Here’s what happened this week at Rotary….
Announcements:
- Denise Bacon shared that the NHS Interact Club is starting out strong. She’s got a good crowd of kids who are anxious to have their own service projects as well as work with us on projects. Thanks Geoff Gilmore and Denise Bacon for all your work getting the Interact up and running.
Duck, Duck: Geoff Gilmore did the duck and he asked us to all share “Awe Inspiring Moments” It was a great way to start the lunch with ways that Rotary and various life moments have inspired us. We started with Ray Simonsen inspiring us all with his announcement that he is starting his 50th year in Rotary. He’s finishing up 16 Paul Harris Fellows for himself and his extended family. Congrats Ray for inspiring all of us in Rotary Service.
Program:
This was our annual visit from the Rotary District Governor. President Jim McMaster started with a review of what our club has done including: Pancake Breakfast, Dictionary Project, clean up of Memorial Park, Auction, over $40,000 in scholarships to students, RotoDent, Guatemala trips, upcoming Nepal mission, Peace efforts and Peace Village, Interact Club and many more.
District Governor Barb Crozier was introduced by Assistant Governor Tim Strahl. She started by presenting Generator Awards to club members in recognition of their efforts for the club and community. Leah Griffith received an award for her efforts with the newsletter and web site. Ray Hillman was presented an award for his efforts with the Peace Committee and the Cyprus student project.
District Governor Barb is actually on her second time around as she was asked to fill in when the scheduled DG had a family tragedy earlier this year. DG Barb stepped up and has really taken on the role again.
DG Barb shared a bit of the history of Rotary and its beginning with Paul Harris wanting to encourage ethics in business, which back at the turn of the last century were a bit rare. The first club formed in Chicago and their first service project was a comfort station (public restroom) in Chicago. Rotary clubs have been building restrooms around the world ever since!
DG Barb is emphasizing the vocational aspect of service. Ideas are to recognize a local business for ethical standards, do a school ethics discussion, and have a member spotlight where a member shares their business with the club.
DB Barb congratulated us on our peace efforts,including Peace Village.
She shared that Rotary has embraced a new branding with the word Rotary more prominent. This has been embraced by our club using it on our web site and our new business cards.
She talked about ideas for membership growth such as inviting scholarship awardees parents, youth exchange parents and host parents, inviting speakers to consider membership as well as our interact parents. This in addition to our business and social connections should help us build our club. Another thought is to make sure we send an email thanking our guests for coming and inviting them back. When RI does surveys, people join Rotary to give to the community; they stay for the fun and success of their projects.
DG Barb reminded us about upcoming Rotary events such as the District Assembly in West Linn and District Conference in Vancouver, both in the spring. Every Rotarian should consider attending and learning about Rotary beyond Newberg.
After the meeting the Board met with DG Barb and talked about some things including the “change” in Rotary where members are encouraged to share their business and professions, not like years before when it was “not allowed”. It was a great visit from our district governor.
Auggie was off at a training and we realized we need to have a regular photo sub for him.
Who’d like to volunteer!??!!!??!!
Send news to Leah Griffith, Newsletter Editor at newbergnoonrotary@gmail.com.