In the beginning...

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria was chartered on September 15, 1973 at the Miramar Hotel in Montecito with the blessings of the other clubs of then District 524. Well wishes and checks were made out to the new club ranging from $15 to $25 each from the surrounding Rotary Clubs of Arroyo Grande, Bakersfield, Camarillo, Dinuba, Montecito, Oildale, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Simi Valley, Solvang,  Tulare, and Visalia to seed the club's treasury. These sponsors also supplied hands-on support through the first year.

The charter officers were Dr. William Carty, President, Claude M. Welch, Vice-President, Foster H. Campbell, Secretary, Robert W. Duff, Treasurer, and George Poulos, Sergeant at Arms. Club Directors were Ron Timmons, Charles A. McNeil, Jr., Clifford Benedict, and W.L. Denke.

 The Club met at Sambo's Restaurant on Casitas Pass Road at noon each Thursday. Within six months the club had 31 attending members. By the end of the first year the club had enjoyed the company of over 200 visitors with a member attendance of 82%.