Club members voted on September 16, 2026, to adopt a new meeting schedule as a pilot program beginning October 1. We will have regular meetings the first and third Wednesday of each month, with a social program or service opportunity the second week, and a Board meeting the fourth Wednesday. The new schedule is designed to increase member engagement, help attract and retain new members, and reduce member dues.
The Rotary Club of Ventura sponsored this year's Art and Chalk Festival at the Ventura Harbor Village Sept. 12 and 13, 2026. Featuring beautiful chalk art, craft and art vendors, and booths for nonprofit organizations, all free to the public. Thanks to all who participated and a big thanks to our sponsors who made this possible!
Rotary District 5240 Governor Margarida Eidsen spoke at our meeting September 2, 2026. We learned about district programs including recruiting new members (Peopleofaction.org), the global network of sister districts, and our district's Sept. 12 Around the World Gala.
We began our meeting August 26, 2026, with members sharing their favorite memories of Dolly Parton, including Ken giving a rousing rendition of “Nine to Five.” Members then shared their hobbies, including travel, cooking, quilting, cold plunges (eek!), get-out-the-vote, teleportation, and alchemy. (Okay, I made a couple of those up, but our members do have lots of interests outside of Rotary!)
On August 8, 2026, members of the Rotary Club of Ventura, together with West Ventura County Rotary Club, the Ventura Downtown Lions Club. Rotaract, & Interact, filled backpacks with school supplies and distributed them to Ventura Unified School District students. This annual project helps students start the year on the right foot!
Cycling Without Age Ventura offers free rides on Trishaw E-Bikes to the elderly and persons with disabilities. Founders Daniel Ayers and Michael Mariani described their exciting program at our meeting August 19, 2026. For more information, go to CWA-Ventura.org.
Bob Cheatham (Integrity Wealth Advisors) moderated a panel discussion on financial planning at our meeting August 12, 2026, with Stephen H. Wagner (Integrity Wealth Advisors), Mike Anderson (Maranantha Financial) and Abiel Acosta (Prospera Succession Partners).
David Maron of the Ventura County Civic Alliance distributed copies of the 2025 State of the Region report at our meeting August 5, 2026, and discussed highlights. The report, which is also available online, is a treasure trove of trends in Ventura County agriculture, economy, education, politics, and so much more.
The Rotary Club of Ventura Foundation (Julius Gius Memorial Rotary Foundation) awarded community grants to 12 local nonprofit organizations and honored them at our luncheon meeting July 15, 2026. We are proud to support organizations that improve lives in our community.
We learned about the wonderful musical offerings for this year's Ventura Music Festival at our meeting July 23, 2026, and were treated to a sample by violinist and Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta. For more information, visit venturamusicfestival.org.
We learned about the Therapy Dogs of America from Program and Volunteer Manager Aja Forner and her dog Scout at our luncheon meeting July 8, 2026.
Welcome to RoseAnn Hill, who presided over her first meeting as President on July 1, 2026! We adapted the “speed dating” model with a series of short discussions with other members to learn more about each other.
