March is Water and Sanitation Month on the Rotary calendar.
How often do you think about the clean water that comes out of the tap of almost every room in your home? In our district, we are fortunate to have refreshing clean water to drink, cook, and cleanse. Such is not the case in much of the world.
The UN has designated March 22nd as the day to bring attention to the importance of clean water, sanitation and hygiene. The UN theme this year is "The Answer is in Nature", encouraging nature-based solutions to the current water challenges. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 is that by 2030 everyone has access to safe water. This target includes protecting natural environments and reducing pollution. For project ideas go to http://www.worldwaterday.org/ and CELEBRATE a safe clean glass of water!
Club Visits
Only two Rotary club visits to go: Oxnard Sunrise (March 1st) and Conejo Valley (March 13th) and three Rotaract club visits (Conejo Valley – TBD, Cal Lutheran – March 20th, and Bakersfield – TBD). In all 74 club visits done and 5 to go!
You are all amazing! And so are your clubs! Amazing, dedicated, and kind members of our communities! Christine and I continue to be impressed by your hospitality when we visit and the club projects you share. Recent club visits remind us that our district has faced disasters and that our members are resilient. CELEBRATE friends in Rotary and Service projects united in doing good in our communities!
My club visit to RC Goleta Evening was inspiring as it is the only club in our district to have 6 years of positive net membership growth. And no wonder, the club while fun, works hard to invite community members to its projects. Just ask Stacy Alvarez (and they inducted a new member --- of course)! CELEBRATE Community Service with more club members!
Clockwise from top right: with RC Ojai West President Mike Caldwell at Centennial Park, RC Ojai West new member ceremony, Proud mom DGE Sandi Schwartz presenting PHF at RC Bakersfield East, Camarillo-Oxnard social, Charter Night at RC Bakersfield Breakfast, RC Goleta new PHS member, and RC Goleta new member
Rotaract News!
On March 1st, a Rotaract Club will charter at Cal Lutheran University with local Rotary support including the Westlake Village Clubs. This will mark the second Rotaract Club chartered this year (the other is Santa Maria Valley). With 7 active Rotaract Clubs (Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Conejo Valley), I am grateful for their community work Making a Difference! Several Rotaract Club Presidents made it to PETS (President Elect Training Seminars).
March marks 50 years of Rotaract Clubs with a total of 10,859 Rotaract Clubs and 249,757 Rotaractors are Making a Difference. Check out the informative articles on Rotaractors, their stellar members, amazing projects, and the opportunity to partner projects and develop Rotarians! It is a great read. CELEBRATE Rotaract and the good it continues to do for 50 years!
Youth Service in February
This past month of February, there were two very successful Youth Service events: KERN YES! And an Interact District Conference (IDC). Much thanks goes to the Event Organizers and the 75 attendees (Interactors, parents, Rotaractors, and Rotarians) of the IDC which featured ten teams of Interactors learning to plan a project and also a presentation by Opal Singleton who educated attendees on the challenges and dangers of Human Trafficking. CELEBRATE our youth!
Tree Planting
Tree planting events are being planned in keeping with our effort this year for each club to plant a tree for each member. Some clubs have already done so and some are in the planning stage. In that regard, PDG (Past District Governor) Wade Nomura is reaching out to club leaders to provide assistance for plant selection, planting information, and whole sale discounts. Additional information will be forthcoming shortly. CELEBRATE fresh air and oxygen from planting a tree!
Upcoming District Events
March 10th District Training for Club Board members in Oxnard
March 10th Ventura Tree Planting
March 24th District Training for Club Board members in Bakersfield
April 19th-22nd RYLA Youth Leadership Camp
May 4th Foundation Fiesta – Santa Maria – Amazing Polio story and Iron Lung.
June 2nd Emerging Leaders Symposium - Santa Barbara City College, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - This is a NEW DATE for this event intended for PEs and PENs.
June 16th Club Awards Luncheon and District Governor transition – Santa Ynez Marriott (Buellton)
Check your emails and the District Website for additional information on these and many other activities
District Governor John Weiss and Christine