organizations are struggling. The four Rotary Clubs in the Santa Ynez Valley; Buellton, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang, have united together contributing a total of $33,500 to local nonprofit organizations. The nonprofits selected are doing outreach in our community feeding hundreds of people daily with prepared meals and produce bags. These include home bound seniors and children out of school. Not only prepared meals are being provided, but help getting medications delivered, sewn masks and other needs. Our nonprofits are doing an incredible job by collaborating to be sure there is no gap in service to our community. |
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August Message from DG Deb Linden![]() August is Membership and New Club Development Month in Rotary and now is the time we need your creativity! To reverse several years of declining membership in our District, we need to grow membership in our clubs and start new, innovative clubs. We are only constrained by our imagination! New, non-traditional clubs are being starting all over the world, including passport clubs, flex clubs, family clubs, caused-based clubs, young professionals clubs, virtual e-clubs, and almost any kind of club you can think of. Want to learn more about new club models and club flexibility? Click HERE Want a whole bunch of resources and tools to help your club attract and retain members? Click HERE $52.40 Challenge: The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Annual Fund is the backbone of Rotary projects throughout the world. Contributions to the Annual Fund come back to our clubs in the form of District Designated Funds (DDF) that can be used to help fund local and international projects. Support for the TRF Annual Fund is an investment in our own clubs! In 2020-2021, to encourage support for the TRF Annual Fund, the District has created the $52.40 Challenge. Clubs that achieve a certain level of giving will receive special recognition. Click HERE for all the details! Rotary and COVID-19: As you all know, we are experiencing a significant and dangerous increase in COVID-19 cases and many of the transmissions are being traced back to small gatherings, such as friends and families gathering together (especially those involving unrelated people). All four counties in our District – SLO, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern – are now on the State watch list and additional restrictions regarding gatherings have been implemented. Rotary International recently announced that the Rotary insurance will not cover claims for COVID-19 cases. I know we are all eager to convene our club meetings and socials in person, but I urge you to use caution and make safe, prudent decisions. The safest way to hold club meetings right now is virtually. In addition, the RI Board of Directors has declared that members shall not be penalized if they choose not to attend a club, district, or RI function because of the COVID risk. As such, it is important to have a virtual option for members who do not feel comfortable or safe gathering in person. District staff is available to any club who needs assistance in this area. Please stay safe! District 5240 Facebook Page: If you want to learn about all the cool things our clubs in our District are doing, not to mention upcoming events and celebrations, be sure to join our District 5240 Facebook Group at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RotaryDistrict5240 |
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PDG Wade Namura Appointed 3 Rotary International Positions![]() District 5240's Past District Governor, Wade Namura, has been given the opportunity of being appointed to three Rotary International positions this year! He is now the Multidistrict PETS Alliance Chair for 2020-2021, he took over as the TRF Cadre Technical Coordinator Chair for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, and he has been appointed as the Regional Organizer of all cadres of North America; one of seven globally! Below is a summary of what the roles entail including how clubs in our district can benefit. Assistance Available for Global Grant Projects The Rotary Foundation has appointed PDG Wade Nomura as the global Chair of the Cadre of Technical Advisers for Water Sanitation and Hygiene. In addition, The Foundation has initiated a pilot program of Regional Organizers to help club and districts increase their humanitarian projects globally by utilizing the skills of the Cadres in the global grant application stages as well as throughout the project. There are seven Cadre Regional Organizers selected from throughout the world to assist with the implementation of this program, Wade being chosen as one of the seven to lead all TRF Cadres of North America plus English speaking Caribbean countries. This role incorporates grants for all Areas of Focus. Stay tune for more information and if you would like assistance from a TRF Cadre on any aspect of a grant or project, please contact: wade@wadenomura.com |
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Rotary Club of Montecito - President in the Paper!![]() Congratulations to Kati Buehler, President of the Montecito Rotary Club, for the excellent article in the Santa Barbara News-Press Life Section! Kati brought attention to Rotary International and its role in helping to eradicate polio as well as upcoming fundraising plans for World Polio Day! CLICK HERE to read the article.
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Rotary Club of Camarillo - Fundraising & Donating![]() The Rotary Club of Camarillo received their District Grant Round 1 and Round 2 totaling $1,970. Then one of their members promised to match up to $2,500 if they could raise $2,500. They were able to achive their goal in ONE Zoom meeting for a total of $7000. BOOM!!! They decided to donate these funds to Food Share for the purchase of packaging materials for fresh produce for low income people in their community. Properly packing produce for distribution reduces the spread of infection, increases food safety, and provides for a quick efficient hand-out at the newly established drive-thru pop-up pantries. |
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Rotary Club of Nipomo - Food Distribution![]() On Wednesday members of the Rotary Club of Nipomo helped with the distribution of fresh produce courtesy of BerryMan at the Nipomo High School. Big thanks to the good turnout. Pictured are George Dubois, Lou Gomez, Lee Baggett, Harry Walls, Roger Ridley. (Not pictured Christine Ridley). On Tuesday Jim Harrison, a friend of his and Ed Harris helped with the food distribution at Dana Elementary school. The group helped unload the produce truck and distribute boxes of produce and bags of potatoes. Quite a work out! |
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Simi Sunrise Rotary - Drive in Movie![]() Simi Sunrise Rotary enjoyed bringing a Great Summer night to Simi Valley! A perfect fund raiser! Great Weather! Great Organization! Fellowship and Financially Successful The fundraiser was presented in the Simi Valley Acorn
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Message from DG Deb Linden![]() Welcome to Rotary Year 2020-2021! The new year is certainly starting out differently than any of us could have imagined. You, our District 5240 members, have faced challenges and hardships that changed the very way we have been doing business. You have created new ways to serve your communities and to come together as clubs. I believe this experience will forever change the way we live Rotary. 2020-2021 Rotary International President Holger Knaack’s theme this year is Rotary Opens Opportunities. He selected this theme long before the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is so appropriate now.We have the opportunity to re-examine and re-create how our clubs operate, how we do our fundraisers, how we serve our communities, and how we engage our current and future members. Please take a few minutes to views this short (4 minutes) video message for our clubs from RI President Holger: Holger Message to Clubs As we begin this new year, our focus will be on:
As we continue the important work of Rotary, every Rotarian in every club must make sure we hold the basic tenants of Rotary in our hearts and reflect them in our actions. We need to consider how we conduct ourselves in our clubs and in every aspect of our lives. Rotary recently released a powerful statement which applies to all of us: ![]() Finally, let’s all give a huge Thank You to 2019-2020 District Governor Savi Bhim and all our 2019-2020 Club Presidents and District staff for leading us through an incredibly challenging time, including helping our clubs begin online meetings and adjust their projects and fundraisers. Let’s carry on their great work in 2020-2021! Deb Linden District Governor 2020-21 |
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Norm Anderson, Past District Governor MemorialRemembering Norm Anderson Mr. Rotary Norm Anderson was a dedicated, dynamic Rotarian with perfect attendance for sixty-four years. In fact, he participated in a Rotary meeting on his 89th birthday, two days before he died. Norm was a very successful businessman with vision, imagination and energy which led him into many areas, but Rotary was always at the center of his life. We think about driving or flying to an international convention. When Norm wanted to attend the Lucerne, Switzerland, convention in 1957, he had to book passage on a transatlantic ship. That was his first of 29 international conventions! Norm was an outstanding, creative District Governor, with his 1993-4 year highlighted by the great convention he produced in and around Solvang, California – appropriate for Norm’s Danish heritage. I remember much of his year, because I was his District Newsletter Editor. And how that happened was typical of Norm’s style. One morning, shortly before his DG term began, as we were leaving a meeting of the Solvang Breakfast Rotary, Norm said “How would you like to be my newsletter editor?” I had a full life with family and running my business, but I told him I would think about it. I will never forget his next words, “Don’t think about it too long.” A few days later I understood his instruction when I received my copy of the district handbook, and saw that I was listed as the editor. Obviously, he had made that decision months before, and assumed I would accept. Norm could assume that people would comply with his requests, because it always seemed to happen. He was a bright, thoughtful guy, and what he was asking for would seem reasonable and beneficial, and there was really no reason to refuse. And in turn, whenever one needed help with a worthwhile project, there was no better person to ask than Norm. While our daughter was an army officer with the US mission in Kosovo she was appalled by the savagery with which villagers were driven out of their homes into the mountains with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing. The attackers even planted land mines in their schoolyards in case they returned. Winter was approaching, and our daughter and her unit asked us for help. The Santa Ynez Valley gathered 4000 pounds of clothing, but we had to find a way to ship it, since all military flights from this area were full. In a situation like that the obvious person to ask for help was Norm. Fortunately, Norm’s large circle of friends included one who owned a transcontinental moving company. We boxed all of the clothing, hauled the boxes to Carpinteria, California, and were able to get everything into a partially full truck headed for Connecticut. All at no cost. And we knew that, if we could get the boxes to an APO box in New York, they would be shipped free to Kosovo. But the Connecticut to NYC leg was still a problem. So Norm contacted the District Governor in Connecticut. That DG had a lot of reasons why it couldn’t be done, but we had Norm on our side, so it happened. Don’t waste your time saying no to Norm. And in an interesting footnote to that adventure, the DG in Connecticut had a project providing goats for people in Haiti, and in the Rotary way he gave us an opportunity to help. So Norm and I spent the next month asking Rotarians and my clients to join us in the goats project. We funded several, and the City of Buellton employees donated enough money for a goat, and had a contest to name it. Life with Norm was exciting and productive. As Rotarians in our district know, Norm was not shy about looking at Rotary needs and behavior, and offering critiques along with his help. But as I look back, he was usually right, and we are all so much better for his decades of service. Thank you, Norm. |
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District 5240 Awards 2019-2020 Video |
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District Awards 2019-2020 |
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District 5240 Relief Efforts- Covid-19 2020 |
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District Foundation Year End Message- Frank Ortiz![]() District Rotary Foundation Year End Message By PDG Frank Ortiz, District Rotary Foundation Chair As this Rotary Year winds down; I want to thank every Rotarian in District 5240 for their support by working to make our World a better place through our Rotary Foundation both locally and globally. Our collective efforts truly make a difference. DG Savi Bhim and many District 5240 Rotarians have done a remarkable job with keeping the spirit of Rotary service alive and well through continued contributions to our Foundation, support for District & Global grant projects, and ongoing support for COVID19 related efforts in our backyard and around the Globe. Should you desire to make one last contribution to the Foundation for the 2019-2020 Rotary year, you can use this link to get you to the needed forms, understanding that the contribution needs to be made by June 30, 2020. https://rotarydistrict5240.org/sitepage/fundraising-sub-committee IMPORTANT: A reminder that District Grant FINAL REPORTS from 2019-2020 must be submitted by June 30, 2020. Failure to get your final report submitted will result in the loss of your Club matching grant allocation. Nobody wants that to happen! You can use this link for the proper final report form and information. https://rotarydistrict5240.org/sitepage/2019-2020-district-grants The District Rotary Foundation Committee thanks DG Savi for her work and we are looking forward to her Virtual Step Down and Awards celebration on June 27. We also look forward to soon to be DG Deb Linden who takes the District Governor reigns on July 1. Thanks and congratulations to all! Frank Ortiz Rotary District 5240 PDG 2012-2013 District Rotary Foundation Chair 2019-2022 |
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CAYUCOS ROTARY FEEDS LOCAL FAMILIES DURING COVID-19![]() Cayucos Rotary has donated $5,000 to support ‘Harvest Bag’ operated by Cayucos Community Church. The program is a collaboration with San Luis Obispo Food Bank to provide bags of groceries and produce to local families in need from Mondays to Fridays. For the past 10 years, Cayucos Community Church has been providing bags of food to families in need. Each bag, estimated to be worth about $20 in food, contains milk, bread, eggs, tuna, butter, peanut jelly, macaroni and cheese, and produce like tomatoes, potatoes and onion etc. |
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Rotary Club of Nipomo![]() President Kelly Ricker and club members Lou Gomez, Ed Harris and Walter Con represent the Rotary Club of Nipomo in donating $2,150 to the San Luis Obispo Food Bank. Accepting the donation is Garret Olson, Chief Executive Officer of the SLO Food Bank (see the picture below with appropriate social distancing). On a side note, Garret is a Rotarian with San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Rotary Club and he is our speaker at this Wednesday’s meeting. |
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June- Rotarian of Action- Charlie Von Rueden![]() 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 June the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Charlie Von Rueden, Rotary Club of Camarillo. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Charlie will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. |
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Refund to ClubsThis has been a unique year. Just as we were entering the last stretch of the year things dramatically changed because of the COVID-19 crisis. You watched helplessly as your well laid plans and hard work went down the tubes. It has been especially hard on clubs that have had to cancel their major fund raisers. Some of you are wondering how will your clubs continue your projects next year. Then there is the mounting possibility of losing members who are uncertain of their jobs and businesses and will not be able to pay their dues and will have to leave their clubs. This will not be their first choice because more than ever at a time like this we all need our family of Rotary. Let us do our best to help them during the uncertain period. With these concerns weighing heavily in the hearts of the District Board we have decided to see how best we can financially assist you. As a result the board of directors voted to refund 58% of the paid January dues to all the clubs. We wish to thank each and every one of you for your outstanding contribution to your clubs and your communities during these challenging times. Savi and the D5240 Board of Directors
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June Message from Savi Bhim![]() There is no denying that 2019-2020 has been an eventful year. There were the earthquakes that rocked the city of Ridgecrest and the wild fires of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Yet this year will be defined by the last four months. When we faced COVID-19 and Rotary faced our greatest challenge, how to observe physical distancing and yet stay connected. You responded rapidly and with ingenuity. You launched virtual meetings and kept the clubs connected. In our communities there were new and urgent needs and you sprung into action. |
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Santa Barbara Sunrise |
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Rotary Club of Paso Robles Sunrise![]() ![]() Our Rotary Club of Paso Robles Sunrise recently participated in two projects in Ile, located within the Zambézia Province of northern Mozambique and we would like to share them with you. It started out as a latrine project at a local school that did not have sanitary facilities for the students where one of our Club Member’s daughter Naomi was stationed with the Peace Corp. She brought the less than desirable conditions to our attention and our Club voted on supporting the construction of the two units with the projected cost of $846. As we neared completion, Naomi brought to our attention the need for better communication and resources relating to COVID-19 virus. |
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Rotary Club of Morro Bay-Hand SanitizerEmpty grocery shelves and sold out essentials have provided a seemingly endless source for memes, advertising schemes and Saturday Night Live pandemic parodies. The lack of available toilet paper, masks and hand sanitizer created some precarious situations as families and essential businesses tried to keep their loved ones and customers safe from an invisible COVID-19 enemy. However, the Rotary Club of Morro Bay, recognized a hole that needed filling and a chance to support Morro Bay’s at-risk business community. President Melissa Davis, 2019-20, hit a major roadblock and realized she needed help. Not only was she learning the protocols for managing a newly secured general manager position at a popular local eatery, Pizza Port of Morro Bay, homeschooling her daughter Stella was added to her list of daily duties. |
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Rotary Club of Ojai- ZoomRC of Ojai, People of Action Zoomin’ along... With 80 Active members, 50-60 have been attending our weekly meetings, including honorary members we don’t always get to see, family members, guest community members and timely speakers. With a member assisting the Pres. each week to handle slides, videos, awards, etc. it has all moved along smoothly with interesting & packed programs. Zoom has allowed us to carry on committee and Board business, hold our Annual Scholarships program (awarding over $68,000 to High School Seniors), honor local non-profits & programs (awarding over $30,000 in Community Grants) and raise $4000 on a successful Funds/Food drive during these Covid-19 times. |
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Rotary Club of Ojai- Water ProjectThe Rotary Club of Ojai has been working on an exciting new fog and water collection project, and we would love to share our progress with you! Utilizing modern versions of ancient technology, we are harvesting water from the offshore ocean fog and the mists that form in our mountain valley. With the aid of a district grant, multiple fog catching systems and weather stations have been installed in our local elementary and middle schools. Our students are learning about weather science, cutting edge design, and alternative methods of collecting potable water. What if you could gather the dew that forms on your cars every morning, and then use it to water a small vegetable plot? What if the fog from a cloud bank could be collected to serve the drinking water needs of an entire community? These are the questions we are asking, and the seeds of curiosity we hope to plant in our student’s minds. Collecting water from fog and rain has great implications locally and internationally, and we believe the possibilities are only beginning to be explored. |
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Successful Job PlacementHere is a letter from one of the employers: Good Morning Larry, I hope this email finds you healthy and happy. Last week you emailed me a resume and to be honest, it was completely unexpected. My communications firm has been extremely busy lately and it never occurred to me that during these uncertain times, I might need to add to my team. As it turns out, I was wrong. Lindsey’s resume was outstanding. As I studied her skill set and read about her need to affect positive change in the marketing and branding space, it didn’t take long before I knew that I really wanted her on my team. My business partner and I interviewed her two days later and just this morning, I’ve made her an offer. |
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Simi Sunrise Rotary![]() People of action when they join Rotary immediately step up. Our Newest and Youngest member Ryan Valenica of Simi Sunrise Rotary did just that. Our First fundraiser out of the gate for 2020-21 is a drive in Movie night. Ryan was asked to head up with a seasoned Rotarian. He did not hesitate, blink or stammer...he just did it! Even though new to the club he was not new to the community. He filled the leadership role easily. Added his own ideas and was receptive to guidance. Projects seem to be the area one finds out the most about another Rotarian's character. Ryan's Character came shining thru and I know he will have a Great future in Rotary! Let's all give him a warm Rotarian welcome! |
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
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May- Rotarian of Action- Mike McGuiganDistrict 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 May the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Mike McGuigan, Rotary Club of Simi Valley. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Mike will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. ![]() Mike McGuigan is the Rotarian's Rotarian ... his demeanor is grouchy, but peel back the layers and you'll find a kind and most generous human being. Mike is the go to guy for just about anything and has consistently supported the club's presidents year after year taking on tasks that no other members would volunteer for - from coordinating planting oak trees at Corriganville, and helping to maintain the Welcome to Simi sign, years of volunteering to barbecue for the hundreds of volunteers for the July 4th Fireworks and Share the Road charitable events.
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District Charitable Foundation- Food Bank DonationsThe District Charitable Foundation gave out checks for $9036 to food banks throughout the region. This is a letter from the SLO Food Bank: Deb and the rest of our Hunger Heroes in Rotary District 5240, Thank you so much for your incredibly generous gift to assist the SLO Food Bank in our battle against hunger. Your $9036 donation has incredible punching power! With that amount we can purchase 33,364 meals for our neighbors in need. When combined with food we source from grants, donations, and gleaning (picking) operations, your generous gift provides food for 63,252 meals. That’s enough food to feed three families of four for one year! Talk about Service Above Self… you’re walking the talk! On behalf of our thankful team and the clients we serve, THANK YOU! Your friend and fellow Rotarian, Garret Olson, CEO SLO Food Bank |
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Birthday CelebrationHere's how we roll in Cayucos. To celebrate Cayucos Rotary's Club President Steve "Lars" Larson's and Michele Lilley's birthdays this month, members of Cayucos Rotary decided a birthday parade would be in order, while practicing the 6-feet distancing. Several members met at 24th Street in Cayucos, put on fun hats, armed ourselves with bubble guns, cow bells, whistles and banners, and marched towards President Lars' home on 19th Street. Others joined us in a vehicle by Lars' home. |
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4 Way Test Contest WinnersAnnouncing the 4 Way Test Essay Contest Winners! I am pleased to announce the winers of the 4 Way Test Essay Contest! Elementary School Level 1st Place: Stas Hite-Polansky, Joe Nightingale School 2nd Place: Addysen Clarin, Oceanview Elementary Middle School Level 1st Place: Tanna Tartaglia, Santa Lucia Middle School 2nd Place: Arundhati Sharma, Lakeview Junior High 3rd Place: Arziz Haroun, Judkins Middle School High School Level 1st Place: Isabella Palazuelos, Filmore High School 2nd Place: Garrett Leighton, Coastal Christian Nigh School 3rd Place: Elajae Lee, Ridgecrest High School As you will see, the essays are always brilliant from the example below. This year was a difficult one with the Corona Virus event, however, it is very rewarding to be a part of the 4 Way Test Essay Contest. Hope you enjoyed reading the above winner’s entry as much as I did. I hope more Rotary Clubs participate in DG Linden’s year. Steve Geil ![]() |
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Rotary Club of Thousand OaksRotary Giving by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks It took five days to hear back with RI approval for a covid-related grant for our local community. The $52,000 grant is for PPEs, medical supplies, and equipment for two local free clinics (Conejo and Westminister) and the Hospice of the Conejo. We have history with them. We know first-hand their needs and how critical, effective, and urgent their response has been to the evil twins of viral threat and economic paralysis. Rotary International promised to facilitate grants for covid-related needs in local communities. We took RI at its word and were delighted how helpful they were and stunned at how quick their response was. |
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Rotary Club of CayucosEach quarter, Cayucos Rotarians lead Cayucos school students; many of whom are Interactors to clean the beach and Ocean Front Street in Cayucos. Armed with bags and gloves, both Rotarians and students set out to hunt for "treasures". Featured in last winter's clean-up are past presidents, Sherry Sim and Steve Geil, and club secretary & Cayucos Interact advisor, Jessica Peterson. ![]() |
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Cayucos, Morro Bay and Cambria![]() ![]() On October 27, 2019, rotarians from three clubs, namely Cayucos, Morro Bay and Cambria joined hands with members of Central Coast SurviveOars and Central Coast Dragon Boat Association in paddling to commemorate World Polio Day on October 24, 2019. For the past three years, Group 11 clubs have been organizing this event to raise the awareness of Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio and raise funds. Donations received from the three Rotary clubs were sent to The Rotary Foundation. Funds raised are matched ~ $1 with $2 from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to eradicate polio. In addition to rotarians, spouses and family members and friends also participated. It was a fun way for members to promote polio eradication, and collaborate with another service organization. |
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The Rotary Club of San Luis ObispoFunding our Future: Auction for Student Scholarships June 1 - 10, 2020 The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo online auction for Student Scholarships is taking place, June 1-10, 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo had to cancel its annual Spaghetti Western Dinner & Silent Auction, which funded the Challenge Scholarship Program. The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo's Challenge Scholarship Program provides scholarships to local students who have faced significant personal challenges and excelled in their studies. Last year, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo awarded $39,500 in scholarships to 14 local students to attend college or trade school, thanks to the support and generosity of our community members. You have the opportunity to bid on some incredible items, support our local businesses and support our local students - a win-win for everyone! Preview auction items here: slorotary.ejoinme.org/FundingOurFuture Click on the menu links on the left to preview or bid, learn more, or help fund a scholarship with a direct donation. Your bids and donations make these scholarships possible! Thank you for your support and generosity. Hear from Janae, one of our four-year Challenge Scholarship recipients, who shares her inspiring journey: |
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Chungsam Doh Music Scholarship FundAll four students have to complete a full year at Cuesta College, must be majoring in music and looking to pursue a music-related career, to be eligible for the scholarship. In addition, the students had to undergo an audition which Cayucos Rotarians participated and provided input to select the most qualified candidates. ![]() In the past two years, the successful students performed at Cayucos Rotary's annual Masquerade fundraiser to receive their scholarship checks. Due to Covid-19, Cayucos Rotary decided the students could use the funds and the checks were sent to each student. All four students agreed to visit Cayucos Rotary soon, to perform. The scholarship fund was created to honor and thank Past District Govenor Chungsam Doh for his support and mentorship to Cayucos Rotary, The project, named "Chungsam Doh Music Scholarship Fund" is dedicated to help aspiring college students who are preparing for a career in music. PDG Chungsam Doh had presented the scholarship checks to the successful students in past years. Please contact Cayucos Rotary if your club would like to participate in this project. |
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Rotary Club of Bakersfield Waterman Grant ProjectReceive, review, and vote on local charity/charities to receive up to $30,000 for Capital Project Project: Create Grant committee to receive, review, and vote on local charity ( or charities ) to receive needed funds for CAPITAL Project. 15 applications totaling, $322,945.00 in requested funds, were submitted to Grant Application Committee. Each applicant has a Rotarian recommendation. The Committee agreed to fully fund the amount requested to a single nonprofit in our community, that being Golden Empire Gleaners ( a food bank ). The funds will be used for capital improvement. The Gleaners’ building is very old and needs 54 broken windows replaced, new carpet, painting inside and out, and new phones. Nothing has been upgraded for over 10 years. There are health and security issues with the windows and the fact that birds or burglars can access the warehouse area. The building is becoming unsafe due to the windows issues, uneven floors, and worn carpet. The paint is peeling on the outside causing damage to the wood siding.
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Love Water Project of Uganda
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Bakersfield Leadership and Ethics ConferenceRotarian & Student discussions of various scenarios involving characteristic and ethical practices. Started by our Rotary Club of Bakersfield 34 years ago, includes ALL Local Clubs, and served over 200 students from Kern High School District The conference, now in its 34th year, provided students the opportunity to interact with businessmen and businesswomen from the Bakersfield community while exploring the leadership qualities and ethical practices they will need in their careers. Participants collaborated with Rotarians and Kern High School District representatives in roundtable discussions of various scenarios involving characteristic and ethical practices. Rotary Club of Bakersfield Donated 73 HOURS of Service !!! Lyle Martin ( Rotarian and former Chief of Police ) delivered a Key NOTE speech that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Knocked it OUT OF THE PARK !!!! Local News Coverage: |
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Rotary de Tolosa- Virtual Member InductionThis year, Rotary de Tolosa has placed a big emphasis on attracting great new members, and on Wednesday, 5/6, President David Fuentes inducted our 12th member for the year, and our first virtually! (Maybe the first virtual induction in the District?) New member Michael Gunther and his sponsor, Rotary PEN Ermina Karim created a hilarious COVD-19 inspired induction video. ![]() |
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Paso Robles "Old Timers"![]() |
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Rotary Club of Simi ValleyProviding Meals to Frontline Workers During Covid-19 Pandemic The Rotary Club of Simi Valley has been providing meals to our Frontline Workers weekly by choosing a local restaurant to deliver lunch. Deliveries include the Simi Valley Adventist Hospital, The Free Clinic of Simi Valley, Simi Valley School District, Simi Valley Parks and Recreation, Union Banks, Fire Stations, and Albertsons Grocery Store Employees. We are grateful to all who continue to make sure our community continues to function and stay healthy. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Rotary Club of OjaiRotary Club of Ojai, California – Helping our International Partners During Covid-19 Emergency Rotary Club of Ojai, California, has had International projects in Niger and India for many years. During these challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic and economic disruption, we are focused on finding ways to help these communities face the threat of illness and food insecurity. Niger: Wodaabe Nomad women annually cross borders to neighboring countries to sell their traditional medicines. They return home by public transportation. These trips are a huge risk of exposure to COVID-19 for their communities. RC Ojai supported the Nomad Foundation, Ojai, in providing 75 hand-washing stations, 75 barrels of soap, and two trainers plus transportation costs to help these communities understand the risks and learn how to protect themselves. India: RC Ojai’s ongoing Global Grant in partnership with the Rotary Club Srikshetra, Puri, benefits Prashanti International School (PIS) for poor and underserved village families. India’s lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19, means all schools are closed, and the children are back in their villages. Many families of these children and others in the slum areas live hand-to-mouth doing manual work, as servants, or even begging at the temples. They have little food and many fall through the gaps in government emergency ration programs. Normally, these families rely on cooked food given daily by churches and temples, which remain closed. On May 1st, with the help of PIS staff and alumni, RC Ojai and RC Srikshetra in partnership with World Family Foundation, Ojai, provided essential food items to 70 of the most needy families. |
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Superheroes with Masks!Our Superheroes have traded in their capes for surgical masks! Bakersfield East Rotarians gathered at Mercy Hospital in downtown Bakersfield to feed the night shift Thursday evening, April 28. The club provided the groceries and Ryan Dalashmutt member, owner and chief pit master of Boss Hogg’s BBQ, oversaw the preparation. The entire evening staff received a dinner of barbecued beef tri-tip, rice pilaf and green beans doctored with tomato sauce, bacon and onion. A group of 15 Bakersfield East Rotarians helped man the grill, plate the grub in to go containers, and distribute the meals to the hungry hospital workers. It seemed like a small effort to honor the men and women on the frontline. These folks labor at their vocations no matter the dangers they may face or the tasks that they perform. We especially wanted to recognize those workers who are on duty throughout the night. Thanks to them and all others who continue to serve us during the Covid19 crisis. These folks are exemplifying the Rotary motto “Service Beyond Self”. Bakersfield East Rotary plans to continue this effort serving evening staff at Adventist Hospital and Memorial over the next two weeks. |
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The Paso Robles Rotary Club
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Rotary Club of Westlake Village“The Rotary Club of Westlake Village held a career day for students of Westlake High School, November 22nd 2019. The Rotary members spoke with 40 students of The Academy program about their personal experiences with school and how they prepared for college or a career. The Rotarians that participated were from left to right, Brian Hynes – Owner Borderline Bar and Grill, Mary Olsen – General Manager KCLU, Mike Dutra – Owner Candu Graphics and Kelly Honig – Mayor of Westlake Village. With the many paths taken by the members to be where they are today, the students understood the options available and that while they may be striving for a career in one field, most likely that will change with schooling and life experiences. In addition one of the students became an employee of one of the participants, wanting to experience a work life that many students do not have during these times.”
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April- Rotarian of Action- Laura WillisDistrict 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 March the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Laura Willis, Westlake Village Sunrise. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Laura will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. WESTLAKE VILLAGE SUNRISE – LAURA WILLIS Laura Willis has been a member of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise twice. She left many years ago when her Chiropractic practice moved and returned to the club a few years ago. She has been a spark to a 35-year-old club. Her intensity, enthusiasm, willingness to help on all levels, and devotion to Rotary is displayed continuously and in every aspect of leadership. When she rejoined, she took it upon herself to meet, and get to know each member. She reached out, joined committees and served as a cheerleader for events, projects and regular meetings. She has been a spokesperson and major “instigator” sparking action and encouraging participation. |
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District Awards Criteria |
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Message from Savi Bhim, District Governor |
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Seeking Club Stories- Covid-19 Efforts![]() To all our 5240 Club Presidents, District Governor Savi has asked that I reach out to you to collect photos of your club's community service projects during these unprecedented times. We know that so many clubs have been busy pivoting their efforts to help those in their communities with dire needs -- we have seen clubs provide supplies to the Salvation Army, collect food for seniors, and feed families in their communities. What I would like are photos and a short description of what your club has been doing for your community. This information will be used to create a collective story of our District's projects and to also let RI know of our efforts and commitments to keep the ideal of Rotary - Service Above Self - alive in our communities during these difficult times now and probably in the months to come. Thank you so much for helping me organize this for DG Savi and I look forward to receiving your emails shortly! Cindy Jacoby cindyjacoby3@gmail.com |
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Outstanding Membership 3rd Quarter![]() |
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Covid-19 Project Ideas |
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San Luis Obispo County Rotary Clubs |
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Santa Barbara SunrisersSanta Barbara Sunrisers Help Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic by Making Masks Members of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise are stepping in to supply personal protective equipment for those who are providing essential services during the coronavirus pandemic. Practicing physical distancing, Rotary volunteers are sewing masks at home. The mask covers are made from cotton fabric in a variety of cheery patterns and colors with elastic that goes over the ears. The covers can be machine-washed and used repeatedly. Judith McCaffrey, Past President and Mask Project Coordinator, purchased fabric and supplies, cut materials to specifications, provided easy sewing instructions, and safely delivered kits to each of the volunteer's mailboxes or doorsteps. The first batch of completed masks were delivered to Peabody Elementary School and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County for their staff and volunteers for food distribution. Additional deliveries have been made to Sansum Clinic, Center for Successful Aging, and Vista Del Monte. Volunteers will continue to sew and deliver masks as needed. The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise extends its appreciation to all of the healthcare workers, first responders, and those providing essential services during this time of crisis. Photo 1: Judith McCaffrey heads up the club's mask making project. Photo 2: Ellen Chase stitches up masks at home. Photo 3: Cheryl and Gary Jensen are the club’s highest producer of masks. Photo 4: Judith McCaffrey delivers masks to Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. |
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Carpenteria Morning RotaryInteractors Join Carpinteria Morning Rotary in Shining the Light of Service The Carpinteria Avocado Festival Booth manned by Carpinteria Morning Rotarians and the Carpinteria High School Interact Club members sold enough solar student lamps and solar cell chargers to replace kerosene lamps with solar lights in 7 homes in Cuba and provide 15 families and small businesses in Guatemala City and the Philippines with solar chargers for their cell phones. In an AvoFest Booth, students explained the benefits of solar lights and solar chargers to AvoFest attendees from the, answered questions and made the sales. Solar lights and chargers were sold on a “BOGO” basis, that is, “buy one and give one”. The buyer keeps one solar device to use at home and Morning Rotary sends the other solar device to a needy person in a village or town without a source of reliable electricity or no available electricity at all. The Interact Club members learned presentation and business skills while providing a service to people around the world. |
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Rotary de Tolosa- Paul Harris FellowsRotary de Tolosa had an amazing meeting today(Feb 25, 2020) where we welcomed our District Governor, Savi Bhim, to help award 41 Paul Harris Fellows among our members, 21 to first time recipients, making us become A 100% Membership Paul Harris Fellow Club. Thank you to Cheryl Wakefield, our Foundation Chair, for rallying the members behind the cause. We would like to recognize her as Rotarian of The Month.
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Help for the Unemployed![]() |
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Foundation Donates to Food Banks
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Rotary Zone Covid-19 Membership Guide |
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Rotary Club of Paso Robles-Branding![]() Last week, Lacey Clifton of the Rotary Club of Paso Robles was the guest presenter for her Club to teach branding and ways to display Rotary pride on personal and business social media sites including Facebook LinkedIn, and Instagram. The Rotary Club of Paso Robles has switched to holding meetings on Zoom during the Shelter-in-Place order which allowed Ms. Clifton to give a step-by-step tutorial to the Club remotely using PowerPoint and live demonstrations on each platform. Ms. Clifton is an expert in social media and search engine optimization marketing and regularly gives workshops in the San Luis Obispo area. She joined the Club one year ago and immediately began working with the Club on their branding outline and social presence by establishing social media accounts with LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram (they already had Facebook), but needed an opportunity to teach the Club more about hashtags, liking posts to boost visibility in the algorithms, and editing properties to display Club membership more prominently. The Rotary Club of Paso Robles can be found at:
The tutorial was later distributed to everyone in the Club along with a survey asking members to share their Rotary Story for publication on the social media platforms and website. As members begin engaging more with the Club online, the community will become more aware of the service activities of the Club and membership opportunities for others who believe in service above self. |
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OPERATION FOOTPRINTGIVING THE GIFT OF A PRODUCTIVE LIFE GG1876286 Visiting RC of Tegucigalpa The Club Rotario de Tegucigalpa was the host club on GG1876286 and has been a partner of Operation Footprint for eighteen years. We visited their club meeting the first night we were in Honduras. From Left to Right: Oscar Castaneda – Tegucigalpa and Primary Contact on GG 1876286, Harry Walls – Nipomo, Edgar Garcia – Westlake Village Sunrise, Edwing Pavon- Tegucigalpa, Leigh Seaton – Simi Sunrise, Audrey Brown – Westlake Village, Nick Frankle - Westlake Village Sunrise Infant Casting- Leigh Seaton (Simi Sunrise) and Audrey Brown (Westlake Village) assist in casting the legs of an infant to correct a clubfoot condition. Operating Room- Visiting Rotarians were invited into the operating room to observe the surgeries and provide support as needed. From Left to Right: Edgar Garcia – Westlake Village Sunrise, Leigh Seaton – Simi Sunrise, Harry Walls – Nipomo, Audrey Brown – Westlake Village Evaluation- Leigh Seaton (Simi Sunrise) presents a beanie baby to a child waiting to be evaluated. Ty, Inc. donated two cases of beanie babies to the project. Operation Footprint provides surgeons, training, medical equipment and supplies that enable doctors in Honduras to diagnose and treat children with deformities due to untreated clubfoot and unable to participate in normal childhood activities. In January 2020 surgeons from Operation Footprint Baja Project traveled to Honduras to perform surgical procedures that correct or mitigate impact on lives of Honduran children. The public Hospital San Felipe provides staff, equipment and four operating suites. The Operation Footprint surgeons train local doctors in diagnosis and corrective procedures for the deformities. The result is children leading normal lives and local doctors better prepared to diagnose and treat clubfoot. A Rotary Foundation Global Grant provided laboratory and surgical equipment and supplies to enable Public Hospital San Felipe to better serve their patients. The Rotary Clubs of Westlake Village Sunrise and Tegucigalpa, Honduras sponsored the grant. Eight other clubs in District 5240 supported the grant. This year Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Westlake Village Sunrise, Westlake Village, Simi Sunrise and Nipomo accompanied the medical team. They interacted with the children, helped with casting, and spent time in the operating room. They presented the equipment and supplies to Honduran government at the Congress building. They made many new friends and had a life-chaining experience while seeing the Rotary Foundation in action. Many thanks to everyone who has helped give a child the ability to go to school, play, participate in family activities and look with hope to the future. Primary contact is Nick Frankle, Email nickdg1617@earthlink.net, Cell: 805-402-6303. Let me know if you have any questions or need clarification. |
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The Global Impact GroupProject: Volunteer Surge It is a free, online training program that teaches you to help professional healthcare workers from your home or in the field. It requires no special skills. Once trained you can choose to apply your new skills by providing phone or online support from your home or by assisting healthcare workers in the field. ![]() If this is of interest to you please check out this link for more information. Please stay safe Savi |
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunset![]() |
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Online Club Meetings![]() |
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Maintaining Member Engagement Guide |
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Polio- Thousand Oaks Rotary ClubRotary’s Polio Eradication is on Thousand Oaks Club’s Radar A special section on the website http://polioeradication.org shows how Polio Eradication learnings can impact how we deal with COVID-19. This reminds us all how important it was for Rotary to take on the challenge of Polio Eradication throughout the world. Our District is also making progress in the fight against polio. But the job is not yet finished. The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks has made a special effort this year to support eradication progress. There is still an active member in that club, Jere Robings, who was at the 1988 Philadelphia Convention that launched the project. Also, several TO club members have gone to India to get involved in NID projects. |
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March- Rotarian of Action- Blake GoehringDistrict 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 March the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Blake Goehring, Shafter Rotary Club. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Blake will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Blake Goehring, Shafter Rotary Club 2001 RYLA Participant 2006 became a member of the Rotary Club of Shafter 2010 National Immunization Day participant in India 2010-2011 Club President for Rotary Club of Shafter 2011 Basic PRLS graduate 2011-2017 RYLA Counselor 2013 National Immunization Day team leader in India 2013-2014 Assistant Governor for Group 3 under Jack McClenahan 2016-2017 Assistant Governor for Group 3 under Nick Frankle 2016 Zone 26 Emerging Leader Conference in Santa Barbara 2017-2018 Assistant Governor for Group 3 under John Weiss 2018-2020 RYLA Instructor for Goal Setting Course Paul Harris Fellow 2+ |
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2020 RI CONVENTION CANCELLEDDear Rotarians, Rotaractors, and friends, |
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Club Meetings Online!FREE “GOTOMEETING” AVAILABLE FOR CLUB MEETINGS CONTACT: Scott Phillips (scottdg2223@rotary5240.com) As I speak to our club presidents their greatest concern is how to keep in contact with their members giving the guideline that now limits social gathering to 10 or less. One of the most effective ways is on-line meetings and Scott Phillips our 22-23 DG has worked out a fantastic deal for our district . A huge thank you from all of us in District 5240 Scott ! Here is Scott's letter... |
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Rotary Global Rewards |
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Letter from RI President Mark Maloney![]() Dear Fellow Rotarian, |
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Rotary de Tolosa, San Luis ObispoOffsite Meetings Our club recently held an offsite meeting at the Pereira Octagon Barn, which we and other Rotary clubs had helped renovate over the last year. This historically and culturally important structure was built in 1906 by three European immigrants, one of whom was a carpenter, and another a dairy farmer. This is reportedly the last remaining such octagonal barn on the west coast and is a remnant of a once-thriving dairy sector on the central California coast. One of our new Rotary de Tolosa members, Kaila Dettman, is Executive Director of the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, which manages the Octagon Barn and its grounds for educational and other community events. Business Socials Our club held four business socials at Rotarian’s worksites in lieu of regular meetings. As with the Octagon Barn meeting, we all learned something about our member’s workplace while having a great time socializing. Sites included Rothman Investments in Atascadero, and Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center, the Nautical Bean coffee shop, and WineSneak wine bar in San Luis Obispo. |
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San Luis Obispo Rotary Club![]() SPAGHETTI WESTERN FUNDRAISER POSTPONED TO June 20TH, 2020 Loads of Fun and Great Food at the Spaghetti Western Fundraiser Annual Event Raises Funds for Local High School & College Student Scholarships Join the San Luis Obispo Rotary Club at their annual Spaghetti-Western fundraiser at 5:00PM SATURDAY June 20TH, 2020 (Previously scheduled for 5:00pm Saturday, March 28th, 2020.) |
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CORONAVIRUS MESSAGE 3-12-2020![]() Dear Rotary Leaders, On behalf of District Governor Savi Bhim, this message is being sent to District Executives, Club Executives and Club Directors regarding guidance for Clubs pertaining to the COVID-19 situation. DG Savi has received a number of messages from Clubs and District Staff asking her if there has been a District position/guideline issued regarding the conducting of regular Rotary Meetings or Club Events during this COVID-19 situation. |
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Rotary de Tolosa, San Luis ObispoJob Shadow Program with Pacific Beach High School We partnered with our local continuation high school to provide academically at-risk students the chance to shadow a Rotarian for a few hours at their workplace. These career exploration activities were designed to expose high school seniors to a day in the life of a career professional. Thirty Rotarians volunteered to serve as job shadow mentors. Students chose a Rotarian to shadow, spent several hours with the Rotarian at work, then wrote up a report on their experiences. Job shadows included visiting a drywall firm’s job sites, Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center during set up and a live band performance, a local realtor as she made her rounds of homes for sale, and a marketing/PR firm with involvement of the owner and several of her colleagues. Several students sent heart-warming thank you notes, grateful for the eye-opening experiences they shared with Rotarians. A Pacific Beach High School student with her job shadow mentor at the Verdin Marketing firm. Verdin Marketing President and Rotarian, Mary Verdin (left) with Pacific Beach High School job shadow student (upper middle, black top) and the Verdin team.
Article By: Mark Shelton, Vocational Service Chair, Rotary de Tolosa, San Luis Obispo, CA, mshelton@calpoly.edu (805) 459-7863
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March Foundation Focus![]() DRFC - Grants Subcommittee By PDG Frank Ortiz, District Rotary Foundation Chair The District Rotary Foundation Committee (DRFC) consists of five (5) subcommittees: Today, the focus is the Grants Subcommittee. Grants SubCommittee This committee generally oversees the process for receiving District and Global Grants for Clubs within District 5240. District grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in our local communities and communities abroad. District grants fund a variety of district and club projects and activities, including: Humanitarian projects, including service travel and disaster recovery efforts; Scholarships for any level, length of time, location, or area of study; Youth programs, including Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Rotaract, and Interact; Vocational training teams, which are groups of professionals who travel abroad either to teach local professionals about their field or to learn more about it themselves. There is plenty of freedom to customize your service projects. |
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Spaghetti Western Fundraiser- SLO |
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Magic Show- Rotary Club of Camarillo |
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February- Rotarian of Action- Fernando AguirreDistrict 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 February the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Fernando Aguirre. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Fernando will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Fernando Aguirre, Bakersfield East Rotary Club Background:
Positions and Awards:
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Los Olivos Jazz and Olive FestivalThe will return for its 16th year on Saturday, June 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lavinia Campbell Park in Los Olivos. This sell-out event, presented by the Los Olivos Rotary Club, will showcase a variety of carefully selected wines from thirty local wineries. Each wine will be uniquely paired with fresh olive inspired appetizers created by local volunteer chefs. Back by popular demand, Grammy nominated vocalist Denise Donatelli and her band will be on hand to lend their special blend of smooth jazz to the festivities. Over the past 16 years the Jazz and Olive Festival has been the Los Olivos Rotary Club’s primary fundraiser that supports its charitable works. All proceeds raised go directly to local scholarships, well managed community projects, and nonprofit organizations. This year’s event chair, John Matthews, states: “The Jazz and Olive Festival is an all-hands-on-deck event for our club. Every member is involved, keeping our costs low, and allowing us to maximize the proceeds that fund our charitable giving. We work really hard, but we know it creates tremendous impact.” Photo Credits: Andy Doerr |
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Ingredients for Membership GrowthSpecial Feature Including The Rotary Club of Westlake Village, Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning, and Rotary Club of Nipomo At the beginning of the Rotary year District Governor Savi Bhim gave all the club’s a new member goal for our district - 1000 new members during her year of service! This worked out to 14 new members per club in District 5240. Membership growth is the engine that powers the vehicle of Rotary. Growth of our members is important because new ideas and new interests reinvigorate clubs – bringing in new energy and future leaders. This past quarter, four clubs achieved the highest Retention and Membership growth for their respective regions. Reading more about their success might just give other clubs new ideas of how to share the gift of Rotary with new members. The Rotary Club of Westlake Village New Members: Malati Baker, Dwight Brown, Chris Clark, and Denise Arledge, and not pictured Rob De Geus, and Colin Doyle The Rotary Club of Westlake Village’s commitment to making sure each of their current and new members feel special starts with the day potential members show interest in joining Rotary. Potential members and guests feel the vibrant and warm culture of the Club because each Club meeting includes a welcoming of their “Family of Friends.” Emphasis this past year has been placed on looking at what each of their members can not only offer to the Club, but what they want to get out of being a Westlake Village Rotarian. One of their goals has been to encourage that each member brings at least one of the 3 W’s to their organization; Work, Wealth, or Wisdom. By using the 3 W’s as a guide, they ensure that each member gets involved in some capacity. This assists with members feeling connected and a sense of belonging so that as an organization they can continue to do the good work to the benefit their community. Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning In order to meet the District goals and be a thriving club, Carpinteria Morning established a steering committee to reduce their membership package cost without meeting less than four times per month or sacrificing programs and trainings. Their plan included reducing meal costs and no longer meeting on the 5th Wednesday of any month, designing new membership forms, creating a new approach, and rolling out a new membership package to invite people to join Rotary. Key objective: Invite people! Inviting people is now an active conversation in their meetings and weekly newsletter. Invite someone to Rotary! The new members are people who have been volunteering for their events all along, volunteering in other organizations in town, and people who liked to participate in their events. They also invited back members that had left in the past and let them know they are always welcome. Several former members returned and are actively participating on committees. One of their secret ingredients for being an attractive club is having fun events that people can dress in costume. (See photo below!) This may be something as simple as a “Halloween Hat” bonfire, our “Spaghetti Western” themed annual casino night or the “Oh So Royal” stepdown dinner. They found that everybody loves to dress up and be outrageous. Their ever-changing themes for playing dress up is part of their club culture and including everyone who wants to participate has been a winning formula to attracting new members. Their plan seems to be a good one since Carpinteria Morning club has won this award for two quarters straight! Rotary Club of Nipomo Though they meet early, you won’t find them half-asleep! At their meetings potential members and guests enjoy a lively and friendly atmosphere where they feel welcome to join in the fun. While members like to joke and riff on one another, they also keep it lighthearted, with an approachable warmth for guests and new faces. Their members are some of our most engaging speakers and during the Member Spotlight segment of the meeting members are encouraged to share their stories of how they joined Rotary or how their lives have brought them to the Central Coast. Instead of fining members, they pay for the “bragging rights” to tell the club about exciting events and celebrations of milestones within their families. It is in this sharing of themselves that they learn about each other’s experiences and interests, creating true bonds of camaraderie and long-lasting friendships. This fun and engaging environment encourages their members to invite their friends to join their club – a strategy that has achieved great success. It can be that simple. Your friends know of Rotary through your acquaintance. You have been that example of Rotary’s service and fellowship to them. Your friends enjoy spending time with you; why not spend that time with you and in Rotary? Remember to invite family and friends to your clubs’, social, fellowship and community events and activities. (See photo below.) It is in this giving of themselves, by sharing their activities, events and experiences, that the Rotary Club of Nipomo has become something much larger than just the trappings and routines of their weekly meetings. It becomes a family, with kinship forged while committing to “Service above Self.” Rotary Club of Wasco The club had lost significant membership over the last ten years, but the club has incorporated these keys to their stability and growth:
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Rotary Club of Moorpark Sponsors Student Career DayOn Tuesday January 14, 2020, the Rotary Club of Moorpark and Moorpark High School jointly organized and conducted a vocational tour for high school seniors of 3 local Moorpark businesses. The first business visited was AeroVironment where students learned about unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) ranging from the size of a humming bird to one which was 100 feet long. The second business toured, and Rotarian owned, was Command Performance where students learned about culinary skills as well as job application and interview soft skills. The final business visited was PICNIC TIME where students learned about delivering manufactured consumer goods to consumers who loved outdoor dining lifestyles. This Rotary combined Vocational Service and Youth Service activity was an outstanding way to help students better understand local career opportunities via real world examples. It also helped local businesses generate excitement from future potential employees in order to assist with future hiring. This activity was made possible through the Rotary Club’s deep networking connections with local businesses and the local school systems’ administration. It was great to see the enthusiasm and direction it supplied to students who may have otherwise been undecided in their career decisions. |
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January- Rotarian of Action- Mary Meyer LundstromDistrict 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 January the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Mary Meyer Lundstrom. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Mary will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Mary Meyer Lundstrom, Rotary Club of China Lake Mary is the member we feel best deserves to be nominated for the Rotarian of Action Award. First, a little background on Mary. Mary is a 30+ year member who has served as Club President and has held several positions on the club board of directors. She is currently serving as the Program Chair, and really works hard to find great, informative speakers for the lunch meetings, and she is committed to making Rotary a welcoming, friendly meeting place. Mary is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a significant contributor to the Rotary Club of China Lake Charitable Foundation. Mary is always ready to host club social events at her home and has hosted an official reception for a District Governor. She has been responsible for a successful international project that involved an R.I. International grant. Those are just a few highlights from her past Rotary involvement. What makes her a Rotarian of Action is that she is still extremely active in the club and community. Mary is active in identifying and leading efforts for community service projects; including food drives for a local Food Bank, Coat Drives for winter for those in need, supplies and funds for the local animal shelter, and a book drive for a local long-term care facility. Mary’s most recent effort is to help organize the club’s Earthquake relief efforts. In all of these projects Mary: 1) Coordinates volunteers 2) Places donation boxes in strategic locations around town and then picks them up as they are filled 3) Coordinates with the local churches and Salvation Army for dates and locations to hand out the donations 4) Sorts the donations and gets them ready for distribution 5) Delivers the donations to the charity, or in the case of the coat drive, Is on hand on the appointed day to distribute the coats to those in need 6) If District Grants are involved, and there have been on at least half of her projects, Mary wrote the grant application and prepared and submitted the final report |
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District Rotary Foundation Gala 2020![]() District Rotary Foundation Gala By PDG Frank Ortiz, District Rotary Foundation Chair The recent District Rotary Foundation Gala was held in January at the elegant Sherwood Country Club in Westlake Village. It was an event to recognize many of our contributors who have supported The Rotary Foundation within the past year. The event featured our keynote speaker, Past Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran. In addition, Brenda Cressey, current Trustee of The Rotary Foundation was in attendance and spoke to the value of including the Legacy of Rotary in your estate plan. The event was primarily dedicated to our many Clubs and Individual Rotarians around the District who have made it a priority to support our Foundation. Thirty-three (33) Clubs were recognized for their support in 2018-2019 with the End Polio Now - Countdown to History Campaign. The effort recognized club contributions of at least $1,500 towards polio eradication efforts. Twenty-two (22) Clubs were recognized for their support in 2018-2019 as 100% Foundation Giving Clubs with total giving of at least $100 per capita and 100% member participation. Nineteen (19) Clubs were recognized for their support in 2018-2019 as Every Rotarian Every Year Clubs with Annual Fund Giving of at least $100 per capita and 100% member participation. The Top 3 highest per capita contributors in 2018-2019 in support of the Annual Fund were Ojai West ($384.21), Oxnard ($325.80), and San Luis Obispo ($320.11). There were twenty-six (26) new Paul Harris Society Members recognized between January 1 of 2019 and January 6 of 2020. These members are dedicated to an annual commitment of at least $1,000 to Rotary’s Annual Fund, Polio Plus, or an Approved Rotary Global Grant. There were thirty-seven (37) new Major Donors recognized between December of 2018 and January 6 of 2020. Of those, there were six (6) Major Donor Level 2 recipients, and three (3) Major Donor Level 3 recipients. Those new Level 3 recipients were Matt Lallo and Vicki Arndt, both from the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks; and Ragner Storm-Larsen from the Rotary Club of Newbury Park. There were twenty-five (25) new Bequest Society recognized between December of 2018 and January 6 of 2020. Of those, there were three (3) Bequest Society Level 2 recipients, and one (1) Bequest Society Level 3 recipient. The new Level 3 recipient was Jeff & Sally King from the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach-Five Cities. Brenda and Dick Cressey from the Rotary Club of Paso Robles were recognized for their support as Arch Klumph Society members, and most recently as contributors to the new Rotary Legacy Society program. Lastly; there were forty-four (44) Rotarians and Spouses recognized as new Charter Members of the District 5240 Triple Crown Donors Circle. These individuals are recognized for achieving levels of giving as Major Donors, Bequest Society, and Paul Harris Society members. Thanks to all who worked to make the evening a success and to all who attended and participated with this year’s Foundation Gala. |
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Guide to Passport Clubs |
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Rotary Float Feature ArticleFeatured in the Daily Bulletin - Click Link Below
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District Designated Fund Projects![]() Greetings Fellow Rotarians, On the International Service Section of the District website, we have created a tab for District Designated Fund (DDF) projects. Our goal is to encourage small and medium size clubs with limited DDF allotment to post their project(s) in this section so that other clubs might be open to using their limited funds to support another club’s worthwhile project. We know that every club has “their special project” but we also know that there is Strength in Numbers.
If you’d like to post your project on the website, please supply us a brief overview:
A couple of important reminders:
2) Club must be qualified and certified in order to receive District Grants and Global Grants. 3) An unincorporated club must agree and adhere to the provisions of the DRFC District and Global Grants Policy. 4) An incorporated club must agree and adhere to the provisions of the DRFC District and Global Grants Policy with a club resolution 5) As of Jan 15, 2020; a total of 49 Clubs have been Qualified through previous (3) sessions; and (8) Clubs have been Certified. To get Certified, these Clubs still need to sign and submit the Club Memorandum of Understanding. We look forward to posting your project and spreading the word of good deeds throughout our district. Regards, D5240 International Service Committee: Jennifer Alton (RC of SLO), Susan Weaver (E-club of One World), Michael Jansen (RC of Thousand Oaks) and George Poulakos (RC of Ventura) |
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Australia Needs Our Help!Rotarians Helping Rotarians Rotary is once again taking the lead and looking to provide support for families in need. Appeal from District Governor of District 9570, Australia Michael Buckeridge In Australia, farmers are the lifeblood of the country and they are in crisis. Record breaking heat and lack of rain means farmers are struggling to feed sheep and cattle and keep crops alive. District 9570 is in Central Queensland and is 600,000 square kilometers in area -- almost the size of Texas, USA. Since 2012 a large part of the District has been drought declared and at the start of 2020, the entire district is drought declared. The drought has resulted in diminished crop growth and carrying capacity for livestock. Apart from the environmental damage and cattle dying, water quality continues to decline. The human cost includes financial loss and mental health issues, particularly suicide and depression. |
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Rotary Youth Exchange ScholarshipsAdventurous Teens Wanted! We’re looking for 15-18 year olds that want to travel the world, learn another language and culture and make lifelong international friendships. The year abroad enables students to become more self-confident, self-sufficient and better world citizens. A Rotary Youth Exchange year abroad is valued at over $24,000 due to our volunteer efforts. Check out www.studyabroadscholarships.org to learn more. Children of Rotarians are also eligible. E-mail Mary at paseta@att.net for an application. Don’t delay! Interviews and initial orientation are January 25th, 2020.
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Ventura South at Holiday Street FairVentura South Spreads the Rotary Word at Ventura’s Annual Holiday Street Fair Twenty members of the Rotary Club of Ventura South turned out on a rainy Saturday, December 7, to set up and staff a booth at the Annual Holiday Street Fair on Main Street in Ventura. Working in 90-minute shifts, the Club members handed out literature about Rotary’s worldwide efforts to eradicate polio and build peace, and also invited those who stopped by to attend a Club meeting to learn more. The Ventura South Rotarians also promoted the Club’s major fundraiser, the annual Mardi Gras event in support of Turning Point Foundation, on March 1, 2020. For more than 30 years, Turning Point has provided a wide variety of services for those struggling with mental illness in Ventura County. Club members pictured in the group photo are (l to r): Sandy Warren, Bob Braitman, Melody Thurman, Larry Matheney, Rosa Duran-Ramirez, and Dennis Longwill. Melody went the extra mile in her outreach efforts with a Rotary wheel on her cheek, courtesy of the face-painter in the neighboring booth! |
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December- Rotarian of Action- Mike GibsonDistrict 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 December the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Mike Gibson. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Mike will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Mike Gibson, Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Member of Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary 1989 – present: President 1996 – 97 Helped found Christmas Parade of Lights in 1995 to present Continues to coordinate Parade of Lights each year including: Applications for parade entries, Advertising Parade order, Parade jobs – coordinating, Parade committee agenda Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Barn Party fundraiser – helps BBQ and coordinating food purchase Head of scholarship committee since 2002 Volunteers for numerous Rotary events such as Day in the Park, Special Olympics dinner, clip board man etc.
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RC of Simi Sunrise- School MeetingsHOLD YOUR NEXT OFF-SITE CLUB MEETING AT A SCHOOL By John Baxter Rotary Clubs sometimes struggle with where to hold an off-site meeting. Why not hold it at a local high school? Our Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise held its 7 a.m. meeting at Royal High School in Simi Valley, California. We wanted to develop a stronger connection with a local school and learn more about the pathway programs the school offered and how our Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise could help. Career Pathway programs, developed by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, Health, and Human Resources, promote the use of career pathways (high schools and colleges) to assist youth and adults with acquiring marketable skills and industry-recognized credentials. Many countries offer similar programs under different names. Royal High School offers its students pathways in Building and Construction Trades Digital Arts, Education, Food Service and Hospitality, JROTC and Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Patient Care - Sports Medicine, Software and Systems Development. |
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Hike to End Polio![]() Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning President Kim Fly couldn’t help getting fired up talking to Past District Governor Sandi Schwartz about her Ride To Nowhere. If Sandi, could raise over $18,000, the Carpinteria Morning Club could certainly raise a couple thousand dollars. So the challenge was born... |
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Is a Satellite Club of Interest to You?![]() Are you in a Rotary club that isn’t meeting your - or a few of your - members’ expectations? Are there members who like your club but can’t keep attending when it meets? Would you like to start a new club with a small, energetic group committed to community service? If you answered yes to any of these questions, starting a satellite club might be for you. It’s another available option to help Rotary membership grow. Unlike regular Rotary clubs, which require 20 members to start, a satellite club can form with just eight members. Satellite clubs also give community members and Rotarians the chance to make a positive difference in a club environment that often differs from their current Rotary club. Like all Rotary clubs, satellite clubs hold regular meetings, have bylaws and a board of directors, and get involved in community service projects. A local Rotary club sponsors the club and provides advice and support. Satellite club members are Rotarians. Officially, they are members of the sponsor club. |
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Will a Family Membership Work for Your Club?![]() By Tim Trujillo, Executive Assistant Governor, Region 1 Strong family bonds are essential for everyone’s well-being. To make it easier and cost-effective for a family member to participate in Rotary programs and to enjoy the benefits of membership together, consider a Family Membership Plan. Rotary’s Family Membership plan allows a second adult in the Regular Member’s household to have full Rotary participation in all meetings, events and training programs. The policy guiding this membership plan is as follows: The Family Membership offering is a discount to a family household member of an existing member paying the Regular Member rate. Family members can join for $ XX per month. This applies as long as another family member is paying the Regular Member rate. |
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November- Rotarian of Action- Gerry PorterDistrict 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 November the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Gerry Porter. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Gerry will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Gerry Porter- Rotary Club of Cambria This is what Cambria Club President Mary Ann Carlson has to say about Gerry : • Dedicated Rotarians for 15 + years • Attend all conferences, National, and District and most every educational offering • Hosts Rotary meetings and receptions at his home • Instrumental in bringing Julian Asange from S. Africa to speak on Polio • Instrumental in bringing speakers from Schools in India and Schools in Bangladesh • Gerry has been President, has been international Chair, has been foundation president • Always has projects for district DDGs – helps write and submit for them • Working on a Rotary International partner Grant for teaching mothers in Bangladesh • Brought the club foot project to club. Brought Lakota Tribe Electricity project to club. • Financially supports a girl for the Pyali Girls School in India • Works all events and attends nearly every club meeting, committee meeting and board meeting and helps any club member who need information or assistance Gerry is an exemplary Rotarian and well deserving to be Group 11 Rotarian of the year.
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Totally Tables FundraiserNeed an idea for a Fun fund raiser? Consider Totally Tables. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of China Lake, this new community fund-raiser generated $9900 for this year’s recipient, the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Hospice House. Tables of 8 were sponsored by individuals or groups (i.e. organizations, service clubs, etc). Each table was then uniquely decorated and set following a theme by the table sponsor. Typical themes included travel, sports, products. Our event had table themes of camping, Paso Robles wine, 4th of July, flamingos, roaring 20’s glamour, baseball, fall out, monopoly. Our event started with social time followed by a catered dinner. There was a short program describing hospice and the Hospice House. Music, dancing, a 50/50 drawing and limited door prizes rounded out the evening. It truly was a fun evening. For more information, please contact Betty Miller, 760 382 8295, millerbet@verizon.net. |
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Special Donor Recognition![]() ![]() |
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A Way to Help Your Local KidsGetting little ones, aged 5 or 6, interested in reading is a great way to ensure their success throughout their education years. Reading is such an important part of eventual learning and development in our school systems that it needs to be emphasized early. For kids it also needs to be made fun and enjoyable. So, Edutainment can be achieved by giving kindergartners a personalized book called “School is Fun".
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Rotary Club of Ojai WestRotary Club of Ojai West salutes Richard MacArthur for his dictionary project. In sixteen years, Richard McArthur and the Rotary Club of Ojai West have distributed over five thousand student dictionaries to third graders in the Ojai Valley. The dictionary is a special edition with reference material on geography, American history, and weights and measures. Students are encouraged to write their name in the book and keep it with them throughout their education. |
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Recognition for Individuals & Clubs![]() By PDG Frank Ortiz, District Rotary Foundation Chair Your generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world. We recognize donors to express our gratitude for your commitment, offering individual and club recognition as well as naming opportunities that enable you to honor a friend or family member. |
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1000 New Members! Really?![]() By Scott Farrenkopf, Executive Assistant Governor, Region 2 Can You Get Service when There is No One to Serve? How many of you have been to a restaurant and waited and waited for your food as your stomach growled and your patience wore thin wondering where is your waitress or waiter? Guess what? If you had no server then you would never be served! Without people (ie. the server) then the restaurant would cease to exist. The restaurant is just like Rotary. It serves. The waitress/waiter is just like a Rotarian. It delivers the service (a server). The client is just like the beneficiary. It needs served. Hence, what we as Rotarians must realize is that there is no “Service above Self” without the Rotarian! There is no action without the “Rotarian of Action!” |
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Is Corporate Membership for You?![]() By Tim Trujillo, Executive Assistant Governor, Region 1 A Rotary Corporate Membership plan can be set up for Business Owners/Corporate Heads that are on the go. Either you, the Corporate Member or another representative you choose from your workplace is invited to all Rotary functions. |
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Kern County Rotary Clubs Join Forces to Support Housing Project for Homeless Veterans![]() By Cheryl Scott, President, Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast BAKERSFIELD, CA. On November 12, representatives from Rotary clubs throughout Kern County, along with District 5240 Governor Savi Bhim, helped break ground for an innovative housing project designed to provide permanent housing for 12 local veterans (and up to two dependents per veteran) who are currently homeless or at risk of falling into homelessness. The project is located in the Oildale area of Bakersfield and is funded, in part, by more than $26,000 contributed by Rotar
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Cookies for $500?Barbara Butler is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of China Lake and deservedly so. She is 92 years old and she has been baking cookies for the club’s annual fundraising dinner for as long as she can remember and she still does. Barbara’s cookies are sought after and the 10 to 15 dozens that she donates to the club is usually auctioned off anywhere from $500.00 and up. |
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Announcing our District Governor for Rotary Year 2022-2023The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that Scott Phillips from the Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime has been selected to serve as District Governor during the Rotary year 2022-2023. Scott is a member of the Goleta Noontime Rotary club since 2013. He went on to serve as the Club’s President in 2016-2017. During that year the club was number one in the district for per capita giving to the Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund. |
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Foundation Month Focus: Peace & Conflict Resolution![]() By Susan and Mike Weaver As Rotary nears completion of its goal of eradicating polio, many have asked: “what's next?” Where will the incredible talent and resources of Rotary be directed now? The challenge that has in recent years risen to the forefront is that of increasing peace and resolving conflict. ![]() This emphasis on Peace is not new. It dates back to 1917 when Paul Harris said: "It is easier to interest men in war than in peace; it, therefore, requires more moral courage to talk peace than war." |
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Looking for Options to Grow Your Membership?
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Los Olivos RotaryThe little town of Los Olivos celebrated another year of its fall festival “A Day in the Country” on Saturday October 19, 2019. The highlight of the entire day was the Los Olivos Rotary-sponsored Parade featuring plenty of tractors and old school cars. After the parade, the streets were filled with craft and artist booths, live music entertainment, and a Wine Roundup. |
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REGISTER TODAY!![]()
Contact: Foundation Gala Events Planner – Mary-Catherine: mcgobedo@gmail.com Registration: Chas Wilson: cwilson3169@yahoo.com Rotarians in District 5240 are proud of their Foundation and the work that is done throughout the world and will be celebrating the Rotary Foundation and 5240 District's contributions and achievements. You won’t want to miss our Keynote Speaker, past Rotary International President K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran. |
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Rotary Foundation / Paul Harris Fellow- Part Three![]() In recent articles, we saw how Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition points work using a 50:50 matching arrangement Click Here For 1st Article, and how clubs can use them to become 100% Paul Harris Fellow clubs Click Here For 2nd Article. In this article, we’ll demystify the difference between the PHF “recognition amount”, and PHF “recognition points”, reported by The Rotary Foundation (TRF) via MyRotary. Click on “The Rotary Foundation” tab, then on Foundation Reports. Your Donor History Report is at top. Once you’ve opened your report, look in the upper right-hand corner. You’ll see two numbers: the PHF Recognition Amount and Foundation Recognition Points (available for transfer). How are these calculated? Easy as 1-2-3!
An example should make this easier to understand. Amanda has given $1,500 in total to TRF (Annual Fund and Polio Plus) in the past few years. She originally became a PHF when she received 500 recognition points from her club’s 50:50 match program. Recently, she used 1,000 of her own recognition points to honor a local community volunteer as a new PH Fellow.
Interpretation: (1) Amanda is now a multiple Paul Harris Fellow (PHF pin with one sapphire) since her Recognition Amount is 2,000. (2) She still has 500 Recognition Points available. Check out a very interesting implication of this arithmetic ↙ Beth and Charlie are Rotarians who became PHFs due to $1,000 gifts each made to TRF. Each has a “recognition amount” of 1,000 and “recognition points” of 1,000. They each contributed just $500 and yet both qualified for a new PHF pin. Talk about leverage! Questions? Please contact the author at davcgor@gmail.com |
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4-Way Test Contest 2019/2020 |
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Membership Update by Lee Ginsburg![]() Lee’s Membership “Pow Wow” News Our district 5240 is moving up mightily in Zone 25/26 and setting the stag for top honors in membership growth. During this first quarter District 5240 has experienced the largest growth in nine years. This is the greatest increase since July 2, 2010. Credit belongs to everyone who set membership as a priority goal for this Rotary Year. Considering a 12 year comparison from October 2007 to October 2019 we have 30 growing clubs vs 18 growing clubs in 07. This is an amazing accomplishment in this era of declining membership. Congratulation to the following Rotary Clubs: Simi Valley – net positive for the 1st time in 6 years Santa Barbara Sunrise - 3 consecutive years of positive growth Lompoc - 2 consecutive years of positive growth Bakersfield North - 2 consecutive years of positive growth And 26 more clubs who were recognized at the District Conference with Outstanding Membership Certificates. Out District Governor, Savi Bhim has set an ambitious goal of 1000 new members for the year. We are moving in very positive direction. Hang tight, keep the focus and make Rotary relevant for current and new members alike. Way to go District 5240!
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Rotary Foundation Month by Frank Ortiz![]() Rotary Foundation Month By PDG Frank Ortiz, District Rotary Foundation Chair The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world. At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe. The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. The District Rotary Foundation Committee (DRFC) consists of experienced Rotarians who have shown a commitment to the Foundation as demonstrated through program participation and financial contributions. The Committee is led by a DRFC Chair that is appointed for a three-year term. The members of the District Rotary Foundation Committee serve in several capacities as well as sub-committee chairs for several key Foundation functions. Your DRFC team members are identified from the ‘DISTRICT TAB’ in the ‘Rotary Foundation’ subpage on the District Website. |
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October-Rotarian of Action- Amy KardelDistrict 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 September the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Amy Kardel. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Amy will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Amy Kardel - Rotary De Tolosa of San Luis Obispo Amy Kardel embodies “Rotary Connects the World”. Despite being a local successful business owner; the Vice President of Strategic Workforce Relationships for Globally recognized Computing Technology Industry Association; a wife, and a mother of four amazing teens and twenty something, Amy by far has been the absolute most dedicated and active Rotarian in our club under my Presidency. Amy has served with distinction on our board of directors for seven of the past nine years in demanding positions: New Generations Director, District & Global Grants Chair, Youth Services Director, and currently as our International Service Director. Also a Master PRLS graduate she has participated in two NIDs, one to Indian and one to Ghana. |
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Poem by Carol LewisUpon Seeing the Crawling Girl with Polio (Kolkata, India - 2013) by Carol Lewis
My smog-scarred eyes witness raw, be-sandaled palms crawl, while crooked and callused knees crack on broken bits of brick. The dry road dust settles in; your grave, seared eyes, like coal before it’s mined, bear a secret for me to cradle, a wish within my power to unearth, with which to gift you like a diamond, before my humbled feet bear your darkness away with me, and I pen it in the polio-free country where I belong. |
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Two Poems about Polio- by Carol LewisRotary International, along with the WHO, CDC, and UNICEF, voluntarily crusades to eradicate polio globally in places where it is still crippling and killing children. This poem, written by Carol Lewis, is dedicated to those who are the poem’s title - Polio Plus Heroes Salk and Sabin knew little about the decision to eat or not, unlike the father who must deny his daily beggar’s wage to say ‘yes’ to his son’s only chance to walk, to move without dragging withered legs behind or crawling on knobby knees, callused palms behaving like feet. Lucky, he did not ride on his brother’s back but crept on his own to scour trash before the dogs or pigs ate his scraps, was already close to the pond scum that others’ backs bent toward, cleared to bathe. |
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Rotaract- Bakersfield East and Kern County RotaryOn August 25th, Kern County Rotaract and Bakersfield East Rotary partnered together to paint the bedrooms of a Teen Safehouse. This safehouse is a place for girls and teens who have been rescued from sex-trafficking or similar situations. The bedrooms have not been painted since it first opened, and as you can imagine, with the dozens of girls coming in and out, it was time for an update! Bakersfield East Rotary provided all of the paint and painting supplies, along with members Fernando Aguirre, David Sullivan, Tom Burch, and Aaron Markovits to help throughout the day. It was a long day of work but the girls were so appreciative and it was worth every second! Bakersfield East Rotary and Kern County Rotary working to make a difference in the community. |
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Presidents and RYLA Coordinators- Notice![]()
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District Looking for Reporters![]() The District Is Looking For A Reporter The District 5240 Multi-year Planning Committee has planned for a Reporter to gather, post, and market our Clubs' fundraisers, events, and projects. To start, we are looking for a candidate who would like to help "pilot" a test run for reporting from a few clubs. Once we have this reporter, we will plan a meeting to exchange ideas and discuss how this information can be presented for use by the District. If successful, we plan on growing this initiative by adding more reporters and scaling it district-wide. The reporter should be able to gather information from up to three clubs maximum to start. We are open to suggestions on various reporting techniques: visiting clubs, interviews, posting stories, etc. If you would like to help the District test this initiative or if you have any suggestions, please contact Ryan Mills: rmills@simisunsetrotary.org. |
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Rotary Foundation / Paul Harris Fellow- Part Two![]() In a recent article Click Here for Article, we saw how Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition points can be used in a 50:50 matching arrangement to inspire contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) via donations to the Annual Fund, Polio Plus, or an approved global grant. This article extends this concept by tying it to an award that may be earned by Rotary (and Rotaract) clubs: the 100% PHF club. Did you know that this TRF award is earned by a Rotary/Rotaract club just once in its existence? Thereafter the club is considered a 100% PHF club, even if new members join the club who are not yet PHF. As of this writing, more than half (42 of 71) of D5240’s Rotary clubs are already 100% PHF clubs. 399 Rotarians in the remaining 29 clubs have not yet received a PHF pin. On average, each of those 399 members currently has already accumulated $117 in PHF recognition. Therefore, D5240 could become a 100% PHF district if these 399 members jointly contributed $883 per capita ($1,000 for PHF, minus $117) to The Rotary Foundation, a total of $352,300. Is it realistic to expect all members (often newer ones) who are not yet PHF to make $883 contributions to TRF? Probably not; at least not immediately and unaided. But here is where the magic of a 50:50 arrangement comes in! D5240’s Rotary clubs collectively have accumulated 1,372,528 PHF recognition points to date, supported by their past contributions to TRF’s annual fund, to Polio Plus, or to named global grants. This figure is dwarfed by the 3,836,228 recognition points owned individually by D5240 Rotarians. (We have been generous in our support of TRF!) These recognition point totals surpass by comfortable margins the amount needed to make the district 100% PHF. So, here’s a modest proposal for the 29 Rotary clubs in D5240 that want to earn their 100% PHF club banner this year.
It’s easy, and your club should do it. Recognition points do not earn interest. Their most important use is to provide an incentive to others to make new contributions to TRF. Points disappear (often) when a Rotarian resigns from the club or passes away. PHF recognition points should be used sooner, not later, as an incentive for contributions to TRF that help fund your club’s projects, for the welfare of your community and the world. If your club isn’t 100% PHF, challenge it! Become a 100% PHF club by June 2020. Institute a 50:50 matching program and watch your club earn a well-deserved honor that never expires! A list of 100% PHF clubs appears on the next page. Questions? Please contact the author at davcgor@gmail.com |
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A History of Polio by Jim LewisPolio, or poliomyelitis, is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5, and is caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system. Years after recovery, post-polio syndrome may occur, with a slow development of muscle weakness similar to that which the person had during the initial infection. Polio has been on the earth for thousands of years, with depictions disease in ancient art, such as in the carvings inside an ancient Egyptian pyramid, portraying a priest with a withered leg. In the early 20th century, polio was one of the most feared diseases in the industrialized world. It paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children every year. Effective vaccines against polio were introduced by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, in the 1950s and 60s. Polio was brought under control and practically eliminated as a public health problem in the United States and other countries. As of 1979, the United States was polio free; in 1988 the global polio eradication initiatives began. Since then more than 25 billion children have immunized, Thanks to the cooperation more than 200 countries, backed by an international investment of more than US$11 billion. The timeline of the history of polio may be found at www.polio.org, as well as www.endpolio.org. Today, only two countries have not stopped polio. They are Pakistan and Afghanistan. Many factors contribute to their inability to eradicate this disease. Rotary international, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have been largely responsible for the success of polio eradication in all the other countries. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 30 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. We've helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. So far, Rotary has contributed more than $1.8 billion toward eradicating the disease worldwide. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. You, as Rotarians, are important to the world - Please continue to fight for the eradication of polio! PLEASE CLICK to RED MORE for a letter you can use to send to prospective donors James “Jim” Lewis PP RC of Moorpark D 5240 Polio Plus Chair 2019-2020 |
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September- Rotarian of Action- Allan JonesDistrict 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 September the Rotary Clubs selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Allan Jones. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Allan will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Allan Jones- Rotary Club of Solvang
Allan Jones of the Rotary Club of Solvang has a passion for bringing his Club into the future. As a Rotarian since 1995, he has offered leadership and inspiration through his Presidency in 2000-2001, his commitment through leading in Avenues of Service through his 24-year history and most recently, as Membership Chair since 2017. Allan has fully embraced the importance of membership, not just as a number’s game, yet as a vital part of keeping his club alive, fresh and growing. He has brought energy to his position, inviting potential new members to club meetings and community events. With a sincere smile, a firm handshake and spot on his busy calendar if they’d like to “talk it over”, he truly engages them with a spirit of friendship. He takes his role a step further, directing newcomers to important resources and shepherding them through the process of becoming comfortable and engaged as Rotarians. In action, he is driven to maximize the potential of his club’s future and simply cannot recall exactly how many people he has sponsored into the club over the years. |
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International Peace Day |
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Simi Sunset Feeds The Needy![]() On Monday, September 23rd, a few members of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset helped serve hot meals to people in need of food at the Samaritan Center in Simi Valley. This small but impactful project was organized by the club’s Community Service Director, Mike Kort. Mike contacted several restaurants to provide the meals who were more than happy to donate and coordinated the timing with The Samaritan Center. Thanks to Chick Fil-A, El Huarache de Mexico, and Smokin Steve's Pit BBQ at least 50 people in need were served. Mike was able to pick up all the food and deliver the meals to the Samaritan Center where they were heated and prepped. Mike even prepared lemonade at his home the night before. When the doors opened at 5:30p, a long line of those in need were served, buffet style, by Rotarians who greeted them. To top off the evening, The Samaritan Center provided cake for dessert.
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What Are PHF Recognition Points?![]() Here’s a question that comes up a lot. What are Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition points? Other questions frequently follow. How can these points be used? Can we use them to help fund a grant project? The answer to that last question is, unfortunately, no. Let’s see why, and let’s answer the earlier questions as well. Simply put, Paul Harris Fellow recognition points are assigned to a contributor to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) for dollar gifts given to the Annual Fund, to Polio Plus, or to an authorized Global Grant. Fresh contributions add to a donor’s recognition point total at the rate of one point per dollar given. Can the points themselves be used to fund a new Rotary Foundation grant project? No, they cannot, as they represent prior contributions to TRF, in some cases made many years ago. Those dollars were used to fund projects then and are not available again to fund new projects. So how can PHF recognition points be used? The answer lies within the name. Such points can be used to recognize any person – including a fellow Rotarian or a member of the community – as a new (or multiple) Paul Harris Fellow. |
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Destination District Conference 2019 |
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RIP PDG Marc Vertin![]() Some sad news regarding one of our Past District 5240 Governors... The text below is from Rob van Nieuwburg, Past President of the Rotary Club of Ventura. --- A little over three weeks ago I told you how my long-time friend Marc Vertin was fighting for his life. In the afternoon on September 12, 2019, he lost that fight. As usual, everyone will express their sorrow, offer prayers and thoughts for the ones staying behind and move on with life. That’s what we do. Sometimes events like this hit just too close for comfort. It takes more than just accept and move on. Tears won’t even do much to help with the pain and immensity of the loss. For me, this is one that is much too close. |
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30 Year Rotary Education Project
The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara North In 1989 the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara North (Club 673) embarked on a local project to help and support a Santa Barbara Elementary School, part of the Santa Barbara Unified School District (a disadvantaged School in the District) The initial project came about because one of our Rotary Members Mr. Ken Compton, then the Administrator of The Samarkand (a local well known Retirement Community) and his wife Ellie Compton a teacher at Adams Elementary School initiated a project whereby our Rotarians would Volunteer at Adams and assist in tutoring the students. The Class ratio was one teacher to about 26 students. |
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August- Rotarian of Action- Tammy DobrotinDistrict 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! |
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"End Polio Now Drive”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. |
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Membership Marathon!![]() In Rotary, we believe in the marathon and not the sprint! (Image from International Marathon Fellowship of Rotarians / www.rotarianrun.org) Congratulations to the following Rotary clubs that have welcomed new members as of July 31. They are now part of an organization that is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being and the value of Service Above Self.
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Open World ProgramOPEN WORLD PROGRAM- NEWS! From: actiongroups <actiongroups@rotary.org> 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. |
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RI Recognizes Bakersfield Interact Advisor![]() Rotary International Recognizes Golden Valley High School Teacher Jennifer Yamauchi Educator Receives Highest Honor Bestowed Upon Non-Rotarians Jennifer Yamauchi, a teacher from Golden Valley High School in Bakersfield, was recognized today with the Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity, the highest honor Rotary International bestows upon any non-Rotarian. Fewer than 550 people around the globe each year are recognized with the award, making Yamauchi, one of a relative few world-wide that receive the highly-regarded honor. |
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The Rotary Foundation and Rotarian of Action![]()
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Rotary Ventura South![]() Rotary Ventura South Serves up Support for 27th Annual Ventura County Veterans Stand Down On a warm Saturday afternoon, July 27, a team of members and guests from the Rotary Club of Ventura South prepared and served dinner for more than 50 needy veterans at the 27th Annual Veterans Stand Down, a three-day event that provides a wide range of services to veterans from throughout the County, many of whom have found themselves without a permanent home. |
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July- Rotarian of Action- Kay BlissDistrict 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 July the Rotary clubs of Fillmore, Ojai, Ojai West, Santa Paula, Ventura, Ventura East, and Ventura South selected as their Rotarian of Action to be Kay Bliss. In recognition of “doing good in the world”, Kay will be presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition . Kay Bliss- Rotary Club of Ojai, Member since 2001 Kay has served as Past President, Youth Services Director, International Service Director and was our 1st Peace Chair, insuring our status as a Peace Builder Club in 2018/2019, with the completion of the Matilija Peace Pavilion- a beautiful outdoor pavilion at our Middle School designed for outdoor teachings & gatherings. The pavilion includes a time capsule and bronze plaques of quotes chosen by students by leaders of Peace in the world, in addition under the coordination of Past DG Wade Nomura, a Japanese persimmon tree from Hiroshima was presented to DG Sandy and planted at the Peace Pavilion. Kay currently serves as our Global Grants Chair, a new member mentor and on our Board of Directors as Member-at-Large.
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“Honor Your Sponsor, Be a Sponsor”One way to grow Rotary is to form new clubs, even in communities where Rotary is thriving. Here is the message that Rotary International President Mark Maloney has been sharing demonstrating how a single Rotary club likely does not serve all of the leaders in a community. Here is the link to the video: https://www.facebook.com/RotaryPresident/videos/369014940481614/ Deepening our impact by expanding membership is a top priority for us. Rotary International has put together a page with many resources – from Assessing your club, Engaging new members, Connecting with prospective members and much more. This information can be found at https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/learn-topic/membership The District receives many questions about flexibility options for clubs. Rotary has a page that talks about Rotary club models, guide to satellite clubs, guide to corporate membership and more. Take a look at https://my.rotary.org/en/club-flexibility for ideas and information. Make sure your club has a membership committee and you are exploring all of the options available! More Rotarians means we are more impactful in our communities, around the world, and in our members’ lives! Let’s Grow Rotary! |
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Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Video Series![]() New Video Series Spotlights Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Members Sharing Why “BBRC is the Place to Be”! As Rotary International works to build its brand and membership numbers around the globe, Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) is doing the same with its new series of video testimonials featuring members sharing some of their favorite Rotary experiences. Click here to see Bree’s message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3PjEWm9HCoQ |
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Clifton John (Jack) Tingstrom Memorial |
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Shoes for Little Souls 2019![]() The Rotary Club of Simi Sunset Provides Shoes and Back to School Clothing at their 17th Annual Shoes for Little Souls Project Shoes for Little Souls is a community service project hosted by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset in partnership with The Samaritan Center and Kohl's Department Store in Simi Valley. The goal is to help homeless (or at risk) families get back-to-school clothing for their children. Children who will be able to feel better about themselves when they return to school next month. The community also comes together to support parents in difficult times. The 17th Annual shopping spree took place on Saturday, July 20, 2019. |
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“Keys for a Cause”![]() Arroyo Grande Rotary Club is Conducting a Charity Raffle - Win a 2019 Ford Escape SUV! “Keys for a Cause” Raffle Drawing on August 25, 2019 at the Grover Beach Stone Soup Music Festival Raffle Partners include Mullahey Ford of AG and Various Regional Non-Profit Organizations The Rotary Club of Arroyo Grande and Mullahey Ford in Arroyo Grande are partnering in a charity raffle which offers the grand prize of a 2019 Ruby Red Ford Escape SUV! This is the second year of this partnership which was very successful in 2018. The grand prize includes CA sales tax and vehicle registration fees. Net proceeds will fund several local Rotary programs and scholarships as well as several local non-profit organizations. |
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International Service NEWS!Interested in showcasing your project at our upcoming District Conference? We are asking any club that is interested in showcasing their international or local project at the upcoming D5240 Conference to submit their request by September 9th. |
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19th Annual Homes of Distinction Tour, San Luis Obispo![]() Five Beautiful Homes. One Beautiful Cause. Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Presents 19th Annual “Homes of Distinction” Tour to raise funds for Rotary Charities SAN LUIS OBISPO – Guests will have an exclusive look into five beautiful and unique homes as the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo presents the 19th Annual “Homes of Distinction” Tour, Sunday, September 15 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each home has a unique ambiance where architecture, décor and landscaping tell the stories of their lives. All proceeds fund scholarships for local students & grants to support local non-profits. |
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District Conference 2019- Register Today! |
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Thank You Message From David BrownAs most of you know, our District had one of our biggest socials ever at Dodger Stadium recently. The feedback has been nothing but positive, which means, we should probably do this more often! David Brown from Los Olivos Rotary Club took a little extra time to thank the District and especially Mike Murphy, our District Club Service Chair for his time and planning. Dave speaks for a lot of us in his message. Thanks Dave for the message and thank you Mike for the hard work! See Dave's message below. ![]() |
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Solvang Rotary Club Inducts Five New Members With Help From DG, Sandi Schwartz![]() The Solvang Rotary Club inducted five new members on June 18th. Rotary District 5240 Governor, Sandi Schwartz was in attendance to participate in the ceremony. Ms. Schwartz addressed the inductees, “We admit you into the Rotary Club of Solvang, our fraternity, our friendship and our family. We further admit you into the Rotary International family throughout the world. As you embark on your Rotary journey, you will surely discover the true meaning of our principal motto; Service Above Self. We ask that you abide by Rotary’s Four-Way Test. This is our ethical code of conduct that will guide you through Rotary and in your personal and professional life as well.” |
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Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Presents $39,500 in Scholarships to 14 Local Student![]() School’s out for the summer! San Luis Obispo Rotarians presented 14 well deserving local students with scholarships to support their future academic endeavors. In total, $39,500 was awarded to local students. The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Challenge Scholarship Program provides scholarships to high-achieving students who have faced significant personal challenges during their school career. Its goal is to help scholarship recipients focus less on financial challenges and more on advancing their learning. Individual scholarship amounts varied from $1,000 to $20,000 (awarded in annual distributions of $5,000 over 4-years). Award recipients were graduates from San Luis Obispo High School, Pacific Beach High School & SLO County Independent Living Program. |
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R/C of Shafter Veteran's Park Memorial Monument ProjectThis project was a joint partnership with Shafter Rotary Club, the City of Shafter and Amvets. Shafter Rotary Club was responsible for contributing up to $15,000 to use towards installation of flagpoles, electrical, and lighting improvements plus concrete and walkway improvements. A dedication was held on Saturday, May 18th with several local dignitaries in attendance. The Shafter Rotary Club then hosted refreshments and food following the ceremony.
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The Peace Academy of Science and Arts![]() The Peace Academy of the Sciences and Arts is a non-profit educational program with the goal to inspire a community of lifelong learners who become caretakers and peace leaders for our world. Last summer, we provided an amazingly successful 4 week full-day enrichment program for over 40 children in SLO County. For the summer of 2019, we plan to open our doors to serve 50% more students with new and exciting curriculum. New and returning children will embark on a 4-week learning journey, together, yet each in their own unique way, to become scientists, critical thinkers, authors, cooks, performers, coders, and problem solvers while having tons of fun! |
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Cayucos Rotary's Helping Young Musicians![]() To celebrate Past District Govenor’s support and mentorship, Cayucos Rotary instituted a new “Chungsam Doh Music Scholarship Fund” program to nurture college students wishing to major and pursue a career in music. The scholarship is being funded by the club’s annual fundraisers. Besides music being the major, the selection criteria requires that scholarship applicants have must completed at least one year at the local community college, and perform at Cayucos Rotary’s annual masquerade event, if selected. Priority is given to students currently engaged in music pursuits, and community involvement. Students with financial needs are also considered. |
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Cayucos Rotary's Projects at Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School Goes International![]() Since 2017, Cayucos Rotary has been working to rehabilitate the pre-war cabins and facilities at Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School in San Luis Obispo. Our club’s goal is to create a state-of-the-art outdoor educational campus that focuses on environmental literacy while teaching the Rotary Four-way Test’s ethics and conflict resolution. The school serves about 10,000 youths annually from all over California. In addition to contributing over $50,000 and labor to build three yurts, Cayucos Rotary has helped to build a new basketball court, install a new audio system, and new benches for the amphitheater re-built by the three San Luis Obispo clubs.
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Lost At Sea Memorial in Cayucos![]() For the past ten years, Cayucos Rotary has hosted the “Lost at Sea” memorial on Memorial Day, to remember those who served as well as civilians who had been lost at sea. The memorial is held at 1500 hours every year at the Cayucos Pier. Each year, there are devotional and ceremonial tributes following the national anthem and welcome remarks. Military veterans come dressed in their uniforms and are honored. Music follows the tolling of the bell, and the meaning of the “Missing Man” and the symbolism of the wreath are explained to the audience. Benediction continues and everyone marches out to the pier for blessings of the wreath. The wreath is then tossed into the ocean, and the rifle salute follows. The ceremony closes with the flyover of war planes. It’s an emotionally charged and touching event, and not to be missed. |
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Cayucos Rotary & Interact Picks Up![]() Each quarter, Rotarians, friends and Cayucos Students gather to help clean the beach by Cayucos Pier. The clean-up has extended to Front Street that borders the beach, and South Ocean Avenue. Participants include middle-school students and Interactors from Cayucos Middle School, school teachers and members of Cayucos Rotary. Debri were picked up and cleared expeditiously. Retailers, visitors and drivers either wave, said "hi" and "honked" their thanks. Sometimes, they joined in.
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Rotary Club of Montecito Gives $12,500 in Scholarships![]() Santa Barbara, CA – In partnership with the SBCC Foundation, Rotary Club of Montecito and its supporting foundation are pleased to announce the awarding of ten $1,250 scholarships to high-performing Santa Barbara City College vocational and career technology students. Rotary Club of Montecito has long prioritized education as a key area of focus by providing financial support to ensure Santa Barbara’s local youth are able to maximize their potential. |
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Rotary Club of Conejo Valley and Others Help Provide Life-Saving Heart Surgeries To Numerous Children![]() Recently the Rotary Club of Conejo Valley, collaborated with several organizations, including Rotary Club of Nuevo Leon, Gift For Life, Cardio Chavitos, international surgeons, and anesthesiologists to help perform life saving surgeries on approximately 31 children in Monterrey Mexico. Diego Velasquez, International Service Chair for Conejo Valley’s club, worked together with his club and the various groups to get a Rotary global grant approved to further support this incredible mission. Early November 2018, Rotarian, Diego Velasquez, along with numerous volunteers arrived in Monterrey Mexico amongst the captivating views of the mountains eager to get their project started to help these less fortunate children in dire need. They visited the world class Hospital Zambrano Hellion where surgeries took place and had a pre-surgery meeting with the local Rotary Club of Nuevo Leon, Gift for Life, Cardio Chavitos, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other volunteers. Children checked in and had an emotional, high-spirited meeting with the volunteers. All in all surgeries went very well and these lovely children got a second chance at life thanks to Rotary and the other amazing organizations’ contributions. As Rotarians toured the city after there was a sign on the street that summed up the trip, “Vivir Es Increible”, which means that "To Live Is Incredible!"
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Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet![]() The Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet is the oldest community service project of the Camarillo Rotary Club. The Meet began in 1959, when a group of local Rotarians created an organized track and field competition for Camarillo boys and girls at the elementary and junior high school levels. There were only a few schools then, and not too many entrants, but over the years, the Meet has grown to keep pace with the community. The Meet was named the Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet in 1988, in honor of the late Rotarian Hap Rapp, who devoted so much of his time and talents to the event over the years.
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Chamber Expo Membership Drive![]() Give this a try! Ventura Rotary has now attended its 4th Chamber of Commerce Business Expo with a booth and has garnered several prospective new (young) members interested in networking and building professional relationships. The Ventura Club hosts an expo booth with a large screen slide show of projects and showcasing the diverse membership as well as banners and personal invitation cards to the next lunch meeting. The professional networking opportunity has enticed several new members and, as we all know, even though the networking is a primary reason for joining, the new members stay once they’ve established personal relationships and develop a passion for the service they are able to help accomplish. So far, the Business Expo booth has initiated 9 new member prospects and 3 new members have officially joined.
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Ventura Rotary Re-opens Eye Clinic![]() The Rotary Club of Ventura is very excited to announced that the Rotary Eye Clinic has re-opened in Ventura. The new clinic opened last summer but had to close for one month to search for a new Optometrist. The clinic serves any member of the community who cannot afford eye care. Every week, the clinic opens its doors at the Salvation Army location in Ventura and a line of people are waiting. The need for eye care is abundant. Two retired optometrists who are members of Ventura Rotary donated all of the equipment to build and establish the clinic. A local optometrist staffs the clinic on Tuesday mornings with the help of Ventura Rotary members who serve as receptionists and eye glass consultants. We are always looking for more volunteers to serve these members of our community. We also always need more eye frames. Come join us! Learn more at https://venturarotaryeye.com
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Ventura Rotary Announces Winners of $9,000 Art Scholarships![]() Five local high school students earn scholarships for their artistic “Perspectives on Peace” Ventura, CA: The Rotary Club of Ventura, which this year celebrates 100 years of service to the Ventura community, has announced the winners of a new Perspectives on Peace Scholarship program. Five high school seniors are being awarded a total of $9,000 in scholarships, based on their outstanding original art submissions around the theme of “Perspectives on Peace.” They will be honored at Ventura Rotary Club on May 15th, and their artwork will have a special exhibit at the Museum of Ventura Country from May 18th – June 2nd. |
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Party With a Purpose![]() When they learned that the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise was organizing a Fundraiser built upon the theme of Senior Prom, the Rotaract Clubs of Cal Lutheran University and Conejo Valley sprung into action. Embracing the opportunity of selling corsages and boutonnieres to the Prom patrons to raise funds, they accepted Westlake Sunrise’s request for help. Knowing that both Rotaract Clubs had modest funds to work with, their flower supplies were sponsored by Felix Wang of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks and their other supplies were sponsored by Westlake Sunrise. Sunrise’s Next Gen Chair Don Martin and his wife, Susan, were educated in Millennials musical tastes when they attended the corsage-making pizza party at Cal Lutheran, with over 10 Rotaractors from both clubs attending. At the Prom Event the following evening, 8 members from both Rotaract Clubs sold the corsages and helped to sell raffle tickets. By the end of the night, they were all dancing together. The 2 Rotaract clubs divided up the near $600 raised from this effort. This project was a success on many levels, especially in the cooperation and teamwork between the clubs involved.
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R/C of Atascadero Donates $25K to finish "Parents for Joy" Project![]() The Rotary Club of Atascadero planned an effort that has spanned 6 years! The project has galvanized the city of Atascadero like no other project. They needed to raise $1,200,000 to complete the "Parents for Joy" project. CLICK HERE for details on the project. The project is now open thanks to a huge donation of land and money by the city and over $500,000.00 in local donations. Past President, Tom Zirk (2015-16) set aside $7,000 during his term for this project. This year, current president, Don Idler was also determined to finish his year by being a major donor. Their fundraisers this year “Cork & Cap Benefit” and the "Crab Feed and Auction" garnered enough to supply the balance to their foundation to write a check for the remaining $25,000! The Rotary Club of Atascadero pulled together and worked very hard to do this as this was not their only donation to the community and support of other clubs.
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Vocational Off-Site Mini-Meetings![]() Like many clubs, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo has long enjoyed holding Vocational Offsite meetings at local businesses. However, as a large club (100+ members), it was difficult finding businesses that were able to host such a large group. So, our Vocational Services team created mini-offsites in order to solve this problem. We now hold Vocational Offsite days where members can sign-up to attend one of several smaller off-site meetings held at members’ businesses. There are usually nine or ten choices, ranging from the Botanical Garden to the local Police Station. The members gather in groups of 10 to 12 and the host business is given the opportunity to education the members about the business. This is a very popular program with our members.
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Diversity in Action - SLO Reads![]() On Monday, April 29, 2019, The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, with the help of the United Way of San Luis Obispo County and Rotary Clubs throughout the area, led a project called Diversity in Action – SLO Reads to celebrate "Día", a national library program that fosters literacy for all children from all backgrounds. Día, also known as El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) is a commitment to include and celebrate all cultures through literacy. Rotarians and other volunteers went to all ten elementary schools in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and read books of culturally diverse stories to children in kindergarten to 6th grade. The volunteers purchased and donated the books to the classroom libraries and made financial donations to purchase hundreds of additional books. The project was as rewarding to the readers as it was to the children, and the club plans to make this an annual project.
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New Business Membership Program![]() The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo has implemented a new Business Membership Program for 2018-19. The program allows up to three people from the same business or organization to “share” a membership. One person is the primary member and is an official member of Rotary. They may designate two “delegates” from their organization to attend meetings and club functions in their stead. The program is designed for businesses whose CEO has the desire to be personally involved in Rotary, and involve their staff as well, but may not have the time to attend the weekly meetings. Our first Business Member was inducted on October 22, 2019 – the very busy Superintendent of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, who is sharing the membership with his two Assistant Superintendents. It is a win for all involved!
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Compostela English Language Project![]() During the summers of 2017 and 2018, the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo has partnered with the Rotary Club of Compostela, Mexico and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to create and implement an English language teaching program in Compostela, Mexico for children and adults who want to improve their English language knowledge and skills. The Rotary Clubs of San Luis Obispo and Compostela have enjoyed a long-standing relationship (20+ years) and many projects have been co-sponsored in Compostela for the benefit of the community. For this project, the clubs funded a Cal Poly faculty member and several students who are in Cal Poly's teaching program to spend several weeks in Compostela teaching English through a series of volunteer classes for adults and children. The project was very successful and will continue each summer.
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Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise Community Service ProjectOn April 6th, 2019, the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise got together to form a team of hardworking men and women. Our project for 2019 was to assist The Free Clinic of Simi Valley in getting ready to open their doors for business. The Free Clinic of Simi Valley has provided continuous charitable service since it's establishment in 1971 as a non-profit, volunteer-based community service organization. The mission of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley is to provide medical care, counseling, dental and legal assistance to individuals and families in need, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes those of all ages, ethnicities, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds, who are unable to use traditional sources within the community. Typically, the clients of the clinic are the uninsured and the underserved.
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Honoring Outstanding Law Enforcement OfficersOn April 26, 2019 the Rotary Club of Moorpark honored Officers of the Year -- CHP Officer Jaime Morado and Deputy Preston Furukawa. President Scott Hess presented them with a trophy and added their names on the Officers of the Year wall plaque. They were individually recognized for demonstrating through actions and deeds to be the most deserving of the Award. The Rotary club shared their appreciation with CHP Officer Morado and Deputy Sheriff Furukawa for keeping them safe and for their dedication, leadership, and heroism.
In photo: Officers of the Year: CHP Officer Jaime Morado (4rd from left), Deputy Sheriff Preston Furukawa (3rd from left), Rotarian's Moorpark Chief of Police Victor Fazio, and Deputy Sheriff Sargeant Darren Hendren, Deputy Sheriff Juan Ponce (former Officer of the Year), Rotary President Scott Hess, and Rotarian Dale Parvin |
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YOU ARE A PEACEBUILDER CLUB – NOW TELL THE WORLD!Rotarians have always been peacebuilders. Every project that we do locally or around the world both improves lives and contributes to more peaceful communities. When you assist the homeless, mentor students or support our troops, you are building peace. When you participate in an international project or give to the The Rotary Foundation Peace Centers, you are building peace. The District 5240 Peacebuilder Club program is a way for you to remind the Rotarians in your club and the residents of your local community that Rotarians and Rotary projects build peace. Becoming a Peacebuilder Club is easy. Go to the District Website Peace Page, download the requirements, complete the report form and forward the completed form to the district. Your club will be recognized with a banner and certificate identifying the club as Rotary Year 2018-19 peacebuilders. Peacebuilder Reports are due no later than June 15. For more information, please email peacebuilderclub@district5240.org. |
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Rotary Club of Solvang Initiates “Job Shadowing” for Hidden Wings![]() “Unfurling the gifts of Autism” is the theme of Hidden Wings, a ten-year old non-profit school in Solvang, that serves young adults with autism and other developmental delays. The Rotary Club of Solvang is adapting its “job shadowing” model to assist Hidden Wings toward achieving its vocational program goals for its students. Under the model format, Solvang Rotarians will seek to identify and “recruit” business and other community leaders to serve as “Hosts” to students who will visit, work, and learn to focus, “…on their gifts, not their deficits, which empower them to lead full and productive lives in society”. (Hidden Wings pamphlet) The goal is for students to learn, not only job-specific skills, but also social skills. Successfully serving these special-needs students requires consideration of both activity-appropriate Hosts, as well as desirable vocational pursuits. |
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Rotary Club Replaces Trees Burned in Hill FireCamarillo Grove Park is getting some help from the Camarillo Rotary Club following the devastation caused by last year’s Hill Fire. A Rotary Grove is being dedicated as a perpetual activity where the club will plant trees, allowing donors to honor and remember loved ones while helping with fire recovery. Club members got the idea for a Rotary Grove when volunteers were called into action sandbagging trails and sites threatened by flooding after the fire. “Everyone tries to figure out what they can do to make a sustainable difference after a disaster. While sandbagging was important as an effort to save those trails, a Rotary Grove of trees will be a more long lasting benefit that we can enjoy and feel good about,” says Jay Berger, this year’s Rotary membership chair. |
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Tepehua Community Center Water Project, MexicoTepehua is a Barrio in the Guadalajara-Lake Chapala area. The resident’s access to water is a sand pipe where the well is contaminated with arsenic and lead. This leads to renal failure in children and young mothers. They drink soda because it is cheaper than buying bottled water. Drinking soda in large quantities causes health problems including diabetes. Residents can’t afford medical either. It is a sad cycle for the residents. The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Daybreak created a project that provides funds where residents can buy 5 gallon bottles ( Garrafons ) of water at cost for 13 pesos versus 30 -- pesos the full retail cost. They also purchased the Garrafons and racks for storage. The water is purchased from a legitimate purification vendor. There are many “pirate” vendors who sell for less but water quality is questionable. |
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Group 4 Community Service Work Day![]() All five Rotary Clubs and two Rotaract Clubs in District 5240's Group 4 participated in a Community Service Work Day. They worked with Conejo Recreation and park District to clear and cut in a two mile hiking trail in a canyon above Westlake Village Community Park. This area was completely wiped out by the recent Woolsey Fire. The entire canyon didn't even have a blade of grass left after the fires came through. It is now loaded with wild flowers. They cut in a three foot wide hiking trail up the steep hillsides of the canyon for residents to enjoy this beautiful area. Thousands of Conejo Valley residents will wind up using this trail. It took them several hours but they did it!! |
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End Plastic Soup![]() Written By Ing. Barbara van Goethem March, Governor 2018-2019 District 1580 (Amsterdam) Dear colleagues, Plastic waste in our environment is a major global problem. Plastic, once warmly welcomed as a magnificent and extremely useful product, is becoming a threat for our planet: plastic waste ends up in our oceans, rivers, waters, beaches, forests, landfills and in our city parks and streets. Plastic does not disappear but just gets smaller and causes serious problems for living beings. And so it starts entering our food chain and our bodies. |
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Operation Footprint![]() GIVING CHILDREN THE GIFT OF A FUTURE Operation Footprint, provides training, medical equipment, and supplies needed to enable doctors in Honduras to diagnose and treat children who have deformities due to untreated clubfoot that prevent them from participating in educational, family and normal childhood activities. Each year in January, surgeons from the United States who are members of our cooperating organization Operation Footprint Baja Project travel to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to perform surgical procedures that will correct or mitigate the impact of clubfoot on the lives of children in Honduras. The local public Hospital San Felipe supports the project with staff, equipment and four operating suites. |
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Groups 10, 11, & 12 Hold A Joint Meeting![]() On February 18th the Assistant Governors for Groups 10,11 & 12 hosted an opportunity for Club Presidents, PE’s and Club Service Chairs to hear directly from 2 District speakers. This effort was enthusiastically received with 30 local Club Officers and District Representatives in attendance. The response from those attending was very positive and opened many eyes to the deep District resources available to local Clubs. The most valuable take-away referenced by those in attendance were the hand-out materials and the opportunity to ask questions directly of District Area of Service, and Special Program Chairs. Others mentioned the great value in networking with District leaders as a resource for future projects. Finally, the opportunity for a frank exchange of ideas and the ability to share both successes and disappointments that Clubs experience in implementing service projects and job shadowing programs was appreciated. The event was so successful that our second Group 10, 11 & 12 Joint meeting with District speakers will occur on April 8th. |
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Rotary Club of Bakersfield North Projects![]() Bakersfield North put on a couple Community Service Projects... The Wine Mafia is held each year as a fund raiser to augment the income from Dinner at the Derby. Dinner at the Derby nets about $120,000 each year and Wine Mafia $20,000 to $25,000. At the Dinner at the Derby, Youth Connection get the first $20,000 and then we split the rest. That makes their income around $75,000. 30% goes into their savings account (investments) and 70% is spent on charity and scholarships. The foundation has organizations that depend on their contributions; therefore, they need two fundraisers. Their second, Trunk or Treat, is put out by the Sherriff's Department in Bakersfield for the neighborhood in Oildale, CA. It benefits Standard Middle School - the underprivileged kids there go to there local Kohl's Department Store and the club takes them on a shopping spree to get them some school supplies and clothes. |
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District Governor BBQ![]() Hosted by Rotary Club of Pismo Beach/Five Cities in collaboration with Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Eco Clubs! This much-anticipated event is a joint evening social the week the District Governor visits their Clubs. They have been doing to this since they chartered the Grover Beach Club -- over 15 years ago. It is hosted by their Charter Member Steve Curry – providing the BBQ and venue. Members bring the potluck side dishes and beverages and as you can see it is a Family event with their future Rotarians (their kids) and spouses alike. They hope that this is sort of a “thank you” for all that the District Governor sacrifices during their years of service and also provides them a warm welcome – and with four clubs participating it is definitely all about the Fellowship. |
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Hunger to Hope -- A New Home for Manna![]() The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks is trying to raise $100,000 as part of a massive campaign to purchase a new building for Manna. Manna is a Conejo Valley food bank that has been providing food assistance to friends and neighbors in need since 1971. The Rotary Club is hoping to inspire Rotarians throughout the district to contribute by making a tax-deductible contribution through the Thousand Oaks club’s foundation. Info about the current home: • Currently serving about 1,000 people a month in a pantry the size of a single-car garage. • Our facility has difficulty managing the more than 1,900 annual food drives. • We now rent warehouse space to hold much of our non-perishable food donations. • We have limited parking for clients, donors, volunteers and staff. • EVERYTHING happens at the front door! • Limited volunteer opportunities due to inadequate outdoor lighting. |
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Simi Sunset's Reading By Nine Project![]() The Rotary Club of Simi Sunset recently did their annual Reading By Nine community project. The event took place on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Arroyo Vista and Knolls Elementary Schools in Simi Valley. This long time community project started with the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset getting a Rotary grant to help fund the purchase of hundreds of books for an elementary school. This year's club Community Service Chair, Stephanie Sieminski and club Secretary, Amanda Wilson, then coordinated with Simi's School District to find out which elementary school had the most need for new books. This year, the combined donations from the Simi Sunset Club and Rotary Grants helped provide enough books for TWO schools -- Arroyo Vista Elementary and Knolls Elementary. Stephanie then coordinated with the schools to plan a day where Rotarians can deliver the books to several classrooms, possibly read a story or two, and get the children excited about reading. One of Rotary's key causes is to support basic education and literacy. |
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Short Leash Hot Dog Social![]() The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach Five Cities is inviting all Rotary Clubs in District 5240 to come together for a Joint Club Fellowship and a hot diggity dog dinner. Place: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church - 301 Trinity, Arroyo Grande Time: 6:00 PM Speaker: Wade Nomura (Past District Governor - 2011-2012) Made the way you like it from their Rotary Service Bar. They'll provide the gourmet hot dogs, buns, chips, and all the toppings: |
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Rotary Club of Oxnard Honors Special Teachers![]() The Rotary Club of Oxnard continues to recognize outstanding teachers in the Oxnard School District, the Oxnard Union High School District, and the Rio School District. For the ninth year, the Rotary Club provides a gift basket and marble “apple for the teacher” in recognition of the recipient’s outstanding teaching and service to students, parents, and school. In partnership with the County Schools Federal Credit Union, the recognition also includes a monetary award for the teacher to help cover the many out-of-pocket expenses teachers incur. An additional corporate partner, the Courtyard by Marriott-Oxnard, provides this special teacher a gift certificate for a one-night stay for two. The Teacher Recognition Program continues the efforts of the Rotary Club of Oxnard to thank those special teachers in our community who demonstrate outstanding Service Above Self, the motto of Rotary International. |
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Ron Helus Scholarship of Valor![]() Dear Fellow Rotarians, During the tragic events of November 2018, Moorpark lost a hero in resident and Ventura County Sheriff’s Officer Sergeant Ron Helus. In honor and remembrance of Sergeant Helus, The Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning with the support of the Helus Family is establishing a scholarship in his name. The Ron Helus Scholarship of Valor. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Moorpark student interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. We are asking our fellow community members to help launch this endeavor with a donation as it is our hope to award the inaugural Ron Helus Scholarship of Valor this June, 2019. With monies raised, the Rotary Club plans to setup an endowment allowing this scholar to continue annually fully funded. If you are interested in donating to the Ron Helus Scholarship of Valor, you may make your Tax Deductible donation to the Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning HERE, or you may mail it to the address below: The Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning Foundation 207 Los Angeles Ave. #212 Moorpark, CA 93021 Best Regards, The Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning |
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Rotary Club of Ventura-East supports the Ventura Family YMCA Operation Ventura![]() President Jeff Hata presented Amy Bailey, Executive Director of the Ventura Family YMCA with a $6,000 donation to continue support of Operation Ventura. Operation Ventura started 10 years ago as a learn to swim program for homeless and financially disadvantaged youth. Over the years our partnership has continued and with this donation the Rotary Club of Ventura-East has donated $51,000 and will have touched over 2,200 children in our community. For the second year Ventura-East member Laura Shannon is contributing another $1,000 to the program!
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Viva La Comida Dinner![]() The Rotary Club of Camarillo hosted its annual Viva la Comida Dinner and Fiesta fundraiser Monday at the Camarillo Community Center. Guests were treated to a dinner of enchiladas that included rice, beans and salad, plus a salsa bar. There were 875 tickets bought in advance and more people purchased tickets at the door. All of the money raised goes toward scholarships and local charities, including the Boys & Girls Club. Check out the article in the Ventura County Star. |
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District 5240 Dodger Game Social Event & Fundraiser![]() Posted by District Club Service Chair, Mike Murphy On June 20, 2019, at Los Angeles Dodger Stadium, Rotary District 5240 will be holding its very first district-wide social event and fund raiser. On that date the Los Angeles Dodgers will be playing the San Francisco Giants. The Los Angeles Dodgers have offered us the opportunity to have our district social event at Dodger Stadium as follows:
If we end up having close to 200 attendees, the Dodgers will make available to us a special Fan Experience where we all may be invited to go onto the field for a special event created just for us. During the game, Rotary District 5240 will receive a special game board recognition no matter how many of us attend the event. Depending upon how many attend the baseball game, we may also be able to arrange to have buses take our club members to the game from a selected location. In order to secure the date of June 20, 2019 for the game and the number of seats we will require to hold this event, the District must pay a 20% advance deposit to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the number of seats to be purchased for this event. Therefore, we need the club presidents’ assistance in promptly answering and sending to me a survey that was recently provided to them by their Assistant Governors so that we can proceed with the planning for this event. Rotary District 5240 will also be holding concurrently a district wide charity fund raiser. We would like to request that each club in the district donate funds to help the victims of the Borderline shooting. The money collected from the clubs for this fund raiser will be deposited into the District 5240 Rotary Foundation. A check from the proceeds collected from the clubs will be issued to the charitable cause during District Governor Sandi’s step down lunch. We look forward to having a wonderful district baseball game event. It is also awesome that our clubs can work together to raise funds and have a major positive impact on the lives of the victims and families of the Borderline shooting. With best regards, Mike Murphy District 5240 Club Service Chair
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Rose Parade Float Decorating StorySERVICE 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. ![]() 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. ![]() 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. |
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Rotary Club of Paso Robles Sunrise Welcomes 5 New MembersPaso 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.
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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). |
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4-Way Test Essay Contest***DUE TO MANY REQUESTS, WE HAVE PUSHED BACK THE DEADLINE SUBMISSION TO APRIL 1ST.*** 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. |
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5 Things You Didn't Know About RotaractMY 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 |
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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 100th 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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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Disney Tickets for Non-Profits and SchoolsDisney Parks and Points of Light are celebrating family volunteerism by rewarding nonprofits and schools in the United States with Disney 1-Day Park Hopper tickets for hosting – or participating in – family volunteering activities.Eligible organizations create and register projects, track family volunteers, and complete projects to receive complimentary park tickets from Disney. Projects can benefit the organization directly, or support another community effort or need. The more volunteers participating in your project, the more tickets you earn – up to 20 tickets! Tickets may be used to reward volunteers, as a contest prize, for a fundraiser, or in other creative ways.
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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: |
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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.
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Council on Resolutions 2018 Vote![]() The Council on Resolutions meets online each year. Representatives from all of Rotary’s districts vote on resolutions that clubs, districts, the RI Board, and the General Council or Conference of RIBI have proposed. The RI Board of Directors will consider all resolutions that the Council adopts. Learn more about the Council on Resolutions. If you are a Council representative, sign in to vote. View the current resolution proposals: 2018 Council on Resolutions: 15-Oct to 15-Nov |
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Rotary Club of Montecito Gives $12,500 in Scholarships to Santa Barbara City College Students![]() In partnership with the SBCC Foundation, the Rotary Club of Montecito and its supporting foundation is pleased to announce a contribution to provide ten $1,250 scholarships to high performing Santa Barbara City College students. Montecito Rotary Club has long prioritized education as a key area of focus by providing financial support to ensure Santa Barbara’s local youth are able to maximize their potential. “For more than 25 years, the Rotary Club of Montecito has provided scholarships for students in the Vocational and Career Technical Studies at Santa Barbara City College; the total amount of support provided during this time exceeds $100,000,” said Rotary Club of Montecito Foundation Treasurer John Glanville. “This year the club funded ten scholarships for a total of $12,500. These scholarships cover a range of vocational endeavors including a variety of medical studies, automotive and marine diving technologies, cosmetology, journalism, computer systems, and theatre arts. The club membership believes in the mission of SBCC to educate and provide opportunity to students seeking worthwhile careers in a variety of career technical fields.” |
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Ventura Club Starts Free Eye Clinic![]() Chris Brashears of the Rotary Club of Ventura was looking for more to do one day and was thinking about helping people locally as opposed to internationally. He realized that his club sends money overseas when they have plenty of people in their own back yard that could use some help. In Chris' Rotary Club he has three eye retired doctors (optometrists) so it occurred to him that if the club could find a space, they could open up a clinic to provide free eye exams and glasses to those in need. Chris is on the Salvation Army Advisory Board of Directors and contacted to Lt. Fabio Simoes at the Salvation Army and asked him to help find a space. The Salvation Army found a space in their Oak Street, Ventura location. |
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Making a Difference: One Family, One House at a Time![]() Each year the Ventura Rotaract club partners with California based non-profit Corazon to travel to Mexico and build a home for a family in need. With over 50 volunteers, plus additional help from family members and neighbors of the family, the house is constructed on an already finished slab to a turnkey house in a single day! In the first half of the day, volunteers split up into groups focusing on different tasks. Rotaractors are encouraged to participate in jobs they may not have much experience or no experience in, from hammering walls together to painting large sheets of siding. Lunch is provided by the family, friends and neighbors and is always a welcome break from the hard work. |
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New Members for Paso RoblesThe Paso Robles Rotary is pleased to share that they inducted three (3) new members to their club on August 23rd:
They have two other potential members that are moving through the process as well and happy to see this movement, especially during membership month. Congrats Paso Robles! |
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Thousand Oaks Rotary Storybook ProjectThe Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks does something special for local inmates at Todd Road Jail that have children at home. For the last 5 years, members of the Thousand Oaks club select children books and take them to the facility. Once there, specially selected inmates are then allowed to record the story with their voice on CD and send it back home to their children. The role of the Rotarian is help guide them along with their book, should they need it, and remind them of the mentor in which they should be for their child.
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Shoes for Little Souls (Simi Sunset)Shoes for Little Souls, is a community service project, put on by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset in partnership with The Samaritan Center of Simi Valley and Kohl's Department Store in Simi Valley. The goal is to help homeless (or at risk) families get back-to-school clothes for their children; this project builds incredible confidence in these kids. Imagine when they show up on their first day of school. The community also comes together to support parents in difficult times. On Wednesday, July 18, 2018, we had our 16th annual shopping spree. One of the best organized in years!
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Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School Ribbon CuttingThe Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School in San Luis Obispo recently had their official opening. District Governor, Sandi Schwartz was there to participate in the ribbon cutting event! The school provides hands-on learning opportunities for students to study science and ecology in a natural setting. The school has been providing outdoor education to students for over 40 years and more than 250,000 school children have participated in the school’s residential, summer, and day programs. |
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Guatemalan Chapter of Carpenteria Morning![]() The Guatemalan Chapter of Carpenteria Morning runs a video conference every Friday Morning as their regular Rotary Meeting. By using computers and video chat, they are able to communicate with several clubs in the area. Common tasks such as ringing the bell, invocation, introducing guests, and guest speakers are all capable while utilizing this technology. Read more to see that notes on one particular meeting, the hope to be the INSPIRATION to all Rotarians. |
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San Luis Obispo Hawthorne School Reading Project![]() On February 26, 2018, members of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo had a great time volunteering atHawthorne ElementarySchool in San Luis Obispo for Read Across America. Members read stories to classes of students and donated over 400 books to the school, many of which focused on diversity and cultural education. The students made wonderful thank you cards for the readers. It was an immensely rewarding experience and the club is committed to continuing and expanding this effort in future years.
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San Luis Obispo School Scholarships![]() School’s out for the summer! San Luis Obispo Rotarians presented 14 well deserving local High School Graduates with scholarships to support their future academic endeavors. In total, $36,000 was awarded to local students. The goal of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo scholarship program is to help scholarship recipients focus less on financial challenges and more on advancing their learning. |
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K9 Rescue Team Honored for Debris Flow Efforts![]() Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue K9 MacGyver and his handler Rick Stein were honored with a Pup Harris Fellow (a.k.a. Paul Harris Fellow) recognition, Rotary’s highest honor. MacGyver and Stein work side by side to find lost people. MacGyver, a 5-year old Australian Shepherd, is specifically trained off-lead to find live, and if necessary, deceased human scent. Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue dogs are owned and trained by their handlers, who are volunteers and not paid for their work. They are on call 24/7 and can be deployed 365 days a year. |
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The District Governor's Message - June 2018
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Dolphin Dive Fundraiser |
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Thomas Fire Relief![]() The Rotary Club of Camarillo raised $10,000 for Thomas Fire Relief. Half was donated when they "passed the hat" at a meeting in January and those funds were matched by their Foundation. The check was given to the Downtown Ventura organization, the umbrella group that monitors funds directed to the Ventura Education Partnership for Thomas Fire victims. |
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Kern YES!![]() KernYES! Youth Empowerment Summit, a Rotary Clubs of Kern County collaborative was nominated and last week honored as a finalist for the KHSD PEAAK Award! What a GREAT program. They didn’t win, but they felt like they did. It's a huge honor to be nominated and then chosen as finalist for Best Community Event their inaugural year! Being recognized is validating and what’s important, is the positive impact they are creating with their youth in their community! |
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Interactors Unveil Peace PoleSimi Valley High School Interact Club members dedicated themselves this year to bringing peace to their campus. They unveiled a Peace Pole in the quad. A Peace Pole is a monument that says “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in several languages. This story is covered in detail in the Ventura County Star. |
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Georgia Brown Garden ProjectAfter being approached by Greg Ellis of the local non-profit "One Cool Earth," the Rotary Club of Paso Robles Sunrise decided it was time to donate some "Sweat Equity" back to our community. The focus of our first project was to be the rejuvenation of the student gardens at Georgia Brown Elementary School. After conducting a job walk with Greg, we signed up our volunteers and equipment needed and went to work. |
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First Annual Speech-Off Contest![]() The Rotary Club of Ventura-South held their First Annual Speech-Off contest finals on May 17, 2018 in the Tower Club in The Topa Financial Center, Oxnard, CA. Students from three high schools in the Ventura Unified School District participated in a series of qualifying speech events culminating with the winners going head to head in the finals on the evening of May 17, 2018. |
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Rotary Helps Restore Carpinteria Creek![]() The Rotary clubs of Carpinteria planted 94 trees in the flood damaged Carpinteria Creek. The project was funded by the Rotary clubs of Greater Los Angeles District 5280 and District Governor Cozette Vergari, who helped purchase the Sycamores, Toyons and Coast Live Oaks that were planted by the Rotary Clubs of Carpinteria, Carpinteria Morning and Carpinteria Sunset. Rotary club members from Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, El Segundo, San Bernardino, and Seattle were also on hand to help with the planting. Volunteers from the City of Carpinteria staff, Boy Scout Troop 50 members, Love Peace Harmony Foundation, Tree Musketeers Foundation, Dominos Pizza and Gran Vida also came out to help. |
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San Miguel Commemorative Grove![]() Established 2006 as a RI Centennial Celebration Project Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) Members and volunteers planted 100 trees to establish a natural setting that could be used as a commemorative park by Bakersfield and Kern County Citizens as a place to honor the memory of a special person or pay tribute to a special occasion. |
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Shoes For Little Souls![]() The Rotary Club of Simi Sunset partners with the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley and Kohl’s Department Stores to ensure that the children of families in need start their school year with confidence and enthusiasm. Prior to the start of the school year, Rotarians meet with the Director of the Samaritan Center who identifies families with school age children in need of back-to-school shoes and clothes. |
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Compostela English Teaching Project![]() The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo has enjoyed a long-standing, 20+ year, relationship with the Rotary Club of Compostela, Mexico and we have partnered on many projects in the Compostela community. During a recent project needs assessment with the Rotary Club of Compostela, we learned that the Compostela residents had a strong desire to learn English, but available language teaching resources were very slim.
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The District Governor's Message - May 2018 - Youth Service
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4 Way Test Essay Contest WinnersWe are delighted to announce the winners of the 2018 4-Way Test Essay Contest. High School First Place: Taylor Kaiser Nipomo High School Second Place: Berean Kopcho Coastal Christian Third Place: Akemi Karamisos Righetti High School Middle School First Place: Leo Loyola Mesa Middle School Second Place: Valerie Merson Cayucos Middle School Third Place: Mikayla Provence Branch Middle School Elementary School First Place: Kirra Provence Branch Elementary Second Place: Paige Siler Boys and Girls Club of Moorpark Third Place: Stuart Colletti
Del Mar Elementary |
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Peacebuilding Summit![]() Our Rotary International President, Ian Riseley has made promoting peace a priority this year. As you may know, he is convening a series of six global presidential peace conferences and a culminating event in Toronto, the Rotary Peacebuilding Summit. There is a preconvention event on Friday and Saturday, 22-23 June 2018, at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, the same location as our 2018 convention.
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A Book in Every Child's HandAll children enrolled in the Moorpark Unified School District's Preschool Program were visited by the Moorpark Rotary club in March and each child was given a book to take home. Over 235 books were ordered and distributed in an effort to promote early literacy and future success in school. Rotarians Janice Parvin, Teri Williams, Sonia Burbach, Linda Plaks, Bruce Thomas, Scott Mosher, and other club members spoke about the importance of learning to read while they handed out the books to the youngsters. Books were purchased with revenue from club fundraisers and from a District grant.
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Global Grant for the Conejo Free Dental Clinic![]() Global Grant GG 1746339, for $121,000, was set up to assist the Conejo free clinic to expand their services to include dental care to the needy families that live in Ventura County. The clinic has been serving Ventura County since 1976, with Dr. Frank Dawson, as Medical Director. Our grant supplied most of the equipment and supplies needed to open the clinic. The Thousand Oaks and Tijuana Rotary Clubs partnered to write and support the grant. The Rotary Clubs that were instrumental in raising funds were: Westlake Village, Moorpark Noon, Newbury Park, Simi Noon, Bakersfield Twilight, and Coronado Bilingual Rotary Clubs. Also, DDF Funds were contributed from Districts 5240, 4100, 4140, and 3291. The grant was authorized by Rotary International during the first week of July, 2017. By mid-August 2017, the funds were sent to the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club’s bank account. The funds were transferred to the Conejo Free Clinic and the equipment was purchased and installed by Henry Schein Dental Company by the first week of September, 2017. Matt Lallo, a member of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club, and his son Michael Lallo, were present during the week it took to install the equipment. All the equipment was checked in off the list by Rotarian Matt Lallo, Conejo Free Clinic Executive Director, Teresa Seeley, and Conejo Free Clinic Development Director, Susan Murphy, as it was being installed. During the installation the City of Thousand Oaks required a water supply backflow valve to be installed in the clinic. Frank Corrigan, a past Thousand Oaks Rotary President and owner of Accurate Backflow, assisted in this matter. |
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Youth at Great America Clean Up![]() In celebration of Earth Day, Rotaract Club of Bakersfield, Interact Club of Centennial High School(Twilight Rotary Club of Bakersfield) and Interact Club of Golden Valley High School(Bakersfield Breakfast RC) teamed up for Keep Bakersfield Beautiful’s Great American Clean-Up on Saturday, April 21st. |
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Ventura South Fireside ChatThe Rotary Club Ventura South held its’ April 17, 2018 Fireside event at the home of Club members John and Kendall Mattina. Club members and Board Members welcomed new club members, Katie Reich, Peter Barry, Carol Chapman and Peter Mac Clintock with time socializing followed by a catered dinner provided by Club President Bob Davis.
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Tree Planting at Rancho Grande Park![]() The City of Arroyo Grande is grateful for community groups and members that take an active role in the beautification of our community and enhance the condition and quality of our parks and open spaces. For more information on how to participate in the Adopt-a- Park Program, please contact Karen Beaudin, Volunteer and Program Coordinator at 473-5473, email at kbeaudin@arroyogrande.org, or visit online at http://arroyogrande.org/606/Volunteer-Program. ![]() ![]() |
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Accomplishments of an Interacter![]() Tori Wilson has been involved in Rotary and Interact for 13 years now (she’s 17), and The Acorn and LeadYoung published two stories on her involvement this year. (See links below) |
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Volunteering in Guatemala![]() For the past 5 years, the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara has been sending a team of 6 to 16 people each year, to the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala to volunteer with NGO, Mayan Families (www.mayanfamilies.org). This year’s team just returned from a very successful trip to help the indigenous Mayan population. |
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Tanzania Water Project![]() St. Joseph’s Hospital is in Northern Tanzania and close to Lake Victoria and the Serengeti Preserve. The hospital runs out of water in the dry season and therefore needs to close for over four months each year. The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo joined the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe to complete a water storage project to keep the hospital open year around. |
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The District Governor's Message - April 2018![]() Rotary Monthly Theme for April: Maternal and Child Health As I travel the district, and I have now visited all 72 Rotary Clubs in our district, I’m impressed by each club’s dedication to our youth. We have been working to eradicate Polio for about 30 years on a stage when 350,000 children a year in 1988 were being crippled or dying from Polio. Now it is but a handful. And yet our work is not yet done. So please continue to contribute funds to the Polio Plus. Consider this look back at our work to date: Historic Moments: PolioPlus turns 30. We all greatly value our children, and for some, our grandchildren. It makes us proud as we relish the next generation. We work to Rotary's members improve access to essential medical services for mothers and their children. These efforts are aimed at reducing the number of children under age five who die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation – a figure that is currently estimated at 7 million. According to another estimate, more than 80 percent of maternal deaths can be prevented with access to reproductive health services and trained health care workers. Our members provide education, immunizations, birthing kits, and mobile health clinics to support these causes. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease. Here are some helpful Links: Join Rotary and help save mothers and children. Website link: https://mytrn.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/about-rotary/maternal-and-child-health I encourage your club to invite organizations that support Maternal and Child Health to present programs at your meetings. RYLA
Emerging Leader Summit A new event has been in the work for almost 3 years will take place on Saturday June 2nd at Santa Barbara City College. It is an exciting program that promises to share ideas on attracting and retaining emerging leaders (Young Professionals). This program will ask each Rotary and Rotaract Club to send two club members, either the Club President Elect or Club President Nominee and a member 45 or younger. Details and a flyer will be forth coming shortly. Awards and District Governor Transitions An annual event will take place on Saturday June 16th for lunch at the Marriott in Buellton (a.k.a. Santa Ynez Valley). It promises to celebrate the rich traditions of our amazing clubs. I ask that each club collect its accomplishments supporting our communities and submit them to the link that has been already been sent. I want to personally thank all 3,327 members fo your steadfast work as Rotarians, and in my case support for me as your humbled District Governor. I love and respect each one of you! Please come and join us on that special day. Foundation Fiesta (Gala) Each year, we celebrate our Rotary Foundation. This year we have scheduled this event on Friday May 4th. It will feature a Mexican buffet, music, and a Polio story of inspiration worthy of the price of admission, travel, and your time. We will honor Major Donors and those that have contributed to the Rotary Foundation, a foundation through which we do good in our own communities and the world. There will be a special award you surely won't want to miss, but you’ll just have to attend to witness it! Following is a flyer on this special event. You can register here: Foundation Fiesta Gala. Please come. Rotaract Club of California Lutheran University This past month the Rotary Clubs of Westlake Village were on hand as supporters and sponsors of the Rotaract Club of California Lutheran University. On hand were Club President Michael McGlashen and Lee Ginsburg, and Past District Governor Nick Frankle and many others. It was the second of two new Rotaract Clubs; these are exciting times. I ask you to visit your local Rotaract Clubs and invite them to attend your club. Joint projects and participation are vital to our success and organizational future. Rotaract clubs do in themselves plan and organize great projects of which we can all be proud. 10,000 Wheel Chairs The small but mighty Rotary Club of Conejo Valley has given out 10,000 wheel chairs and making a difference. It is but one of the many, many great projects our clubs make happen! As your District Governor, Rotarian, and citizen, I’m proud of you and proud to say I am a Rotarian. That can also be said of the clubs I visited in March - Oxnard Sunrise, Bakersfield, and the other 69 Rotary Clubs earlier this Rotary Year. Local Chamber of Commerce Mixers I recently visited the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and found several attendees interested in Rotary. They had heard of Rotary, but admitted they knew little about our great organization. Four of those are interested in community service an expressed interest in visiting a local Rotary Club. Last Tuesday one of the four visited the San Luis Obispo Daybreak Club. It happened to be the day they hand out grants to local non-profits. Each non-profit had a representative speak for a few minutes about their community connections. Community Giving San Luis Obispo Daybreak Congratulations to the recipients of SLO Daybreak Rotary's 2017-18 Community Grant Awards, including First Tee of the Central Coast, Central Coast Autism Spectrum Center, French Hospital/Hearst Cancer Resource Center, HomeShare of SLO, Literacy for Life, YMCA, Restorative Partners, Pregnancy & Parenting Support of SLO, New Life K-9's and SLO Noor Foundation. We are pleased and proud to help further your important work in our community! These types of community contributions and grants are what make Rotary so special! District 5240 Donation for Hurricane Harvey Relief I recently received the following report from Houston Rotarian Richard Willingham on the donation our district made to the Hurricane Harvey relief effort: "The monies provided by District 5240 are being distributed to two families to rebuild. The 501c3 overseeing the process is Avenue Community Development Corp. As best I can tell this is a very well run agency working closely with local city, governmental, and other charitable organizations to see that monies are properly distributed and utilized. Ventura Children's Shopping Spree
I welcome invitations to your club projects and events. Just send me an e-mail at johnweissdg1718@gmail.com. Thanks! Health Check-up If your mom says get a physical, I suggest you listen. Listen to your body, family, and doctors. My original treatment, as you may remember, was two major surgeries plus many other medical calls and visits. My current treatment includes daily chemo tablets plus regular testing and doctor visits. By the way I’m up from 147 lbs to 195 lbs. While I itch and am fatigued at times, each of you is my inspiration. All said, I’m doing well and grateful for so much Rotary family love! Celebrate Rotary, friends, service, and health! All our best, Christine and DG John Weiss Rotary Club of Morro Bay |
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RC Morro Bay Sunset Seeks Project Funding![]() |
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Westlake Village Rotary Club Project in Local NewspaperMeals on Wheels is an organization that helps deliver hot and cold food to people in need. One of our very own clubs (Rotary Club of Westlake Village) has been supporting Meals on Wheels for over 15 years and the local newspaper took notice. The article entails an account of just one members routine for their recent service. Please see the link to the article below: And congrats to the Rotary Club of Westlake Village for outstanding service!
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Johnna's Annual High Tea Party![]() Please join the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset and support Johnna’s Annual High Tea Party Sunday, May 6th, 2018 1PM – 4PM at the Strathearn Historical Park, Simi Valley This is Simi Valley’s premier Tea Party with scones, traditional tea foods, Mimosas, desserts, entertainment and more. This annual event raises money to support local cancer patients and their families and the Marcelle Erian Cancer Foundation. It all takes place with elegantly decorated tables beautifully arranged in the antique barn at the Strathearn Historical Park! If you missed it last year, sign up early so you don’t miss out! Seating is limited to 190 Guests. Sponsorship Opportunities available! New this year... London Vacation Raffle!!! For more info, visit: www.JohnnasTeaParty.com ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Trees for the Ventura Land Trust![]() The Rotary Club of Ventura-East and The Rotary Club of Ventura South, as well as Ventura Rotaract and our friends and families were very adventurous on Saturday, March 10. We planted trees for The Ventura Land Trust after they lost nearly a thousand trees in the Thomas Fire around the Big Rock area and the Ventura River. |
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The Ultra-Poverty Summit![]() |
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2018 Peace Fellowship Application Now OnlineThe 2018 Peace Fellowship application is online at the rotary.org website. If you know of an interested and qualified candidate, have them meet with your club president and contact the District Foundation Peace Chair, Mike Weaver (amweaver@pacbell.net). All candidates must receive an endorsement from the District before their application can be submitted to The Rotary Foundation. Applications must be submitted online by 31 May. ![]() Each candidate will be interviewed by a district panel and the district must complete the online endorsement decision form and submit it to The Rotary Foundation by 1 July. The Rotary Peace Centers selection committee will review qualified applications, select fellowship finalists and alternates, and notify all candidates and their districts of the selection results in November. See this link for more information: 7-steps for submitting an outstanding peace fellowship application ![]() |
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The District Governor's Message - March 2018![]() March is Water and Sanitation Month on the Rotary calendar. How often do you think about the clean water that comes out of the tap of almost every room in your home? In our district, we are fortunate to have refreshing clean water to drink, cook, and cleanse. Such is not the case in much of the world. The UN has designated March 22nd as the day to bring attention to the importance of clean water, sanitation and hygiene. The UN theme this year is "The Answer is in Nature", encouraging nature-based solutions to the current water challenges. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 is that by 2030 everyone has access to safe water. This target includes protecting natural environments and reducing pollution. For project ideas go to http://www.worldwaterday.org/ and CELEBRATE a safe clean glass of water! Club Visits Only two Rotary club visits to go: Oxnard Sunrise (March 1st) and Conejo Valley (March 13th) and three Rotaract club visits (Conejo Valley – TBD, Cal Lutheran – March 20th, and Bakersfield – TBD). In all 74 club visits done and 5 to go! You are all amazing! And so are your clubs! Amazing, dedicated, and kind members of our communities! Christine and I continue to be impressed by your hospitality when we visit and the club projects you share. Recent club visits remind us that our district has faced disasters and that our members are resilient. CELEBRATE friends in Rotary and Service projects united in doing good in our communities! My club visit to RC Goleta Evening was inspiring as it is the only club in our district to have 6 years of positive net membership growth. And no wonder, the club while fun, works hard to invite community members to its projects. Just ask Stacy Alvarez (and they inducted a new member --- of course)! CELEBRATE Community Service with more club members! Clockwise from top right: with RC Ojai West President Mike Caldwell at Centennial Park, RC Ojai West new member ceremony, Proud mom DGE Sandi Schwartz presenting PHF at RC Bakersfield East, Camarillo-Oxnard social, Charter Night at RC Bakersfield Breakfast, RC Goleta new PHS member, and RC Goleta new member Rotaract News! On March 1st, a Rotaract Club will charter at Cal Lutheran University with local Rotary support including the Westlake Village Clubs. This will mark the second Rotaract Club chartered this year (the other is Santa Maria Valley). With 7 active Rotaract Clubs (Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Conejo Valley), I am grateful for their community work Making a Difference! Several Rotaract Club Presidents made it to PETS (President Elect Training Seminars). March marks 50 years of Rotaract Clubs with a total of 10,859 Rotaract Clubs and 249,757 Rotaractors are Making a Difference. Check out the informative articles on Rotaractors, their stellar members, amazing projects, and the opportunity to partner projects and develop Rotarians! It is a great read. CELEBRATE Rotaract and the good it continues to do for 50 years! Youth Service in February This past month of February, there were two very successful Youth Service events: KERN YES! And an Interact District Conference (IDC). Much thanks goes to the Event Organizers and the 75 attendees (Interactors, parents, Rotaractors, and Rotarians) of the IDC which featured ten teams of Interactors learning to plan a project and also a presentation by Opal Singleton who educated attendees on the challenges and dangers of Human Trafficking. CELEBRATE our youth! Tree Planting Tree planting events are being planned in keeping with our effort this year for each club to plant a tree for each member. Some clubs have already done so and some are in the planning stage. In that regard, PDG (Past District Governor) Wade Nomura is reaching out to club leaders to provide assistance for plant selection, planting information, and whole sale discounts. Additional information will be forthcoming shortly. CELEBRATE fresh air and oxygen from planting a tree! Upcoming District Events March 10th District Training for Club Board members in Oxnard March 10th Ventura Tree Planting March 24th District Training for Club Board members in Bakersfield April 19th-22nd RYLA Youth Leadership Camp May 4th Foundation Fiesta – Santa Maria – Amazing Polio story and Iron Lung. June 2nd Emerging Leaders Symposium - Santa Barbara City College, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - This is a NEW DATE for this event intended for PEs and PENs. June 16th Club Awards Luncheon and District Governor transition – Santa Ynez Marriott (Buellton) Check your emails and the District Website for additional information on these and many other activities ![]() Sincerely, District Governor John Weiss and Christine |
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District 5240 Rotarians Visit ColumbiaChas Wilson, RC of Simi Sunrise, recently traveled to Colombia along with a group of Rotarians from District 5240. The purpose of the trip was threefold:
The peace literacy grant partners are: MENCOLDES (a Colombian Mennonite community) and Mediators Beyond Borders (based in Montreal, Canada). The MBB team will train and assist the local partners to hold a series of 15 workshops for women to promote human rights and provide conflict resolution tools. These women have been displaced by armed conflict and experienced nothing but war for most of their lifetime. They will learn how to live in a conflict-free environment. Another series of 15 workshops will target youngsters with the same goals in mind. The group was led by Conejo Valley Rotarian Diego Velasquez and included Rotarians Elisa Ballestas (RC Conejo Valley), Cindy Belmonte, Joe Grossman and Marin Kakacher (RC of Simi Sunset) and Frank Tripicchio.
The Rotarian hosts were gracious. The food was delicious and plentiful. Diego was a terrific team leader. Don't miss out on future opportunities to travel around the world and to observe firsthand the work that Rotary does in our world. |
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Diary of a Polio NID Trip![]() Day 1- January 25th: Eighteen team members gather in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, India, to participate in the first National Immunization Day of 2018 (there will be another in March). We represent eleven different Rotary Clubs - 6 from District 5240, one each from California Districts 5150, 5230, one from Colorado D5450, one from Canadian District 5080, and one from Ohio District 6630. One of our troup is a friend of Rotary, but not yet a member ![]() Day 2 -January 26th: We divide into teams and head out the cities where we will be actively involved in the NID activities. We ![]() ![]() Day 3 - January 27th: In our various locales we spend the day attending the local Polio Parades to encourage participation in the innoculation program and later visiting local Rotary projects. It is inspiring to see the projects, and also food for thought about possible future grant collaborations between our respective clubs. ![]() ![]() Day 4 - January 28th: We spend the day visiting the NID Booths in various parts of the cities. Each booth visit is a festive affair filled with balloons, colorful visors and flags. It is our first opportunity to administer the 2-drops of oral polio vaccine and to paint the pinkies purple of those innocculated, but our main mission is to let the staff and volunteers at these booths know how much their work is appreciated. We are here for one day. They have been working diligently for years. It has taken a huge and sustained effort to get to the point where there have been no new cases of polio reported in India since 2011. The day is filled with smiles and high-fives and Vs for victory and ThisClose hand signs. The children are enchanting. ![]() ![]() Day 6 - January 30: This is a travel day for most teams as we all reassemble in Agra. For the team from Bareilly it is a long day as a general strike closes some of the roads and requires them to detour. This evening we attend a three-club Rotary meeting where we are garlanded and feted as honored guests. We have a blast! ![]() Day 7 - January 31: We are up and out of the hotel by 6 a.m. for a group trip to visit the Taj Mahal. It is a pleasant respite for us. Though the fog has been rather thick in the morning for the past few days, we catch a break and it lifts soon after we arrive at the monument. It is as beautiful as we had hoped, and by our early arrival we have missed the crowds. We return to our hotel to check out, eat lunch, and then get back on the bus for a trip to Fatehpur Sikri, capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585, as red as the Taj Mahal is white. Then we are back on the bus for our return trip to Delhi. Along the way we stop to see the triple moon - blue moon, super moon, blood moon - a rare and beautiful experience. The half moon in India appeared horizontal, that is lit from the bottom not the side, a Chesire cat smile in the sky. ![]() Day 8 - February 1: We visit St. Stephen’s Hospital, where polio corrective surgeries are performed and are inspired by the work ![]() Day 9 - February 2: We are each off on our own after a remarkable and extremely rewarding experience. Armed with what we have seen and heard, we will be making presentations to our clubs and generally spreading the word of the remarkable work that has been and is being done. To learn more about the on-the-ground local effort involved in the NID, please see the February issue of the D5240 Rotary Foundation Newsletter, and keep current on the numbers by reading the newsletter every month to see just how close we are to the goal of wiping polio off the face of the earth. And please, please, please give generously to Polio Plus! |
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Schmooze Cruise - District 5240 Reception at RI ConventionFor those of you going or are thinking of going to the Rotary International Convention in June, there will be a joint cruise/reception between District 5240 and our neighboring District 5280 (Los Angeles). Go Schmooze, eh! If you have not signed up for the convention yet, there is still time. Register for the Rotary International Convention: http://www.riconvention.org. Register for the Schmooze Cruise: http://bit.ly/RotaryTorontoCruise. |
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Sponsor a Tree at Camp Whittier![]() Rotary International President Ian Riseley has challenged every Rotary club to make a difference by planting a tree for each of its members between the start of the Rotary year July 1, 2017 and Earth Day on April 22, 2018. |
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Cioppino Feed |
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Economic Forecast Program at Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks![]() As part of its Vocational Service contribution to the community, the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks has been providing the Economic Outlook Forecast for the past 20 years. Chair of the committee, Pat McCoy, has been a significant factor in keeping the program going, and Cal Lutheran University has been a significant contributor, both in terms of venue and in terms of critically important speakers.
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Rotary Club of Lompoc to Hold 32nd Annual Wine Tasting and Auction![]() On Sunday, February 25th, the Rotary Club of Lompoc will host its 32nd Annual Wine Tasting and Auction. This hallmark event will feature fine wines from the Santa Rita Hills AVA, beers from local craft brewers and fare from some of Lompoc’s finest food establishments.
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Luau Party & Auction![]() |
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Camp Whittier Receives $20,000 from Sunrise Rotary![]() The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Charitable Foundation presented a check for $20,000 to Camp Whittier, operated by the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County. |
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A Message From District Governor, John Weiss![]() Peace & Conflict Prevention/Resolution February is a special month for CELEBRATIONS. I have a birthday tomorrow, but more importantly it is a month we CELEBRATE and think about Peace and being more Peaceable. We reflect on resolving conflict. Think about the following: FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. Borrowed from the 4th Object of Rotary which I have discussed 65 times thus far at club visits (only 13 more club visits to go)! Think about it. Have you considered moving your club closer to peace by becoming a Peacebuilder Club. Information can be found on the district website Peace Page. Rotarians to plant 1.2 million trees! One cool project that Rotary International President Ian Riseley has requested is for every club to organize and plant a tree for every member in each club, preferably by Arbor Day. How does it relate to peace? Long before I became a Rotarian I have always admired and felt more relaxed when surrounded by trees. Weather in a tree studded neighborhood or in a state or national park, trees are a good thing (they also provide oxygen for us to breathe). Obviously, there are many ways to promote peace and conflict resolution. Does a tree stop a war? Probably not. Consider the following… District Tree Planting Request In that regard, I will be asking each Club President to help with this request by appointing a member or committee in each club to coordinate a tree planting with its members, adjacent clubs, Interact, and Rotaract Clubs at a location of each club’s choosing. Ventura Tree Planting One tree planting opportunity already in place is being organized in Ventura on March 10th at 1PM in the afternoon following the District Training Assembly. This is just one opportunity for Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors to plant trees. If you are interested, details will be shared in early February with your Club President. Montecito Mudslides Back on Tuesday January 9th we all witnessed the devastation of heavy rains on grounds that had suffered extreme fire. It happened to be the scheduled day for me to visit the Rotary Club of Montecito. My club visit has been delayed until February 20th. 21 lives were lost including a charter member from Goleta John McManigal and several lost their homes to the mudslides including Past District Governor Rich Abbott and his wife Sherry. While our hearts are hurting from the Thomas Fire devastation and the subsequent mudslides, I believe that our best days are just in front of us. Does the planting of a tree make a difference? Perhaps, but how much more if Rotarians come together to do a good thing like planting lots of trees! Yes, it promotes peace in so many ways! New Interact Club chartered at New Tech in Nipomo ![]() Details on many district events will be forthcoming: February 10th -- YES (Youth Empowerment Summit) in Taft February 24th -- Interact District Conference at Oxnard’s Pacific High School March 10th -- District Training Assemblies (Oxnard) March 24th -- District Training Assemblies (Bakersfield) May 4th -- District Foundation Fiesta (Gala) Santa Maria – super Key note speaker will share his perspective as a son with a mother stricken with Polio living in an Iron Lung. Please plan to attend, you’ll be glad you did. May 19th -- Emerging Leader Symposium – San Luis Obispo TBD June 16th -- District Awards and District Governor celebrations Luncheon – TBD ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() District Governor Club Visits and Invitation to attend your clubs, projects, and events Christine and I have now completed 65 Club Visits and are truly amazed at the Rotarians and projects of each club (only 13 Club visits to go!)! Now that the completion of my club visits are in sight and I’m feeling pretty good, I welcome invites to your club’s meetings and events. Celebrate Rotary: your friends, SERVICE, and HEALTH! We love each one of you and are so honored to serve with you! Sincerely, District Governor John Weiss and Christine |
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Rotary House RetreatRotary House Retreat is a six-day intensive outpatient retreat that provides First Responders the opportunity to learn and practice new coping skills while improving personal and professional relationships. RHR uses prevention and early-intervention models to address issues such as substance abuse, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, sleep disturbances, and other stress- and trauma-related symptoms. The goal of Rotary House Retreat is to enable First Responders to restore and resume his/her work in a highly productive manner and avoid negative outcomes such as family dissolution, chemical dependence, or suicide. |
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Interact District Conference |
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Master PRLS Weekends |
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Foundation Fiesta on May 4th, 2018 |
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Ventura Rotaract's International Project: Mexico BuildBefore the sun rose on November 4th, fifty Rotaractors, Rotarians, and Interactors piled into a bus in a parking lot in San Diego. Their destination: Tijuana. Their mission: to build an entire house in one day for a deserving family.
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Rotary Creates Magic![]() |
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Reflecting on 2017 as 2018 Begins![]() January in the Rotary world is the month of Vocational Service, click here to link to the MyRotary page which contains The Object of Rotary, The 4-Way Test, and the Avenues of Service. Vocational Service is the second Avenue of Service. May I suggest offsite club meetings at businesses of a few of your members or a vocational school program. Or to foster Vocational Service and Membership, may I suggest inviting non-Rotarian business leaders to talk about their businesses for two minutes. They are often good candidates for your club! Goodbye to 2017 December marked the end of our calendar year and the mid-way point of our Rotary year. As we head into the New Year, it is worth noting that we are finishing the year up 27 net new members which is a positive trend. December is traditionally a month of family reflection, and hope and, looking back, you can’t help but appreciate the time of year when many clubs ring the bell to help local families, enjoy festive music, and perhaps a light show in the neighborhood. Foremost in our minds this year is the pain and suffering of so many because of the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and recent relief that the fires have subsided. Rotarians and our communities have suffered great losses. Our hearts go out to each of you who lost your home and all of its treasures. Fortunately, loss of life was minimized and the spirit of so many was inspiring in the midst of such adversity. I’m grateful that so many Rotarians answered the call within hours to share their homes with others displaced by the fires. Thousands of dollars have been raised by individual contributions and the generosity of our district’s clubs! It’s not too late to give! Recently I spoke to a good friend who celebrates all the acts of giving, kindness, and holiday spirit. It occurred to me how cool it is when we think of others. And is that not what Rotary is all about? Christine and I have visited 50 (48 Rotary and 2 Rotaract) Clubs. The cool projects of our clubs are inspiring. If you have not already, I encourage you to visit other Rotary clubs for ideas, opportunities for joint service, and to develop friendships. Hopefully your clubs are thinking about and compiling this information for our annual awards which is June 16th this year. Recently, I met in Pasadena with my District Governor classmates and the President of Rotary International Ian Riseley and his wife Juliete and our partners for lunch to discuss our service projects, club visits and the planting of trees. RI President Ian shared that Romania is providing 1.2 million trees and Rotarians in Romania will be planting them. Of course, the world-wide challenge is to plant 1.2 millions trees. With the recent fires that have devastated camps for our youth, tree planting is a part of these projects. If your club has not yet planted a tree for each member, an opportunity will be forthcoming --- details to follow.
Save the Dates Mark your calendars for these events in 2018. Details to follow: Feb. 24th Interact District Conference in Oxnard Pacifica High School. May 4th Our Foundation Fiesta (right before Cinco De Mayo) in Santa Maria.
Best wishes for a Happy 2018! As with my own health, I’m convinced that in spite of what challenges we face, our best days are still ahead!
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Your Last Chance to Qualify Your ClubThe 2018-2019 Club Grants Qualification Webinar will take place on January 9th from 6 to 7 p.m. PST. This is your last chance to get your club qualified to submit grants for the 2018-19 Rotary year. In order to be qualified, attendance is required by two Rotarians from each club. One of the attendees must be the President Elect (President in Rotary year 2018-19).
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6339374315051240451
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Results From Council on Resolutions 2017 VoteThe Council on Resolutions meets online each year. Representatives from all of Rotary’s districts vote on resolutions that clubs, districts, the RI Board, and the General Council or Conference of RIBI have proposed. The RI Board of Directors will then consider all resolutions that the Council adopts. What are resolutions? A resolution is a request to the RI Board or The Rotary Foundation Trustees to take an action that is outside the purview of the constitutional documents. Ideally, a resolution should affect the Rotary world, rather than address local or administrative issues. Who votes on the resolutions? Representatives from all Rotary districts vote on resolutions proposed by clubs, districts, the RI Board, and the general council or conference of RIBI. Representatives are chosen for three-year terms. The 2017-20 Council representatives will vote in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 COR The 2017 vote took place from 15 October to 15 November. Results have been published and any Rotarian can now view the resolutions and the results of the vote. If you are interested in the results from Council on Resolutions, please visit the following link: https://my.rotary.org/en/cor/vote |
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Take a Virtual Trip to Sri Lanka with Hans and Helena DahlinRC Goleta Noontime International Service Co-Chairs PP Hans and Helena Dahlin share their experiences on their trip to Sri Lanka in July of this year in a video newly posted to YouTube. Acting as the sponsor club, Goleta Noontime has partnered with RC Colombo East on a Global Grant that funds early childhood learning in rural Sri Lanka. |
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Mid-Terms RegistrationRegistration is now open for the District 5240 Mid-term Training Seminars. Mid-terms are specifically for Club Presidents, PEs and PENs to continue your important training for each club leadership position. There will be two offerings:
You only need to attend one of the seminars, and your team does not have to attend the same one together. Check-in and continental breakfast will be from 8:30am to 9:00am. The training will begin promptly at 9:00am with a plenary session for all attendees. You will then break out into separate training sessions for Presidents, PEs and PENs. The agenda, maps, and parking directions will be emailed to attendees prior to the training. The cost of the training (including continental breakfast and parking) is $20 and the cost should be covered by your clubs. The links to register are below. Each person must complete a separate registration; however, your club may send one check for all their attendees (please indicate who the check is paying for). Or you may pay by credit card and get reimbursed from your club. |
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With Gratitude and Joy![]()
As we conclude November and our first 5 months of this year, there is so much that I am grateful for: my family, my faith, my friends, and all of you: 3,314 fellow Rotarians in our great district! I’m thankful for my circumstances, my home club, my business and staff, my doctors and health care providers, my district staffers that make me look good! How about you?! What are you thankful for? Disease Prevention and Treatment Month
Interact District Conference is Saturday February 24th, 2018 in Oxnard. Your district committee is hard working to make this 3rd Annual event special. We will offer an Interact version of PRLS (Practical Relevant Leadership Skills) with an introduction to Rotary. Interactive leadership skills. A special on child or human trafficking will be offered for students and parents. We hope that every Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary club will be involved at some level. Membership The other day I was considering the 55 new members I’ve recruited over the past 15 years. The first step is to love Rotary and be willing to talk about your passion with anyone you feel might make a good Rotarian. Some refer to an elevator speech. I refer to a conversational introduction. A smile goes a long way. Ask what they think of community work, helping others, volunteering time, donating time and fundraising. Ask if they get on the internet. Direct them to rotary.org, your club website, or club Facebook. Have fun with it. Role-play. Please feel free to talk with your club’s Membership Chair… The new Council of Legislation of 2016 gives your club the flexibility to consider Corporate and family Memberships. Now you can have 2 to 3 members from a single company or organization. Now couples can be recruited together. It makes for more volunteers, more community event sponsors, and membership retention.
You can view the video of meeting on YouTube by clicking here
Christine and I have been so inspired by your warm welcomes, sharing of club projects, and sending of greetings and cards! All our best, John and Christine ![]() |
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Kern YES! - February 10, 2018KernYes!, a Youth Empowerment Summit will be held February 10, 2018, at the the Historic Fort Taft. One hundred-twenty Kern County high school students from 30 schools will be attending. This multi-club collaborative is still in need of financial support. If your club is looking for a worthy Youth Service project to contribute to, look no further. Contact Li Gibbs at rotarykernyes@gmail.com. ![]() ![]() |
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Message From Wade Nomura -- Council on ResolutionsI have been selected to to represent our district on the Rotary International Council on Resolution and Council on Legislation. This is a three year appointment. One major change from the last time, is the formation of the Council on Legislation. Previously, these were both included in the three year process, and both Resolutions and Enactments were covered during the COL week. Resolutions are now being handled on an annual basis to save time and money, as this should reduce the Council to 3 days instead of 5. These Resolutions are basically recommendations from the Council on Resolutions to the RI Board of Directors to consider these for adoption. As your delegate for our district, I wanted to share some of the resolutions I will be voting on. Please feel free to email me any comments you have on these proposed resolutions. Thanks, Wade Nomura Wade Nomura Council on Legislation Delegate 2011-2012 District Governor email: wadeDG1112@verizon.net cell: (805)448-9912 |
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2020-2021 District 5240 District Governor Announcement![]() On Saturday 28th, 2017, interviews were held for the position of District Governor for 2020-2021. In accord with our District and Rotary Bylaws, we are pleased to formally announce that the Nominating Committee selected Deborah Linden from the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo. |
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Much to Be Thankful for in November![]() November Foundation Month November is the month we give pause and reflect on our Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation allows us to collectively do good in our world. It means that your club can raise $20,000 and end up with a project of over $50,000. Our district has a history of extraordinary giving to the Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects representing millions of SMILES! Additional information and cool stories can be found each month in “Changing Lives”, our district monthly newsletter featuring the Foundation giving and stories of clubs in our district. With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world. So SMILE as you write that check or swipe your credit card. For ease consider the Rotary giving form 123EN attached below and accessible online here: https://www.rotary.org/en/donate. Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation? Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting Rotary service projects around the world. How does The Rotary Foundation use donations? Our 35,500 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies. What impact can one donation have? It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2. Which is to say that each dose with the match is about 20 cents. District Conference 2017 My sincere thanks to our hard working committee, the communities in and near Ventura, to our sponsors, our sister districts from South Korea and Mexico, and to the 300+ Rotarians that were in attendance. I heard so many heart-felt thanks and positive comments. We featured our youth, local talent, Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Exchange and so much more. Now we look forward to our next one in Bakersfield in October 2018! 40 visits and only 39 visits to go! Christine and I are having a great time as we visit the amazing clubs in our district! At each club my goal is to listen to your members share the amazing projects your clubs performs. Some projects are simple like selling tickets for a worthy non-profit with a small number of members to an annual auction dinner requiring all hands on deck to help. Either-way it should be FUN and an opportunity to get to know your club members while we Make a Difference or Celebrate Rotary. Thinking about “Making a Difference”, how is your club doing on planting a tree for every club member (or more)? I had the opportunity to plant a tree with the Rotary Club of Nipomo. My driver was none other than the Club of Templeton Kathleen. Celebrate your Friends, Service Projects while having FUN and Celebrating your Health! I will be taking my second (and hopefully final) break of this year with a needed surgery. Thank you for all of your thoughts and super support. You all are my inspiration along with my wonderful wife Christine, district governor classmates, co-workers, and friends! Interact District Conference - Mark your calendars : February 24th, 2018 (venue TBD) Our Youth Service team lead by Darin Arrasmith (Thousand Oaks) and Greg Gillette (San Luis Obispo) are busy working to inspire and develop leadership skills and vital topics are working hard to make this a great event. Parents of all Interact students will be invited and encouraged to attend. Look for further announcements soon. |
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Global Grant for funding Early Childhood Education in Sri LankaAyubowan! - ආයුබෝවන් (hello in Sinhala) Vanakkam! - வணக்கம் (hello in Tamil)
In 2016-17, eleven clubs in district 5240 helped fund a project ($50,750) that supported early childhood education by improving preschool teacher's training in rural Sri Lanka. This was the 2nd Global Grant that the Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime has completed and the grant is now helping 450 preschool teachers (who are currently in training) to get their diploma. Since the project beginning in 2012, D-5240 together with three other districts has now reached these total numbers:
Our club believes that this is a project worthy of our support, as it focuses on educating children in hard to reach rural areas so that they have opportunities similar to those available to children in cities as they grow. Also, the project already has local Rotary partners (PDG Dharshan John, Colombo East) that are prepared to work with us all to ensure the ongoing success of the project year after year. We have just come back from our 2nd trip to Sri Lanka. |
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Introducing D5240’s Rotaractor Kaitlyn Alderete to the worldThis year as District 5240 is one of the seven Southern California and Arizona Rotary Districts that are sustaining supporters of the Rotary Rose Parade Float, District Governor John Weiss was given the opportunity to select one parade participant. He selected Kaitlyn Alderete the President of the Rotaract Club of Conejo Valley to represent District 5240 as Rotary’s Future Image to eighty-three million people worldwide in Tournament of Rose Parade on January 1st 2018.
Born in 1991, Kaitlyn and her brother were raised by their parents in Thousand Oaks, California. She graduated from California State University of Sacramento in 2013 where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree and met her now husband, Bret. After graduation the couple moved back to Thousand Oaks to be closer to their families and start their life. Kaitlyn and Bret wed in July 2016. They purchased their first home in Moorpark, California, later that same year in December. Kaitlyn works for a life insurance brokerage as an account executive. Kaitlyn attributes her success to the unwavering support from her husband and family. She truly believes that life has been exceptionally good to her and doing good for others and her community is just a small way for her to give back. The Rotary Rose Parade Float is made possible by the generous support of Rotarians and the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, the longest continuous running public image campaign for Rotary with 39 years of experience. With the Committee’s help Kaitlyn will be D5240’s poster person promoting the hands on approach Rotaractors bring to the Rotary experience during interviews and social events. |
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Recognition/Contribution Form 123-EN![]() ![]() |
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RC Conejo Valley Annual Thanksgiving Meals Project 2017The Rotary Club of Conejo Valley Presents... ![]() ![]() The Annual Thanksgiving Meals Project 2017! Helping feed the hungry families of Ventura County for over a decade! Teamed up with the local Rotary Clubs our goal is donate 400 meals! Each meal can feed up to 12 people! ![]() SHOW GRATITUDE BY DONATING ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WANT TO DONATE BY CHECK? All tax deductible donations are payable to “Conejo Valley Foundation” and are to be mailed to: Conejo Valley Foundation PO Box 1345 Thousand Oaks, CA 91358 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHOW GRATITUDE BY PARTICIPATING ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If interested in participating with the deliveries on Thanksgiving morning 11/23, these are the 2 Ralph’s locations: Oxnard Ralphs – 3443 Saviers Road, Oxnard CA 93033 – Phone (805) 487-4905 Thousand Oaks Ralphs – 1500 N. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks CA 91360 – Phone (805) 379-3100 START TIME IS 8AM and usually completed before 12 noon. Please rsvp to Pedro Mendoza at pmendoza@amigobaby.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! Contact Claudine Schooley for more info. Email: dschooley1@roadrunner.com |
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Slow River Crossing: Devastating Consequences for Girls in ZambiaWhat is Happening? There is only one crossing between the Southern African country of Zambia and neighbor Botswana, which is in the town of Kazungula. The Zambesi River flows between the two countries, and all vehicles must be carried over on a pontoon. Commercial trucks wait in a queue for up to 10 days, during which time the drivers play cards, listen to music, and way too often, entice vulnerable young girls to “entertain” them. This is much easier than it should be in an extremely impoverished town with a history of sexual abuse and child marriage. The sexual abuse endured by these young girls and women provides sustenance for families that otherwise would have none. With no alternative source of income, many girls and young women become victims. What Could Possibly Be Done to Help? There is a ray of hope. Prominent civic leaders in Livingstone, Zambia—a nearby tourist destination—decided to take action. They identified 3 areas where trained young women can find employment—tailoring, computer work, and food preparation. They formed an NGO, and opened The Grace Center for counseling and training. In addition, the Grace Center hopes to provide funds for secondary school education. They have ambitious goals, but so far, they only have enough funding for the tailoring program, which has enrolled 30 young girls and women. With additional funding, a small factory can be created in the existing space to produce school uniforms and retail clothing. Construction has begun on a food preparation school and a restaurant, a first for Kazungula! Skilled graduates can also find employment in surrounding tourist hotels and lodges. Finally, computers are being acquired, and trained graduates will be highly employable at the local customs offices, as well as tourist hotels and lodges around Livingstone. The members of the Livingstone Rotary Club are very hopeful that they can find an international sponsor and initiate a global grant to fund The Grace Center. The Livingstone Club has a strong reputation for success—they’ve completed over 20 global grants and over 75 district grants. If you are interested in learning more about this project, please contact George Poulakos of the Rotary Club of Ventura at gjp@tribecacom.com (middle initial is a J) or 954-494-4387. |
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YES! - Youth Empowerment Summit![]() SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4th, 2017 Being in Rotary is about the “moments” that make a difference in our own lives, and possibly more important, are the “moments” that make a difference in the life of others. This is what YES! is all about! YES! – Youth Empowerment Summit, which was started five years ago, is a one-day workshop for high school students where they are inspired by a diverse group of exceptional speakers, make life-long friends through fellowship activities, and discuss the ethical and social issues they are faced with daily. YES! is a joint project of the three Simi Valley Rotary clubs: The Rotary Club of Simi Valley, The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, and The Rotary Club of Simi Sunset.
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District 5240 2018 NID Trip![]() District 5240 is putting together another team of Rotarians to India to participate in a NID (National Immunization Day) on January 28 - 29, 2018. The trip will most likely start on January 22nd and end around Feb. 4th 2018. the activities on Jan. 28th, door to door immunization will be done over a days starting on the 29th (we will do door to door immunization only for 1 ). This will entail some long hours and lots of walking (which means you need be in good shape, physically and mentally). Here are some guidelines that will influence the selection process: |
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Jim Bell to Take Regional Leadership Position![]() For only the fourth time in the past 20 years or so, a D-5240 Rotarian has been named to a Zone-level Coordinator position. Past District Governor Jim Bell (Bakersfield Twilight) has accepted a three-year appointment as Zone 26 Public Image Coordinator (RPIC) for the 2018-2021 Rotary years. Jim received news of his appointment from RI President Elect Barry Rassin, who has indicated his interest in strengthening Rotary’s use of digital tools to increase public recognition of the breadth and scope of the good Rotary is actively doing in the world. Jim will be taking over the job from another D-5240 Rotarian - Michael Boyer (Pismo Beach-Five Cities) who has held the zone’s RPIC post for the past three years. Rtn. Brenda Cressey (Paso Robles) is currently serving as Trustee for The Rotary Foundation and previously served as Zone 26 Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor. As Zone 26 Public Image Coordinator, Jim is expected to increase Rotary's public profile by assisting club and district leaders to gain the skills that will allow them to effectively share Rotary’s stories with the media, their communities, and with local civic and governmental leaders. He will also be developing training to improve local clubs’ ability to tell and visually communicate their stories using all the tools - print, broadcast and digital social media - at their disposal. Jim comes highly qualified to the position of RPIC. A Past President of the Kern County (CA) Broadcasters Association, he holds a BA in telecommunications from Kent State University (OH) and has more than thirty years' experience in television and radio broadcasting, including having operated six radio stations in Bakersfield, CA, for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. As RPIC, Jim will be working closely with others on the Zone 25/26 team. He will be attending a training institute in Evanston in March along with 40 other RPIC’s from around the world in preparation for stepping into the position. |
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A Partnership That Builds Peace and HopeRotary Club of Ojai and Prashanti School, Puri, India Prashanti School (PS), in Puri, Odisha, India, was started in response to a Category 5 hurricane that devastated the area in late 1999. (We have certainly seen recently how destructive these storms can be!)The founder, Elizabeth Burnett from Ojai, California, had an ongoing tutoring program in Puri. After the hurricane, there were so many children left homeless, the local government Although the economy of India has been growing, the benefits often do not reach the lowest levels of society. In fact, recent studies have shown that the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” has simply grown wider. ![]() Economic inequality in India may well be at its highest level in 92 years. Even as the wealth of the top 2% increases, India still remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Rotarians know that peace grows when underlying causes of conflict are addressed, such as poverty, lack of access to education, and hopelessness. Peace becomes possible when people feel they have the opportunity to better themselves and their lives, and when they know their children can have bright futures. |
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You're Invited to Taste of Ojai![]() Considered the premier culinary event of the year, the Rotary Club of Ojai proudly presents its 17th Annual Taste of Ojai at the world class Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Taste of Ojai is a showcase of delicious creations from local restaurants, caterers, wineries and culinary specialists~all with that special signature Ojai touch!! For tickets visit: http://www.tasteofojai.com
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Rotary Club of Camarillo Raises Funds for Hurricane HarveyWhen the hat was passed at a meeting last week, the Camarillo Rotary club collected $5,000 for victims of Hurricane Harvey. The Camarillo Rotary Foundation then matched the amount pledged during the meeting. Foundation President Al Lowe said, "I’m very proud of our Club. We will be sending a check for $10,000 to Houston for disaster relief."
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Message from John WeissA Summer Filled with Gratitude, Pride, and Anticipation Since I was a boy, summer has been one of my favorite times of the year. This summer has special meaning: Becoming District Governor of the greatest Rotary District in the world! Health-wise I am feeling good and upbeat as my doctors continue to discuss my treatment which might include more surgery. Until then I look forward to continued service as your District Governor. If you don’t remember green jello from my last Newsletter, you might find a copy and review --- there might be a test --- or at least a smile! Hurricane Harvey Relief Club President Bob Harrell for the Rotary Club of Camarillo Noon made me proud to be a Rotarian when he called me to ask where to send a donation by check for disaster relief for Hurricane Harvey. His club passed the money hat and collected $5,000 and his club Foundation matched the generosity of the club members sending $10,000. If a person or club would prefer to mail a check, please do so to Rotary D5240 Charitable Foundation C/O Barry VanderKelen, 1212 Marsh St. Ste 3, San Luis Obsipo, CA 93401 Monthly Rotary Theme The monthly theme for September is Basic Education and Literacy. Think about the education programs we as a district support. We provide scholarships to high school graduates for college or trade schools. We support RYLA. We support schools for girls in India (PACE). We support the schools in our communities. Perhaps your club might consider inviting local educators and literacy organizations. Perhaps invite your own club educators to provide a “Craft Talk”. Membership I’m very pleased to report that our district membership increased by 40 new members net. One added retention tool is our monthly polling which consists of one question: “How likely are you to recommend this Rotary club to a friend or colleague?” This Member Satisfaction Program is most effective if each club member replies and then club leadership listens and implements appropriate changes! Human Trafficking At a recent Human Trafficking task force meeting lead by Lee Cunningham (San Luis Obispo County Assistant District Attorney) were representatives from the FBI, CHP, and local law enforcement as well as social services. The keynote for their meeting was our own Past District Governor Deepa Willingham. Also present was District Governor Elect Sandi Schwartz and yours truly.
https://www.rotary.org/en/ashton-kutcher-and-rotary-combat-human-trafficking
Rotaract Santa Maria Vallley On Saturday August 26th, our district chartered a new Rotaract Club! It was well attended by local Rotarians and the incoming six Directors and club members. They are sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Group 12 – Santa Maria and Nipomo. These Rotaractors are the bright future of Rotary lead by Club President Alex and future members of Rotary. Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/SMVRotaract District Conference YOUR District Conference is really shaping up and is certain to be FUN, INSPIRING, and a REAL happening Event. Check out what’s planned in the following article. I look forward to seeing you all there! If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so at www.rotary5240dc.com. Rose Parade Each year Rotary Districts in Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada along with many Rotarians sponsor, design, and build a float to promote a float in the Rose Parade which is seen by millions of viewers in person and on television worldwide. Each year a core group of dedicated volunteers raise funds for this unique marketing event. Our district has one spot left to walk in the Rose Parade which takes about 4 hours and 5 miles of walking. If you are interested in being that person, please send me an email suggesting why you should be chosen. A contribution to the Rose Parade Committee (through a Rotary Charitable Foundation) could help your chances! http://rotarydistrict5240.org/Stories/rotary-float-rose-parade-2017 District Governor Club Visits to resume Words alone do not adequately express my gratitude to all of you for your love and support. Each of you has made me a better person and District Governor and I’m so grateful. I can’t wait to visit your club (7 done and 65 to go!) and meet and thank you in person. If not at your club, perhaps at an event or, in particular, our District Conference which will be all things CELEBRATE! Best Regards, John Weiss, Rotary Club of Morro Bay District Governor |
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Cooperation is the Name of the Game!![]() The Rotary Club of Ventura East happily participated in a “Backpack” project for needy youngsters in the Ventura Unified School District. The project has been done by the Ventura Rotary Club for 17 years. This year it was a combined effort involving the three clubs from Ventura: Ventura, Ventura East and Ventura South as well as the Downtown Lions Club and other volunteers.
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Celebrate Rotary at the 2017 District 5240 ConferenceRegister now for the 2017 District 5240 Conference and come Celebrate Rotary! October 6-8, 2017, at the Ventura Beach Marriott. Highlights include:
Go to www.rotary5240dc.com for more information and to register and make your hotel reservation. Hotel rooms are going fast and the room block is only good until September 15, so make your hotel reservation now. A HUGE thanks to our conference sponsors: ![]() |
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PRLS Class Schedule 2017-2018Rotary District 5240 PRLS Class Schedule for the 2017-18 Rotary Year So that you can plan ahead to take advantage of the excellent training provided by PRLS, here is the 2017-2018 schedule. For more information contact Marta Brown, D5240 PRLS Director (Oxnard Rotary Club). To register, visit the District 5240 Events Calendar , select the class you want to attend from the calendar and complete your registration on the window that opens up. 2017
October 6, 2017 Introduction to Rotary, District Conference October 20-22, 2017 MPRLS Weekend, Oxnard
2018 January 6, 2018 Introduction to Rotary, Midterm Meeting Santa Barbara/Ventura January 13, 2018 Introduction to Rotary, Midterm Meeting Bakersfield February 23-25, 2018 MPRLS Weekend, Santa Maria March 10, 2018 Introduction to Rotary, District Assembly, Bakersfield March 24, 2018 Introduction to Rotary, District Assembly, Oxnard |
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Come Preview the 2018 Rose Parade Float |
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Become a 2018 Rotary Rose Parade Float Sponsor![]() |
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Collectable Rotary Pins - Free to First to Respond![]() Do you collect Rotary lapel pins? The District has amassed quite a collection and we're looking for a good home for them. If you are interested, please email Deb at deljwt@comcast.net . The pins are free - the first to email Deb gets them! Please note: Pins shown here are for illustration only and are not necessarily like the ones you will receive.
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We Want to Share Your Club StoriesRotary 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):
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:
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. We hope that you take advantage of this promotional opportunity for your Club!Questions about Club Stories? Please email stories@district5240.org for assistance. Questions about the website? Please email website@district5240.org for assistance.
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Win a New Harley-Davidson Motorcycle in AG Rotary Charity Raffle!![]() The Arroyo Grande Rotary Club is again partnering with Santa Maria Harley-Davidson® to raise money for local nonprofits. The grand prize winner at the July 29th drawing event will win a Harley-Davidson® 2017 Road Glide Special including CA sales tax and registration fees! 2nd Prize will be a one week stay at a condominium vacation resort in Las Vegas. A maximum of 1,000 tickets will be sold giving purchasers very good odds! Tickets are available via local retailers check www.RotaryHarleyRaffle.com for locations or directly from a member of the AG Rotary Club or by calling 805-270-3936. The big Drawing Event will happen at the Santa Maria Harley-Davidson store on Saturday, July 29th, from 2pm until 5pm. The festivities will include food, drinks and a local live band favorite, The CliffNotes. Additionally, AmpSurf will be sponsoring a Veterans Therapeutic Ride and “Poker Run” that morning ending at the Drawing Event in Santa Maria. The Santa Maria Harley-Davidson Dealership has again joined the AG Rotary Club as the Raffle’s Major Sponsor. Raffle Partners (and beneficiaries) are Dana Adobe, AmpSurf, CampFire, The Village of Arroyo Grande Association and RISE. Additional sponsors include Rabobank, David Tennant Insurance Agency, Oyster Loft, Burdine Printing, Russ Brown Attorneys and the Phillips 66 Santa Maria Refinery. Media sponsors are the Tolosa Press, El Dorado Broadcasters, Dimes Central Coast and Emerald Wave Media. |
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Rotary Club of Ventura-East celebrates 42 years of hosting the July 4th Push-em Pull-em Parade in Ventura.Started in the bicentennial year of 1976 the Push-em Pull-em Parade has grown to become a July 4 th tradition for many families in Ventura. The Push-em Pull-em is a non-mechanized parade to celebrate our nations birthday and practically all of the participants wear their “Red White and Blue” to mark the occasion. It’s amazing to see the wagons, strollers, bikes and yes even small floats that families decorate to celebrate the 4 th ! This year the parade was started by our parade participants singing “God Bless America” just prior to the start of the parade. Truly a great family event and a great way to start the 4 th of July festivities!
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Care For Kids Golf Classic Celebrates 25 Years of Helping the Community!![]() Camarillo, CA – On Monday, July 17th the Rotary Clubs of Camarillo will host the 25th annual Care For Kids Golf Classic at Spanish Hills Country Club with a field of golfers of all skill levels ready to enjoy a day of challenging golf in shotgun format. Organized by the Rotary Clubs of Camarillo to benefit Casa Pacifica and other Rotary charities, the tournament is chaired this year by Kevin Nunn and Kevin Estes, who along with their tournament committee have planned another exciting, competitive, and fun-filled day in honor of the tournament’s 25thanniversary. Each golfer will receive a wonderful tee-package, and in addition to the gross and net play competition, will have the option to compete in long-drive and on-course “Closest to the Hole” contests. After their great day of challenging golf, the players will enjoy a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception and awards dinner in the clubhouse, and raise more money for Casa Pacifica and the other charities through a large opportunity drawing and a live auction. The tournament is proud to have Advanced Motion Controls as its Title Sponsor this year. |
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Celebrate Rotary at the 2017 District Conference |
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Happy 4th of July! |
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District Awards 2016-2017District Awards 2016-2017 Overall Club Achievement Award Overall Club- Ventura Large Club- Thousand Oaks Medium Club- Simi Sunset Small Club- Grover Beach Club Service Large- Ventura Medium- Pismo Beach- Five Cities Small- Cayucos Seaside Community Service Large- Simi Sunrise Medium- Nipomo Small- Grover Beach International Service Large- Thousand Oaks Medium- Moorpark Small- Carpenteria Morning Vocational Service Large- Ventura Medium- Moorpark Small- Carpenteria Morning Youth Service Large- Thousand Oaks Medium- Simi Sunset Small- Newbury Park Membership Large- Ventura Medium- SLO Daybreak Small- Grover Beach Foundation Large- Simi Sunrise Medium- Simi Sunset Small- Newbury Park Public Image Large- Ventura Medium- Pismo Beach- Five Cities Small- Grover Beach District Medal Status GOLD San Luis Obispo de Tolosa San Luis Obispo Thousand Oaks Ventura Cambria Simi Sunrise Ojai Nipomo Moorpark Morro Bay Ojai West Pismo Beach-Five Cities Santa Maria Breakfast Simi Sunset Solvang Ventura East Camarillo Montecito Bakersfield Breakfast Bakersfield Twilight Santa Barbara Sunrise Carpenteria Morning Grover Beach Goleta Noontime Newbury Park Cayucos Seaside Conejo Valley Moorpark Morning SILVER Paso Robles Noon Arroyo Grande Goleta Los Olivos San Luis Obispo Daybreak Ventura South Bakersfield North Oxnard Santa Maria Santa Maria South Indian Wells Valley Shafter Taft BRONZE Santa Barbara Simi Valley E-Club of One World Five Cities- Eco Club Carpenteria District Achievement Award Interact Centennial High School Santa Susana High School Moorpark High School Paso Robles High School Newbury Park High School Carpenteria High School Simi Valley High School Royal High School Rotaract San Luis Obispo Ventura Conejo Valley Santa Barbara PICTURES ARE POSTED AT: Password: RichPics |
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District Awards- IndividualsDistrict Awards- Individuals John Padilla Humanitarian Service Award – Kendra Kimlinger, Arroyo Grande Heather Frankle Dreamcatcher Award – Ron Block, Newbury Park Heather Frankle Dreamcatcher Award – Richard Cayla Rowe District Governor Award for Meritorious Service – Becky Savell, Simi Valley District Governor Award for Meritorious Service – Deb Holler, Simi Valley District Governor Award for Meritorious Service – Jim Eaton, Central Coast Passport – 5240 District Governor Award for Meritorious Service – Lyle Pennington, Moorpark Robert “Jock” McKenzie Leadership in Education Award – Marta Brown, Oxnard Samuel L. Greene Service Above Self Award – Scott Farrenkopf, Moorpark Rotarian of the Year – Marilyn Lippiatt, Westlake Village Sunrise
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Santa Barbara Sunrise- Teacher of the Year AwardSanta Barbara Sunrise Rotary- Teacher of the Year Award ![]() “La Cuesta is a special community that provides students with a second chance. I am so fortunate to be on a team of educators that is united in our goal to support our students and families.” —Mike Mowers, Physical Science/Art Teacher, La Cuesta Continuation High School The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise honored La Cuesta Continuation High School teacher Mike Mowers with the La Cuesta Teacher of the Year award. The award recognizes exemplary teachers who contribute to quality education and inspire students from all backgrounds and abilities. “Mike Mowers brightens any room and situation with his positivity, energy and sense of humor. He is an expert Physics and Art teacher. He brings enthusiasm and engagement to every lesson and activity,” says Elise Simmons, Principal, La Cuesta Continuation. |
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Message from Past District Governor Nick FrankleAs the 2016-2017 Rotary Year Ends I want to thank every Rotarian in District 5240 for the good you have done in the world. Together, we have fought disease, provided clean water, saved mothers and children, supported education, grown local economies and promoted peace. We have looked for projects in our local communities that need to be done and we have done them. We have reached out to our youth, supported our seniors, assisted those in need. We have touched the lives of thousands of people – many of whom we will never know. In doing so, we have helped to create a more peaceful world. |
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Global GrantGlobal Grant- Rotary Clubs of Santa Barbara North and Machakos Syokimau ![]() ![]() The objective is to drill a water well in a rural area of Kenya near the town of Machakos where the local people have come together and raised funds to build a high school. Due to the high drop out rate of the high-school-aged children in the area, the families took on the job of building the school from donations. It has been recognized by the Kenyan government as a registered high school. The locals would like to make it into a boarding school because of the distance the students need to walk to get to school, and due to the danger of walking in the early mornings and late afternoons, especially for the female students. Walking long distances is necessary because the school does not have its own water source.
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Camarillo Rotary ScholarshipsCamarillo Rotary Scholarships ![]() ![]() The winners of the essay contest this year are: 1st place (on photo R) - Lauren Boswell, 2nd place (in Middle) - Rain Galano, 3rd place (on photo L) - Melanie Badalian On May 24, the Rotary Club of Camarillo awarded college scholarships to eight deserving students. Applications were invited from all high schools in the Camarillo area. We are happy to announce that: |
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Rotary Club of OxnardRotary Club of Oxnard selected as “Service Organization of the Year” by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce Kendall A. VanConas, President of the Rotary Club of Oxnard, is pleased to share that the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce has selected the Rotary club as the “Service Organization of the Year” by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce. The club is proud of its commitment to community service, which includes scholarship awards to high school seniors, regularly recognizing the commitment of local teachers, and support of the Nyeland Acres Community Center, which houses a Boys & Girls Club for the children of Nyeland Acres. |
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Rotary Club of Santa YnezRotary Club of Santa Ynez Architecture Competition
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Santa Maria RotaryRotary Santa Maria South Supports Transitions Mental Health Growing Grounds May 6, 2017 was the date of the Rotary Santa Maria South’s “Run/Walk for Mental Health”, a third year fundraiser partially benefiting the Transitions Mental Health Growing Grounds Program, which provides rehabilitation through horticulture therapy to individuals with mental health issues. This year’s event was designed as a 5K/10K Run/Walk, to offer opportunities for runners and longer distance participants. Fifty percent of the net funds raised will go to the Growing Grounds program of Transitions Mental Health. |
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Strategic PlanningStrategic Planning Committee is Alive and Well in Ventura For the first time ever, Ventura Rotary has a Strategic Planning Committee thanks to the directive of Rotary International. President-Elect Ellyn Dembowski was inspired by the challenge from RI and set out to create a Strategic Plan for the Club. She amassed a strong group of active Rotarians (the majority of which are new members to the club) and followed the action items suggested by RI. The first task for the committee was to engage in a member survey. |
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Rotary Work Day VenturaRotary Clubs Throughout Ventura Join Forces for Rotarians at Work Day The Rotary Clubs of Ventura, Ventura East, and Ventura South partnered together for a Rotarians at Work Day project. The three clubs have each committed a significant contribution to the completion of the Ventura Botanical Gardens and on April 28, more than 50 Rotarians from throughout Ventura gathered together on the iconic hillside to give the Botanical Gardens a facelift – pulling weeds, cleaning trash, planting new seeds, and preparing a special are for a soon-to-be Rotary Gazebo.
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Santa Barbara SunriseSanta Barbara Sunrise Rotary Supports Bright Smiles for the 6th Consecutive Year The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise partnered with the Eastside Family Dental Clinic (operated by the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics) to sponsor Free Dental Day, free oral health treatment services for individuals who cannot afford to pay for major dental work. The event has been sponsored by Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise since 2012 and has provided dental procedures for hundreds of Santa Barbara residents. |
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HELPING INDIAN GIRLS WAS A GIFT TO HERSELFLinda Johansen of Solvang spent her 68th birthday working at the Piyali Learning Centre, a girls school in an impoverished village in India.My trip to India in January was my 68th birthday present to myself. Little did I know, it would be one of the most difficult trips I have ever taken, but without a doubt and absolutely, the most meaningful and rewarding trip, and the best birthday gift I have ever received.Deepa Willingham, a fellow Rotarian and member or our community, by sheer tenacity and determination has accomplished the impossible by building a beautiful private girls school in the midst of poverty and squalor like I have never seen or experienced before. The Piyali Learning Centre is undoubtedly a true miracle. |
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Nancy Falconer RememberedNancy Louise Falconer, District 5240 Secretary 4/19/1939 – 4/20/2017 A longtime Simi Valley resident, Nancy passed away after a brief illness. Nancy was born in Los Angeles Ca. She was always an excellent student, and received the highest marks in all her subjects. After graduating from Van Nuys High School in 1960, she headed straight to The University of Arizona to pursue her dream, which was to coach athletics. While at U of A, Nancy studied hard and excelled in several sports. Sadly, a knee injury sidelined her career. Nancy returned to Los Angeles and went to work in banking. She began her lifelong career at Security First National Bank, which later became Security Pacific Bank. Cards can be sent to Robert Falconer 4212 E. Los Angeles Ave, #4766, Simi Valley CA 93063
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Nancy Falconer ObituaryNancy Falconer, District 5240 Secretary, 4/19/1939-4/20/2017 ![]() |
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Condolences and Prayers to the Nomura FamilyPast District Governor Wade Nomura- The Passing of First Lady Roxanne Nomura May 9, 2017 It is with much sadness that I share the news that Roxanne Nomura, wife of PDG Wade Nomura, a Charter Member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning, and a good friend to everyone in District 5240, left us on May 9th. A Memorial Service for Roxanne is scheduled for Saturday, June 17 at the Boys and Girls Club in Carpinteria beginning at 11:00 AM. Additional information will be posted on the District website as it becomes available. Cards and expressions of sympathy can be sent to 5410 Hales Lane, Carpinteria, CA 93013. Donations can be made to The Carpinteria Morning Rotary Foundation for the Roxanne Nomura Scholarship Fund, or the Carpinteria Morning Rotary Foundation for the Tomol Interpretive Play Area. Morning Rotary of Carpinteria Charitable Foundation Inc. Please keep the Nomura family in your thoughts and prayers. Yours In Rotary Service, Nick Message from Wade Nomura on Facebook: Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for Roxanne. She gave it a Great Fight but just couldn't beat the odds and passed on to her next life today. Thank you for being a major part of my life. I'll miss you, but you will always be a huge part of my life. ![]() |
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Global Grant-Hopeland School and Rotary Club of Pismo BeachHopeland School, Kitoola Uganda Global Grant
![]() ![]() Rotary Club of Pismo Beach, completed its Global Grant this Rotary year at Hopeland High School, Uganda. This is one of two schools run by Valence Lutaisire of the Rotary Club of Lugzi. The school had no electricity and limited water. The Rotary Club of Mukono and Pismo Beach joined together to install water catchments on all the buildings and 4 large holding tanks for the water. We also installed solar panels on all the buildings, so that the interior and exterior had lights. That done, a new computer lab with 10 computers and desks were added. |
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Hap Rapp Memorial Track MeetHap Rapp Memorial Track Meet- Rotary Club of Camarillo Saturday May 13 from 8 am to 4 pm at Adolfo Camarillo High School Track The Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet is a Camarillo tradition. Rotarian Hap Rapp founded the meet for aspiring young athletes 55 years ago.The meet will be on Saturday May 13 at the Adolfo Camarillo High School Track. The meet is designed for 4th through 8th graders to discover their athletic ability. Over 300 students from 14 schools are expected to participate. Events include the 50 and 100-yard dash, high jump, long jump, shot put, relay and distance races. Dozens of volunteers will measure and time the events. Ribbons will be presented and high scores will be posted. The Guy Craig Memorial Award will go to the school that demonstrates the best overall preparedness, sportsmanship, conduct and cooperation. For more information about Rotary, see www.camarillorotary.org.
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Los Olivos Jazz & Olive FestivalLos Olivos Jazz & Olive Festival ![]() The annual Los Olivos Jazz & Olive Festival will be held on June 3, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Lavinia Campbell Park in downtown Los Olivos. This event produced by the Rotary Club of Los Olivos features wines poured by thirty local wineries along with food prepared by thirty chefs, plus olive products vendors, and, of course, world-class live jazz, with GRAMMY-nominee Denise Donatelli joined again by some of the biggest names in jazz and popular music, for an all-inclusive price of $65. Enthusiastic attendees come from throughout California and other states, and, as attendance is limited to 650, we expect to sell out again this year. It is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance. They may be obtained locally at the Book Loft in Solvang, by telephone at (805) 325- 9280 and on line at jazzandolivefestival.org Find hotels at visitSYV.com |
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Youth Service in ActionHeadlines of Youth Service Activities in District 5240 The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES!) was held at Camp Rotary in Simi Valley for the third year in a row. The event is put on by the Rotary Club of Simi Valley, Rotary Club of Simi Sunset, and Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise. This is a One Day workshop for high school students where they will be inspired by a diverse group of exceptional speakers, make life-long friends through fellowship activities, and discuss the ethical and social issues they are faced with daily. The day includes the following sessions that enhance personal growth and development: Ethics, Team Building, Diversity, and Leadership. ![]() Rotary Club of Simi Valley Interact Club puts on a Charity Ball, a fundraiser that provides new soccer balls to children in poverty-stricken communities worldwide. The Royal High School Interact Club also was an integral part of FAYM 2015 and 2016. The funds raised here go to Dorrs of Faith Orphange in Mexico. Five of the Royal High School Interact Club members went to Mexico to deliver funds and spend time helping at the orphanage. This year the students raised over $4000. ![]() Los Olivos Rotary Club New Generations Chair Ulises Castaneda and his spouse with six Los Olivos Dunn High School students in Gautamala where they assisted masons and family members build a housing structure. ![]() Rotary Club of Santa Barbara North sent 4 students to RYLA camp: Erin Bies, Dan Willett, Zachary Guttentag and Anthony Luna. They will attend the Rotary meeting of May 10 to present their observations. ![]() Pictured with Past President Susan Weaver, the Rotary E-Club of One World D5240 was pleased to sponsor Natalie Garza and Gerardo "Jerry" Aguilar from Arvin High School to RYLA 2017! Two more lives changed by RYLA! |
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District Awards Criteria 2016-2017DISTRICT AWARDS CRITERIA 2016-2017 Dear District 5240 Rotary Club Leaders, As Rotary Year 2016-17 comes to a close, now is the time to meet with your club members and remind each other of all the accomplishments you have achieved this rotary year, all the good that you have done and all the hard work and effort you participated in to help make your community and our world a better place. A great way to thank the Rotarians in your club for their successes and accomplishments is to complete the District Recognition Application and be able present your club members with banner patches and certificates that say "Thank You" from District 5240. As Rotarians committed to “Service Above Self” I know that we do not work for awards. We work for the joy we bring to others and we receive our "payment" in the currency of the heart. |
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Rotary Club of Ojai- Senior Career DayRotary Club of Ojai- Senior Career Day ![]() ![]() Every year Rotary Club of Ojai works with local high school staff to bring a healthy dose of reality to 180 Nordhoff High School seniors in the last week of April during Rotary Senior Career Day. During the two-hour program, an inspiring keynote speaker was followed by a chance for students to meet in small groups with 48 local people from varied careers. For twenty minutes two or more adults met in a circle with 8-12 students who had indicated interest in their fields, and told the students what their jobs were really like. Students were matched to three groups according to their interests, so heard the stories of 6-9 adults. Presenters were encouraged to talk about their careers more like story telling than as a lecture, as if they were talking to a younger relative or friend in a personal way. |
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Guatemala Service Trip- Rotary Club of Santa BarbaraGuatemala Service Trip Rotarians and Unity Church Returns from Guatemala Service Trip ![]() Sixteen people from the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara, Rotaract, and Unity Church recently returned from nine days of service in Guatemala. The group partnered with Mayan Families, a non-profit dedicated to educate, feed, shelter, and heal indigenous Guatemalans. In Guatemala, nearly 80% of the indigenous population lives on less than $2 a day and 50% of children are chronically malnourished. Additionally, over 3 million Guatemalans lack access to safe drinking water. The groups were able to raise over $17,000 to assist families in towns around Lake Atitlan. Throughout the week they built 1 home, installed 12 stoves, assembled 6 water filters, installed 2 concrete floors, worked in preschools, and distributed school and medical supplies to local families. |
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Governor Nick Frankle's Message May 2017May is Youth Service Month When I was very young and Mother's Day came around, I used to ask my mother "when was children's day?" She, as all mothers do, told me that "every day was children's day!" While Rotary International has designated May as Youth Service Month, in truth every month is Youth Service Month. In my travels around District 5240, I am overwhelmed by the commitment of the Rotarians in our district to the youth of their communities. We have over seventy-five Interact clubs where each week, Rotarians help students learn about the joy of giving back. We hold ethics days and financial literacy days to help them prepare for the future. Rotary Youth Exchange offers the opportunity to learn about other cultures by living them. Our district's Rotary Youth Leadership Awards changes the lives of hundreds of future leaders. We build self-esteem and confidence by entrusting third graders with dictionaries - often the first book they have owned. We tutor, we mentor, we support, we engage. Now is a great time to recommit to your support of the Youth Serviceprograms of your club. Get involved. Make a We make a difference in the lives of the next generation and in doing help ensure a more peaceful world to come. Yours In Rotary Service, Nick
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Paul Harris Fellow Awards and Giving to the Rotary Foundation Changes LivesPaul Harris Fellow Awards and Giving to the Rotary Foundation Changes Lives |
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District Governor Nick Frankle's Step-Down EventDistrict Governor Nick Frankle's Step-Down Event and Awards Luncheon ![]() Saturday, June 24, 2017, 10:30AM- 1:30PM PICTURES ARE POSTED AT https://richardfolsom.smugmug.com/Rotary/2017/06242017-Thousand-Oaks-CA-Los-Robles-Greens-Rotary-District/ Password: RichPics |
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Rotary Float Rose Parade 2017How to Get a Two Minutes and Twelve Seconds Rotary Commercial to 73 Million People under $200K ![]() That was the challenge a group of dedicated Rotarians faced last year when the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee (RRPFC) meet to decide on a theme for the 38th consecutive Rotary entry in the Pasadena Tournament of Rose Parade. To be effective the message had to be universally understood and show the impact Rotary has on people’s lives around the world. |
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Tribute to Nancy FalconerMemories of Nancy Falconer - by Jim Lewis Memories of Nancy Falconer - by Jim Lewis ![]() I met Nancy in 2005, just before going to India for an NID with PDG Anil Garg. I needed some D 5240 pins, and she asked me if I could drop by her house to pick them up. I said, “No problem”. When she met me at the door, I knew I liked her already! No nonsense, efficient, direct - that was Nancy’s style. She asked me to call when I returned, to tell her about my trip. I thought that was nice of her, and discovered then that she was very interested in Rotary's fight to end Polio. |
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Announcing! Winners of The Four Way Test Contest!ROTARY DISTRICT 5240 - 2016/17
“The 4-Way Test” Essay Contest Winners" The 4-Way Test of Things We Think, Say or Do • Is it the truth? • Is it fair to all concerned? • Will it build good will and better friendships? • Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Elementary Level 1st Place Karla Pacheco 4th Grade Battles Elementary Rotary Club of Santa Maria 2nd Place Selma Rahim 5th Grade Ocean View Elementary Rotary of Pismo Beach 3rd Place Erica Siegmund 3rd Grade Del Mar Elementary Rotary Club of Morro Bay Please click to the next page for the continued list of winners |
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Global Grant- ToiletsGlobal Grant to Provide Toilets to Girls In Karnataka State Rotary Club of Bangalore South (D3190) and Rotary Club of Westlake Village (D5240) have partnered on this project to provide 110 toilet units to villages in Karnataka State. Without safe toilets, women and girls have to relieve themselves outdoors at night, putting them at risk of sex harassment and assault. Studies by many organizations in India have shown that literacy rate in India among girl students drops due to lack of access to safe toilets. Indirect beneficiaries will include approximately 330 women living in the houses.
Other greater benefits include hygienic practice and awareness in the neighborhood that helps to develop good routine habits, and spark the necessary conversation about sanitation habits. The total project budget is US $44,000, of which RC Westlake Village has committed $9000. (RC Moorpark in District 5240 has already pledged $1000. RC Bangalore South is committing $2000.) How can you help? If you would like to support this worthy project, please contact us for the documentation. We can only accept the first nine donors at $1,000 each (plus the TRF fee of 5%, if donating for PH recognition). Please contact us at: RotaryJMA@gmail.com to join us. |
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Rotarians of San Luis ObispoRotarians of San Luis Obispo and Rancho El Chorro
![]() ![]() ![]() With rain predicted,these incredible Rotarians from the SLO Clubs came out to Rancho El Chorro to construct the amphitheater today, Thursday, a WORK DAY, because Saturday is off the schedule due to rain!!! Are these Rotarians great or what? As you can see, the site has been graded and decomposed granite laid, and now here they are putting in the piers and floor joists. And as you can see I am guarding the materials from theft. It’s an exhausting responsibility. WHEW! For the Rotary Club of Compostela: ¡Rotarios!!!!!! Con lluvia predicho, estos increíble rotarios de los clubes SLO salieron a Rancho El Chorro para construir el anfiteatro hoy, el jueves, un día de trabajo, porque el sábado es el horario debido a la lluvia! ¿Son estos grandes rotarios o qué? Como puedes ver, el sitio ha sido clasificado y puesto de granito descompuesto, y ahora aquí están poniendo en los pilares y las vigas del piso. Y como veis estoy protegiendo los materiales de los robos. Es una responsabilidad agotadora. ¡UF! Sua en Rotorio Yours in Rotary, Steve Geil Rotary Club of Cayucos |
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Atlanta District Reception 2017For More Info Contact Ashley Boyer (805) 709-0711
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Thousand Oaks Rotary Club Global Grant - Hearing AidsThousand Oaks Rotary Club Global Grant - Hearing Aids for Forty Children in Tijuana ![]() ![]() In Rotary year 2014-2015, the Tijuana Rotary Club partnered with the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club on the hearing aids grant in Tijuana . Due to multiple corrections required by the international foundation, the grant was delayed until Rotary year 2015-2016. (The Thousand Oaks Rotary was instrumental in helping with these corrections.) After the corrections were made, the Rotary Foundation okayed the grant and the grant was funded - and the hearing aid installation date was set to March 1, 2017. On March 1, 2017, The Thousand Oaks Rotary Club was invited to Tijuana to witness over 40 children receive hearing aids supplied by global grant GG1526506. This grant also included speech therapy and computers to train the children in their Spanish language. There were 4 of us from The Thousand Oaks Rotary Club who attended this amazing event. Two highlights from the event stood out: |
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Governor Nick Frankle's Message April 2017April is Maternal and Child Health Month The area of focus that enables Rotarians to save mothers and their children. If mothers are empowered and healthy, so are their families, leading to an alleviation of poverty and hunger. Rotary makes high-quality health care available locally and globally to vulnerable mothers and children so they can live longer and grow stronger. As Rotarians, we expand access to quality care, so mothers and children everywhere can have the same opportunities for a healthy future. An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented. Within District 5240, examples of Rotarian community support include: Local free clinics that care for mothers and children including immunizations and cancer screenings; vision and dental screenings and corrective actions when needed; before school and after school programs for at risk children. Internationally, Rotarians in our district support midwife training, childhood immunizations, medical clinics, corrective surgeries, training for medical professionals. As a Peacebuilder District we know that the path to peace begins with elimination of extreme poverty. If mothers are empowered and healthy, so are their families, leading to an alleviation of hunger and poverty and a more peaceful world. |
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Service to Women and Children Featuring Dr. Rob SkankeyService to Women and Children Featuring Dr. Rob Skankey ![]() ![]() ![]() Ojai Rotarian Dr. Bob Skankey is happiest when he is using his years of training and experience as an obstetrician and gynecologist to improve the health of women – and the more remote and underserved the location is, the happier he is to work there. After 28 years of delivering over 3000 babies in the Ojai Valley, Dr. Bob closed his practice in 1997 and expanded his horizons to teach health care workers and care for women in Bolivia, Tonga, Brazil, Nicaragua, Mali, Honduras, and Niger. He trained in Addis Abba, Ethiopia, to learn more about surgical repair of vaginal fistulas. As a member of Rotary Club of Ojai’s active International Service Committee, Dr. Bob offered boots-on-the-ground expertise in maternal and infant health projects, as well as encouragement for other people’s projects. Dr. Bob’s favorite projects were when he found innovative ways to adapt medical knowledge and technology to meet local needs in a sustainable way. |
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PACEPromise of Assurance to Children Everywhere- PACE The subject of Maternal and Child Health also includes poverty, abuse of women and child trafficking. This is an article of how Rotary, working in a strategic partnership with an US non-profit organization – PACE Universal of which I am a member, is tackling these issues and achieving sustainable results by implementing programs in the six areas of focus. There are currently 62 million girls that do not go to school and more than 1 billion women living in poverty. As was emphasized at STEPS, child trafficking is the second largest industry in the world and the fastest growing. PDG Deepa Willingham started PACE Universal (PACE), Promise of Assurance to Children Everywhere, in 2003. The goal was to establish the PACE Learning Center (PLC) in Piyali, a village 45 km from the city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), which was steeped in abject poverty and was one of the hot beds for child trafficking. At PLC PACE was committed to changing lives through education. Deepa’s goal was to enroll 20 girls. There are now 250 students and the waiting list grows daily. It is a magical and empowering place. An oasis of hope, learning and love. This is how it began. |
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Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime- Service Award![]() ![]() San Marcos High School junior Layla Landeros was honored as 2017 Goleta Teen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime at a Monday evening presentation at Glen Annie Golf Club. |
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Cayucos Rotary Club Masquerade Ball- Click to Download |
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Become A Peacebuilder ClubBECOME A PEACEBUILDER CLUB ![]() In Rotary Year 2015-16, District 5240 made a commitment to become a Peacebuilder District. We also made a commitment to wage peace wherever we can – in our local communities and in communities around the world. We are establishing Peacebuilder Club program designed to enhance Rotary’s mission of ‘advancing world understanding, goodwill and peace’ through the promotion of programs and projects aligning with the six areas of focus and in particular the #1 Area of Focus – Peace, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution. Priority will be given to youth and peace education projects and in gaining the assistance of the graduates of the Rotary Peace Fellowship program for local support. What Is Peace? It is not just an absence of war. Peace is:
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Governor Nick Frankle's Message March 2017March is Water and Sanitation Month Rotary International has designated March as Water and Sanitation month. We in District 5240 are very fortunate. We turn on our taps and expect clean, drinkable water to be available to us. We have indoor sanitation that helps prevent disease. We learn good hygiene habits at an early age and use those habits to keep us and our families healthy. Others are not so fortunate. Today, 2.5 billion people lack access to water and/or sanitation. More than one thousand children die each day from diseases caused by lack of sanitation and unsafe water. In District 5240, we take this problem seriously and have reached out to communities around the globe to improve water, sanitation and hygiene. |
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Water Harvesting in the Independence Aquifer, Guanajuato
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Las Mercedes Honduras Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Project
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Bakersfield West Annual Cioppino Feed |
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March Membership MadnessMarch Membership Madness
![]() March is the month to bring in new members!
During the month of March, ask each club member to bring
at least one prospective member to a meeting.
Give a prize of ???? for the sponsor of the first new member in March!
(You pick the prize for your club! Paul Harris points?
No fines for a year? Dinner at a nice restaurant?)
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Evening of MagicThe 34th Annual, Evening of Magic, sponsored by The Camarillo Rotary Club, at the High Street Theater March 18, 2017, at 7:30PM This annual event has brought in Magic Castle Magicians who have performed all over the world. This year’s cast includes, Paul Dwork, The Magic of Merlin, Mike Caveney, this year’s MC & and Comedy Magic performer known to keep crowds laughing and on the edge of their seats. Also included is Tina Lenert, whose fancy style, includes dance & Magic, bringing elegance to the stage and Stoil and Ekaterina, quick change artists from the Russian Ukraine. Finally, Television celebrity Christopher Hart, whose hands make magic, and was "Thing" in the Adams Family, will truly amaze with his magical routine. |
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How to Attract New MembersHow to Attract New Members When a Member, Visitor, or Press Journalist comes to your Club's website do they see a vibrant, active, happy, and productive club? Is your branding updated so the Rotary logo is visible? Is the Annual Presidential Theme updated? Are some of your latest projects and activities featured? As a Club Member we are so involved with "doing" that sometimes the "promoting" gets left to the wayside. Here are a few links to help update your site: The Brand Center has Rotary logos, graphics, templates, ads, videos To access go to www.rotary.org, then type "Brand Center" into the search field in the top right corner of the main site page. You will need to login to use the tools and templates and they really are quite useful. Here you will also find the Presidential Theme. Here is an example of the Club Logo Template. You have a few options of how to create and save the image. ![]() Here are a couple of examples of how clubs have used the new Rotary logo. ![]() ![]() Here is the Presidential Theme for 2016-2017- RI President John F. Germ chose Rotary Serving Humanity as his theme for 2016-17. ![]() If you need help please email Becky Savell, District 5240 Communications Chair at website@district5240.org |
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RYLA 2017RYLA 2017 Information We encourage Rotarians to visit the camp while in session. Please notify Nancy McKarney before you come at admin@ryla5240.org Your name must be on the list at the gate for entering. Registrations to be a RYLA volunteer are now open. We will be selecting final volunteers as counselors by the end of February. Click here to Register: Contact: Nancy McKarney RYLA Administration Primary Phone: 805.927.0491 Cell: 805.909.0358 Fax: 805.832-6524 Rotary Club of Cambria |
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District Training Assembly- Registration is Now OPENDistrict Training Assembly- Registration is Now OPEN
The District 5240 Training Assemblies are scheduled for March 18, 2017 in Bakersfield and April 1, 2017 in Oxnard. Each Assembly will run from 9:00AM to 12:30PM. Check-in and continental breakfast from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. The cost is free to all members. Training will focus on information for incoming Club Presidents, Officers, and Board Members (those who will be serving in 2017-18) although everyone is welcome.
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PEACE – THE NEXT FRONTIERPEACE – THE NEXT FRONTIER
![]() In Rotary Year 2015-16, our district made a commitment to become a Peacebuilder District. We began by making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation to provide support for the next class of Rotary Peace Fellows. We were delighted to learn that two of our peace scholar nominees were among those selected to receive fellowships.
We also made a commitment to wage peace wherever we can – in our local communities and in communities around the world. We have established a Peacebuilder Club program designed to enhance Rotary’s mission of ‘advancing world understanding, goodwill and peace’ through the promotion of programs and projects aligning with the six areas of focus and in particular the #1 Area of Focus – Peace, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution. Priority is being given to youth and peace education projects and in gaining the assistance of the graduates of the Rotary Peace Fellowship program for local support.
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Governor Nick Frankle's Message February 2017A Letter of Thanks
To the members of my District 5240 Rotary Family,
My family and I would like to thank each of you for the support and love that you have shown to us over the past several weeks as we have struggled with the loss of Heather who to us was wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Many of you have been with us from the beginning four years ago when she was first diagnosed with the cancer that ultimately claimed her life. On those days when Heather questioned why she should keep fighting, your prayers, good thoughts and energy lit up her room and gave her the strength to go on. |
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The 4-Way Test Essay ContestROTARY DISTRICT 5240 - 2016/17
“The 4-Way Test” Essay Contest The 4-Way Test of Things We Think, Say or Do Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build good will and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Goal
To encourage students to consider how “The 4-Way Test” can be used in everyday decision-making. This can be done by expressing their thoughts in an essay that relates a case or story where they applied these principles in their daily life.
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PRLS Springtime ClassesPractical Relevant Leadership Skills - PRLSThe Object of PRLSTo provide a training environment for Rotarians to learn effectiveness as individuals on a daily basis. The goal of PRLS, begun in 1993, is to provide a set of training sessions wherein current and future Rotary leaders could learn to become more effective in their leadership roles. Basic PRLS has been renamed Intro to Rotary and consists of a half day with 3 modules: Rotary Then and Now, Leadership and Leading a Meeting and Communications and Speaking in Public. This program was specifically developed to train individuals whose goals include a future leadership position in Rotary. They learn skills that will make them more effective in that role. *** Special Rotary Weekend ‐ Save $50 *** All 5 Master PRLS Classes to Bakersfield $250 OR Leadership - Facilitation Skills – Communications - Business Planning - Projects & Grants ($60 Each)
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Tamesna Junior High School Development![]() |
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FAYM Feb.25, 2017CLICK ON FLYER TO DOWNLOAD
FAYM (Festival of the Arts Youth Movement) is a music and arts festival that was created by the Interact clubs of Simi Valley last year to promote youth creativity. Music and arts are promoted through the interactive music and vendors. This year we are collaborating with Interact, Key club, Rotary club and Kiwanis of Ventura County to make this event larger since we are involving these large divisions of key club as well as the Interact clubs outside Simi Valley. All the proceeds made from this event will be used to provide vital materials to the Door of Faith Orphanage in Mexico.
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SAVE the DATE! District Training AssembliesSAVE the DATE! District Training Assemblies
The District 5240 Training Assemblies are scheduled for March 18, 2017 in Bakersfield and April 1, 2017 in Oxnard. Each Assembly will run from 9:00AM to 12:30PM. Check-in and continental breakfast from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. The cost is free to all members. Training will focus on information for incoming Club Presidents, Officers, and Board Members (those who will be serving in 2017-18) although everyone is welcome.
Details and registration will follow soon.
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Heather Frankle and Women's Economic VenturesHeather Frankle and Women's Economic Ventures- Micro-Credit Project
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Heather Frankle Project FundHeather Frankle Project Fund
![]() Heather believed that the road to peace was based on improving the lives of others. She was an ardent supporter of The Rotary Foundation and its commitment to sustainable projects that resulted in permanent change. Heather was a pioneer in expanding the reach of Foundation grants around the world and locally in District 5240.
The Heather Frankle Project Fund will be used to fund Rotary projects in District 5240 and in communities around the world that lift people out of poverty and provide them with a better future. Emphasis will be in two areas of focus – Water and Sanitation and Economic and Community Development. Heather knew that that the health of a community began with clean water and sanitation. She was committed to economic development with a focus on microfinance as a means of empowering people to realize their full potential. She worked closely with the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG) and Microfinance and Community Development (RAGM) to enable Rotarians to do good in the world. Your contribution to the Heather Frankle Project Fund will continue her commitment to changing the world one life at a time. A special fund has been set up for contributions for the continuation of Heather’s humanitarian work. Donations will be accepted at the Heather Frankle Project Fund, C/O the Simi Sunrise Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 941101, Simi Valley, CA 93094-1101 |
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Conejo Valley Rotary Club Donates WheelchairsThe Conejo Valley Rotary Club Donates to the Wheelchair Foundation
![]() ![]() The Conejo Valley Rotary Club has raised funds for 7360 wheelchairs in 12 countries over the last 10 years. Diego Vasquez resents a check for $42,000 to David Behring, President of the Wheelchair Foundation along with Derrick Issa, incoming President of the Conejo Valley Rotary Club.
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Please Send Prayers, the Passing of Heather FrankleHeather Frankle
![]() Please send prayers for the passing of Heather Frankle, Wife, Partner, and Soulmate of our District Governor, Nick Frankle.
Heather passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday morning, December 23, 2016, after a four year fight with cancer. The celebration of Heather’s life will be held Sunday, January 15, 2017, 10:00 AM, at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 6150 Mount Sinai Road, Simi Valley, CA 93063. HEATHER FRANKLE OBITUARY- READ MORE |
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2016-2017 MID-TERM SEMINARSROTARY DISTRICT 5240 2016-17 MID-TERM SEMINARS
Club Presidents, Presidents-Elect, Presidents-Elect Nominees Each January, we bring together the President-line from the clubs in District 5240 to exchange ideas and to meet with the District Governor for their year of service. We call these meetings Mid-Terms. It is a chance for current presidents to talk with future presidents and build the leadership culture that sustains Rotary our District. Mid-term meetings for RY 2016-17 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday, January 7 at Bakersfield College Saturday, January 14 at the Ventura Beach Marriott. (Requires $7.00 parking fee.) |
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History is the RI Convention- On to Atlanta!THIS IS HISTORY!
![]() In 2017 all of Rotary will celebrate the 100th birthday of the Rotary Foundation. Can you do this in your own clubs? Of course. But why not actually BE there in Atlanta with all the other Rotarians from the world over where the foundation was established in 1917. In the last 100 years Rotary has become a powerful moving force for giving the help that makes lives around the world more tolerable and provides hope for something better. It is a reason for all of us to gather at the convention to share with each other the reason for being Rotarians.
Atlanta is one of the premier cities of the South and will serve as the stepping off place to the wonders of DC and the beauty and intrigue of the East Coast where our country was founded. Do a Google search and discover the foundations of the United States from Georgia to New England. May through June is a great time to travel with perfect weather and no hurricanes!
The Rotary Foundation's 100th birthday party is open to all of us and will be held June 14th. Do you have a copy of "Doing Good in the World", the story of the Foundation's first 100 years? Or plan to buy one in the House of Friendship? The author, David Forward, will hold a book signing at the convention. As for how the Foundation became a global leader in humanitarian service, the Rotary Foundation Centennial exhibit at the House of Friendship will tell the story.
This is an opportunity that will come only once in our lifetimes. Join those of us who will be there in Atlanta and make your reservation now.
Contact: Ashlea Boyer
ashlea@pismohomes.com
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Disease Prevention and Treatment Month Video |
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District Governor Nick Frankle's Message DecemberRotary has Designated December as Disease Prevention and Treatment Month
As you know, Rotary's top priority is the eradication of polio. Rotary, along with our partners, has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries. For as little as $0.60, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life.
Now, as we are in the end game, we need your help. Make a donation to Polio Plus. Your gift to the PolioPlus Fund is eligible for Paul Harris Society recognition. Maximize support for polio eradication within your club and your community by organizing a fundraiser. Follow the status of the polio eradication efforts at the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Educate your community on Rotary’s leadership role in the eradication of this dreaded disease.
We are truly this close.
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Monthly Rotary ThemesWhat Does Rotary’s Monthly Themes Do for Your Club?
December’s Rotary theme is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. One of The Rotary Foundation’s six areas of focus. So how is that important to me and my Rotary Club, when I’m so busy doing all the things associated with the holiday season this time of year? As the District Club Service Chair it is my job to help build strong Rotary clubs in Rotary District 5240. But to do that we need to have well educated members who are proud to be in Rotary and willing to share their pride.
Wear your Rotary pins as we are meeting with family, friends and co-workers. We are busy out shopping and attending holiday parties and exchanging ideas. Use the opportunity to promote Rotary and The Rotary Foundation. In spite of all the negative news we are bombarded with every day, Rotary is doing something right. Use this month’s theme and start a positive conversation. Standup and be recognized as a Rotarian, talk about what your club is doing locally first. But also talk about that project your Rotary club is doing, providing cataract surgery to a nearly sightless villager in Mexico, clean water to a town in South America or maybe a NID you were on. If you need some ideas use this link.
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Global Grant for Funding Early Childhood Education in Sri Lanka![]() ![]() Global Grant for Funding Early
Childhood Education in Sri Lanka
In 2015-16, 10 clubs in district 5240 helped fund a project that supported early childhood education by improving preschool teacher's training in rural Sri Lanka. That grant is now helping 375 preschool teachers (who are currently in training) to get their diploma. This will benefit 7,500 children annually! However, there are still 15,000 preschool teachers that need a diploma.
The Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime has now submitted a follow up grant because of the success with the previous one.
We need commitment from clubs in District 5240 to reach a minimum of $10,000 in cash.
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Paddle to End Polio The Rotary Club of Los Osos, Cayucos, and Morro Bay PADDLE TO END POLIO- Past Event October 23, 2016
The weather was splendid in Morro Bay as the SURVIVEOars, a breast cancer support network, welcomed the Rotarians from six local clubs
onto their two Dragon boats for a PADDLE TO END POLIO. Each paddler pledged to raise $100 and awareness prior to World Polio Day.
We were honored to have polio survivor Julie Jenkins and Past District Governor Loretta Butts as well as three club Presidents, energetic Rotarians and guests to learn the art of paddling the Dragon boats. |
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Savi Bhim Selected as District Governore Elect Nominee 2019-20Savi Bihm Selected as District Governor Elect Nominee 2019-20
![]() I am pleased to announce that Savi Bhim from the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise has been selected to serve as District 5240 Governor for Rotary Year 2019-20.
Savi joined the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise in 2005. She has served her club in various areas including traveling to South Africa and South America to do International projects. In 2013-14 she served as president and because of the inspired actions of the 126 members, Simi Sunrise was recognized as the Best Overall Club in the district. Savi has served District 5240 in many capacities including Membership Advisor for Region 2 and Group 5 Assistant Governor. She is currently serving as the District's Chief Operating Officer. After attending PRLS, she was touched by the dedication and expertise of the instructors and became a district and PETS trainer. She has chaired and collaboratively planned many district events including District Conferences, seminars, retreats and the District Training Assembly. In addition, she has spoken at and emceed numerous Rotary events. |
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The Rotary Foundation by Brenda Cressey, Trustee-Elect 2017-21
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STEPS Conference 2017
STEPS 2017 is Coming! January 28, 2017 at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks
For more information and registration, see www.rotarystepsonpoverty.org
This is a FREE event to Rotarians and Non-Rotarians!
This year STEPS will highlight Human Trafficking, an issue affecting people in poverty here and around the world. Keynote speakers are Opal Singleton, author of Seduced, The Grooming of America’s Teenagers, and Dr. M.D. Kinoti, a professor at Regis University who grew up on a tea farm in Kenya. Opal has trained thousands of government officials and school administrators about Human Trafficking. Dr. Kinoti is active in international community development, working with Farm Concern to address poverty in Africa. These presentations will inspire and help you understand how to protect youth and break the cycle of poverty.
Breakout sessions are designed to empower youth and increase understanding of the issues of poverty and how to develop sustainable humanitarian projects. STEPS will also include exhibits by non-profit organizations and Rotary clubs, and a Speed Project Fair, a fast paced exchange of project ideas.
STEPS 2017 will deliver the inspiration, connections and information to help you make a difference in communities here and around the world! STEPS is free to D5240 Rotarians. For more information and registration, see www.rotarystepsonpoverty.org
Contacts:
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Zone 26 Public Image ResourcesZone 26 Public Image Resources
Hello from Zone 26!
We have had a busy year, crafting and rolling out tools and resources for you to use to improve your club's public message!
The following 'how-to' articles and videos will show you an easy step by step process for accomplishing many of your goals.
You will be able to understand and package your entries for the Presidential Citation. You will be able to navigate and locate useful tools in Rotary Club Central.
And you can begin promoting your club website, as well as enter your Foundation Reporting -- just to name a few!
When you go to the website choose 'News & Resources'. This area will provide you with many videos and how-to articles to help you.
In the right-hand navigation you can subscribe to receive each new article directly to your email inbox when it is published.
Some highlights from News & Resources: Click on the links below for videos and info
Contact:
Michael Boyer
Zone 26 Rotary Public Image Coordinator
Mobile: (805) 471-7954 www.zone2526.org |
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Priority 1! SeminarsSaturday, Dec. 3, 2016 Santa Barbara or join Online!
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Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise AuctionRotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Auction
![]() Win a 6-day luxury week in Santa Barbara at the Belmont El Encanto Hotel, or a luxury ski vacation in Vail at the Four Seasons Resort and Spa. Thanks to generous donations, each prize includes fine dining, valuable perqs, and amazing activities.
We are cooperating with the Vail Symposium to conduct this raffle. Half of the proceeds from both raffles will go to our Foundation which funds the many service activities our club undertakes to improve our community and the world. I hope you’ll enter to win either or both luxury vacations at www.getawayraffle.com.
A single entry donation is $25, or 5 for $100. You can enter until November 14, 2016; winning ticket is drawn on November 15th.
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District Conference Photos 2016![]() also, for the Photo Booth Pics with the Fairy Godmothers please click to the next page
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PRLS Schedule and More!Click on the Flyer to download and distribute to your club!
MPRLS Weekend: October 7-9, 2016
You may take one Master PRLS (MPRLS) class or all five in one weekend! Class cost is $60 each or $250 for the weekend - a savings of $50 [Recommend previous completion of Introduction to Rotary] Register at by: Monday, October 1, 2016 At: http://www.rotarydistrict5240.org/SitePage/prls WEEKEND CLASS SCHEDULE Friday 3:00 – 7:00 PM Leadership Saturday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM 8:00 – Noon Facilitation Skills 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Projects and Grants Sunday 8:00 – Noon Communications All participants will be provided a PRLS binder and thumb drive |
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Biking, Brews, & BBQ RideBiking, Brews & BBQ Ride The Biking, Brews & BBQ Ride will be on Saturday September 24, 2016. This year's ride begins at the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club. The ride is open to individuals, families and teams, with courses for all levels: 5, 20, 56, and 100 mile events. The post-event BBQ will be prepared by the Pleasant Valley Lions Club with craft beers from local micro-breweries. Ride organizer Debbie Herrera says "This will be a fun event with some of the same routes used in this year's Tour of California." This is the 3rd annual ride organized by the Camarillo Rotary Club. For the latest information and to register, go to www.camarillorotaryridingforserviceaboveself.com or contact Debbie Herrera at debbie@dherreranpservicespc.com or 805/509-1961 |
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District Governor John & Christine Weiss |
District Governor Nick Frankle's Message
President Elect (PE) Retreat Sept. 16-17, 2016 -Register Now!
In the reservation section, click on the box that says “More Search Options” and enter the rate code ROT916 to get the special PE Retreat rate.
Dog Days of Summer Golf Classic
We Double Dog Dare You to Support Our Upcoming Dog Days Golf Tournament
Rotary Club of Cayucos Golf Cart Fundraiser

www.WeAreRotary.TV
Showcase them on “Rotary Serving Our Community”, a weekly TV show that airs on public access
for everyone to see.

EPIC Challenge Ventura County
Welcome to the Newest Club in District 5240... RC of Carpinteria Sunset
Erskine Fire Assistance
September 1, 2016 Literacy Month Story


Every year, we provide a shopping spree for underprivileged children at Kohl’s Department Store in Simi Valley. The children are selected by the local Samaritan Center. This year we helped 18 children shop for new clothes and school supplies. CLICK HERE for full presentation
2015-16 District 5240 Awards
Best Overall Club of the Year - CAMBRIA
Rotary International Convention - Atlanta 2017
Register Now - DG Jim's Farewell Bash

Young Leaders Summit in Seoul
Members of Four Local Rotary Clubs on Medical Mission to Nicaragua
The delegation worked at the Nueva Vida Clinic from Oct. 26-30, supporting the overworked and underfunded local staff by seeing hundreds of patients daily and bringing in needed medical supplies. The Clinic was established in 1999 in response to a refugee resettlement program after Hurricane Mitch devastated parts of Nicaragua and Honduras. The resulting barrio houses thousands of poor families. The Clinic serves those in the barrio and in the nearby community of Ciudad Sandino.
Dr. Art Kaslow, Yomaira De Leon and Pat Gimmer worked in the dentistry unit. They treated over 80 patients and performed over 85 procedures.
The cardiac unit, with Dr. Claudio Bonometti and Jose Adorno, treated more than 200 patients and also donated a $10,000 electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, while Max Jensen performed over 200 EKGs.
Dr. Dennis Bales and Ron Jones, in the ophthalmology unit, saw over 80 patients providing eye exams and glasses that would otherwise not have been affordable to patients whose average income is less than $2 per day.
Carol Anders, retired RN, and Tom Bormes, handled triage and check-in.
Norm and Jan Clevenger and Johansen worked in the pharmacy saving staff 120 hours and dispensing $5,000 worth of medicines.
Rob Klug, Rich Saferite and Joe Brown helped service the Clinic's construction needs by assembling rebar for a new building, digging trenches, extending a suction line to the new surgical unit, installing a roof air duct for suction housing, laying tile in the surgical unit, and providing over 120 hours of manual labor while sharing their skills with the staff.
Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital and Atterdag Village of Solvang provided many of the medical supplies the Rotary team took with them to Nueva Vida Clinic.
"We all returned home emotionally and physically exhausted but with touching memories of service to these lovely people," said Johansen.
Loads of Fun – And A Great Fundraiser, Too!

Paws For A Cause News

Camarillo - Hap Rapp Track Meet
Santa Barbara Rotaract - Flower Empower
Goings-On With Atascadero Interact

Ojai Wine Festival Celebrating 30 Years June 12, 2016 at Lake Casitas 12-4pm
Ojai Wine Festival Executive Director
Angela@OjaiWineFestival.com
Mobile: (805) 798-7902
Office: (805) 646-3794
OjaiWineFestival.com
Rotary Club of Camarillo - Scholarship Award Presentations
The Human Toll of Polio Eradication
Polio Report
Arroyo Grande Rotary Club Sponsors Flag Distribution to South County Schools
2016 Mexico Project Safari and District Conference
Moorpark Rotarian Visits India to Offer Medical Assistance
Fresno and Cayucos Youth Join Forces
4-Way Test - Essay Contest
Meet the Press - A New Communications Team Begins

Governor's Message - June 2016

Save The Date: DG Jim's Farewall Bash
Polio Headlines
RC of Fillmore Heritage Valley 5 - 10 K Run & Fitness Walk
Paws For a Cause - Local Veteran Receives Service Dog - Doggone Great News!

Goings-On at Moorpark High - Interact Club


2016-2017 Rotary Youth Exchange Students Almost On Their Way
Report on Council on Legislation (COL)
Governor's Message - May 2016
- (16-21) Flexibility in Meetings/Attendance
- How often a club meets is now up to the club except it must meet two times per month (there is no definition of “meeting”).
- Attendance requirements are now up to the club.
- (16-21) Allows clubs to remain the same or change accordingly.
- (16-36) Kinds of Membership
- Clubs may now have other types of memberships than the standard “active and honorary” memberships. This may include “corporate, associate, family,” etc. memberships.
- (16-38) Revise Qualifications for Membership to a club
- This enactment eliminates business and professional criteria from membership qualification.
- (16-99) Dues Increase
- RI dues are currently $55 per year. RI dues will increase $1 per year in 2016-17; increase $4 per year in 2017-18; increase $4 per year in 2018-2019; and increase $4 per year in 2019-20, reaching $68 per year in 2019-2020.
- Rationale: investment returns are down; forecast shows deficits in next four years without a dues increase; more monies needed for upgrading the infrastructure (websites, etc).
- (16-01) Requires written minutes of club Board of Director meetings
- (16-02) Club Treasurer is added as an officer and board member, in addition to the Immediate Past President, President, President Elect, and club Secretary
- (16-40) Rotaractors can simultaneously belong to a Rotary club.
- (16-51) Transferring or former Rotarians are ineligible for membership in a club if they have debts to another club.
- (16-82) E-Clubs - This enactment erases any distinction between regular clubs and e-clubs. Regular clubs can have an on-line meeting; an e-club can have an in-person meeting.
- RENE MARTINEZ, RC of Buellton
- DOMINIQUE BREDESON, RC of San Luis Obispo
- JONATHAN BROIDA, Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara
- DAVID VO, RC of Santa Barbara Sunrise
- SHANE NAZARETH, Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara
RC of San Luis Obispo Volunteers Gather to Fight Hunger
For more information, contact Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo President Jeff Stulberg.
Photos & Article provided by Camas Frank - Editor. “Volunteers Gather to Fight Hunger.” SLO City News. 10 February 2016.RC of San Luis Obispo Hal Larsen Memorial Fishing Tournament
RC of Santa Maria Breakfast Luau Party & Auction
RC of Los Olivos 12th Annual Jazz & Olive Festival
RC of Arroyo Grande 2nd Annual Rotary Harley Raffle
RC of Bakersfield Breakfast Third Annual "Thousand Flags" Event

Using Social Media to Expand Your Event's Reach
In the days leading up to International Women’s Day 8 March, organizers of a Rotary event at the World Bank used social media and web pages to promote an event that was also streamed live. Thirteen times as many people watched the event online as attended in person, proving the value of the Internet in expanding an event’s reach.
Learn more in Quentin Wodon’s blog post
Submit your own success story to our blog
Disaster Relief - Helping Earthquake Victims in Ecuador, Japan

Learn how you can help
Council Grants Clubs Greater Flexibility
The 2016 Council on Legislation may well be remembered as one of the most progressive in Rotary history. Council members granted clubs more freedom to determine their meeting schedule and membership, and approved a per capita dues increase of $4 a year for three years to enhance Rotary’s website, improve online tools, and add programs for clubs. Read more about the Council, see photos, and download vote totals.
In Memoriam



Larry graduated from San Marcos High School in 1963 and graduated from UCSB in 1970 with a Bachelor's Degree in English. He dedicated his life to education and began his teaching career at Fillmore High School where he also coached basketball. He was the principal of Ventura High School beginning in 1994 until his retirement in 2006. Larry was highly thought of by colleagues and students alike, and was known for his positive disposition, good judgement and fairness.
He was a dedicated member of the Ventura Rotary Club where he served on the board of directors and as President in 2009/2010. He was the recipient of numerous Paul Harris Fellowship Awards, given to Rotarians for service above self to the community and to Rotary projects.
Having survived polio as a child, Larry was an advocate for polio eradication and had participated in the National Immunization Day representing Rotary in India on two occasions. He was very proud to have his son Triston accompany him on one of these NID trips to India. On behalf of District 5240, Larry visited many Rotary Clubs promoting participation in Rotary's goal of worldwide polio eradication.
Larry was an avid surfer, a voracious reader and enjoyed playing cribbage.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karin Emrich of Ventura; son and daughter-in-law, Tristan and Christi Emrich and grandson, Finn of Valencia; brother and sister-in-law, Bud and Mary Emrich of Santa Barbara; as well as nieces, nephews and many other family members.
Memorial contributions may be made in Larry's name to the Julius Guis Memorial Foundation, Ventura Rotary Club, P. O. 2100, Ventura, CA 93002-2100.
Paws for a Cause - Doggone Great News!

Another Rotarian is Honored
Rotarian Inspiring Women of Action - Including 5240's Own PDG Deepa Willingham
New First-in-Family Scholarship Announced by the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo
First-Ever Rotaract Retreat
Great American Clean-up Day, Saturday, April 23, 2016
New Tools for the Membership Tool Belt

2. Diversifying Your Club: A Member Diversity Assessment
3. Finding New Club Members: A Prospective Member Exercise
4. Improving Your Member Retention: A Retention Assessment and Analysis
5. Enhancing the Club Experience: Member Satisfaction Survey
6. Understanding Why Members Resign: Exit Survey
New England Journal of Medicine Article on Defeating Polio
Sheriff Jim is "Ridin' Into The Sunset", Pardners
Governor's Message - April 2016
Pedal Against Polio


Governor's Message - March 2016
In Memoriam






As we were going to press with the newsletter, we sadly learned about the February 23rd death of Dr. Edward Hager (84), Past Rotarian of the Year, 2009-2010, and member of the Arch Klumph Society. Dr. Ed was a member of the RC of Thousand Oaks. More on Dr. Hager next month. |
Masquerade in Cayucos - March 19, 2016
Ventura High School Interact Club - A Video with Pride!
Polio Plus Update as of February 24th
Paws For a Cause

5th Annual California Jazz & Wine Festival
Tour Members and Rotary Change Lives in Bosnia
The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers
Three Ways to Make Rotary Personal

Read Bucca’s tips on Rotary Voices
Find materials for referring members
Join a discussion group on membership best practices
Successful Event Sponsored by RC of SLO de Tolosa

Annual Rotary Magic Show

- Larry Wilson, Emmy Nominated Magician
- Arthur Trace, World Class Magician
- Funny Eddie Medrano, Magician and former Circus Clown
- Shawn McMaster, The Master of Comedy Magic
- Paul Dwork, The Magic of Merlin
Polio Plus Weekend in San Luis Obispo - February 25, 26 and 27
- Feb 25th - Farmer's Market - Meet Lady Mustangs
- Feb 26th - Oceano Melodrama
- Feb 27th - Cal Poly Lady Mustangs play UCSB
Interact District Conference - April 9th
2017 Rotary Peace Fellowship
- Districts are not responsible for funding applicants. Your district can endorse as many candidates as deemed qualified at no cost.
- 31 May 2016 District Deadline - Applications should be sent to DG Jim (jimbelldg1516@gmail.com)
The Four Way Test - "Will It Be Beneficial To All Concerned" - You betcha!!
Courtroom Canine becomes a RI Paul Harris Fellow


How To Increase Your Club's Membership
Special Offers Exclusively for Rotarians
Rotary's Work Spotlighted in "National Geographic"
Pedal Against Polio

Each District Club is encouraged to participate by putting together, in their area, both an outdoor and indoor bike ride.
Each District Club will have the discretion of determining the distances and locations for the outdoor ride. Each District Club will have the discretion of determining the location for the indoor ride.
Many cities in District 5240 have multiple Rotary Clubs and I would encourage these Rotary Clubs to work together to increase participation.
Think of what could be raised in April of 2016 in the effort to eradicate Polio if all 73 District 5240 Clubs participated in putting on a Pedal Against Polio event.
For more information please contact me, Dan Giordano at dgiordano@bak.rr.com or call 661-834-1065 if you are interested in participating in the Pedal Against Polio April event.
Festival of Youth Arts Festival - March 12th
Letter from General Secretary Regarding Pakistan Bombing

Governor's Message - February 2016
Sheri Horn-Bunk Honored
Jubilee of Rotarians
K.R. Ravindran
Rotary International President, 2015-16
Polio Plus Update
Rotary World Peace Conference 2016 Update
Christmas at Seal Center
The Rotary Foundation - Cadre of Technical Advisors

Innovative Ways to Connect With Young Professionals

Rotaract President's Retreat

Measuring Impact Of Your Charitable Donation
Rotary and Peace Corps Partnership Agreement
Governor's Message - January 2016
Mexico International Safari Trip

Joyce Appointed Director of Youth Service
REGISTER NOW! MILLION DOLLAR BRUNCH
Save The Date: Lobster Boil in Santa Barbara
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Saturday, January 23, 2016
The Harbor Restaurant - 210 Stearns Wharf - Santa Barbara, CA 93101
5:00pm - 8:30pm (dinner and live auction)
8:30pm - 10:00pm (band entertainment)
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Montecito
Benefit for the Mumosho Water Project
Honoring Larry Hammett
Dress Attire: Dressy Casual
Valet provided to attendees
Tickets $125 before January 1st, $150 starting January 1st.
Ticket holders get a lobster dinner, complimentary beer & wine, program provided by the Rotary Club of Montecito and live entertainment.
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2016 Rotary Peace Fellowship Success for D5240
Rotary: A Terror Vaccine
Schwartz Named District Governor for 2018-19
Paws for a Cause & New Life K9s

PolioPlus Fundraiser



Lights, Camera, Rotary!

2016 Rotary International Council on Legislation
Governor's Message - December 2015
Vocational Moment
Schwartz Named District Governor For 2018-19
A Colorful 60-Year History - RC of Camarillo
15th Polio Eradication (NID) Trip to India Announced
Save the Month of April 2016 for Pedal Against Polio
Twilight Continues To Make An Impact
#GivingTuesday
Rotary Annual Giving
- Hear from PDG Sandra Schley (Rotary Club of Edina, Minnesota, USA) about why she supports the Annual Fund and how she encourages others to support it.
- Learn tips from PDG Eric Wood (Rotary Club of Pine Rivers Daybreak, Queensland, Australia) for increasing giving in your club or district.
Crowdfunding Request from RC of Bakersfield West
Save The Date: Annual District Foundation Gala
Save The Date!
Governor's Message - November 2015
Polio and Peace

Veterans and Canines

Join Us Friday For The World Polio Day Event!
15th Polio Eradication (NID) Trip to India – February 2016
- Team size will be limited to constraints of our host Rotarians.
- A club sponsoring a participant can consider this as an international service project and should be prepared to explore worthy projects from the host districts in India. It is strongly suggested that the team member makes a presentation to the club on their NID experience.
- Preference will be given to those who have not participated in previous NIDs.
- Team members must be in good physical and mental health considering the stress and strains of long flying time and a busy and hectic schedule while in India. This requirement is very important.
- The District expects that the team members will become ambassadors of the Polio Eradication Program in their respective clubs and their local communities.
- A rough estimate of the total cost, including air travel, is around $3,000-$3,500, ($500 out of this amount is required to be sent with the Participation Form now). This does not including any shopping sprees. You can reduce your cost by sharing the hotel room with another team member. Once we have the team finalized, you will get a copy of the participants with their contact information. You can contact other people on the team and seek for roommates.
- We will have a day or so to do shopping and sightseeing in New Delhi. We will also go to Agra for a day to see the Taj Mahal.
- Once we are in India, the team will be split into teams of 3-5 people and each team will go to different locations. Some internal travel will be involved which will be arranged by us. Cost of that travel and the international travel is all inclusive in the total estimate.
- Please make sure that your passport is current and does not expire within 6 months of the trip completion. Once we have the team in place, we will give you directions on how to obtain a Visa for India (you will need 2 passport size photos for this).
- One, 3 to 4 hour's orientation program will be held on January 31, 2016 at my home, 655 Oldstone Place, Simi Valley, CA, for education on polio and other cultural nuances. It is mandatory to attend this session.
- Our role on this trip is three fold: (1) To boost the morale of the workers who have been doing this for many years and they are getting fatigued and tired, (2) To increase the visibility of the immunization program, and lastly, (3) get a chance to give oral polio drops to the children.
- Once the team is put together, you will be asked to send more funds/credit card info to purchase airline tickets. You will be paying for the hotel stay directly to the hotel when we are in India. Usually, our hosts will pay for our meals when we are in the field, but the meals taken in the hotel is paid by you. We will complete all the accounting at the end of the trip and any refunds due will be sent after we return.
- We will be making all the arrangements for air travel to India, travel within India and the hotel stay.
Forms:
- 2016 NID Announcement
- 2016 NID Participation Form
- 2016 NID Bio
- 2016 NID Hold Harmless
- 2016 NID Itinerary
The Miracle of Rotary and our Rotary Youth



Bakersfield Twilight Rotary Picnic in the Park
Great News! World Health Organization (WHO) Removes Nigeria From Polio Endemic List
Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Street Fair
Group 4 Fundraiser To Assist K9s For Warriors
Seoul Air Travel
Rotary Club of Pismo Beach - Five Cities Presents Pinot for Polio
Join Us For Our World Polio Day Kickoff Event
- Download the World Polio Day tool kit to help spread the word
- Visit the Member Center
- If you miss the live event, watch and share the recording
Peace Conference
Lake Area Rotary Clubs - Fire Relief Fund
District Governor Jim Bell... At A Loss For Words!?
Ghana Global Grant Progress Report
Foundation Earns Four-Star Rating From Charity Navigator
- Read more about the four-star rating
- Find ideas for observing World Polio Day in the September Rotary Leader
Rotary Global Rewards

Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Wine, Place & Show
District Conference Annual Business Meeting
Camp Keep - 2015
Seoul - Experience Traditional Hospitality in a Dynamic World-Class Rotary City
Polio Headlines Week Ending August 26
West Coast Diversity Initiative
Governor's Message - September 2015
Rotary Hosts Wedding and District Governor on Fiesta Parade Float

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Wanted: Couple to Get Married in the Fiesta Parade
the float, a replica of the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens – a truly lovely place to get married – could be the perfect venue for a couple who loves Fiesta, Santa Barbara, or lots of attention.
- Your names.
- Why do you want to get married (or renew your vows) in the Fiesta parade? Why should we choose you?
- If we make our decision Wednesday, August 5, can you be ready to get married on August 7?
- How can we best reach you? Please provide phone numbers and emails.
Honor a Vet
Biking, Brews and BBQ
Midsummer Eve Wine Festival
Lunches for the Homeless
A Polio-Free Nigeria
Membership and Retention

Peace Conference 2016
Governor's Message - August 2015
District Information Meeting

District Conference - Time to Register

- you WILL smile until it hurts,
- have MORE FUN than the law allows,
- you WILL be entertained like never before,
- you WILL save money!
More Fun Than The Law Allows!
That's right... Reason #5 to attend the District 5240 Conference in Bakersfield October 2-4, 2015... Have more fun than the law allows!
Head over to www.Rotary5240DC.com to Register for the District Conference!
Happy New (Rotary) Year
District 5240 July 2015 Newsletter |
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2014-15 District 5240 Awards

Best Overall Club of the Year - Moorpark

Best Large Club - San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

Best Medium Club - Moorpark

Best Small Club - Simi Sunset

District Rotarian of the Year - Edwin Velarde

Significant Achievement Award from Rotary International - Bakersfield North

Citation for Meritorious Service from The Rotary Foundation - PDG Wade Nomura
Robert "Jock" MacKenzie Leadership in Education Award - Jack Tingstrom

Dr. John Padilla Humanitarian Service Award - Heather Frankle

Samuel L. Greene Service Above Self Award - Savi Bhim
Avenues of Service Awards:
Club Service
International Service
Community Service
Vocational Service
Youth Service
Rotaract Service
Gold Clubs
Silver Clubs
Bronze Clubs
After the awards were handed out, the transfer of pins occurred.






Rotary Club of Atascadero to the Rotary Club of Bakersfield Twilight
A Message from DG Loretta Butts
Welcome The Global Eagles to District 5240
Remembering Edward Everett (1920-2015)

How to Support the Water Projects When Shopping at Amazon
Teenager with autism helps Interact raise money for charity

Congrats to Master PRLS 5 Graduates
- Don Tiliquest of Camarillo
- Rene Schrader of Bakersfield East
- Mike Murphy of Thousand Oaks
- Bill Banning of Goleta Noontime
- Dennis Longwill of Ventura South
- Jeff Stern of Woodland Hills (District 5280)
- Anastasia Pyrinnis of Newbury Park Interact
- Odyesseus Pyrinnis of Newbury Park Interact
- Yvonne Brooks of Woodland Hills
View and Vote for Bakersfield Twilight's Rotary Video
Bakersfield Twilight Rotary has submitted a video for WE ARE ROTARY.
- Go to Facebook and find Rotary International
- Click on Share Your Story
- Find Anselmo - Bakersfield (or click the words here)
- VOTE
You can vote every 24 hours.
Bakersfield Twilight Rotary is the only entry from District 5240. Please vote!
Meeting highlight: Ambassadorial Scholar Amber Harden Shares Stories

Amber’s Ambassadorial Scholarship was sponsored by the Crenshaw Watts Rotary Club, which has partnered with our club in supporting the Simon Technology High School, a grade 9-12 Charter High School in Watts.Our clubs have made a commitment to work together on other projects and set an example of inter district cooperation for other clubs to follow.
Pictured (left to right): Clarence Miller, principal of the Simon Technology High School; Amber Harden; Robert Ryans, incoming president of the Crenshaw Watts Rotary Club; Olivia Ryans, wife of Robert Ryans and a member of the Inglewood Rotary Club; Cresie Page, a past president of the Crenshaw Watts Rotary Club; and Jon Morse, a past president of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village.
San Luis Obispo Clubs Thanked for New Airport Viewing Area
Santa Maria Breakfast Partners with Boy Scout
Boy Scout Jason Caldwell wanted to fulfill his Eagle Scout project at a park. He contacted the Rotary Club of Santa Maria Breakfast to see if he could contribute to the Rotary Centennial Park on South College Drive. He planned to create the Cliff Dochterman Award Recipients’ Memorial, which would include a plaque and a designated area in the park that honors Service Through Scouting & Rotary.
In Memory of Kenneth J. Fay, 1932-2015
San Luis Obispo Club | Guest Meeting Review
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One of our members brought his brother-in-law to one of our meetings. His brother-in-law, Clint Norrell, had never been to a Rotary meeting before and knew little about Rotary, although he did have some preconceived notions. After the meeting, he wrote an email to our member about his experience. This email was so thoughtful, enlightening and well-written that I thought you might like to publish it.
Copied Below:
“I’ve got a Rotary meeting at noon. Would you like to come as my guest?”
The invitation comes as a surprise. My expression prompts a brief description of what I can expect.
“Sure,” I say, but don’t feel sure at all.
In the shower, I’m wondering what I’ll wear. I haven’t had on anything but work clothes in months. Oh well, how bad can it get. I can stand on my head for the length of any lunch.
“Ever been here?”
“No,” I answer, as I scan the exterior of Madonna’s. It’s an ornate restaurant/hotel south of San Luis Obispo where we’re visiting Kath’s sister & husband. Brooks is a long time Rotary member. I’m not. I thought it was another “good ol’ boys” club, a rich guys club, or a business networking group. Certainly the “silver Buick” set.
Brooks leads me through Madonna’s. Exaggerated carved wood and copper sheeting meet curved red velvet booths. Some eccentric left his mark. I’m glad to see it, despite it having bruised my senses.
We’re greeted by people in red vests, pay, and I follow Brooks to a buffet table where we build salads and select desert. We find seats at one of the round tables for nine. The settings include china plates and a half-dozen utensils. The water glasses are heavy red and blue goblets. The walls are covered with brag photos. The heavy beam architecture is somewhere between Snow White and The Hobbit.
Gold letters on blue banners frame the podium. They proclaim the club’s name and the equivalent of a mission statement about truth and service.
A bell is rung. Everyone stands for a prayer, a pledge, and a couple of patriotic songs. The main course is served during announcements and the introduction of guests. I’m one of many who stand in turn to polite applause.
Someone speaks of a veteran activist project. Vets are acknowledged. Someone speaks of fighting polio in Africa. Brooks frequently whispers explanations as others stand to present.
In attendance are the mayor, councilmen, judges, professors, professionals, successful businessmen, and accomplished artisans. 40% are women.
Various weekly meeting rituals are performed. One acknowledges someone’s good deed, they rise to explain, and contribute a hundred dollars for the privilege. I witness another as individuals rise to describe “Happy News”. Each donates $20 to do so.
The keynote is presented by a young councilman who describes his path to local politics. He’s quite impressive, with a longer than expected history of organizing discourse between opposing views. He ends his talk by explaining his greatest obstacle. “Don’t send me an e-mail. Bring you idea, problem, or complaint in person. Eye to eye. I’ll say, ‘How ‘bout I buy the coffee, and we’ll talk about it.’”
Through the hour plus lunch a new and more accurate impression of Rotary form in my mind. These are serious people as interested in service as any less accomplished idealist who criticizes from afar . . . like me. These people do things. They have earned their station and they’re using their positions to help others. They raise thousands and it goes directly to good. They get their hands dirty doing good. They are humble and grateful and I feel like an ass for categorizing them wrongly.
I had a good lunch in a room with down to Earth, do-gooders who pledge their resources to the betterment of man. I confessed these lessons to my brother-in-law on the way home. I tried to formulate a defensive explanation, but can’t, and admit that I was just flat wrong. Class envy perhaps. I don’t care what, but I assure you I will try to never again fault anyone, or question their sincerity, simply for being successful.
Save the Date: June 6 Los Olivos Jazz & Olive Festival
One World Rotary Fundraiser - Personalized Sketches
The Rotary EClub of One World has a very unique fundraiser. As we are not a traditional club, the traditional way of fundraising doesn’t work for us.
One of our members from Russia has come up with this amazing idea and we want to invite anyone to take part. We just ask that you make a donation on our EClub website. Here’s how it works:
Forward a photo of yourself with the city, state and Country to this email address: nesynovnikita@yandex.ru. Nik’s father is a famous Russian sketch artist. He will provide a sketch of the photo and its yours!
Here’s my (Dawn O'Bar's) wonderful sketch with the palm trees and Santa Barbara Mission in the background. The dollar amount you choose to donate is up to you. Just click the “Yes, I’d like to donate button on the home page.” These would make great gifts for your program speakers.
International Report: Santa Barbara Serves in Guatemala
- built 8 ONIL stoves in Mayan homes
- installed 7 water filters and stands, which should last 10 years
- provided 2 pilas, or large sinks
- donated food baskets for 10 families in addition to 100 pounds of corn for 3 families
- delivered stuffed animals and medical supplies
- gave a bed and a wardrobe cabinet to a family in need
Save the Date for the Ojai Wine Festival on June 14

Rotary Clubs of Bakersfield Unite to “Paint Our Town”

RC of Ojai Supports 3 Projects in Niger

Cal Poly basketball game to benefit End Polio Now
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Reflections on The Rotary Foundation
Projects - Free shirts for international district projects
Events - Nomuras participate in the Rose Parade
Events - 2015 Foundation Gala
3:00 p.m. Museum Tours
5:30 p.m. No Host Reception
6:15 p.m. Doors Open
7:00 p.m. Dinner, followed by Recognition of New Gifts
8:15 p.m. Keynote Speaker, Rotary International President Elect K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran
Reagan Library, Simi Valley
Click flyer to view full size
Click Here to Register
Events - Edwin Velarde selected to participate in the Tournament Rose Parade
Events - Announcing Rotary Peace Centers 101 & 201 Webinars

The Rotary Peace Centers is proud to announce that the application for the 2016 Rotary Peace Fellowship is now online, and we are more excited than ever for the upcoming year!
Why are we so excited? This year the Rotary Peace Centers Fellowship has a newly designed webpage with additional resources for you and potential applicants. Please go to our website to view the new animation video about the application process, stories from alumni, and many more amazing resources.
Special PRLS Sessions in December

All PRLS classes are designed for Rotarians and non Rotarian friends and Rotaracters. They are designed to improve your skills for Rotary and in your chosen profession. Registration forms, directions and class descriptions can be found on the PRLS website at www.prls.org, or through a link at the Rotary District 5240 web site at www.rotarydistrict5240.org.
The PRLS staff is very proud to announce that we will have three Special PRLS sessions in December. On December 6th MPRLS 3 (Facilitation Skills) and on December 13th MPRLS 4 (Situational Leadership) and a Special evening session of Intro to PRLS (Basic PRLS rewritten)on December 11th (a Thursday).
Projects - Rotary Club of Santa Barbara's 2014 Guatemala Water Project
Earlier this year 6 members of our club went to Guatemala to work with an NGO called Mayan Families in Panajachel, Guatemala. Our project was to build 9 stoves and provide clean drinking water for 7 families. This successful international project was completed in the Mayan villages around the Lake Atitlan area. We will be returning again in 2015 where we will be involved in a construction project. View project video under more.
PARTICIPATE IN #GIVINGTUESDAY ON DECEMBER 2

This year, Rotary is participating in #GivingTuesday on 2 December, a global day of giving supported by 10,000 organizations worldwide.
Invite your club to get involved by giving online. Online giving is the easiest and most efficient way to give to the Foundation and the causes you care about most. As an added incentive, President Gary C.K. Huang will send special video messages to the club and district that make the most individual online gifts to The Rotary Foundation on #GivingTuesday.
Share why you support the Foundation on Twitter and Facebook by using the tags #GiveTheGift and #GivingTuesday. And replace your profile picture with our proud donor image!
You can also round out Rotary Foundation Month by adding this presentation, which highlights #GivingTuesday, to your weekly program.
During the 2013-14 Rotary year we had 31,202 donors make gifts online raising US $8.9 million online for The Rotary Foundation. See page 5 for data on contributions made through rotary.org in TRF Annual Report on Operations 2013-14
Projects - Local Rotarians Change Lives Around The World
During National Immunization Days (NIDs) local Rotarians along with thousands of volunteers and health workers, together with Rotary and Rotaract members, canvassed the streets of India throughout the country in search of children to immunize. They traveled from house to house knocking on doors in shantytowns and rural villages.
Polio - 2015 NID to India
DON'T MISS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BE A PART OF THE 14TH NID TO INDIA
November 3Oth is your last chance to sign up and be a part of the 14th NID leaving for India in February 2015
Events - STEPS 2015: Steps to Eliminate Poverty Sustainably – Make a difference in your own backyard!
A Local Focus!
Date: Saturday January 31, 2015
Place: California Lutheran University,
Thousand Oaks
STEPS 2015 – Make a difference in your own
backyard! Click on the picture of the starfish for more information
We will focus on successful, sustainable local projects benefiting members of our own communities, with financial help from international partnerships and the Rotary Foundation. While all concepts presented at STEPS in previous years have applied to projects abroad and at home, at STEPS 2015, we will showcase exciting projects benefiting our part of the world!
Polio - It Turns Out That Fighting Polio Is Good Training To Fight Ebola
Nigeria has been a stubborn hot spot of polio — and that turned out to be a good thing when it came time to fight Ebola.
In late July, a patient with the deadly Ebola virus arrived from Liberia. Health workers knew what to do. The country has created a massive public health effort to wipe out polio; institutions and strategies were repurposed to fight Ebola.
On the other hand, anti-polio efforts in the countries hit hardest by Ebola are on hold — and that could lead to disaster.
First, the good news, from Nigeria.
Foundation - Why your gift to The Foundation makes a difference

November gives us the chance to build greater ownership and pride in our Foundation. We have so much to celebrate. The new grant model, Rotary’s website, our publications, and our new branding effort all focus on building a strong message — the importance of contributing to and supporting our Rotary Foundation.
Foundation - Meeting the need of the changing Rotary World
Meeting the Needs of the Changing Rotary World Requires Working on Sundays
Rotary District 5240 leads the Rotary world in education and that sometimes means working Sundays. On Sunday October 26th six dedicated Rotarians came together to practice for a Rotary Foundation Meeting to be held on October 30. The fact that all the Rotarians were not in the same location or meeting face to face is not news worthy. Most of the time a meeting like this would go unnoticed as district staff has been using conference calls and Go-to-meeting for several years now. What sets this meeting apart from other meetings using online collaboration tools; it was hosted via Go-to-webinar from Citrix Online.
Starting October 30th Rotarians will not be asked to give up as many of your weekends to travel to a Rotary meeting somewhere in the district.
Training - Membership Training Seminars
Region 2 Membership Training Seminar for District 5240 was held on October 18th
Training - PDG Wade Nomura Named as New PRLS Director

Past District Governor (PDG) Wade Nomura was recently named as the new PRLS (Practical Real-life Leadership Skills) Director at the District Conference in Monterey. Wade becomes the first PDG since Jock McKenzie to serve in this position.
Events - Deepa Willingham
White House honors PDG Deepa Willingham as a Rotary Women of Action
Senior Rotary leaders gathered Tuesday at the White House to honor 10 women for their service projects, at an event attended by members of U.S. President Barack Obama’s senior staff. The Rotary members presented their projects in the hopes of creating new inroads for government partnerships and support.
Projects - Rotaract's 3rd Annual Mexico Build
Mexico Build 2014
District 5240’s community based Rotaract clubs of San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and San Diego Downtown all partnered together for their 3rd Annual Mexico Build on July 9. Crossing the border early Saturday morning and returning before dusk, the 3 Rotaract clubs built a home for a single mother and her two children.
The Passing of PDG Jan Lindsay
Dear Rotary Family,
Our PDG Jan Lindsay passed away earlier this week. A celebration of his life will be held this coming Friday, August 22nd, at 11:00 am in the Grand Salon on the campus of Channel Islands University in Camarillo. Please see the invitation from the Lindsay Family and directions to the University.
With a Sad Heart, Loretta, Loretta Butts, Rotary International District Governor, 2014-2015 855-466-2045
Forever in Our Hearts
Please join the Lindsay family to celebrate the life of
Jan Corwin Lindsay
Friday August 22, 2014 at 11 AM
California State University Channel Islands
Grand Salon
One University Drive
Camarillo, CA
“Donations can be made to GoCare Inc.,
Rotary International or a charity of your choice”.
We will be gathering immediately after the memorial to share our favorite memories and stories of Jan.
Events - Group 8 Lights up Rotary in the Santa Barbara Fiesta Parade
La Fiesta in Santa Barbara
I had the honor of participating in the Santa Barbara la Fiesta parade last Friday. The parade turned 90 and the Rotary clubs in Group 8 have been showcasing Rotary International with a float for 38 plus years.
We had the opportunity to walk the route beside the float. Some of those hearty souls were PDG Wade Nomura, EAG Ross Ray, Santa Barbara North President Vanessa Patterson, Santa Barbara President Katarina Zamyatina, Santa Barbara Sunrise President Dana Goba, Carpinteria Morning President Art Fisher, brand new Rotary Club of Montecito member Conner Rehage . Christine Le Bon from Goleta Noontime and Helena Dahlin from the E-Club joined the group walking down State Street. We even had the little great granddaughter, Brooke, of the first President of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara!
District Governor Nominations Are Open
District Governor Nominations Are Open
Each year your club has the opportunity of nominating a candidate to serve as District Governor from its members. If your club has a qualified member that is willing to serve as the Governor, we hope you would support and honor that individual by submitting his/her name.
Greetings From The Governor
In my Rotary life, the story of the starfish has always resonated because it tells us we can make a difference even if it is only one starfish at a time. We can bring hope where there is despair and light the way through our Rotary service. It is the way of our District 5240. It is the Rotary way.
2013/14 Recognition Awards
Rotary District 5240 2013-14 Recognition Awards
Deb Linden from the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo receives the honor of being named District 5240’s Rotarian of the Year for 2013-14.
As the 2013-14 Rotary year neared its conclusion of June 30th, District Governor Jack McClenahan’s with the help of Past District Governor Frank Ortiz presented District 5240 and Rotary International Personal and Club Awards at DG Jack’s Demotion and Luncheon. If you were not one of the hundred and sixty plus Rotarians and friends who attended the June 28th celebration at the Marriott Courtyard in Oxnard, a complete list of the receptions is available at the following link.Recognition Awards
Loretta Butts to “Light Up” Rotary as District Governor for 73 Rotary Clubs in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties
Information You Need To Know To Form & Work With Your Rotaract Club
PRLS Introduction
INTRODUCTION TO POTENTIAL ROTARY LEADERS SEMINARS
"To all Rotarians in District 5240". A new and improved personal Improvement "PRLS" is scheduled to start June 21st., also known as "Practical Real Life Leadership Skills" professionally taught by Rotarians for members, Interact, Rotaract, families and friends of Rotarians. They will be held in each region of the District and will start in July of 2014 and complete in May of 2015, a totally new concept to help All Rotarians interested in honing their leadership skills in order to be ready for new challenges.
Do not miss this opportunity to become a "Master PRLS leader for your club and the District".
Jack Tingstrom
District 5240 Director of PRLS
Deadline for Proposed Amendments is July 30th!

The annual business meeting of the district will be held on September 28, 2012 on board the Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802 at 3:30 PM. Please note that on July 2, 2012 the board of directors of the district passed a resolution adopting the Amended and Restated By-Laws. A copy of these by-laws can be found under the link above for the District Annual Meeting or on the left of this page.
Article 13 of these by-laws provides that proposed amendments to these by-laws must be submitted to the chair of the district resolutions committee no later than 60 days prior to the annual business meeting. PLEASE SEND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO jan.gocare@gmail.com no later than July 30, 2012. Please note in the subject line that the electronic submission is a Proposed Amendment to the by-laws.
* UPDATE ON 2012-13 GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS *
The District 5240 Grants Committee is available to conduct Grant Writing Workshops at the Club or Group level upon request for the 2012-2013 Rotary year. The committee wants to remind you that the sooner you get started on the Grant writing process, the quicker your project will become a reality for your Club. Information about Grants can be found on the District website at www.rotarydistrict5240.org. Click on the 'Foundation' tab on the top of the homepage, and scroll down to 'Grants'.
To request a workshop or general assistance you may contact:
Kern County areas: Dan Giordano - dgiordano@bak.rr.com
Ventura and South Santa Barbara County areas: Heather Frankle - hfrankle@earthlink.net
San Luis Obispo and North Santa Barbara County areas: Bruce Howard - bruce@brucehowardrealtor.com
District Step Down Luncheon
Register today for the District 5240 Step Down Luncheon!
Plan to be at the Moorpark Country Club at 11:30am on June 23rd. This is the last official party of the Krewe of Nomura. This is not just our chance to kick another DG to the curb! Clubs and individuals will be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments plus DG Wade will pass the gavel of leadership to DGE Frank. Click here to register.
District Four Way Test Contest Winners!
The Clubs in District 5240 made the Contest Committee's job very hard this year with such terrific entries! For those clubs that took the time this year to conduct the Contest, you have instilled the Four Way Test into the minds of children in your community, from Grade School through High School.
My goal for 2012-13, would be to have 100% club participation in this project. A message will be sent out in a week or so with stories from those clubs that participated sharing their experience. Please make sure your club's Vocational Service Chair/Director knows about this great annual contest.
And the winners are!
For the elementary school division:
- First Place – Santa Maria Breakfast – Samantha Spallino
- Second Place – Ojai – Emma Strickland
- Third Place – China Lake – Chloe Telles
For the middle school division:
- First Place – Simi Sunset – Brandon Freed
- Second Place – Pismo Beach – Ryan Brennan
- Third Place – Simi Valley – Haley Perkins
For the high school division:
- First Place – Pismo Beach – Joanne Crandall
- Second Place – Thousand Oaks – Shai Goldberg
- Third Place – Ojai – Hannah Strickland
First Place winners will receive $300, Second Place $200 and Third Place $100. The District will prepare the checks and have them mailed to the winning club to distribute as they choose to the students.
The Contest Committee and I send our thanks to all the clubs that participated this year, and look forward to many more clubs getting involved next year!
2011-12 DG Club Awards Dinner and DG Gavel Hand-off!

The event will also mark the passing of the reins from our DG Wade Nomura (aka Dusty Bottoms) to DGE Frank Ortiz(aka Lucky Day). Rumor has it the third Amigo DGN Jack McClenahan (aka Ned Nederlander) will ride in from the West.
Seven Days and Counting to the Biggest Smile in Bangkok

“The Biggest Smile in Bangkok 2012”
Impact Arena Hall (next to the RI Convention Hall)
May 7, 2012 from 14.00-16.00 hrs.
Through 107 years of humanitarian service by Rotarians to people around the world, we believe that one smile can grow… to a thousand smiles. Bangkok Convention goers will have an opportunity to create the biggest smile in the record books at the 2012 Rotary International Convention.
PDG Anil Garg (RC of Simi Valley) honored at the White House as "A Champion of Change"
RC of Simi Sunrise featured in Rotary.org for their work in Honduras
Happy 107th Birthday to Rotary...

Rotarians Heading to India for NID
District Governor for 2014-15 Named
The District Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that Loretta Butts has been selected as the DGND (District Governor Nominee Designate). She will serve as District Governor during the 2014-15 Rotary year. A biography will be posted shortly.
The District Nominating Committee wanted to thank everyone that expressed an interest in serving the District as District Governor. They also wanted to acknowledge those candidates that took the time to apply for this important position. Our District is strong and effective because we have wonderful Rotarians willing to accept leadership roles and volunteer their valuable time.
Please Help -- Community Service Projects
Please read this full story regarding two suggestions from Frank Ortiz, Community Service Director and GGN on how you or your club can participate in efforts to provide food, coats and other necessities for those in economic distress.
Links: Full Story; Community Service Page
District Conference a Great Success

The Race is over and the results are in.
Click DISTRICT CONFERENCE RESULTS for a description of the events, a few photo shots, a list of attendance and, most important, the tally of the contributions to End Polio Now.
Ambassadorial and Peace Scholarship Applications
Ambassadorial and Peace Scholarship Applications are Due May 2. Interview date changed to June 5. Please click HERE for full story.
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY -- APRIL 9 & 16, 2011
Recent Information of Interest
This story is designed to point to sections of interest (primarily new information)
Please Click on the Links for Details:
- Rotarians at Work Day April 30 2011 (also see Community Service Page)
- Community Service Updates Feb/Mar 2011 (also see Community Service Page)
- New Accident Policy (complete document) (Part 1) (Part 2) Note: more details coming
District 5240 Business Meeting - Apr 9, 2011
Symposium To Eliminate Poverty Sustainably (STEPS)
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Symposium To Eliminate Poverty Sustainably (STEPS)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Santa Maria Fair Park
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Click here for description, registration form, and details
Clubs Registered for STEPS
Arroyo Grande
Atascadero
Bakersfield Twilight
Atascadero HS Interact
Cal Poly Rotaract
Cambria
Cambria Sunrise Centennial
Cayucos-Seaside
China Lake (1)
Goleta
Grover Beach
Los Osos
Moorpark Morning
Montecito
Morro Bay
Morro Bay HS Interact
Nipomo
Ojai
Ojai West
Paso Robles
Paso Robles Interact
Paso Robles Sunrise
Pismo Beach
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Daybreak
San Luis Obispo - De Tolosa
San Luis Obispo HS Interact
Lan Luis Obispo Rotaract
Santa Barbara Sunrise
Santa Maria
Santa Maria Breakfast
Santa Maria South
Simi Sunset
Simi Valley
Solvang Breakfast
Templeton
Thousand Oaks
Vandenberg Village
Ventura
Ventura East
Ventura Rotaract
Westlake Village Sunrise
Applications for District Governor for 2013-2014
Group Study Exchange
The District 5240 GSE team will be traveling to Melbourne, Australia, March 10 through April 7, 2011.
Contact: Colin Stephens at colins@ttiedu.com
Mid-Terms
Mid-Terms are Coming!
ATTENTION Presidents, Presidents-Elect, AND Presidents-Elect Nominees
Hear inspirational speakers; enjoy fellowship with current and future leaders of District 5240; meet with your fellow classmates and respective District Governor for your year; and come away reinvigorated in enthused for the year(s) ahead!!!
Two dates and locations:
January 8, 2011- Oxnard Courtyard Marriott and January 15, 2011 - Bakersfield Sheraton Four Points.
Click Mid-Terms Registration Form to register. Click HERE for the schedule and full story.
4 Way Test Essay Contest for 2010-2011
March 18, 2011 - Submit entries to the local Rotary Club.
April 8, 2011 - Local Rotary Club submits winning essays to the District.
Revised Date: May 15, 2011 - District winners will be announced to Local Rotary Clubs.
RI District 5240 TRF Gala with RI President Ray Klinginsmith

RI DISTRICT 5240 CELEBRATES THE ROTARY FOUNDATION with RI President Ray Klinginsmith as the Keynote Speaker
Special thanks to all those who supported and attended the "Celebration TRF Gala" on January 4th. This was an exciting and memorable event from all accounts and RI President Ray agrees. Please look at the photo album in the left hand column of the Home Page. I would like to acknowledge Rotarian Art Polan for serving as our "Images Chair" for the event so we could document the fun and excitement from the evening. If you have any photos from the evening you would like posted please send them to: Brenda Cressey
Exceptional Opportunity for Interact & Rotoract Alumni
The New Generations committee is pleased to announce that this year the district will be sponsoring two young adults to represent our district at the annual Rotary International United Nations Day. This is a first for our district and we are excited to offer this opportunity to our young Rotarians during New Generations month in September. Nominations must be submitted by September 7. Please click here for full story and nomination details.
ALERT FROM IRS -- ALL clubs MUST file 990 Tax Return
All Club Leaders should carefully read this story. If your club has not filed a 990 return with the IRS, you MUST do so before Oct.15; otherwise, your club risks loss of your non-profit tax exempt status! Click NOTICE from Mary Howard to read the notes of a coference call with the IRS Comissioner.
Also, there are IMPORTANT guidelines for Rotary International the fact that Rotary Clubs are non-profit but not charitable organizations by a special IRS ruling (foundations normally are ). Click 501(c)4 to read this letter. Non-tax deductible disclosure statements may be required on Fundraising Publicity and Invoices for Club Dues.
2010 Progressive District Conference

Membership Seminars

District Website Update
Introducing Frank Ortiz as DGN

District 5240 Clubs Donate $35,434 for Haiti
Thanks to the Rotary Clubs in District 5240 for the generous contributions to the Haiti Disaster via the District 5240 Charitable Foundation. The total amount received to date is $35,433.54. This represents a combination of donations from Clubs, from invididuals in many clubs, and even from community any youth organizations.
For information regarding the disaster, you can visit the following links:
RI Pres John Kenney and Trustee Chairman Glenn Estess suggest how we can work with Rotary to respond to this humanitarian crisis. Click to download.
Link to District 7020 (includes Haiti) Website.
Link to Haiti Update Blog.
2009 Poverty Conference

"Heal the World: End Poverty Now!"
Saturday, November 21 in Oxnard.
This conference will address both international and local poverty, focusing on hunger and health. Included are outstanding speakers in the morning, with an optional networking lunch and afternoon "hands-on" service opportunity. Participants will leave with resources and projects for club involvement. There is NO REGISTRATION FEE, but PRE-REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY.
Click on POVERTY CONVERENCE EVENT for a complete description, registration information and details.
Projects - Rotary Peace Garden
The Rotary Peace Through Service Garden,
Is a joint project of the Rotary Club of Cambria, the Rotary Club of Cambria Sunrise Centennial, the local American Legion Post 432, the local Community Services District with the support of the County of San Luis Obispo Supervisor for the Cambria area, was officially dedicated on Saturday, January 11, 2014.
The Rotary Garden commemorates the 2012/2013 Rotary International theme, "Peace Through Service" and quest for world peace. Funds for the project included a successful District Simplified Grant application.
Events - Santa Barbara Rotaract Club Takes Action to Save the Local Courthouse
The Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation and the local Santa Barbara Rotaract Club hosted the first ever miniature golf event at the Santa Barbara Courthouse recently. All the money raised will go to the CLF and its effort to maintain the artistic and historic elements of the iconic Courthouse.
The idea for miniature golf at the Courthouse came from members of the Santa Barbara Rotaract Club, which is a humanitarian organization for young professional dedicated to contributing to the local and international charity work. The Santa Barbara organization chose the Courthouse Legacy Foundation as it project for the year.
MEET THE GROUPS IN DISTRICT 5240
District 5240 consists of 73 Rotary Clubs organized into twelve Groups.
For the next several months, we will highlight each of the groups so that you can see how Rotarians are changing lives in their local communities.
Today’s featured group is Group 4 – home to 300 Rotarians in five Rotary clubs plus a Rotaract club all located in the Conejo Valley of Ventura County.
Council on Legislation - Rotary International

The Council on Legislation will meet April 21-26, 2013 in Chicago . I have the privilege to represent you at this very important Rotary event. I have prepared an overview of some of the proposed changes (Enactments) that potentially could affect your club and/our district. Also attached is the complete Proposed Legislation. I would like to have your input, hear your questions or concerns no later than April 15th. Yours in Rotary,
LuzMaria Ortiz-Smith, COL Representative, District 5240
(805)964-4569 Office / (805)403-1934 Mobile
Honoring Rotarians Service to Scouting
Rotary - Polio Plus Night at the Cal Poly Women's Basketball Game
Jim Bell named as District Governor for 2015-2016

* UPDATE * Group Study Exchange Program Information

The District 5240 Group Study Exchange Program is with District 3220 in Sri Lanka. The Outbound Exchange will take place from February 2 to March 3, 2013. The selection process to pick the team members is currently underway. DG Frank has asked Rotarians to participate in the process by publicizing this info, and recommending candidates. Time is running short so please discuss this at your weekly meetings.
Qualification and Application materials can be accessed from the “Foundation Tab” at the top of the District 5240 Website Main Page. Deadline for submitting a TEAM LEADER application was November 2, and has passed. The deadline for submitting a TEAM MEMBER application is November 30. The TEAM MEMBER selection interviews are scheduled for December 6 in Santa Maria.
Questions? Contact Bill Pucciarelli, GSE Chair 2012-13, at pucciarelli49@gmail.com or phone: 805-264-4033
Future Vision - The Rotary Foundation New Grant Model

Rotary District 5240 Training and Qualification schedule has been set for the 2012-13 year. This is important training for club leadership to ensure they understand the new grant model for The Rotary Foundation. In order to qualify to be a Lead Club on a District Grant or Global Grant a club must send at least two experienced members to one of the Grants Management Qualification Sessions.
For more information contact PDG Luz Maria Ortiz-Smith, Future Vision Transition Chair luzmaria@smithandortiz.com. Dates and information on registration can by accessed from 'District Events' on the left side of the District's Website 'Main Page'.
E-Club joins Rotary District 5240

On June 6th, DG Wade Nomura received a notification that we have chartered our 73 club! The Rotary E-Club of One World D5240, California, USA, was admitted to membership in Rotary International on 29 May 2012. This exciting new club will help us "Share Rotary" with interested individuals who might not be able to fulfill the schedule committment of particiting in a weekly club meeting.
Click here to visit club website
Council on Legislation 2013
2013 Council on Legislation Representative
Luz Maria Ortiz Smith
The Council on Legislation, Rotary's "parliament," meets every three years to deliberate and act upon all proposed enactments and resolutions submitted by clubs, district conferences, the General Council and Conference of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, and the RI Board. The Council itself also makes proposals.
The Council comprises more than 500 representatives from every part of the Rotary world. Voting members include one elected representative of the clubs of each Rotary district. Some nonvoting members include the chair and vice chair of the Council, the RI president, members of the RI Board, and past RI presidents.
Important 2013 Council on Legislation Dates
- The deadline for Club to submit proposed legislation to the District is midnight September 20th, 2011.
- The deadline for the District to submit legislation with the certificate of endorsement to the 2013 Council on Legislation is 31 December 2011.
- The next Council on Legislation will be in April 2013 in Chicago.
For more information visit the Council on Legislation webpage.
A Few Words from DG Wade
Have you seen this car?
The opening salvo of the Public Relations Campaign occurred July 4 with the wrapping of Deepa's car.