President Jan called the Seattle #4 Rotary Club to order on Wednesday, August 6, at 12:30 p.m. at the Washington Athletic Club in downtown Seattle. She said that her major goal during her term as president, is to increase Rotary Club membership.

Jon Bridge introduced Jodi Sandfort, Dean of the Evans School of Public Policy and Government. Jon said it was a real pleasure to welcome a new voice to our Rotary gathering today, as we continue our efforts to bring in fresh members and reconnect with some of our younger and long-standing ones. Jon said that he was honored to introduce Dean Jodi Sandfort. He observed that she is doing critical work to strengthen democracy and lead innovation in public service.

Dean Jodi Sandfort

Jodi Sandfort said there is an urgent need to strengthen civic engagement and rebuild the foundations of American democracy. Speaking at a time of national uncertainty and political polarization in 2025, she emphasized that public policy and governance shape our everyday lives—from weather alerts and national parks, to immigration and education. As debates rage over the role of government and civic trust erodes, Sandfort framed the current moment as an opportunity not for despair, but for patriotic renewal.

Drawing on the metaphor of a “democratic house,” she warned that the nation’s civic structure is under threat—from executive overreach, misinformation, and a loss of trust in institutions. She also believes this moment can lead to significant renovation if citizens commit to strengthening civic health, fostering respectful dialogue, and investing in the public sphere. Her message is rooted in both historical awareness and hope for the future. Quoting figures like Senator Margaret Chase Smith and contemporary leaders such as Senator Angus King, Sandfort noted the country has faced ideological divisions before—and overcome them through collective resolve.