Program: “Rotary’s Efforts with the War in Ukraine: One Club’s Story,” May 25, 2023

When the war in Ukraine broke out in February, 2022, the Netherlands and particularly the village of Schaijk, sprang to action. Members of the Rotary Club Schaijk-Landvan Ravenstein joined with a local pallet importer to fill trucks returning to Ukraine with many tons of needed supplies and emergency aid.

Join us to hear about this amazing project from the participants themselves, members of RotaryClub Schaijk-Land van Ravenstein!

Looking at this again, I think the people in Ukraine would say that the invasion in Feb. 2022, was a continuation of the war that began in 2014 with the illegal annexation of Crimea and the DonBas.

There is a businessman in the town of Schaijk (pronounced like “shrike”), Netherlands, population <8,000, who imported goods from Ukraine and sent back fruit, vegetables and flowers for sale in Ukraine and Russia. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022, imports to Netherlands continued but there was no market for goods for the return trip. The business owner saw the empty trucks heading back and saw an opportunity to help. He began to solicit donations and to get help with loading the trucks for the return trip. Members of the Rotary Club of Schaijk-Land von Ravenstein joined the effort which has to date delivered several thousand tons of food, clothing, and medical supplies directly into Ukraine for distribution. There’s a lot more about this remarkable local effort, involving Rotarians from the club in Schaijk. Come hear about it from the participants themselves!

Program: Rory Bakke, “Develop Your Sustainable Value Lens – Why and How,” May 18, 2023

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for an online program featuring sustainability expert Rory Bakke speaking about why and how to become more sustainable.  Rory Bakke is the Founder of Sustainable Concepts Studio and Principal Coach at Hedgehog Coaching & Consulting.

Our Zoom line will open at 7:00 a.m. for informal discussion. The formal meeting runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  No registration is required.

Click here to join the meeting Thursday morning. Join us!


 A Sustainable Value Lens is a new way of seeing opportunities based on sustainability values and principles and helps an organization see new ideas as they consider environmental and social factors, along with new stakeholder marketplace demands. Sustainability is becoming a strategic imperative for an increasing percentage of organizations and understanding and learning how to create sustainable value is at the heart of this transition to align with new market signals and requirements.

We’ll examine sustainable value concepts, look at some examples, and potentially complete an exercise or two together about creating more sustainable growth for your organization and/or your life.

Rory Bakke is the Founder of Sustainable Concepts Studio and Principal Coach at Hedgehog Coaching & Consulting, LLC.

Ms. Bakke specializes in sustainability management (ESG) strategy, practices, and coaching with executives, managers and emerging leaders of companies and public agencies to develop effective programs that boost performance, decision-making, leadership, and drive sustainable business results.

Rory has a passion for collaborating with clients to design sustainability roadmaps for organizations that boost profitability while they build improved awareness in their leaders, better teamwork in their cultures, and more inspiration for their workforce and other stakeholders. She has advanced sustainability progress by working with 25 industries, all levels of public agencies, and environmental not-for-profits in both the United States and Europe. A graduate of Presidio Graduate University, University of California, and Claremont Graduate University, she also holds certifications from the Co-Active (Coaches) Training Institute, UC Extension Program (in Integrated Waste Management) and Human Synergistics, a management training organization that accredits coaches to employ neuroscience based tools that assess and develop constructive leaders, teams and organizational cultures.

As a strategic advisor, planner, and content strategist, Rory co-designs and embeds environmental and social practices, policies and programs that support more regenerative ways of working and being. Rory helps organizations and individuals gain critical buy-in necessary to fulfil the promise of positive sustainable change by employing tools such as:

  • ESG strategy, goal setting and reporting
  • Employee and supplier engagement
  • Materiality assessment
  • Net zero program development
  • Responsible sourcing
  • Stakeholder strategy
  • Sustainable business model evaluation
  • Training workshops and curriculum in sustainability transformation

She uses active facilitation and coaching tools and frameworks to help leaders and managers translate visions and ideas into actionable steps. 

Mayor’s Serve Day, May 20, 2023

Queen Anne Greenbelt Trail beautification (#87)

When Sat, May 20, 10am – 12pm

Where Queen Anne – Trail beautification (Meet at Bell Street Park on Bell Street between 1st & 5th, 98706) (map)

Description Serve Day Event #87 – Queen Anne Greenbelt – Trail beautification. The entrance for the pick is off 12th Ave West and Blaine in NW Queen Anne. 1635 11th Ave W offers street parking around entire block. Look for flaggers.

Please sign the waiver here: https://app.waiverforever.com/pending/WrunqCdC4g1613067130

Important day-of phone numbers:
– Tim Emerson, Program Director: (509) 563-9885
– Andrea Suarez, Executive Director: (206) 850-4290

 Join We Heart Seattle and more than 50 Volunteers!

Program: Kelly Van Arsdale, Spinnaker Chocolate, May 11, 2023

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for an online program featuring Kelly Van Arsdale and the story of Spinnaker Chocolate and the creation of a bold flavorful chocolate company during a pandemic!

Our Zoom line will open at 7:00 a.m. for informal discussion. The formal meeting runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  No registration is required.

Click here to join the meeting Thursday morning.  Join us!


Chris and Kelly Van Arsdale, Spinnaker Chocolate

As bean to bar chocolate makers, Spinnaker Chocolate works with the highest quality cacao from around the world and meticulously turns it into bold, flavorful chocolate.

Kelly Van Arsdale grew up in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Lewis & Clark College with a degree in Economics, he went on to pursue a career in customer experience and product marketing.

Just before the pandemic struck, he decided to pursue his longtime hobby of making chocolate – a passion he shared with his brother, Chris Van Arsdale. The Van Arsdale brothers, with the help of their immediate family, came together and created Spinnaker Chocolate.

Program: “Secure Elections: The Basics Every Voter Should Know,” Shane Hamlin, May 4, 2023


Shane Hamlin has served as the Executive Director of the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) since June 2017. He previously served 18 years in Washington state government, including five years with the Washington State Senate, nearly 10 years with the Office of the Secretary of State, and three years with the Office of Financial Management. Working for two Secretaries, Shane served as the Legislative Liaison, Deputy Director of Elections, and Co-Director of Elections. He led Washington’s contribution to building ERIC and he served as the first Chair of the ERIC Board of Directors. Shane holds an undergraduate degree from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington. 

Program: “The Role of National Laboratories in the Innovation Ecosystem,” Melanie Roberts, April 27, 2023


ABSTRACT: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) oversees seventeen national laboratories, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Washington.  Launched as part of a wave of federal investment in science around World War II, the DOE National Laboratories are now a cornerstone of the United States’ innovation ecosystem. Join us to learn how the Labs advance the frontiers of scientific discovery and technology development to address critical challenges in science, sustainable energy, and national security.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a different kind of national lab. PNNL advances the frontiers of knowledge, taking on some of the world’s greatest science and technology challenges. Distinctive strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology, and data science are central to PNNL’s scientific discovery mission. Their research lays a foundation for innovations that advance sustainable energy through decarbonization and energy storage and enhance national security through nuclear materials and threat analyses. PNNL collaborates with academia in fundamental research and with industry to transition technologies to market.

Our speaker on April 27, 2023, is Melanie Roberts, Ph.D. Melanie is a science and innovation policy practitioner focused on increasing the benefits of science for society. Since 2018, she has been the director of state and regional affairs at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She has also worked in the U.S. Senate, the National Science Foundation, the University of Colorado, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and private consulting to develop policies, partnerships, and programs that build bridges between research and application and enable scientists and engineers to collaborate across boundaries.

Melanie has served on numerous advisory committees, including the Committee on Graduate STEM Education for the 21st Century at the National Academy of Sciences. She is an honorary fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences and a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow. She completed a Ph.D. in in neuroscience from the University of Washington and a postdoctoral fellowship in science and innovation policy at the University of Colorado Boulder.

ROTARY: Festival of Learning

The entire month of May is dedicated to Rotary learning! The Festival of Training is open to all Rotarians, with some classes targeted to specific Rotary roles. Learn about club flexibility, how your club can use social media, how our district is taking on malaria, and how we are helping bees. If you are new to Rotary there is a session for you, and if you are taking on a specific club role there is a session to assist you.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at either 5:00pm or 6:30pm via Zoom. All sessions are 45-60 minutes.

Click on the session title for more information and to register: FOL 2023 Full Schedule.pdf

We hope we can Awaken you to the Extraordinary Opportunity of Rotary as we help Create Hope in the World!

Wendi Fischer – District Trainer

Rotary Litter Pick with We Heart Seattle Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to Noon

Location:  Exact location is TBA and will be announced on Facebook a few days prior.   We Heart Seattle is constantly scanning the city for where a volunteer crew is needed most.   We’d all like more advance notice for our personal planning purposes, but please be patient with the process.  There is a fair amount of pre-work that goes into making a site ready for us volunteers. We Heart Seattle is a non-profit that comes alongside homeless encampments to clear trash.  This is a harm reduction strategy for the people living there and also a beautification strategy for our city.  Along the way, We Heart Seattle offers people living outdoors referral services to housing and drug rehabilitation services.   Rest assured that if the homeless encampment we are working near is inhabited, We Heart Seattle will get permission from the residents before we clean.  It’s not uncommon for the residents to come out and clean with us.  Wear sturdy hiking boots and layers for the weather. And if you have one, wear your “Rotarian at Work” T-shirt or Rotary Hat.  They show up great in photos!  We Heart Seattle will supply gloves, PPE, picking tools, garbage bags and other cleaning supplies.  This service project is appropriate for volunteers aged 13 years and older. To learn more about We Heart Seattle go to:  www.weheartseattle.org To buy yourself a Rotarian at Work T-shirt or Rotary Hat go to:  www.bestclubsupplies.com RSVP’s are being collected on Facebook:  https://fb.me/e/13b6VzGuA

Register Early for the Rotary District 5030 Conference 2023, October 13-15, 2023 and Save $75!

Awaken to the Extraordinary Opportunity of Rotary - Conference Header

Rotary District 5030 has launched our registration for the district conference, which will be held in beautiful Victoria, BC at the award-winning Empress Hotel on October 13-15, 2023.  We are also offering an inflation busting discount of $75 for every registration before 1st July. 

We have lined up an exciting agenda of speakers who will focus on leadership, the fight against disease at scale for polio and malaria, the value of Rotary in our vocational pursuits and building peace through cross-cultural learning. We are looking forward to Awaken to the Extraordinary Opportunity of Rotary with all our Rotarians across the district.

We have secured the Empress Hotel, which is a National Historic Site with an alluring blend of classic and contemporary, vintage and cutting-edge: Where Modern meets Iconic. A place where you can enjoy High Tea in style.  During your free time, explore the Royal BC Museum, Miniature World, The Butchart Gardens, The Victoria Bug Zoo, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Tour the beautiful city by carriage or on a ferryboat where you can do some whale watching.

Learn more by visiting our conference website. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Kaj Pedersen
District Governor Elect
Rotary District 5030

Awaken to the Extraordinary Opportunity of Rotary - Empress Hotel