MANDATORY PARTICIPATION EVENTS FOR ALL THOUSAND OAKS ROTARIANS:
STREET FAIR - SUNDAY in OCT 18, 2026 SEE CRYSTAL EVANS
CHILI COOK-OFF-2027 TBD- SEE MARISSA BUSS
WINE FESTIVAL- June 13th 2027 - SEE DAVE MASCI
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Muscarella introducing Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker-Rick Schroeder
Pres. Michelle presenting book for Rick to sign
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BECOMING A ROTARIAN IS A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE....
Invite a friend, family member, colleague to join Rotary.
Encourage Them to Be Part of Something GREAT!!!
Why wouldn’t you want them to be part of an organization that feeds the hungry, cures the sick, provides education to women and children, provides clean water and sanitation. And now is taking on the environment. And have fun while were doing it!!!
President Michelle Nash opened the meeting by saying we’re hoping for sunny skies on October 18th for the Street Fair. Assignments will be sent out soon. Crystal Evans was recognized with a standing ovation as Chair of the RCTO Street Fair. She does extensive volunteer work in addition to her business, Conejo Awards, and works full-time at Athens Services as Community Relations Manager. Crystal has spent dozens and dozens of hours as Chair to one of our major fundraisers, raising money which we give to local nonprofits. Crystal reported the current sponsorships total approximately $23,000 and that Theresa’s Country Feed and Pet is once again the title sponsor at $10,000.
Inspirational Moment – Ean Kleiger
Rotary reminds us of a simple and powerful truth: We don’t have to solve everything. We simply need to do something. A helping hand can change a person’s day. A mentor can change a young person’s future. A volunteer can strengthen an entire community, and when people come together with a shared purpose, small acts of service can be extraordinarily changeable. Let us continue to show up, mentor, volunteer, listen encourage, and to serve. Service is the legacy that we leave behind.
Song: Nelson Buss
Introduction of Guests and Visiting Rotarians – Steven Stanley Crystal’s guest, Lydia Darian who is very well connected as she is very involved in the Chamber. She is checking out our club. Shannon Nash was also visiting as “Michelle’s much better half.” Shannon introduced his mom, Sandy Nash. Chris was also visiting from Rotary Club of Westlake Village, Noon._______________________________________________________________________
President Michelle reminded everyone to continue with our kindness challenge of one random act of kindness per week. With 100 Rotarians multiplied by 52 weeks, our goal is 5,200 acts of kindness. We’re all in this together! Michelle asked how many members watch or have watched Ted Lasso, describing it as a feel-good show that reminds us to play nice with others. The show has also received numerous awards.
Nelson Buss reminded those who signed up for the Adelante Comunidad Conejo workday to meet at their assigned shift times at Bridges Charter School on Calle Bouganvilla. The event turned out to be a great success despite the heat, with many Rotarians from both our club and the Westlake Sunrise Club, along with family members, participating.
Ken Warner announced the upcoming Blood Drive, scheduled during our regular meeting times on October 22. Ken reminded everyone that we should be applauded simply for doing the right thing—even though we don’t have to. “Thank you for being my friend,” he said.
Jessica Sassalos is organizing the Trunk or Treat event on October 24 in the parking lot behind Thousand Oaks High School. Members are encouraged to bring Halloween candy to the meetings leading up to the event and to join in the fun of distributing candy.
Nate Harimoto talked about a fundraiser for K9s for Warriors, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD. Members can participate in a “Name a Dog” fundraiser, with higher donation levels offering gifts such as gift cards and an art print.
Nate shared that approximately 20 veterans die by suicide each day and that more than 1,000 dogs are euthanized in shelters every day. K9s for Warriors rescues dogs from shelters, trains them to become service dogs, and provides certified service dogs to veterans dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and military sexual trauma.
Since 2014, when there were five Rotary clubs in Group 4 in the Conejo Valley, our clubs have raised enough funds to sponsor 28 service dogs. We are now fundraising for our 29th dog. Nate also shared that 82% of veterans receiving these dogs report a decrease in suicidal thoughts
Victor Hayek announced the nominating committee has released its slate of candidates
for the December election for his year as President: Jason Corey, Chris Lamia, Pat
Hanley, Steve Stanley, Keith Wintermute, Ean Kleiger, Louis Hirsch, and Regina
Biddings-Muro.
Sara Collins reminded us that an off-site meeting will take place on October 15 th at the
Pizza Cookery where Crystal will review all of the details for the Street Fair for the 18 th .
Michelle mentioned it was the last day to sign up for the Succulent Pumpkin
Arrangement Workshop being held on Sunday, October 4th .Update: Nancy Wohl is very pleased to report the event was a great success!
Crystal Evans was happy to report that Theresa’s is returning as the Street Fair Title Sponsor at $10,000. The club is already at approximately $23,000 in financial sponsorships, so it’s shaping up to be another great year!
Steve Stanley shared that he and his family spent the past week in Moab, Utah, biking and hiking. He said it is truly a bucket-list destination for anyone who enjoys national parks and hiking, calling it a spectacular area and highly recommending a visit.
Monica Murrietta donated $2 because it’s October baseball!
Pat Hanley thanked Nancy Wohl for hosting the succulent project on October 4. She brought a wagonload of succulents—because, as Pat said, you can never have too many!
Jeff Borenstein also talked about a bucket-list experience. His wife, Judy, has always wanted to visit New York and ride her Peloton at the Peloton studio with her favorite instructor. They made that happen this week!
Shannon Nash had a couple of Happy Dollars to celebrate having their daughter, Chloe, home. Chloe attended our meetings four weeks in a row and loved it. She is now joining a law firm in Los Angeles. Shannon also shared how happy he was to be sitting next to his mom, who means the world to him, and spending time with his sweet mom.
Ellen Muscarella introduced Rick Schroeder, President and CEO of Many Mansions. Rick has led Many Mansions for nearly 25 years. An accomplished attorney, he is licensed to practice law in both California and Minnesota. He earned his law degree from UCLA and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. He is also a licensed real estate broker.
Rick spoke about Many Mansions’ mission to provide affordable housing along with on-site supportive services. He highlighted Thrive Grove, an interim housing navigation center in Thousand Oaks designed to help people transition from the streets into permanent housing.
Thrive Grove uses modular construction to provide private, dignified living units with amenities such as Wi-Fi and individual temperature control. The facility operates under strict guidelines, including being drug-free and observing specific curfews, all designed to maintain a safe and supportive community.
Rick also discussed Many Mansions’ programs, particularly those serving youth, including its tutoring club and summer camp program. The organization also works with individuals experiencing homelessness to help them transition into permanent housing.
He highlighted several of Many Mansions’ other properties, including Hillcrest Drive, which is celebrating its sixth year; Forman Beach in Oxnard, celebrating its seventh year of providing housing for veterans transitioning from homelessness; Central Terrace in Oxnard, which offers 87 units of mixed supportive housing; and Rancho Sierra in Camarillo on Lewis Road, which provides 50 units for homeless seniors. Rick noted that seniors are not the largest segment of the county’s homeless population.
Rick also praised our local Sheriff’s Department, which has two dedicated homeless liaisons working with the homeless population on a daily basis. He said their involvement has been a tremendous help.
Many Mansions is also working on a new project in Santa Paula that will convert the Santa Paula Motel into housing, with several units specifically reserved for veterans transitioning from homelessness. Rick explained that these types of projects have significantly reduced the number of homeless veterans in Ventura County. Ten years ago, the numbers were very high; today, they are very low. In fact, their Oxnard property sometimes has difficulty finding veterans who need housing—which Rick described as a very good problem to have.
At the conclusion of the program, Rick was presented with a book to sign for a local Title I school to help add to its library.
President Michelle thanked everyone who helped set up and participated in the meeting.
