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.

There were the hungry to be fed and you contributed selflessly and generously. You did food drives, fill up food banks and hand out thousands of food package.

There were the lonely and the elderly who needed support. You partnered with them, did their errands and comforted them.

There were people to be protected and you donated countless protective gear.

There were essential workers who needed moral support. You bought food for medical staff, for the delivery drivers, You missed no one.

You placed signs in front of business reassuring the worried business owners that you will support them when they reopened.  

You bonded together and you were no longer individual clubs you became one Rotary.

Rotary has never been more alive and visible in our communities. This crises brought out in us our highest purpose. 

You proudly displayed the Rotary wheel on banners and shirts and caps. 

Saying without the ambiguity of words ”you matter and we care”.

We always have difficulties describing Rotary and the difficulty will continue.

How can you box into the limitations of words, a movement of good, an energy of compassion, a feeling of care. How can you describe in limited words, the limitless work of Rotary. 

The description of whom we are, will continue to be best told in our actions. 

This is a historic year and we will be asked by future generations how did we survive. The story that we tell will be one of inspiration. We took the greatest challenge and turned it into the greatest triumph.

Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you. I am taking with me unforgettable memories. Memories that you made possible .

As we close the curtains to 2019-2020 let us welcome and support our new District Governor Deb Linden and her team, as they lift the curtains to  Rotary year 2020-2021.

The 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

Empty 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.

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.

RC 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.