Members of the Rotary Club of Ventura, along with other Rotarians and Interact members, built several CAN-trees on December 6, 2025, to support Food Share of Ventura County.
Members of the Ventura Rotaract recently traveled to a remote area of Vietnam and finished building a school there. Rotaract member Derek Eidson (who is also President Elect of the Rotary Club of Ventura - East) gave a presentation about the project at our meeting December 3, 2025. Rotary's Rotaract clubs are leaders ages 18-30. Next year's project will build a house in one day (April 18, 2026) for a deserving family in Tijuana, Mexico.
The Rotary Club of Ventura is one of 45,000 Rotary clubs throughout the world. During a recent trip to Austria, club member Mike Schwartz visited Rotary Club Vienna Maria Theresia. The meeting featured a presentation and discussion about Save Ukraine, which assists war-affected children. The club members were very welcoming and epitomized Service Above Self.
Bill Frank, Chair of the Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation, gave a presentation at our meeting November 19, 2025, explaining the taxes and fees added to each gallon of gasoline we buy that makes it the most expensive in the country.
Speaking in jibberish, a spirited argument about picking toppings off pizza, Oscar winning scenes from the never-to-be-produced (I hope) film "I Stole My Mother's Washing Machine." Four very talented improvisers from the Ventura Improv Co. gave a hilarious demonstration at our luncheon meeting Oct. 15, 2025. Upcoming performances at NAMBA Arts, 27 S. Oak St., Ventura, 7:00 p.m., on Nov. 4, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, and Feb. 13. Lotsa Laffs!
Connor Larkin gave a presentation about Artificial Intelligence (AI) at our luncheon meeting October 8, 2025. For the meatbag computing systems in the audience (our members and guests) he explained how AI works, the terminology necessary to understand it, and where AI is headed in the future.
Rotary "Craft Talks" are designed to learn more about our members. At our meeting Oct. 1, 2025, retired psychiatrist Dr. Leo Pisculli shared his fascinating career as a Navy medical officer, giving the historical background of the military conflicts and world events during different phases of his work. He discussed his work at Subic Bay base in the Philippines, his travels with his wife and children, his later work at the VA, and his therapeutic use of hypnosis. For 35 years, Dr. Pisculli was a member of the Rotary Club of Bishop, California, serving twice as president and also as assistant district governor. He became a welcome addition to our club when he recently moved to Ventura.
Attorney Ron Bamieh gave a presentation about driving under the influence at our meeting September 24, 2025. He discussed the dangers of intoxicated driving and what you are and are not required to do if stopped by police. He told us the 100% effective way of not getting convicted for DUI: don't drive if you are impaired. Ron Bamieh is the founding attorney of Bamieh & De Smith, which handles criminal defense, personal injury, family law, and civil litigation.
Bob Cheatham, who recently rejoined the club, gave a "Craft Talk" at our meeting September 17, 2025. He discussed his education, his background working for the Department of Defense and MetLife, and his current work at Integrity Wealth. He has created YouTube videos to guide different generations of school teachers in their retirement He also discussed Qualified Charitable Distributions, which provide a tax-free alternative for seniors who are required to make Required Minimum Distributions from their retirement accounts.
The Rotary Club of Ventura hosted the Ventura Art and Chalk Festival on September 13 and 14, 2025, at the Ventura Harbor. Twenty-five artists created incredible chalk art on the sidewalk and 30 vendors sold a variety of artwork and crafts. Attendance was free. Thanks to all the participants, volunteers. and sponsors who made this event a success!
Mario de la Piedra gave a presentation at our meeting September 10, 2025, about H2-A and H2-B visas for agricultural workers. The visas allow agricultural workers from Mexico to work in the U.S. legally. Mario's company, Seso, provides software and other support for employers to utilize the program.
Members of the Rotary Club of Ventura and Ventura High School Interact, together with other Rotary Clubs, community organizations, businesses, and individuals, participated in the Walk for Kids at San Buenaventura State Beach to support the Ronald McDonald Family Room at VCMC, a project of Ronald McDonald House Family Charities.
The Rotary Club of Ventura has been hosting the July 4 Fireworks Show and Family Picnic at Ventura College for 33 years. Over 5,900 people attended this year's event, the result of months of planning and hard work. Proceeds are donated to local non-profit organizations to benefit our community. At our meeting August 27, 2025, we honored Hoffer Properties, Community Memorial Hospital, Ventura Auto Center, and all the other businesses and individuals who sponsored the event through financial and/or in-kind contributions. We also gave thanks to our club and community volunteers. Thanks to all for another great event!
Rotary members, along with members of our high school Interact clubs and our friends at the Lions Club, met on August 9, 2025 and filled 680 backpacks with school supplies and personal need items to donate to Ventura Unified School District students in need. Promoting education and youth services are among Rotary's core causes.
Club members visited Community Memorial Hospital on July 30, 2025, for lunch, a tour, and to learn about the $6.2 million grant CMH received to improve mental health services in our community.
Tim Flynn gave a fascinating presentation at our meeting August 6, 2025, about his experiences in 1984-1985 as a Rotary Graduate Scholar. He studied in Bonn, Germany, and had an eye-opening experience behind the Iron Curtain visiting East Berlin, then under Russian control. The experience showed him the Rotary ideal of being a fountain of hope in promoting international understanding.
Rich Schroeder, President and CEO of Many Mansions, gave an informative presentation at our meeting July 23, 2025, about the high quality housing the group provides to low income individuals in Ventura County. Information about their programs and their October 12 Bowls of Hope fundraiser is on their website.
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.
