Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club

District Governor Margarida Eidson

Introduced by: Douglas Carothers, Assistant Governor, Bakersfield West

Margarida Eidson, a proud member of Ventura East Rotary since 2017, shared her journey and vision as the incoming District Governor for 2026–2027. Her Rotary leadership includes:

• Club President (2020–21 and late 2023)

• District Youth Services Director (2021–22)

• Assistant Governor (2022–23)

• Chief of Staff (2023–24)

Professionally, she is President of Eidson Management, Inc., providing financial, HR, and marketing services, and managing the Poinsettia Pavilion, a nonprofit event center hosting ~80 events monthly.

Born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, Margarida was a professional ballet dancer before moving to Washington, DC to work for the Portuguese Embassy. She later earned an HR degree from American University and served as an HR Director for a technology company. She now lives in Camarillo and is the proud mother of four boys.

District Governor Theme

People of Action — Making a lasting impact locally and globally. Her major emphasis this year: Marketing Rotary through speaking engagements, TV ads, Facebook, LinkedIn, billboards, and the website www.peopleofaction.org.

Her goal: Grow Rotary to 1.25 million members by 2030. Her challenge to us: Invite people to visit our club — and if they can’t, send them to the People of Action website.

District Updates

• Introduced Roary, the new District Mascot. (Temo is already volunteering to wear the suit!)

• Flash Mob Day of Service: October 3

• PRLS Leadership Training: November 7

• Rose Parade Float: Decorating and presenting this year’s Rotary float

• Sister Districts: One in Mexico, two in South Korea

  • In South Korea, Rotary membership requires an application and a joining fee of ~$25,000 — a highly prestigious commitment.

Rotary Foundation Overview

Margarida explained how contributions flow through the Foundation: 50% of what we donate returns to our club after three years through District Designated Funds. These dollars fuel projects that eradicate disease, provide clean water, support peacebuilding, and empower communities — especially through Community Grants, which require collaboration between clubs and groups.

Her closing encouragement: Now is the time to promote Rotary. Lead with confidence. We’ve got your back.

Family of Rotary

Club Anniversaries

• Frank Wooldridge — 14 years

• Ken Quarnberg — 27 years

Wedding Anniversaries

None

Birthdays

• Troy Fringer

Happy Spots

• Tom Burke — Travel (destination not recorded) — $20

• Jacque Alexander — Trip to Boston — $20

Fines

None

Club Service & Socials

9/11 Memorial Activities

• Flags placed at Bakersfield Fire Department

• Liberty High School: 25 flags for a ceremony honoring students who were not yet born on 9/11

Community Service & Announcements

• October: Shoe shopping for Seal (date TBD)

• October 23: Charter Bus Social to Hard Rock

• Carol promoted the Bakersfield Community Concert Association — $90 for 5 concerts, open seating — and was $10 happy

• Charter Night: February 27, 2027

Greeters: Mindy Wilmot & Frank Wooldridge

Opportunity Drawing

Winner: Ron Nelms — $50