Operation Christmas Child, run by Samaritan's Purse, distributes shoeboxes full of toys to children around the world. Jennifer Stagsdell described the program at our meeting October 7, 2026.
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.
Our annual Step Down Dinner was June 24, 2026, at Palomino. We honored Indy Batra, Connie Young, and Saurabh Bajaj, who served as our Presidents this year. We also swore in our incoming President, RoseAnn Hill, and the members of the Board of Directors.
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.
On Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, Neal Lassila presented the JGMRF Annual Update to our Rotary Club of Ventura. Here is the presentation deck:
Kaira Wallace from Ocean Rainforest gave a presentation at our luncheon meeting June 10, 2026. We learned how the company is growing and harvesting seaweed and turning it into a growth booster for agriculture that reduces the need for fertilizer.
On June 1-3, 2026, club members attended Fireside Chats held at the homes of three of our members to enjoy potluck dinners and plan building a great future for our club.
On May 27, 2026, we toured the Welcome Room at 20 N. Oak Street (other door at 419 E. Main), which is being developed into a comedy venue. Founder and Director Alex Schneider shared his vision for the project, which will feature shows by comedians with each show a benefit for a local charity. We followed the presentation with lunch next door at Rice by Mama.
At our meeting May 20, 2026, the Rotary Club of Ventura Foundation awarded a total of $10,000 in art scholarships at the Staci Johnson Ingram Perspectives on Peace competition. The entries focused on Peace, one of the areas of focus of Rotary International. The awards were selected from 34 entries in painting, mixed media, digital art, photography, original music, dance, sculpture, and video.
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.
