On June 1-3, 2026, club members attended Fireside Chats held at the homes of three of our members to enjoy potluck dinners and plan building a great future for our club.
On May 27, 2026, we toured the Welcome Room at 20 N. Oak Street (other door at 419 E. Main), which is being developed into a comedy venue. Founder and Director Alex Schneider shared his vision for the project, which will feature shows by comedians with each show a benefit for a local charity. We followed the presentation with lunch next door at Rice by Mama.
At our meeting May 20, 2026, the Rotary Club of Ventura Foundation awarded a total of $10,000 in art scholarships at the Staci Johnson Ingram Perspectives on Peace competition. The entries focused on Peace, one of the areas of focus of Rotary International. The awards were selected from 34 entries in painting, mixed media, digital art, photography, original music, dance, sculpture, and video.
Rich Cobb, the Morale, Welfare & Recreation Manager from Naval Base Ventura spoke at our meeting May 13, 2026. He discussed the amenities available to active duty personnel, their families, and Navy contractors, including swimming pools, bowling alleys, restaurants, and fitness centers.
Don Maruska, Rotary District 5240 Environmental Chair, spoke at our meeting May 6, 2026. He discussed actions we can take individually, as a club, with ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group), and in collaboration with community members to help sustain our environment.
Members of the Foothill Technology High School Interact were honored as guests at our luncheon meeting April 29, 2026. Interact clubs are Rotary's service clubs for high school students to develop leadership skills while practicing Service Above Self.
The Rotary Club of Ventura Foundation awards up to $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors for art submissions that focus on peace. The entries include painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, photography, video, and music. A reception to view this year's entries was at the Crowne Plaza on April 22, 2026. Winners will be announced and the scholarships awarded at a luncheon May 20, 2026.
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, members of the Rotary Club of Ventura joined Rotarians around the world volunteering for Rotary at Work Day. We joined other community members for the Surfrider's Beach Clean Up.
See International representatives Arianna Castellanos, Gerry Pantoja, and Anisha Verdialez spoke at our meeting April 22, 2026. The organization has served 5.5 million people across the globe to avoid preventable blindness. Services include free eye exams, glasses, and pathways to surgery, including manual small incision cataract surgery. The Rotary Club of Ventura is proud to partner with See International and the Ventura Downtown Lions Club to provide free vision services in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
On April 15, 2026, we skipped our usual meeting and had lunch out at Eggs N Things. No announcements, no program--just good food and good company!
Marlyss Auster from the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau spoke at our meeting April 8, 2026. The Bureau promotes tourism to Ventura to attract people to California's hidden gem.
We held a Comedy Hour at our April Fools Day meeting, with members competing for the funniest jokes. But the Rotary Club of Ventura is dead serious about serving our community and the world!
We met at the Wagon Wheel Brewing Company the evening of March 25, 2026, to enjoy craft beer, good food, and great fellowship!
Brad Miller from Ventura Spirits gave a presentation at our meeting March 18, 2026. He discussed how they convert grain and produce that would have been wasted into beverages, and the use of locally grown plants, including wild plants from our hillsides, into spirits with a unique local flavor.
Renaldo Esquivel gave a presentation about the Port of Hueneme at our meeting March 11, 2026. We learned about the history of the Port from its Chumash roots, to a military base in World War II, to what it is today--the only deep water port between Oakland and Los Angeles, bringing in billions of dollars of automobiles and produce every year.
The Ventura City Clerk, Michael B. MacDonald, CMC, gave a presentation at our lunch meeting February 18, 2026. He and his staff prepare agendas and minutes for City Council meetings, ensure compliance with the open meeting law, maintain city records, respond to thousands of Public Records Act requests each year, and run city elections. As a lead trainer for the California Municipal Clerks Association, he helps ensure that municipal clerks maintain the high level of professionalism needed to perform their increasingly complex responsibilities.
This year's Step Down Dinner will be at at Ventura's newest gathering place... 
Palomino is a gorgeous backdrop for any event with the elegance and excellence we can count on from Seasons Catering.
33 S. Palm Street
Downtown Ventura
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
More details to follow...
Members of the Ventura High School Interact conducted a "take over" of our Rotary meeting on February 4 2026. They led all aspects of the meeting, from the flag salute, inspirational message, song, and trivia contest, to a presentation about their activities the last year, a report from participants in the multi-day RYLA intensive leadership experience, and introduction of all the Interact members in attendance. Interact clubs are Rotary's student organizations where members develop their leadership skills and conduct projects to serve their school and the community.
Senior Deputy Anthony Goldner and his four-legged partner Thor gave a presentation about the Sheriff's canine program at our meeting January 28, 2026.
Mike Dutra, District Governor for Rotary District 5240, spoke to our club at our meeting January 21, 2026. Our District includes 65 Rotary clubs, 4 Rotaract clubs, and 56 Interact clubs in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kern Counties. Mike discussed how we can further the District goal of Unite for Good.
The Rotary Club of Ventura
STRATEGIC MISSION STATEMENT
Why We Exist: We believe in the power of community and the profound impact of service above self. Our purpose is to bring like-minded individuals together, and through trust and support, we uplift each other while working tirelessly to improve lives, making Ventura and the world a better place.
How We Achieve It: We create a warm, friendly, and welcoming environment where fellowship, philanthropy, and friendship thrive. Through collaboration, we open doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain closed, enabling both personal fulfillment and collective accomplishment. By partnering with and empowering other non-profit organizations in Ventura, we amplify our impact, ensuring that good deeds reach those who need them most.
What We Do:
- Foster a sense of extended family and community through networking and support.
- Engage in philanthropic activities that enhance the well-being of our local and global communities.
- Promote peace and understanding through our service projects.
- Provide platforms for community leaders to meet, collaborate, and drive positive change.
- Act as caretakers, leaving a legacy of betterment and a measurable impact.
Our Belief: We are better together and can achieve so much more as a united group. We exist to give back, meet community needs, and create a brighter future. As the Friendliest Club in Rotary, we take pride in our commitment to making our community a better place for everyone, ensuring that our existence means something significant.
