Rotarians come from all walks of life; always understanding that our strengths are what gets us through. That strength is what connects us with human beings as we acknowledge ourselves as human beings. David and Pamela tell how they got through her cancer together.
Club Service
USRC President’s Corner – August/September 2016
Hello Fellow University Sunrisers! 
I encourage you to take the time to read through my quick update on happenings in the club as we approach the end of summer. And please be nice to Past Presidents Tim and Mike as they take the helm for the next two weeks as I vacation!
Relay for Life
Thanks to all who participated in and supported our efforts at this year’s Relay for Life on August 13th at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill. What a great way for our club to show a presence in the community, and make a difference in such an important cause.
District 5030 Picnic
This Sunday, August 28th, District 5030 is sponsoring an Old Fashioned Summer Picnic from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at Aubrey Davis Park on Mercer Island. Bring a lunch (barbeques will be fired up if you want to throw something on the grill) and enjoy accoutrements and beverages courtesy of District Governor Darling and the company of fellow District 5030 Rotarians. Details and info the District 5030 website.
TINFA
We’ll continue to support TINFA in an even bigger way this year. Many of you had the pleasure of attending our meeting with Emma Le Du, where we connected with one of the schools in Guatemala.
We have three needs and opportunities related to our TINFA relationship:
- Need – Connect with other clubs to partner with us for a Global Grant
- Need/Opportunity – Volunteer to interface with teachers in Guatemala via Skype to help familiarize them with the technology (three volunteers needed – Spanish speakers a plus)
- Opportunity – Consider a trip to visit the schools in Guatemala in February
In Search of 2017/2018 President Elect
We’ve asked a few who aren’t quite ready to take on the task, and we have a few more in mind to approach. That being said, if you’re interested in the job please see me!
Debuts & Discoveries 2017 Grant Recipient
Calling all interested organizations, the time is now to submit an application to be the primary recipient of the funds from our 2017 Debuts & Discoveries event. We only have a few submissions and the deadline is fast approaching (August 29th).
Membership
Life situations have resulted in the loss of some of our members. Let’s refresh the ranks by thinking of just one person to bring to a breakfast meeting. It can be a friend, colleague, business contact, or merchant that you patronize. Our Membership Committee leaders, Colleen and Past President Tim, are here to help in any way they can.
Humor-More from Dr. Hal
- A manufacturer said to a storekeeper, “Thank you, Mr. Schwartz, for your patronage.
- I wish I had twenty customers like you.”
“Gee, it’s good to hear you talk like that, but I’m kind of surprised,” admitted Schwartz.
“You know that I protest every bill and never pay on time.”
The manufacturer said, “I’d still like twenty customers like you.
The problem is, I have two hundred.”
The high school kid loved fast cars, and was thrilled to land a summer job with the local Alfa Romeo service center.
“Gee, Mr. Vespucci,” he gushed, grabbing a wrench,
“I can’t wait to learn the ins and outs of fixing up these babies.”
So he was startled when Mr. Vespucci told him to put down his tools and listen up.
“The first thing you gotta learn how to do,” he instructed the kid,
“is to open the hood, stand back, and shake your head very, very sadly.”
2016 Rotary District 5030 Conference: Friday April 29, 2016
Questions & Answers
Question: Where is the 2016 Rotary District 5030 Conference?
Answer: The conference is in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho at the Coeur d’ Alene Resort.
The Rotary 5030 District Conference Room rates are $95-$135, depending on your choice of rooms. To make your reservations:
http://rotarydistrict5030.org/2016-district-conference/ or call: 1-844-896-5641
Question: How do you get there and how long does it take?
Answer: Coeur d’ Alene is about 40 miles east of Spokane, just across the Washington/Idaho border.
- From Seattle, drive east on Interstate 90 for 310 miles. Allow 5 hours travel time, or more if leaving during a high traffic time.
- From Spokane International Airport, it is about 40 miles east on Interstate 90.
- Amtrak also runs from Seattle to Spokane.
Question: Why should I go?
Answer: Fellowship and Inspiration. Engage with Rotary through education sessions about Rotary’s work including that within our District at fellow clubs. Have fun and get to know your Rotary and Rotarians better in a beautiful setting.
Question: When Should I arrive?
Answer: The first Conference event for general attendance is 2 p.m. on Friday April 29, 2016.
Question: When is the Conference over?
Answer: The last scheduled Conference event is over at noon on Sunday May 1, 2016.
Question: Is there group transportation planned to get there?
Answer: You are welcome to arrange your own group. Currently the District is not organizing transportation.
Question: Are there any scholarships available to attend?
Answer: Currently the District does not offer any scholarships for attending the Conference. Please review the registration options below.
- Rotarian Full Registration $325
- Rotarian Guest Registration (meals only) $300
- Rotaract Full Registration $199
Question: What if I can only come for one day?
Answer: You are welcome to attend the Conference for only one day. However, the registration price is the same whether you attend for a day or stay for the entire Conference.
Question: I want to save money. Can you pair me up with someone else to share a double room?
Answer: You are welcome to reach out to other Rotarians in your network. The District is not organizing room arrangements.
Question: What will the weather be like in Coeur d’Alene in May?
Answer: Temperatures are typically in the mid-60’s with mixed sun and rain – spring weather in the northwest!
Question: What kind of clothes will I need?
Answer: Business casual. You are welcome to bring dressier attire for the banquet, but business casual is acceptable.
Question: Will we have free time?
Answer: Yes. There will be some optional group activities in the evening. Once finalized, the official conference schedule will be published to all District 5030 Rotarians.
Question: There is no early bird rate, so why should I register now?
Answer: As a nonprofit service organization, Rotary tries to keep costs economical and a good value for all conference attendees. The District does offer a discounted rate ($199) to encourage Rotaract (young Rotarians) to attend.
Registering now will help you reserve the time on your calendar, and will help the District to recruit dynamic speakers, and encourage the fullest attendance possible, which make for a more robust conference for all. Once registered, you can leverage maximum enjoyment of the experience by encouraging your own club members to attend with you.
Question: What is the last date I can register?
Answer: For planning purposes, the District encourages you to register no later than April 8, 2016.
Question: Can I bring my spouse/partner?
Answer: Certainly. Spouses and partners are indeed welcome to attend sessions even if they are not a Rotary member.
Question: Can I bring my family?
Answer: Certainly, though only registered conference attendees may attend District Conference sessions.
Question: Are there activities planned for kids?
Answer: The District is not planning any family activities. However, you’ll find kid-friendly activities abundant, and we suggest you consult the resort or concierge to make your arrangements.
Question: How many people usually attend the conference?
Answer: 400+ Rotarians typically attend the District Conference each year.
Question: Is the Rotary discounted room rate ($95-$135 depending on room choice) available for extra days before and after the Conference?
Answer: Yes. You will be given the Conference room rate for 3 nights before and 3 nights after the April 29-May 1, 2016 Conference.
To make your reservation: http://rotarydistrict5030.org/2016-district-conference/ or call: 1-844-896-5641
Question: Will there be Wi-Fi available?
Answer: Yes. The resort offers Wi-Fi and there is also Wi-Fi in the conference center.
Question: What is there to do in and around Coeur d’ Alene?
Answer: Take to lake Coeur d’ Alene for boating, jetskiing or wakeboarding. Enjoy a scenic sunset or dinner cruise. For more information, visit the resort website http://www.cdaresort.com/ or the Coeur d’ Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau website http://coeurdalene.org/ .
Question: What if I register now, but then need to cancel closer to the date of the Conference?
Answer: The cancellation policy is as follows:
Rotary District 5030 will accept cancellation requests until March 31, 2016, after which fees will no longer be refundable. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. Email cancellation requests to: conference2016@rotary5030.org
Registrations are transferable until March 31, 2016.
Question: Can you give me a preview of Conference break-out sessions and Conference speakers for next year?
Answer: Sure!
2016 District Conference Break-out Sessions
Have you ever wondered…
- What great ideas are out there, besides an auction, for fundraising?
- What’s the latest idea in social media we could use to promote our club?
- How do we make our weekly meetings fun and energetic?
- Who has some proven strategies for keeping your membership strong?
- We are a small/medium/large club, what’s happening for clubs our size?
- I want to get a Rotary grant, what are some lessons learned to help me?
All of these questions and more will be answered at the 2016 District Conference! We have speakers and sessions lined up to share trends, creative ideas, lessons learned and so much more!
2016 District Conference Key Note Speakers
Marilyn Fitzgerald is an inspirational speaker with a pragmatic approach toward sustainability that motivates others to ask the critical question of “How can we best invest our time, talent, and treasure in a way that best provides opportunity to others?” Marilyn is committed to the promotion of empowerment leading to prosperity and resilience, rather than continuing with the actions that create dependency.
When it comes to Rotary, Mitty Chang is practically a lifer – and he’s only 26. Chang joined Interact 10 years ago in Fremont, Calif., where almost a quarter of the 2,000 students at his high school were Interactors. He went on to organize two Rotaract clubs. Now an entrepreneur who works with small businesses and nonprofits to build their online identity and brand, he plans to become a Rotarian within the next few years. “I expect to have a long life in Rotary,” he says. Adapted from a story in the March 2015 issue of The Rotarian
District Governor Elect, “Bo” Darling visits
August 6th, District Governor Elect Forrester “Bo” Darling visited University Sunrise RC. Rotary business starts early not only for Breakfast Club but also next year’s District Governor wanted to become acquainted with the Clubs in District 5030 early so he can better help them. DG “Bo” is a Mercer Island Rotarian. He brought his wife Patti Darling, his “Aide De Camp” and also a Mercer Island Rotarian, as are Becca Palm and Claudina Campbell, who have agreed to help the DGE to prepare for his coming term in office.
DGE “Bo” was well received by President Tim Lenihan and the University Sunrise RC members. He stated that he loved the Ivar’s venue, the view, the enthusiasm of the Club and how he loved to see Rotary in Action at the Club level.
New Rotary Year, New Member: Sarah Cave
President Tim Lenihan started the Rotary Year on the right foot by adding a new member, Sarah Cave, at the July 9th meeting. She was introduced to the Club by her sponsor Ed Brondson.
Sarah has been a Rotarian since 2008, beginning with the Longview Early Edition Club and then the Longview Noon Rotary serving through 2013. She then relocated to Seattle and has been in the University District Rotary Club. Her classification is Healthcare Education and starting on September 1 she will be the Senior Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Health Services Administration Program at the UW School of Public Health in the Department of Health Services.
She is also on the planning committee for the Kidney Research Institute’s annual gala fundraiser, is active with her daughter’s school (Bright Water), and serves as a mentor to students in the UW Master of Health Services Administration Program.
Please welcome Sarah Cave as the newest member of University Sunrise RC.
And a Good Time was had by all!
Dr. Hall: Joques
#1. A preacher was exhorting about heaven and hell and related matters. “Everyone who wants to go to heaven, raise your hands!” he said. The entire congregation but one man raised its hands. The preacher pointed at the man, saying, “You over there, don’t you want to go to heaven?”
“Sure, eventually,” said the fellow, “but ah tho’t you wuz gettin’ up a load to go now.”
#2. The brass at an army post was concerned that GI life insurance sales were way down. The recruits just were not buying. A young captain, newly on the post, volunteered his services. “Let me have a go at it,” said he. “Sure, go ahead and try it,” was the unanimous word. “We doubt if you can do any better.”
Within a month, sales improved. By the second month, they approached 100%. “How did you do it?” they asked.
He said as follows: “I told them, ‘Consider you get killed in battle and are uninsured. The government will grant your family $7,000 or so. But if you buy the full insurance, they will get the full $100,000.” “Then I let this sink in and, after a few moments, concluded with: ‘Now who do you think they’ll put into the front lines?’ “