Home Page | Rotary District 5240

Rotary District 5240 is made up of over 3,000 members from: 72 Rotary Clubs located in 4 counties of Southern California; The Rotary E Club of One World which spans over 6 continents; The "National Chapters" of The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning which connect local clubs to members in other states and countries. We meet regularly to form bonds and friendships and we also strive to improve lives locally and around the world.

Earthquake Relief Fund

Donate to the Kern County Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund at Kern Community Foundation.

Go straight to the donation portal by clicking here:

https://kern.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1396

Rotary Club of China Lake Charitable Foundation

The Rotary Club of China Lake is taking donations to address the humanitarian needs arising from the recent earthquakes. All of the money donated will be applied to the disaster recovery effort in all of the communities effected by the Searles Valley Earthquakes, including Trona and Ridgecrest.

To make a donation via check, please make check to: Rotary Club of China Lake Charitable Foundation

In the meno field, please write: "Searles Valley EQ Fund"

Mail to: RCCLCF, PO Box 1599, Ridgecrest, CA 93556

Welcome to the 2019-2020 Rotary New Year!

A new year is always exciting as we get a chance to take stock, press the refresh button, and make new resolutions for the next year.

Together, let us make some resolutions as we embark on the New Rotary Year.

Do you remember who brought you into Rotary? I haven’t met a single Rotarian who has not. It is not easy to forget someone who took the time and the interest to introduce you to a life of enrichment, friendship, and fulfillment beyond your wildest expectations

I can’t imagine my life without Rotary. The endless opportunities for service and the life-long friends I have made turned each day into one filled with possibilities to make a difference. As my journey unfolds I realize that because of Rotary I continue to receive much more than I give.

Let us make a resolution that in 2019-20, we will honor and thank our sponsors by passing on the gift of Rotary to someone else.

The Rotary Foundation is the soul of Rotary. Through individual contributions no matter how small, we get the chance to significantly impact the lives of others.

For less than a dollar, 2 drops of polio vaccine will protect a child from a life sentence of pain and suffering.
For $10.00, mosquito netting can be provided to effectively keep away malaria spreading mosquitoes and consequently save lives.

What might seem like an insignificant contribution to you might be the most significant contribution to a recipient.

Let us make a resolution that we will contribute to the Rotary

International Foundation, no matter how small, and work to make an impact and save lives.

As I travel the district and meet Rotarians your support and excitement is contagious for the 2019 District Conference at the Chumash Resort and Casino in Santa Ynez on October 12, 2019.

Although it is a one-day conference, many of you are planning to treat it as a weekend destination.

The Westlake Sunrise Rotary Club is even going dark that week to support attendance and participation.

This is the right track because the District Conference is intended to inspire, to inform and to build friendships and strengthen bonds.

Let us make a resolution to capitalize on this opportunity to celebrate our friendships, our achievements, our district and Rotary.

The 2019-2020 Rotary International theme is “Rotary Connects the World”. It ties right into our District theme of “One World, One Rotary”. We bring people and communities together through the good work we do and create “ One World, One Rotary”.

Let us made a resolution to strengthen the connections of doing good through Rotary in 2019-2020.

And the most important resolution of all:

Let us make a resolution to have fun while doing good!

Looking forward to serving with you in 2019-2020.

Click Here for Video Message

Message from Savi Bhim, District Governor

District Conference 2019- Register Today!

CLICK HERE for ALL the UPDATES!

New!!!! International Section Upgrade

The International Service Committee for D5240 (George Poulakos--RC of Ventura, Susan Weaver-- E-Club of One World, Jennifer Alton--RC of San Luis Obispo and Michael Jansen--RC of Thousand Oaks, are making changes to the International Service Section of the District website.

Over the next few months, we intend, with your assistance, to make our international service section a resource of information as well as an area to highlight international projects that our district clubs are supporting.

Experts on Global Grants

We are inviting all district members who have been intimately involved in global grants to consider sharing their expertise with others. We would like to structure sections that discuss grants in the Six Areas of Focus. If you know someone in your club or if you have expertise in an area of focus, please contact either George (gjp@tribecacom.com or Susan (shweaver@weavergroup.com).

International Projects: Open Global or Open District Grant Projects

We are inviting any club that has an Open Global Grant Project or is seeking funds for an International District Grant Project to reach out to either George (Open Global Grants) or Michael Jansen (mjansen@mejdc.com) (Open District Grants) with their project. We have created a template that will visually highlight the project and we will ask that any submissions be prepared in this template.

Project of the Month

This could be a project that needs funding, volunteers or is an International Event that Rotarians can participate. Our goal is to highlight a different project(s) a month. If you have a project that you’d like promoted, please contact Jennifer Alton (jalton23@yahoo.com) .

At the moment, the International section is a shell but with your assistance and support we can create a a resource that Rotarians and non-Rotarians will find worthwhile.

19th Annual Homes of Distinction Tour, San Luis Obispo

Five Beautiful Homes. One Beautiful Cause.

Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Presents 19^th Annual

“Homes of Distinction” Tour to raise funds for Rotary Charities

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Guests will have an exclusive look into five beautiful and unique homes as the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo presents the 19^th Annual “Homes of Distinction” Tour, Sunday, September 15 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each home has a unique ambiance where architecture, décor and landscaping tell the stories of their lives.

All proceeds fund scholarships for local students & grants to support local non-profits.

Tickets to tour the five homes are $25 per person. Tickets will be available for purchase online, and at the San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande and Atascadero Chambers of Commerce. You can download a brochure, take a sneak peek at the homes, and purchase tickets at www.slorotary.org.

Tickets will also be available to purchase at the door of any of the homes on September 15^th.

To purchase tickets by phone, or for additional information, please call (805) 769-8779 or email jessica@simplyclearmarketing.com

Solvang Rotary Club Inducts Five New Members With Help From DG, Sandi Schwartz

The Solvang Rotary Club inducted five new members on June 18th. Rotary District 5240 Governor, Sandi Schwartz was in attendance to participate in the ceremony. Ms. Schwartz addressed the inductees, “We admit you into the Rotary Club of Solvang, our fraternity, our friendship and our family. We further admit you into the Rotary International family throughout the world. As you embark on your Rotary journey, you will surely discover the true meaning of our principal motto; Service Above Self. We ask that you abide by Rotary’s Four-Way Test. This is our ethical code of conduct that will guide you through Rotary and in your personal and professional life as well.”

Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Presents $39,500 in Scholarships to 14 Local Student

School’s out for the summer! San Luis Obispo Rotarians presented 14 well deserving local students with scholarships to support their future academic endeavors. In total, $39,500 was awarded to local students. The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Challenge Scholarship Program provides scholarships to high-achieving students who have faced significant personal challenges during their school career. Its goal is to help scholarship recipients focus less on financial challenges and more on advancing their learning.

Individual scholarship amounts varied from $1,000 to $20,000 (awarded in annual distributions of $5,000 over 4-years). Award recipients were graduates from San Luis Obispo High School, Pacific Beach High School & SLO County Independent Living Program.

R/C of Shafter Veteran's Park Memorial Monument Project

This project was a joint partnership with Shafter Rotary Club, the City of Shafter and Amvets. Shafter Rotary Club was responsible for contributing up to $15,000 to use towards installation of flagpoles, electrical, and lighting improvements plus concrete and walkway improvements. A dedication was held on Saturday, May 18^th with several local dignitaries in attendance. The Shafter Rotary Club then hosted refreshments and food following the ceremony.

The Peace Academy of Science and Arts

The Peace Academy of the Sciences and Arts is a non-profit educational program with the goal to inspire a community of lifelong learners who become caretakers and peace leaders for our world. Last summer, we provided an amazingly successful 4 week full-day enrichment program for over 40 children in SLO County.

For the summer of 2019, we plan to open our doors to serve 50% more students with new and exciting curriculum. New and returning children will embark on a 4-week learning journey, together, yet each in their own unique way, to become scientists, critical thinkers, authors, cooks, performers, coders, and problem solvers while having tons of fun!

Lost At Sea Memorial in Cayucos

For the past ten years, Cayucos Rotary has hosted the “Lost at Sea” memorial on Memorial Day, to remember those who served as well as civilians who had been lost at sea. The memorial is held at 1500 hours every year at the Cayucos Pier.

Each year, there are devotional and ceremonial tributes following the national anthem and welcome remarks. Military veterans come dressed in their uniforms and are honored. Music follows the tolling of the bell, and the meaning of the “Missing Man” and the symbolism of the wreath are explained to the audience. Benediction continues and everyone marches out to the pier for blessings of the wreath. The wreath is then tossed into the ocean, and the rifle salute follows. The ceremony closes with the flyover of war planes. It’s an emotionally charged and touching event, and not to be missed.

Rotary Club of Montecito Gives $12,500 in Scholarships

Santa Barbara, CA – In partnership with the SBCC Foundation, Rotary Club of Montecito and its supporting foundation are pleased to announce the awarding of ten $1,250 scholarships to high-performing Santa Barbara City College vocational and career technology students. Rotary Club of Montecito has long prioritized education as a key area of focus by providing financial support to ensure Santa Barbara’s local youth are able to maximize their potential.

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Read Previous Stories...

Rotary District 5240 encourages clubs within the District to submit short articles, "Club Stories," to be published on the District Website and in the District Newsletter. Take advantage of this FREE opportunity to showcase your club's accomplishments. Here are the guidelines and the "how-to" for submitting your stories.

WHAT qualifies as a Club Story?

Club Stories are highlights of District 5240 Club-specific activities. The following examples illustrate activities that qualify as District 5240 Club Stories (upcoming or after the fact):

Community Service Projects
International Service Projects
New Membership Highlights
Club Fundraising Events
Member Award Recognitions

HOW do I submit my Club Story?

After you make sure the story qualifies as a "Club Story," you may submit it by emailing ALL of the following items to stories@district5240.org:

A short summary of the activity, minimum 50 words and maximum 250 words. Please submit as a Word doc and proofread prior to sending. If the content is copywrited/re-used from another source, permission must be granted and please reference the source.
Include 2-3 of the best photographs taken from the activity. If there are individuals included in the photo, please include names and Club titles of each Rotarian. (If there is a YouTube video link taken from the event, please include as well).
Include the contact information of the most appropriate Rotarian that others may reach out to regarding the featured story.

WHERE will my Club Story be posted?

The three most recently published Club Stories will be highlighted on the homepage of www.rotarydistrict5240.org, while an archive of previous Club Stories will be included and available to view under the menu tab, District -> Archived District Stories.

Your story may also be selected for the District Newsletter which goes out to our nearly 3300 active members.

WHEN will my Club Story be posted after I submit?

Depending on the amount of Club Stories in the cue, your article could take as short as 24 hours or up to 2 weeks to be published after all necessary information is received.