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WELCOME TO ROTARY DISTRICT 5240

Rotary District 5240 consists of almost 3,000 members in 68 Rotary Clubs. The District spans four counties in Central California - San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and Kern County – as well as a Chapter Club based in Guatemala, a Next Gen Club in Westlake Village, and the international-focused Rotary E-Club of One World District 5240. Our clubs are active in all aspects of Rotary, including community and international service, youth programs, and fellowship activities.

A Message from the District Governor

My District 5240 Rotary Family

Happy Easter & Passover! When you hear reports about melting ice caps, or how much plastic is collecting in the ocean, or food being wasted, you cannot help but want to do something to protect the environment.

Rotary International’s newest and 7th Area of focus, and April’s theme, “Protect the Environment” was officially adopted by Rotary International in 2020. However, many of us have been doing our bit for some time :-

In 1990-91, RI President Paulo V.C. Costa made the environment one of his primary causes, and created the Preserve Planet Earth subcommittee, which looked at ways clubs and members could conduct environmental initiatives.

“We have finally caught up to Costa [his vision],” said Past RI President Ian H.S. Riseley, chair of the Environmental Issues task force. He championed the 7th area of focus and influenced members to plant trees.

80% of the land in the Bahamas is less than 5 feet above sea level. Which means that, if oceans rise at the rate scientists are projecting, the hilltop home on New Providence Island owned by Rotary International President Barry Rassin may someday be reclassified as beachfront property. “I look at my own country — climate change is almost personal,” he says. “My country is going to be gone if we do nothing.”

The Earthwise Education Program, launched in September 2024 marked a transformative collaboration between Jeden and Rotary District 5240. This initiative aimed to inspire and educate K-12 students to become proactive environmental advocates. The program was supported by a Rotary 5240 District grant, focussing on reducing food waste and enhancing school gardens through the provision of 40 rapid composters and biochar in 38 schools in 8 school districts spanning all four counties of Rotary District 5240.

Rotary also has an Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) that provides expertise, networks, and resources to help clubs and districts implement environmental projects.

On Tuesday, April 22nd, Earth Day 2025, I will join our Sister District Koreans in the Earth Hour, to turn off lights to raise awareness about carbon emissions. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet”, highlights the importance of renewable energy and calls for a global effort to a triple clean electricity generation by 2030.

I am here in South Korea, to attend our Sister Districts 3721 and 3722 conferences. It’s been a long standing sister district relationship since 1997. This year is particularly meaningful as we are joined, for the first time, by our other sister district 4140 from Mexico. Our four districts have collaborated in numerous global grant projects over the years. On this trip, we are also learning and understanding how the Koreans are focused on environmental awareness and action. Their activities includes tree planting, campaigns to reduce plastic waste and many ways to reuse. Local city governments also encouraged the residents to share how they are living a plastic-free life style.

So let’s go green and save green. Let’s "Reuse your today so that you don’t have to reduce your tomorrow, to Save the Earth and Save the Future”.

“Rotary Is Love” + Service = Magic of Rotary

As always, thanks for all you do 💜

District Governor Sherry Sim

April 19, 2025

Rotary District 5240 Focus on Rotarian Dr. Bob Skankey

Maternal and child health continues to be a primary focus of District 5240 Rotarians. In December of 2024 Dr. Bob Skankey contacted artist Leslie Clark to commission a series of paintings depicting their experiences working with nomads in Niger. Here is the back story.

In 1994 artist Leslie Clark traveled to Niger for the first time looking for exotic subject matter to paint. She fell in love with the nomads and their desert environment. She went down a rabbit hole that led to a life she never expected. After several return trips she bought a cow for a Wodaabe nomad to thank him for his generous welcome.

Offsite Meeting at the Yarrow Family YMCA, Westlake Village on April 11, 2025

Our Westlake Village Sunrise Club had not met at the Yarrow Family YMCA since before the start of the Covid Pandemic. It is a state-of-the-art facility at 31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd in Westlake Village that opened only a couple of years before the pandemic. Many of our newer members had never seen it.

Marilyn Lippiatt is Co-Chair of Club Service this Rotary year and a board member for the Y. Marilyn was the key organizer for the meeting and introduced a fascinating presentation by Dani Hutchison, Chief Development Officer. Dani talked about the Y’s commitment to the community and how each branch of the YMCA adapts to the needs of its local community. She highlighted the Y’s California Strong program that supported firefighters, their families, and victims of the recent fires. At the end of the meeting, we had a tour of this amazing facility.