Founded 1909         Weekly News and Highlights     March 4th, 2022
 
Thank You Fiona and Good Luck with Your New Venture!!
 
It is with a sad heart that we say farewell to Fiona Ronyai who has so competently and enthusiastically led our membership and communications efforts this past year.  Fiona and her husband will be expanding and transforming their Bainbridge Island business,  L’Atelier TR, which will require her full-time attention.  Fiona’s last day will be Thursday, March 10th.  Please feel free to reach out to her with notes of appreciation and/or good wishes at Fiona@SeattleRotary.org.  Fiona, we will miss your cheerful attitude, superb organizational abilities, and dedication to strengthening Seattle 4’s membership.  You have truly been a joy to work with!!   

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING

 
Wednesday, March 9 
On Zoom 
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
 

Viets for Afghans - Our Accidental Journey Into Allyship and Advocacy for Afghan Refugees 

Viets for Afghans co-founders, Uyen Nguyen and Thanh Tan, will discuss the whirlwind few months they've had forming a Vietnamese-led coalition to help Afghan refugees. Nguyen fled Vietnam by boat as a child. Tan is the daughter of refugees who escaped three years after the Vietnam War ended. Moved to action by Washington's legacy of welcoming refugees, they'll share stories of allyship and advocacy for Afghan refugees - and practical ways that anyone can become a humanitarian at this critical time. 

Questions and answers about Russia's invasion of Ukraine | ASU News
 
Short Program
 March 9th Meeting 
on Zoom 
 
Our past president, Rear Admiral Bill Center, spent four years in the early 1990s as the senior US military representative in various international negotiations.  He negotiated with and traveled frequently to the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, especially Russia and Ukraine.  He will share his views on why the Russian invasion of Ukraine should matter to us, some facts we may have overlooked, and how to be an intelligent consumer of the news about the war. He will join a breakout room following the meeting for some questions and discussion.
 
Latest News in Russia
 
Keep up to date on events in Russia by following former Seattle 4 Rotarian Jill Dougherty on Twitter, now living in Moscow and contributing to CNN.
 
Rotary Diplomacy Roundtable
Thursday, March 10
3:30 pm on Zoom 
 
Fellow Seattle 4 and District 5030 Rotarians, the Consular Association of Washington, and Regional Public Officials and Influencers will meet for consular updates with a focus on the situation in Ukraine. 
 
Meeting ID: 255 908 3386
Passcode: Salish2030
 
ShelterBox
 
Seattle 4 is a ShelterBox Hero.  They supply emergency shelters where needed and are now active in helping with the refugee crisis.  Click HERE to learn more.  
 

MEETING REPORT 

State Department of Equity Aims to Support Disadvantaged Communities
Past President Jeff (Borek) called the meeting to order promptly at 12:30 at the Westin and on Zoom, followed by song leaders Don Murphy accompanied by Freeman Fong on the piano with ‘America the Beautiful’; and the day’s inspiration delivered by Nancy Cahill who amplified the day’s program with quotes from diversity & equality advocates who made a difference – she encouraged all Rotarians to make a difference. 
 
Jan Levy introduced new member Sue Bennett who, following Jan’s retirement, was named Executive Director of Leadership Tomorrow.  Jan called Sue “an amazing non-profit executive” who is doing a great job, as she welcomed Sue to Seattle #4 Rotary. 
 
Every month Seattle #4 recognizes a current Rotarian with an interesting background.  Monthly Member Spotlight features are conducted by John Steckler who this month recognized Seattle 4 Rotarian, Carese Busby, classification banking.  Click on the link below to hear John's amazing introduction to Carese, a Washington State native who embodies drive and commitment in her life, career, and her tenacity as a world-class figure skater. 
 
Tabitha Claus introduced the day’s featured program presenter, Dr. Karen A. Johnson, as the inaugural director for the newly created Washington State Office of Equity, established by the legislature and signed into law in 2020.  Dr. Johnson has dedicated her life and career by leading and supporting equal opportunity programs – aimed at improving outcomes for all Washingtonians.   “The role and work before us to change outcomes is great,” she began, “helping people access the opportunities and power to achieve their full potential”. 
 
The Office of Equity was established to support those marginalized and left behind from education to employment and the accumulation of wealth. 
 
Read more...
Meet New Member Sue Bennett
I am beyond delighted to introduce our newest Rotarian, Sue Bennett, the current Executive Director of Leadership Tomorrow (and yes, she is my successor).
 
I’m not going to tell you that before LT, Sue was a non-profit consultant, or that she was the Senior Learning Manager with Philanthropy Northwest.  I’m not going to tell you that she went to Stanford, has two grown children, or is on the Board of the WA Women’s Foundation.  I’m not going to tell you that she’s an avid hiker and yoga enthusiast.
 
Instead, I’m going to tell you two stories.  First – I met Sue in the early ’90s in her role as a consultant to a non-profit on whose board I served.  We were doing Strategic Planning, and Sue was the hired consultant.  My reaction upon working with her?  I thought to myself, “NO ONE is that cheerful all the time!”  The fact is I was wrong – she IS that cheerful!  Sue is one of those people who approaches life with a true “glass half-full” kind of attitude.  We became friends soon after, and our friendship continues today.
 
The second story – about 9 years ago, Sue, another friend, and I were hosting a surprise party for someone.  As we were waiting for our guests to arrive, Sue let us know that she was thinking about leaving her job at Philanthropy NW.  She wanted us to keep our ears open in case we heard about anything that might be a good fit for her.
Read more...
Leadership Tomorrow
Class of 2023
 
 
Are you inspired to step into a bigger role in your community?
 
Are you being called to lead?
 
Join many of your fellow Seattle 4 Rotarians and consider applying for the Leadership Tomorrow Class of 2023 - a cohort of Puget Sound leaders from the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Together you will explore important regional issues and how they are interconnected, develop and practice strategies and tools to become more effective civic leaders, and expand your personal and professional networks. Key aspects of the program are analyzing the history and current impacts of racism and understanding that working with others to advance racial equity is central to leadership in our region.

CLUB EVENTS AND SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Volunteer Opportunity
 
Sunday, March 20
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
(3rd Sunday of each month)
 
 
Build Tiny Houses
The Hope Factory
5 South Nevada Street
 
14 volunteers maximum per event - first come, first served.  Volunteer form needs to be completed for each volunteer.   
  • Rotarians and their families, and friends of Rotarians are all welcome. 
  • Must be 18 years of age or above.
  • No previous experience is needed.
  • Must be vaccinated.
  • Masks are required.
  • Bring work gloves and lunch.

Questions
Howard Cohen at  hcdg2122@gmail.com

Seattle 4 Fellowship
 
Thursday, March 24
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM  
The Rainier Tower
1301 5th Avenue - 12th Floor
 
Sea4's Happy Hour - All Welcome!
 
Thank you all who attended our first Happy hour on February 24th.  We can't wait to see you again and those that couldn't join us 
 
All members are welcome to attend.  
 
 
RSVP by March 22nd to
Volunteer Opportunity

Saturday, March 26
9:15 AM - 11:15 AM
 
Wellspring Family Services
1900 Rainier Avenue S.
 
Spend a Saturday morning with your fellow Rotarians by helping families experiencing homelessness at Wellspring Family Services.
 
Friends and family welcome. 
 
Complete the Volunteer Form in advance and check the ‘Rotary – 4th Saturday’ box.  If anyone has any questions they can also reach out to smckissick@@wellspringfs.org
In Memoriam
 
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of long-time Rotarian Tom Hayward on Thursday, March 3.  More details to follow as they become available. 
We had the opportunity to learn about Tom's life in September as he was our Spotlight Member of the Month.  A real honor knowing him. RIP and fair winds.
 

LINKS TO RESOURCES

CONTACT US

Rotary Club of Seattle
1326 5th Ave Suite 342
Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: 206-623-0023
 

Caroline Bobanick
Executive Director
caroline@seattlerotary.org

 
Fiona Ronyai
Membership and Communications Manager
fiona@seattlerotary.org
 
We love to see our Rotary members promoting good works in our community and abroad!  If you have a project or fundraiser that you are excited about and would like to promote to your fellow club members, please check in with our Executive Director, Caroline Bobanick, or Membership and Communication Manager, Fiona Ronyai, before distributing information or invitations through our email roster.  We value the privacy of our members’ contact information and can let you know the appropriate ways to reach out to folks in our club. Thank you!! 
UPCOMING SPEAKERS
 
Mar 09, 2022 12:30 PM
Online Program
Mar 16, 2022
Westin Hotel, 1900 5th Ave. and on Zoom
Mar 23, 2022
Online Program
Mar 30, 2022
View entire list
UPCOMING EVENTS
Click Each for a Full Description
 
Rotary Diplomacy Roundtable
Mar 10, 2022
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
 
International Service Committee
On Zoom
Mar 18, 2022 10:30 AM
 
Building Tiny Houses
Hope Factory
Mar 20, 2022 9:00 AM
 
Environmental Sustainability Committee
On Zoom
Mar 23, 2022 11:00 AM
 
SeaFour Meeting
TBD
Mar 24, 2022
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
 
Rotary Volunteer Day
Wellspring Family Services
Mar 26, 2022 9:15 AM
 
Peacebuilders Committee
On Zoom
Mar 30, 2022
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
Community Service Committee
On Zoom
Apr 06, 2022 10:30 AM
 
View entire list

 CELEBRATING THIS WEEK 

Gene Boes
Jessica Bhuiyan
Alvaro Jimenez
Jack Lauderbaugh
Sherry Calvert
Michele Shaw
Amelie von Saint Andre-von Armin

MARCH
MEMBERSHIP
ANNIVERSARIES

1 Year
Ryan Bunbury
JB Menefee
Anne Jannetti
 
3 Years
Nick Curatola
Bailee Brown
Judy Kaiser
David McDonald
Derek Ruckman
Alvaro Jimenez
 
4 Years
Joyce Davidson
Taylor Shimizu
Jesse Thomas
Bonnie Towne
 
6 Years
Daron Vchulek
 
8 Years
Bob Boeshaar
 
9 Years
Eric Newman
Jim Loder
Mark Long
Jimmy Collins
 
13 Years
Bill Gates III
 
16 Years
Candy Lee
A.D. Vickery
Janice Winemiller
 
17 Years
Jeff Pritchard
 
18 Years
Manny Ramos
Liv Wernecke
 
20 Years
Jim Odom
Skip Rowland
 
21 Years
Joel Ferrell
James Wong
 
22 Years
Einer Handeland
 
24 Years
John Steckler
 
25 Years
Joel Paget
 
26 Years
Craig Dawson
 
28 Years
Gerry Maurer
 
30 Years
Laurel James
Mark Weed
 
32 Years
Rich Lacher
 
34 Years
Rita Ryder
 
44 Years
Fred Weiss

Meet fellow Rotarians and get involved in service.  Join a committee.  Contact committee chair or Fiona Ronyai for more information. 

 
SERVICE COMMITTEES
Arts
Business Mentor Program
Community Service
 
Education
International Service
Peacebuilders
Rotary Boys & Girls Club
 
Sustainability
 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEES

Classification
Member Engagement
New Member Introduction
Membership Recruitment
 
Rotary Cares
 
Seattle Rotaract
Rotary Mariners
 
YRL - Young Rotary Leaders
 
Diplomacy Round Table
David Woodward, Founder
Dr. Skip Rowland, Chair
 
PROGRAM AND MARKETING COMMITTEES
Inspirations
Music
Programs
Meeting Reporters
 

OTHER COMMITTEES

Finance

 


Get Connected!

1. Join our club's LinkedIn Group.
2. Recommend fellow Rotarians.
3. Include Seattle Rotary 4 in your profile. 
4. Invite your connections to a weekly meeting, and let fiona@seattlerotary.org know so they may be introduced. 
 
If you don't already have a LinkedIn profile, CLICK HERE to learn how to get started. 
 

SEATTLE 4 ROTARY AUDIO VISUAL SPONSORS

Video of Seattle 4 Rotary Programs are available online thanks to the generous support of our Seattle Rotary Audio Visual Sponsors.

Special thanks to our Gold Level Sponsor, Bob Alexander.

In addition to supporting our club, becoming a Seattle 4 Rotary Audio Visual Sponsor brings many benefits. To learn more, click here, or contact Caroline for more details at
Caroline@seattlerotary.org.

SPONSORS
 

Bob Alexander

Do You Have Any Musical Instruments to Donate to Students in Need?  

Music4Life is a non-profit and project of Rotary District 5030 that distributes musical instruments to public school students in need. 

We welcome any gently used musical instruments you wish to donate. They can be delivered directly to these local music stores that are now open: American Music in  Phinney  Ridge and Kennelly Keys Music in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Everett.

Please accompany your instrument with the PDF donation form, linked below.

Contact Marli Iverson at marli.iverson@comcast.net 
for additional information or visit the website at www.Music4Life.org.

ROTARY CARES

Would You Like Support from Your Fellow  Members? 

Our Rotary Cares team is ready to listen and to support you.  One of the wonderful things about our club is that you have many friends --you just need to reach out to tap into our amazing network of caring people.  Please contact our Rotary Cares Committee Co-Chairs are listed below to let us know how we can help. 
 
Liz Powell:
 
Marsha Mutusi:
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