ROTARY CLUB OF VENTURA EAST
Welcome to the website of the Rotary Club of Ventura East!!
Ventura East
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Ventura, CA 93003
United States of America
2024 College Scholarship Applications
Multiple Scholarships up to $7,500.00 will be awarded.
 
Approximately $125,000.00 total will be awarded.
 
Available to graduating VUSD seniors who are attending two or four year colleges or vocational & technical schools.
 
College students who are prior recipients of a
Rotary Club of Ventura East scholarship may re-apply.
 
Click here to download the 2024 Scholarship Application
The Rotary Club of Ventura-East – Who We Are and What We Do
Rotary’s Vision Statement:
 
TOGETHER  We See a World Where PEOPLE Unite and Take Action To CREATE Lasting CHANGE  Across the Globe In our Communities and in Ourselves
 
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Ventura-East. We meet from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura, 3451 Foothill Road for a delicious lunch, fellowship and networking, a short business session followed by an informative speaker presenting an inspiring and timely topic.  On the Third Thursday of the month we substitute a lunch meeting with an evening dinner social at a local eating establishment.  We invite you to join us for a meeting or social to learn more about Rotary. Follow us on FaceBook or Instagram or send an inquiry through the ‘Contact Us’ below.
 
The Rotary pledge is “Service Above Self”.  Some examples of our community involvement:
  • hosting the 4th of July Push-em Pull-em Parade for youngsters and families since 1976 (check out photos in the album section of the website);
  • partnering with the YMCA for Operation Ventura  teaching youngsters to swim and learn water safety.  (We are, after all, a beach community!) The program also offers homeless and at-risk youth opportunities to participate in classes at the Y. 
  • The Ronald McDonald Family Room at VCMC and the Autism Society of Ventura County are near and dear to us. 
  • We annually award $125,000 in scholarships to local High School Seniors with plans to attend colleges and universities.
  • We also award scholarships to students pursuing vocational programs.
Our signature fundraiser is Poinsettia sales for the holidays. Beautiful, locally grown plants are delivered by cheerful Rotarians to your home or business. Send an email request for order form to rcvepoinsettias@gmail.com in early November.  On St. Patrick’s Day, join us at Topa Topa Brewing on Colt Street for a celebration featuring Irish Music, Food, and a special Brew.  These fund-raising events allow us to continue our services to our local community and to the world. Ask to be on our mailing list for event notices.
 
The Club promotes youth leadership by sponsoring an “Interact” Club at Buena High School and sending High School Juniors to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, a 4-day retreat described as a life-changing experience.
 
As a humanitarian organization, we support a variety of International projects including those that promote women’s and children’s health and the campaign to end Polio.
 
Chartered on May 23, 1963, we are the first club in our district to be a 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club, and 54th in the world to achieve this distinction, having donated $1,000 per member to the Rotary International Foundation to fund projects in the United States and across the globe.
NEWS FROM VENTURA EAST
Jerry Dannenberg led us in the Flag Salute.
 
President Carin’s announcements:
Thank you Charles Ferguson for Greeting, Bruce McGee for running the front desk, Bill Spellman for taking attendance and Cal Magro for donating our Opportunity Drawing Prize, a $50 universal gift card.
 
Adonis Campillo has reluctantly resigned from the club due to his new job. Hopefully he can come back soon.
 
Jacquelyn Gargano gave our Inspirational Message.
 
President Carin presented Cameron DeJong with a $500 sponsorship of the International Football Showcase.
 
Bruce McGee spoke about the St Patrick’s Day fundraiser coming up on March 17th at Topa Topa Brewery.
 
Tim Hughes announced we had 86 applicants for scholarships. 58 of those are graduating seniors! The scholarship presentation day will be May 28th.
 
Club social will be at Yolanda’s.
 
April 3rd we are having a joint meeting with Downtown and South for a presentation of the Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year Award to the Rotary Clubs of California.
 
April 11th we will have a Student of the Quarter Presentation.
 
Avenues of Service Chairs, please complete your District Awards sheet. One of the criteria is Polio+. If you can donate $100 per year, please see President Carin.
 
The Ventura Family YMCA has sent us a thank you letter for our donation for Operation Ventura.
 
Walks coming up:
  • April 21 – Walk For Kids
  • April 28 – Aut2Run
  • May 18 – Walk to Cure Arthritis
 
Our speaker today was Laura from Sonny Horses 4 Kids.
 
Happy $’s: Laura, President Carin, Harriet Clune,
 
Our opportunity drawing winner was Dawn Knowles.
Abby Hanoch led us in the Flag Salute.
 
President’s announcements:
President Carin thanked Cal Magro for Greeting and Mikyung Zdybowicz for running the front desk.
 
Jacquelyn Gargano donated a $50 gift card to BJ’s for our Opportunity Drawing.
 
Guest of Joe Strohman was Ted Andrews, Sr. Deputy District Attorney. Steve Harbison introduced Mark Riecle visiting Rotarians from Gig Harbor Washington and Lori Blumenthal from the Arthritis Foundation.
 
City Center Gala is March 2nd. We still have room for 4 people at our club table. If you would like to go, let President Carin know.
 
Ventura South’s Mardi Gras fundraiser is March 10th.
 
The Search Dog Foundation is doing an open house on May 4th. The deadline for registering is coming soon.
 
Jaquelyn Gargano spoke about the St Patrick’s Day event and the Ronald McDonald Family Room Walk for Kids Kick-off event.
 
Harriet Clune announced the Rubicon is putting on a play “Eisenhower”.
 
Joe Strohman gave our Inspirational Message.
 
Joe Strohman then held the election for 2 at large directors for the Rotary Club of Ventura-East Foundation.
 
Bruce McGee gave  Mikyung her Paul Harris Certificate from a couple of weeks ago and presented Jeff Hata, Bill Gray and Steve Harbison with Paul Harris awards.
 
Our speaker today was Cameron DeJong   with Ventura Football Network
 
Happy $’s: Mark Riecle
 
Joe Strohman announced our new Foundation Board members will be Jim Word and Mikyung Zdybowicz.
 
Rich Stewart conducted the opportunity drawing and our luck winner was Cal Magro!
We were led in the Flag Salute by Jacquelyn Gargano.
 
President Carin thanked the greeter and Steve Harbison for helping at the front desk.
 
Thank you for the bottle of whiskey donated by Adonis Campillo for our Opportunity Drawing.
 
Jacquelyn Gargano announced that the Walk for Kids Kick off will be in the Ventura Room in a few weeks.
 Feb 8th 5 -7
 
Ventura South will be doing their Mardi Gras fundraiser. We can get a table. Let President Carin know if you would like to attend.
 
Tim Hughes announced that the City Center Fundraising banquet will be at Palazzio Event Center.
 
Inspirational message was given by Jeff Hata.
 
Today’s program was a club assembly! Thank you for everyone who attended!
 
Past President Margarida announced that our PEN for 2025-26 will be Kathy McGee!
 
Bruce McGee spoke about membership. To do some of our events, we need more people in the club, so please invite.
 
Happy $’s: Jacquelyn Gargano, President Carin
 
Rich Stewart conducted our opportunity drawing and the lucky winner was Judy Hoag!
Jim Word led us in the Flag Salute.
 
President Carin welcomed everyone to our first meeting of 2024.
 
President Carin thanked Bruce for taking care of the front desk and Harriet Clune for greeting. Jacquelyn Gargano took attendance.
 
Jacquelyn Gargano introduced Joshlynn Skelton visiting Rotarian from Ventura Downtown.
 
Also visiting were Tom Swan (Past President of our club)  and his wife Georganna Hawley.
 
Dawn Knowles gave our Inspirational Message.
 
President Carin showed a picture of the Rotary Rose Parade float. Mikung went down and helped with the decorating.
 
Jan 9 –  Board meeting
Jan 11 – Ventura County Tax Assesor
Jan 18 – Social TBA
Jan 25 – Club Assembly
 
President Carin thanked the Salvation Army Bell Ringers.
 
Bruce McGee announced we are doing a membership drive for the next few months. If you have any spare copies of the Rotarian Magazine, please bring them in.
 
Our speaker today was Shana and Bev from the Osher LifeLong Learning Institute at CSUCI.
 
President Carin congratulated all January Birthdays!
 
Happy $’s: Vance Thompson, Dawn Knowles, Tom Swan, Cal Magro, Nancy D’Attilio
 
Rich Stewart conducted the opportunity drawing and the lucky winner was Harriet Clune.
$50 Visa gift card donated by Margarida Eidson.
Vance Thompson led us in the Flag Salute.
 
President Carin thanked out greeter Renne Burke and Nancy D’Attilio for helping at the front desk. Dawn Knowles is taking attendance and Jeff Hata for bringing the Opportunity Drawing.
 
Guests and visiting Rotarians: Guest of President Carin was Linda.
 
This weekend is the last chance to see Bill Spellman in A Christmas Story at the Ojai Theatre.
 
The Holiday Party is December 21 and Bill & Kim Gray’s home. Joe Strohman let us know some of the items we would like for you to bring for the Family Justice Center.
 
Joe Strohman let us know that we need 2 At Large board positions for our club foundation board for the Rotary years 2024-2027.
 
President Carin presented the catering staff with Christmas cheer! Thank you for all the hard work they do during the year.
 
Dawn Knowles introduced our speaker Roberta Griego with NAMI.
 
Jeff Hata gave our Inspirational Message.
 
Happy $’s: Bruce McGee, Jacquelyn Gargano, Margarida Eidson, Tim Hughes, Vance Thompson, President Carin
 
Cal Magro conducted the Opportunity Drawing and our lucky winner was Charles Ferguson.
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CLUB BULLETIN

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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Laura Shannon-Prange
    March 1
  • Tim Hughes
    April 9
  • Kathy McGee
    April 13
Anniversaries:
  • Charles Ferguson
    Lara Ferguson
    April 28
Join Date:
  • Jeff Hata
    March 1, 2004
    20 years
  • Monte L. Widders
    March 1, 1975
    49 years
  • William Gray
    March 4, 2008
    16 years
  • Nancy D'Attilio
    March 9, 2023
    1 year
  • Cal Magro
    March 21, 2019
    5 years
  • Joe Strohman
    April 1, 1986
    38 years
  • Kathy McGee
    April 16, 2015
    9 years
Club Leadership
President
President-Elect
President Elect Nominee
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Sergeant-at-Arms
Club Service
International Serv
Youth Service
Community Service
Vocational Service
Marketing & Social Media Chair
Membership
Fundraising Chair
2021-24 At Large Director
2023-26 At Large Director
2023-26 At Large Director
2021-24 At Large Director
2022-25 At Large Director
The Rotary Foundation
Peace Chair
 
 
 
Contact Us
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ROTARY CLUB OF VENTURA EAST
Welcome to the website of the Rotary Club of Ventura East!!
Ventura East
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Ventura, CA 93003
United States of America
Interested in sponsoring?
Click on the image above!
Aut2Run is coming April 28th! 
to register go to: www.Aut2Run.org
Click on the image to download sponsorship information for the 2024 Food, Wine & Beer Festival
 
June 8, 2024
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Save the Date
Support our Buena High School Interact Club!
UPCOMING EVENTS
2023 Push-em Pull-em Parade
 
Membership Corner
 
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Ventura-East, Please click this link.
Rotary Club of Ventura-East Avenues of Service Citation Recipients
Recognizing that the strength of the Rotary ideal is founded on the service carried out by club members worldwide, this citation program provides a means for Rotary clubs to personally recognize a member of the club for outstanding efforts in the five Avenues of Service. The citation commends the service carried out by an individual Rotarian in the club, thereby reinforcing the importance which Rotary places on the personal involvement of each club member in Rotary service activities.
 
Eric Nicolet - 1997-98
Devere 'Pete' Gallagher - 1998-99
Joseph Strohman - 1999-00
Sally Adelblue - 2000-01
Jan Lindsay - 2001-02
Richard Stewart - 2005-06
William Spellman - 2006-07
Husam Hishmeh - 2007-08
Deborah Roberts - 2010-11
Wendy Pazen - 2011-12
Jeff Hata - 2012-13
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News from R.I.
The value of a well

Rotary project supplying clean water to Zimbabwean villages brings wide-ranging benefits

Remembering Paul Alexander, who lived 70 years in an iron lung

How the polio survivor learned about Rotary