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

Carin Kally

member photo
This week is THE BIG EVENT:  SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS!!  This year we celebrate achieving the milestone of ONE MILLION DOLLARS in scholarships awarded. WOW!  Twelve new recipients will be honored; please be there EARLY to greet them and their families. We will start serving lunch promptly at 11:45.   I hope to see the entire club there to celebrate these inspiring young people.
 
Thank you to all who participated in the Walk for Kids last Sunday!  That was a good warmup for the Aut 2 Run this Sunday at Cal State Channel Islands.  Sign up to walk, sign up to hang out at the table and talk to people.  We will have give-aways for the kids and/or an activity at our table. 
 
Next week we will meet in our regular room for lunch and announcements etc, then carpool down to the Family Justice Center ( across from VCMC) for a tour at 12:45.  We have been supporting the VCFJC and the important work they do, and I am thrilled that we have this   opportunity to visit the site. 
 
We also have tickets for the Food, Wine, and Beer Festival on June 8th at Camp Arnaz.  Please promote this event.   Tickets are $60 for a festive afternoon of sampling some of the best Ventura County has to offer.
                          
Calendar
April 28 – Aut 2 Run, Cal State Channel Islands.  Team Gavin, and info table volunteers
May 2 – VC Family Justice Center
May 9 – pending program, plus special guest
May 16 – Social TBA
May 23 – Mark Bridges - Industrial Emergency Council
May 30 – Ventura Spirits
 
In recognition that this is an election year,  I remind you that Rotary is a neutral zone.  Thank you for respecting and enjoying the a-political aspect of our organization.
 
CONTACT Margarida Eidson FOR A ZOOM LINK IF YOU NEED A VIDEO LINK FOR THE MEETING

Carin Kally
President 2023-2024
Rotary Club Ventura – East
NEWS FROM VENTURA EAST
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!
Meeting January 25, 2024
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!
Meeting January 4, 2024
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.
Support Our Sponsors
Social Media
 

CLUB BULLETIN

Subscribe to our eBulletin and stay up to date on the latest news and events.

Click here to sign up!
 
The Breeze
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Tim Hughes
    April 9
  • Kathy McGee
    April 13
Anniversaries:
  • Charles Ferguson
    Lara Ferguson
    April 28
Join Date:
  • Joe Strohman
    April 1, 1986
    38 years
  • Kathy McGee
    April 16, 2015
    9 years
  • Jim Word
    May 1, 1983
    41 years
  • Ashley Pope
    May 3, 2017
    7 years
  • Colin Hoag
    May 12, 2016
    8 years
  • Margarida Eidson
    May 19, 2017
    7 years
  • William J. Spellman D.D.S
    May 23, 1963
    61 years
Club Leadership
President
Carin Kally
President-Elect
Dawn Knowles
President Elect Nominee
Kathy McGee
Past President
Margarida Eidson
Secretary
Jeff Hata
Treasurer
Charles Ferguson
Sergeant-at-Arms
Rich Stewart
Club Service
Dawn Knowles
International Serv
Tim Hughes
Youth Service
Joe Bova
Community Service
Cal Magro
Vocational Service
Joe Strohman
Marketing & Social Media Chair
Jacquelyn Gargano
Membership
Bruce McGee
Fundraising Chair
Margarida Eidson
2021-24 At Large Director
Tim Hughes
2023-26 At Large Director
Jacquelyn Gargano
2023-26 At Large Director
Nancy D'Attilio
2021-24 At Large Director
Joe Bova
2022-25 At Large Director
Dawn Knowles
The Rotary Foundation
Bruce McGee
Peace Chair
Mikyung Zdybowicz
Members Only
 
Important Links
 

ROTARY LINKS

 
Club Downloads
Contact Us
Enter your email address and the message you want to send.
fields are required
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
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
 
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
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

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.
Healthier lives ahead for South Pacific children

Rotary’s Give Every Child a Future program vaccinates 100,000 young people

At convention find breakouts tailored to you

Take away bold ideas about how to improve your club experience, your community, and the world from breakout sessions at the Rotary convention in Singapore.