Home Page | Rotary Club of Ventura

"The Friendliest Club in Rotary"

We meet In Person

Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.

Poinsettia Pavilion

3451 Foothill Road
Ventura, CA 93003
United States of America

District Site

Naval Base Ventura

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.

Environmental Service

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.

Foothill Interact

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.

Perspectives on Peace

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.

Rotary at Work

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

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.

Eggs N Things

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!

Visit Ventura

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.

Comedy Hour

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!

Wagon Wheel Brewing Co.

We met at the Wagon Wheel Brewing Company the evening of March 25, 2026, to enjoy craft beer, good food, and great fellowship!

Ventura Spirits

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.

Port of Hueneme

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.

Ventura City Clerk

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.

Save the Date

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...

Ventura High School Interact

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.

K-9 Program

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.

District Governor

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.

Dr. Cheatham Recounts International Work

Rotary Club member and renowned surgeon Dr. Mel Cheatham gave a presentation at our meeting January 14, 2026, describing over 25 trips to North Korea doing charitable work for Samaritans Purse. Mel and Sylvia Cheatham embody the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self.

Chalk Art Supports Local Nonprofits

The Rotary Club of Ventura hosted the Ventura Art & Chalk Festival in September. Not only was the event a lot of fun, it raised $10,000 for the Julius Gius Memorial Rotary Foundation (Rotary Club of Ventura Foundation) which supports local nonprofit organizations.

Local Author Addresses Club

We welcomed local author Elizabeth Moore Kraus as our guest speaker at our meeting Jan. 7, 2026. Liz shared her life as a "late bloomer," starting college at 42, getting her Master's Degree in English Literature. and teaching high school. Stuck at home during the COVID pandemic, she decided to type up her travel journal notes from a trip with her two sisters. She developed it into her first book: 3 Sisters 3 Weeks 3 Countries (Still Talking). Liz gave us insider tips on how to publish and market the book you've always dreamed of writing.

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.

May 2026

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Perspectives on Peace Scholarship Awards

May 20, 2026

OFFSITE LUNCH

May 27, 2026

at Welcome Room Comedy Club, 419 E. Main Street, Ventura

View entire list...

EPIC Day of Service
Ventura Land Trust Welcome Center

May 16, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Fireside Chat and Year-End Review
Jun. 01, 2026
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Fireside Chat and Year-End Review
Jun. 02, 2026
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Pacific High School Graduation Breakfast
Pacific High School

Jun. 03, 2026 8:00 a.m. -
Jun. 04, 2026 10:15 a.m.
Fireside Chat and Year-End Review
Jun. 03, 2026
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Step Down Dinner
Palomino

Jun. 24, 2026
5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks Event
Jul. 03, 2026