About us:

Our Rotarians are volunteers, and our community service projects require the collaborative efforts of many people within our community.  Some examples of our club’s tireless effort to improve our community are: 

Back to School Supplies for COTS Homeless Shelter Children.  The Club has purchased backpacks and school supplies for shoes for the homeless children at the COTS (Committee on the Shelterless) Family Shelter. We have also provided, in the fall, both jackets and pajamasfor the winter. Each Holiday Season our club has provided a wonderful party for the COTS Families.
Waves to Wine.  Over the years the “Rotary Chain Gang” with great enthusiasm and spirit, has participated in the successful fundraising efforts to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 
Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival.  Popular September event, co-sponsored by Petaluma Valley Rotary and Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, featuring select craft brews and foods from Petaluma and the North Bay. All proceeds benefit River projects, local non-profits, and community activities. Visit: www.petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org
Junior Achievement.  Club members hav evolunteered in the past in the Junior Achievement Elementary School Program.  This involves one hour per week over a 5-week period, serving as a role model and facilitator for in-class programs.  This classroom program teaches young children in grades 1 -6 the fundamentals of family, community, business, and economic issues that are relevant to their age groups.
RYLA.  Petaluma Valley Rotary will continue their support by sponsoring students to attend this annual Rotary Youth Leadership Award.  Joining with the other two Petaluma clubs, we will provide a dinner for the camp. 
Harold Alexander Scholarship Fund.  Harold Alexander was our charter (first) President.  In his honor, our club grants scholarships to deserving seniors in all five of the Petaluma High Schools, including the two alternative schools. 
Dictionary Program.   Our club continues to be involved with donation of funds and time during the distribution of dictionaries to the 3rd grade students.
Books for Children.  One of Rotary's mission is Literacy; our club has donated our speaker gifts of autographed children’s books to both COTS and Elementary School Children.
Cool Kids Camp.  Our club supports this camp at Cloverleaf Ranch which is an incredible experience for children who have been the victims of abuse.  We sponsor children to the camp annually.  
Interact Leadership Retreat.  Petaluma Valley Rotary supports this endeavor each year by sponsoring and accompanying Casa Grande High School Interact Club members who attend this weekend leadership camp.” 
Sharing Tree.  Once again the Club organized the Sharing Tree Program, inviting the community to participate in purchasing gifts for residents of convalescent homes in Petaluma during the holiday period.  Gifts that are not purchased by the community are donated by our Club and members.  Club members join in the gift distribution experience.
Rotary Youth Exchange:  The three Rotary Clubs in Petaluma cooperate to host and sponsor one Rotary Youth Exchange student ambassador each year for a year-long academic, social, and cultural exchange.  In recent years our clubs have hosted students from Germany, Thailand, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Paraguay, Belgium, Switzerland, and Japan.  We have sent students to Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Brazil, Spain, Taiwan, Austria, and Thailand.  

We also participate in the summer Short Term Exchange Program, a cultural and social exchange.

The three Petaluma Rotary Clubs host all of the Youth Exchange Student Ambassadors throughout District 5130 for a weekend in October.