It is my pleasure to announce that 
The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo invites you to our 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction: Trees, Tunes, and Tacky Sweaters! Join us on Saturday, November 22nd from 4:30–7:30 PM at Family Care Network, 1255 Kendall St., San Luis Obispo, where parking is free and plentiful. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at slorotary.org. Guests will enjoy appetizers, dinner, and desserts from Pacific Harvest Catering, live music by Easy Degrees, and plenty of holiday fun—including a tacky Christmas sweater contest with prizes. The highlight of the evening is the auction of nine beautifully decorated Christmas trees, each benefiting a local nonprofit such as Lumina Alliance, Woods Humane, Family Care Network, TMHA, YMCA, Salvation Army, Rotary Club of SLO, Boy Scout Pack 6, and Meals That Connect. Each tree includes themed décor and an auction package, with winners choosing whether to keep the tree or just the décor. Guests are also encouraged to purchase opportunity drawing tickets for wreaths, gift cards, trips, and more. Beer and wine will be available for $5 per ticket, while non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary. Children may attend at no charge, though a ticket is required if they would like a meal. The evening’s agenda includes music, dining, and drawings from 4:30–6:15, followed by the sweater contest, Heads or Tails, prize drawings, and the live auction from 6:15–7:30.A Message from the District Governor
October Highlights & November Preview
October was a full and inspiring month! Cindy and I visited nine clubs, gaining fresh appreciation for the incredible service and fellowship happening across our district. We were also deep into the preparations for our District Conference (see below). In addition, our District Governor line traveled to Albuquerque for the Big West Zone Institute last week, joining leaders from 29 districts across our Zones for valuable training, collaboration, and inspiration.
Looking ahead to November, we’re excited to continue our journey with nine more club visits, several club fundraisers, and a golf tournament hosted by the Ventura clubs. Thank you to everyone working tirelessly to make each of these events successful, your passion and creativity continue to make a lasting impact.
October Highlights
Of course, the highlight of the month was our District Conference in Ventura! We were thrilled to welcome about 185 Rotarians who joined us for engaging breakout sessions filled with learning, fun, and fellowship. The energy in the room was contagious, with great networking among clubs and inspiring speakers whose messages truly resonated. The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing that the event “delivered on every promise” and left them energized to bring that momentum back to their clubs.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated District Conference Committee, who met every week for months to make this event such a success. And a special shout-out to our District Conference Chair, Margarida Eidson, for her exceptional leadership and vision, you made it all happen!
We also loved seeing our clubs out in the community, from Goleta at the Lemon Festival to Simi Sunrise at their Oktoberfest, connecting with neighbors, raising funds, and showcasing what Rotary is all about: People of Action!
Looking Ahead
November is Foundation Month
The Rotary Foundation transforms the generosity of Rotarians into sustainable, measurable change both globally and locally. Through its seven areas of focus, including peacebuilding, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education, economic development, and environmental, the Foundation funds thousands of projects each year that improve lives and strengthen communities. Globally, it has played a pivotal role in nearly eradicating polio and advancing peace through the Rotary Peace Centers. Locally, clubs use district and global grants to address urgent needs such as literacy, hunger, clean water, and youth empowerment, ensuring that every contribution supports tangible results close to home and around the world.
The Rotary Foundation transforms the generosity of Rotarians into sustainable, measurable change both globally and locally. Through its seven areas of focus, including peacebuilding, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education, economic development, and environmental, the Foundation funds thousands of projects each year that improve lives and strengthen communities. Globally, it has played a pivotal role in nearly eradicating polio and advancing peace through the Rotary Peace Centers. Locally, clubs use district and global grants to address urgent needs such as literacy, hunger, clean water, and youth empowerment, ensuring that every contribution supports tangible results close to home and around the world.
PeopleOfAction.org Campaign Update
Our People of Action campaign at peopleofaction.org is growing every month, and it’s working! We’re reaching new audiences and generating membership leads from people inspired by Rotary’s impact.
Our People of Action campaign at peopleofaction.org is growing every month, and it’s working! We’re reaching new audiences and generating membership leads from people inspired by Rotary’s impact.
Now we need your club’s voice to help the campaign reach even farther. Here’s how your club can get involved this month:
Three Easy Ways to Participate
- 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,
Yours in Rotary,
Mike Dutra
District Governor 2025–2026
Rotary District 5240
Mike Dutra
District Governor 2025–2026
Rotary District 5240
The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo invites you to our 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction: Trees, Tunes, and Tacky Sweaters! Join us on Saturday, November 22nd from 4:30–7:30 PM at Family Care Network, 1255 Kendall St., San Luis Obispo, where parking is free and plentiful. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at slorotary.org. Guests will enjoy appetizers, dinner, and desserts from Pacific Harvest Catering, live music by Easy Degrees, and plenty of holiday fun—including a tacky Christmas sweater contest with prizes. The highlight of the evening is the auction of nine beautifully decorated Christmas trees, each benefiting a local nonprofit such as Lumina Alliance, Woods Humane, Family Care Network, TMHA, YMCA, Salvation Army, Rotary Club of SLO, Boy Scout Pack 6, and Meals That Connect. Each tree includes themed décor and an auction package, with winners choosing whether to keep the tree or just the décor. Guests are also encouraged to purchase opportunity drawing tickets for wreaths, gift cards, trips, and more. Beer and wine will be available for $5 per ticket, while non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary. Children may attend at no charge, though a ticket is required if they would like a meal. The evening’s agenda includes music, dining, and drawings from 4:30–6:15, followed by the sweater contest, Heads or Tails, prize drawings, and the live auction from 6:15–7:30.What an incredible day volunteering with Rotary and the awesome Group 8 clubs last Saturday! Together we packed 15,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger. — helping fight hunger around the world.
The meals from this packing event will be sent out to South-East Asia. Thank you DG Mike Dutra with his wife Cindy for coming out to support us on Saturday November 1st.
GOLETA LEMON FESTIVAL UPDATE
On September 27 and September 28 the Rotary Club of Goleta had their annual fundraiser in Girsh Park, Goleta. The club were selling Lemonade in one of the booths! It was a great success. The club made $15,000, that will be used to fund different organizations.
Thanks to all volunteers that helped during these 2 days, and we would also like to thank DG Mike Dutra & his wife Cindy for coming out to support us on Sunday the 28th.
