The Rotary Club of SLO Daybreak is holding its Annual Drive-Thru BBQ Fundraiser on Friday, September 25th from 4:00-5:30pm at the San Luis Obispo Veteran's Hall - get your tickets now and help support our charitable giving for local student scholarships. The delicious meal includes a full choice tri-tip, ranch beans, fresh cole slaw and buttery garlic bread. Scan the QR code or click here and make your order online and we'll see you in September. If you can't participate but still want to support Rotary's work, purchase a meal - or meals - for a local charity and treat an individual or family to a comforting dinner. There is also a spot to make a separate or additional donation. Thank you for your support in advance!
Tuesday, August 25 - Club Social, 5:00pm at Bear & The Wren
Coming on Tuesday, September 1st - tour of the Cal Poly SLO HotHouse, 1134 Chorro St. (across from FedEx Office Print & Ship Center) starting at 8:45am
As we begin the second month of our Rotary year, I continue to be inspired by the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment I have seen throughout our district. July was filled with memorable moments that reminded me just how special District 5240 truly is.
One of the highlights of the month was celebrating the Fourth of July in Solvang. From the patriotic parade through town to the spectacular evening fireworks, it was wonderful to see the community come together in celebration. A heartfelt thank you to the Rotary Club of Solvang and the Rotary Club of Santa Ynez Valley for everything they do to make this tradition such a success and for representing Rotary so proudly.
As we move into August, I am looking forward to visiting 15 of our clubs. Club visits are one of my favorite parts of serving as your District Governor. I can't wait to meet more of our members, hear your stories, celebrate your successes, and learn how our district can continue to support you.
August is Membership and New Club Development Month, providing us with an opportunity to reflect on one of Rotary's greatest strengths—our members. Every new member brings fresh ideas, new talents, and new opportunities to expand our impact. At the same time, retaining our current members by ensuring they feel connected, appreciated, and engaged is just as important. Membership is everyone's responsibility, and each of us has the opportunity to invite others to experience the fellowship, purpose, and service that make Rotary so extraordinary.
Finally, I also hope you will join us on Saturday, September 12, for our District Foundation Gala. This year's "Around the World" theme celebrates the global reach and impact of Rotary. https://rotarydistrict5240.org/events/district-around-the-world-foundation-gala/
Thank you for everything you do to strengthen your clubs, serve your communities, and represent Rotary with pride. Every act of service, every new member welcomed, and every project completed helps us fulfill our mission.
Together, let us continue to Inspire Action and Create Lasting Impact in our communities and around the world.
Thank you for everything you do to strengthen your clubs, serve your communities, and represent Rotary with pride. Every act of service, every new member welcomed, and every project completed helps us fulfill our mission.
Together, let us continue to Inspire Action and Create Lasting Impact in our communities and around the world.
Love,
Margarida
To read Margarida's entire message, click here.
Olayinka H. Babalola, President 2026-27
Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Rivers State, Nigeria
Peace does not happen by accident. It must be pursued deliberately, built strategically, and woven intentionally into everything we do. That is the challenge I am placing before the Rotary world this year.
Rotary recognizes peacebuilding as one of our areas of focus. But I believe peace must be more than a category of work we set aside for certain projects. It must become a lens, one we choose to look through every time we plan, every time we serve, every time we ask what kind of impact we truly want to leave behind.
The Institute for Economics and Peace has identified eight Pillars of Positive Peace: well-functioning government, a sound business environment, equitable distribution of resources, acceptance of the rights of others, good relations with neighbors, free flow of information, high levels of human capital, and low levels of corruption. These pillars describe the conditions that make lasting peace possible. And when I look at them carefully, I see enormous potential for Rotary. Not because our work automatically advances peace but because it can when we are deliberate about it.
As you plan your next project, whatever the focus area, I want you to pause and ask one question: How does this create the conditions for peace? Consult the Pillars of Positive Peace. Find where your work connects. Then, make that connection intentional. Share what you discover with your club, your district, and your community. The more we talk about peace as a practice rather than a destination, the more naturally it will shape everything we do.
This is not about doing different work. It is about doing our work differently, with greater awareness, greater purpose, and a clearer vision of the world we are trying to build. Every Rotary project carries potential. Our task is to unlock it, not by chance but by choice.
Do you like to have fun? Enjoy hanging out with great people? Want to serve your local and international community? Pursue your philanthropic interests? Do you enjoy the dynamic of a small club with members that like to kick off the day with laughter and friendship? Did we ask about having fun? Then come visit our club! We have a goal this year to add at least 10 new members to bring their enthusiasm for "service above self" to our efforts.
Our club meets every Tuesday from 7:00-8:30am at Hoagie's, 1234 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo. You don't have to be invited to attend, but if you know a Rotarian in our club, reach out to them and you can be their guest. (We have great breakfast meals of your choice!). Information about our club's activities, including the weekly lineup of speakers, can be found at slodaybreak.org and if you have questions, email us at slodaybreak@gmail.com. Come check us out, we'd love to meet you!
We are proud to award this year's scholarships to the following students from San Luis Obispo High School:
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Awards:
- Wesley Bisheff - Cal Poly State University
- Gabriel Jantos - Colorado School of Mines
- Mila Shih - Harvard University
Scholarship Awards:
- Ruby Blackburn - Northwest Nazarene University
- Jennifer Cabrera - Fresno State University
- Ruby Gonzalez Torres - California State University Channel Islands
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Sponsorships:
- Lucy Beck
- Christopher Estrada
- Tina Gonzalez
- Nyla Huebler
- Noah Jones
- Seth Jose
Supporting the education of youth has been a hallmark of ours since we chartered our club in1996. We raise resources through our annual fundraisers, including our Drive-Thru BBQ every September. Funds go to support grants to K-12 teachers, graduating high school students, the Interact Club at SLOHS, and to sponsor high school students to attend a four day leadership camp every April.
Congratulations and our deepest gratitude for their impact on our community to the following organizations that were awarded grants from our club this year:
Pregnancy & Parenting Support of SLO County
SLO Noor Foundation Health Clinics
Pictured here left to right: Will Almas Committee member, Barbara Alarcon SLO Noor Foundation, Grace Post Lumina Alliance, Linda WIlson Committee chair, Berni Ann Lewis Committee member, Terri Benson First Tee Central Coast, Bernadette Bernardi Literacy for Life SLO.
Congratulations to the recipients of our annual grant funding. These dedicated teachers are launching amazing programs and activities with their students, in part with the assistance of our support. Our thanks to these dedicated professionals that are creating the next generation of thoughful leaders.
Bishop's Peak Elementary
- Maya Lord, TK classroom supplies
- Kiley MacLeod, Communication/Social Skills Learning Stations
- Marifrances Williams, Play, Talk, Know - TK Science and Literacy Starter Kit
Hawthorne Elementary School
- Fiona Lloyd-Moffett, Reflections of Us: Nurturing Identity, Caring Connections Through Dolls
Sinsheimer Elementary
- Juanita Canales, Phonemic awareness, reading and alphabet sound teaching tub supplies
- Jill Laursen, Build a Business
We recently stocked the pantry in front of Honorary Member Nancy Beighley's home following the Multi-Club Social on April 26 where attendees contributed a wagon cart of goods. In addition, the drawing at the event garned funds for us to go out and buy more supplies for for her pantry and the one located near Past President Victor Herrera's home. Please bring non-perishable food items to any upcoming Rotary meeting. Nutritious canned food such as tuna, fruits and vegetables, energy bars, soup, rice, pasta, peanut butter, cereal, and instant coffee are all good choices. In addition, personal care items such as toothpaste, shampoo, feminine hygiene products and soap are also helpful. Cash donations will be used to buy more goods to add to the pantry. Thank you!
The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Daybreak is nearing its 28th anniversary under Rotary International. Chartered on April 30, 1998 thanks to the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of SLO and the Rotary Club of SLO de Tolosa, over almost three decades, we have been demonstrating "Service Above Self" throughout local and international communities. Check out our archive of photos on Facebook and Instagram.
DID YOU KNOW? SLO Daybreak has created several significant projects that have added value and charm to our community, many in collaboration with other Rotary Clubs. These include:
- The Water Wheel at the SLO Children's Museum
- The Bandstand at Mitchell Park (2000)
- The Community Garden at Meadow Park (2010)
- The Landscaping Projects at the SLO Botanical Garden (2013) and SLO County YMCA (2012)
- The Exercise Course at Laguna Lake Park (2013)
- The "Make Change Count" donation meters (2014)
- The Viewing Platform at the SLO Regional Airport (2015)
- The Amphitheater at the County Office of Education's Rancho El Chorro site (2017)
- The Playground at 40 Prado Homeless Services Center (2018)
- The Courtyard at the Octagon Barn (2019)
- The Commemorative Green Benches at the Rotary Community Garden (in memory of Rotarian Brian Conroy, 2019) and Laguna Lake Golf Course (SLO Daybreak, 2023)
- The Disc Golf Course at Sinsheimer Park (2021)
- The Painting and Repair of the Jack House and Gardens fencing (2022)
- The Mural at Restorative Partners' Bridge Cafe (2023)
- The Neighborhood Pantry on Ferrini Road, hosted by Honorary Rotarian, Nancy Beighley (2023)
- The Born Learning Trail at De Vaul Park (2023)
- The Two Pergolas at Woods Humane Society (2025)
- The Refurbishing of the Rotary Pavillion at Laguna Lake (2026)
- The Peace Pole Installation in Mission Plaza (2026)
Show your SLO Daybreak pride, share it with others and don't miss out on any Rotary news, events, recognition, photos and club meeting announcements! Not on social media? Totally fine. Just bookmark and check out our club website regularly to stay in the know and please update your information with us and Rotary International as it changes. It's an important task that helps our club run smoothly. Any questions on how to access and update your information, contact Club Administration Director, Char Rosales, she can assist you.
- Is your personal/professional member profile up to date at SLODaybreak.org? Click here. Why? Your fellow members and committee chairs want to be able to contact you, your Club President wants to celebrate milestones with you and your family and your Board of Directors needs your information to be correct for quarterly reporting to our District and Rotary International.
- Are you following SLO Daybreak on Instagram? Click here. Why? See what we are up to with events, speakers and community service projects.
- Have you "liked" SLO Daybreak's Facebook page? Click here. Why? See what our club and other clubs in SLO and in our District are achieving and make new friends with other Rotarians.
- Have you "liked" the District 5240 Facebook page? Click here. Why? Rotary is a local, regional and international service organization and our connectivity with our District leadership and the oversight of its 68 clubs brings us together with 1.4 million members in over 47,000 clubs all over the world.
- Have you created a My Rotary account at Rotary.org? Click here. Why? My Rotary is where you can see your history in Rotary, your status in overall contributions to the Rotary International Foundation and how your impact is changing the world.
Suite #120
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
United States of America