Club Information
Rotary Club of La Conner

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
Shawn O'Donnell's Farmhouse Restaurant
11376 LaConner-Whitney Rd
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
United States of America
Everyone is Welcome
5:30 - Set-Up, Social, Meal
6:00 - Formal Meeting
Note: 3rd Monday of the month is devoted to club business (Committee Reports & Boards), and maybe via Zoom. All members are invited to attend.
The Latest News from the "Make it Happen" Club
The inspiration was provided by Lyanne on “What I’ve Learned” by author unknown.
See the Read More at end for Lyanne’s full version.
 
Marty introduced our guest speakers for the evening - Youth Engaged in Service (YES) students Marlin Bralens and Hadden Zimmerman.
They described their trip to Ecuador last summer with Spanish 2 & 3 high school students.
They approached many clubs to fund their trip.  Rotary donated the most of the clubs they visited.
For the YES program, they are going to Honduras June 20-30 with 9 other kids, and need to raise money. Attend Luck of the Irish on 3/1 at Shawn O’Donnell’s - $65/ticket. The tickets are to raise money for materials to paint a school, build a playground, and install a water tank.
They showed pictures from their trip to Ecuador. The first day was in Quito visiting Cuidad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City) at Latitude 0°. They then visited Tena where they tried beetle larva worms grilled as shish kabob-like Jalapeno poppers, and saw wild monkeys.  They took boats to islands, and played basketball with local kids.
Hadden made a pottery bowl. Everyone tried a blow gun, and Hadden hit a bullseye.
They went whitewater rafting on the river. In a hot springs town (baños) they tried street food such as pig stomach. They hiked at altitude in Cotopaxi National Park.  They enjoyed a dance party.
 
They signed a Spanish book which goes to our mobile library in Honduras.
 
Lori recommended signing up for:
La Conner High School Blood Drive, Landy-James High School Gym
502 N 6th St., La Conner, WA
Friday, February 21st, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Call Bloodworks NW at 800-398-7888, or click bloodworksnw.org/giveblood
 
Susan Guterbock noted that next year our Assistant Governor will be our wonderful current President, Audrey Gravely, and wished us a Happy New Year. She then spoke as follows:
Be a champion for End Polio Now. And of course, have fun.
You can go to the district website for a schedule of speakers and events for the District Conference.   They are going to have a murder mystery game over the weekend, with clues given throughout the conference. They'll have great music from the Dueling Pianos. They are amazing and will be at the gala dinner.
I won't go over the food, but I'm going for the Dueling Pianos. You get a discount for the nearby outlet mall, and can visit the House of Magic. See the projects and opportunities, and meet Rotarians from both Canada and the US in the district. You get some ideas for really good projects.
The conference is just down the road, the first weekend of May, from the 2nd to the 4th. Join because it's interactive and includes a morning 5K walk or run on Sunday. There are three guest speakers. The first is Jennifer Jones, a Canadian who was our President last year. She was the first female president in Rotary's history. She's been in many leadership positions in Rotary, does a lot with peace projects, and is the co-chair of the End Polio Now countdown. She's important.
The second speaker is Ramesh Ferris, also a Canadian and a polio survivor. In 2008, he hand-cycled 7,140 kilometers (about 4,500 miles) from BC to Cape Spear in Newfoundland. He had a program called Cycle to Walk to raise funds and awareness for polio eradication. There's a picture of him on the website.
The third speaker is Gwen Jones, the creator and producer of the "I Am a Rotarian" podcast. She also has a program called "Greetings from America" on Rotary Rodeo UK. The goal of her podcast is to introduce the extraordinary people of Rotary, and share their incredible work. Her podcast can be heard on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Lastly, I encourage you to read the January Rotary Magazine. There's a story about the woman on the cover who was kidnapped in Nigeria, and how they got her out. It's an incredible story. My favorite story is about a mama duck and the artist she inspired. Baby ducks can do everything except fly, and she put them in a nest that was too high, so they would fall out. This artist did some drawings. Read it; it's fun.
Thank you.
A final third recommendation for new member applicant Tate Ohl was made without objections.  The board has approved her membership.  Therefore, she and her sponsor Christi came up, and Tate was pinned as a new member of La Conner Rotary.
 
Our Rotary meeting on January 13, 2025, featured a grant for Camp Kirby, and a speech by Joe Bowen on Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.
  • Camp Kirby Grant: The Rotary Club supported Camp Kirby with a $500 grant for climbing equipment. Marcus Roskamp discussed the camp's technology-free environment and its positive impact on children's well-being.
    See Read More for additional details.
  • Guest Speaker Joe Bowen: Joe Bowen, a local attorney and Kiwanis Club member, spoke about Martin Luther King Jr.'s impact on civil rights and the ongoing struggle for justice.
    Joe Bowen detailed the historical context of MLK's work, including the civil rights movement, the fight against segregation, and the importance of nonviolence.
Summary of Joe Bowen's speech which was a profound reflection on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and justice in America:
Joe Bowen began by acknowledging his long-standing involvement with the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon and his appreciation for community service clubs like Rotary. He emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of these clubs and their role in fostering community service.
He then delved into the historical context of Martin Luther King Jr.'s work, starting with the civil rights leader's early career in 1955. Bowen highlighted the long and arduous journey toward justice, beginning with the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in 1619 and the subsequent centuries of oppression and violence. He recounted significant events such as the Civil War, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and the implementation of Jim Crow laws.
Bowen discussed the landmark Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson, which upheld the constitutionality of "separate but equal" accommodations and further entrenched racial segregation. He also touched on the violent backlash against African Americans, including lynchings and race riots, and the efforts of organizations like the NAACP to combat these injustices.
He then turned to Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership in the civil rights movement, emphasizing King's commitment to nonviolence and his faith as guiding principles. Bowen recounted King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington, where King articulated his vision of a nation where people are judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.
Bowen highlighted King's belief that true peace is not merely the absence of tension but the presence of justice. He stressed the importance of changing both laws and hearts to achieve lasting social change. Bowen also quoted King's assertion that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," underscoring the interconnectedness of all people.
In conclusion, Bowen reflected on King's enduring legacy and the ongoing work needed to fulfill his vision of equality and justice. He urged the audience to continue striving for a better future by living the ideals of the Constitution and working to improve their communities. Bowen ended his speech by reminding everyone that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things, just as Martin Luther King Jr. did.
 
Full speech in Read More.
 
At our January 6, 2025 Rotary Meeting,  President Audrey Gravley called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.  Audrey led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-Way test.  January is Vocational Service Month.
 
The inspiration was provided by Ollie:
Ten Inspirational New Year Quotes 2025
  • “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” – Vern McLellan
  • “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” – J.P. Morgan
  • “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” – Plato
  • “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
  • “And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
  • “Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S. Eliot
  • “The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.” – Melody Beattie
  • “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley
  • “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – Les Brown
Lyanne introduced our guests this evening: 
  • Molly McNulty from Skagit River Poetry Foundation
  • Tate Ohl, applicant to join our club
  • Dave Cram, Interim Superintendent La Conner School District

La Conner School District Levy

Karen introduced our guest speaker for the evening, David Cram.  He has 28 years in school finance and is co-owner of Balance Point Physical Therapy.
 
David began by thanking our Rotary for our donations of time and talent.  His kids have also been recipients.
 
His presentation provided school district info only, not how to vote on the Educational Programs and Operations (EPO) Replacement Levy which has previously been called the
Maintenance and Operations Levy.
 
The school district reserves dropped down to only $25,000, but not negative. This has caused restructuring and right-sizing the district to fit funding.  For example, 6 Admins are now down to 2.5 FTE (Full Time Equivalents).
The La Conner School District was released from financial oversight by the State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in November.  The district has been under what are known as binding conditions since August 2023 when it was unable to provide a balanced budget for the 2023-2024 school year, and had little in financial reserves. The district went from $25,000 in financial reserves at the start of the 2023-2024 school year to about $1.1 million by the end of the year. 

School Update
  • Released from binding conditions
  • Enrollment: 463.17 FTE
  • Total staff: 42.53 FTE Certificated and 30.82 FTE Classified
  • Budget $12,928,993.00
  • Current Projects: HVAC Grant - $1.5 million and Solar Grant - $1.9 million
5 years ago, the district had nearly 600 students, but now has 463. Previously there were 100 FTE Classified employees, those with no teaching certificate and others such as treasurer and school bus drivers.
 
Previously there was a $15M budget; they cut $2M out.  The 1974 HS (was the round building) got $1.5M grant from state for new HVAC. Solar was installed on middle school which has the newest roof, and has battery backup for disasters.  7 companies bid, and 1 was approved.
 
Levy vs Bonds:
  • EPO Levy: EPO funds enable the district to support educational programs and operations, including teaching, school supplies, technology, athletics, building maintenance, transportation, and other educational needs.
  • Bonds: Bonds are used for new construction and large renovations of existing buildings.
The levy expires in 2025.
Due to McLeary decision, the district must use the lesser of 2 methods to calculate.
Levy Guidelines:
School district enrichment levies are limited to the lessor of $2,500 per pupil ($3,149.69 current), as increased by inflation, or $2.50 per $1,000 assessed property valuation.
The board's goal was to keep our Levy in line with current levies. The board approved asking in 2025 for $1,054K - about a 3% increase for COLA.
 
EPO Levy Caps
Projected for 2026
The Law requires the district to use the lessor
Max Levy Per Tax Rate ($2.50)                       $ 2,420,000.00
Max Levy Per Pupil ($3,315.52)                    $ 1,657,760.00
Voter-approved Collection for La Conner Schools
                                                                      2024               $ 1,023,519.00
                                                                      2025               $ 1,054,215.00
Extracurricular expenses - coaches, officials, transportation - are not covered by the state. Security is not covered.  The district has 40 cameras across the district, and must keep them up-to-date - rotating every 4-5 years.   These were recently used first day back from holiday break after someone broke into bus barn.
 
You need badges to get in via badge fobs.  Special Ed is not fully funded by state; $1.25M is needed but the state paid $1M.   Need Technology - wireless, new computer every 4-5 yrs.
District also incurs costs for curriculum adoption. 
Anacortes has Refinery tax base giving low rate, otherwise La Conner has one of the lowest rates.
Skagit County 2024 Collection
  
 
Educational, Programs and Operations Levy
Technology/ Capital Projects Levy
TOTAL
La Conner
$1.11
-
$1.11
 
  
 
School
Per Thousand EPO
Per Thousand Tech/Capital
Total
Mount Vernon
2.36
0.74
3.1
Sedro-Woolley
2.1
0.42
2.51
Burlington Edison
1.61
0.57
2.17
Conway
1.39
0.09
1.48
Concrete
1.41
-
1.41
Anacortes
0.79
0.3
1.08
Avg
1.46
0.27
1.73
 

Audience questions:

How would you compare what you can offer to students vs other districts?
All districts are making difficult decisions.  For example, at secondary level, the 7-period day with more electives is down to a 6-period day – a cheaper model to run. Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley use a block schedule -- 8 classes, 4/day, each 90 minutes long. They are finding they can't afford them; they are going to 6 periods.  Anacortes has a 7-period day.
  
Lori said the teaching staff are well taken care of and La Conner has a low turnover rate. There are additional opportunities with Tech Academy and Running Start. 
Less preps are needed for 6 periods instead of 7, saving a teacher FTE for not paying out planning time.
David’s eldest daughter got an AA via Running Start.
NCTA - NW Career and Tech Academy.  A bus goes to Mount Vernon with 10 kids, and to Anacortes with 4-5 kids for Marine teach.   Skills Center is only in the afternoon, with morning classes in La Conner.
 
Alternative Learning Program (ALP) is for students who struggle with conventional setup. It runs 9-12 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, with assignments outside of the classroom.
 
There are more requirements now than 50 years ago.  State has Core24 -- 24 credits to Graduate. With a 6-period day, max is 24 credits.  If you fail one, you may not graduate. The district provides credit retrieval, summer school, ALP programming to help. A world Language is now required. 3 years of math is the minimum, with 4 years encouraged. Fine Arts are required and some Music.  Electives such as Band and Art exist. There is J-Term Tutoring for struggling students who possibly have an F – an after-school program with grant funding to help them pass their courses.
 
Students are choosing into other districts. This year’s Choice transfers -- 35 went out and 30 came in. 2 years ago, 50 chose out.  The challenge is much smaller incoming classes.  2024 may be the last of the smallest students’ sizes: 21 kids in kindergarten 2024, now first grade; 31 kids in 2025. With 35 seniors going out and only 21 first graders incoming, the funding continues to shrink.
 
Are there anticipated state-level changes with the new Governor?
School districts are pushing MSOC – Material, Support Operating Costs.   For example,
5 yrs ago it cost $94K for insurance; now there is $235K insurance costs for liability, buses, property, etc., but the school gets only $70K funding from state. Most of heating is natural gas boilers.
Very enlightening and educational program!  Everyone was very engaged and had some great questions.

Announcements: 

Rotary presented a $2,000 check to Molly for Skagit River Poetry Festival which has their annual auction at mid-day brunch on Saturday, May 4th. Molly distributes copies of student poems from the last 2 years, and the book “On Gifting Black Feathers” by Tony Curtis.
As has been reported, our partnership with Helping Hands Foodbank will allow our dollars for weekend food packs to stretch even further. At last week's board meeting, it was recommended and approved that up to $750 of our weekend food budget be spent restocking the clothing closet at the elementary school.
This is an opportunity for an interested club member (or members) to be our Champion(s) and to work with the school counselor managing this valuable resource for kids. 
 
Audrey’s closing remark:
Oscar Wilde's quote, "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
 
 
 
At our final meeting of the year Ollie had this blessing to offer:
 
ROTARY MEETING BLESSINGS 12/30/24
 
As we are near to the end of 2024, I feel it is time to say a few blessings and I will start by blessing this food and drink we have in front of us and bless those who make and serve it.
Our amazing club does so much, and a few thoughts come to mind. Bless the pancake flipper and all of her workers at our Santa Breakfast. And bless Santa, who sits and talks with the kids during that breakfast and again at the Gilkey Christmas tree lighting. Throughout the year we have so many wonderful projects, so let’s bless the folks who buy, wrap and distribute the kid’s food for the weekends. And also bless those who buy and wrap and deliver Christmas presents for families in need. Bless those who distribute dictionaries and books to the school kids. And bless those who plan and work on our annual auction and tulip sales. And bless all of our Rotarians who work on the Yes Program and bless our people who travel and work in Honduras.  This list goes on and on and what I am saying is not even close to being complete.
Bless you all for what you do and may we do it again next year, maybe even better. We really are the “Happening Club” and it shows, bless you all.
 
Oh, and a special remembrance for President Jimmy Carter who passed at age 100.
 
Tate Ohl submitted her membership application.
 
Lyanne Gronning gave her classification talk. She is third generation Washingtonian growing up in the Arlington area. Her father worked in tjhe lumbar industry and her mother was a postal worker. She has one brother who tried out for the NFL but didn't make a team. Sports has been a large part of her and her family's life. For awhile her mother held the title in Marysville for shot put and Lyanne came up second. Lyanne loves football.
Travel is another big part of her life starting with two trips to Japan while in high school. For awhile she studied Japanese thinking it would lead to a career. She has hosted 18 foreign exchange students through Rotary. She has belonged to two other Rotary clubs in the past and her daughter helped start the interact club in Arlington.
Her career started as a nanny for a family in NYC who had an 11 year old foster child. Her contacts there led to a part time job in computers just as internet got launched. This led to other opportunities and started in banking at Merril Lynch and eventually ended up in mortgages. She was briefly married and had a daughter in that time frame. After the divorce she moved back to WA and continued her career in mortgages and became a loan officer. Her dream job was to be the director of the Boys and Girls Club which she had been a part of in some fashion since high school. Then Covid hit and all that changed. She got remarried three years ago and moved to Skagit county. She presently is back in the computer world working with automated response systems for medical services.
 
Audrey shared our club goals. We have 15 goals and have met 8 of those goals half way through the year. Membership wise we have a goal of 29 members and are at 27. We have a goal of two new sponsored members and we are at 1. Leadership participation: we have not yet met district conference or assembly participation goals because those haven't yet occurred. We have a goal of 5 members participating in leadership trainings and so far 4 have. We have had 3/3 social events and met the goal with 22 members participating in a service porject. We have not yet recorded three service projects with RI because they are not yet completed. Online presence, use of Rotary materials, news articles, etc has been met. We have met out goal of donations to RI foundation but not yet to Polio Plus.
 
Patsy was presented her Paul Harris 2+ virtually.
 
At our December 23, 2024 Rotary Club of La Conner Meeting Christi King led a discussion about membership.
 
Some of the discussion is given below.   See also excerpts from Christi's slides in Read More at bottom.
PLEASE COME TO A MEETING
We need new members.
An issue at the Tiny Trees event was they couldn't find our logo and used our website banner with bridge vs Rotary Wheel.   When we pay to sponsor or we volunteer, we need to make sure they have the right logo.
Adam is creating QR codes, e.g., QR code at Maple Hall.
 
How do we find who we should invite to the meeting?
Advertising:
Skagit Herald (presuming La Conner Weekly dies)
Talk with Rotaract folks
Where and what does Rotaract post on social media?
Doug:   The Chamber of Commerce claimed they can't give us the address list.
Doug said he was refused after saying he was with La Conner Rotary and that we were members.
There are no more Chamber of Commerce meetings.
 
Many types of people we could invite: school district, Police, Fire, Township?
John:  Who do we invite?   Look at prior classifications:
Medical
City Hall
Restaurant
Retail community
 
Every current member shares the responsibility to find speakers and find new members.
Doug:   Who is our “competition”?
Kiwanis
PEO - women
Soroptimist - women
We previously joined with others in La Conner United.
 
Challenge - young people with families.
Audrey encourages her son (every other week - when he doesn't have kids)
Marty - More Adam’s age bracket and the newly retired.
Christi shared many ideas out of the membership committee.
Refresh of Farmers & Merchants -- we all bring guests.
Good program for Farmers & Merchants.
Help others understand what Rotary is and what it does.
 
Ice cream social with the Chamber of Commerce (where Keith joined)
Community
Talk about their club and mission 
5th Monday socials and field trips
Marty - pick a project
traffic circle
food packing
Partner with other clubs.
 
Lyanne is a proponent of fireside chats to do something social to meet new members.
Do more with the 4th of July parade, not just a sign.
Have a Tulip parade float with info about/pics about what we’re doing.
 
How do we go to town hall and share what we do?
Doug -- Ollie and Marty walk the town to invite for Farmers and Merchants (F&M).
Can they promote Rotary as they do the invites?
Platform to simplify registration.   We have that for the auction.
Invite people who come to visit and F&M invitees to become members.
At the end of F&M, thank them and invite them to come to a meeting.
 
Most recent member, Lyanne, was referred to us due to the meeting time and location.
Tate is considering membership due to her dad.
Audrey joined after being a speaker.
Danya joined because Audrey asked her.
 
Give new members a mentor and walk them through the perspective new member survey.
Christi has given it to Tate.
What is her passion?
2-hour conversation.
Into Natural arts, community, and schools.
 
We should use the RI and District tools for new members.
Discuss at the board meeting what two things to focus on to get new members.
Update the Rotary card and poster to be La Conner specific.
 
As a speaker, Christi got to sign a book for the Honduras library.
 
Danielle - Merchants at Garden Club
They want money and want us to join.
Doug: Thank-you night; we don't want your money.
Don - Chamber didn't know about F&M, so we didn’t get their email circulation. 
 
Can we get Tulip Sales on the Chamber of Commerce calendar (and LoveLaConner)?
The auction date on the District Calendar now.  Tulip sales on the District calendar.
 
Announcements:
F&M night -- ideas for speakers?
Save the date, etc. will go out last week of January.
John about SPARC:
Thanks for participating.
$2600 goal became over $3000.
3 single moms, 1 raised by grandparents, 1 Mother, SPARC kid, father and 2 kids.
 
Audrey’s closing remarks: 
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia
 
At our December 09, 2024 Meeting, Marty introduced Phil Cohen from Anacortes Food Coop.
Phil discussed the challenges faced when moving onto a property with incomplete construction left by the previous owners. This situation delayed his transfer from two to almost eleven months, resulting in significant product loss due to expiration. The property had issues with unpermitted pavement and other construction tasks that required permits, which the new owner had to address.
Phil, with a background in small government civil engineering, helped expedite the permit process, but it still took ten months to resolve. He mentioned the lack of ventilation and parking issues at his previous location, which hindered impulse shoppers.
Phil also shared information about his contributors and the high quality of local food. He expressed gratitude for being in an area with fresh produce and discussed his efforts to build a clientele. The presentation concluded with discussing the co-op in Anacortes and its contributions to the community. 

Rotary International Convention - Calgary

Karen introduced Sean Hogan, our guest speaker for the evening.
Sean Hogan joined Rotary on his 27th birthday and he's been active in the club,
district, and international levels of Rotary, including serving as district Governor in 2012-13.  Rotary has enriched Sean and his family, giving them friends, opportunities, and experiences around the world.  Sean is a lawyer, and people like him anyway.
Sean expressed his excitement about traveling and visiting Rotary clubs again, emphasizing the importance of fellowship and friendship within Rotary. He introduced the upcoming Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in June 2025, highlighting it as a unique opportunity for Rotarians to experience the global impact of Rotary.
Sean encouraged every Rotarian to attend at least one international convention to see the power of the organization and meet people from around the world. He shared his personal experiences attending conventions in various countries and described the diverse and friendly atmosphere.
Sean provided details on the convention, including registration, pricing, and housing options. He mentioned the House of Friendship, where attendees can explore Rotary projects, buy and sell items, and enjoy entertainment. The opening plenary session on Sunday and the closing session on Saturday were highlighted as key events featuring notable speakers and performers.
Overall, Sean emphasized the value of attending the convention for networking, learning, and experiencing Rotary on a global scale.
Sean recommended staying until Thursday after the Rotary International Convention in Calgary to fully enjoy the closing plenary on Wednesday afternoon and the local district get-together on Wednesday night. He highlighted Calgary as a great host city, known for its hospitality and events such as the Calgary Stampede.
Sean detailed various events organized by the Host Organizing Committee, including the grandstand spectacle on Saturday, the rock in the big tent event, and the indigenous celebration on Sunday. He also mentioned the host hospitality event and the beyond borders zone event on Monday night, as well as the Western Ranch showcase on Tuesday.
Sean encouraged attendees to interact with Rotarians from around the world, and shared personal experiences of meeting interesting people at past conventions. He emphasized the value of attending breakout sessions on various topics, and the opportunity to connect with fellow Rotarians.
Several attendees shared their positive experiences at previous Rotary conventions, highlighting the international flavor, networking opportunities, and the sense of community within Rotary. Sean concluded by encouraging everyone to consider attending the convention in Calgary.
Very enlightening and educational program!  Everyone was very engaged and had some great questions.
 

Announcements: 

 
Farmers and Merchants Night has been scheduled on March 3rd.  Doug Moore is looking for speaker suggestions. Think about who might be a great speaker for our Farmers and Merchants Night, and let Doug know.
 
Dennis and Connie Milliken were awarded their Paul Harris Fellow +8 pins, which is a significant recognition. Audrey expressed excitement about pinning them, and acknowledged their generous contributions to the foundation.
We received a thank you card from Campfire Camp Kirby:
"Dear La Conner Rotary members,
Thank you for your donation to help us purchase climbing wall equipment for Camp Kirby. The climbing wall is one of our most popular activities. No kidding—you can rope up and climb! This equipment will help us ensure the safety of all our campers.
Thank you for your longstanding support of Camp Kirby and for all the great work you do in our communities. We are thankful for you.
Sincerely, Maris Rose Camp, Executive Director"

Election

 
The email from Marty, Dec. 8, with the subject Nominations for 2025-26 was displayed on the screen.   No additional candidates came forward.
 
The email was the third announcement of officers, directors, and chairs for our Rotary year 2025-26.
 
Club board:
President: Marty
President elect: Lori
Vice president: John
Past president: Audrey
Treasurer: Don
Secretary: Connie
Club service director: Karen
Community service director: Patsy
Youth service director: Adam
Vocation/literacy service director: Doug
International service director: Danielle
 
Keith made a motion to elect all the candidates.  Adam seconded.   No objections, all ayes.  The motion carried.
 

 
We held our holiday party, arranged by Cathy Squires  at Max Dale's on Dec 16.   
See more photos below.
At our Dec. 23, 2024 meeting the inspiration was provided by John Milnor:

Christmas Time
Christmas time is many things, to many people;
It's a time to share with family & friends the good times and events of the closing year, often with
pictures or newsletters;
Christmas week is often time to begin planning for the New Year and coming events;
December is a time of Christmas parties, including events with friends & family and/or public galas
and musical performances;
For most of us it is a time of buying gifts to exchange with family & friends;
Some of us, take time to shop for those who are less fortunate;
Christmas time is a time to prepare delicious meals & cookies for parties and events;
It is also a time to donate food & cash to people & organizations, in need of food assistance;
For those who can carry a tune, it is a time for sign-a-longs;
For the rest of us, it is a time to enjoy a tune or two on radios, home theaters or community
concerts;
Christmas is a time to rejoice in our good fortune & dream of our hopes for the future;
For many, it is a time of Christian celebration;
For me, I'm happy with yule log fire, a couple of presents & a glass of eggnog, in a quiet family
setting
Merry Christmas to all.
 
At our December 2, 2024 Rotary Meeting.
 
Karen introduced our guest speaker for the evening, former club member Carol Johnson, speaking on Avoiding Scams. Carol was born and raised in Billings, Montana, and attended Montana State University. She became an X-ray technician and moved to Denver, Colorado, to work at a children's hospital. Later, she returned to Montana and started an estate liquidation business. Carol also earned her pilot's license and became a certified scuba diver. She and her husband traveled extensively and enjoyed cross-country skiing. After her husband's passing, Carol moved back to Skagit Valley to be near family and friends. She enjoys traveling, volunteering, and various fun activities.
 
Carol shared her experience of being scammed twice, emphasizing the emotional impact and prevalence of scams. She recounted receiving a fraudulent email about a TV purchase and another scam involving their LifeLock account. Despite being cautious, she fell victim to a scam that resulted in a significant financial loss.
 
Carol highlighted the emotional toll of being scammed, including feelings of embarrassment and depression. She stressed that scammers are professionals who exploit emotions and pressure their victims. Carol shared various types of scams, including investment, romance, and charity scams, and provided tips on recognizing and avoiding scams.
 
She also mentioned the importance of not giving out personal information, and being cautious with emails and phone calls. Carol concluded by encouraging everyone to protect themselves and stay informed about the latest scam tactics.
Carol provided several tips to avoid scams:
  • Caller ID and Unknown Numbers: Don't trust caller ID or answer calls from unknown numbers. Scammers often use these methods to fish for victims.
  • Emails and Links: Never click on links from unknown sources. Be cautious with emails, especially those from Gmail, as they can be scams.
  • Social Media: Be careful about sharing personal information on platforms such as Facebook, as scammers can use this information.
  • Pop-ups and Texts: Block unwanted pop-ups, calls, and texts. Monitor your mail with informed delivery from USPS.
  • Online Banking: Use strong, unique passwords with at least 15 characters, and enable two-factor authentication.
  • Odd Payment Methods: Be wary of payments via Zelle, Venmo, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these are often untraceable.
  • Credit Reports: Freeze your credit reports to prevent unauthorized actions, and monitor for any suspicious activity.
  • Door-to-Door Sales: Never sign contracts without checking the company's reputation. Be cautious of pest control companies and other services that may have hidden fees.
  • Reporting Scams: If scammed, report it to the authorities and relevant agencies. Keep evidence, and revise passwords on financial accounts.
Doug discussed the risks associated with QR codes, highlighting that scammers can place fake QR codes over legitimate ones at places like gas stations and restaurants. This can lead to unsuspecting users being directed to malicious websites.
 
Others shared personal anecdotes about scams, including an elderly customer at a bank who was almost scammed out of $10,000, and a family member who lost $30,000 to a scam involving a fake Mercedes Benz prize. These stories emphasized the importance of being vigilant and involved, especially with elderly relatives who can be easily targeted.
 
Carol, the speaker, provided stickers to remind people to be cautious about scams. The meeting concluded with a thank you to Carol for her bravery in sharing her experiences. The club acknowledged her contribution by asking her to sign a Spanish language book for a mobile library in Honduras, supporting children's education.
It was a very enlightening and educational program!  Everyone was very engaged and had some great questions.
 
Farmers and Merchants Night has been scheduled for March 3.
 
Audrey’s closing remarks:  Anglican preacher Henry Melvill said:
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.
 
At our November 25, 2024, Rotary Club of La Conner - All Member Meeting.
The Braves Club gave us a whole packet of Thank you notes for the pumpkins.
Audrey pulled out just a few that she thought were kind of cool and cuter.
 
We are still looking for a club Vice President, who wishes to be President in 27-28 (and President Elect in 26-27). Please let Audrey know.   That would be serving as Vice President this coming year.  Several past Presidents described how rewarding it had been.
 
Audrey went through the club action plan by going through self-assessment results that she had collected the week prior to this meeting.
Scoring System:
  • The scoring system ranges from 1 to 4, with 1 indicating a need for significant improvement, 2 suggesting some improvement needed, 3 indicating satisfactory performance, and 4 representing excellent performance.
 
Areas of Focus:
  1. Increasing Impact:
    • Clear Goals and Responsibilities: The club has a plan with priorities reviewed annually, and members are familiar with and support these priorities.
    • Community Needs: Plans are shaped by community issues, with periodic assessments and input from community partners.
    • Continuity and Collaboration: A multi-year succession plan ensures collaboration and continuity, with clear role descriptions for key positions.
    • Enhanced Participation: Meetings, social events, and projects are well-organized, well-attended, and enjoyable, fostering participation and meaningful friendships.
    • Participant Input: Members are well-informed, enthusiastic, and engaged, with opportunities to bring their passions to the club.
Scoring Results:
  • The highest scores were in community collaboration and participant impact, reflecting the club's strong engagement and willingness to volunteer.
Club Engagement:
  • The club is noted for its high level of engagement, with members readily volunteering and participating in activities.
Expanding Our Reach:
  • Partnerships: The club scores highest in partnerships, benefiting from relationships with other service organizations, the school district, the library, and museums.
  • Growth: The club faces challenges in growth and needs to reflect the community better through its membership.
Enhancing Participant Engagement:
  • The club excels in participant engagement, with high scores in variety, fun, and caring. Members are active and make things happen.
Increasing Ability to Adapt:
  • Innovation: The club supports new ideas and continuous improvement through tools, templates, and resources.
  • Relevance: Activities evolve to suit the diverse membership and attract new members.
  • Awareness: Regular events and new ways to tell the club's story help build awareness.
  • Openness: The club reaches out to those who might not have seen Rotary as an opportunity.
Dynamic Integration:
  • Pursuing Excellence: The club focuses on excellent member experiences.
  • Focused Effort: Leaders are responsible for club service, public image, and member engagement.
  • Collaboration: Leaders work together to strengthen efforts.
  • Welcoming: The club is welcoming and has eliminated cliques and inappropriate behaviors.
Overall Score:
  • The club's total score is 74.33 out of 100, indicating a passing grade but with room for improvement.
Additional Comments:
  • Pronounce names correctly when visitors attend.
  • Consider ways to honor the nationality of Canadian visitors.
  • Evaluate if the Pledge of Allegiance is the best way to open meetings to attract a more diverse membership.
  • Discuss goals and progress at each board meeting.
  • Solicit community ideas for hands-on projects.
  • Perform visioning activities and fireside chats.
  • Mix up meetings with fun facts and celebrations to help members get to know each other.
  • Solicit more ideas from members who attend regularly but may not share their ideas.
  • The club is stable with its current meeting structure, projects, and fundraisers. However, introducing small changes can keep things fresh and meaningful for members. Suggestions include tours of local businesses, social activities, and involving members in finding speakers.
  • The club should visit other clubs to bring back ideas, meet with local nonprofits, and stay connected with the town council. Publicizing events and projects can encourage community participation, especially from tribal members.
  • The club can join community committees to solicit more members and ideas. Partnerships with the Chamber, fire and police departments, schools, libraries, merchants, farmers, and tribes can broaden engagement.
  • Members are open to new ideas and willing to share if asked. Understanding each member's interests can help attract more members and encourage participation. Mentorship for new members and structured orientation can aid learning.
  • A five-year strategic plan with regular discussions on progress is suggested. Soliciting ideas from members at least four times a year can ensure meaningful projects. Recognizing and thanking volunteers for their contributions is important.
  • The club should try new things, such as varying the meeting agenda, introducing district or international topics, and experimenting with new projects. Learning from other clubs' best practices can be beneficial.
  • Focusing on youth programs and listening to ideas from scholarship recipients and Rotaract members can attract the next generation. The membership committee should focus on awareness and holding events to attract new members.
  • Ensuring every member's passions are heard and aligning projects with their interests can enhance member experience. Encouraging committee participation and sharing good works at board meetings is essential.
  • Suggestions were made to enhance the greeter's role by having them announce who is logged in, perform sound checks, and monitor for raised hands during virtual meetings.
The club identified areas needing improvement, particularly in awareness and openness. These areas scored low and require attention to attract new members and build awareness of the club's work.
  • Emphasize that attracting new participants is everyone's responsibility. Club growth should be a regular agenda item at meetings.
  • The club needs to improve public visibility and celebrate member participation in community events. Members should report their activities to ensure recognition.
  • With the potential loss of local newspaper support, the club should explore other media, including social media platforms like TikTok, to reach a broader audience and attract younger members.
  • Suggestions included partnering with local organizations, creating attractions for children, and engaging parents of scholarship recipients. The club should consider installing benches or other amenities in local parks to increase visibility.
  • Members should use the RSVP form to report their participation in events. This helps the club recognize and celebrate their contributions.
Tribal and Community Engagement:
  • The club has made efforts to attract tribal members, but past incidents and political factors have posed challenges. Suggestions include finding new approaches to build relationships, such as partnership projects or volunteering in tribal communities.
  • Members discussed the importance of both personal invitations and public visibility in attracting new members. While personal invitations are effective, publicizing the club's work is also crucial.
  • The Pledge of Allegiance as a meeting opener was questioned for its potential exclusionary impact on non-American members. Alternatives like an inspiration or land acknowledgment were suggested to create a more inclusive environment.
  • Acknowledging the presence of diverse cultural and professional backgrounds is important. The club should explore ways to make meetings more welcoming for all members, including those from different cultural backgrounds.
  • The club should continue to publicize its events and projects, even as traditional media support wanes. Exploring new media platforms and engaging with local publications can help maintain visibility.
  • Incorporating land acknowledgments at meetings can honor the indigenous people of the area and create a more inclusive atmosphere. This should be done in partnership with local tribes.
  • The club should create a welcoming statement that embraces people from all countries and cultures. This can be included in meeting practices to ensure everyone feels included.
Focus Areas:
  • The club aims to improve in three key areas: growth mindset, awareness, and openness. Enhancing these areas could lead to significant overall improvements.
  • Members discussed barriers to growth, such as financial constraints (dues, weekly dinners, happy bucks, …) preventing some people from participating. Addressing these barriers is crucial for attracting and retaining members.
  • Members are encouraged to complete a survey attached to the invitation letter to provide more feedback. The survey results will help in long-range planning and identifying areas for improvement.
Thank You Note from MoNA:
  • The club received a thank you note from MoNA, acknowledging a generous donation of $750 in support of youth programs and the mission to preserve and interpret regional art. This highlights the club's positive impact on the community.
Announcements: 
Rotaract and the Sedro-Woolley Eagles are having a fundraiser Saturday, December 14.
They're having an ugly sweater fundraiser.   There's going to be line dancing and karaoke. It's at the Sedro-Woolley Eagles Club on Metcalf Street in Sedro-Woolley. It's a donation of $10 to enter, and dinner is $12.  It's a family event, so come one, come all.
 
Happy Bucks allowed the club to share many happy and sad moments.
 
Dictionaries were distributed to all third graders.
 
The club president telling Santa her wish list and who in the club has been naughty and who has been nice.
At our October 7, 2024 Rotary Meeting.
 
The group discussed a proposal to add a fifth question to the Four-Way Test, focusing on environmental respect. This would be considered as an additional question rather than a replacement for current implicit fifth: “Is it fun”.
A land acknowledgment was made to honor the native peoples of the area.
Connie shared a tribute to Linda Jean Coyle, a past district governor, highlighting her contributions to Rotary and her community. Linda Jean was remembered for her strength, guidance, and inspiring spirit.
 
Terry introduced Sam Green, an honorary member of the club and a key figure in the Skagit River Poetry Foundation and Festival. The festival promotes literacy and poetry in schools, providing students with opportunities to engage with poetry and develop their own skills.
 
Sam Green spoke about the importance of unity and the role of Rotary in bringing people together despite differences. He shared his experiences working with students and emphasized the value of promoting literacy through poetry. Poetry is a literacy of the heart, one of the things that comes across over and over is how we give kids a chance to say something that they couldn't say in any other way. Suddenly they're talking to their parents in a way their parents hear. They're talking to their peers in a way that their peers finally hear. There are a few groups who feel less heard than kids, so giving them those tools is important. Poetry is just one way to do that.
 
Sam is a former Poet Laureate of the State.  He shared experiences traveling to small towns and schools across the state, often with vague directions. Despite challenges, the arts were thriving in every corner of the state, indicating a strong cultural presence. Artist Trust, an arts support organization in Seattle, commissioned the Sam to write a poem for a new sculpture. Initially hesitant, Sam accepted the commission for $1,000, dedicating three weeks to crafting the poem.
 
The poem, written in the form of an abecedarium, required each stanza to start with consecutive letters of the alphabet. It highlighted various Washington cities and places, emphasizing the local nature of art and its presence in everyday life. The poem celebrated the arts in diverse settings, from small towns to larger cities, and various forms of artistic expression. It underscored the importance of art in community life, education, and personal expression. The poem was donated to support the Skagit River Poetry Foundation, reflecting the speaker’s commitment to promoting literacy and poetry. The speaker read the poem, which included references to numerous towns and artistic activities, illustrating the widespread impact of the arts.
 
There are an awful lot of ways to contribute to the arts. Jerry and Kathy just opened their home to 4 poets for 2 weeks.  They not only opened their home, their refrigerator, their bedrooms, and, thank God, their liquor cabinet, but their hearts as well, and no one I know does that better than Jerry.  That is an exemplification of what happens here at Rotary. All those 4 rules they hold true, and Jerry knows how to make that 5th rule hold true, too.
October is Community and Economic Development Month for Rotary.
  • October 30th: After-school program event with pumpkin painting and hot dogs at 4 PM. Volunteers are needed for pumpkin procurement and hot dog preparation.
  • John Stuart Milner was recognized for achieving Paul Harris Fellow Plus 4, signifying significant contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
After last week’s discussion led by Dave Duskan about club’s goals, the president provided a PDF update on the goals, highlighting the importance of setting and achieving these goals for annual certification. The club has been successful in this area due to careful goal selection and a strong sense of identity and purpose.
 
These goals are selected and updated throughout the year, with input from the Rotary Foundation and Rotary International. The discussion focused on reviewing the club’s goals, which fall into categories such as participant engagement, increasing impact, expanding reach, and enhancing adaptability.
Goal Achievements:
  • Service Participation: 22 members participated in the auction, meeting the goal.
  • Leadership Development Participation: 3 members have participated in leadership training, with a goal of 5.
  • District Conference Attendance: Scheduled for later in the year, with expected strong attendance.
  • Use of Rotary Promotional Materials: The club adheres to Rotary standards in printed materials.
  • District Training Participation: 2 out of 3 members attended a recent training session, with more expected.
  • Annual Fund Contributions: $4,420 raised against a goal of $3,500.
  • Polio Plus Contributions: $1,450 raised towards a $3,500 goal since July 1st.
  • Service Projects: Just beginning for the rotary year.
  • Club Membership: 27 members, aiming for 29.
  • New Membership Sponsorship: 1 out of 2 achieved.
  • Rotaract Club Sponsorship: Ongoing support for the local Rotaract Club.
  • Media Coverage: At least 2 stories about club projects published, with a goal of 4.
  • Online Presence: Updates made to the website and social media.
 
The club has achieved 6 out of 15 goals so far.  Members were asked to provide feedback on questions from the district governor to help identify areas for improvement. The discussion highlighted the need for more social events within the club, noting that while there have been business-focused activities, social gatherings have been lacking. Upcoming events include a Christmas party and a potential Polio Plus dinner, with suggestions to be more proactive about organizing events on fifth Mondays. The conversation then shifted to increasing the club’s ability to adapt through innovation, relevance, awareness, and openness. Members were encouraged to provide feedback on a questionnaire shared by Dave, which aims to gather input on these areas.
 
Sam shared a personal story about his father, who developed Alzheimer’s in his late 60s. Despite the disease, the father could still remember and recite a poem they had learned together when Sam was a child. During a visit to the memory care center, Sam and his father recited the poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert W. Service, alternating lines. This experience highlighted the power of poetic memory and its ability to connect people, even in the face of memory loss. The speaker cherished this as one of the happiest memories with their father, emphasizing the importance of shared memories and the emotional bonds they create.
 
Audrey’s closing remarks emphasized the importance of October as Polio Month, especially given the current global turbulence and increase in polio cases.
The club expressed gratitude to senior Rotary leaders, including PRIP Jennifer Jones, RI Polio Plus Committee Chair Mike McGovern, and others who successfully lobbied the Canadian government for a $151 million donation to the polio campaign.
World Polio Day is approaching, with a virtual focus session scheduled for October 24th at 12 PM Mountain Time (2 PM Eastern Time). The session will feature Trustee and PRIP Gordon McInally, Dr. Mark Joffe, Chief Medical Officer of Alberta, and RI Director Chris. Members were encouraged to register for the event.
Rotary is committed to raising $50 million annually for polio eradication through a partnership with the Gates Foundation, which matches every dollar 2 to 1. Rotary has contributed over $2.6 billion to fight polio, including matching funds from the Gates Foundation, and has dedicated countless hours to protecting children worldwide.
Members are urged to take action and raise awareness on World Polio Day and throughout the year by making a gift to the Polio Plus Fund at endpolio.org.
 
The meeting concluded with a reminder that it’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving, quoting Mother Teresa.
 
 
We are a hands-on service club dedicated to improving lives locally and around the world. We do this by promoting and investing in literacy, public health and community service.  We are the club people want to join, because we have fun while making a difference.  Our La Conner Rotary Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization.  Our tax ID# is 26-2730981.  Learn More About Our Club
 
Please note that we meet most Mondays at The Farmhouse starting at 5:45pm.  Please check the speaker list and/or event schedule for changes to the venue for the Monday meeting.
 

Contact Us!
Mailing Address
PO Box 2111
La Conner, WA 98257
 
Email Address
click on the link to send us an email
Speakers
Happy Presidents' Day
Feb 17, 2025
No Meeting - National Holiday
Boards and Committee Chairs
Feb 24, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
Farmers and Merchants Night
Mar 03, 2025
All Member Meeting
Amber Lang
Mar 10, 2025
Fundraising Team
Boards & Committee Chairs-Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Mar 17, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
Marcus Roskamp
Mar 24, 2025
Camp Fire Samish
Fifth Monday
Mar 31, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
Whitney Meissner
Apr 07, 2025
African Trip
Steve Ban
Apr 14, 2025
Holocaust
Boards & Committee Chairs - Easter Monday
Apr 21, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
Ryan Hiller
Apr 28, 2025
LaConner SD Career Tech Programs
TBD Speaker - Happy Cinco de Mayo!
May 05, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
TBD Speaker
May 12, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
Boards and Committee Chairs
May 19, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
No Meeting - Happy Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
National Holiday
TBD Speaker
Jun 02, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
TBD Speaker
Jun 09, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
Boards and Committee Chairs
Jun 16, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
TBD Speaker
Jun 23, 2025
All Member Hybrid Meeting
5th Monday Ice Cream Social
Jun 30, 2025
Service Organization gathering co-hosted with La Conner Thrives
Upcoming Events
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Membership
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