Monthly Archive for May, 2008

Children’s Book Drive Aims to Break Guinness World Record

Published on May 20, 2008 in Community Service, International, President's Picks and Rotary Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Rotary wants to collect 250,000 children’s books at the International Convention in June.

The Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara wants to help.

Last year we collected new and used children’s books and donated them to an after-school program through People’s Self-Help Housing. This year, we have a chance to be part of a much larger effort.

Here’s how you can participate:

  • Bring new or gently used children’s books to the next Rotaract meeting on June 3. Our delegates to the convention will deliver them.
  • Order books at a discounted rate from Scholastic. They’ve made it easy by suggesting age-appropriate books. They’ll even ship them to the Rotary collection for free. Order by June 1 to be part of the project. Details here (PDF).
  • Donate any amount of money — preferably by June 1, but definitely by June 10 — and ask that it be spent on books. We’ll shop for you and bring books to the convention.

If you order books on your own, please let us know. It would be great to track how many books out club donates! Rotary wants to build a mountain of books. I’m a fan of literacy. Aren’t you? Kids need more to read than blogs. This is an exciting international effort. Thanks in advance for participating.

Happy Hikers Return

Published on May 20, 2008 in Social Events. 0 Comments Tags: .

 

This is Laura. Laura is smiling because she is on Tunnel Trail with Rotaract friends.
It was a great way to wrap up a Monday, break a sweat, take in the Santa Barbara views and learn about each other. Thanks to this month’s hikers.
The full moon was a little elusive, but we spotted it creeping over the ridgeline on our way down the canyon.
Have a request for next month’s hike? Email Liz at sb_rotaract@yahoo.com.

 

At the Movies with Indy!

Published on May 19, 2008 in Social Events. 0 Comments

We’re going to see “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” on Wednesday, May 28th at the Arlington (1317 State Street).

The movie starts at 7:45 and we’ll meet in the front of the Arlington at 7:15. Movie admission is $9.25 and the movie runs 2 hours. Hope to see you all at the movies… and don’t forget your bull whip!

Lawn Bowling

Published on May 12, 2008 in Social Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

IMG_2520, originally uploaded by sb_rotaract.

Officers Rita, Dana, and Michelle try their hand at lawn bowling. Remember, to check out our photos page for pictures of the latest Rotaract events.

Downtown Hosts

Published on May 12, 2008 in Community Service. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

The Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara is looking for energetic, friendly volunteers to staff its new Downtown Host Program. As a volunteer you will welcome visitors and locals to the downtown area.  Help direct them to area shops, restaurants, cultural venues and historic sites while answering questions about transportation and handing out Downtown Map & Guides. As a volunteer for the Host Program, you will be a valuable resource for the community.

  • Rotaract has selected Sunday, June 29 as our service day.
  • Daily time commitment is 10 am – 5 pm, which includes a one hour training session.
  • Volunteers will work in pairs covering various 2-3 block areas along State Street from Cabrillo Blvd. to Sola Street.
  • Volunteers receive free lunch and a Host Program hat or visor!
  • For more information or to sign up, please contact Dana.

They’re Watching

Published on May 8, 2008 in Meetings. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

IMG_2499, originally uploaded by sb_rotaract.

Rotaractors watch member spotlight Brian tell his life story.

May Activities

Published on May 8, 2008 in Community Service, Meetings, Rotary Activities and Social Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Thanks to all of you who attended the May meeting at Rusty’s. We have a lot of things going on this month and hopefully this post will give you the pertinent details. This is mostly a rehash of what you received on the agenda but with the gaps filled in.

Note added 05/12/08 09:54AM – Please note that details of the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon have been changed. Additional volunteers are not needed at this time. Changes reflected below.

Catalyst – The guest speaker will be Dr. Kendra Kenyon who will be speaking about the book Good To Great. Pre-registration online is $10, or $15 at the door. The event is on May 13 at 6:45 PM at Stateside restaurant.

Children’s Festival – This year’s festival will be held at Alameda Park on May 17 from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Currently, there are only a few spots left for the 1 – 4 PM shift so please email Jennifer Haake to RSVP.

Full Moon Hike – May 19, meet at the SB Mission at 6:45 PM. Moderate strenuous walk.

Host Program – The Downtown Organization is bringing back the Host Program to our downtown. There will be five groups of two assigned to various locations along State Stretty between Cabrillo and Sola. The daily commitment time is 11 AM to 4 PM which includes a one hour training session at the beginning of the block. Volunteers will receive free lunch and a host program hat/visor. Rotaract will pick a day (TBA) to work together.

Children’s Miracle Network Telethon – You may have seen people working the phones in the background, on TV and now here’s your chance to be one of them!  Rotaract will have a shift on Sunday, June 1 from 9:00 – 11:00 am, and will not require outgoing calls.  If you haven’t already signed up at the meeting or just want more information, please contact Dana.

Vicki’s 3,000m Run – The event is on June 7th at 8 AM at SBCC. The first heat starts at 8:30. It benefits the Special Olympics. Entry fee is $8. Please contact Liz to race or volunteer.

Rotary International Conference – I cannot stress enough what an opportunity this is. This will probably be the only chance we’ll get to attend the largest Rotary conference so close to home. If you haven’t registered already, do so now. Information can be found at this link [PDF]. All of us attending will be staying at a Rotaract cheap housing option at Mount St. Mary’s College. Both registrations (conference and housing) can be done completely online, including payment. Some information you may need:

Dates (we are attending): Friday June 13 to Sunday June 15
District Number: 5240
Club Name: Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara
Events to Sign Up For: Hollywood Rooftop party (June 13) and the volunteer project at Griffith Park (June 15)

GSE Trip – Applications for this year’s trip to Thailand are due July 18. The trip lasts from March 9 to to April 2, 2009.

Lawn Bowling

Published on May 8, 2008 in Rotary Activities and Social Events. 0 Comments Tags: .

A quick reminder that the Lawn Bowling Open House is this Saturday, May 5, from 10 AM to 3 PM. We’ll meet at the SB Lawn Bowls Club at 1216 De La Vina Street at 11:30 AM. It will be a great opportunity to learn a new sport and mingle with Rotaractors and Rotarians.

There will be free pizza and drinks.  Remember to wear flat soled shoes!

Hearts Goes Medieval Seeks Volunteers

Published on May 1, 2008 in Community Service. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

The Hearts Adaptive Riding Program trains mentally and physically disabled children and adults to ride horses. Their big fundraiser — a fair — is this weekend, and they could use some help! Volunteers get Rotaract service hours, lunch and a T-shirt! Contact Crystal Vaughan to sign up at crystal.vaughan[at]citrix.com for more information.

We have two shifts to choose from: Sunday, May 4 at 8-noon or 11-3

Some of the volunteer projects include:
- help with crafts
- manage the stockade/jail
- work at game booths
- serve food
- sell tickets

Directions from the website:

Hearts is located on an annex of Calle Real next to El Sueno Rd.  You should see our sign on Calle Real as you turn onto the annex.  Head up the steep hill past the Sheriff’s station.  As you crest the hill, make a sharp hairpin turn to the right and drive through the Hearts gate.  Follow the unpaved driveway and bear left when you reach the large arena.  Our office building is at the end of the parking lot, just past the corrals.