Ojai Rotary-West About Us Page

Rotary is...

A Global Network of Community Volunteers

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders who provide local community service, international humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards in all vocations.

Left: Summit School, January 2004

	We believe in Service above Self.
	Programs of the Rotary Foundation include international scholarships and cultural exchanges.
	As members of individual clubs and Rotary districts, we accomplish projects large and small that improve our hometowns and neighborhoods.
	Our Breakfast Club meets weekly for fellowship and informative programs dealing with topics of local and global importance.

The Rotary 4-Way Test

A simple but profound statement of the things we think, say, and do:

	Is it the TRUTH?
	Is it FAIR to all concerned?
	Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
	Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Designed for active people, Rotary is an opportunity to build lifelong friendships and experience the personal fulfillment of providing volunteer service to others.

The Rotary Club of Ojai-West is one of two Rotary Clubs in Ojai, California.

We were chartered by Rotary International on November 20th, 1984.

Our club is proud to sponsor:

	Rotary Community Park and the “Welcome to Ojai” monument at the “Y” intersection.
	Free personal dictionaries each year to all Ojai third grade students.
	Free public concerts by the Ojai Band in Libbey Park every summer Wednesday evening between 4th of July and Labor Day.
	The annual Ojai Wine Festival the second Sunday in June at Lake Casitas.
	Interact Youth Service Clubs at Nordhoff High School and Villanova Preparatory

The Nordhoff High School Interact Club, 2005

In cooperation with like-minded civic leaders around the world, we sometimes achieve truly remarkable goals.

Click to see how our club's members are working directly to eradicate polio worldwide.

Click HERE to see a list of other charities we support.

More than 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs in 166 countries. Members are business, professional, and civic leaders.

About 50 of these volunteers belong to the Rotary Club of Ojai-West. We meet most Tuesday mornings to have breakfast, discuss what’s happening in our community and our world, and work on specific service projects locally, regionally, or even internationally.

The local Rotary Club is the heartbeat of Rotary International. Members choose their preferred opportunities for involvement and leadership.

The weekly meeting informs members about our projects in progress, and expert guest speakers keep us informed about community, regional, national, and international issues which may or may not involve Rotary projects.

Typical Meeting Agenda, 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Meetings begin with informal conversation (“fellowship” as we say) and perhaps quick committee meetings as we set up the banquet room with Rotary banners.

Before starting the breakfast buffet, we pledge allegiance to the flag and have a short non-denominational invocation.

As members finish breakfast, the business part of the meeting begins. This includes member news, project reports from committees, announcements of upcoming events, and “fining”, a euphemism for collecting funds that members have pledged in advance. There is always good-natured kidding.

Finemaster Steve Franks and admirers

The guest speaker may be a public official, school administrator or teacher, Rotary officer, director of a not-for-profit organization, or a fellow member giving a “craft talk” about their work.

Some meetings take place at a member’s place of business, such as our Valentine’s breakfast hosted by the Oaks at Ojai Spa.

Ojai Sheriff's Captain Bruce Norris
addresses the Club

BE OUR GUEST!

We meet at Ojai's Soule Park Golf Course Clubhouse
on Tuesdays, 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM.

Click HERE for a map to the meet.

Rotary members from other clubs are welcome, and encouraged to attend meetings at any of the 31,000 clubs in 165 other countries.

You’re a real citizen of the world!

You are welcome to drop in, but please call or e-mail one of us first to confirm the meeting:

Paul Blatz	President 2007-2008	646-3110	pbblatz@rain.org
Mike Caldwell	Membership Chairman	646-8430	kjo@west.net
Jack McClenahan	President 2005-2006	805-798-2563	jmcc@starnetdial.net
Alice Gardner	President 2006-2007	646-1109	attadjshop@aol.com

As a Rotarian, you will have the opportunity to:

	Enlarge your circle of friends and business contacts.
	Become acquainted with leaders of the community.
	Express yourself though "Service Above Self".
	Understand vocational and business problems.
	Participate in Rotary's International Program of World Understanding.
	Enjoy Rotary social occasions.
	Raise standards in your business or profession.

Rotary Responsibilities

Basic Expenses

New Membership Fee $100 (one time)
Annual Dues $180 (billed $30 per quarter)
“Fines” (Elective Operational Contributions)
Breakfast $8 per week (billed $112 per quarter)

Attendance

Regular attendance at meetings is fundamental to the purpose, enjoyment, and successful service projects of Rotary. Total annual attendance must be at least 60% of weekly meetings (30 out of 50) at a member’s home club or certain official club functions or “make-ups” at other clubs or certain other official Rotary functions.

Ojai-West is one of 70 clubs in Rotary District 5240 (Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kern counties) so there are many nearby opportunities to make up missed meetings in Ojai. Make-ups are an interesting and enjoyable experience anywhere in the Rotary world. You are always welcome.

Contributions

Rotarians are often asked to contribute to the worthwhile projects of our Club, District, and Rotary International.

Members choose the projects they prefer to support with contributions, just as they decide which to support with time and effort.

Rotary Club of Ojai-West takes pride in the exemplary contributions of its members to The Rotary Foundation. This is the vehicle for most of Rotary International’s humanitarian work around the world, including the eradication of polio.

Rotarians who donate $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation are designated as Paul Harris Fellows, named for Rotary’s founder. Ojai-West will match member contributions leading to the Paul Harris Fellow level of giving.

Click HERE to learn more from Rotary International's Web Site