Rotary Youth Exchange program is a core program of our Rotary Club. Approximately 30 students come to District 5020 each year, bringing their unique perspectives as ambassadors for a rich cultural exchange. The excitement of being an exchange student is palpable when they arrive to see Tacoma for the first time. So many Rotarians have told me about their relationships with the students and their families that extend years beyond the exchange year. Rotarians are still traveling to foreign places to attend weddings, graduations and family events. Would your family enjoy having this cultural experience? 

Twenty-one past presidents from our club joined together for their annual dinner. Wonderful conversations and sharing our own highlights from this past year – weddings, grandchildren, new homes and wonderful trips. Such a joy to spend time together!  We are already looking forward to next year.

 

How inspiring to see the generosity of our members and hear about why they give to the Tacoma Rotary Foundation.  Joining us to receive awards at the meeting on June 14 were Linda Kaye Briggs,  Pat Steel, Harry Pritchard, Carol Webster, John West,  Cap Pearson, Cynthia Darland, Kathi Willis and Buck Thompson. It should be noted that Buck was receiving his 26th award!

 

 

We had a wonderful meeting on June 7 as we presented a reproduction of our check to Habitat for Humanity.   We have learned that the house we will be building is in Tillicum and that our efforts will begin this summer.  Maureen Fife and Elliot Stockstad delivered the  "wall of hope" stud, which will be at our meetings for each of us to sign and will then be placed in the house we construct.  There will be opportunities throughout the summer for all of us to be involved.  Can't swing a hammer or pound a nail, or raise a wall?  Maybe you can serve refreshments to the workers.  This is going to be a wonderful opportunity for us to all work side by side and change lives in Pierce County!

It's time to sign up for our annual transition of leadership.  We will be hoping for sunny skies, but regardless of the weather what could be better than spending the afternoon on a boat with great friends?  You will enjoy a picnic at Dockton and have the chance to watch Mark get up and personal with a pie in the face, or maybe a dunk in the water.  This is the last week to sign up either at the meeting or you can call the office and we will take your reservations. You will enjoy a great barbecue for $35.  We may still need a boat if you have one that you could offer, or if you have a friend who is a captain! Another option if you can't be away the entire afternoon will be to ferry over. Check your calendar and plan to join in the fun!

 

 

The Fellowship/Relationship Building Committee invites all members of Tacoma #8 to join them on Thursdays at 5 pm. These socials are a great way to meet some new Rotarians or catch up with old friends. Pandakas, these meetings will fulfill your "social" requirement prior to graduation and, for all members, it’s fun.

 

President Mark welcomed everyone to the June 14 meeting of Rotary Club Tacoma on the Roof Top Garden at Tacoma’s Landmark.

Donna Haynes, Pilkey, Hopping and Ekberg gave the invocation, Libby Catalinich, Pierce County led us in the National Anthem and the 4‑Way Test. Thank you to Peter Comfort and the Project Greater Good team for sponsoring the meeting. Jan Brazzell, Advancement Consulting and Sally Glover, South Sound Care brought the mics around the room for Visiting Rotarians to introduce themselves and for members to introduce their guests.

Debbie Regala introduced our speaker Michael Mirra, of the Tacoma Housing Authority. Michael explained that the primary mission of the Tacoma Housing Authority is to provide high quality, affordable housing and supportive services to persons and families in need. They want the households to succeed, not just as tenants, but as "parents, students, wage earners and builders of assets." If they are capable of working, they aim for their time in the programs to be transforming and temporary for adults and children alike. They also want to help our communities succeed, and to do so equitably, with a shared prosperity. They seek to do their part in making neighborhoods "attractive places to live, work, attend school, shop, and play", and to help Tacoma and Pierce County be "safe, vibrant, prosperous, attractive and just." It is projected that there is a 5 year window before Tacoma becomes unaffordable and they are focusing on buying instead of building. They are determined to make sure that Tacoma can handle the higher density and believe that higher density can still ‘look good.’ Recent example of their work are the education project at McCarver Elementary, approval to house 150 TCC students, and a college saving program for the children of Salishan. It has been shown that kids are 4 times more likely to go to college if they have funds set aside for their education.

Congratulations to four new members! Missy Zenczak welcomed Angela and Jack Connelly, Jan Brazzell introduced DeAnne Hamilton and Maria Harlow welcomed Jennifer Wedderman. Jack and Angela Connelly are joining as corporate members. Angela is a long time Tacoman, graduated from Franklin High School and was a Franklin Pierce Daffodil Princess. She is the mother of 9 children and grandmother of 2. Jack attended Lakes High School and Stanford Law School. He practiced for many year with Gordon, Thomas and Honeywell and currently has a private practice in Tacoma and Seattle, Connelly Law Offices. DeAnne Hamilton is the Executive Director for KBTC association and television. Originally from Portland, she attended the University of Washington and earned her degree in journalism. She has two grown kids (New York and Tacoma) and her four legged child, Watson, a 4 1/2 year old golden retriever. Jennifer Weddermann owner and lead architect of Weddermann Architecture. She is LEED certified and is planning to open her new space near El Gaucho in Downtown Tacoma. She is also a talented metal sculpture artist, loves music and has two children, ages 12 and 15.

Kirsten Willis and Peter Comfort used the meeting sponsor time to honor our generous Art Wickens recipients. Congratulation anniversary celebrants John Pfaff (3 years), David Flentge (21 years) Sandi Wollum (10 years), Linda Kaye Briggs (15 years Tacoma 8, however 19 Years total as a Rotarian) Mike Dunbar celebrated birthdays. There were two Rotarians in attendance: Jack Warnick - Jun 11 and Elliot Stockstad - Jun 16. Also celebrating were Jim Merritt, Rob Roth and Bill Pickles.

True confession were made by Elliot Stockstad, Debbie Regala, Clay Zhang, Don Hansen, Pat Steel, Maria Harlow, Mike Dunbar, and Deb Robinett.

President Mark thanked Michael Mirra for speaking to our club, as well as Peter Comfort for the meeting sponsorship, Donna for being our invocator and Libby for being our singer.  He welcome to our new members and thanked to their sponsors. The social was held at Cooks Tavern, 3201 N. 26^th.

Next week, we will hear from Coach John Hutchinson the coach of the Sounders - S2  and Aaron Artman, Tacoma Rainiers President who will talk about their new partnership. Reminder that Galleyside is on June 28.  President Mark charged member to ‘Now go out and Live Rotary!’