At our September 8, 2025 Rotary Meeting,
Chrisi King provided the 4-Way Test Moment and the Inspiration. She printed cards that she found useful to her in thinking about the 4-Way Test and talked specifically about #3, “Will it build goodwill and better friendships?” She reported that if she had had the card to give to her Boeing supervisors, it would have been easier to work there. She also discussed how she used the 4-Way Test, especially #3 to grow her new Tillinghast business during covid.
Mike introduced our guests this evening: Althea Leader, Eric Buher, Eric’s wife Shea and her son, Brittan.
Audrey introduced our guest speakers for the evening: Althea Leader, fundraiser and Eric Buher, program chair and Mountain School alum, from the North Cascades Institute, a non-profit organization.
Althea and Eric provided an outstanding program. Here are some highlights:
Althea and Eric provided an outstanding program. Here are some highlights:
- Mission Statement: The North Cascades Institute inspires environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature.
- We believe that:
- conservation, is inspired by learning, forming a connection to the land and learning about it, and then you'll be inspired, to take care of it.
- public lands are a vital resource for education, recreation, and renewal
- that shared experiences strengthen families, communities, and society at large.
- diversity is a source of strength and resilience.
- learning about the natural world should be accessible to everyone.
The North Cascades Institute was founded in 1986 by Saul Weisberg and will celebrate it’s 40th year next year. The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is a beautiful campus off Highway 20 near Diablo Lake. It is in the forest of the national park on the shores of the lake and offers a myriad of educational opportunities for all ages and groups The following link will take you to the website to discover all they have to offer which is truly amazing!
For Youth Leadership Adventures (high school students) demographics for the 2024 season:
- for 61% of students, it was their first time in an outdoor summer program.
- For 42%, it was their first time visiting a national park.
- 66% identified as a race other than white.
- 33% prospective first-generation college students,
- 54% from low-income households
- 52% paid $25 or less for their trip.
Our Rotary Club Foundation has contributed funds to support La Conner Elementary 5th graders attendance at Mountain School. Eric talked about his experience there when he was a fifth grader and the positive impact it had on him. As a non-profit, the North Cascades Institutes has been affected by the federal and state budget cuts and so have the schools, making fund-raising and grant procurement even more important to run Mountain School and keep it accessible to all students. Althea shared:
“No presentation about Mountain School, to me, is complete without this quote from a teacher, which is from last spring, spring 2024. I have a student who does not see herself as a learner, and even on the first day of Mountain School, she called herself stupid. By the end of the second day, she was clearly leading the group in inquiry and enthusiasm. She was the most alive I have ever seen her. Mountain School allowed her to see her strengths and discover the joys.”
Eric and Althea encouraged our Rotary Club to have a retreat at the Institute. Retreats can be for groups of 10 to groups of 90, so we qualify.
Announcements:
- Long time La Conner Rotarian Don McKeehen passed away on August 24th. There will be no service.
- Youth Engaged in Service Adult Team Roles
Bernie Halliday: Treasurer and District Board Member
Kurt Nelson: Leadership Portion
Chris Cleaver: Chaperone with MartyLeadership Opportunities
- President Elect: Want to be a leader of this awesome group? 27-28 president
- Public image chair Who wants to do that?
- Awards/Recognition :
- Paul Harris +2 Lyanne
- Paul Harris +8 Rick
- October 24th 10-11:30 Membership Meeting at Library
Happy Birthday Lori on September 6th
Joining our club Anniversary: Ollie on September 1st, 9 years
Martin and Chris Howard Anniversary September 19th, their 61st!
The Raffle for the chance at the $45 pot was won by Marty, however she failed to come up with the yellow. Next week $60 pot will be waiting for some lucky winner. Brittan and Pam each won $5.
Happy Bucks were shared.