Latest News

It’s time again for our Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner with Casa Orinda!  Enjoy Casa Orinda's famous fried chicken dinner or vegetarian eggplant parm with sides.  Cost is $40.00 per person ($23 meal, $17.00 donation).  Proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Contra Costa/Solano Counties, Meals on Wheels and many other programs and causes.   Email orindarotaryfundraiser@gmail.com for more info. 

Tickets available starting November 1 at www.orindarotaryfundraiser.com.

 
Thanks to everyone who turned out for our largest fundraiser of the year -- Dancing (Without) the Cars -- on Friday, October 30th!  It was a spooktacular evening and everyone got into the Halloween spirit with creative costumes and camaraderie!  We appreciate all who helped make the evening possible: Thanks to our business sponsors (Mechanics Bank, Chevron, Park Place Wealth Advisors, Republic Services, Drakes Brewing), individual donors, as well as those who purchased items in our silent and live auctions and pitched in to Fund-A-Need. Your generosity helps fund Orinda Rotary's many community projects and further our efforts to provide "Service Above Self" in Orinda and beyond.  We are truly grateful! 
Our annual Tom Fitch Fishing Day outing with the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland was held on October 10.  Thirty-five boys and girls traveled to San Pablo Reservoir for a full day of fun that included fishing, boat rides and an all-you-can-eat BBQ lunch, plus an art contest with prizes.  Fun was had by all! Thanks Dan Gannett and Lance Cowles for organizing this well-loved Orinda Rotary tradition! 
Since July 2020, our Orinda Rotary club members have been volunteering at the Food Bank once a month and making yearly donations. During our May visit, we presented our check for $2,000 in support of their mission. This will help provide approximately 4,000 meals for those in need, with 97 cents of every $1 donated going toward food distribution.
 
Every day thousands of people in our community around Contra Costa and Solano Counties struggle to meet basic nutritional needs. The Food Bank serves over 465,000 people each month across the two counties, providing 3.5 million meals through 70 weekly distributions. It’s inspiring to support an organization that ensures our neighbors have access to nutritious food. Children, adults, and seniors benefit from our efforts. The Food Bank is the leading fight against local hunger and volunteers and donations can make a big difference -- consider joining us!
 
Our next outing to the Food Bank is Friday, November 20, from 1-3 PM. Participants carpool and often share lunch prior to their work at the warehouse. Bring a friend! Please contact President Aruna if you are interested helping out. 
Orinda Rotary offers in-person meetings that include scheduled speakers! Our in-person meetings are held in the Founder's Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center and include no-host hot lunches. Social gathering starts at noon and the meetings begin promptly at 12:30 PM.  Click here to let our caterer, Leslie, know if you plan to attend in-person and have lunch (cost is $25 per person)! 
 
We also use the online teleconferencing service "Zoom" for those who prefer to attend virtually. Each week, members receive an e-mail from Club President, Aruna Poddatoori, with instructions on how to join the upcoming meeting, including the requisite meeting ID and password. Members can join video conferencing from their computer or via phone. Non-members interested in participating in our meeting(s) may contact President Aruna to request the Zoom link.
 
Upcoming speakers, events and programs:
  • Wednesday, November 4: Marta Grajeda of the East Bay Community Foundation will share the origins, history and activities of the foundation and how it supports communities throughout the East Bay.
  • Wednesday, November 11: Veteran's Day! Join us to recognize and honor our veterans! Weylin Eng and John Donnelly will share their experiences of serving our nation and we encourage our all of our club's veterans to come and bring their families and friends as we celebrate your service.
  • Wednesday, November 18: CLUB ASSEMBLY.  Join us to welcome District 5160's Governor Woody Fridae.  He will be sharing news about our District's 2026-2027 initiatives and programs. All members are encouraged to attend.
  • Friday, November 20: Monthly volunteer outing to the Contra Costa/Solano Food Bank.
  • Wednesday, November 25: NO MEETING - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
If you have questions, please contact President Aruna for more information.
Our 2026 Dancing (Without) the Cars Sponsors
Make a donation below  to the Orinda Rotary Endowment Fund and help us serve the community for another 75 years! The Orinda Rotary Endowment is a 501(c)(3) charity.
Welcome to Our Club!
Join Us!
Orinda

Service Above Self

We meet In Person & Online
Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m.
Hybrid In-Person and Virtual Meetings available
In Person at the Founders' Auditorium
Orinda Community Center
Orinda, CA 94563
United States of America
Use the Contact link on the menu above for information about joining our weekly Zoom meetings.
Club Events
Speakers
Marta Grajeda, East Bay Community Foundation
Nov 04, 2026
How EBCF Helps Build a Better East Bay for Everyone
Weylin Eng and John Donnelly
Nov 11, 2026
Veteran's Day - Serving Our Nation
Club Assembly-District Governor Woody Fridae
Nov 18, 2026
District 5160's 2026-2027 Initiatives and Programs