ROTARY CLUB OF SANTA BARBARA

Serving Santa Barbara And The World Since 1918.

CLUB MEETINGS

Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Meeting

First and third Friday of each month.


Brass Bear Uptown
3302 McCaw Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
View our Calendar to see upcoming meeting dates.
Time: 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF SANTA BARBARA

The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara was chartered by Rotary International on January 1, 1918 and has been serving those in need in Santa Barbara, our region, and the world since.

Our Club Members are dedicated to community service projects, both at home and abroad, including supporting foster youth in Santa Barbara County, working with Mayan families in Guatemala, and more.

Rotary Club of Santa Barbara members are a diverse group of local leaders in business, non-profits, education, government, and more.

Are you interested in making Santa Barbara, and the world a better place. Join our next meeting and talk with members about how to get involved!
UPCOMING SPEAKERS
Scott Phillips, District Governor
May 19, 2023 12:00 PM
District Governor's Visit to Santa Barbara.
Bill Macfadyen, Publisher of Noozhawk
Jun 02, 2023 12:00 PM
Local News Environement in Santa Barbara
View entire list...
UPCOMING EVENTS
RECENT ROTARY NEWS
President's Letter - March 21, 2023
Wow oh! What a great turnout we had for our first annual past presidents meeting. We had 11 past presidents show up reaching all the way back to 1978 -1979 with someone we do not get to see as often as we all wish, Mr. Tom Brashears.
 
Here is the complete list of Past Presidents that came:
1978-79 Tom Brashears
1997-98  James Carberry
2006-07 Bill Dutton
2007-08 Marlee King
2010-11 Steve Petersen
2012-13 Randall Figgins
2015-16 Kathleen Blake
2016-17 Jim Stretchberry
2018-19 Mike Bieza
2019-20 Dean Axelrod
2020-21 Stacey Lydon
 
I have to admit I selfishly enjoyed looking around the tables as everyone was giving their update and remembrance from their year.
 
The common theme that wove through everyone’s presentation was “ROTARY is what you put into it, not what you get out of it“ you can count on me  to help organize this event each year as long as the club wants it. 
 
Enjoy these photos.
 
 
Featured (Left to Right, Stacey Lydon, Tom Brashears, Jim Stretchberry, Mike Bieza, Randall Figgins, Marlee King, Bill Dutton, Steve Petersen, Kathleen Blake, Jim Carberry, Dean Axelrod)
 
New Meeting Location
Posted by Michael Baker on Feb 05, 2023
Join us at the new Brass Bear Uptown, across the street from the Municipal Golf Course and the former location of Stella's.
 
Brass Bear Uptown
3302 McCaw Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
President's Letter - February 5, 2023
You missed a good one!  We had a very nice program this past week at the Owner of the new Santa Barbara Professional Soccer Team “The Santa Barbara Sky” was our speaker.  Peter Moore gave us an inside look at what to expect with the new team coming to town starting play in the Spring of 2024.  I can tell you as well they are really looking to make an impact in the community. 
 
We learned a little about one of our members, Lindsey Leonard.  Lindsey is the Executive Director of the Alzheimers Association Central Coast Chapter. She grew up in Santa Cruz and also had a long-term stint working for the United Boys & Girls Clubs having been the Club Director of our Westside Club. 
 
We tried a new venue this week and we are going to make it a permanent home for us for at least the remainder of my term as President of the Club.  Great feedback on the food, the venue.  Parking was an issue but was due to construction that will be cleared up by our next meeting.  I am 100% confident you will ALL love this new venue. 
 
Those of you that were able to attend also learned that I am NOT adopted and my birthday is July 30th NOT July 31st (you really need to be there to get these inside jokes)
 
All my best,
 
Michael Baker
President 2022-2023
We’re Going Back to Guatemala
Posted by Don Jack
Since 2014 members of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara have been traveling annually to Guatemala to do volunteer work. Because of COVID we weren't able to schedule trips in 2021 and 2022. We're eagerly looking forward to what will be our eighth visit to Guatemala this year for international service.
 
Our partner organization in Guatemala since 2014, Mayan Families, recently changed its name to Natun in order to reflect their focus on strengthening the indigenous Mayan community.
 
A short video which explains the work of Natun can be clicked below or found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt_5a8OnmaQ
 
 
 
This year we will be flying from LAX to Guatemala City on Friday, March 24th and returning to California on Sunday, April 2nd. We are currently working with Natun to determine the volunteer work to be performed this year. In previous years the work performed has included installation of high-efficiency wood burning stoves, set-up of water filters, supporting nutrition programs and some construction work. Work assignments are made based on the skills and interests of participants.
 
It is estimated that the costs for each participant will total about $1,950:
~ $800 round-trip airfare LAX to GUA arranged by particpants
~ $850 lodging and meal package for our stay in Panajachel
~ $300 for other miscellaneous costs
 
On the night of arrival in Guatemala and on the night prior to returning to California we'll be staying in the Barcelo hotel, a modern comfortable hotel which is a short distance from the Guatemala City Airport. In Panajachel we'll be staying in comfortable lodging that we've used before.
 
Participants don't need to have any knowledge of Spanish. There will also be time for sightseeing. Typically we stop in the historic town of Antigua during our return to Guatemala City.
 
We will be spending most of our time in the small tourist town of Panajachel which is on the shores of Lake Atitlan, the deepest lake in Central America. Panajachel is at an elevation of about 5,200 feet which gives it a comfortable year-round climate.
 
We hope that you'll be able to join us this year.
 
To get more information or to indicate a desire to participate you can contact Bill Dutton billdutton5@msn.com or Don Jack donaldjack@verizon.net