District Governor Nominee
Claire J. Little
Rotary Club of Newport
Claire J. Little was born in Glasgow, Scotland and moved to a suburb of London where she attended primary and grammar (high) school. She met her husband Ray in high school and shortly after graduation they were married and moved to Los Angeles. They put down roots, had a son and a daughter and eventually all became US Citizens. Claire worked in banking and health care and continued her education, earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees from California State University, Fullerton. She studied to become a CPA and later also qualified as a Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Life Underwriter.
Late in 1995 they left Los Angeles to build their home on the Oregon Coast. Claire and Ray participate in several volunteer organizations in the community and are members of the Newport Seafood and Wine committee, Chamber Ambassadors, Jazz at Newport Committee and the Jazz Society of Oregon. From 1998-2001, Claire fulfilled a dream by serving as a part time instructor for Oregon Coast Community College.
Claire is the owner of Life Cycle Financial Planning, a full service planning company. In addition to volunteer activities, Claire and Ray also enjoy hiking, photography, and jazz. Both hold their amateur radio licenses and part of the basement of their home is dedicated to radio equipment and a HO train layout. Their love for foreign travel has taken them to every continent. In January 2006, Claire took their granddaughter, Julie, to India to participate in National Immunization Days and the mop up days that followed. Approximately 75 million children were immunized in India during that period. It was a life altering experience for a 14 year old, who lives in a town of 600 people. Seeing another country’s culture through the eyes of her granddaughter was one of the greatest experiences of Claire’s life.
Claire joined the Rotary Club of Newport in 1996. She filled various positions including Treasurer, and Community Service Chair and served the club as President during 2002-2003. Ray also participates in Rotary activities and was named an honorary Rotarian in 2003. Claire and Ray have hosted Youth Exchange students and multiple members of GSE teams through the years. Together, Ray and Claire have attended three Rotary International Conventions and have made up at countless clubs in their overseas travels.
Claire graduated from the District Leadership Academy in 2004 and served as an Assistant Governor from 2004-2007 and as the District Polio Plus subcommittee chair in 2007-2008. Claire is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow (4), a Rotary Foundation Benefactor and a member of the Paul Harris Society.
