A few years ago, Group 8 Rotarians realized they rarely get to see each other even though they are all serving the same causes and live in the same area. So, they came up with a day where all Rotary members and their families could gather in one place for fellowship. That day is now our annual evening at the zoo.

When’s the last time you got to ride the train when it’s not crowded or see animals in the evening? Besides a few events (Boo at the Zoo for example), this is a rare opportunity. As Rotaractors we get a reduced rate of just $10. Come meet the Rotarians who have supported our club for the past five years. It’s really a good time.

What: Rotary Day (really evening) at the Zoo

When: Friday May 13th, 4PM to 8PM

Where: The Santa Barbara Zoo

Cost: $10

Didn’t get your fill of Rotarians at Work Day last weekend? Well don’t fret Rotaractor! The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara (that’s the one that meets downtown at Fess Parker’s), decided to shift their work day to this Saturday, May 7th. They are cleaning up trash and graffiti starting at 8:30 AM. They’ll have you out by noon so you can still enjoy your day. Please contact Courtlin for details.

What: Trash and Graffiti Eradication

When: Saturday May 7, 8:30AM to Noon

Our second Group 8 Zoo day is tomorrow, Friday May 21. It starts around 4:30pm (you can come at any time though) and will go until it gets dark outside. The cost is $10 and includes entrance into the Zoo and dinner. There will also be some animal feedings and train rides! This is a great opportunity to socialize with all of our nearby Rotary Clubs and each other. Please RSVP to tara[at]sbrotaract.com

We hope to see you there. Email info with any questions.

One Photo from Images of India

Did you know that polio, a crippling disease, could be eradicated in as little as two years from now? Since 1985, polio went from being present in 125 countries to only 4. Come learn about how it was done and how people are trying to wipe it out completely.

On April 22, you can:

• Watch a special screening of “The Final Inch,” a documentary about the successes and challenges of eradicating polio worldwide.
• View Images of India, photos by Joe Johnston.
• Listen to a polio survivor tell his story.
• Listen to first-hand experiences of immunizing children in India.
• Pick up a treat at the bake sale.

The event is at Santa Barbara City College in the BC Forum and begins at 6 p.m. Parking will be free if you enter at the West Campus kiosk.

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED: Contact ana@sbrotaract.com to sign up.

You may not recognize all the faces in the photo above. That’s because some of them are members of the Rotaract Club of San Luis Obispo, our neighbors to the north.

They’ve been doing great stuff for years under the leadership of Founding President Dominic Tartaglia. Now, the club celebrates its official charter.

Up for a mini road trip? We’re invtied to attend the Charter Celebration on March 13 at 6 p.m. at the Tartaglia Ranch* in San Luis Obispo. Please RSVP to Holly Dragovich at hdragovich@gmail.com by March 6 to ensure that they have enough steak, salad, garlic bread, ranch beans and cake for everyone. This event is BYOB — bring your own beverage. Adults may bring adult beverages.

* Please ask Holly for the ranch address or Tara, Liz or David. Since this is a private home, we are not posting the address on the blog.  

Rotary selects 100 participants every year to get training in the root causes of conflict, theories of international relations and effective models of cooperation and negotiation. The programs are hosted at these centers:

• Chulalongkorn University; Bangkok, Thailand
• Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
• International Christian University; Tokyo, Japan
• Universidad del Salvador; Buenos Aires, Argentina
• University of Bradford; West Yorkshire, England
• University of Queensland; Brisbane, Australia

Rotary is accepting applications now for the 2011-2012 year. Our Rotary District, District 5240, usually nominates one candidate each year. They must make their recommendation by July 1, so it’s best to get your application in soon. Read how to apply here. If you are very interested, let one of the Rotaract officers know. We can connect you with local Rotarians who can guide you in preparing your application.

Contact rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org for more information on this international program.

A friendly reminder that it’s not too late to sign up for a volunteer day in exchange for a day pass to the Happiest Place on Earth – Disneyland! You can pick any event, but a bunch of Rotaractors are planning on working with Goleta Valley Beautiful this Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1PM.

You can sign up at this link. Just search by zipcode: 93117 and it should be the first result. Once you sign up and send a message to Ken Knight, you’ll get back an automated response. Tell Ken what event you want to work at and he’ll confirm then you can confirm with the Disney site.

If you have any questions, just email us at info [at] sbrotaract.com

Happy 3 (and then some)-year anniversary to the Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara.

Thank you to all the Rotarians who have supported the club through these formative years and to the Rotaractors who make it so much fun.

We had a fantastic party at the Dos Pueblos Ranch beach. Thanks to our wonderful hosts and caterer Lori Cordova of the Vandenberg Village Rotary Club. See more photos of the 2009 anniversary party here.

Through the Group Study Exchange (AKA GSE), the Rotary Foundation pays for a team of young professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 to travel to a foreign country.  The program develops professional and leadership skills while promoting international understanding. Team members usually stay in Rotarians’ homes, experiencing  local culture.

You can view the team member brochure here. (PDF) The application is here. (Doc)

Applications due August 9. The trip is January 11 – February 8, 2010.

The event takes place at 5315 Foothill Road

If anyone is interested they can get back to me at jennifer.wang@sbrotaract.com.  We need actual commitments so that I can submit the names to Rotary.