Events

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PAUL grew up in Eastern Washington (shout out to the 509) where he devoured trivia books and game shows at an early age.  He has been writing/hosting pub quizzes since 2006. You can find him hosting quiz nights at The Skylark Cafe, Crown Bar, and The Local 907 as well as co-hosting the Shall We Compare Thee Podcast and singing with local faves The Profits. Hobbies include drinking lots of coffee and mispronouncing Flo Rida.

Hear from BirdNote Executive Director Nick Bayard about the popular daily public radio show about birds and what BirdNote is doing to advance equity and inclusion in the worlds of public media and environmental conservation. 

Nick Bayard is the Executive Director of BirdNote, a public media nonprofit organization with an estimated 6 million radio and podcast listeners that seeks to inspire people to care about--and take steps to protect--the natural world. Prior to this role, Nick served as Assistant Chief Equity Officer for the City of Tacoma and Director of the REACH Center. He also served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, where he founded a tri-lingual radio show. He holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from Brown University. You can learn more about BirdNote at www.birdnote.org. 

We will also have a few minutes to hear from our Exchange Students Raul and Tomas!

Erin Guinup is the founding Executive and Artistic Director of the Tacoma Refugee Choir. A passionate advocate of community singing and the power of music to heal and unite communities, she has led community singing events and spoken at national conferences for Chorus America, National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Director’s Association, and the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm, Sweden, and TEDxSeattle. and the world premiere of Orson Scott Card and Mark Mitchell’s He is There; singing with Israeli-Palestinian choir Common Ground Voices in Jerusalem and Europe; and vocal workshops with Fortune 100 companies including Amazon. She is a composer and author, contributing to the books So You Want to Sing Music by Women and My Body Was Left on the Street: Music Education and Displacement. Most recently, Erin was named one of five Women to Watch by South Sound Magazine, and she became a Senior Fellow of the Tacoma/Pierce County chapter of the American Leadership Forum in 2022.

The Tacoma Refugee Choir was founded in 2016 to create community for refugees, immigrants, and friends. Refugees and many immigrants often face very difficult conditions before leaving their home countries, and while taking on the practical challenges of establishing a new home, their presence here is too often viewed with suspicion. It can be challenging to foster a sense of belonging under these circumstances, and the resulting sense of isolation can be as emotionally difficult as what people experienced in their countries of origin. One of the most joyful ways to develop a sense of belonging – a basic human need and public health concern alongside food and housing is singing with others. Many studies have observed that singing in groups is a uniquely powerful tool for developing interpersonal bonding and camaraderie.

A member shared: “The Choir is family to me, “adding that TRC helped when she was facing homelessness and connected her to resources to help her launch a business. Maurice, from D.R. Congo, credits TRC for his newfound sense of belonging and growing community engagement. TRC has accumulated many lessons during rehearsal conversations about how to create an inclusive environment for all, one of the most significant being that regardless of background, everyone can learn to be more welcoming.  They hope to share what they have learned with other community partners.

Krystina is the founder and CEO of A Drop in the Ocean, Tacoma’s sustainable living and zero waste shop. While she always considered herself an environmentalist, she never fully considered the impact one person could have until she discovered the zero waste movement in early 2017. Since then, her work has focused on empowering individuals to make change in their lives and in their communities, one small action at a time - what you can, when you can, where you can. She’s seen the ripple effect one person truly can have in their community, and is dedicated to helping others see these ripples, too.

Krystina is the founder and CEO of A Drop in the Ocean, Tacoma’s sustainable living and zero waste shop. While she always considered herself an environmentalist, she never fully considered the impact one person could have until she discovered the zero waste movement in early 2017. Since then, her work has focused on empowering individuals to make change in their lives and in their communities, one small action at a time - what you can, when you can, where you can. She’s seen the ripple effect one person truly can have in their community, and is dedicated to helping others see these ripples, too.

At the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center, employees wear many hats. Roxy Magno serves as the Outreach Supervisor, Triple P Provider, and Support Group Facilitator. She grew up in Puyallup, was born in Tacoma, and completed her undergraduate studies at UWT. She went on to receive her Master of Social Work degree at UW Seattle. Turner Cagle, an ECEAP Lead Teacher and Youth Programs Supervisor, was born and raised in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. He received degrees from Wenatchee Valley College, Tacoma Community College, and Pierce Community College. Peter Cameron, the Special Projects Manager and Data Specialist, was born in Kennewick. He moved to Tacoma with his family in 2000 and graduated from UW. All three of them love to dance.

Col Sergio E. Anaya is the Commander, 62d Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He ensures the readiness of more than 2,400 active-duty military and civilian personnel, along with 40 permanently assigned C-17A Globemaster III aircraft that support worldwide combat and humanitarian airlift and airdrop operations. As the provider of the Prime Nuclear Airlift Forces, the 62d Airlift Wing is the only wing in the Department of Defense tasked to airlift nuclear and nuclear-related cargo. In addition, the 62d Airlift Wing serves as the primary active-duty wing in support of Operation DEEP FREEZE, partnering with Reserve, Guard, and civilian agencies to provide airlift support for the National Science Foundation’s U.S. Antarctic Program. Col Anaya also serves as the U.S. Air Force Senior Service Component Commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, representing interests of approximately 7,000 Total Force Airmen to the Joint Base Partnership Council and the surrounding community.

As the Chief Information Officer and Director of Acquisitions, Caleb Summerfelt oversees a fabrication and engineering company that breathes life into various unique creations. Working with a wide range of materials, including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and even digital media, Caleb’s team redefines what is possible. From specialized screws to massive industrial complexes, there is no limit to their capabilities.

But Caleb’s passion doesn’t stop there. He recently unfurled the vibrant wings of NSB Design Works, also known as Bowerbirdling Design, a design firm that operates on a mission to help solve problems with an innovative flare. With a comprehensive methodology supporting each client from start to finish, they excel in estimating, designing, project management, fabrication, and even field installation. From an idea to a tangible reality, Caleb’s company guides clients through a transformative journey, redefining the limits of creative expression.

Education is the cornerstone of Caleb. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Master’s Degree in Architecture, a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management Technology, and a Ph.D., his thirst for knowledge fuels his innovative endeavors. Adding to his repertoire, Caleb holds multiple certificates from Washington State University, including Constraints Management, Project Management, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management. His Jonah Certification further solidifies his passion for solving problems.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Caleb loves helping within his community. He has served as a past Club President, District 5020 Public Image Chair, and Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone 26 and 27. Not content with conventional contributions, he ignited the creative flame as the creator of the District 5020 Magazine – Unite District 5020, with special appreciation to all contributors who have helped create captivating stories and inspiring content pulling in readers monthly from across the globe. As the District 5020 Governor for 2023-2024 and District 5020 Communications Chair, Caleb’s unwavering dedication to work tirelessly to help support the clubs and members in the District allowing us to continue to shape the future of our District.

Caleb’s commitment to philanthropy shows his dedication and love for his community. As a Paul Harris Society Member and a Major Donor Level 2 member of the Bequest and Legacy Society, he embraces the spirit of giving wholeheartedly. His pride shines through as a member of the Puget Sound Designers Passport Rotary, a club singularly devoted to tackling the universal challenge of Technology. Though intentionally small clubs, their impact reverberates as its members pool their expertise in design and engineering to deliver unmatched support. In its first year of service, this remarkable collective has already provided over $200,000 in transformative services to fellow Rotarians and communities in need.

Caleb Summerfelt is a champion of progress where each endeavor, he reshapes the landscape of possibility, hoping to inspire others to dream bigger and reach higher.