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WELCOME TO ROTARY DISTRICT 5240

Rotary District 5240 is home to nearly 3,000 passionate members across 65 Rotary and 4 Rotaract Clubs and 56 Interact Clubs. Our District covers four counties in Central California, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern, and includes unique clubs such as a Chapter Club in Guatemala and the globally-minded Rotary E-Club of One World D5240.

Clubs in our district are active across all avenues of Rotary service, local and international projects, youth development programs, leadership initiatives, and meaningful fellowship. Together, we are People of Action, making a lasting impact in our communities and around the world.

A MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR

January Highlights & February Preview

January was a bit easier than December, with four club visits along with a couple of club socials and fundraisers. One highlight was my visit with the Rotary Club of West Ventura County, which marked the club’s first official District Governor visit since being formed this past July. It has been exciting to watch their growth, from two clubs with mid-teen membership to now 51 members and growing.

I also had the opportunity to attend the Tehachapi Club’s Wine Tasting fundraiser this past Saturday. The event was packed, and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner paired with wines from Peachy Canyon Winery in Paso Robles. It was a great example of fellowship and successful fundraising coming together.

January also included our President-Elect Retreat in Ventura. It’s hard to believe that in just five months these President-Elects will be leading their clubs for the 2026–2027 Rotary year. District Governor Elect Margarida Eidson, along with our District Training Team, PDG Loretta Butts and Chris Baxter, hosted a well-attended event filled with valuable information to help our incoming leaders prepare for a successful year.

February is already ramping up with 10 club visits, participation in the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club’s Charter Dinner, and some bowling in Santa Barbara at the Pins for Polio event. If you are interested in participating, please visit https://santabarbararotary.com/events/pins-for-polio-rotary-bowling-night/

February is Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month

This is a special time for Rotarians around the world to celebrate our commitment to promoting peace and resolving conflict. Our district is fortunate to have two dedicated Peace Chairs, Laura Berger and Willow Baker, working closely with our clubs.

My home club, Rotary Club of Westlake Village, will be holding a Peace Day on Friday, February 13, at a local park for children participating in the Safe Passages program. The day will include fun activities, art, music, and opportunities for members to share how young people can be peacemakers at home and at school.

Important Dates to Remember

Please save the following dates, we hope you can join us:

· Saturday, March 21, 2026 – District Leadership Assembly
This event is open to all Rotarians and Rotaractors and offers an opportunity to learn about all areas of Rotary. Additional information and registration details will be sent soon.
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (via Zoom)

· Saturday, June 27, 2026 – District Stepdown and Awards Luncheon
Join us as we celebrate your club and district accomplishments and welcome the new leadership for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Thousand Oaks

PeopleOfAction.org Campaign Update

Three Easy Ways to Participate. Please help support this campaign which helps all the clubs in our District.

Follow and Engage
Follow Rotary People of Action on Facebook and Instagram. Like, comment, and share the posts that resonate most with your club’s work.
Invite and Inspire
Encourage your members to follow the pages and invite their friends, families, and colleagues. Every share helps amplify Rotary’s reach.
Show Local Action
Repost campaign content or share your own photos and stories that show Rotarians acting locally. Use hashtags:
#PeopleOfAction #Rotary #[YourClubName]

Again, a Huge Thank-You to Our District Sponsors who help promote Rotary in our District.

Diamond Sponsors: Wedgewood Weddings, Sterling Hills Golf Club

Gold Sponsor: The Fence Factory

Bronze Sponsors: Ridge Wallet, Poinsettia Pavilion, Lakeview Canyon, Candu Graphics,

Tammy Dobrotin - State Farm and James Shipe of Wilde Wealth Management Group

Yours in Rotary,
Mike Dutra
District Governor 2025–2026
Rotary District 5240

Click here to Learn More!

20TH ANNUAL LOS OLIVOS JAZZ & OLIVE FESTIVAL

This year marks a milestone for the Rotary Club of Los Olivos as we celebrate the 20^th year of Jazz & Olive. The Rotary Club of Los Olivos contributes all festival proceeds directly to local scholarships and to local and international community service projects.

HELP US HELP OTHERS!

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE @jazzandolivefestival.org

Nipomo Rotary Appreciation Awards

At a recent meeting, the Rotary Club proudly presented two Rotary Appreciation Awards to recognize outstanding service and dedication.

Robyn Metchick was honored for her many years of support and involvement in numerous club fundraising events. Her continued commitment and willingness to help whenever needed have made a lasting impact on the success of our projects and the strength of our club.

The club also recognized member Jim Harrison with a Member Appreciation Award. Jim consistently sets up the meeting room each week and goes out of his way to assist the club in any capacity. His dependable service and quiet dedication exemplify the true spirit of Rotary.

The Rotary Club is grateful to both Robyn and Jim for their continued support and commitment to Service Above Self.

PEACE IN ACTION ACROSS DISTRICT 5240!

Across District 5240, Rotary clubs are engaged in meaningful peace initiatives that inspire dialogue, service, and community connection. From civic conversations and youth education to global partnerships and symbolic acts of unity, the following highlights reflect the depth and diversity of peacebuilding taking place throughout our district.

Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary – Holiday Outreach

This holiday season, Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary, in partnership with Friends of Fieldworkers and generous Conejo Valley residents, brought hope, dignity, and joy to more than 400 Ventura County fieldworker families.

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

In November, the Rotary Club of Nipomo hosted its annual Winner Winner Chicken Dinner fundraiser, an evening filled with great food, fun, and community spirit. The event was made possible through a wonderful collaboration with Nipomo Youth Softball and the Central Coast Theatre Company, highlighting the power of local partnerships working together for a common cause.

The evening was especially memorable with the attendance of District Governor Mike Dutra and his wife Cindy, along with Past District Governor Sherry Sims, who joined Rotarians and guests for a night of fellowship and support. The fundraiser was a great success and showcased Rotary’s commitment to community engagement, service, and connection.

Community Collaboration in Action

On Saturday, January 31, the Rotary Club of Carpinteria—working alongside Carpinteria Beautiful and a dedicated group of parents from the Carpinteria Children’s Project—came together for a half-day, hands-on service event at the Carpinteria Children's Project site.

Lompoc Rotary Club's 41st Annual Wine Tasting & Auction

On Sunday, March 1, one of Lompoc’s favorite community events — the 41st Annual Lompoc Rotary Club’s Wine Tasting & Auction is taking place!

From 1 to 4 PM at the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building, enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting, great food, and exciting silent and live auctions. This popular Rotary fundraiser brings the community together for a great cause.

Rotary Foundation Event

The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks implemented a foundation program and fundraiser in November for Rotary Foundation Month. We showed a video about one of our International Projects to bring hearing aids to poor children in Tijuana. Also in November, we had David Gore come to our club to do our program about the Rotary Foundation. The photo below shows one of the children receiving her hearing aid and we all watched as she was able to hear for the very first time. Thank you to our generous club members and the Rotary Foundation!

Westlake Village Annual Children's Shopping Spree

Members of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village made the holiday season a little brighter for some some area young people with its annual Children’s Shopping Spree.

Nineteen children, selected by the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Conejo Valley, gathered at Target in Westlake Village early on the morning of December 13 to shop with volunteers representing the Westlake and Next Gen clubs.

Rotary Club of Nipomo Comes Together to Support One of Its Own

The Rotary Club of Nipomo recently had the honor of supporting a past member during an incredibly difficult time. After the unexpected passing of her daughter, this devoted mother was working alongside friends to organize a fundraising event to benefit her daughter’s children.

When she attended our Rotary meeting last week and shared her story, the response from our club was immediate and heartfelt. In true Rotary fashion, members didn’t hesitate to step up and help. Within just two days, our club—along with the help of friends and volunteers—came together to prepare and BBQ 250 half chickens for the fundraiser.

The effort was a powerful reminder of what Rotary is all about: compassion, service, and community. From planning to preparation to execution, our team worked seamlessly to support a cause that truly mattered. It was an emotional but meaningful experience, and one that showed how quickly a community can rally when kindness leads the way.

We are incredibly proud of our members and grateful to everyone who helped make this effort possible. Moments like these remind us that Rotary is more than a club—it’s a family that shows up when it matters most.

Toy Drop Off in Cabo San Lucas

Rotary E- Club of One World proudly participated in a toy drop off project in Cabo San Lucas to start off 2026. Mission accomplished! Happy hearts in the Chamizal neighborhood.

Today was a day filled with joy and gratitude. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who participated in our Encuentro de Culturas event, we successfully delivered the toys to the boys and girls of the Chamizal neighborhood in Cabo San Lucas.

It was an honor to make this journey aboard a fire truck, working shoulder to shoulder with great allies:

Municipal Directorate of Tourism

Cabo San Lucas Fire Department

Rotary E-Club of One World D5240

Seeing the children's smiles as they received their gifts is the best way to start this 2026. Thank you for helping us make this possible and for showing that Los Cabos is a united community!

Cambria Rotary’s Grand Raffle

Don’t miss this opportunity to chase your dream vacation while making a difference!

After a long, rainy winter, it's the perfect moment to start planning that dream getaway. Picture five days of sun, swimming, and golf in Costa Rica, or perhaps seven nights in an ocean-view room in Bali, complete with a rejuvenating massage. If you're drawn to colder climates, consider the Northern Lights, Blue Lagoon, and Golden Circle in Iceland.

For those who appreciate a serene retreat, a lakeside cabin experience in Coeur D’Alene with a sunset cruise could be just what you need. New York’s museums and iconic attractions are always a favorite, or you might prefer an exciting culinary journey in Santa Fe, or a Safari Driving Tour paired with a Sommelier Wine & Cheese Experience in Sonoma.

Still undecided? Enter the World Travelers Package for two, offering a chance to visit one of five amazing destinations: Tuscany, Bali, Thailand, Dublin, or Santorini. You’ll have some time to consider, as the drawing takes place on March 14. Every ticket sold supports essential projects by the Cambria Rotary in our community and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to chase your dream vacation while making a difference! Tickets are available from any Cambria Rotarian or by emailing VivaCambriaRotary@gmail.com.