March is Literacy month

MARCH - LITERACY MONTH 
Some of the successful literacy projects in our district include the Guatemala Literacy Project that has been going for years.  Our club has participated financially in this project. We also donate children's books to the library in the name of our guest speakers.  Many clubs in our district give out dictionaries, and/or provide reading tutors to grade school pupils.  There are many literacy needs in our own community and world-wide that Rotary can help with to increase the quality of education, and the quality of life.

Rotary District Conference, June 18-21

Here's a great idea for a social event.  Register for the 2015 District Conference in Kelowna, BC, and join other members of our club, and those from around the our district for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and Rotary inspiration.  Kelowna is a beautiful place.  Bring the whole family and make it a family vacation.  Many of us will be staying in the University if British Columbia's dormitory, right next to the center of conference activity.  There's a picnic Thursday night to kick things off, lots of optional Friday activities to explore the Kelowna area, and the famous home hospitality that night. Saturday and Sunday morning will be filled with Rotary sessions and information.
More information and the registration form can be found at:
http://conference2015.rotary5060.com/video.php?videoname=kelowna_conference.html

If you have never been to a district conference, this would be a good time to see what fun they are. Our club will reimburse your registration fee, and maybe some of the other expenses.  Let's get a good representation from our club to Kelowna this summer.

Bike Expo - Seattle

We had a great turnout to work at the Seattle Bike Expo last weekend.  Thanks to Joan Wright & son Tyler, Jill Courtney, Tom Hanson, PJ Jones, Lisa Tidd & husband Scott, Diana Oltman, Alan Walker, Kathleen McNalty, Craig Robertson & Dan Moody.

Sign up now for the Spokane's Bike Expo on April 10-12, and Wenatchee's Expo on April 17.

Rotarian of the Month

Carol presented the February Rotarian of the Month to Joan Wright.  Joan is a past president, and has been the leader in our Challenge Scholar program.  She was instrumental in our club's attaining the "Be the Change" grant, and participates in the century bike ride activities.  Way to go Joan.

Program - Classification Talk

Norm Sturm, one of our newer members, gave his classification talk.  Norm grew up in Puyallup, WA, and went to UW on a football scholarship.  His dream of becoming an architect did not materialize, so he spent time bouncing around various ventures and jobs.  He has a passion for serving people, which has led him to work with Serve Wenatchee Valley, the Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary.  He and his wife Janice moved to Wenatchee 3 years ago and love it here.  They have three grown sons.

Announcements

A Prosperity Summit will be held in Wenatchee on March 4th.  The focus will be on the alleviation of poverty in our area, with guest speaker Donna Beagle.  The club will reimburse the $25 registration fee for members who would like to attend.  This fits in well with the Be the Change grant our club received.  Contact Alan Walker fir details and registration information.

The Board will meet next Monday (9th) at 7:00 am - Wild Huckleberry.  Anyone is welcome.

Sign up now to work at the Spokane Bike Expo April 10-12, and the Wenatchee Expo on April 17 to promote our Century Bike Ride. We need several people to work the different shifts.  Contact Alan Walker to sign up.

Calling all mentors - here are the training dates:       RSVP to Joan Wright
Monday, March 9
Wed., March 11
Monday, March 16
Wed., March 18
The sessions will run from 6-9:00 and will be held a the Wenatchee Brethren Baptist Church on 535 Okanogan Ave, downstairs in eh fellowship room.

March 11 - we want to get a big turnout of Sunrise Rotarians to attend the Rotary North meeting at noon, where District Governor Bruce Falkins will present the "Service Above Self" Award to a local Rotarian. Our own Maggie Nelson received this prestigious award when she was a member of the Upper Kitittas Rotary Club.  Call Robb Tidd if you plan o go so they can have enough chairs and food.

From District Governor Bruce Falkins:

It is with great sadness that I advise you of the passing of Past District Governor Jim Adamson senior (DG 1976-1977).  Jim is survived by his wife Carol and son Past District Governor Jim Adamson jr. and Carol (DG 2005-2006) and several Grandchildren.  Jim was a member of the Rotary Club of Leavenworth Washington.  Jim touched countless lives within Rotary and without as a teacher, principal, coach, Rotarian and friend.  We will miss him.

Family of Rotary

March Birthdays - Wayne Massing, Joanne Rosenthal, Alan Walker, & Joan Wright

MarchAnniversaries - Erin Cass (Shane)

Jim Adamson's father passed away on Feb. 24.
Jim & Carol Adamson returned from 2 weeks in Mexico.
Jordan Carrell has officially resigned to move to Seattle area.
Gary Looney has packed up for the move to Arizona, thanks to the help of Alice Thompson, Craig Robertson, and Kevin Love.

Program - Life Choices

Irene Bazan of Life Choices talked about that agency and it's work in the valley.  Although this editor was not in attendance it was reported that the program was controversial and offensive to some of our members.  Although Rotary International is a non-religious, non-political, and non-governmental organization, and our club strives to have informative programs that reflect this policy, we can't always predict what the speakers will do or say.  There will be surprises sometimes, even though we (and the program committee) select and screen the programs for appropriate and informative topics. We also try to provide an opportunity for countering  view points when dealing with controversial or political topics.

The next few weeks should provide refreshing and entertaining programs that highlight fun and inspirational things going on in our valley.

Program - Operation Welcome Home

Jim A. introduced Kari Strain, Services to the Armed Forces Coordinator for the Red Cross in Eastern Washington.  She has experienced military deployment with her husband and two of her sons, so has a passion for veterans.
This part of the Red Cross assists service people and their families through call centers, classes for families coping and reconnecting, and help for families of newly deployed soldiers.  They coordinate the Mail for Heroes program, the Armed Forces Day programs on May 16, and the Vets History Project that interviews WWII veterans.
In Operation Welcome Home, the Red Cross organizes receptions and honors service men and women by welcome home events.  These could include motor escorts, dignitaries, presentations, etc. involving the families and entire communities.  Kari showed pictures of a couple Welcome Home events, and talked about how special they were for the soldiers and their families.