New morning Rotary Club forms
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Business owners and residents who wish to partake in local Rotary Club activities but can't take time off to attend midday gatherings of the existing club are invited to join a new morning Rotary group.

The newly formed club meets at 7 a.m. Tuesday mornings at the Grinder Restaurant on Los Angeles Avenue.

"We found when talking to several people in town that some people, who would otherwise be excellent Rotarians, cannot make a meeting on Friday at noon at the Country Club, which is when the Rotary Club of Moorpark meets," said Doug Ridley, president of the new club.

At least 20 interested and committed members must join before the morning club can be official. So far 14 people have committed to the group, and at least another seven are interested, Ridley said.

"Most of these people are brand-new potential Rotarians, and we're thrilled to grow the family of Rotary in Moorpark," said Ridley, a Moorpark resident and law attorney in the entertainment, business and criminal field, who practices in Agoura Hills.

Ridley said his law practice is growing, so he can't make it back to town to attend meetings hosted by the noontime club. Several other people are in the same situation, so the idea to create an additional club grew from there.

"I wanted to continue serving my town and to be an active Rotarian, and there had been efforts to start this new club several times over the past few years. It was a question of being at the right place the right time," said Ridley.

Rotary Club members are individuals of good character and good business, professional or community reputation who hold an executive position with discretionary authority in any worthy and recognized business or profession, according to the group's website.

Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Tony O'Hagan and his wife, Deborah, an independent insurance agent with a business in Thousand Oaks, decided to join the new club to take part in local charitable activities and spend time with friends.

"I support the philanthropic element of the Rotary. People who live and work in the community are willing to give back and help with service projects to make Moorpark a better community for all of us," said O'Hagan, who works at Woodranch Station No. 44 in Simi Valley.

The Moorpark couple never joined the Rotary before due to time constraints, so the early morning meeting time is more conducive to their schedule, O'Hagan said, adding that he looks forward to spending time with the many friends he's already made in the club.

The object of Rotary, said Ridley is to encourage the "idea of service as a worthy enterprise."

The existing Rotary Club of Moorpark voted last week to sponsor the new Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning.

The existing club is more than 50 years old and has a strong legacy of helping Moorpark, Ridley said. The organization started the Little League and the Boys & Girls Club in Moorpark.

The noontime club also contributes about $100,000 per year to local nonprofit groups and organizations with proceeds gathered during the Civil War Reenactment and a golf tournament.

The next tournament is slated to take place at the Moorpark Country Club on June 2.

The morning club will initially help the midday group with its fundraising activities, but it will eventually branch out to support its own projects, Ridley said.

"We're working on one or two other events for the new club that will target a completely different audience," said Ridley.

Morning Rotarians are already working on a video game tournament to benefit the Flory Academy Booster Club and the Moorpark Education Foundation. The event is tentatively scheduled to take place in September, Ridley said.

Those interested in learning more about Rotary in Moorpark and specifically the new Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning can call Ridley at (805) 208-8437