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

Perspectives on Peace

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.

Human Trafficking

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly gave an informative presentation about human trafficking at our meeting April 10, 2024. The DA's office prosecutes forced labor and forced prostitution that victimizes both males and females.

Philanthropist of the Year Award

The Rotary Foundation and the California Rotary Districts have been selected as the 2023 Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year by the Network of California Community College Foundations. The award was given in a special video presentation during our luncheon meeting April 3, 2024. California community colleges serve 1.8 million students, fifty percent of whom experience food insecurity. Rotary has donated $6.2 million to California community colleges.

Career Day

On March 22, 2024, the Rotary Club of Ventura hosted Career Day at Pacific High School. Eight Rotarians and 12 community members representing 25 different careers inspired students to consider new opportunities for their futures.

Mobile Vision Clinic

The Mobile Vision Clinic was unveiled March 20, 2024. This addition to the Central Coast Free Vision Clinic, which was started by two Rotary Club of Ventura optometrists, will expand the local populations receiving free vision examinations and free prescription eyeglasses. It is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ventura and other Rotary clubs, The Salvation Army, Lions clubs, the Westminster Free Clinic, and SEE International. (Photo courtesy of Adam Casillas)

Monarch Butterflies

Research Biologist Charis van der Heide gave a presentation at our luncheon meeting March 13, 2024, on overwintering monarch butterflies on the Central Coast. Tiny tracking devices are helping follow the migration patterns of these annual visitors to our city.

Walk for Kids

The Rotary Club of Ventura was the top fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Walk for Kids, raising $28.000 to support the RMDC Family Room at Ventura County Medical Center. We will be participating in the Walk for Kids April 21, 2024, 8 a.m., at San Buenaventura State Beach.

Ojai Ranger District

Steve Yamshon, Acting District Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, Ojai Ranger District, gave a presentation at our meeting March 6, 2024, and discussed the many volunteer opportunities.

Dictionary Project

The week of February 26, 2024, club members distributed free dictionaries with lots of reference material in the back to over 900 Ventura Unified School District third-grade students.

State of the Region Report

At our meeting February 28, 2024, David Maron from the Ventura County Civil Alliance shared highlights from its 2023 State of the Region Report. The report has fascinating information about the county's economy, education, housing, crime, and many other topics. To download a copy, visit http://civicalliance.org .

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

Rhett Mauck, Executive Director of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, gave a presentation at our meeting Feb. 21, 2024. The Foundation has its headquarters and training center in Santa Paula, Calif., and has located victims of natural and manmade disasters around the world.

Perspectives on Peace

Growing Works

Jenn Rodriguez, manager of Turning Point Foundation's Growing Works program, gave a presentation to our club on February 14, 2024. Growing works provides recovery services to individuals with moderate to severe mental health diagnosis through a wholesale and retail nursery they operate in Camarillo.

Ventura High School Interact

Our meeting February 7, 2024 was run by some remarkable students from the Ventura High School Interact, who shared with us their incredible number of service projects this year. Our club sponsors three high school Interact clubs, among the 14,911 Interact clubs worldwide. Interact helps young people develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self.

Food Share

On Jan. 31, 2024, club members visited Food Share. We learned how this amazing organization distributes 19 million pounds of food each year to food pantries, soup kitchens, through drive-through distribution, and more.

Family BBQ & Social

Pacific High Interact at City Hall

On Jan. 22, 2024, members of the Pacific High School Interact presented their findings regarding the opioid crisis at Ventura City Hall to the mayor, other council members, and city officials. The club has been researching the problem and possible solutions this semester.

Congressman Salud Carbajal Addresses Club

Congressman Salud Carbajal addressed our club at our meeting January 24, 2024. He discussed his background as an immigrant and fieldworker, his college degrees, Marine Corps Reserve service, and service as a Santa Barbara County Supervisor and four terms in Congress. His district includes Santa Barbara County and parts of SLO and Ventura Counties, including most of the City of Ventura.

Pacific High School Day of Joy

On January 19, 2024, our club hosted many activities for Pacific High School (continuation school) students at The Day of Joy--A Time for Students to Relax, Have Fun, and Learn Stress Management Skills. A few of the activities were cooking, art lessons, outdoor games, therapy dogs, and many more!

Ventura Interact Pancake Breakfast

On Jan, 18, 2024, club members and Ventura High School Interact hosted a pancake breakfast to honor students and teachers who donated more than 800 cans of food to Food Share.

Lorelle Dawes, VUSD Expanded Learning

Dr. Lorelle Dawes,

Director of Expanded Learning for Ventura Unified School Dist., gave a presentation at our meeting January 17, 2024. The program provides many after-school opportunities for lower-income and other groups of students including swimming lessons, art, music, rowing, and much more.

Professional Resources

When a flash flood damaged the home and vehicle of our club's Vocational Service Director, Kellye Patterson (Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway), she turned to fellow club members for advice. Providing her with valuable information to help navigate her legal options, home repairs, insurance coverage, and vehicle salvage were Erik Feingold (law partner at Myers, Widders, Gibson, Jones & Feingold), Dale Jaedtke (contractor, Far West Construction Co.), Irene Henry (State Farm insurance agent) and Rob van Nieuwburg (Ventura Toyota). At our meeting Jan. 10, 2024, they shared their advice about dealing with adverse situations in a panel discussion led by Mike Anderson (financial planner, Maranantha Financial). Rotary includes leaders in many professions and businesses and are a valuable resource for our members.

Thanks to SoCalGas

A big Thank You to the Southern California Gas Company for its generous donation that allowed us to buy additional coats and jackets to give to children from Ventura's Westside at our Dec. 16 event.

Coats For Kids Collection Boxes in over 45 Locations

The Rotary Club of Ventura's Coats For Kids program is accepting donations of coats, jackets and heavy sweatshirts (all sizes). There are over 45 drop-off locations in Ventura County. Most locations will be accepting donation through December 31st. (Exception is the school location in Ventura, which accept donations through 12/22). To find a location near you, please visit our interactive map, here: https://www.zeemaps.com/2023_Rotary_Coats_For_Kids_DROP_OFF_Locations

Rose Parade Float

Members of the Rotary Club of Ventura helped construct this year's Rotary float for the Rose Parade: "Clean Water--The Music of Life."

April 2024
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
31	01	02	03	04	05	06
07	08	09	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	01	02	03	04

NO LUNCH MEEETING

Apr 24, 2024

Evening social instead 6-8 p.m., Chili Basil Thai Cuisine

Memorial meeting for Steve Kipp

May 01, 2024

Foothill High School Interact

May 08, 2024

General Assembly

May 15, 2024

View entire list...

Evening Social
Chili Basil Thai Cuisine

Apr. 24, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
Crowne Plaza Hotel

Apr. 25, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
CANCELLED Family BBQ and Social
May 04, 2024
Fireside Chat
Location to be announced

May 09, 2024 6:00 p.m.
Pacific High Teacher Appreciation Lunch
Pacific High School

May 10, 2024
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Pacific High School Prom
Poinsettia Pavilion

May 17, 2024
6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
Crowne Plaza Hotel

May 23, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Evening meeting, Ventura Adult & Continuing Education
May 29, 2024
Pacific High Graduation Brunch
Pacific High School

Jun. 10, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Board Meeting
Crowne Plaza Hotel

Jun. 27, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Crowne Plaza Hotel

Jul. 25, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Crowne Plaza Hotel

Aug. 22, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.