Rotary District 5240 encompasses all of Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Kern Counties, as well as a small portion of Los Angeles County. Included in our District is the agriculture area of the Oxnard plain, the Kern River oil fields, Hearst Castle, Naval Air Warfare Weapons Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Valley of the Flowers, several old-time missions, and the beautiful towns of Lompoc, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, and Solvang.

The Rotarians in District 5240 are among the most dedicated in the world, ranking eighth in the world in Rotary Foundation giving in the year 2000. Our members have traveled on Rotary programs to every corner of our earth, starting with our neighbors to the south, where projects involving health, education and welfare include building schools and hospitals for the Totonac Indians; providing medicines, blankets, food, fire engines, and ambulances to various areas in Mexico.

Our members have been involved directly, through their contributions both of money and of time, in projects to eradicate polio in India, the Philippines, Africa and Brazil. Many of our members have given of their time and talents to cure sick children in India, Pakistan, Brazil, Ghana, Bangladesh and the Philippines. Our dedication to the youth of our District is expressed in our Annual District RYLA programs, and in our multi-district Annual Interact Symposium.

Our Youth Exchange program is one of the best in the Rotary world. Rotary District 5240 continues to host GSE teams from every part of the globe. The fund-raisers in District 5240 range from Art Festivals, Golf tournaments, Casino Nights, Oktoberfests, Rodeos, Classic Car Exhibitions to Street Fairs, Cajun Festivals, Chili Cook offs, Wine Tasting events, and Gourmet Food Festivals.

The District, with over 3700 members in 73 clubs, is proud to be among the leaders of the Rotary world, continuing to break new ground in accomplishing the Rotary motto of "SERVICE ABOVE SELF".

Provided by RGHF Member Mike Henstra 14 February 2008

See also Rotary Club of Ventura