Stories

Our Response to the Southern California Wildfires

(Photo Credit:  ABC 7 Los Angeles)
 
We have watched as our neighbors and friends in Southern California face one of the worst disasters our state has ever seen with the recent wildfires.  In response to those impacted, our District reached out to local Rotary Districts 5300 and 5280 to see how best we could help and support the many Rotarians who have lost their livelihoods as well as their homes and possessions. 
 
Working together with our District's Disaster Foundation, chaired by PDG Desiree Wilson, we are recommending that our Clubs and members directly support our fellow Districts and their wildfire relief efforts. 
 
Here are the links to the District 5280 and 5300 wildfire disaster relief websites where you can donate: 
 
 
 
Our fellow Rotarians have lost everything so our support means even more as the recovery from these wildfires will be long-lasting and take months and years to find a new normal after all they have been through. 
 
I know they would do the same if our members and families were facing a similar devastating event.  
 
In advance, my thanks for showing our true District 5180 Rotary spirit to help our fellow Rotarians and families as they recover and rebuild.  
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me either by email (stevet5180@gmail.com) or by phone at (916) 599-2402.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Steve Turner
District Governor 5180
 
 
 Our Response to the Southern California Wildfires Marsha Vacca 2025-01-09 08:00:00Z 0

Rotary Youth Exchange - The Experience of a Lifetime!

 
Got a young person who would love to see the world? Experience a different culture? Learn and grow?
 
February 1, 2025, is the deadline for early consideration for the next opportunities to be part of Rotary Youth Exchange.
 
Reach out to Jeannie Sparks (click here), District 5180 Chair, and get the details.
 
Don't let a young person sit home, bored, uninspired when you could be the one presenting them with this awesome experience!!!
 
 
 Rotary Youth Exchange - The Experience of a Lifetime! Marsha Vacca 2025-01-07 08:00:00Z 0

PRLS - Practical Relevant Leadership Skills

 
It's happening...and you don't want to miss it!!
 
The best leadership training experience you will have (say our past attendees)!!
 
On February 1 & 2, 2025, at Sierra College, Rocklin, you will have the opportunity to learn skills and gain understanding of business and project planning, leadership, effective communication and facilitation skills that will benefit you at work, home and Rotary!
 
Get registered NOW before the session fills up!
 
 
See you at the training!!!
 PRLS - Practical Relevant Leadership Skills 2024-11-15 08:00:00Z 0

Joint District Conference 2025 

 
 
 
Registration is Now OPEN for District Conference 2025 
Hosted by Districts 5180 and 5300
 
The Magic of Rotary will be in full swing at the 2025 District Conference at Disneyland Hotel Resort, 1150 W. Magic Way, Anaheim, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, with a full day of outstanding speakers, breakout sessions, music, food and fun.
 
In addition, before the start of our opening session at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, a special Disney Leadership Institute training session will be held at 9:00 am for those interested in attending.  
 
There are also a couple optional events hosted by District 5300 that you are invited to attend if you want to arrive Friday afternoon (see the conference registration link for more information on the two optional events).
 
TWO STEP REGISTRATION!
 
HOTEL REGISTRATION: 

Make your room reservation now! The special rate for the conference is $369.00. A limited number of rooms are reserved at this rate. To secure a room, please contact the Disneyland® Resort by booking online 24/7 at https://www.mydisneygroup.com/GDDD25A or calling (714) 520-5005, Monday - Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm PST.

IMPORTANT:  You must indicate you are with District 5300 when registering for your hotel room!!  Do not state you are with District 5180!!  (This is due to a constraint we have with the resort so thank you for your attention to this detail.)

Reservations must be made by Thursday, March 20, 2025, our cutoff date or before the group rooms are sold out, so do not delay. Prevailing rates may apply after this date or when the group rooms are sold out, whichever occurs first. Rooms are subject to availability.

***Beginning Monday, October 21, 2024 you will be able to use the same link to purchase Discounted Special Group Theme Park Tickets.  The online ticket store will close Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 9:00 pm.  These special ticket prices are NOT available once you arrive at the Resort.

Bring your family and friends along so they can benefit from the specially-priced tickets!

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION:

Click here to register for the District Conference.  As noted on the registration page, everyone from District 5180 will register under "Guest Registration."  
 
The cost of the conference (which includes lunch, dinner, breakouts and the special Disney Leadership Institute Training session) is $238.00.
 
 
 
 
 Joint District Conference 2025  Marsha Vacca 2024-09-25 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Youth Exchange - An Opportunity of a Lifetime

 
Looking for the perfect experience for a 15 to 18 year old person to have that will change them forever??
 
It's Rotary Youth Exchange's (RYE) long-term and short-term exchanges to see another country, learn about another culture and language....and so much more!!
 
Applications are now open for prospective Rotary Youth Exchange students for the 2025-26 school year. Go to our website.... www.rye5180.org.... for more information and to start the application process.
 
Applications are due by October 15, 2024, or the date determined by your sponsoring club.
 
Questions??  Reach out to Jeannine Sparks, District 5180 Rotary Youth Exchange Chairperson, at: chair@rye5180.org
 Rotary Youth Exchange - An Opportunity of a Lifetime Marsha Vacca 2024-09-20 07:00:00Z 0

Celebrating the International Day of Peace

 
 
You are invited to join your fellow Rotarians and friends as we celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace on Saturday, September 21, 2024, with a special program organized by our District's Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee. 
 
Through its Peace Centers and Peace Fellows, Rotary has a long history of promoting peace and remains committed to creating lasting change that improves lives and creates a more peaceful world. 
 
On September 21, from 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon, we are celebrating the Day of Peace with guest speaker, Dr. Preston Lindsay, a highly respected peace and conflict scholar, and a panel of dynamic youth leaders sharing their thoughts on what it means to promote peace in our communities. 
 
Dr. Lindsay's presentation, A Culture of Connectivity: How to Have A Peaceful Thanksgiving Dinner, will be timely and meaningful as we consider what each of us can do to promote and maintain peace whether at home or across the globe.
 
Dr Lindsay is a scholar and educator specializing in peace and conflict studies, social entrepreneurship, and community development. He holds a Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manitoba, an MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine University, and a BS in Social Science Education from Brigham Young University-Idaho.
 
Currently, Dr. Lindsay is focused on developing a peace center, peace curricula for secondary education, and expanding research on grassroots-level peace indicators.
 
You will want to set aside the morning of September 21 to hear Dr. Lindsay and our youth panel at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento. Be watching for signs directing you to the building location. 
 
This event is free and open to all so invite your family and friends!
I
 
 Celebrating the International Day of Peace 2024-08-25 07:00:00Z 0

The Magic of Rotary 2024-2025

 

The Magic of Rotary - Rotary Theme 2024-2025

Stephanie Urchick, our 2024-2025 Rotary President, hails from Pittsburg, PA, brings her vision to Rotary of being irresistible.  That means the "experience is so compelling, so fun, so dynamic that people are drawn to it and don't want to leave." (Rotary, July 2024, p21)  That is part of what drives her theme for this year -- The Magic of Rotary.  She says members create that magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.
 
Let's make some magic this year in District 5180!
 The Magic of Rotary 2024-2025 2024-07-01 07:00:00Z 0

Rotary Foundation and Rotary Clubs of California Honored

 
 
Celebrating the Rotary Foundation and
the Rotary Clubs of California
as the 2023 Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year
 
 
 
On April 3, 2024, the Network of California Community College Foundations honored the Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Clubs of California as the 2023 Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year. 
  
Read more...
Rotary Foundation and Rotary Clubs of California Honored Marsha Vacca 2024-05-04 07:00:00Z 0
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) 5180 Marsha Vacca 2024-01-24 08:00:00Z 0

Oak Park Rotary House provides hope, free accommodation for patient families

From UC Davis Health Press Release:
 

(SACRAMENTO) — For more than eight years, Oak Park Rotary House has been a beacon of hope for patient families at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

“This house is a huge hug for a lot of families that come in,” said UC Davis social worker Courtney Corbitt, who has partnered with the Oak Park Rotary House Foundation to identify patient families in need of long-term temporary housing.

Read more...
Oak Park Rotary House provides hope, free accommodation for patient families 2021-09-03 07:00:00Z 0