WOW - JUST WOW! Tacoma 8 Rotary members are the most generous community members. All of the ornaments have been claimed, although I am sure each of the agencies we are working with will welcome an extra gift card or two, if you haven't had a chance to sign up, just bring the gift card to an upcoming meeting and we will pass it along. The ornaments, attached to the gift or gift card must be returned by December 12.  Please, if you took an ornament with a gift, you are supposed to do the shopping and return the gift unwrapped. (we really don't have little shopping elves standing by to do the shopping for you)  You can return them at meetings or to the office until December 12! Thank you for helping to make the holidays bright for children you will never know, but who will be so grateful.  Gifts this year will go to children at the YWCA domestic violence shelter, Tacoma Rescue Mission’s Adams Family Campus, and Catholic Community Services.  Thank you for your generosity and care for others during the holidays!

Unless written objections are submitted to the Board within 10 days of this posting, the following individual  will be invited to membership: 

 

PAST SERVICE - Education

Consultant

Sponsor: Carol Duris

 

EDUCATION - Vocational Services

Executive Director College Advancement & Foundation

Bates

Sponsor: Lin Zhou

 

ASSNS: SOC SVS - Community Collaborations

Chief Development Officer

United Way

Sponsor: Missy Zenczak

 

November 28
No Social Happy Thanksgiving

President Carol rang the bell then Gus Martin from Life Christian provided the invocation, and Sharon Chambers-Gordon from Windermere Professional Partners led us in the National Anthem and the 4-way Test. She was accompanied by Libby Catalinich, Pierce County, on the piano. Whitney Grisaffi, of Ted Brown Music, served as the meeting sponsor and shared about the 4-generation legacy of the business. She graciously invited Rotarians to visit Ted Brown to participate in a free Drum Circle held every Thursday at 6:30.

In the spirit of the holidays and as a special Thanksgiving version of Tacoma Rotary #8’s program, President Carol invited three Rotarians to share stories of gratitude and thanks.  Jim Harris shared first. As a long time Rotarian, and former club president (’93-94), Jim shared several themes of a lifetime of gratitude. He first shared gratitude for his wife and family. He met his wife, Enid and was engaged 13 days later! This gratitude is personified in four generations of family gathering each Sunday at their house. He also shared gratitude for being able to serve as the architect for several significant buildings in downtown Tacoma. And he shared how his travel through international Rotary conferences and service trips was an another important avenue for gratitude in his life. John Schneider then shared. He likewise gave a great word of thanksgiving for his family, wife and two sons. He expressed gratitude for his work with Edward Jones, particularly the ability to play golf on Fridays and the potential to grow his business as much as he wanted. He gave a particular note of thanksgiving for his recently earning his CFP, along with the faithful support of his branch office administrator, Teresa. Lastly, John expressed gratitude for Rotary #8, where he feels like he has found his tribe and is grateful for the past 17 years of membership. Katrina Self, likewise described the importance of her family as part of what she is grateful for. In particular, she’s made it a point to take on the near-impossible task of teaching her toddlers how to be grateful, saying please and thank you. She wryly expressed gratitude for having preserved 20% of her soul after years as a lawyer in corporate litigation. Significantly, as told through remarkable illustrative photos, Katrina expressed gratitude as well for 80’s hairdos. These included her mom’s perm, her husband’s mullet, and her very own Dorothy Hamill wedge cut. Katrina described deep gratitude for the beauty of the Pacific Northwest in which we are surrounded. And lastly, she described immense gratitude for being connected to Raising Girls, Sharon Chambers-Gordon’s nonprofit—given her emotional connection to this mission, she has her business as a partner and now serves on its board of directors.

President Carol then called on Rusty Hersey and Kirsten Willis to present Art Wickens awards to members; Mike Dunbar, Buck Thompson, Cap Pearson, Rusty Hersey, Becky Fontaine, John McMasters, Cindy Grady, Laura Fox, Jamie Brooks and Jan & Skip Anderson.   Kirsten reported that this year, we have exceed our PGG goal of raising $75k, but are still short of the 75% participation, it's never too late to give.  Cindy Grady then reported that it was time to begin working on the Annual Auction Calling All Heroes. She was accompanied by a stuffed talking parrot. Christina Turner then invited Rotarians to participate in Mary Bridge’s Toys for Kids program, a shopping night for over 300 kids served by the hospital. Anne Voves shared about the Salvation Army bell ringing challenge and the Apple Cup rivalry when the winning alumni of U of W or WSU will be served apple pie on December 5. Carol reminded Rotarians to return ballots for new officers by 12/2.

True confessions followed: True Confession – Gratitude Version;

President Carol then rang the bell, inviting us to be People of Action, and invited us for a packing party associated with the Raising Girls nonprofit.