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
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
Dear Tim and the Rotary Club,
 
We want to say thank you for your continued support of three children at Chayah Children's Home in Uganda.
 
Pius is in 6th grade and doing well.  His health is good and he has become a very responsible young man as he's become more comfortable in the boy's home with Chayah's staff
Daisy is thriving.  She's put on weight since coming and her health is excellent.  She's not quite old enough for school, but enjoys playing with the other toddlers.  She is well cared for by the Mothers and Aunties at Chayah and is doted on by the older kids.
 
Otim is just turning 3 and also doing well.  He is a busy toddler and delights in making others laugh. He is full of joy, healthy and loves to take the lead with his age-mates.  He's also been known to take their toys run for the hills!
 
Your sponsorship provides meals, clothing, housing, medical care, a nurturing staff and lots of space to play.  We couldn't do it without you and appreciate your continued care and support of these three miracles.
--
Jodi Plum
Chayah Ministries International, Inc
We are reaching out with such gratitude to you and the Rotary Club for your valuable investment toward saving the lives of children from one of the most difficult areas in the world.
 
The donation of $2,000 earlier this year has provided for Pius a boy that came to us in the spring and was in need of a safe place to call home.  Pius is 13 years old, but had not been able to attend school and was struggling to find shelter and depended on the kindness of others for food.  Pius has been at Chayah and enrolled in our primary school in 6th grade.  He's trying hard to catch up but doing well.  He is incredible shy and a bit withdrawn but this is common in the first months of transition and we are confident he'll begin to feel more and more comfortable.
 
The Rotary Club also expressed an interest in sponsoring two others on a monthly basis and just in the last two weeks the local authorities have brought us two toddlers.
This is Otim.  He is 2 years old.  His father abandoned him when he was 5 months old.  His mother is in her early teens and has been living on the streets since then.  The local authorities brought Otim to Chayah and is working with his teenage mother to help her finish her education.  She is in 8th grade.  Otim is settling in well.
 
This is Daisy.  She is seated on the lap of our social worker, Doreen.  Daisy will be 2 years old on November 22nd.  Daisy came to us with little background except that her mother is blind and was raped.  The village refused to help take care of her and little Daisy was referred to Chayah by local authorities.  
 
We are so grateful for the support of the Rotary Club and want to make sure to answer any questions you may have.  
 
Pius' support has been paid for 12 months, ending in May 2025.  Monthly support of $150 each for Otim and Daisy will cover their medical care including nutritional supplements in these first months, clothing, housing, food, diapers and they will be cared for by their house mom, Regina.  Additionally, there are 3 other house mothers and 2 full time cooks, our social worker and lots of big brothers and sisters to help welcome and care for these two.
 
Here is a link for monthly support of Otim and Daisy.  Let me know if you have any problems or questions for us.
 
Thank you again and again,
--
Jodi Plum
Chayah Ministries International, Inc
Scholarship Thursday was another great success. A special thanks to Steve Harbison, Kathy McGee and Jacquelyn Syndergaard who were judges and presenters.
We presented scholarships to 24 graduating seniors, including 9 students from Paciific High School for vocational and community college purposes. The foundation also awarded funds to 24 students who are currently enrolled in college. Thank you to Cal Magro for being responsible for bringing the Pacific students into the program and his generous monetary donation to a Pacific student.
 
And a special thanks to all of you that attended the luncheon. In total we had approximately 100 people in attendance. Great Job Rotary East!
 
In service,
Tim Hughes
Scholarship Chair
Rich Stewart stood in for President Dawn today.
 
Nancy D’Attlio led us in the Flag Salute
 
Guests: Bruce McGee introduced Vanessa Stofler from Ventura College.
 
Derek Eidson gave our Inspirational Message.
 
Please sign up on the duty roster.
 
We will be meeting on July 7th for a joint meeting with Downtown. The speaker will be Paul Orfalea, the founder of Kinko’s.
 
We have a community service opportunity at Blackstock to cook hamburgers for the incoming 7th graders on August 16th.
 
Mikyung Zdybowicz has a booth at the Ventura County Fair. Please stop by if you go to the fair.
 
The three club BBQ fundraiser has been cancelled.
 
The District Conference will be at the Historic Madonna Inn on October 25 & 26.
 
 
Bruce McGee inducted 2 new members today. We welcomed George Golden & Dr Claudia Laurido-Habib.
 
Our speaker today was Joseph Fuquay from The Rubicon.
 
Happy $’s: Carin Kally, Jim Word, Kathy McGee, Joseph Fuquay
 
Opportunity Drawing – Our lucky winner was our speaker Joseph Fuquay.
Thank you to Derek Eidson, Nancy D'Attilio & Bruce McGee for helping out.
 
Cal Magro donated our raffle prize today which as $50 cash!
 
Visiting today were Norry Harn, Ryan Barrajas, and Phil Drescher were guests of Joe Strohman.
 
Derek Eidson introduced Monique Gonzalez and her mother, Tim Hughes introduced Dann and Jodi Plum with Chayah.
 
President Carin gave our Inspirational Message.
 
Don’t forget the Step Down next week at Bright Spark Brewing from 5:30 - ???
 
PE Dawn asked to be notified if you are volunteering for the Push-em Pull-em parade. We are having shirts made for the volunteers.
 
The Ronald McDonald Family Room is having a fundraiser on June 26th at Urbane Café.
 
Tim Hughes presented Dan & Jody Plum with a $2,000 donation to Chaya.
 
Derek Eidson presented Monique Gonzalez with a Bob Pazen Nursing Scholarship.
 
Our speaker today was City Manager Bill Ayub.
 
Happy $’s: Bill Gray, Mikyung Zdybowicz, Sam Marsh, Harriet Clune, President Carin, Joe Strohman, Tim Hughes
 
Rich Stewart conducted the opportunity drawing and our lucky winner was President Carin!
Support Our Sponsors
 

CLUB BULLETIN

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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Bruce McGee
    June 1
  • Cal Magro
    June 17
  • Jeff Hata
    June 21
  • Sam Marsh
    June 25
  • Rich Stewart
    June 27
  • Ken Kagan
    July 1
  • Judy Hoag
    July 17
  • Jacquelyn Syndergaard
    July 22
  • Charles Ferguson
    July 31
Anniversaries:
  • Tim Hughes
    Peggy Hughes
    June 14
  • Cal Magro
    Val Magro
    July 16
Join Date:
  • Sam Marsh
    June 9, 2008
    17 years
  • Dawn Knowles
    July 12, 2021
    4 years
  • Ken Kagan
    July 22, 2010
    15 years
  • Cynthia Hashbarger
    July 27, 2020
    5 years
Club Leadership
President
President-Elect
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
International Serv
Community Service
Vocational Service - Asst. Chair
Vocational Service
Marketing & Social Media Chair
Membership
At Large Director 2023 - 2026
At Large Director 2023 - 2026
At Large Director 2024 - 2027
Vice President
The Rotary Foundation
Grant Coordinator
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
 
 
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
Support our Buena High School Interact Club!
2023 Push-em Pull-em Parade
 
SPEAKERS
Upcoming Speakers
Joe Strohman
May 29, 2025
Nurse Scholarships
TBD
Jun 05, 2025
Randy Friedman
Jun 12, 2025
Ventura County Animal Services
Past Speakers
Tim Hughes
May 08, 2025
2025 College Scholarship Presentation Ceremony
Art Mortell
May 01, 2025
Author & Speaker
Amy Bailey
Apr 24, 2025
Ventura Family YMCA - Operation Splash
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
SPEAKERS
Upcoming Speakers
Joe Strohman
May 29, 2025
Nurse Scholarships
TBD
Jun 05, 2025
Randy Friedman
Jun 12, 2025
Ventura County Animal Services
Past Speakers
Tim Hughes
May 08, 2025
2025 College Scholarship Presentation Ceremony
Art Mortell
May 01, 2025
Author & Speaker
Amy Bailey
Apr 24, 2025
Ventura Family YMCA - Operation Splash

June 2025

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News from R.I.
Francesco Arezzo of Italy selected to be 2025-26 Rotary International President

The Board conducted a special session following the unexpected resignation of RI President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo on 8 June. Based on RI code and policies, the Board selected the new president-elect from a pool of candidates who were considered by the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in August 2023.

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