June 19 Meeting Notes

Announcements:

No morning meeting next Tuesday (June 26).  We are having our annual changeover dinner to thank Erin McCool and her board, and welcome Lisa Parks and her leadership team.  6:00 at Ridgeline Graphics.

The members elected John Schapman to be the 2018-19 club secretary.  The Board has appointed Matt Eastman to fill a one-year director position vacated by Patty Rush.

The Board also approved a dues change.  We will now be billed $90 quarterly.  This will include everything (RI, District, & club dues, Rotarian magazine, and sitting fee).  There will also be a 50% reduction in dues for members under 30 years of age.

We voted on approving $1950 to help build three houses in Burundi with Sister Connections.

All three of our Challenge Scholars graduated this year.  Jasmine Guerrero from WHS, AJ Parker from WSHS, and Lidia Diaz-Alonzo from EHS.  We have three new scholars picked, and need mentors for them.  Contact Earl or Erin if you are interested in changing a life by mentoring one of them for two years.

Families needed to host a couple Japanese nursing students for two nights (Aug. 24-26).  Contact Earl.

We are parking cars at Town Toyota Center on July 4th as a fundraiser.  We are also doing park cleanup July 5th to raise funds.  Sign up with Earl.

Last chance training for volunteering at a Gorge concert this summer will be at Ridgeline Graphics from 5:30-8:30, Tuesday, July 17.  This is mandatory training for volunteers there, and we need as many as we can get to get more money for our service.  BIG fundraiser.

Rotary International Convention Special for Hamburg, Germany, June 1-5, 2019
Register June 23 through June 27 this year for $350.  That's $45-$245 less, depending on when you register later.  Go to http://www.riconvention.org/en/hamburg.

Service Opportunities
Saturday, 8:00 am, corner of Crawford and Wenatchee Ave - yard cleanup
Thursday, July 12, 11:00-2:00, Wenatchee Community Center on Chelan St. - mobile food truck distribution

Program

A video was shown of the youth exchange students in Thailand.  Isaiah Banken (Joel's son) has been our outbound student there.  The video he sent represents all his adventures this past year.  He has had a great time, and will be back soon.  Joel and Julie are in Thailand visiting him now.

Next school year (starting in August), we will be hosting a 17-year old boy from France.  We need host families.  Let Taro Masuda know soon if you are interested.

June 5 Meeting Highlights

Announcements

Social next Wednesday (6/13), 5:30 at Bobs' Burgers and Brew.  No meeting Tuesday, 6/12.

Volunteers who want to work at the Gorge concerts and didn't attend the last training need to attend the training on June 12 at Ridgeline Graphics form 5:30-8:30.  The more volunteers we have, the more money we raise for our club, but the training is required.  And who doesn't want to hear great music?

At the June 19 meeting we will be electing a Board member to replace Patty Rush, and a Secretary to replace Maggie Nelson.

Jim Huffman was at WHS awards night to present the Challenge Scholarship to Jasmine Guerrero, who will graduate this week.

Brian McDarment (Chris' son) will be our outbound YE student next year.  He also earned his Eagle Scout Award.  He is graduating Friday night, and invited all of us to his graduation party on Saturday from 2-4 at their home (739 Castle Heights Drive, Wenatchee).

June 26 is our Changeover dinner starting at 6:00 @ Ridgeline Graphics.  El Porton is catering.  This event will celebrate our year, thank Erin and her Board, and welcome Lisa and her Board as next year's leadership team.  Bring your spouse or a friend and let's have a great year-end party.  Sign up sheets will be going around, but you should contact Jim Huffman if you are coming and can't get signed up at our next meeting.

Greta Schock, our outbound YE student to Brasil 5 years ago, joined us this morning.  She told us that her year abroad was life-changing, and that she wouldn't be where she is today, or doing what she is doing, if it weren't for the opportunity given to her by our Rotary club.  She is a great example, and a tribute to how Rotary promotes world peace and understanding through the youth exchange program.

Presentations

Lisa Parks (bike chair and President-elect) was presented the Rotarian of the Month award by President Erin.  Lisa has been working non-stop to help put on our successful bike ride.

Two new members were inducted today.  Jim A. introduced Ethan and Kaitlyn Van Weerdhuizen, sponsor Earl Crowe, and Kaitlyn's mom and sister (Joy & Lucy Crowe).  They have been married nearly a year.  Ethan is a customer service/sales rep at Haglund Trophies, and Kaitlyn is an administrative assistant at Jones & Jones/Betts Funeral Home.  They have a dog, Lady, that they got from the Humane Society.  Their interests include biking, reading, fishing, video games, and travel.  They bring the average age of our club down to 30.  Ethan and Kaitlyn wanted to be part of Rotary after volunteering on some of our club projects and seeing the fun we have and the good we do in the community.

Program

Our wonderful YE student, Elza Domene, was the program today.  She showed slides of her country (Brasil - correct spelling), talking about the food, schools, and holidays.  Elza also talked about her family, friends, and some of her activities in Brasil, like being a model.  She showed a video of her year here, which featured her activities (dance team), friends, exchange trips, and host family outings.  Carol presented Elza with a parting gift from the club, a Washington State T-shirt.  Carol, along with Elza's host parents, talked about what an awesome young lady she has been this year.  She leaves for Brasil on June 25, and we will all really miss her.
Thanks to the Noyd's, Crowe's, and Banken's for hosting Elza this year, and to Taro for his leadership as YE Chair, and Carol as Elza's counselor.

Bike Ride

We had another successful bike ride, with nearly 600 riders who gave raving compliments about the ride.  Perfect weather added to the event, and the after ride party seemed to go on and on.  A recap will be coming soon.  Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this a great event.  Here are just a few pictures.