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Touring the District with the DG

I can’t believe I completed all my “Official Club Visits”! While the official visits are a thing of the past expect to see me at many clubs during the rest of the year. The “touring” isn’t over yet. My last visit was on December 19th with the Rotary Club of Ventura South, and it ended with a “BANG”. Roxanne and I were invited to an evening Holiday Party at “The Wedgewood”, which was hosted by the Ventura South Club and President Bob Braitman and his wife Mary. Great songs, food, games and Company made this one fun night. I also promised the Club that I would not mention all the Booze being passed around during the gift exchange! So I will instead mention that of the 60+ gifts, I did see 4-5 of them that were not of the alcohol variety. I always imagined that this day would be a welcome relief to a “grueling” pace to complete the visits ... more »

A Big “Thank You” to ALL the Rotary Bell Ringers

Each year during this time hundreds of Rotarians assist the Salvation Army by serving as Bell Ringers. Many clubs do this as a challenge with another local service club and - have you ever looked at the results? As Rotarians, we consistently bring in the most money during our shifts. Why? ... more »

Nancy Fiske receives a Special Recognition Certificate

Rotary Club of Templeton President Nancy Fiske receives a Special Recognition Certificate from Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee presented by Governor Wade as they celebrated ten years of service to their Community and Rotary International. A special celebration was held at the home of President Nancy, with many other Rotarians from her Club, and representatives ... more »

News from the Grants Committee (Dec 2011)

As of Dec 2011, the Grants committee has received 18 Matching Grant (MG) applications. We have certified 14 of these MGs with 4 still pending awaiting additional data or signatures before they can be certified. The total value of these 18 MGs is almost $753,000.00 with $119,000.00 of District 5240 DDF committed to these MGs. Just last week we certified the largest MG the district has ever certified. The value of this “Competitive” MG was $220,476.00 with $38,328.00 of District 5240 DDF committed to this one MG. It is a Micro Credit MG that will occur within District 5240 ... more »

Our Future Leaders, Bringing in the A Team

One of the real rewarding items of being a District Governor is seeing the Future Governors planning, preparing, and motivating for their year. As my year speeds toward the finish line, out future leaders – the “A” Team are coming on line. District Governor Elect Frank Ortiz of the Rotary Club of Santa Maria Breakfast has been a friend of mine for quite some time. I remember sitting with him years ago in a District Governors class being taught by PDG Jock McKenzie at a District Assembly and thinking to myself “What am I doing in this class when there are such great DG candidates in this one class?” This class also included now PDG Rich Abbott, Jane McClenahan, Anil Garg, Luz Maria Ortiz Smith, and DGE Frank! Frank will do a Great job as DG as he has the experience and personality to fulfill the job with excellence. District Governor Nominee Jack McClenahan has been a very close personal friend ... more »

Sunrise at Sunset Meetings? More Members?

The Rotary Club of Oxnard has come up with a new and very innovative way of attracting new members. They have started a “Sunrise at Sunset” club. This Club meets twice a month at “Happy Hour”, which allows people that cannot normally make the 7:00am meeting to meet in the early evening instead. These are Official Club Meetings, and any member can attend. They also hold their regular meetings at this time at least once a month. The results have been very successful, and there are a number of new members waiting to join. If you are interested in more details, just ask us and we will get you in contact with them. President Robert Denton will be happy to share this success story with you ... more »

Indian Wells Valley Celebrates 20 Years of Service

In November of last year, the Rotary Club of Indian Wells Valley celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a great turnout, even though the weather decided not to cooperate. The entire membership was on hand along with members of the China Lake Club and a large contingent from the Kern River Valley Club. Members of the Tehachapi Club were also planning on attending, but a winter storm brought in snow that closed the freeway. On hand were also 5 Charter Members of their Club, which was chartered (as  the then Rotary Club of Inyokern) on November 11, 1991 (Veterans Day!). Each member gave their reflections on their experience in the Club ... more »