Events

Mayor Bruce Harrell will provide an update on his One Seattle vision and agenda, highlight the positive progress that has been achieved over the last year to build the city we want to see, and discuss the city’s challenges and the work ahead to address them – from public safety to homelessness, downtown recovery to ongoing growth and affordability. Mayor Harrell will address Rotary members and take questions.

Judges for Justice (JFJ), Washington State innocence organization, has been key in helping four innocent men get out of prison in three states (Idaho, Hawaii, Ohio). Judge Michael Heavey (Ret.) is the CEO of JFJ and co-founded the organization with Judge Peter Deegan (Ret.) of Michigan in 2013. Judge Heavey was appointed to the King County Superior Court bench in 2000 by Governor Gary Locke and served until his retirement in at the age of 66 in 2013. Judge Heavey served as a legislator in Olympia for 14 years from 1987 to 2000, eight in the House and six in the Senate. From 1967 to 1970 Heavey served as an officer in the US Army. He spent one year in Vietnam with the First Air Cavalry Division and was awarded The Bronze Star medal for meritorious service.

1.1 billion people around the world are blind or live with vision loss, 90% of which is avoidable and can be addressed through comprehensive eye care services that are community facing. Bringing eye care directly to communities fast-tracks reaching the most marginalized and underserved populations particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The presentation will highlight how Orbis International is addressing the health equity gap through a community-centered model that focuses on primary eyecare work as well as support for vision centers, including “green vision centers” (powered by green energy) and women-led vision centers, integrating eye health together with other critical cross-cutting global issues.

Prevention Matters in Ending Human Trafficking. Come hear Ashlie Bryant from 3Strands Global Foundation share about the PROTECT program that has reached almost 1,000,000 youth. She will hear her "why" and the outcomes of prevention as well as how Rotarians can help scale PROTECT in Washington.

There will be no Wednesday meeting on October 11th. Instead, we will have a SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE Event on October 10th from 5:30-7pm at the Renaissance Hotel at 515 6th Avenue. 
If you drive, there is a special Rotary rate of $10 in the Renaissance parking garage on Madison just west of 6th Avenue.   Our event will be on the main floor of the hotel, with visible signage from the lobby area on the southwest corner of the main floor (visible from the bar area).  

There will be complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.  We will have a chance to meet with Seattle 4 Rotarians and learn about some of the ways that Seattle 4 members have plugged into service that has been fun and fulfilling.  

The panel will feature the CEOs of three of our major Seattle area museums: MOHAI, Wing Luke Museum, and the Foss Waterway Seaport of Tacoma.  We will explore how the museums have adapted to the changing environment brought on by the pandemic and what is planned for the future of the museums.

To register to volunteer at this lunch hour event, please email fgreen@wellspringfs.org and please submit this accompanying volunteer form after RSVPing.

Josh will share insight into the impact of one of the largest nonprofit Arts & Cultural organizations in the region.  Provide a good understanding of the health of the local nonprofit arts sector and opportunities in front of us.

Seattle Aquarium's Ocean Pavillion: Putting Global Ocean Health at the Heart of Our New Waterfront

Join Seattle Aquarium President and CEO Bob Davidson for an insider’s look at the Aquarium’s historic campus expansion. Join us to “tour” the new Ocean Pavilion—opening in summer 2024—and learn how this project will benefit local communities, downtown Seattle and our shared marine environment.

Michael will discuss the state of the arts and culture sector reflecting on data from last year's Community Accelerator Grant, 2019's Nonprofit Recovery Grant, and conversations with industry leadership. The conversation will conclude with a brief discussion of current and future initiatives to strengthen and support the sector.

The Seattle Boat Show sails into town on February 2^nd. The demographics of boaters are changing rapidly and so is the workforce that is vital for the $8 billion Washington state recreational boating and fishing economy. George will share highlights of Core Plus Maritime, a Washington based high school curriculum in 26 high schools across the state that prepares students for careers in the maritime industry during his short program.

Matt Von Ruden of the Washington State Ferry System will be our featured long program speaker. He will be discussing his work converting our state ferries to an all-electric fleet.

State of the Economy: Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, will deliver an update on the 2024 legislative session and what it means for employers. Plus, he will share insights from AWB's latest survey of Washington business leaders, and offer a glimpse of how Washington might prepare for a million new residents.

Through research, innovation, healthcare and education, the University of Washington serves the people and communities of our state in countless – and sometimes surprising – ways. Now, as we face serious and urgent societal challenges, the UW is focused on how this engine of opportunity and discovery can drive solutions that accelerate progress for the public good. By leveraging our university’s unique strengths and assets in collaboration with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the UW is advancing a healthier, more sustainable and more equitable Washington and world.

She will be accompanied by our Vice President for External Affairs, Randy Hodgins.

Threats to Local Journalism: the dysfunctional, news business model collides with an ever increasing need for access to objectively true information. The fate of civil discourse -- indeed, democracy -- lies in the balance. A conversation with journalists Joni Balter and Mark Wright.