Rotary District 5240 is made up of over 3,300 members, from 72 clubs, in 4 different counties within California, United States. We meet regularly to not only form bonds and friendships, but we also strive to improve lives locally and around the world.
District Governor's Message
AG Sherry Sim and I were all smiles at Cambria Rotary Club's annual fundraiser Viva
As a Registered Nurse, I know that our health is everything. Here in the US, we have the control to take good care of ourselves. From our nutrition to exercise to sleep, each day we have the choice to make our health a number one priority. When disease creeps in and takes away that control, we live where we have access to healthcare and we are so fortunate. However, according to the RI database there are 400 million people in the world who can’t afford or don’t have access to even basic health care. Rotarians believe that good health care is everyone’s right.
“Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. Rotary leads efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.
Rotarians combat disease like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care.
Disease does not prevent itself. We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening disease. Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time.
The Rotary Foundation is changing the world by providing grants for projects and activities around the globe and in our own backyard. Providing clean water: Rotary has worked with partners to provide more than 80 percent of Ghana’s people with clean water to fight Ghana’s worm disease. Reducing HIV infection: In Liberia, Rotary members are helping women get tested for HIV early in their pregnancies. They used prenatal care to reduce new HIV infections in children by 95 percent over two years. Ending Polio: Rotary members have played a key role in bringing the world to the brink of Polio eradication. Their efforts have not only ended polio in 122 countries but also created a system for tracking myriad other health priorities such as Ebola.”
Excerpts from the RI website – Areas of Focus
As we celebrate our collective holidays this month, take good care of yourself but also take a few minutes to celebrate the efforts of this wonderful organization we belong to that help those less fortunate every day.
Sandi Schwartz
District Governor 2018-19
Official District Governor Visit Moments
Simi YES participants gathering in the morning for a great day of fellowship and leadership training.
DGE Savi with her son Avi at the Zone Institute in Reno, Nevada
District 5240 DG line DG Sandi , DGE Savi Bhim, and DGN Deb Linden with our TRF Vice Trustee Brenda Cressey
Avenue of Service Spotlight
The arrival of the holiday season means numerous reunions with family and friends. Some of the more common questions of the younger guests are, “What are your plans after high school?” or, “What are you going to study in college?” Then of course there is the big one, “Do you have a job lined up after you graduate from college?” As Rotarians, we can make it easier for young adults to answer these questions if we actively participate in vocational service activities. Two vocational service superstars in District 5240 are Larry Edwards, Club President of Solvang Rotary and Gabe Limotta, Eagle Scout and son of Mike Limotta of the Rotary Club of Santa Ynez Valley.
Larry, together with other members of Solvang Rotary, created a job shadowing program titled “Promoting Student Awareness through Job Shadowing” in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Education Office’s Regional Occupational Program/Career Technical Education and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. This program allows students to choose from twenty-seven “host” organizations, to visit and gain hands-on exposure to different types of businesses. This comprehensive program includes a project description/value proposition, program flyer, presentation, press release, referral and prequalification forms for host organizations, and more. Of the twenty-seven host organizations, seven are Solvang Rotary members, so as an added bonus, soliciting non-Rotarian business leaders to become hosts can lead to new Club members! Those interested in leveraging this outstanding program for their local communities may contact Larry directly at ledwards@montecito.bank for the program elements and tips on implementing the program.
Gabe Limotta’s Eagle Scout project was a series of YouTube vocational guidance interviews linked to the Rotary Club of Santa Ynez Valley website and a customized YouTube channel. This resource was then shared with local school counselors who in turn promoted the YouTube channel to their students. The series of sixteen interviews included a broad range of successful Rotarians sharing thoughts on their careers including how their chose their profession and what they like most about their chosen careers. Gabe is still adding additional interviews to this valuable educational resource to help other young adults as they navigate their future career paths. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, the vocational interviews can be viewed at the following link: https://www.syvrotary.org/vocational-guidance-interviews. Please contact Gabe at GTL@SYVROTARY.org if you have any questions about his project.
Hats off to both Larry and Gabe for putting “Service Above Self” in their vocational service efforts!
Polio Plus Fundraiser
Cal Poly Women's Basketball
Polio Plus Day
UCSB vs CP
Saturday, January 12 at 2pm
Mott Athletics Center
Pregame Reception at 1pm and Rotarians can get $5 tickets by using the promo code ROTARY19 when they purchase tickets online.
At this year's District Conference, we had a room set up for attendees to view videos regarding Human Trafficking and Peace. In case you missed the conference and/or the videos, you may view them by clicking the button below.
In these webinar sessions, subscribers will get a guided tour of ClubRunner's features and how it will help you automate, streamline and enhance communication for your club. There are various specialized sessions available to help you get the most out of your level of site access.
Dana joined Rotary International in 2002 and is an active member of Newbury Park Club, District 5240. She is Past President and was always involved in the Club in International and Local Community projects; she is the Club Grants expert. Dana served as the Club International, Grants and Foundation Chair, District Chair for the 100th Anniversary District Foundation Gala, District Country Coordinator for Youth Exchange. At the Rotary International Level Dana serves as Inter Country Committee - General Secretary and National Coordinator for USA. Dana is also part of Rotary International Action Group for Peace.
MY EXPERIENCE AT THE 2018 BIG WEST ROTARACT CONFERENCE
By: Yuan Xie
Hello! My name is Yuan Xie (pronounced like you and me). I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at UC Santa Barbara, and I am currently president of the campus-based Rotaract club. We started the chapter in September of last year, and it’s been a blast ever since!
Fact 1: Rotary Club of Santa Barbara has sponsored two Rotaract Clubs – one at SBCC and one at UCSB.
Fact 2: UCSB is the last undergraduate UC to have a campus-based Rotaract Club.
UCSB, UCLA, UCSC, UCD, and UC Berkeley Representing at BWR Conference 2018
To encourage students to consider how “The 4-Way Test” can be used in everyday decision-making. This is accomplished by expressing their thoughts in an essay that relates a case or story where they applied these principles in their everyday life.
Who is Eligible? All elementary school (1-5), middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12) students.
Awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for elementary, middle, and high school
First Place - $300 Second Place - $200 Third Place - $100
Winners will be selected by a District Review Team for the above listed cash awards. The cash awards will be handed out by the sponsoring Club President and the District Governor, or District Representative.
