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.
President's Message

Dawn Knowles

member photo
Fellow Rotarians and Friends,
 
First let me thank the Rotarians and Rotaract members that volunteered this weekend and served food at Family to Family. They served 141 meals!  Speaking of helping the community, this Saturday we will be participating in Love Ventura. This is always a fun event, and we will be helping the Ronald McDonald room this year.  On Thursday Paul Vercammen with Shelter Box will be giving us his story…from Broadcast News to Shelter Box.  It’s going to be a great program! See you Thursday.
In service,
 
Dawn Knowles
President 2024-2025
Rotary Club Ventura – East
 
CONTACT Margarida Eidson FOR A ZOOM LINK IF YOU NEED A VIDEO LINK FOR THE MEETING
Hurricane Helene Relief Fund
 
Rotary Zones 33 & 34 have established a relief fund for people affected by Hurricane Helene. They are in for a long road to recovery and are now looking at the prospect of being impacted even further by Hurricane Milton.
 
If you would like to make a donation you can click on the link below to go to their website.
 
Click on the image for more information.
NEWS FROM VENTURA EAST
Meeting August 1, 2024
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.
Meeting June 13, 2024
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!
Meeting March 28, 2024
P.E. Dawn stood in for President Carin who was a little under the weather today.
 
Cal Magro led us in the Flag Salute.
 
Our opportunity drawing was a $50 gift card to Café Ficelle donated by Kathy McGee
 
PE Dawn thanked everyone who helped with the meeting today.
 
Jim Word let us know that the Friends of the Library is having a book sale on April 6th and they will need help to move books. If you have a truck or a van, please let Jim know.
 
Bruce McGee reported that our meeting will be on Wednesday in the Ventura room. California Rotary clubs will be receiving an award that will be presented via Zoom.
 
If you would like to join the Polio+ society, talk to Bruce. The St Patrick’s day fundraiser at Topa Topa will make the club approximately $4,000 to donate to the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at VCMC. The club acknowledged Stacy Tipton and her crew for her donation of the food and labor for this event.
 
Upcoming events
April 11th – Student of the Quarter and Juan Torres with the Salvation Army.
April 18th – Social TBA
April 25th – Scholarship Awards
 
PE Dawn gave our Inspirational Message.
 
D.G. Marta’s Step Down will be June 29th.
 
April 21st – Walk for Kids
 
Our speaker today was Tammy & Summer Helmuth with the Girl Scouts.
 
Happy $’s: Margarida Eidson, Cal Magro, Nancy D’Attilio, Harriet Clune
 
Rich Stewart conducted our opportunity drawing and our lucky winner was Cal Magro!
Meeting March 14, 2024
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.
Meeting February 22, 2024
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!
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The Breeze
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Margarida Eidson
    November 13
Anniversaries:
  • Jeff Hata
    Rosandra Esquivel
    November 12
  • Jim Word
    Alberta Word
    November 28
Join Date:
  • Tim Hughes
    October 14, 2010
    14 years
  • Laura Shannon-Prange
    November 28, 2012
    12 years
Club Leadership
President
Dawn Knowles
President-Elect
Kathy McGee
Past President
Carin Kally
Secretary
Jeff Hata
Treasurer
Charles Ferguson
International Serv
Tim Hughes
Community Service
Cal Magro
Vocational Service
Joe Strohman
Vocational Service - Asst. Chair
Derek Eidson
Marketing & Social Media Chair
Jacquelyn Gargano
Membership
Bruce McGee
At Large Director 2023 - 2026
Jacquelyn Gargano
At Large Director 2023 - 2026
Nancy D'Attilio
At Large Director 2024 - 2027
Derek Eidson
At Large Director 2024 - 2027
Mikyung Zdybowicz
The Rotary Foundation
Bruce McGee
Peace Chair
Mikyung Zdybowicz
Sergeant-at-Arms
Rich Stewart
Members Only
 
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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
Jim Lewis
Oct 10, 2024
Polio Plus
Club Social
Oct 17, 2024
Cafe Nouveau
Patricia McKenna
Oct 24, 2024
Operation Linus
Past Speakers
Love Ventura Event
Oct 05, 2024
Paul Vercammen
Oct 03, 2024
Shelter Box
Mesa Program Ojai
Sep 26, 2024
View entire list...
2023 Backpack Project
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
Jim Lewis
Oct 10, 2024
Polio Plus
Club Social
Oct 17, 2024
Cafe Nouveau
Patricia McKenna
Oct 24, 2024
Operation Linus
Past Speakers
Love Ventura Event
Oct 05, 2024
Paul Vercammen
Oct 03, 2024
Shelter Box
Mesa Program Ojai
Sep 26, 2024
View entire list...
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AVENUES OF SERVICE

 
Photo Albums
2020 Rise Up Against Hunger
Ronald McDonald Family Room
Sip & See #3
2018 Make Me Smile Week
Sip & See: #RotaryEastRocks!!!
2018 Push-em Pull-em Parade
2018 Trees, Trees, Trees and some RAIN!!!
2017 Nightmare on the Hill
2017 Backpack Project
2017 Social @ Limonera
2017 Push-em Pull-em Parade
2017 Rotarian's at Work Day
2016 Nightmare on the Hill
2016 Ventura County Fair Parade
2016 Stepdown Dinner
2016 Push-em Pull-em Parade
2016 Scholarship Award Ceremony
4 New Members!!!
2016 Ronald L. Hertel 4 Way Test Essay Contest
City Center Project
2015 Christmas Party
2015 Push em Pull em Parade
2015 St. Patrick's Day Parade
2014 Moorpark Civil War Reenactment
FoodShare and the Salvation Army 2014
BBQ at Civil War Reenactment 2014
Ventura Chamber BBQ 2014
2014 Push N Pullem Parade
2011 Push N Pullem Parade
News from R.I.
Rotary members assist with Hurricane Helene relief efforts

Clubs donate supplies, raise funds, and volunteer

Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 16th consecutive year

Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 16th consecutive