With introduction by her sponsor P/E Michelle Shermer
These talks are a cornerstone to our Rotary club and provide a great way to connect with each other. You will not want to miss learning about our youngest member and past recipient of a WRF scholarship.
Veronica joined this club December 16, 2021.
Program Last Week - NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT
With Jorge Baron, Executive Director
Introduction by Carin Smith
NWIRP is a nationally-recognized legal services organization dedicated solely to advancing and defending the rights of low-income immigrants and promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education. It strives for justice and equity for all persons, regardless of where they were born. There are 4 locations in Washington, including Seattle and Wenatchee. The website has lots of related info including webinars.
Jorge began by acknowledging the contentious nature of the immigration issue and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak freely about this highly political topic. He gave many interesting statistics, including the following:
Statewide
Individuals born outside the USA - 1.2 million (15% of the population
Of that group, not US citizens - 583,000
Undocumented - 250,000
Nationally
Some undocumented people have waited since 10/15/1997 for citizenship
Current pending immigration court cases - 1.9 million (deportation cases)
He specially addressed 3 different groups: DACA, Asylum seekers, War refugees (Afghans, Ukrainians).
Jorge’s passion for his work is firmly rooted in his own immigrant experience: he is originally from Bogotá, Colombia, and immigrated to the United States at the age of thirteen. Jorge is a graduate of Yale Law School and Duke University.
View ATTENDANCE for this and recent meetings, including a multitude of interesting guests.
IMAGINE ROTARY / CONNECTIONS Auction Lobster Feed at Al's. Joe St. Jean reported on the excellent hospitality received at the home of Al & Anne Bridges. In keeping with President Jill’s call for Rotarians to meet up for socializing, Fellow Rotarians Al Bridges and Joe St. Jean foresaw this call coming way back in January. Subsequently the St. Jeans were fortunate to secure the live auction item of “An Authentic New England Clam Bake and Lobster Feed” offered by Al and Anne Bridges. After a few emails back and forth, a date was set for September 17th and the St. Jean clan plus a few close friends descended on the Bridges’ lovely home.
Al and Anne were perfect hosts and provided a wonderfully coordinated meal complete with these jolly fellows, who had arrived fresh from Maine the previous day. Joe is seen joining in the festivities whole-heartedly.
Food for thought – at Rotary’s next auction (in 2024?) be ready to bid often and bid high! Thanks goes to the Bridges for helping our “For the Kids” Auction be a great success.
FRIENDS OF ROTARY. The first official meeting was held on Tuesday, with President Jill, PP Mike Kintner, PP Ford Barrett, PP Judy Conner, Tom Ross and 7 guests. All gathered to discuss planning for this exciting opportunity to bring together community supporters of Wenatchee Rotary.
PAIR AND SHARE. Jessi Mendoza asked "Do you want to get to know a fellow Rotarian better?
Your Membership Development Committee has developed the “Pair and Share” opportunity for all members during the weeks of October 10 and 17, to connect with another Rotarian to become better acquainted. During this week of October 3, members may identify another member with whom they would like to know more and better, notifying the Membership Development Committee, through Jessi Mendoza (JMendoza@numericacu.com) or Allan Galbraith (allan@hillatty.com). Next week, Jessi and Allan will pair those Members who did not select a member on their own.
Through October 17 the paired members will connect over lunch, dinner, coffee, after work, watching the Seahawks, Mariners, Cougars or Huskies, or any other activity that the paired members can imagine.
October 22 - We need 5 people to sign up to help with two projects at Camp Zanika. Join Gary Provo,Sean Cooper and Thomas Everly for a day of service, connecting and lunch at the 59er diner. Sign up by emailing Gary Provo at garyallanprovo@gmail.com
Back by popular demand, END POLIO NOW Fundraiser dinners on October 22*. Dinner for 2, $60, with two menu options. Order by October 17.
Paul Harris Fellowships. This was the last week to earn 100 bonus matching points for TRF donations.
This 10-minute video explaining the Rotary Foundation (TRF) was shown.
President Jill encouraged all members to support the foundation with any amount. Only $25 per year is needed to be an EREY Rotarian (Every Rotarian Every Year).
GUESTS.
ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE. We were honored to have two local inbound students, Rosario (Chile) and Francisca (Argentina). Rosario is sponsored by Wenatchee Rotary, Francisca, by Sunrise Rotary.
NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL.
The board has approved the membership of Kevin Litterell. If there are no objections, he will become a member after October 13.