News

Memorial Service For Phill Briscoe

As you know (or maybe not), Phill was a long-time member of our club, past president, and a great Rotarian.

Service is at 2 pm on Saturday at St Clement’s Episcopal church at 1501 32nd Ave S (in person) and live streamed. Reception follows at Mt Baker Community Club, 2811 Mt Rainier Dr S.

University Sunrise Rotary Club Recognized By Rotary District 5030 for Outstanding Growth in Membership

The University Sunrise Rotary Club was recognized by Rotary District 5030 for outstanding membership growth during the 2020-21 Rotary year. We started the year, on July 1, 2020, with 31 members. As of April 9, 2021 we are at 43 members (growth of 39 percent). With three new members in the pipeline, we hope to see that continue!

Find the District Newsletter here. Here is the content of the Newsletter:

Congratulations to the University Sunrise Rotary Club for Outstanding Membership Growth!

Clubs all across our district have welcomed new members this year, and many have experienced a net increase in membership since July 1st. Impressively, the University Sunrise club has seen a 20% growth in membership since the beginning of the 2020- 2021 Rotary year.

“We have been very intentional about a number of things this year,” says Club President Tom Ranken. “We have built up our database considerably and we use it every week to let the greater community know about our programs and our projects. By getting the word out, it helps build a positive brand for the Club in the community.” Ranken adds: “We have been more aggressive about asking people to join the Club. If you show up for a meeting or two, you will be asked if you are interested in joining us.”

What are club members saying about the University Sunrise club?

“I joined mainly for networking opportunities, was blown away by the great speakers and then the service projects really pulled me in.”

“I was a longtime Scoutmaster. One of the parents in our troop invited me to a club meeting. After meeting some members, I realized Rotary was scouting for big kids.”

“I attended a meeting, received a friendly greeting from Club members, enjoyed breakfast, and listened to an interesting presentation from the speaker. I decided then and there that University Sunrise Rotary was the organization I wanted to join. And I did.”

“I visited for the programs and stayed for the service.”

“I rejoined Rotary by becoming a member during COVID-19 in University Sunrise. I have always believed in service before self and defining and discovering myself by being in community with others who want to serve. Joining University Sunrise is like discovering you have this wonderful extended family you never knew about.”

“I joined because it seems that the country is losing its sense of community. I wanted a chance to do some good with good people. Rotary is giving me that chance.”

District 5030 Symposium: Jeffrey Robinson, “Race Matters to Rotary”

The next “Race Matters to Rotary” event will be on Saturday, January 23rd at 9:00 a.m. when Jeffrey Robinson will be the guest presenter. Jeff’s topic is “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America.” Jeff is ACLU Deputy Legal Director.

Register now for the next District 5030 “Race Matters to Rotary” forum.

For over three decades, attorney and ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jeffery Robinson has devoted his career to racial justice. In recent years, he has travelled the country speaking hard truths about race in America. “Our history,” he tells audiences, “has been stolen from us.” Weaving heartbreak, humor, and passion, Robinson will take us through this history, describing how the legacy of slavery impacts every aspect of our society. Robinson’s words and his upcoming documentary “Who We Are” empowers audiences to change the future, leaving them with a sense of optimism about what America could look like if we have the courage to change. After Robinson’s formal remarks, there will be Q&A followed by small group discussions for
Rotarians to consider next steps.

University Sunrise Rotary Club Receives Elite Silver Presidential Citation

The University Sunrise Rotary Club was selected for the 2019-2020 Rotary Silver Presidential Citation as an elite Rotary 5030 District Club. Congratulations to Past President Steve Barton for his leadership in achieving this accomplishment. Fewer than a quarter of the clubs in District 5030, the greater Seattle region, achieved this distinction.

This award signifies the dedication of the members of the University Sunrise Rotary Club to support the strategic priorities of Rotary International by being people of action changing the lives of families and communities across the world.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects.

Clubs that are strong and making a positive difference in our communities achieve goals related to Rotary’s three strategic priorities: to support and strengthen clubs, focus and increase humanitarian service, and enhance Rotary’s public image and awareness.

AFRICAN REGION CERTIFIED WILD POLIO-FREE

Rotary.org
Dear Rotarians,

It our pleasure to announce to you that the African region has just been certified wild poliovirus-free.

Rotary members have played an invaluable role in the effort to rid the African region of wild polio. We should be proud of all the hard work that we’ve done to eliminate the wild poliovirus throughout Africa and in nearly every country in the world. 

This progress is the result of a decades-long effort across the 47 countries of the African region. It has involved millions of health workers traveling by foot, boat, bike and bus, innovative strategies to vaccinate children amid conflict and insecurity, and a huge disease surveillance network to test cases of paralysis and check sewage for the virus. 

Over the last two decades, countless Rotary members in countries across the African region and around the world have worked together to raise funds, immunize children, advocate with local and national leaders, and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination, enabling the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to effectively respond to and stop polio outbreaks. 

This milestone is an incredible public health achievement for Rotary members, the African region, and our GPEI partners, and a huge step forward on the road to global polio eradication. But we still have important work to do in order to eradicate wild polio in the last two endemic countries.

We have faced many challenges in our journey to eradicate polio. But we’ve made remarkable progress, and the polio infrastructure that Rotarians helped build will serve as a lasting legacy that will continue to help protect vulnerable children against other diseases for decades to come.

We are calling on you today to recommit yourselves to ending polio. We need each and every one of you to help finish this fight and continue raising $50 million each year for PolioPlus. The eradication of wild polio in the African region shows us that polio eradication is achievable, and shows how our hard work, partnerships and financial commitment continue to propel us forward, even during a global pandemic.

Thank you for your continued efforts, for achieving a wild polio-free African region, and for remaining committed to fulfilling our promise of a polio-free world.

Sincerely,
Holger Knaack                                                                                K.R. Ravindran
President, Rotary International                       Chair, The Rotary Foundation

Rotary International President Holger Knaack and Nigeria National PolioPlus Chair Dr. Tunji Funsho congratulate Rotarians on eradicating wild polio in the African Region. Watch here.
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