What a week! Bingo cards flying at St. Margaret's benefit night, a room full of District friends at Saturday's breakfast, and ice cream in the Palisades to top it off. This Thursday we're back at Del Rey Yacht Club with a speaker you won't want to miss — LA28 is coming to the Marina. See you there.
Yours in Rotary service, Nancy Voss, President 2026–2027
Our Last Speaker: Councilmember Traci Park
At our most recent meeting, Councilmember Traci Park highlighted our club's tremendous role working with her office — and a continued partnership heading into the LA28 Games. It's a perfect lead-in to this Thursday, when LA28 itself comes to the Marina.
This Thursday • August 20
Erikk Aldridge — LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games
Join us at Del Rey Yacht Club as Erikk Aldridge, Vice President of Impact for LA28, shares how the Games will shape Los Angeles — and how our communities can be part of the story. Bring a guest; this is a great meeting to introduce someone to Rotary.
President's Office Hours: Nancy arrives at 4:30 PM before every meeting — stop by early with project ideas, ClubRunner questions, or just to chat.
Last Week in Our Marina
Bingo Night for St. Margaret's Center — August 13
Thank you to everyone who came out for an evening of bingo, laughter, and generosity in support of St. Margaret's Center. Big applause to Howard Wenger from the Marina del Rey assisted by Riki Barker for co hosting Bingo. Special thanks to Debra Fixen and Jill Peterson for coordinating a wonderful night.
The Amazing District Breakfast — August 15
Marina del Rey was well represented at Saturday's District 5280 breakfast — a morning of fellowship and inspiration alongside Rotarians from across Los Angeles.
Sweet Fellowship in the Palisades — August 15
Straight from the breakfast, members carpooled to Palisades Village for the grand opening of McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, hosted by our own Geo Rocha alongside our friends from Pacific Palisades Rotary. Fellowship never tasted so good.
Volunteer with St. Margaret's Center — This Saturday, August 22
Keep the momentum from Bingo Night going! Join fellow Rotarians for a hands-on volunteer day with St. Margaret's Center this Saturday, August 22.
Help send local kids back to class ready to learn. Every backpack we fill goes to a child in the Inglewood–Hawthorne–Lennox community through St. Margaret’s Center. Let’s fill ’em up!
Volunteer Aug 22 — Distribution Day — Join us at St. Margaret’s Center to hand backpacks directly to the kids who need them. Sign up at a meeting to claim your shift.
Distribution site: St. Margaret’s Center, 10217 S. Inglewood Ave., Lennox, CA 90304 — a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. Questions or ready to volunteer? . To sign up or for details, contact Samantha Peache at samanthapeache@gmail.com.
RSVP by Friday, August 21
VIP Orca Tour — Sunday, August 23
Join us for a special VIP tour at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (900 Exposition Blvd), beginning at 11:00 AM. Free for all members and guests. Sign up through ClubRunner by this Friday, August 21.
Important — when you RSVP, please include: • The names of all guests joining you (each guest must be registered for the tour), and • The number of vehicles in your party, so we can arrange NHM parking passes.
Questions? Contact Nancy Voss at nvossrotary@gmail.com.
Saturday, August 29 • 5:00–9:00 PM
District Picnic & Cardboard Boat Regatta — Seaside Lagoon
Our club has a table for 12 at the District 5280 Picnic at Seaside Lagoon — and yes, we are entering the Cardboard Boat Race! We're looking for paddlers and boat builders; see Lalo Marquez for details. It's going to be an exciting time — please sign up and let us know you'll be joining us.
Third Annual Sunset Sail
Dusk & Diamonds
Thursday, September 17, 2026 • Aboard FantaSea One • 4215 Admiralty Way
One month to go! Our flagship fundraiser honors Gary Jones (Dusk & Diamonds Honoree), Tony Palermo (Marina's Own), and Bill Stump (Commodore's Award), with MC Royal Oakes and music by the Brent George Band — benefiting the Rotary Club of Marina del Rey Foundation and our partners at the Boys & Girls Club.
Sponsorship deadline: Friday, August 28 — the last day to be included in all event recognition materials. Tiers from $1,000 to $25,000, plus tribute ads.
Contact Mary February (rotarymaryf@gmail.com) or Nancy Voss (nvossrotary@gmail.com).
From the Board
Our August board meeting was fantastic. The Board adopted a set of policies for our club — including a Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest Policy, and others — as we continue to build a strong foundation for the Rotary Club of Marina del Rey. Thank you to our directors for their thoughtful work.
Youth Protection Certification — Deadline September 30
Among the newly adopted policies is our Youth Protection Certification Policy: all members must complete Level 1 certification by September 30. The policy and an email with step-by-step instructions will be sent to all members in the next couple of days — please watch your inbox. Course content questions go to Samantha Peache; technical help to Geo Rocha; compliance questions to Debbie Sue Miller.
CALIFORNIA COASTAL CLEANUP DAY — NOTICE TO MARINERS: ALL HANDS ON DECK
Saturday, September 19, 2026 • 9:00 AM – Noon • Mother's Beach, Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey hosts the ONLY on-water cleanup site in Los Angeles County — and it's ours. Choose your crew:
Shoreline Crew — covering the beach and lagoon shoreline
Dinghy Fleet — working the marina basins from the water (life jackets required; loaners available)
We're thrilled that kids from our partners at the Boys & Girls Club will be joining us on the crews — come help us make their first Coastal Cleanup one to remember.
Bring family, friends, neighbors, and fellow boaters — this is our signature environmental event of the year, and everyone has a place on the crew.
Co-Leads: Nico Ruderman (nicoruderman@gmail.com) and Lennart Heyner • Register at mdrrotary.org
Mark Your Calendars
Thu Aug 20
Club Meeting — Erikk Aldridge, LA28 • Del Rey Yacht Club
Sat Aug 22
St. Margaret's Center Volunteer Day — contact Samantha Peache
Sun Aug 23
VIP Orca Tour — Natural History Museum, 11:00 AM (RSVP by Aug 21)
Thu Aug 27
Joint Fiesta Social with Westchester Rotary — Hacienda Playa, Playa del Rey
Our signature fundraiser returns for its third annual voyage!
🚢 Wednesday, September 17, 2026 · aboard FantaSea One
An unforgettable evening on the water celebrating this year's honorees and the causes we serve. Sponsorship opportunities are now open — from Harbor Deck to Top of Ship — and there's a place aboard for everyone.
CALIFORNIA COASTAL CLEANUP DAY — NOTICE TO MARINERS: ALL HANDS ON DECK
