Rotary members who braved the cold to do cleanup at the McDougall Garden on Oct. 28: Jim Cain, Pamelajean Myers, Geoff Faris, Carl Heisler & Blake Timm.

If you did not make it to our last Rotary Club of Forest Grove meeting, here is what you missed…

This Week – At Forest Grove UCC: This week’s meeting, and all of our meetings for the rest of the 2023 calendar year, will be held at the Forest Grove United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way (across the street from Pacific University). Join us as we are joined by Miles Glowacki, the community development director for the City of Forest Grove.

Changes To Lunches: After receiving feedback from the club and discussion by the board of directors, lunches will once again be made available at weekly meetings. In order to provide for an accurate head count (and not waste food), confirmation for lunch orders must be received by secretary Janet Peters by the Saturday before each week’s meeting. A sign-up sheet will be available at weekly meetings or you can RSVP to Janet via email.

Plan Ahead – Holiday Cancellations: In order for Rotarians and their families to celebrate the upcoming holidays, our club will not meet at its regular Wednesday time on the following dates: Wed., Nov. 22; Wed., Dec. 20 and Wed., Dec. 27.

Hope For The Holidays Wreath Fundraiser – FINAL WEEK: This is the final week to get your orders in for our wreath fundraiser to benefit our annual Hope For The Holidays service project in December. Orders for all wreaths are due to Janet Peters by this Friday, Nov. 3.

As in years past, these wreaths are made by Rotarian Melinda Fischer. A 20-inch wreath costs $30 and a 28-inch wreath is $40.

Orders should be submitted to Janet Peters via email, phone or text. Wreaths will be available for Rotarians to pick up on Saturday, Nov. 25. Checks should be made out to the Rotary Club of Forest Grove. Sorry, we cannot accept credit or electronic payments at this time.

McDougall Garden Work Party: Thank you to the small but mighty group that braved the cold to do some clean-up work on the McDougall Garden on Saturday: Geoff Faris, Pamelajean Myers, Jim Cain, Carl Heisler and Blake Timm. There will be additional clean-up work to do on the garden later in the fall as the leaves continue to fall.

Youth Citizens of the Month: Over the last two weeks, we have the honor of restarting our Youth Citizen of the Month program after a three-year COVID hiatus. Last week, we honored our two recipients from Banks, Sawyer Peters from Banks Middle School and Ireland Wilson of Banks High School. They were both honored at our Oct. 18. Emilia Aguirre of Neil Armstrong Middle School was honored at our Oct. 11 meeting while Andrea Reyes Aguilar from Forest Grove High School was honored at our Oct. 25 meeting.

A long-standing program with the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, the Youth Citizen of the Month program recognizes local eighth-graders and high school seniors who possess high standards of personal behavior and good citizenship, exemplify the ideals of Rotary, follow school rules and have excellent behavioral records. The Youth Citizen of the Month awards is rotated between the area’s three local school districts: Forest Grove, Banks & Gaston.

Concours d’Elegance Committee: The Concours d’Elegance Committee is starting the planning for our 50th show on July 21, 2024. If interested in getting further involved with the Concours, the steering committee is always looking for volunteers to prepare for the show throughout the year. For more information, contact Tom Raabe or Geoff Johnston.

The next meeting of the Concours Committee will be on Wednesday, Nov. 8 via Zoom at 7 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please contact Tom Raabe for the link.

PolioPlus Fundraiser: Don’t forget to bring your red cups for polio to our Wednesday, Nov. 1 meeting as we raise funds for PolioPlus. In honor of World Polio Day on Oct. 24, red cups were distributed at our last two Wednesday’s meetings. You are encouraged to either put the club out at your place of business or simply place your own spare change in it. Thank you for doing your part to put an end to polio forever.

Committee Communications & Meetings: Our executive board is working to put together a master calendar of club functions and committee meetings. The goal is that this calendar will be available for all members of the club to access. If your committee is planning to meet during the months of November and December, please send that information to any member of the executive board as soon as possible. Include meeting date, time and location. We would like to have all November dates by the end of this week.

Board Leadership Training: Our club was incredibly well represented at the District 5100 Western Region Board Leadership Training that was held on Saturday in Hillsboro. We had 11 members attend, the largest representation of any of the four Western Region clubs. The training provided valuable discussion on how our board can work better to lead the club and make Rotary stronger overall.

Thanks to those members who attended: President Amy Tracewell, President-Elect Lucas Welliver, President-Elect Nominee Andrea Stewart, Past President/Secretary Janet Peters, Executive Secretary Claire Agner, Board Members Melinda Fischer, Evelyn Orr and Pamelajean Myers; District Governor-Elect Jeannine Murrell, Assistant Governor Tom Raabe and incoming Assistant Governor Blake Timm.

Past Programs: Did you miss a meeting or want to go back and check out a program again? Most of our programs since May 2020 (over 100 videos to date) are archived on our club’s YouTube page. Visit https://bit.ly/fgrotaryprograms.

Service Opportunities For Club Members
Do You Know Of Service Opportunities?: Are you aware of service opportunities in our area that our members might be interested in? We can advertise those here! This space is not limited to club-sponsored activities but to any service opportunity in the community. To promote the service activity, please send a detailed description of the project, the date and time, contact information and a link to register to Rototeller editor Blake Timm, blakertimm@gmail.com.

FGHS Community Food Pantry: Our club’s support for the Forest Grove High School Food Pantry continues.  Thanks to its partnership with the Oregon Food Bank, food donations are still welcome but are of less need at this time. Of need, however, are toiletries and hygiene products as well as household cleaning materials.

The Food Pantry is open Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. The pantry is located along Nichols Lane between the football field and the Basinski Center. Click Here for more information on the FGHS Food Pantry and on other resources for those experiencing food insecurity.

For information on the Food Pantry, please contact Brian Burke, bburke@fgsd.k12.or.us. If you wish to make a cash donation to the pantry, Click Here.

Around District 5100
October Is Economic & Community Development Month (By District Governor Renee Brouse): Worldwide nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty. As a Chamber of Commerce CEO, economic development is something I work on daily by serving our local business community. It is great to do so as a Rotarian too!

Rotary members and Rotary’s Foundation work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities. Rotary also provides training and access to well-paying jobs and financial management institutions across the globe.

Rotary helps make things happen by creating opportunities to help individuals and communities thrive financially and socially.

Rotary impacts local economies by helping Rotary members train people to become resources for their community, offering networking activities, advice on new business development and financial management training.

Rotary impacts the international economy by partnering with clubs internationally and providing tools and resources that help the international community grow and thrive.

The Rotary Four Way Test challenges us to take a close, hard look at the realities in our own communities. We must ask the question “Is it Fair to All Concerned”? As a District through our service projects and giving, we have dedicated ourselves to improving the conditions and fairness for all concerned. Whether these efforts involve providing opportunities for at risk preschool children to practice communication skills, helping high schools in drug prevention, serving pancakes at a Breakfast with Santa event, or partnering on sanitation and drinking water projects in communities in need throughout the world, and much, much more, they all serve to assist in economic and community development.

Thank you for being a member of Rotary and thank you for being concerned about, and dedicated to improving the economic conditions for people in our community and throughout the world. Let’s continue to create HOPE in the world through our combined efforts.

District 5100 Newsletter: Click Here To View The Monthly District 5100 Newsletter

Around Rotary International
Combating Polio Around The World: As the fight against polio unites communities around the world, Rotary members are using time-tested methods and attention-grabbing new ideas to raise awareness, funds, and support. From Europe to Africa, Asia to the Americas, Rotary members remain committed to eradicating the disease forever.

Germany To Turkey And Back Again: A Trip To End Polio

Bashar Asfour, a member of the Rotary Club of Tbilisi Ambassador, Georgia, embarked on a European tour in a Volkswagen bus, starting in Berlin on 31 August. He aims to raise awareness, gather donations, and inspire new volunteers to fight polio. With a route spanning 16 countries and meetings in 38 cities, his journey culminates in Chemnitz, Germany, on 20 and 21 October to coincide with the main Rotary event for World Polio Day in the region.

Brazil: Together Against Polio Campaign

The Rotary clubs of Brazil are using the Together Against Polio campaign to combat the disease and raise awareness about vaccination. The campaign includes billboards, leaflets, social media graphics, and a website featuring verified information from sources like the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Through their extensive network, clubs are distributing free campaign materials, spreading accurate information, and encouraging polio vaccination across the nation.

Madagascar: An Urban Run For Polio Awareness

The Rotary Club of Antananarivo-Mahamasina organized the sixth running of the Urban Trail, uniting clubs in Madagascar’s capital. With more than 4,000 participants on 7-km and 14-km (4.3-mile and 8.7-mile) routes, this event coincided with African Vaccination Week. The initiative, in partnership with UNICEF, WHO, and others, aimed to raise awareness about the PolioPlus program and the importance of vaccination.

France: T-Rex Race With Fun And Purpose

At the T-Rex Race in Fréjus, France, participants wear tyrannosaurus rex costumes and race to raise awareness and funds for polio eradication. Organized by District 1730, this event on 21-22 October takes place alongside the Fréjus International Air Festival. It’s a creative way to get people’s attention for a noble cause, embodying Rotary’s dedication to a polio-free world.

Colombia: El Zoo Del Amor Brings Comfort To Terminally Ill Children

Rotarians Sonia Uribe and Alberto Londoño launched El Zoo del Amor to provide comfort to terminally ill children. Stuffed animals like Ana the giraffe and Lucas the tiger offer solace, each wearing a shirt adorned with the Rotary logo. Rotarians also carry these animals on their global travels, capturing photos against iconic backdrops, which sparks smiles and more support. The project has raised about US$260,000 that will be spent on polio eradication efforts and vaccinations for more than 76,000 children, nurturing children’s lives and a polio-free world.

Philippines: Culinary Collaboration For A Cause

Rotary clubs in the Philippines united for a dinner event to raise funds for the End Polio Now campaign. Over two days, renowned chefs prepared Dabawenyo and Ilonggo dishes, supporting polio eradication while celebrating fine dining. The clubs plan to repeat the event and are exploring other collaborative efforts to support polio eradication.

Korea: Gugak Concert Raises US$12,000

On the Korean island of Jeju, Rotary members in District 3662 and the Sehyang Orchestra organized a concert of traditional gugak music. This concert was a rare treat for Jeju residents, who have limited access to such events. It was attended by 400 people and raised 16 million won (about US$12,000) for the PolioPlus Fund.

Japan: Chiba’s Parade Of Unity

Rotary members in Japan’s Chiba prefecture organized a vibrant parade featuring a mikoshi, a portable shrine. It coincided with the Oyako Sandai Festival, fusing festivity and purpose to raise awareness and hope for a polio-free world. Draped in End Polio Now shirts and festival costumes, the Rotary members made a dramatic impression.

India: Italian Rotarians Take Part In Polio Vaccination

Italian Rotarians and their friends from District 2080 worked on a crucial vaccination campaign in Uttar Pradesh, India. During the campaign, part of the National Immunization Day initiative, the team collaborated with local frontline health workers. The effort included significant participation from women in the region. The Rotary members have consistently supported global polio vaccination efforts and are enthusiastic about sharing their stories to generate more support.

This article first appeared on the Rotary.org website.

Last Week’s Program: Blue Barbour-Weiss, Rotary Youth Exchange

Click Here To Watch The Complete Program

Last week, we were please to be joined by our 2022-23 Rotary Youth Exchange outbound student, Blue Barbour-Weiss. Now a senior at Forest Grove High School, Blue spent last year studying in Ecuador.

Blue’s presentation included an introduction to the country, both geographically and culturally, as well as talking about her experiences living in Eucador.

Blue lived during her year in Machala, the sixth-largest city in Ecuador located on the country’s southern coast. It is considered the Banana Capital of World and exports more bananas than any place in the world. She attended one of the local secondary schools, which was hard at first because she didn’t know anyone and did not speak much Spanish. But everyone was very welcoming and encouraging.

Blue thanks Rotary for “literally giving her the world” through the Youth Exchange experience. Because of the experience, Blue finds herself so much more outgoing and much more confident. She feels like she gained better perspective on the U.S. not only by her own experience living in another country, but through the eyes of those who do not live in the U.S.

Blue was asked about her safety, especially considering recent news about the political unrest in Ecuador. She said that while Machala is considered the second-most dangerous city in Ecuador, and while acknowledging the political issues, she did not experience much of it while she was there.

After the Youth Exchange experience, Blue encouraged everyone to travel as much as they can to as many places as they can. She says that while the exchange experience may not be for everyone, she would do it again if she gained the opportunity.

Club Calendar
Wed., Nov. 1: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Forest Grove United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way
Program: Miles Glowacki, City of Forest Grove Economic Development

Wed., Nov. 8: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Forest Grove United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way
Program: Geoff & Alisa Johnston and Tom Raabe, Concours d’Elegance Recap

Wed., Nov. 8: Concours Committee Meeting, 7 p.m.
via Zoom. Contact Tom Raabe for Zoom link.

Thurs., Nov. 9: Executive Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
via Zoom

Wed., Nov. 15: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Forest Grove United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way
Program: Michael Yakos, Rotary Foundation

Thurs., Nov. 16: Board Meeting, 7 a.m.
via Zoom