The annual Rotating the Wheels dinner was held on the last possible day of the Rotary year, June 30, at the Sons of Norway Lodge.  The theme selected by incoming President Stewart Martin was a Cowboy evenin’, and everyone had a hollerin’ good time.

New to us, the Sons of Norway lodge was a great facility, perfectly suited to this purpose.  And the Shilo Inn, thanks to Shaun “Cookie” Wagner, served up bar-b-que chicken, beef and prawns, with lots of corn on the cob, baked beans, salad, dessert and favorite beverages.

There were lots of awards, for perfect attendance, service on the club Board, recognition for Paul Harris fellows, new and “experienced” (what was it Alice, PHF+8?  Awesome!).  President Russ humbly reflected on over a dozen accomplishments this past Rotary year – and promised never to underestimate this Rotary club again, as it blew the doors off his goals for donations to TRF and Polio.  In fact, incoming Prez Stew “Stretch” Martin will have to adjust his goals, since they’ve already surpassed.  Stew talked about how fitting this year’s theme is – and a bit about the club’s emerging Vision for the coming five years, and some goals for 2011-12.

Two outstanding Rotarians were named Rotarian of the Year:  Shaun Wagner and Alice Kero Woods. Both relatively new, they have demonstrated their service to the club and community, and this honor is well-deserved.

The highlight of the evening might well be the serenades of exchange student Pierluigi Capretti. This young Italian student, for whom English is language #2, sang authentic cowboy songs – the kinda songs we ain’t heard since some of us were kids – made popular by Gene Autrey and Roy Rogers.  First retiring President Russ Vandenberg was ushered out with a round of “Happy Trails to You”, then there were a bunch more, ending with Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport (bet you didn’t know that was a Rotary cowboy song from Down Under).

Everyone hit the hay at 9 pm, rarin’ to start a new Rotary year –> Reaching Within and Embracing Humanity.
SM

Our key partner in the Rotary Grove reforestation project – the North Coast Land Conservancy – is turning 25 years old this month!

Please come celebrate at one of the 6 community locations, for instance at Old City Hall in Seaside – Corner of Broadway and Highway 101.  You can also see it being refurbished. Say “Hi” to Celeste Coulter, the planting coordinator, and Katie Volke, Exec Direcor, and NCLC Board members, also.  Tues 5 to 7 pm.  More details here.
SM

At the annual Conference for Rotary District 5100, the Rotary Club of Seaside was presented with the award for Best Club Website.  We actually tied for first place; the other winner was the Portland Club, which has hundreds of members, three paid staff members,  and a 100 year history.  Pretty good showing, eh?

Please browse around and discover what our site holds in store … plus there’s more for members,  behind their password access.
SM

Here is the first draft of our Club Mission, Vision & Elevator Speech developed by Stewart & Nicolle. If you have input, please share you ideas with either of them.

What are these?  To describe, briefly:

• Mission – a statement of who we are, what we do, maybe where … but not how.  Simple, memorizable, perhaps unique.  Used consistently in print, web, etc.
• Vision – a statement of the “preferred future” – where things will be when the mission is accomplished, at an undetermined date in the future.
  • Elevator speech – a short talk (during a ride up an elevator) that all members can agree on, and memorize (or nearly so). We can also fold in our personal story or involvement, as well.  So each member gives consistent message, it explains enough to start the conversation, attractive to someone who may want to join a service club.

 

Mission: A dynamic group of all ages and backgrounds serving our North Oregon Coast community, and the world, in collaboration with others.

How – key elements unique to Rotary:

∙       in collaboration – achieving more than any one organization could alone

∙       humanitarian – serving youth, seniors and the disabled, illiterate, medically needy

∙       international – we provide water, sanitation, health and help end poverty in remote villages in developing countries.

∙       diverse – all occupations, backgrounds, & mix of ages, genders, ethnicity, etc. as well as several communities on the North Coast.

We have weekly meetings with great speakers, plus fun activities and socials, and we keep in close touch for our service activities. Many of us have made our best friends in Rotary.

Vision: We envision a world and local community in which everyone has a full education, food, shelter, health care, and wonderful public facilities and gathering places.

Elevator speech - Rotary? Thanks for asking (or Let me tell you) … The Rotary Club of Seaside is a energetic group of people who contribute their time, talent and treasure to projects and programs in our community.  Our members are all ages and backgrounds, and come from all the communities on the North Oregon Coast.  Our members are in small business, nonprofits, professionals, schools, and civic leaders.

Update – here is the RC Seaside draft Vision a Powerpoint slideshow converted to a PDF.
SM

Another step forward this week (May 8-11):-the Rotary grove monument is now sanded and sealed for weather, and the stainless Rotary wheel, interpretive signs, and sample plaques are mounted for all to see.

Pres.Elect Stewart is complaining his arms are nearly off, after 4+ hours of sanding (that’s tough old-growth fir!) – but it’s just part of getting ready for all the world to buy tags in support of the tree replanting project.

Our Rotary club gives its sincere thanks to all who are chipping in to make this possible:

• Katie Voelke and Celeste at NCLC for their advice and coordination
• Alan Evans, along with Gordon Smith and Camp 18 for the custom-sawn log, and Larson Construction and Matt Vaughan for the heavy equipment to install it,
• Joyce Stuber for ordering the interpretive signs, plaques and tags,
• Laura Freedman for organizing the Rotary Conference aspects, and
• Veronica Russell for the tasteful flyer and assistance on the web page, and
• Mogan Wichman for his eye and graphics arts skill.
• We maybe missing others, so please chime in so we can recognize them here.

It’s been a great team effort, by the new Rotarians in the Rotary Club of Seaside!

For anyone reading this – please consider commemorating a person, cause, employee or family member by buying a tag – or more than one.  Click here for how.

SM

The Rotary District 5100 Conference is over … it’s a wrap. There was lots of celebration and song, including a custom rap called “Rotary Paradise” written by emcee Stew Martin, Pres-Elect of the Rotary Club of Seaside. The rap was performed by the Rotary Motley Singers, an ad hoc group assembled quickly at the Conference, to be sure they didn’t hone it too well.

ROTARY PARADISE (The Rotary rap – an alternative)

[Wanna tell me what this is all about?]
As I go through the motions in the valley Willamette,
I take a look at my life and realize it’s bereft,
Cause I’ve been sellin’ and workin’ so long that
Even my mama thinks that most a’my values is gone

But I ain’t never crossed a bridge that I didn’t make
Havin’ respect of peers mebbe just a veil of tears,
You better watch how you talkin, and where you walkin
Or you and your homies may get lost in a fog

I really hate to trip, but this here’s the rip,
The people need us, our influence ‘n experience, fool
We spark a light in the night – it’s right
They be blind – we give ‘em sight
Bring ‘em a“Rotary street light.” [1:13, start after 4 meas.]

[Chorus]
We’ll spend the rest of our lives
Living in the Rotary Paradise
We give the best in our lives
Bringing them a Rotary chance at life!
[Repeat the Chorus]

[Bridge]
Tell me why are we — the ones who see
That the ones we serve – are in poverty.

[Chorus]
We’ll spend the rest of our lives
Living in the Rotary Paradise
We give the best in our lives
Bringing them a Rotary chance at life!
[Repeat the Chorus]

 

The Rotary Motley Singers (from left to right)
Kari Ann McDonald, Rotaract club at Portland State
Sue Coates, RC Lewis River
Laurie Doering, RC Lewis River
Andy Huck, RC Greater Clark County
Stew Martin, RC Seaside
Kathy Stromvig, RC of SE Portland
Bob Foster, RC Battle Ground
Tammy Haas, RC Lewis River
Vern Haas, RC Battle Ground
Jeff Lines, RC Lewis River

From its humble beginnings in 1905, the Rotary Club of Chicago spread across the country. In 1911 found Paul Harris wrote a long article entitled Rational Rotarianism … and with other news became the first Rotary publication. Thanks to Rotary International and Google, you can read it below. Or pop it into your browser, by clicking here.
 

Mark your calendars.  Monday, June 13th.  The Seaside Rotary Club will be putting on the drug free party for the Seaside High School class of 2011.  Club members mark your calenders as help is needed.

RI President-elect Kalyan Banerje (pronounced Kuhl-yarn Banner-gee) reveals the Theme for 2011-12:
“Once Rotarians find their inner strength, they can accomplish great things in their communities and around the world, President Banerje says. Watch an excerpt below from his 17 January speech at the International Assembly, as he unveils the next RI theme, Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.

Rotary Theme 2011 from Rotary International on Vimeo.