From concerts and exclusive tours to unforgettable getaways, the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise’s November 9–18 online auction turns holiday giving into lasting community impact.
Dear Rotarians of District 5240,
What a wonderful September! Each club visit reminds me how much friendship, energy, and commitment we share across our District. From welcoming new members to celebrating decades of service, this past month gave us so many reasons to be proud of Rotary—and grateful for one another.
As October begins, let’s carry that enthusiasm forward by creating opportunities in our communities and renewing our commitment to a world free of polio.
Thank You for a Memorable September
To the Presidents, leadership teams, and members of the clubs I visited in September: thank you for your warm welcome, your hospitality, and the opportunity to learn about your work. My heartfelt thanks, in the order of my visits, go to:
Simi Valley • Ventura Downtown • Wasco • Bakersfield North • Bakersfield Breakfast • Bakersfield West • Bakersfield Twilight • Rotary Club of Bakersfield • Cayucos • Simi Sunset • Camarillo • Moorpark Morning • Passport Club • Westlake Village
I especially enjoyed spending three days in Bakersfield, getting to know our Rotarians and learning more about the clubs and the communities they serve. From there, I traveled to Cayucos for a wonderful dinner visit, enjoying more warm hospitality and Rotary fellowship before returning home full of inspiration.
A special thank-you to the Westlake Village Club for organizing such a fun evening of a boat ride and dinner. What a lovely opportunity to enjoy fellowship and spend time together!
Welcoming New Members and Celebrating Milestones
During my September visits, we inducted eight new members into Rotary! To each of you: welcome. We are delighted you have joined us, and we look forward to the ideas, talents, and friendships you will bring to our clubs.
We also celebrated Bob Phillips’ 50th anniversary in Rotary (Westlake Club) Bob, thank you for five decades of service and dedication. What an extraordinary milestone!
Speaking of celebrations, congratulations to Scott Astrosky on graduating from his District Governor training class. We celebrate this important step in your Rotary leadership journey.
Our District also held its first in-person training for next year’s Presidents-Elect at the PE Retreat in Orcutt. It is exciting to see this group beginning to prepare for their year of leadership. Thank you to everyone who helped make the retreat possible and to our Presidents-Elect for investing their time and energy in their clubs’ future.
Our Foundation Gala: A Celebration of Generosity
A heartfelt thank-you to every Rotarian who attended our Foundation Gala, where we celebrated our 2025–2026 Rotary Foundation donors and the impact of their generosity.
Special thanks to our wonderful cooks: Kim Fly, who prepared the Italian menu; Karen Kawaguchi, who prepared the Japanese menu; and Bruce McGee, who prepared the Australian menu and to the committee that made it so special and unforgettable; Randy Strong, Wade Nomura, Jack Pollock, Ryan Mills, KJenison.
And we have an incredible achievement to celebrate: District 5240 contributed $1.2 million to The Rotary Foundation during the 2025–2026 Rotary year!
October Is Community Economic Development Month
This month, I encourage every club to ask: How can we help people in our community build a stronger future?
Consider mentoring an aspiring entrepreneur, supporting job skills training, connecting young people with career opportunities, or partnering with a local organization to help families achieve greater financial stability. Start by listening to your community and identifying where your club’s experience and resources can make a lasting difference.
World Polio Day — October 24
What does your club have planned for World Polio Day?
October 24 is an opportunity to bring our members and communities together around Rotary’s commitment to ending polio. Consider hosting a fundraiser, inviting a speaker, sharing Rotary’s polio story at a club meeting, or organizing a community awareness event.
Whatever you choose, make it an opportunity to involve your members, invite others to participate, and remind your community why this work matters. Visit EndPolio.org for information and resources.
Thank you for all you do—for your clubs, for our District, and for the people whose lives you touch through service. As we move into October, let’s continue to welcome new members, celebrate our fellow Rotarians, and turn our ideas into meaningful action.
Together, let’s Inspire Action to Create a Lasting Impact.
Love,
Margarida
In recognition of Veterans Day, the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise honors its five veteran members. At a recent club meeting, members heard firsthand accounts and personal reflections from four of the club’s veterans, Bill Abel, Chris Baxter, Stephen Frangos, and Connard Hogan. Connard, who was unable to attend, shared his written remarks which were read aloud on his behalf. Their reflections offered a personal perspective on military service and the experiences that have shaped their lives. Their written reflections were also shared on our website.
Four Rotarians recently traveled to Armenia to visit three hospitals and an orphanage supported by their clubs. The delegation included Daniel Harutunian and Kim Mowder of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise, along with Frank MacMahan and Scott Hoolahan of the Rotary Club of Santa Clarita.
During their visit, the Rotarians were warmly welcomed by the Rotaract Club of Yerevan and the Rotary Club of Gyumri. Their trip included musical performances, meetings with high school students involved in a youth club, and a visit to a high school specializing in music and dance, where talented young students showcased their skills.
A key focus of the clubs’ humanitarian efforts has been providing essential medical equipment to hospitals serving Armenian communities. Through the collaborative efforts of the Rotary Clubs of Westlake Village Sunrise, Cayucos, and Santa Clarita, an X-ray machine and patient monitoring equipment were delivered to support local healthcare services.
The Rotary Club of Nipomo partnered with the Nipomo Youth Softball League and the Central Coast Theatre Company to host our Winner Winner Chicken Dinner fundraiser. This special event brought together members, families, volunteers, and supporters from across our community for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship, all while supporting three organizations that work to make Nipomo a better place.
What made this event especially meaningful was the partnership itself. Rather than each organization working independently, we joined forces, shared responsibilities, brought our volunteers together, and worked toward a common goal. Each organization contributed its time, talents, and enthusiasm, demonstrating what can happen when community groups collaborate.
Behind the scenes, countless volunteers worked together to make the evening a success. From planning and preparation to serving guests and cleaning up afterward, it truly took a team effort. The smiles, energy, and willingness of everyone involved were a wonderful reminder of the generosity that exists in our community.
What made this event especially meaningful was the partnership itself. Rather than each organization working independently, we joined forces, shared responsibilities, brought our volunteers together, and worked toward a common goal. Each organization contributed its time, talents, and enthusiasm, demonstrating what can happen when community groups collaborate.
Behind the scenes, countless volunteers worked together to make the evening a success. From planning and preparation to serving guests and cleaning up afterward, it truly took a team effort. The smiles, energy, and willingness of everyone involved were a wonderful reminder of the generosity that exists in our community.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who walked, sponsored, and donated to Cambria Rotary’s “Walk With Us” campaign! Together, we raised an incredible $13,350 for the End Polio initiative!
Special cheers to Laudon Rowen, Rick Low, Joe Morrow, Otis Archie, and Dennis Rightmer, who laced up their walking shoes and walked for those who can’t. And a big Rotary THANK YOU to the Santa Lucia Middle School Interact Club for its generous contribution!
Every step. Every dollar. Every supporter. It all moves us closer to a world without polio.
THANK YOU for walking with us!
The Rotary Club of China Lake, District 5240, is proud to share that our club coordinated community service efforts with Eric LeBarbe, Youth & Community Program Manager and Amanda Charlon, First 5 Kern Case Manager for the CAPK Family Resources Center in Ridgecrest again this year to ensure that all of the children supported by Oasis FRC will be just a little bit warmer this holiday season!
Rotary Club of China Lake held a children’s coat drive in the month of October and encouraged local Rotarians to donate new winter coats for the over 50 children being served at the Oasis Family Resource Center in Ridgecrest. Our goal was to collect one for each child and we are proud to say that we were able to collect that and MORE! Amanda and Eric even got a few of the kids to pose in them for a thank you post on their Facebook page. Thank you to all of the Rotarians who participated in this drive – our dedication to our community definitely made a difference!
