District Newsletter
January 1, 2019

Vocational Service Month
 
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
 
Bakersfield Rotarians joined Bakersfield Rotaract for a night of hockey. Sandi was presented with a team jersey with signatures of the attendees.
In the Rotary world January is the month of Vocational Service. Rotary was started by five businessmen in Chicago who had the desire to do good things in the world, while networking their professions. According to the study a few years ago from Segal and Gale, most people join Rotary to promote their business/vocation, and they stay in Rotary because of the friendships and service that this wonderful organization provides.
 
This is the month to reach out to your club members and promote vocations: Do an offsite social at a member’s place of business. Invite potential members to join you at the offsite meeting, as it

might be less intimidating than a regular meeting. You might also devote a meeting to craft talks in lieu of an outside speaker. Remember, craft talks can also include hobbies or interests of retired (or not retired) Rotarians.
 
This month marks the half way point in our Rotary year. . . .  Wow, it goes by so fast!! What remains for each of you to accomplish before this year ends? Which of your club’s projects need a bolt of lightening to finish? When the holidays approach we tend to focus more on friends and family, taking a break from our Rotary club projects. In January, when the holidays are over and we are trying to work off the extra pounds we might have gained, it is time to regain that pre-holiday momentum. Now is our time!

Foremost in our minds this year are the fire disasters and the tragedy at the Borderline Bar and Grill, which is owned by a great Rotarian in our District. The District Charitable Foundation is realigning our mission to include disaster relief, as it seems to be the new norm for our beloved state and District. We will gain a better understanding of the long-term needs of businesses and lives touched by disasters in order to meet those needs.

If you are not on social media, you may have missed my visit to the two homes and two families in Houston who we were able to help with the $40,000 we sent after Hurricane Harvey. It was so touching to see the appreciation from the homeowners, who were able to accomplish greater levels of restoration because of our help. I have included pictures of the visit in this newsletter, including a picture of the bronze plaque that will be installed on each of the homes upon completion, thanking our District for our donation.

Mark your calendar for these events in 2019 (details to follow):
  • District midterms January 12 in SLO and January 26 in Bakersfield. Registration is on the website. This is designed for your Club Presidential line.
  • Master PRLS – February 15- 17, 2019 in Bakersfield
  • Priority One Plus – March 9, 2019 in Pismo Beach. This workshop is designed for anyone working on membership recruitment and retention. This program is put on by our Zone 25/26 Education team and is very motivating and inspiring. Plan to attend!
  • District Training Assembly – March 16, 2019 on the Coast and March 30, 2019 in Bakersfield. This is open to all Rotarians, but especially President Line and Club officers.
 
Sandi Schwartz
District Governor 2018-19
 

Official District Governor Visit Moments

Sandi with Jerry Harris from The Rotary Club of Houston and Travis Gordon from Avenue (NGO),  who are in charge of renovations for Hurricane Harvey. Ms Gonzalez is a homeowner who received $20,000 in donations from District 5240 last year.
The plaque that will be mounted on the home when the renovation is completed honoring our donations.
Sandi, Jerry, and Travis with Mrs. Jones, another homeowner that received $20,000 in donations from district 5240 last year.
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.
Rotary 5240 Business Networking Site
Discover and connect with great local businesses in your local neighborhood like dentists, hair stylists and more. Support fellow Rotarians.
ClubRunner Webinars
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.
Dinner in Hamburg!
District 5240 Reception in Hamburg!
 
Sunday, June 2, 2019, 6:30 pm
 
Traditional German Dinner & Beer at Hofbrau Munchen in Hamburg
 
Celebrate Hamburg with your fellow Rotarians from District 5240
Stories From Around the District
Rose Parade Float Decorating Story
SERVICE ROCKS INDEED!
By:  Jim Hoover, Rotary Club of China Lake
 
You don’t inspire future Rotarians by telling them about Rotary as much as you do by giving them a Rotary experience – even if it’s gluing split peas on a sign, one seed at a time.

Decorating a Rose Parade float as a volunteer is no small act of service, and the experience for Interactors and Rotarian chaperones too ☺ can be inspiring in many ways. Opportunities abound to meet and work with other Rotarians and Interactors and even meet master float builders like the specialists who work for Disney.  A satisfying sense of accomplishment is felt, partly by seeing a huge work of art take on color and texture before your eyes, with your own hands; and partly through the teamwork spirit of eager, smiling volunteers.  Being the inspiration isn’t necessarily easy work, but it can result in being inspired too… a wonderfully positive, reinforcing cycle.
 
Our group of 10 volunteer decorators in the Interact Club of Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, CA journeyed to Irwindale, CA – the site where Phoenix Decorating Company is building the Rotary Rose Parade Float, a Princesses’ Trophy-winner in the 2017 and 2018 Rose Parades.  The group’s 1 December, all-day, hands-on lesson was how to decorate a Rose Parade float.  Chaperoned by their Math teacher, an Honorary Rotarian and the local, Rotary Club of China Lake president, the students prepared and applied dried flowers and seeds that make-up the natural, colorful, textured background for the fresh flowers that go on in the final hours.

So, when a giant, “duded-up” crocodile rolls-out and rocks-out on parade day, at least 10 Rotary inspirations from Burroughs High School will be able to watch with a very personal satisfaction knowing they had a part to play in that – and be inspired that much more. 

Please find more information about the Rotary Rose Parade Float at https://www.rotaryfloat.org and enjoy seeing seeds of “service above self” being planted during the Rose Parade.
Rotary Club of Paso Robles Sunrise Welcomes 5 New Members
Paso Robles Sunrise Rotary is a dynamic group of early risers. Our participation in community projects and fundraisers is productive and diverse. We recently facilitated our “Peace is Possible” seminar, which was a resounding success. We’ve also welcomed several new members who have already demonstrated their commitment to our “service above self” mission. We’re thrilled they chose to become a part of our Rotary family.


Amy Edney is originally from New York and has lived in California five years. She worked in financial services for many years, and is now employed in recruiting. She joined Rotary to serve her community.

Read more...
Rotary Club of Ventura South "Trivia Challenge" Fundraiser
At its 30th annual Trivia Challenge fundraiser on November 7, 2018, the Rotary Club of Ventura South raised approximately $5,000 for the Ventura County Library’s Adult Literacy Program. Twenty-four three-person teams competed in the Jeopardy-like event, answering trivia questions ranging from science to popular culture to sports to history. Entry/sponsorship fees were $300 per team.

Teams were divided into divisions, and the trophy winners included Channel Islands High School Seniors (Youth Division), Rotary Club of Camarillo (Service Club Division), MJP Computers (Business division), Beat the Library/Court of Appeals (Community Division), and David Corona (Spectator Division).

 
Read more...
Upcoming District Events
2019-20 Club Grants Qualification Webinar
Webinar
Jan 09, 2019
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
 
2019 Mid-term Training Seminar - San Luis Obispo
Jan 12, 2019
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
 
2019 Mid-term Training Seminar - Bakersfield
Jan 26, 2019
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
 
Master PRLS Weekend - Bakersfield
Feb 15, 2019 – Feb 17, 2019
 
Master PRLS Weekend - SM or SLO
Apr 26, 2019 – Apr 28, 2019
 
2019 Rotary International Convention--Hamburg
Hamburg Messe (“Fair”) and Congress Center
Jun 01, 2019 8:00 AM –
Jun 05, 2019 9:00 PM
 
District 5240 Dinner in Hamburg
Jun 02, 2019 6:30 PM
 
     
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