The 2008-09 class of Rotary Club presidents for the greater Santa Barbara area were inaugurated July 1. Rotary International is a nonprofit organization, covering more than 200 counties with more than 1.2 million members. Rotary has become famous for its efforts in eradicating polio and initiating the first World Peace Conference.
The nine local chapters annually raise more than $1 million for their causes.
The presidents for the coming year are David Bloedel for Rotary Club of Carpinteria, Gary Bright for Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning, Richard Douglas for Rotary Club of Montecito, Tom Fausset for Rotary Club of Goleta, Fred Gaedon for Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise, Tom Jacobs for Rotary Club of Santa Barbara North, Barbara Tzur for Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime and Laurie Yttrie for Rotary Club of Santa Barbara. David Vo will be serving this year as president of the Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara, a local club with members ages 18-30.
Wade Nomura and Walt Stephens are local Rotarians.