Club members enjoyed an evening of socializing and bowling at Buena Lanes.The Rotary Club of Ventura sponsors Interact Clubs at three local high schools, giving students the opportunity to serve their communities and develop leadership skills. Support the Ventura High School Interact all day this Thursday, April 24, through purchases at any of the Ventura County (and Carpinteria) PizzaMan Dan locations.
At our lunch meeting April 9, 2025, Ventura Mayor Dr. Jeanette Sanchez-Palacios and Deputy Mayor Doug Halter updated us on the issues the city council is handling. Doug is one of many local leaders who are members of the Rotary Club of Ventura.
Alan Salazar, a Chumash Elder, educator, and author, addressed the club at our meeting April 2, 2025. He discussed the brutal history of California against Native Americans, and the ongoing tomol canoe trips where the Chumash visit their ancestral home on the Channel Islands.
Jeff Moorhouse and Joslynn Skelton from Angel Flight West shared their incredible program at our meeting March 26. Since 1983, their volunteer pilots provide their time, airplanes, and fuel to fly over 2,000 passengers a year to medical appointments, to escape domestic violence, and make other compelling needs more accessible and less traumatic--all at no cost to the recipients!
Club member Dan Holmes gave an entertaining look at his life at our luncheon meeting March 19, 2025. He described his adventures as a student, seed expert, kibbutznik, whitewater guide, professional photographer, husband, father, scout leader, grandfather, and more. Dan is a great example of the exciting people in our club! You can join his other 237,000 followers on his Barefoot Grandpa YouTube channel!
At our meeting March 12, 2025, we received an update about the Julius Gius Memorial Rotary Foundation (JGMRF), dba the Rotary Club of Ventura Foundation, presented by Foundation President Rob van Nieuwburg and board member Connie Young. The Foundation awards grants each year to nonprofit and service organizations who make significant impacts to support the most vulnerable and needy members of our Ventura community. In addition, four endowments grow our funds and provide scholarships to local students. Tax deductible contributions are always appreciated to help us serve Ventura residents.
City of Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya and Fire Marshal Brett Reed were our guests on March 5, 2025, and discussed how they are making us safer by reducing our wildfire risks, the Fire Hazard Reduction Program, and defensible space inspections.
New Art City Theatre founders Bev and Kirby Ward gave a delightful live performance of "A Show That May Change the World" at our meeting February 26, 2025. They were accompanied by Billy Thompson on keyboard, Michael Ward on Cajon, Jodi Farrell and Julie Hamann doing back-up vocals, and Brion Shearer from Ventura's Immersive audio providing sound. The performance explained, in dialogue and song, how at New Art City Theatre, playwrights, composers and lyricists from across the nation develop their new work through live readings and workshops. A video version, filmed in and around Ventura, is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ufFQ9CL8uc
Members of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society were guests at our luncheon meeting February 19, 2025. Club member Jim Brace-Thompson discussed the hobby and the club's many activities, including its upcoming Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show, March 1 & 2 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Admission is Free,
Rotary District Governor Sherry Sim visited our club on Feb. 12, 2025. Sherry is the top official of District 5240, which includes almost 3,000 members in 68 Rotary clubs from Paso Robles to Thousand Oaks, Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, and Santa Barbara. She inspired us with how Rotary leadership can make the world a better place.
Club members met at Bright Sparks Brewing the evening of February 11, 2025, to socialize and learn about the work of our club's Peace Builder Committee. Members can participate in the Rotary Peace movement by checking off activities on the Peace Bingo card!
The Interact Club of Ventura High School did a "take over" of the Rotary meeting on February 5, 2025. These young leaders conducted every aspect of the meeting including the flag salute, inspirational message, Happy Dollars, and Trivia challenge, described their activities this year, and sold delicious red velvet cakes. Interact clubs serve their communities, develop leadership skills, and have fun at high schools throughout Ventura County and the world!
At our meeting January 29, 2025, renowned local artist HB Hanrahan discussed and showed some of the iconic murals and other artwork she has created in Ventura and nearby, including the Tortilla Flats installation and the water tower dinosaurs. Art is alive in Ventura!
Rotary members met with members of the Pacific High School Interact on January 27, 2025 to share breakfast and discuss leadership, goals, and life.
Nate's Place is a wellness and recovery center that uses peer support recovery coaching and a wide range of recreational activities to help teens and young adults ages 13-25 at risk of substance abuse or mental health disorders. Co-founder Heidi Allison and Board Member Ron Karu discussed the program with us at our meeting January 22, 2025.
Ventura City Manager Bill Ayub spoke at our meeting January 15, 2025, and discussed water initiatives, partnerships with community organizations, and city services.
We kicked off our 2025 luncheon meetings on January 8 with a presentation by Ventura Police Department Assistant Chief David Dickey. He discussed the department's many community initiatives. 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.
