Our club's Youth Service Director, Ken Leandro, shared his career journey with the Ventura High School ASSETS program (After School Student Education Teamwork for Success).
Lance Orozco, News Director for NPR radio station KCLU, discussed The Changing Media at our meeting October 2, 2024. In an era where fewer people rely on traditional broadcast and print media for their news, and unverified rumors spread online and on apps, the role of responsible professional journalism is more important than ever.
Park Ranger Emily Zivot gave a fascinating presentation about the Channel Islands National Park at our meeting September 25, 2024. She shared her vast knowledge of the geological forces that created the islands, their unique wildlife, and a Native American perspective on their importance.
Club member Greg Wray is a professional illustrator who has rendered characters for the Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers, and created images for all forms of visual communication. He was the first 2024/25 guest speaker at the Ventura High School Interact. Interact clubs bring together young people to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. The Rotary Club of Ventura sponsors Interact clubs at Ventura, Foothill, and Pacific High Schools.
Wade Chumney, Associate Professor of Business Ethics and Law at Cal. State Northridge, gave a thought-provoking presentation on AI and Ethics at our meeting September 18, 2024. He is the author of Conscious Business Ethics.
Jim Lewis, Rotary District 5240 Polio Plus Chair and himself a polio survivor, has been a leader in the fight to eradicate polio for 30 years. He addressed our club on Sept. 11, 2024, about Rotary International's decades-long contributions to ending this crippling disease worldwide.
Eduardo Flores from Ventura Bee Rescue gave a fascinating presentation about the lives of bees, honey production, and relocating unwanted hives at our meeting August 28, 2024. He even brought some of his sweet friends with him!
On Saturday, August 10, 2024, members of the Rotary Club of Ventura, joined by Rotary Ventura South, Ventura Rotaract, Foothill High School Interact, and Ventura Lions, filled 750 backpacks with school supplies to donate to Ventura Unified High School students in need. This annual project is part of our club's commitment to serve youth.
Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinkos and philanthropist, addressed the Rotary Club of Ventura on August 7, 2024. He shared secrets of growing a single copy shop into an international chain with over 1,200 locations, and his philanthropic activities, which center on early youth development. In attendance were many members of our club, members of other area Rotary clubs, and guests. Guests are always welcome at our Wednesday luncheon meetings.
The Rotary Club of Ventura hosted our 31st Anniversary Fireworks Show and Family Picnic on July 4, 2024. A great crowd enjoyed a spectacular professional fireworks show, live music by Soul Infusion, kids games and kids zone--all for $10 adults and $5 kids. Proceeds support dozens of programs of local non-profit community organizations. Big thanks to our major donors--Community Memorial Healthcare, Ventura Auto Dealers Association, Hofer Properties, and SoCalGas--along with all our other sponsors (click "Read more"), and to all who volunteered to make this event a huge success!
This joyous event is spread across several acres of beautiful lawn at the Ventura College Athletic Fields, and includes a spectacular fireworks show, live music, food vendors, a Kids Fun Zone, and what we like to call 'the friendliest hometown picnic in America'! Adults $10, children $5, family of four $30. For information and tickets, visit https://www.venturafireworks.com/ Member volunteer link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BA5A92BA1FAC43-49814613-ventura . Community members also needed to volunteer https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BA5A92BA1FAC43-49453949-community
Eighty-three members and guests on June 18 celebrated the completion of the first half of Neal Lassila's two-year term as President at the Water's Edge Restaurant in the Ventura Harbor. The theme was "Living Life Like a Song." Congratulations on a great year, and the best is yet to come!
Mesa Farm Executive Director Dan Parziale and County Supervisor Matt LaVere gave a presentation about the Mesa Farm Project at our meeting June 12, 2024. The project seeks to prevent homelessness by giving young people transitional housing, wellness offerings, vocational support and community connection. Its pilot program in Ojai is progressing toward opening.
On June 10, 2024, the Rotary Club of Ventura hosted a brunch for graduating seniors at Pacific High School. Churro Champ provided fresh churros. Pacific is a model continuation school with an impressive 85% graduation rate. Congratulations!
The Rotary Club of Ventura Foundation (also known as the Julius Gius Memorial Rotary Foundation) awarded $50,000 in grants to 19 local non-profit organizations at our luncheon meeting June 5, 2024. The grants increase the ability of non-profits to serve the educational, recreational, artistic, and health and human service needs of our local Venturans. We are proud to support their contributions to our community.
On May 22, 2024, the Rotary Club of Ventura awarded one $5,000 scholarship and five $1,000 scholarships to Ventura Unified School District seniors for their winning entries in the arts. The Staci Johnson Ingram Memorial Perspectives on Peace Scholarships are based on the Rotary International theme of "promoting peace" and are given based solely on artistic merit. Congratulations, and thanks to all who participated!
The Rotary Club of Ventura honored teachers at Pacific High School, a model continuation school of VUSD. Thanks to teachers everywhere for the fantastic job you do!
Fireside Chats join new Rotary members with more seasoned members to learn about Rotary and get to know each other. Nineteen new and long-term members met the evening of May 9, 2024, for an informative, supportive, and delicious event!
Interact Club board members from Foothill Technology High School conducted the Rotary Club of Ventura luncheon meeting on May 8, 2024. Interact clubs develop leadership skills and provide public service to the community. The members reviewed their many service projects of the year, and graduating seniors discussed their educational plans. (The Rotary Club of Ventura also sponsors Interact clubs at Ventura and Pacific High Schools; Rotary Club of Ventura East sponsors Interact at Buena High School, and Rotary Club of Ventura South sponsors Interact at St. Bonaventura High School.)
The Staci Johnson Ingram Memorial Perspectives on Peace Scholarships are the only local scholarships based on submissions in video, music, photography, and art, and are available to VUSD seniors. The submissions were on display at the Crowne Plaza Hotel the evening of March 18, 2024. The awards will be presented at our noontime meeting May 22.
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.
