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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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
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.
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.
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