Rotary Club of La Conner
Service Above Self
We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:45 PM
Farmhouse Restaurant
11376 LaConner-Whitney Rd
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
United States of America
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
United States of America
President
President-Elect
Vice president
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Foundation President
Foundation Vice President/Secretary
Youth Service Director
International Service Director
Club Service Director
Commuity Service Director
Vocational Service/Literacy Director
Membership Co-Chair
Mailing Address
PO Box 2111
La Conner, WA 98257
Email Address
click on the link to send us an email
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Rotary Addressing Racism Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Rotary’s vision statement drives us to work together to make a better world for everyone and that means tackling racism in all its forms. Each person has a unique and different background or upbringing which contributes to unconscious bias against other human beings. As a young boy growing up in rural B.C. in the 1950s, I heard in my home, my school, and my community, many derogatory names and statements about people who looked different from me. Some I questioned, but I know that I absorbed many of them without even knowing. So I have to recognize that I have unconscious biases and must be continually aware of it and question myself constantly - I must keep looking inward to unlearn and relearn. Nelson Mandella said “education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world”. So I ask that you join me in District 5050’s efforts to tackle racism by participating in upcoming online sessions on racism that you will soon hear about. Our goal is to help members and their communities work to end racism. Statement from Rotary International: At Rotary, we have no tolerance for racism. Promoting respect, celebrating diversity, demanding ethical leadership, and working tirelessly to advance peace are central tenets of our work. We have more work to do to create more just, open and welcoming communities for all people. We know there are no easy fixes and that challenging conversations and work lie before all of us. Rotary’s strength has long been our ability and commitment to bringing people together. We will tap into that strength now as we stand with those who are working for peace and justice. Rotary will do our part to listen, learn and take action to ensure that we continue to contribute to making positive change. |
La Conner 8th graders gain insights into occupations with professionals over pizza
The library at La Conner High School was buzzing with questions and conversations between 45 8th graders and 18 adults. They were gathered together for two hours on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to take part in "Pizza with Professionals."
A wonderful time was had by all! As usual, a great crew of Rotary volunteers made sure all details were perfect. Meals were tasty, Santa was jolly, and much fun was had by all!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this wonderful tradition!
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Click to Download Rules for Pictures with Santa and Your Pooch
Click to Download the Santa Breakfast Flier to share
The Rotary Club of La Conner wishes to thank you for joining the 2019 Harvesting Hope Auction "Roaring 20's" and making it such a tremendous success!
With your generosity and support, the auction grossed over $64,000 for our literacy projects in the community and world-wide.
We are excited to share that the Fund-A-Need brought in nearly $19,000.00 to support our La Conner High School Scholarships in 2019 and community projects. In addition, the $20 a Child brought in nearly $4000.00 to be used to send more than 200 children to school in Copan, Honduras, as well as funding the La Conner Back Pack Program and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
We cannot thank you enough for kind donations and amazing support that will benefit so many children and the overall community.A special thank you to the La Conner, Anacortes, Mount Vernon and Burlington merchants who supplied many of our silent and live auction items. We would also like to recognize and thank La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House, who catered our incredible hors d'oeuvres and dinner service, along with the many volunteers from the La Conner community; La Conner High School Students and 2019 Scholarship winners, volunteers from Rotary of Anacortes. Thank you John Milnor- Master of Ceremonies, Rotary of La Conner President Pam Narron and Paul Schenfeld Auctioneer of Stokes Auction, for your partnership in making the night so special.
Again, we thank each and every one of you. We cannot do it without YOU! We look forward to seeing you next year at our 14th annual Harvesting Hope Auction and will be sending you "save-the-date" information soon! We hope once again you will be able to join us.
Sincerely,Christi King-Auction Coordinator
June 24th was the LaConner Rotary Installation Dinner.
After a short cocktail hour, outgoing President John Milnor opened the meeting; followed by a group trip through the wonderful buffet line. John then thanked the outgoing Board and Tulip Chair Martin Howard and Auction Chair Christie King with bottles of wine due to successful fundraisers this past year.
President John recited the history of the Rotary Foundation and the background of the Paul Harris Fellowship. PHFs were presented to Patsy Good (PHF + 1) and Jerry Willins (PHF + 3). John then presented a special PHF from the Club to Treasurer Don Wolf (PHF + 3). Don not only does an outstanding job as Treasurer but he sponsored John into the Rotary Club of Mount Vernon in 1981.
PDG Jane Helten came forward and installed three new members of the club: Jose Mederos, Deb Davis-Bundy and Adam McGarrity. Adam was also presented, by Doug Jones, with a Rotary Pin honoring his military service in the Marines.
The new Board were then installed by PDG Jane followed by the installation of Pam Narron as President for 2019-2020.
Pam then made brief remarks and presented outgoing President John with a wine carafe and stand. The dinner ended ahead of Schedule.
In Memory of Rotarian Don Bakken
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The Rotary Club of La Conner with great sadness announces the passing of longtime Rotarian Don Bakken. Don was the last living charter member of the Rotary Club of Lynnwood which he helped start in 1955 at age 27. Don served that Club in many ways including President and Chair of the long running Lynnwood Air Show. Don joined Rotary while self employed as a metal fabricator and later became Manager of Paine Field.
During the last 20 years or so, he has been an active member of the Rotary Club of La Conner. Into his mid-eighties he still came out to work in the cold of Smelt Derby and the winds of Tulip Sales. Don’s legacy will live on as the La Conner Rotary Club will continue to have club social functions out at his family’s Big Lake property. Don was always a gentleman with never a sour word except (in fun) to his long time Rotary Buddy-Doug Jones. He remained mentally sharp to the end which was a blessing.
Don will live in our memories but cannot be replaced
When Dolly Parton presented her 100 millionth book to the Library of Congress Feb. 28, members of the La Conner Rotary Club were able to take pride in helping achieve that number through their participation in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
The club signed onto the Imagination Library in 2011 when Connie Milliken, who coordinates the club’s participation, was president. Bobbi Krebbs McMullin, the first coordinator, did a fantastic job of setting up the program and getting children enrolled. Since then, the La Conner Rotary Club has donated more than 3,800 books to children from birth to five years of age residing in the La Conner School District. T
“The La Conner Rotary is passionate about literacy, and the best way to inspire literacy in children is to instill a love of books right from the very beginning,” Milliken said.
The La Conner Rotary Club budgets funds each year to pay for the books and register children with the Imagination Library, which then mails books to them. Because of budget limitations, the club restricts participation to children living within the La Conner School District boundaries. The program may be expanded to include children in neighboring school districts if increased donations are made available.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library started in 1995 as a book-gifting organization that has mailed 100 million books to children in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States, according to the Library of Congress. The program currently mails age-appropriate books to more than 1 million registered children in participating communities from birth until they start kindergarten. Visit www.imaginationlibrary.com to learn more.
Plant three rows of peas: Peace of mind - Peace of heart - Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash: Squash gossip - Squash indifference - Squash grumbling - Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce: Lettuce be faithful - Lettuce be kind - Lettuce be obedient - Lettuce really love one another
No garden without turnips: Turnip for meetings - Turnip for service - Turnip to help one another
Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden, because you reap what you sow.
Our garden must have thyme: Thyme for God - Thyme for study - Thyme for prayer
—borrowed from Rotary District 7680 by way of Pam Narron
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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.