March 7, 2023, Meeting Notes

The meeting was called to order at 7 am by President Robin DeRock.

National Flapjack Day

Rotary Guests: 

• Mike Worden - Leavenworth Rotary
• Colin Brine - Leavenworth Rotary

Guests: 

Francisca Moment (Our current exchange student)

• Merritt BC visit
• Francisca especially enjoyed seeing Buffalo for the first time. She had a great time with the other students.
• Letter from Joel Banken about the Merritt Event
• Hello!
  Here are some pictures from the Rotary Youth Exchange weekend in Merritt. We have a great group of new outbounds!
  I thought I would share some photos in case you would like to put them in your club newsletters.
  
  The Rotary club in Merritt did an amazing job hosting the kids. They planned activities like snowshoeing, ice fishing, and curling. They organized a delicious fry bread dinner at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, where we also learned about traditional medicine, drumming, and dance. Most of all, the kids loved being together!
  
  A huge thank you to all the Wenatchee clubs for supporting the Youth Exchange Program!
  
  Julie
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Announcements

Robin DeRock

• Conference Attendance - (3) $200 club stipend for first time attendees
• Home Show booth for Road Apple Roulette sales 3/10-3/12 - Couple of times still available

Mike Worden/Colin Brine - District Conference in Leavenworth - May 19th to May 21st

• Mike and Colin shared many of the events that are leading up to the conference.
• They explained that this conference will be like no other. The fund raising will be for green initiatives, among other things.
• Here is link to the conference home page. 
• www.rotaryreimagined.com
• Here is a link to the conference schedule including Prologue events starting on Wednesday. 
• Here is a list of prologue events:
• Golf - Wednesday May 17th - 8am ($80 includes cart)
• (Video) Game Olympics - Wednesday May 17th - 10am - $40
• "Amazing Race" in Leavenworth - Wednesday May 17th - 3pm
• Road Rally - Thursday May 18th - 8am - 2 1/2 hour route (bike option available)
• Geocache Challenge - Thursday May 18th - 3pm ($40) - Teams of 3 - phone app available
• Mini Golf Tourney - Friday May 19th - 8am 
• $60 for adults
• $30 for kids

Brags and Confessions

Jackie Rector

• Jackie has accepted the position of managing the Toyota Center Ticket Office.
• She has already worked in her new role. The first night of her new responsibilities, the Wenatchee Wild Game sold out!
• Congrats to Jackie

Program - Wenatchee Bighorns Head Coach - Don Sims (on the right)

Left to Right: Joel Roberts, Jahlin Smith, Robin DeRock, Don Sims

Wenatchee Bighorns, Professional Basketball Team based in Wenatchee playing in the TBL (The Basketball League"

They were granted as a market in The Basketball League last October. Their first season started on March 2nd.

TBL is entering its 6th season with teams from coast to coast in the U.S. and Canada. This league would be similar to the AA league in baseball.

The league has a wide range of ages. The Bighorns have players from 21 to 27 years old. 

Click Here to see their schedule and to buy tickets.

Click Here for their team website home page.

Anthony Willliams, Team Market Owner and CEO (not in attendance)

Anthony is a Washington State native with nearly 40 years of experience in baseball and football. He has played professionally and coached professionally. In 2009, Anthony became the Director of Marketing for the Wenatchee Venom arena football franchise to operate, entertain, and serve the Wenatchee Valley.

For Anthony, serving communities and people are his #1 priority. He has served as an Americorp Vista, supported homeless shelters and food programs, brought literacy programs to schools, and served on the board at Wenatchee Valley Community College.

As The Basketball League Team Market Owner, Anthony is committed to bring the best experience possible to the partner, players, and fans of the Wenatchee Bighorns.

Don Sims, Head Coach, Director of Basketball Operations and the Instructor of Financial Literacy Program for the players.

Coach Sims has made huge strides for the Bighorns, from acquiring some of the best players in the world, to helping them get set up for success our in the world.

Don is a native of South Carolina and has been a Head Coach at all levels of basketball including 10 years as a professional basketball coach. He has coached in the US, Canada, England, Portugal, New Zealand, and Denmark. Don has extensive experience on the collegiate level as well.

Don shared that he recruited players from all over the world. One of the players, Brandon Porter, is from the Wenatchee area. He teaches at Cascade Elementary School.

Don, Joel, and Jahlin all talked about the excellent chemistry between all of the players. The players are all team oriented and unself on the court.

Joel Roberts (Kansas) and Jahlin Smith (North Carolina) answered questions. 

They shared that their schedules usually involve working out in the morning, then heading to practice or a game later in the day.

They have both played basketball and plan to stay a part of the game after their playing days are over.

• Joel plans to work with kids that are learning to play basketball to give back to his community, where his family has several businesses.
• Jahlin plans to stay involved as a broadcaster or reporter. His degree is in Communications. Jahlin also shared that he has played basketball recently in China. It was difficult due to their very stringent rules regarding Covid. Their mask mandates extended further than here in the U.S.

Get out and support the Bighorns. I attended their first game. It was well attended, and the team played very well, nearly doubling the score of the other team.

Click Here for a Wenatchee World article introducing the team.

Raffle 

Kathleen did not win the raffle this week.  $345 dollars and growing!

Joke of the Week

Remember when plastic surgery was such a taboo subject? Nowadays, you mention Botox, and no one raises an eyebrow.

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Upcoming Events

3/10-12 - KPQ Home Show at Town Toyota Center

3/14 - Taproom Get Together

3/18 - Wenatchee Wild Hockey game where we have rented a suite. See Mark Van Horne for ticket information. Note: WEAR GREEN to the game.

Upcoming Events - Check Sunrise Website Calendar for more events and details