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.