November 22 Meeting Notes

 The meeting today was run by President Craig Reese. 

The guest today was our foreign exchange student Laerke. 

Announcements

• Craig updated the club on where he is at with the international Rotary project in Burundi. Craig and Malachi from the Downtown club are slowly working on it. The club in Gitega, Burundi send their greetings. If you have any ideas for projects in water or women and children's health, contact Craig.
• Craig applauded the club on recent efforts (downtown cleanup, pet parade, etc.). Applause for Rebecca for her work as President Elect. 
• Carol asked for three volunteers to send a Christmas note to Pearl, and she got the volunteers. 
• Becky says to bring cash or checks to the Christmas party. There will be a raffle for gift baskets, and the proceeds will go towards purchasing Valentine's Day gifts for the Grace House. 
• Rebecca wanted to thank people for helping her clean out the old storage unit. 
• Kelly passed around a sign up sheet for a social event followed by seeing Dancing with the Stars at the PAC on January 20th. Contact Kelly to sign up or for more details. 
• Laerke is moving to her next host family soon. She will be living closer to town. Her swim season is done, and the swim team did very well at State. She is now doing Sports Medicine. 

Brags & Confessions

• Kevin's wife, Lynn, has a concert coming up on December 17th at Grace Lutheran Church 
• Wayne Massing attended two High School plays
• Jennifer and her husband bought another house to remodel 
• Craig found out there is a donor willing to help Sister Connection give Christmas Baskets to over 1,000 widows

Rotary Foundation 101

• Jim Adamson gave a very thorough overview of the Rotary Foundation
• There is international and local aid
• The polio fund currently has about $2 million 
• The permanent fund is used for endowments
• The annual fund is the money spent each year on various projects
• Rotary is one of the top foundations in the world
• Small donations can make a difference
• If you give $50, the club will match your donation. That donation will show up on your January invoice
• November is Rotary Foundation month
• Wayne Massing is a new Rotary Foundation Bequest Donor.

Elections

• Elections are coming up on December 19th
• Kathleen is running elections this year
• Two board members' terms are coming up
• Earl is willing to remain Treasurer
• Please send in your nominations

Additional Notes

• Craig wants to make a 5 Year Plan for the club
• It was suggested that action items and due dates be considered
• The 2 fundraising ideas being considered are 3D printing on frosted cookies, and a baseball tournament

Rebecca Lyon's raffle tickets was drawn, but she did not pick the winning marble. The raffle pot was up to $200. 

Mark's joke - I don't understand why my calculator stopped working. It just doesn't add up. 

November 14 Meeting Notes

The meeting today was run by President-elect Rebecca.  

Guests were former member Jordan Carrol and program speaker Erica Moshe.

Announcements

Quarterly invoices are coming out so watch you email. 

Signups are happening for the Dec. 14 Christmas Social.  You can see details by scrolling down to last week's blog.  In addition, we will have music by Bill and Sharon, and Alan Walker will be baking desserts.  We will be raffling off a gift basket with lots of good stuff so bring cash or checkbook.  The proceeds will go to support the Grace House.

Brags & Confessions

Guest Jordan Carrol confessed that he has not been to Rotary for about 9 years (since he moved away from our club).

Glenn bragged that Becky let his dad ride the Veteran's float in the parade.

Alan praised Becky for her organization of the Veteran's Day activities at Pybus.

Kelly will get her bandage/cast off today.

Our club Veteran's were recognized:  Wayne, Bill, Earl, and Becky.

Program

Erica Moshe, founder and executive director of Brave Warrior Project, talked about the project and how it all started.  The purpose is to eliminate barriers for kids with special needs, chronic illnesses, and cancer.  She started the organization so parents wouldn't have to move, or take their kids out of town for services.

It all started when their child was diagnosed with autism.  They spent two years getting a diagnosis, and had many trips to Children's Hospital in Seattle.  They were about ready to move when they decided to try to found a way to get service in this area.

The Brave Warrior Project provides the following services:

• social activities and programs for special needs kids
• respite care and support for parents
• day programs for adults with disabilities
• gas and grocery cards for trips to the Seattle hospitals
• care and activity boxes when kids are at Children's Hospital

The organization raises funds to bring in speakers and services to the Wenatchee Valley.  The social network quickly grew.  They get money through a series of fundraisers and state grants.  They now serve people in a 4-county area, and get over 100 referrals each month.  The staff consists of 2 full-time and 7 part-time workers and lots of volunteers.  Ways you can help are listed below, along with the website and email addresses.

Wayne Steel's raffle ticket was drawn, but not the right marble.  Over $190 in the pot next week.

Next week will be Rotary Foundation 101 and a club assembly.

November 7 meeting notes

The meeting today was led by President-elect Rebecca.  She thanked Allie for bringing muffins, and Glenn for his constant tech support each week.

Guests included Pete VanWell (Wenatchee Rotary), Taro's daughter, Veronica, who is president of the Pinnacles Prep Early Act Club, and Abbey Prieto, an outbound youth exchange finalist who will interview this weekend.

Announcements

Next Tuesday we will meet in the morning as usual, and also have our second-Tuesday-of-the-month social at the Taproom from 5:00-7:00 pm.

The Pet Parade at Pybus last Saturday was a success.  Lots of pets, and a Humane Society dog was adopted.  There was a team of helpers from the WHS Interact Club, and a team from Pinnacles Prep Early Act club.  Thanks to those who helped set up, clean up, and worked at our photo booth.  Marcy, Wayne S, Kathleen, Bill, Kelly & Alan, Jim &Carol, Jennifer & John,  Allie, Earl, Rebecca, and Glenn.

The Downtown cleanup our club did in the month of October got us $2500.  Thanks to Kathleen, Wayne S, Wayne M, Jim & Carol, Alan & Kelly, Milt, Bill, Kevin, Mark, Emma, Earl, Chris, Rebecca, and David.  Scroll down past last week's blog for pictures.

Business After Hours is Nov. 30 from 5-7 at the C/D Community Action Council food bank site (1700 N Wenatchee Ave.).  Our club is a member of the Chamber, so anyone is welcome to attend.  Join for drinks and appetizers, and meet local business people rom our community.

Carol announced that the club Christmas Party will be December 14 from 6-8:30 at the Wenatchee Valley Museum.  A gourmet dinner prepared by the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center culinary arts program will be served (instructor Richard Kitos is a former member of our club).  Cost is $35/person.  A white elephant gift exchange will take place (one gift for each person that wants to participate - $15-$20 max).  BYOB.  Families and guests are welcome.  Sign up sheet will be passed around in coming weeks.  We also encourage everyone to bring non-perishable goods to donate to the CDCAC food bank.  Social Committee (and anyone interested in helping) will meet at the Adamson's home this Sunday (Nov. 12) at 2:00.  Wine will be served.

Our club has donated to the Friends of the Ukraine to help settle refugees in Wenatchee.  One is starting a photography business.  Here is his card of you can support him.

Julie announced that Laerka now has her next two host families.

Our Wenatchee area Rotary Ecology team did a multi-club cleanup and weeding of the pollinator garden.  It is located by the DOT and Apple Commission.  Friday they will be replanting an area of a recent fire.

Thank you cards were read from the Women's resource Center and Sister Connection.  Our club contributed funds to both.

The Festival of Trees is from Dec. 15-19 at the PAC.  Events are held each day.  Check it out.

The Veteran's Day Parade is November 11 starting at Pybus at 11:00 am.  Contact Becky if you would like to ride on the float.

Brags & Confessions

Earl bragged that his soon-too-be grandchild will be a girl, and that the UW won again.

Eric put in $50 for his absences.  He is living up at Lake Chelan much of the time now.  His son, who is working in Israel, had evacuated to Cyprus and then Athens.  He spent some time touring Europe, but is now back to work remotely.  Eric recently had a new grandson.

Wayne told of the passing of a Rotary friend's spouse in Peachland, BC.  He has had a great friendship with Wolfgang and Doris since participating in a "Friendship Exchange" our club did with the Peachland Rotary Club several years ago.  Wayne went to the Celebration of Life service there.

Jim announced the passing of another Peachland Rotarian last month.  Chris Southin was a past-president when Jim was District Governor, and a good friend.

Kathleen confessed that she closed her thumb in the car door.  The stiches are out now.  She is going to the East Coast for awhile to care for her mom.

Stacy's oldest daughter turned 17.  This is Stacy's last quarter of hard college classes.

Alan said he and Kelly went on a road trip to Oregon for a Celebration of Life service.  They also celebrated a grandson's 2nd birthday.

Julie's son ordered a 3-D printer and is working away.  She thanked Mark for the program he did at our club that spawned the idea. 

Program

Since our program couldn't make it today, we had more announcements.

Pete VanWell talked about the Polio Awareness Dinner (scroll down past last week's blog for pictures).  Funds were raised for Polio eradication.  70 members of our district have joined the "Polio Society" by committing $100 a year to the fund.  New society members from our club are (left to right) Carol, Earl, Mark, Rebecca, Wayne M, Kathleen, Mansour, and Pete VanWell (District Polio Chair).  Way to go.

The District Governor's monthly video challenge was shown.  She challenged the clubs to have a Rotary Foundation awareness event this month.

The idea of a future social at the PAC was presented.  The club was supportive, and liked the idea of the Dancing with the Stars program in January.  We will probably have some sort of pre-function at the PAC or close by.  More to come.

Wayne M. gave a report on the Road Apple Roulette.  Tickets will be printed soon, and the selling can begin.  The drawing will be May 4th after the Apple Blossom Grand Parade.

Kathleen's raffle ticket was drawn, but she pulled the wrong marble (darn).  Pot will be over $170 next week.