Home Page | Rotary Club of Ventura

"The Friendliest Club in Rotary"

We meet In Person

Wednesdays at 12:00 PM

Poinsettia Pavilion

3451 Foothill Road
Ventura, CA 93003
United States of America

District Site

Rotary Club of Ventura Foundation

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.

Ventura Fire Chief

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

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

Gems & Minerals

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,

Visit from District Governor Sherry Sim

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.

Peace Social

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!

Ventura High School Interact

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!

HB Hanrahan

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!

Meet a Rotarian

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

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.

City Manager Bill Ayub

Ventura City Manager Bill Ayub spoke at our meeting January 15, 2025, and discussed water initiatives, partnerships with community organizations, and city services.

Ventura High School ASSETs Program

Assistant Police Chief David Dickey

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.

Thanks to All Who Made the Holiday Event a Success!

Ventura Kids' Holiday Event

On Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, the Rotary Club of Ventura served hundreds of Ventura families at Arise Ventura and Kellogg Park. Children received free coats and shoes, toys, and a photo opportunity with Santa. Families received free eye exams and glasses, a hot meal and cookies, food boxes, and free bibles. We were proud to work with our community partners: Arise Ventura, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura, Coats For Kids, SoCalGas, California Highway Patrol, S.P.A.R.K. of Love, Gideons International, and the City of Ventura.

Holiday Lights Cruise

Club members enjoyed a Holiday Lights Cruise of the Ventura Harbor on Island Packers.

Pacific High School Interact

Members of our Interact club at Pacific High School, supported by Principal Mr. Gibbs and Advisor Ms. Borer, presented at our meeting December 4, 2024. Pacific provides a supportive environment for students to recover academic credits to graduate. These remarkable students discussed the services they provide to youth and seniors in the community and to address our city's homelessness, and shared their goals for the next stages of their lives.

Ventura Kids' Holiday Event

National Weather Service

We met for a delicious lunch at Cafe Amri on Nov. 13, 2024, followed by a fascinating presentation and tour of the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

Honoring Our Veterans

We honored our nation's veterans at our meeting November 6, 2024. Navy Lt. Commander Gopi J. Nadella and representatives from the Rein in Hope program discussed the challenges and opportunities for those who have served our country.

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.

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Jeff Moorhouse

Mar 26, 2025

Angel Flight

Alan Salazar

Apr 02, 2025

Chumash Storyteller

View entire list...

Book Discussion, Tattoos on the Heart
Apr. 09, 2025 5:30 p.m.
Day of Joy
Pacific High School

Apr. 11, 2025
Museum of Ventura County tour
Museum of Ventura County

Apr. 15, 2025
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Homeboy Industries Tour
Apr. 29, 2025 8:45 a.m.
Pacific High Teacher Appreciation Lunch
Pacific High School

May 09, 2025
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Pacific High Graduating Seniors Breakfast
Pacific High School

Jun. 03, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Pacific High School Graduation
Pacific High School

Jun. 04, 2025 9:30 a.m.