The lives of youth in our community will surely be bettered after the results of last Saturday’s 44th annual Rotary Wine and Adventure Auction, presented by George Packing Company, Inc. Mega kudos to the 2018 Auction Committee and all who helped put on a wonderful event and raise funds at the Allison Hotel. There was so much to take in! The pre-dinner entertainment featuring the drumming  of Lake Oswego Rotarian Aaron Nigel Smith and his two sons. Strolling the silent auction rooms with  fabulous wine and other items that committee and club members worked hard to procure. Sampling the tasty hors’deuvres, wine and beer. The fun photo booth.  The very nice addition of media personality Mike Donohue as emcee this year. And the outstanding job that Matt Willcuts did as auctioneer.

Special guests included District Governor Renee Campbell and her husband, and Assistant District Governor Larry Hatch and his wife. State Senator Kim Thatcher attended as well.

The 2018 Rotary Auction Committee deserves a huge thank you and round of applause (plus some much needed rest!):

Denice Bacon, Chair; Linda Potter, auction administrator; Mike Boock, Jack Czarnecki, Todd Engle, Geoff Gilmore, Leah Griffith, Karl Hughes, Karen Jones, Lisa Joyce, John Kerekanich, Jeff Lane, Tony LeLack, Ashley Mumm, Stephen Palmer, Beth Pent, Paula Radich, Om Sukheenai, Spike Sumner, Laura Tilrico and Corey Zielsdorf. 

“REINVENTING SERVICE CLUBS” 

Michael Brand, president of the Oregon City Rotary Club, was introduced by Shannon Buckmaster as our speaker last Wednesday. He will also be a keynote speaker at the upcoming District Conference in Salem in May.  In preparation for our upcoming club visioning session, he gave us a lot to think about in terms of the future of our club.

He started by taking us back 500 years to the invention of the printing press and all the transformations that invention caused.  He said we are in the middle of a similar revolution today with the Smartphone.  “There is a bit of anxiety out there, even among the healthy clubs, because they can’t tell what the future will bring.”

He said while we would all like to be reassured that things aren’t going to change, that’s not the way of the world. He said many clubs are facing membership and attendance challenges, and it may be time to work on attracting some younger people. In that regard, he said there are currently three trends worth paying attention to:

  1. Changing nature of community. Baby Boomers tend to think of a community as a physical location. Young people tend to think of affinity groups, like Beavers or Ducks, as community or “tribes.”
  2. Informality. Younger people are looking for less structured activities and fewer barriers to entry. Michael asked us to reflect on whether some of our club rituals could be barriers to new people. He also asked whether having a weekly speaker is necessary. Might it be better to occasionally facilitate more meaningful discussions around a topic?
  3. Time matters more than money. What can you do to make it worth your time to be at a meeting? Can we be more family friendly? What about not having a weekly meeting? “Consider going for maximum flexibility,” he said. Also, “Never use the word “committee” around young people. Call it a “team” or a squad.”

Im summarizing, Michael said, “Let’s invest in the Next Generation with our mission and the 4-Way Test. We can recreate Rotary for the younger generation. It’s not about planning. It’s about how do we open up? We can invite new voices in and let them change us.”

ANOTHER “FRIEND OF ROTARY”

Gail Watson, left, is congratulated by Past President Leah Griffith for becoming a “Friend of Rotary.”  Gail is a graphic designer who has been very active in the community and with the Chamber of Commerce. Welcome, Gail!

GUESTS

Local artist Sarah Miller was a guest of Corey Zielsdorf. Sarah donated an unusual, beautiful print to the auction focusing on wine, but all done in song lyrics.

Josh Rojas, a candidate for Yamhill County Commissioner, was a guest of Leah Griffith. Josh serves young people as a care coordinator for Yamhill County Health and Human Services. He’s also president of AFSCME Local 1422 and one of three candidates challenging incumbent Stan Primozich.

Casey Hosteler was a guest of Shannon Buckmaster.

Mike Pollack brought his co-worker, Christopher Wright, and his boss from Helping Hands, Alan Evans.

NEXT MEETING

Join us at the Cultural Center to learn about the “Every Child” program.  “Every Child” is an organization that seeks to mobilize Oregonians to care for children and families in crisis, in partnership with the Department of Human Services. Guest speaker will be Shelly Winterberg.