Guest List

• Mary Garza - spouse of member Blas Garza
• May Jo Swalley - spouse of member Graham Sharp
• Bradley Duran - son of member Jacqueline Duran (also a San Marcos High School Interact member)

President's Message: Setting Our Course

We are gearing up for a fantastic year of service and fellowship, but we need your help to make our meetings engaging and impactful!

• Speaker Programs Needed: We are actively looking for fresh ideas and contacts for interesting programs. Please email all suggestions to Tim! You can find his email in the “members & contacts” section on ClubRunner. 
  A quick reminder: We ask that speakers do not directly solicit funds from the club during their presentations.
• Show Your Rotary Pride: We are launching a fun new initiative! On the second meeting of every month, we encourage everyone to wear their Rotary apparel (shirts, hats, pins). We are also challenging members to perfect their "1-minute elevator pitch" about what Rotary means to them. There will be a points and rewards system each quarter for participating, so gear up and get ready to share your Rotary story! If you need to order swag, please reach out.
• Open Committee Roles: We still have a few open seats on our committees, including Membership Chair and Sergeant-at-Arms. If you are looking to step up your involvement, this is a great time to raise your hand.

 

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

 

• Adams School Beautification Day: Join us this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM! Grab your work clothes and help us spruce up the campus. We have a proud 30+ year history supporting Adams Elementary, and this is a great hands-on way to give back.
• Santa Barbara Oktoberfest: Mark your calendars for September 19th! We will be enjoying fantastic food from Dutch Garden and cold pours from Santa Barbara Brew House. We are currently looking for more sponsors before the end of August print deadline, and we need plenty of volunteers. Check your email for the "Genius Sign Up" link!

• Annual Holiday Party: Save the date for December 2nd at 5:30 PM at the University Club. Admission requires bringing a $50 gift for our silent auction (or your account will be billed $50). We are also looking for a few volunteers to help set up the auction items beforehand.

   

Project Updates & Committee Highlights

Our committees have been hard at work. Here is a snapshot of the incredible service happening behind the scenes:

• Hope Refuge / Olive Crest Initiative: We are making major strides in our effort to expand residential treatment beds for trafficked and exploited youth. We have officially secured the Patras Rotary Club in Greece as our international partner for the Global Grant! The Board has approved the MOU, and we are working toward a $99,000 funding goal over the next three years to refurbish cottages and increase capacity from 12 to 16 girls. A large portion of our Oktoberfest proceeds (goal: $20,000 net) will go directly to this vital project.
• Adams School Partnership: Beyond this weekend's cleanup, we are meeting with Principal Alison on September 24th to align on the school's most pressing needs. With a student body that is 66% socioeconomically disadvantaged, our ongoing support from library books to playground equipment makes a massive difference.
• 4-Way Test Essay Contest: We are seeking volunteers to read and rank anonymous essay submissions from local high school students based on the Rotary 4-Way Test. This is a rewarding way to engage with our local youth, culminating in an awards luncheon in April!

Next Meeting: August 26, 2026

We cannot wait to see you at our next gathering. Our Guest Speaker will be Scott Wester (President & CEO of Cottage Health). We will also be inducting our newest member, Rowena

 

Thank you for your continued dedication to "Service Above Self." Let's make this year our best one yet!