We all love classification talks, where we get to learn all about our newest members. This one will be indeed special since Alfonso has been a member of our club twice.
He first joined in March of 2016, then left due to other obligations. He rejoined in September 2022, so this will be second time to give the talk, but much has happened in his life since the first time. Come and learn about a member who has made a significant impact on our community.
MEETING INFORMATION.
Lunches have been discontinued until further notice.
Greeters in coming weeks:
1-Jun-23
Gary
Garry
Reuben
8-Jun-23
Meyer
Speidel
Pumphrey
15-Jun-23
Williams
Stach
Collum
Greeters are selected so as to combine one from each of 3 groups:
board members (club or Foundation), seasoned members, new members.
Russ Speidel serves on the board of Friends of Ukraine Refugees , a 501(c)(3) Charitable Nonprofit Corporation based in Wenatchee, Washington, formed May 11, 2022 with the purpose to stabilize refugees from the war in Ukraine who arrive in Central Washington. It has no paid staff. Its Board of Directors and supporters are unpaid volunteers. By June 30, the organization was assisting 21 refugee families in Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties. By year end, more than 50 Ukrainian refugee families had settled in Central Washington. Friends of Ukraine Refugees provides these refugees with immediate support in housing, necessities, an immigration attorney, interpreting, education, welcoming, mileage, furniture, clothing, and job searches. In May 2023, refugees from the war in Ukraine continue to arrive in Central Washington. Russ reported on the history and current status of fundraising and legal assistance for these refugees who are currently struggling to survive in many locations around NCW. He thanked the club for its financial support thus far over the last year. The state of Washington Commerce Dept. has also provided emergency support up to about $5 million, but it is complicated by state budget FY restraints. However, the legislature is currently expected to provide more long-term funding, about $4M for each of the next two fiscal years.
MEETINGS
Noon PT, Thursdays at Pybus Event Center, #3 N. Worthen Avenue, Wenatchee, WA USA 98801 (unless noted otherwise)
No lunch is provided.
Join us in-person or on ZOOM. Or dial 253-215-8782;
One of the most important actions of the group was to engage a Seattle immigration attorney who is helping the immigrants obtain permission to remain in the U.S. as long as possible, especially important since the group has just helped 15 families obtain housing.
Retired pastor Keith Madsen gave some good reasons why we should help these refugees, using the standard 3-point sermon tactic.
We are a nation of immigrants, illustrated by the poem at the Statue of Liberty; he named some famous immigrants
Oppression spreads - it could come to us
The Bible commands it (he quoted from the book of Leviticus)
Suzi Pitts then related the harrowing story of "Alina" who fled with her child as bombs fell, and then reported on some of the ways the organizations is assisting the refugee families survive and navigate life in a new country.
Imagine a past president returning to the podium after 31 years! Marc Heminger served as club president in 1991-92, having joined the club in February 1978. Yes folks, that is 45 years as a Rotarian! He had not lost the touch, as he ran a great meeting, keeping everything tightly on schedule.
P/E Gary Provo and PP Pete Van Well gave informative updates on the district conference in Leavenworth last weekend.
Pete's topic was the new PolioPlus Society; become a member by pledging an annual donation of $100. Twelve of our members joined at the conference. This is a new motivational initiative being adopted by many districts.
Joe St. Jean reported on the recent Community outreach Grants. Those receiving grants were Our House, Stuff a SackPack, NCESD Classrooms, Interact, Stage Kids, WVC Foundation Bridge, Women's Resource Center Bruce Hotel.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE UPDATE. Correction: Past member and past president Sue Rose, Dr. Ed Cadman's daughter, was very quick last week to correct the statement that Earl Tilley was the first Rotarian in the district to achieve membership in the Arch Klumph Society with his accumulative donations of $250,00 to TRF. Past member Bob Scea did that in 2007. Your editor's attempts to learn about others in the district, have been futile thus far.
Mark your calendar for District Conference 2024 May 2-5 held in Penticton.
JUNE 08. ROTARY FIELD TRIP. Britt Dudek is organizing a visit to the Red Apple Flyers in lieu of a regular meeting. Rotarians to RSVP to Britt Dudek if they are attending and bringing guests by Monday, June 5th. Kids/grandkids would love this so the more the merrier. Lunch will be a barbecue and will include a vegetarian option. Lunch is provided by Britt Dudek but feel free to make a donation in his name. Arrive between 11:45am -12:00 noon for lunch.
JUNE 9-10 -Fellowship Potluck/campout at Confluence State Park. Everyone is welcome. You do not have to be a camper to attend.
On June 9th and 10th several Rotarians will be camping at Wenatchee Confluence State Park. All club members and their families are invited to join us for a potluck dinner on Saturday the 10th at 5 PM. Cheeseburgers will be provided and side dishes, salads and deserts requested. Please let Tom know what you intend to bring and how many it might serve so we can try and have a nice variety for all. Enter your info on Tom's Google spreadsheet here. Also, please RSVP to Tom Ross at ballow1331@gmail.com or 509-630-5965.
We will gather at site 24. Bring your Discover Pass for parking or you can purchase a one-day pass when you arrive.
BLOOD DRIVE AT VETERAN'S HALL JUNE 9. We have been invited and encouraged to donate blood at this first annual blood drive. See details here.
The invite came from Tony Sandoval, Veterans Program manager of the Chelan County Veterans Service Office (WDVA- https://www.dva.wa.gov/)
Our club recently awarded $1250 to Wenatchee Valley College Foundation Knight’s Kupboard – a WVC student non-perishable food and essentials pantry.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK.
“We work to make a living, we serve to make a life.”
Check out the upcoming events for the Club, District 5060, and Rotary International