Corey Zielsdorf presented the findings of our recent visioning session.

Imagine it’s 2023. What do you think our club will be like then? What would you like it to be 5 years from now? Defining that was the purpose of our May 3 visioning exercise led by Corey Zielsdorf, who reported out on the results of that session last week.

Twenty-three categories of discussion from a wide variety of members who participated in the exercise were compiled. Corey presented the top visions from each category. He said these will be translated into future club goals. Then, action plans will be developed to help accomplish the goals.  Following is a summary of the visions:

Category: Leadership Development

  • New members get a mentor; then become a mentor
  • Hold an annual club leadership academy and have a 2- to 3-year succession plan

Category: What Our Club Stands For

  • Civility and civic involvement
  • Make significant differences in the community and internationally
  • Encourage and support diversity

Category: Club Size

  • 75 to 85 members

Category: Club Attributes

  • Diversity in age, gender, ethnicity and personality
  • Embrace and celebrate the club’s uniqueness and be open to change
  • New members integrated immediately; also with their new ideas

Category: Club Service/Administration

  • Find out interests of new members and plug them in
  • Mentorship program for new members
  • Social events at homes and businesses of Rotarians, with great attendance
  • Bi-annual meeting to review club goals and progress

Category: Vocational Service

  • Know every members’ talent and why they chose their career. Inspire Youth.
  • Celebrate ethics in business, membership and youth with an event
  • Introduce Rotary service in public/private/homeschool

Category: Community Service

  • Expand school resource rooms from only material support to social services
  • Pioneer a process to coordinate community organizations and county to identify needs
  • Implement a tool to define, refine, prioritize and evaluate community service projects based on criteria

Category: Youth Service

  • Interact, Rotoract and Rotary combined a program to help address community issues facing youth
  • Scholarship fund created for post high school vocational training
  • Pilot a program for middle school mental well-being resulting in zero suicides

Category: International Service

  • Increased member participation in international projects
  • Expand Guatemala project to include OHSU and Pacific U.
  • Fund members to attend international conferences
  • Hands-on activity in international projects

Category: Fundraising

  • Walk/fun run through Wine Country
  • Sponsor annual Festival of Children

Category: Rotary Foundation

  • 50% of members add codicils to their wills to the Foundation
  • Every Rotarian Every Year 100%
  • Increase Paul Harris Sustaining members from 15 to 30%

Category: Local Club Foundation

  • Foundation and Club Boards meet regularly to keep goals aligned
  • Term limits for Foundation Board Members to encourage more member involvement
  • Develop a self-sustaining endowment fund

Category: Public Image

  • Every local business has a “We Support Rotary” sticker in their window
  • Utilize social media
  • Hire a part-time marketing coordinator
  • Scholarship recipients get Rotary “swag.”

Thanks to all who participated in our Vision facilitation to plan our club’s future!

MURAL UPDATE

 So exciting! The design (above) of the mural planned for the side of the Steve’s Auto Body Shop building on Highway 99W in Newberg was unveiled by the four George Fox University student artists working on the project: Ben Cahoon, Sierra Ratcliff, Annabelle Wombacher and Jared Mar.  

Sierra told us the design–a series of hands with geometry as an aesthetic in the background– symbolizes community, connections, generosity and service.  “We came up with a series of hands,” she said. “‘Giving hands’ symbolize service, ‘receiving hands’ symbolize thankfulness and gratitude. ‘Embracing hands’ hold together the community and its values.” Permitting for the mural is now underway, and once finalized, painting will begin. The mural will include a Rotary logo at the bottom left. A big “Thank You” to Sherwin Williams for donating the paint.

INSTALLATION DINNER THIS THURSDAY

Still time to get tickets for this year’s event!  Always a nice evening in a scenic setting with a chance to sip some wonderful wine. Weather is supposed to be perfect. Come participate in this year’s “changing of the guard,” as Todd Engle finishes his year of presidency and Om Sukheenai is installed as our new one. Event is 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Methven Family Vineyards. Tickets $30 each. Please RSVP to Paula Radich.

THE NEW POOL IS OPEN!

Club Foundation representative Spike Sumner, left, presents CPRD Aquatic Center Project Manager Jim McMaster with a check for $30,000 from the club towards the new community pool. Club President Todd Engle attended the grand opening ceremony (below) last Thursday and took this photo.

THIS WEEK’S MEETING

Ever been at a restaurant where the portions were so huge you couldn’t finish the food and just left it on your plate? Ever wonder what happens to all the produce that is heading past its prime at your grocery store? A panel discussion on food waste and recovery in Newberg as a way to address hunger  is the feature for this week’s meeting. Representatives from Fred Meyer, J’s Restaurant, and the Yamhill Community Action Partnership will join us at the Cultural Center.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

A date has been set for the upcoming Habitat for Humanity build project. According to Shannon Buckmaster, the event will be Sept. 15 from 8:45am to 4:30pm. Lunch, all tools and training provided.  Please contact Shannon if you can volunteer.

A female tribute band to Meryl Haggard called “Geryl Haggard” will play at an upcoming fund-raiser for Peace Village Global on June 24. Proceeds will go  towards an upcoming Peace Village camp in Tripoli, Lebanon that our club is supporting in conjunction with the Rotary Club there. Come on out for pizza and some good music.  Sunday, June 24 from 5 to 8 pm at Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N. Mississippi in Portland. Donations at the door.

OTHER STUFF

Marge O’Connell is planning a trip to Newfoundland and will miss a couple meetings. Have a great time, Marge!

PDG Mike Caruso led a committee conducting interviews for District 5100-sponsored Peace Fellow candidates last weekend. A record 10 people, from places as diverse as India and Africa, as well as Portland, applied and were screened via personal interview. Eight candidates were recommended for additional review. Selection of the final candidates by Rotary International will be in the Fall in Chicago.

Shannon Buckmaster was named the new CEO of the Newberg Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations, Shannon!

Shannon also reported on a wonderful new idea from the Membership Committee. They will coordinate a “We Care” effort for club response to members’ illness, hospitalization, surgery, family member loss, or other events and milestones.  They will determine if perhaps a home visit, card, meal, or other action is needed and organize the information/response. If you hear of a situation like this that you think needs a club response, please contact a Membership Committee member.