ROTARY CLUB OF SANTA BARBARA

Serving Santa Barbara And The World Since 1918.

CLUB MEETINGS

Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Meeting

First and third Friday of each month.


Brass Bear Uptown
3302 McCaw Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
View our Calendar to see upcoming meeting dates.
Time: 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF SANTA BARBARA

The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara was chartered by Rotary International on January 1, 1918 and has been serving those in need in Santa Barbara, our region, and the world since.

Our Club Members are dedicated to community service projects, both at home and abroad, including supporting foster youth in Santa Barbara County, working with Mayan families in Guatemala, and more.

Rotary Club of Santa Barbara members are a diverse group of local leaders in business, non-profits, education, government, and more.

Are you interested in making Santa Barbara, and the world a better place. Join our next meeting and talk with members about how to get involved!
UPCOMING EVENTS
RECENT ROTARY NEWS
President's Letter - April 2024
Posted by Garrett Gruendyke
Wow, it feels great to be a Rotarian!
 
Summer is around the corner! Get ready for a great line-up of speakers, presenters and programs coming to your Santa Barbara Rotary Club.  Now is the time to invite friends, loved ones or colleagues to share your love for the Rotary. 
 
Thank you, Jennifer, and Von Reynoso, for planning Dignity Moves project.  We had a blast learning about an incredible project to help support the transition from the streets to hopeful living. Don Jack, Bob Fatch, Bill Dutton, Garrett Gruendyke and supervisor Dan Hellinger enjoyed a great Saturday fighting over the perfect bed corners and fluffed pillows. Thank you to everyone that participated for this community service project.
 
Another huge thank you to Kathleen Blake and her crew that worked tirelessly at the Unity Shoppe. The Santa Barbara Rotary Club is truly amazing! 
 
Hit that Happy Hour! Be on the lookout for a notification every Thursday or Friday for the Rotary Happy Hour location. Thank you to Marlee for making this happen!
 
Attention all Rotary past presidents! Past presidents' program is scheduled for June 7, 2024.  The club would love to hear your memories, experiences, and helpful hints, for what is takes to be a successful club president. This is always a blast!
 
Club Business / Report from Nominating Committee:
Pursuant to the Club Bylaws, the Nominating Committee has met and decided to nominate the following individuals to serve as officers and board members for the Rotary year beginning July 1, 2024. Pursuant to the bylaws, members may submit additional nominations for a period of thirty days. After the thirty-day period closes, the formal election will be held at the club meeting scheduled for May 17, 2024. 
  • President: Jim Armstrong
  • Past President:  Garrett Gruendyke
  • President Elect: Jennifer LeMert
  • Treasurer: Matt Nehmer
  • Secretary: Bruce McDonald
  • Sergeant of Arms: Michael Baker
  • Club Service Director: Marlee King
  • Community Service Director: Dean Axelrod
  • International Service Director: Don Jack
  • Youth Services Director: Margo Byrne
  • Vocational Services Director: David Shea
  • Membership Services Director: Steve Baker 
A big thank you for all the members who have indicated their willingness to serve our club.
 
Upcoming Programs  
 
April 19, 2024 – Author Peter Martin
The Santa Barbara Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Peter Martin, who will be talking about how he went from a respected aerospace engineer to best-selling children's book author. Peter has a wonderful heart felt story that you won't want to miss.
 
May 03, 2024 – Dylan George, PG&E & Diablo Canyon
Dylan George from PG&E will discuss PG&E's application to continue operation of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant in San Luis Obispo County. Dylan is also one of PG&E's lead community representatives in the area, representing the company at numerous events, serving on the board of directors of several business and community organizations, and managing a charitable contributions budget.
 
May 17, 2024 – Local Author Cheri Rae
Local Author Cheri Rae will be speaking about her new book chronicling the life of Pearl Chase, one of the most influential private citizens in Santa Barbara's modern history.  Her book is based upon hours of research of Ms. Chase's files at UCSB.  Cheri is a long-time community activist in Santa Barbara, working on issues as diverse as improving reading education in local schools to preserving Santa Barbara's historic neighborhoods. She is a long-time writer and journalist and is the author of several books and articles about Santa Barbara.
 
May 31, 2024 – No Rotary Meeting
June 07, 2024 – Past Presidents from Santa Barbara Rotary
June 21, 2024 – Step Down for President (No meeting), Party & Fun!
 
Rotary Peace Pole Information:
 
A Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides. There are estimated over 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace. Peace poles are intended to inspire people of all cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The Rotary recommends a peace pole ceremony to accompany the planting of each pole and this ceremony be held annually. Many prefer the International Day of Peace, September 21, for such an occasion.
 
We've started to move to the next phase of the process. The Santa Barbara Rotary Board has approved the Peace Pole Project & are asking for donations from members. Think about what Peace means to you and how you would like to be a part of this amazing project?
  • Club has voted: Languages for the Peace Pole. English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Russian
  • Club has voted: Phrases for the Peace Pole: May Peace Prevail on Earth. May Peace be in our Hearts. May Peace be in our Communities. May Peace be in our Homes.
I will announce next steps and present a preview for the Peace Pole design.
 
Thank you to The Santa Barbara Rotary Club and all Rotary members! 
 
Share your Love for the Rotary,
President
Garrett Gruendyke
President's Letter - March 2024
Posted by Garrett Gruendyke on Mar 20, 2024
Thank you to all Rotarians for your service, kindness, and the patience to put up with your crazy president!
 
Wow! It's getting hot, hot, hot, at the Rotary! Get ready for a great line-up of speakers, presenters and programs coming to your Santa Barbara Rotary Club. Now is the time to invite friends, loved ones or colleagues to share your love for the Rotary. 
 
A special shoutout to Jim Armstrong, President Elect, for his efforts to create club engagement for his upcoming year. I highly suggest all members join a committee, the Rotary Board, or the Foundation to gain knowledge and experience from a legend. Thank you again Jim!
 
Just in case you have not heard, Michael Baker has been honored with CEO of the year! If you see Michael, be sure congratulate him on his very successful 36-year career with United Boys & Girls Clubs. Thank you, Michael, for being an outstanding human-being and Rotarian.      
 
Attention all Rotary past presidents! Past presidents' program is scheduled for June 7, 2024.  The club would love to hear your memories, experiences, and helpful hints, for what is takes to be a successful club president.  This is always a blast!
 
Upcoming Programs
  
March 29, 2024 – Commercial Real Estate in Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Bob Tuler to update the club on the commercial real estate market in Santa Barbara, including the important retail and office sectors. Bob is the founder and principal at Radius Commercial Real Estate in Santa Barbra. In a storied career that spans 45 years in commercial real estate in the Santa Barbara area he has amassed leases and sales totaling over 19 million sq. ft. of space and nearly $2.4 billion in volume, Today Bob’s record stands as having completed the most commercial transactions of any agent in Santa Barbara County, and he is also a multiple recipient of the Pacific Coast Business Times Tri-Counties “Dealmakers of the Year” award for largest lease or sale transactions. Bob graduated with a CPA degree at UCSB but found his true calling working as a commercial real estate broker during his senior year, Bob holds a California real estate broker license. Since 1991 he has been a significant contributor to the UCSB Economic Forecast Project, serving as president and board member while providing comprehensive lease rate data and analysis on South Coast commercial property.
 
April 05, 2024 – Dr. Seleste Bowers
The Santa Barbara Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Dr. Seleste Bowers, Director of Behavioral Health at CenCal. She has been at CenCal for 2 1/2 years. Prior to coming to Santa Barbara, she served as the Director of Behavioral Health for the US Veterans Initiative in Long Beach. She has a bachelor's degree in child development from San Diego State, a master's degree in clinical/Medical Social Work from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and a PhD in Health Care Administration and Management from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Bowers will briefly describe the role of CenCal Health in implementing mental health benefits for our most vulnerable community members through Medi-Cal. She will also review the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) to ensure whole person care and in particular, access to mental health services. Dr. Bowers will offer a summary of efforts underway and goals of providing seamless transitions for Medi-Cal and CenCal Health Members.
 
April 19, 2024 – Author Peter Martin
The Santa Barbara Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Peter Martin, who will be talking about how he went from a respected aerospace engineer to best-selling children's book author. Peter has a wonderful heart felt story that you won't want to miss.
 
May 03, 2024 – Dylan George, PG&E & Diablo Canyon
Dylan George from PG&E will discuss PG&E's application to continue operation of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant in San Luis Obispo County. Dylan is also one of PG&E's lead community representatives in the area, representing the company at numerous events, serving on the board of directors of several business and community organizations, and managing a charitable contributions budget.
 
May 17, 2024 – Program to be announced.
May 31, 2024 – NO Rotary Meeting
June 07, 2024 – Past Presidents from Santa Barbara Rotary
 
Rotary Peace Pole Information:
Please reach out if you would like to be on the Peace Pole Committee. For this project we need to locate a couple locations that would be a great spot to plant our peace pole, plan to hold a ceremony and invite the entire club for a photoshoot.  More information about the Peace Pole below. 
 
Why plant a Peace Pole?
Peace Poles are used by groups all over the world as reminders of peace. At RAGFP, we recognize Peace Poles as monuments to peace action. Plant a Peace Pole peace project to demonstrate your commitment to peace, celebrate your peacebuilding achievements, and inspire others to do the same. 
 
Why map a Peace Pole?
Planting a Peace Pole creates an inspirational physical monument of our international peace mission. Peace Poles demonstrate the power of collective peace action, community engagement, and our global peacebuilding network. Map your Peace Pole to mark your community’s peacebuilding achievements as well as to inspire others to take part in the global movement for peace. Continue the momentum for peace by adding your Peace Pole to the map today.
 
Inspiration to Celebrate Your Peace Pole?
  • Invite your community to a Peace Pole unveiling ceremony.
  • Utilize your Peace Pole as a way to engage children as a future peacebuilder.
  • Mark the completion of a wider community project with a Peace Pole.
  • Place a Peace Pole in a meaningful location in your community.
  • Use the Peace Pole as a maker for future peace action. 
Thank you to the Grace Fisher Foundation for holding one amazing off-site event last week. For those of you that left your beautiful paintings on the table, I grabbed them and have attached them to the Hub. We all have amazing artistic creative minds that are ready to shine. Thank you, Stacy, for organizing the off-sight event.
 
Share your Love for the Rotary,
President
Garrett Gruendyke
President's Letter - February 2024
Posted by Garrett Gruendyke on Feb 09, 2024
My fellow Rotarians!
 
Thank you for all your support, effort, and love for the Rotary.  Every Rotary member makes a huge difference in the club's success to reach new levels.  Personally, I love attending the lunch at Brass Bear because every member brings so much character to the club. I can't say thank you enough!
 
Rotary Happy Hour!   I have no other information other than Rotary Happy Hour happens every Friday!  I love the mystery and only the best members get invited!  Fully, joking…    This sounds like a great opportunity to meet your fellow Rotarians and invite a friend to understand more about Rotary.  Please reach out to Marlee King for more information. 
 
Guatemala - Please give a shout out to Don Jack and Bill Dutton for showing there international Rotarian support in the effort to support the indigenous people of Natun, Guatemala.  They will be leaving in a couple weeks, and I look forward to the program on their return.  Outstanding work!
 
Grants – Highlighted notes from Santa Barbara Rotary Charitable Foundation Grants Committee, dated 02/07/2024, Our Foundation is in the process of identifying nonprofit organizations who our members identify as potential candidates to receive a grant from our Foundation for our July 1, 2023, to June 30th, 2024, Financial Year. Our Foundation has a Board of Directors.  Foundation Board members are elected by our Club. 
 
The current Foundation Board Members are Andrew Hicks—Assistant Chair, Bob Fatch—Chair* (recovering from Medical Leave), Donald Jack—Treasurer, Kathleen Blake—Secretary, Jim Stretchberry, Aruni Boteju, David Shea, Van Do-Reynoso, Jim Armstrong (Ex Officio—Club President Elect). Foundation Committees: Finance Committee – Chair Andrew Hicks, Grants Committee- Chair Kathleen Blake.
 
This year we have about $20,000 to award to grant recipients.   This year our Grants Committee would like our Club Members to identify 4-5 local 501(c)3 organizations to receive a Grant of $4,000 to $5,000.  We are looking for organizations that have areas of focus that include either:
 
1—The Environment, 2—Education, or 3—Human Services
 
If you would like to nominate an organization as a possible grant recipient, please reply to our Grants Committee by reply to this email.  Include the name of the organization and a very brief explanation as to why you think the organization would be a worthy grant recipient.  We would like you to submit your nominations to the Foundation by February 12, 2024. 
 
The Grants Committee will evaluate the list of candidates.  We would then ask you to assist us with getting in touch with the leader of the organization to find out more about their organization, and to find out what they would do with the money if awarded a grant.
 
Upcoming Events
 
Marine Watch Dogs has reached out about another event.  This will be a beach clean-up at East Beach February 24, 2024, around 9:00am.  In addition, they are looking for ideas around parts of our coastline that you think would enjoy a little TLC.
 
Upcoming Programs 
 
February 16, 2024 – Josh Molina with the Local News will discuss the local news environment in Santa Barbara.  
 
March 01, 2024 – The Art of Mindful Living. Petra Beumer is a mindful living expert and founder of the Mindful Eating Institute in Santa Barbara. With a master's in clinical psychology from the University of Hamburg, she has two decades of experience promoting positive lifestyles. She's a pioneer in blending Eastern and Western therapeutic approaches, especially in the realm of emotional eating, weight management, and self-care. Petra has curated unique programs that champion holistic well-being, integrating principles of positive psychology and mindfulness. She held influential Work-Life Balance workshops at the California Health & Longevity Institute and served as a health educator in Santa Barbara. Petra is a keynote speaker for the American Heart Association on Stress and Eating and has presented at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. As a Self-Care Specialist, she worked with prestigious resorts like Golden Door and Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Her guiding principle is to love and honor yourself wholly and authentically.
 
March 15, 2024 – (OFFSITE) The Clubhouse at La Cumbre Plaza. The Inclusive Arts Clubhouse is a headquarters for inclusivity in the Santa Barbara community, with the goal of providing a safe and welcoming space focusing on people of all abilities. Located at La Cumbre Plaza, the Clubhouse offers participants a chance to explore the arts and create long-lasting friendships while developing greater self-esteem and independence. Programs are always adaptive, inclusive, creative, and free!
 
This was my attempt to keep the President letter short and sweet.
 
Always remember to SHARE YOUR LOVE for the ROTARY, growth is always possible!  
 
President
Garrett Gruendyke