We covered a lot of ground at our meeting last week….inducted a new member, heard a Classification Talk, learned about upcoming service opportunities and events, were asked to participate in a community diaper drive– and our meeting even coincided with the International Day of Peace, which has been a focus of the club’s Peace Committee.  Whew. A full agenda.

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Mike Pollock smiles after induction to our club.

Mike Pollock was welcomed as our newest member. Mike is the Yamhill County Program Director for Helping Hands. This organization is a multi-county, regional organization which has evolved from operating one safe house in 2004 to operating 8 re-entry homes and a homeless relief center.    I think some of us feel like we already know Mike, as he has been attending our meetings regularly for awhile. However, we didn’t know his hobby is fishing! Welcome to our club, Mike.

Two visiting Rotarians joined us: Alan Evans from the Seaside Club and from the Tigard Club, Andrea Johnson  (who is also Judy Robinson’s daughter).

Guests included Corbin Day, Kathy Sims, Howie Harkema and Marvin Robinson (Judy’s husband).

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Judy Robinson giving her Classification Talk.

Isn’t it wonderful that Judy’s husband and one of her daughters were there to support her as she gave her Classification Talk?

Really nice. Judy Robinson told us that her family is the reason she is the person she is today. Her daughter Andrea was already a Rotarian and encouraged Judy to look into Rotary after her retirement. She also joined Rotary as a way to fulfill her own personal goals.  She told us about her three kids: Andrea and husband Mark, who like to bike; Jerene and husband Shawn, who are into hunting; and son Michael and wife Michelle, and her two grandkids.  She has been in Newberg awhile, as she worked at Friendsview in the 1980’s, and all her kids graduated from Newberg High School. She said she is quite fond of Newberg, but then she shared what she was really passionate about: advocating for the needy and vulnerable in our society, and finding options to relieve chronic pain.

To help the needy, Judy started buying properties to provide “clean, well-kept, decent homes.” That, in turn, led her to explore financing and finding ways to lend money to needy people by collaborating with private lenders. She has more exciting projects in the works to “build something socially responsible” and to help the needy population with health care. We hope she’ll keep us updated.

She closed with, ” Keep moving, keep giving, keep laughing, keep thriving, keep caring.” Great advice, Judy!

UPCOMING EVENTS–Please mark your calendars!
Oct. 12  We will NOT have a regular meeting, but instead have a social activity at 5pm. Location TBD.

Oct. 26 Meeting will be at Friendsview

Nov. 17 Joint meeting with the Earlybirds; special guest speaker

Dec. 2 Holiday Tree Lighting

And Om Sukheenai mentioned her upcoming Customer Appreciation Night and 15th Anniversary Party on Thursday, Oct. 13 from 5 to 7:30pm at the Chehalem Cultural Center. Please RSVP directly to Om.

UPCOMING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES–Please consider signing up!

  • Serve/help out with lunches at the Senior Center
  • Read to kids through the SMART program
  • Be a Greeter or Host at one of our meetings (Host is a new category! Come find out all about it)
  • Help put together gifts bags for kids for the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony, or better yet, be Santa for the kids!
  • Help distribute dictionaries to kids

DIAPER DRIVE

president-leah-reminds-rotarians-to-bring-diapers-to-next-weeks-meeting-for-a-family-place-092116President Leah asked us all to please bring some disposable diapers to our meeting this week to help out A Family Place, the only nonprofit in Yamhill County that provides free diapers to women in need. According to their website, “even though they limit the number  each family can request, they still distribute thousands each month.”  They have asked for the community’s help to rebuild their supply. 

 

THANK YOU FOR “ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY” SUPPORT

A big thank you to all our members who helped spread the word about, and did a kind thing, on “Acts of Kindness Day” September 21 to celebrate the International Day of Peace.