Kid's Christmas Party

We had a good time celebrating the Christmas season with our kids and grandkids Tuesday morning. There was singing, face painting, bingo, and Santa with gifts for all

l the kids.

Program - Eagle Scout Project

Eric Holmberg introduced Cameron Headlee, a Boy Scout in Eric's troop who is working on his Eagle Scout Award.  He talked about scouting, and what it takes to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.

Cameron is starting his Eagle Scout project, and showed us what he plans to do.  He is helping the Humane Society by building things for the new cat colony room (shelves, platforms, walkways, beds, etc).  The cost will be $1,200 to $1,500, and we passed the hat to give him a donation.  He will lead others in the construction of the project as part of his requirement.

2015 Officers Elected

The following members were elected to the Board of Directors for 2015-16:

President - Wayne Massing
Pres-elect - Matt McColm
Vice Pres - Erin McCool
Secretary - Joanne Rosenthal
Treasurer - Lisa Tidd
Board Members (2-year term) - Taro Masuda, Ted Fukuzawa
Board Member (1-year term) - Maggie Nelson

Congratulations to you all.  We look forward to another productive year of Service Above Self.

Calling all Leaders

The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) program is a series of fast-paced, interactive, one-day courses offered to refine a Rotarian’s leadership skills and increase their base of knowledge in Rotary. Courses are fun, topical, interactive, and geared to busy business, professional and community leaders who want to be more effective leaders in their vocation and Rotary club, and more knowledgeable Rotarians.
Participants return to their clubs with enthusiasm, new contacts, fresh ideas, an increased understanding of their potential as Rotarians, and valuable skills impacting their potential leadership in the club.
The full program has three parts. It is best to take the parts in sequence however that is not always possible. Please discuss with the Registrar or any member of the Faculty.
The Rotary Leadership Institute was introduced into District 5060 in 2008. It is a grassroots training program that has been growing and expanding since 1992. Its purpose is to help future club leaders (not necessarily club presidents) to prepare for their club and community leadership role through a quality training and educational experience.
The course is going to be held right here in Wenatchee on January 17, 31 and February 14, 2015. If you have to miss one of the sessions, make up sessions will be available. The sessions will run from 8 am to 3:30 pm each of those days.
The cost is $85 for each session or $255 for all 3 sessions.  This is a great course for anyone wanting to become more educated in Rotary, and/or take on leadership roles.  Our club will reimburse for part of the cost.  You can register now online at the District website (www.rotary5060.com).

Christmas Party

About 50 members and guests attended the Christmas party at the Golf & Country Club Wednesday night.  Besides the wonderful salmon and prime rib dinner, the white elephant gift exchange was a lot of fun.  Gifts ranged from $25 gift certificate, Cougar Gold cheese, and wine to rubber band shooters and a fake rat in a trap.  Thanks to Bill McDowell and the fellowship committee for organizing the party.

Farewell Party

Several of our members showed up to say goodbye to Museum Director Brenda Abney and her family.  During the program, our club presented Gary Looney (Brenda's husband) with a shadow box filled with the Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary banner, pins and photos from his year as president of our club (2012-13).  We will miss Gary and his family and wish them well in Tempe, AZ.

Program - Sparrow Clubs USA

No, this is not a bird watching club.  Alan introduced Sam Cathcart, coordinator of the Sparrow Clubs USA
in Washington, who gave us information on what the clubs do.  The Sparrow Clubs USA is a charity that serves families with children in medical need or crisis by matching these families with a school or youth organization whose members perform community service to "earn" money for the family. Sponsorship are provided by businesses and community organizations.  Since 1995, the organization has raised over $3M, and helped about 1000 kids.  Over 300,000 hours of community service have been performed by young people in support of their "Sparrows".

Rotarian of the Month

President Carol awarded the Rotarian of the Month for November to Gary Looney.  Even though Gary has been gone to Alaska, he has continued to be involved with clubs there.  As a past president, he started many new ideas for our club including a Rotary Float for the Apple Blossom parades which has been used by clubs in other communities.  Gary helped start several functions with the other local clubs, started the dart board, and created a book on the first 25 years of our club.  His energy and enthusiasm serve as a model for Rotarians.  He and his family are moving to Arizona this month, and he will be missed.

November - Rotary Foundation Month

For Rotary Foundation Month, our TRF committee has been giving us information on Foundation programs the whole month of November.  They showed short clips outlining the areas of emphasis which are:

• peace and conflict prevention/resolution
• disease prevention and treatment
• water and sanitation
• maternal and child health
• basic education and literacy
• economic and community development

Moving the Wellness Place

Several of our club members showed up Tuesday night to help move boxes and furniture from the old Wellness Place on Okanogan to their new home in the Go USA Building on Columbia Street.  Our member, Erin Cass is the director there.  Thanks to Carol & Jim Adamson, Wayne Massing, Norm Sturm, Stacy Speer, Jeff Niderost (who brought a big trailer), and Erin and her husband Shane.  Some people will do anything for pizza and beer.  (pictured - Shane, Erin, Jim, Carol, Wayne, Jeff, & Norm - not pictured - Stacy)

Program - Wayne Massing Classification

Carol introduced our President-elect, Wayne, who gave his classification talk (avionics).  Wayne grew up in Montana, attended college in Michigan, and returned to Montana where he worked in a print shop. He enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War and ended up at the Naval base on Whidbey Island for 10 years, doing several tours in the Pacific.  Wayne was then hired at Boeing in Seattle, and ended up teaching and training avionics to commercial pilots.  He traveled all over the world with his wife, Karen, on training assignments.  He even lived in China for 6 months helping at a aircraft training school there.  Wayne served for several years in the Navy reserves.  Wayne and Karen retired and moved to Wenatchee 3 years ago, and they love it here.

New Member Induction

Today we inducted new members Diana Oltman and Kathleen McNalty.  Diana, who was a member of our club a few years ago, is sponsored by Jill Courtney.  Diana works at Weantchee Valley college.
Kathleen is sponsored by Carol Adamson. She was joined by her husband Steve.  Kathleen works for an insurance company in the appeals department.  We are glad to have both these ladies join our club, and look forward to serving with them.
(Pictured - Diana, Jill, Kathleen, Steve, & Carol)

Program - Stove Team in Nicaragua

Wayne introduced Dave DeJong, retired WHS teacher, who has traveled on several trips with Families United, and worked on building homes.  Dave talked about that group, but also his involvement with Stove Team International.  Smoke from open fires kills many more people than malaria, and the firewood used has resulted in deforestation in Nicaragua.  Stove Team has created fuel-efficient stoves that reduce the smoke and carbon emissions, and use far less firewood.  They are also building a stove production factory that will create a few jobs.  Over 44,000 stoves have been made, and each stove (cost $50) will provide for 5-8 people.  Our club will be donating $3500 to that cause this year, and will be looking to write a matching grant for next year to increase funds.  For more information, check out www.stoveteam.org.

November is The Rotary Foundation Month

Our Foundation committee kicked off the month with a short video clip of The Rotary Foundation at work in Uganda.  President Carol presented the club with awards received at the training weekend in Osoyoos for last year's EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) and 100% Paul Harris Sustaining Members achievements.  We were one of two clubs in the district to get the EREY award, and the ONLY club to get the 100% award.  Let's do it again.  The invoice coming out soon will have this year's contribution to TRF added to your total bill.  Thanks everyone - you are making a difference.

District Training Weekend

Jim & Carol Adamson, and Wayne Massing (wife Karen came along also) attended the training and development in Osoyoos, BC over the weekend.  Over 130 Rotarians from around the district came to get more education on membership, The Rotary Foundation, public image and communications.  They learned more about district and RI resources, and heard from some top RI regional coordinators.  A highlight was hearing Past RI President Rick King give an inspirational talk on the importance of Rotary.  He is one of the most sought after, premier speakers in all of Rotary.  There was lots of fun at the wine reception and meals.

Jim, Wayne, Carol and Karen with Past RI President Rick King.       


Jim, as the District 5060 Trainer, was one of the conference organizers.










Past District Governor Carrell Blue, and District Governor Bruce Falkins presented Carol with the Every Rotarian Every Year Club Award, and the 100% Paul Harris Sustaining Club Award for the 2013-14 year.

Wild Hockey Night

Our club had a last minute chance to earn some money at the Wenatchee Wild hockey game Friday night by selling bags of pucks for the "chuck-a-puck" event.  It was Halloween night, so the crowd was light, but our volunteers brought in $215, which is enough to save 358 lives from polio with immunizations.

Thanks to Tana Benedict, Milt Herman, PJ Jones, Maggie & Charlie Nelson, Kathleen McNalty (not even a member yet), and Dan & Myrna Moody and son (Leavenworth).

Program - Dirk Horton Classification

This post cannot begin to describe the fun we had listening to Dirk's classification talk.  You had to be there.  Dirk gave his life story on a creative PowerPoint.  Highlights include his being kept in a closet as a kid, flunking out of college, driving taxi, and returning to college and keeping a 4.0 GPA while going through his physics program.
His career in astrophysics took him to Indonesia, Guatemala (where he met his wife Mickey), Columbia, Cincinnati, and finally Wenatchee.  Besides teaching, Dirk was involved in building a middle school.  One of his trips took him to a very primitive area in Indonesia, where he was impressed by the native wardrobe.
Dirk has taught for a virtual high school, and now works teaching and tutoring kids online.  He enjoys Wenatchee and his view from Jump O
ff Ridge, and enjoys Rotary.

Rotarian of the Month

President Carol awarded the October Rotarian of the Month to Wayne Massing.  Wayne is our president-elect, and is the chair of the projects committee, which includes local and international projects.  He recently organized the highway clean-up.  Wayne has also participated in our Peachland, BC friendship exchange, the visioning and follow-up meetings, and will be attending the district training in Osoyoos this weekend, and the Rotary Leadership Institute training in January. Carol said he fills in for her at meetings and whatever else she asks of him without complaining. Way to go Wayne!

Salisbury Educational Fund - The Future Hope for our Challenge Scholars

Bryan Noyd outlined he history and goals of this fund.  It was set up by the late, former member Marv Salisbury and his wife Fran to be an endowment where the interest would fund our challenge scholars (about $10,000 for 2 years per student).  The fund is currently at about $175,000.  The goal is to reach $1M in the next 10 years in order to fund 8-10 more scholars per year.  Our club has agreed to take $50,000 out of our excess reserves to match member contributions and other donations over the next year.  The desire is to have each member give $50 per year to the Salisbury Fund.

Make-a-Difference Day

Members of our club turned out Saturday to clean up 2 miles of highway near Hydro Park. We collected 30-35 bags of trash for the DOT to pick up.  The roadside sign marks our club's commitment to keep the highway area clean.
This was our second clean-up in the past 6 months.

Thanks to Joanne & Aaron Rosenthal, Jim & Carol Adamson, Matt McColm, Alice Thompson, Ted Fukuzawa, Jef Niderost, Ron Griffith, Tana Benedict, Craig Robertson, & Wayne Massing (the organizer).

World Polio Day Event

WORLD POLIO DAY

An educational family program that included Rotary International live streaming, guest speakers, iron lung exhibit, pop and popcorn, was held at the Wenatchee Valley Museum Friday night.  This event was sponsored by Wenatchee Downtown Rotary club, Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, and WHS Interact Club as part of Make a Difference Day.  Drs. Rutherford and Freed spoke to the group.  Sue Rose, daughter of the late Dr.  Ed Cadman, received a legacy award for Ed's work in the early days of polio as Rotary International President.

Program - Steve Wright

Steve Wright, Manager of the Chelan County PUD, discussed the issues and projects of the PUD in the coming years.  Steve began his career at the Bonneville Power Administration in the energy conservation division in 1981. He held a number of positions at BPA, most recently as administrator. Wright graduated from the University of Oregon with a master’s degree in public administration. 

TGIF Social

Friday night was a fun time at the home of Bertha and Bill.  Along with the gorgeous view, we enjoyed lots of good food and fellowship.  Great meatballs Richard.  Thanks Bertha.

Program - Immigration & Naturalizaion

Jim Huffman introduced Norma Gallegos, Wenatchee Citizenship Coordinator for World Relief. Norma formerly worked in various positions at Head Start, and at Colonial Vista as a resident advocate.  She works at 11 different sites around central Washington to recruit and coordinate citizenship and naturalization ceremonies.  Her organization, with the help of many volunteers, has assisted over 1000 immigrants representing 25 countries.  Over 600 people participated in this area this year, with over 300 becoming naturalized citizens.  World Relief partners with local churches to help fund legal services, classes, and fees for immigrants.  Immigrants have to navigate a 22 page application, pay $680, take a test and be interviewed before they can go through the naturalization ceremony and become US c
itizens.

Welcome New Menber

Stacey Speer was inducted today.  She was there with her two girls, Taylor and Leah, and her employers Jeff and Debbie Smith.  Jim Adamson gave her the charge, and recognized her sponsor, Norm Sturm.

Stacey is from Texas, and now works as a business developer for Express Employment Professionals.  Prior to that, she worked as and activities director

at Colonial Vista.  Stacey has a passion for the elderly, and has volunteered for the Senior Dinner committee.

First Quarter Accomplishments

   Our Club has done the following in the first quarter of the year to “Light UP Rotary”:

• Participated in the District Visioning follow-up process 
• Did a Friendship Exchange with Peachland Rotary Club (Peachland, BC)
• Co-hosted a Rotary Day with other area clubs at Sunrise Circle
• Shared great memories at the “Mark Anderson” social at Tom’s’ orchard
• Gave $150 to the elementary school’s Passport Program (geography)
• Donated $1000 and provided volunteers to help with the Back-to-School supply event
• Provided $200 to purchase an AED for Douglas County Sheriff’s Dept.
• Ran a community garden plot with 350 pounds of fresh produce donated to Women’s Resource Center
• Gave club and personal donations of $1800 to the fire victims
• Members personally gave $330 to the Lemonade Girls for cancer research
• Members have donated $270 in the “green cups” for Kids Against Hunger
• Purchased our own projector screen to save over $850 each year in media costs
• Got the Challenge Scholar mentor program going strong
• Inducted 5 new members

Way to go Sunrise members!!

Program - State Attorney General

Jim H. introduced Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who discussed various topics and answered questions.  One was the legalization of marijuana, and the implications of our state going against the Federal law.  Bob worked with the Feds to be sure the drug is regulated to their standards.  He also said his interpretation is that local jurisdictions can opt out of selling marijuana.  There have already been lawsuits against cities (including Wenatchee) that could go to the Supreme Court.

Another issue the AG discussed was consumer protection, and what his office is doing to stand up for consumers and businesses that face fraudulent acts.  There are over 20,00 complaints from consumers per year.

One question the AG attempted to answer related to the court holding the legislature in contempt for not funding basic education.  No sanctions have been placed on the legislature, but they must come up with a plan for funding education.

October is Vocational Service Month

Here's some of what vocational service is about on a personal level.

Declaration for Rotarians in Business & Professions:
As a Rotarian engaged in a business or profession, I am expected to –
…Consider my vocation to be another opportunity to serve,
…Be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my vocation, to the laws of my country,and to the moral standards of my community,
…Do all in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest ethical standards in my chosen vocation,
…Be fair to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers, the public, and all those with whom I have a business or professional relationship,
…Recognize the honor and respect due to all occupations that are useful to society,
…Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people,to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community,
…Adhere to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the public concerning my business and profession, and
…Neither seek from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian.

Turning Vision to Action

Tuesday morning was dedicated to a club assembly where we broke into five groups to create SMART goals for several of the focus points that came out of our visioning session in April.  The groups included membership, The Rotary Foundation, public image, projects, leadership development, and reintroducing the senior dinner.

Tuesday night, 10 of our members spent time with district facilitators taking each goal and creating an action plan, complete with tasks, people responsible, and timelines.  The next step is to actually implement the plans, and finish goals and tasks for a few focus points that are left.

Thanks to Jim Huffman, Matt McColm, Wayne Massing, Ron Griffith, Tom Hanson, Bill McDowell, Patty Rush, Jordan Carrell, and Jim & Carol Adamson for taking time Tuesday evening to work on this project.

Look for exciting things to come.  

Rotarian of the Month

President Carol named Jim Huffman as the Rotarian of the Month for September.  Jim, a charter member and past-president, is on three committees, including the chair of the program committee.
He acquires and schedules programs, and brings, sets up, and takes down the media equipment each week.  We thank Jim for his service and appreciate all he does for our club and community.

Program - TED Talks

Since our guest speaker was a no-show, Jim Huffman again came up with a couple TED Talks videos.  One was a humorous look at the use of eh word "awesome".
The other was a humorous, but serious look at mental illness in animals.  Yes, you read correctly. The speaker gave stories, and showed pictures, of animals with a variety of behaviors,

New Generations Month

September is Rotary International New Generations Month.  This is to emphasize our role in working with youth.  We promote the youth exchange program, Interact, Rotaract, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and help sponsor many youth-related activities and events in the schools.  It is our responsibility to set examples for our youth in our vocations and our personal lives.

Garden Update

Over 375 pounds of food has been delivered to the Bruce residents. The garden is pretty much done and the poles and irrigation lines have been removed and stored for the winter.  Thanks to Wayne for helping with this.  Thanks to all who have helped in some way on this project.  The residents at the Bruce have been so appreciative

.