April 28 Meeting Notes

Announcements

Check out May birthdays and anniversaries in the right hand column (web view).

With the cancellation of the bike ride, we are looking into options for moving froward.  One suggestion is to do other fundraisers.  Earl Crowe brought up having virtual running races.  We could do this for no cost up front.  There is a site at localraces.com that advertise races like this.  Our bike ride is currently on its front page.  We could do three a year linked to different Rotary themes or areas of focus.

John Schapman said our $1000 district matching grant for COVID gowns/masks will be changed from Pins and Needles to Sew Creative since P & N gets their material and fabric donated already.

Robin DeRock talked about the virtual district conference that was the first of its kind in the world.  Over 275 people listen in, some from as far away as a district in Mozambique.  Some were looking to see how this would all work, and were impressed.

At right, District Governor Peter Schultz welcomes the attendees.


Below is one of 7 screens of participants.

DG Peter Schultz and his committee were disappointment that the conference couldn't be in Kelowna, but his committee puled off a great day of speakers on Saturday, with breakout sessions on Sunday.  After a welcome by Prime Minister Trudeau, there were a series of speakers (listed below), with district committee chairs and awards  filing some time in between.  Each speaker gave an inspirational and practical message related to how we can move forward in to the future of Rotary.  Jim & Carol, Wayne, and Kathleen also attended the conference.

Conference videos are now available!  To see ALL videos relating to DisCon-2020 go to: vimeo.com/Rotary5060/albums and look for “Conference 2020”.  For specific keynote address videos you can go directly to:

R.I. President Mark Daniel Maloney - https://vimeo.com/412074495

R.I. Director Jeffry Cadorette - https://vimeo.com/412119071

Michael Angelo Caruso - https://vimeo.com/412130207

Jim Marggraff - https://vimeo.com/412135720

Evan Burrell - https://vimeo.com/412142452

R.I. Director-Elect Valarie Wafer - https://vimeo.com/412144010

FULL Conference video - https://vimeo.com/411953106

Program

Our wonderful youth exchange student, Adele, gave a program today on Switzerland.  She shared her screen to show a PowerPoint that included the geography, economics, and culture of her country.  Way too much good information for me to summarize, but we learned a lot.  Adele had us play an interactive game using the app Kahoots when she was done to check our comprehension.  Taro was the clear winner.  Robin enjoyed the pictures of the chocolates,

Here is an earlier photo of Addle at one of our meetings.

Joseph, from France, also joined us again.

April 21 Video Meeting Notes

Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary Club meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. by President Taro Masuda.

Brags and Confessions

Wayne Massing bragged that his pool had been readied and opened on Monday for the 2020 summer season! Pool party after Social Distancing ends!

Carol Adamson said that her grandson had been accepted to Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.

Our former Youth Exchange Student, Joseph Bernard, from France reported that France was closed. Only allowed outside for 1 hour to get groceries or medications. He also reported that he had been applying for admittance in a French or a Swiss university. Chris McDarment reminded Joseph that after the first year in a French university only the top 30% are allowed to stay in school! He is majoring in engineering.

Rebecca Lyons announced that her daughter Mari celebrated her 14th birthday on Monday, and she celebrated with friends, at a social distance, of course. She received gifts and cards.

Ruth Dagg said her 2nd son, who is in the military, announced his engagement for the end of June, providing he is allowed to travel for that event!

Jim Huffman recalled a TV story about a fire fighter who was planning to get married, but the church was destroyed by a tornado just prior to the wedding. The fire house crew used their hook and ladder trucks to form a make-shift chapel with arched ladders in the parking lot, and the wedding went on anyway!

Alan Walker disclosed that the local food bank had 10 National Guard soldiers helping distribute food. They have done so well, that 10 more will be joining them in a few days!

Announcements

Alan Walker updated the club on the status of our 33rd Apple Century Bike Ride, scheduled for June 6, 2020. He said the Bike Ride Committee met and discussed various options (cancelling it, postponing it, etc.). With many other recreational events happening this Fall after the CoVid-19 pandemic is over, the committee felt that we would have too much competition on attracting riders. Also, the roads would be more crowded with late season fruit harvesting. Therefore, in the interest of rider safety, it was unanimously decided to cancel the 100 mile bike ride! Our Challenge Scholarship Program will have enough money for the next few years of scholarships. The club will form a Fund Raising committee to discuss the possibility of replacing the Apple Century Bike Ride with another fund raiser.

John Schapman, Club Secretary, discussed the Rotary 5060 District matching grants that were available for service projects related to the CoVid-19 pandemic. If our club spends $500, and applies for the District grant, then the District will match that $500. John suggested that we contact "Pins and Needles", a local fabric/sewing company, to see if we can help out there by making masks and gowns. The cost for masks is $3-4/mask and gowns are about $20/gown. The local healthcare workers' needs are for 150-200 gowns. Other clubs have been contacted to join in, but response hasn't been forthcoming. If you can sew, contact John Schapman to help out.

Jim Huffman asked about the money for the recovery of non-profits due to the CoVid-19 pandemic. Has our club applied for that? Alan Walker said it was decided by the Bike Ride Committee that other organizations have greater needs than ours, and that we would not apply to recover those funds.

Jim Adamson reminded the club that this weekend is the virtual District Conference (Dis-Con 2020).
To register for this free event, click on this link: DisCon-2020 After registering for the Plenary Session on Saturday, April 25th, you can then select which Breakout Sessions to attend on Sunday, April 26th. The Dis-Con 2020 on Saturday runs from 1:00 pm to about 5:30 pm. On Sunday, the Breakout Sessions are from 2:00 pm to about 5 pm, depending upon which of the 30 minute sessions you choose. The speakers for the Plenary Session are the same ones that would have been in Kelowna for the "live" District Conference! Once registered, you will be provided with the ZOOM meeting number and login information!

Program

Our Tuesday morning program was Mike Coleman, Managing Director, Fiber Optics and

Telecommunications, Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD). Mike updated the club on the status of the increase in internet usage locally and world-wide because of the CoVid-19 pandemic.
More people are working from home, and more students are being schooled through the use of online classes.
Mike reminded us that even though the schools have closed, their internet usage has not diminished. The PUD did a survey and determined that there were 9 city/town areas in Chelan Country that needed an increase in mobile hot-spots to allow more access to the internet. Each of these areas would have six hot spots in parking lots or where a large group of users could assemble, but still use "social distancing" from their vehicles. Several local internet providers have allowed FREE internet access via these hot spots.
The increased internet access gives individual the ability to electronically submit job applications, unemployment forms, and school assignments and homework. The first hot spots will be available this week, and the additional ones will be completed by the end of April. They will remain in use until the end of 2020.
Each hot spot will have a 200'-300' range. The equipment needed, bandwidth servicing, and initial PUD investment is near $250k.
Lack of rural broadband is a very big issue. World-wide students who do not keep up their studies during this pandemic will always be behind!
During Mike's program, he was asked if after the end of the year and the hot spots get turned off, is there a possibility of a service organization "sponsoring" the hot spot(s) to keep them active? Mike said he'd ask this question and get back to the club.

Club Spring Team-Building Experience

Amended Model for 2020 (VIRTUAL MEETING):
Zoom "VIRTUAL" Meeting
All participants MUST Register by using 1 of the 2 links below. Part of the process is to meet as a club, so PLEASE choose the correct day for your club (USA or Canada)
Saturday 16 May: 25 Clubs from USA
Saturday 23 May: 33 Clubs from Canada
Agenda...

9:00-9:30 Log into common Zoom meeting
10:00-11:00 Breakout session 1: Discussing "Best Practices"
11:00-12:00 Breakout session 2
12:00-1:00 Breakout in clubs (goals, club action items, strategic planning)
1:00-2:00 Back to main room for debrief, suggestions, social!

Specific Targeted Breakouts for 2020:

Leadership - For Presidents-Elect, Presidents, VP & others considering this track
Secretary - Best practices for all Club Secretaries (and those that help with data base management!)
Treasurer - Best practices for treasurers
Membership - Retaining members as well as attracting new members
Public Image & Marketing - How do we get the word out & stay connected with each other and the community
TRF & International Service - Anything to do with the Rotary Foundation or International Service
Community Service - Ideas for ways to serve in our Communities in our New Reality
Fundraising - Novel fundraising ideas… ESPECIALLY in times of social isolation!
Youth Service - Also many new considerations because of COVID-19
Member Experience - Focus on Club Vibrancy (program options, different socials, etc)
Rotary 101 - Discussion about the basics - Q&A

Register for CSTE 16 May 2020 (All Rotarians in USA Clubs)

You are invited to register for the CSTE-USA Zoom meeting.

When: May 16, 2020 09:30 AM PDT

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUuce2tqjMsH9Yw9kLKl3kZWzUOYVnH4pv1

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Volunteer Surge (from DG Peter Schultz)

I have an exceptional and extraordinary request of you, and all members in our district, to join the fight against COVID19. What if there was a way to help, from the safety of our homes, and make a real difference?

Our district is one of several leading in an extraordinary new effort, and your immediate participation is critical to its success. This program will be announced via a press release soon (CNN, NYT, and other major coverage), and will be adopted by Rotary Clubs across the nation in the next few days.

The background is this: Two weeks ago, Rotarians in a local club engaged Rotary International to recruit 1 million volunteers in two weeks to sign up with Volunteer Surge, a new program that allows us to train online, for free, to become a Telehealth Worker, or a Community Health Worker. These volunteers will provide basic assistance, and will reduce suffering and save lives, locally and across the nation. How? By helping our health care providers to focus more of their attention where it is most needed. TIME IS CRITICAL!

Please go to www.tgig.org to learn more and decide how you, your friends, and family can participate. And share this link with others on Facebook, email, and other social media. The world is watching, and we, as Rotarians, people of action, are now truly defined by our actions in this crisis.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 a.m.

April 14 Meeting Notes

Announcements

Club Spring Team-Building Experience

Amended Model for 2020 (VIRTUAL MEETING):
Zoom "VIRTUAL" Meeting
All participants MUST Register by using 1 of the 2 links below. Part of the process is to meet as a club, so PLEASE choose the correct day for your club (USA or Canada)
Saturday 16 May: 25 Clubs from USA
Saturday 23 May: 33 Clubs from Canada
Agenda...

9:00-9:30 Log into common Zoom meeting
10:00-11:00 Breakout session 1: Discussing "Best Practices"
11:00-12:00 Breakout session 2
12:00-1:00 Breakout in clubs (goals, club action items, strategic planning)
1:00-2:00 Back to main room for debrief, suggestions, social!

Specific Targeted Breakouts for 2020:

Leadership - For Presidents-Elect, Presidents, VP & others considering this track
Secretary - Best practices for all Club Secretaries (and those that help with data base management!)
Treasurer - Best practices for treasurers
Membership - Retaining members as well as attracting new members
Public Image & Marketing - How do we get the word out & stay connected with each other and the community
TRF & International Service - Anything to do with the Rotary Foundation or International Service
Community Service - Ideas for ways to serve in our Communities in our New Reality
Fundraising - Novel fundraising ideas… ESPECIALLY in times of social isolation!
Youth Service - Also many new considerations because of COVID-19
Member Experience - Focus on Club Vibrancy (program options, different socials, etc)
Rotary 101 - Discussion about the basics - Q&A

Register for CSTE 16 May 2020 (All Rotarians in USA Clubs)

You are invited to register for the CSTE-USA Zoom meeting.

When: May 16, 2020 09:30 AM PDT

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUuce2tqjMsH9Yw9kLKl3kZWzUOYVnH4pv1

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Volunteer Surge (from DG Peter Schultz)

I have an exceptional and extraordinary request of you, and all members in our district, to join the fight against COVID19. What if there was a way to help, from the safety of our homes, and make a real difference?

Our district is one of several leading in an extraordinary new effort, and your immediate participation is critical to its success. This program will be announced via a press release soon (CNN, NYT, and other major coverage), and will be adopted by Rotary Clubs across the nation in the next few days.

The background is this: Two weeks ago, Rotarians in a local club engaged Rotary International to recruit 1 million volunteers in two weeks to sign up with Volunteer Surge, a new program that allows us to train online, for free, to become a Telehealth Worker, or a Community Health Worker. These volunteers will provide basic assistance, and will reduce suffering and save lives, locally and across the nation. How? By helping our health care providers to focus more of their attention where it is most needed.

TIME IS CRITICAL!

Please go to www.tgig.org to learn more and decide how you, your friends, and family can participate. And share this link with others on Facebook, email, and other social media. The world is watching, and we, as Rotarians, people of action, are now truly defined by our actions in this crisis.

Induction of New Member

We were pleased to induct Kelly Walker into our club last Tuesday. Husband, and Sunrise member, Alan introduced her at our Zoom meeting, and John McDarment said he has the packet of material, pin, and license plate frame to give her. Here is her bio:

I have lived in the great state of Washington my entire life. I was born in Spokane but spent my younger years in Chelan and made my way to Ellensburg in 1976. My move to Wenatchee in 2006 culminated with my marriage to Alan Walker. Our union linked two wonderful families. Combined, we have two daughters, two sons, two granddaughters, a grandson on the way, and two furry grand pups. Together we have one puppy who thinks of herself as a princess and we do not dissuade her of that thinking!

My employment with Cashmere Valley Bank as a Retail Operations Officer at the Maple Street branch gives me the opportunity to be a leader in our community. The service to our customers is fulfilling and I have a special place in my heart for those that are age challenged. For the last 10 years, I have also been an active ambassador for the Wenatchee Valley Chamber.

When I am not at work, you may find me gardening, hiking, reading, cooking, or crafting with my granddaughters. I love to travel and a good long walk on the beach, but mostly you will find me spending time with family and friends! You may not know that I happen to be terrified of snakes. I dislike the heat and the cold…nothing colder than 30 or warmer than 85 or 90 degrees is my preference. Finally, I cannot go to a beach without packing home a rock or two.

Congratulations Kelly! Welcome to the club!

More Announcements:

Several club members shared news from former Youth Exchange Students from around the world. Joseph, our French exchange student, said that France was on complete lockdown due to the CoVid-19 pandemic. You can only leave your home for 1 hour to get medications and groceries. Adele, present on the video meeting said that Switzerland was the same. You could only leave your home for walking or essential supplies.

Alan Walker announced the Bike Ride meeting will be a video one.

Adele, our exchange student from Switzerland, said that she had been busy with hiking the Sage Hills, watching 90s movies with her host family and preparing for school to start today. Only one subject per day will be covered in Wenatchee High School and it will be via online video.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 a.m.

April 7 - Video Meeting Notes

Our club's video meeting was called to order at 7 a.m. by President Taro Masuda and meeting moderator Jim Adamson.

Our guest Rotarian was District Governor Elect Richard DeRock. Our non-Rotarian guest (and program speaker) was Katie Blair.

After our exchange of greetings, we said the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Happy Bucks

One Happy Buck was given by Wayne Massing, whose pool was opened yesterday for the summer season. Water temperature was 54 degrees! Brrrr!

Announcements

Erik Holmberg discussed the small figurines he was creating with his 3D printer. The figurines were for Chris McDarment's son Brian for his Dungeon and Dragons game. Brian hand paints each figurine; a task taking up to four hours!

Program

Katie Blair, (our program speaker) joined our video meeting from her apartment in New York City. She was introduced as one who helped found the Wenatchee High School's INTERACT Club in 2005, which is still in operation. She is a recent survivor of the CoVid-19 virus and gave her story about how she suspected she contracted the virus, her symptoms, and her ongoing recovery.

Katie's background includes being a Rotary Youth Exchange Student to France in 2006-2007. (Her French host family were winemakers so she got an early exposure to wine making.) She taught English as a Second Language in South Korea. Other jobs she held were Short Term Excursion Host on a Hawaiian Cruise Ship, Global Wine Steward and also worked at Disney World.

In relating to her CoVid-19 illness, she recalls possibly getting exposed to the virus while working at a wine store where she had a lot of exposure to the public. After 2 weeks from her suspected exposure, her immediate symptoms were her loss of taste and smell. Other later symptoms included coughing, vomiting, fever, body aches, and shortness of breath.

Her doctor's appointments were conducted via telephone. She monitored her own temperature, oxygen level and blood pressure for the doctor. She attributed her recovery to hydration with electrolyte drinks, day/night cough syrup, nasal spray, and Tylenol! A humidifier helped in her recovery. Due to her lack of taste, tomato soup was the only thing she "thought" she could taste. Raw honey was like the consistency of sand, and grapes had a weird texture as well.

She is in her 2 bedroom apartment in New York City where she is recovering. Best wishes, Katie, for a speedy and complete recovery!

District 5060 Status

Richard DeRock, District Governor Elect of District 5060, gave an update on our District's events and CoVid-19 status. He said that about 20 of the 57 District 5060 clubs have gone to a video meeting format, with more changing over all the time.

District Governor Peter Schultz is endorsing the video District Conference on April 25-26, 2020. Click on this link to get info on: DisCon 2020. It will be free to all attendees, but you MUST register to get video meeting link and password. The original speakers has agreed to give their same speeches, but via video.

The Rotary District 5060 Club Spring Team-Building Experience (RD5060 CSTBE!!) will still be held on May 16 (Wenatchee and Yakima) and May 23 (Summerland and Kamloops), but it will be a video presentation. It is a free training, and club members who already paid will be refunded. Each day will start with all participants in a large group via video, then they will break out into smaller video meetings, and rejoin later in the day. Details to follow.

The Rotary International Convention 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii, is cancelled, and registration money is being refunded.

Rotary International has been working closely with The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding the possibility of another recurrence of the CoVid-19 virus later this Fall. Therefore, RI has been cancelling events scheduled later this year.

Our District is awaiting the opening of the Canadian-US border so we can travel within the district. Right now, going either way across the border results in a 2 week self-quarantine period in the destination country, and another 2 week quarantine when you return home!!

The CDC and WHO are looking at possible antibody tests this Fall to determine if anyone has the CoVid-19 virus, but doesn't feel sick. A vaccine for CoVid-19 is still at least a year away.

The District has been looking at cost structures for club meetings. Money is being saved by not renting a meeting room, but clubs may be losing money from their fundraisers that can not be implemented. Almost 30% of the clubs' fundraisers have been cancelled.

The Youth Exchange is a challenge, to say the least! Visas and student permits are not being issued, so there are not inbound or outbound YE students. Overseas partner countries want the students, but we can't send them because of government restrictions. Possible shorter visits might be the answer.

-A final announcement from after the meeting: Tom Utigard called to report that Len Noss is recovering after a recent fall. He is out of rehab (24 days there!) and is back home resting. His son, 3 doors from Len, visits him at least twice a day. Len said he would enjoy getting some calls from club members!
Give him a call. 662-2076.

The video meeting ended at about 8 am.

Join the fun next Tuesday at 7:00 am. Jim will send out a link to join Sunday or Monday.