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 month is devoted to Committee Reports & Boards. All members are invited. Auction tickets
District Site
Bulletins
Venue Map
Who we are
We are a hands-on service club committed to improving lives locally and globally. We achieve 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.
The Latest News from the "Make it Happen" Club
Flag Tribute & IPA 2025`
At our November 10,  2025 Rotary Meeting.
 
The inspiration was provided by Ollie:
                  The dictionary defines ‘inspiration’ as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
  1. “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing” -Theodore Roosevelt
  2. “Discontent is the first necessity of progress.” -Thomas Edison
  3. “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” Salvador Dali
  4. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill
  5. “If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.” – Katherine Hepburn
  6. Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller
Don Wick introduced our guest speaker for the evening, Lee Sherman, who led us in the Pledge of  Allegiance and then gave a tribute to the flag.  From memory, Lee recited a moving history of the flag, and also honored our veterans.
Marty was our second speaker and gave us an update on the International Project Alliance. She has just returned from her 17th trip to Honduras. There are now 14 clubs in the IPA.
 
Most village kids stay  in school at least to 5th  grade, while their parents only went to 2nd or 3rd grade. The percentage of those who go on to 6th grade has not changed, unfortunately. The children who go on to 6th  grade often go to on to 7tth. A steady ~250 kids  are  in middle school  and about the same number in  high school.
50 students are in university currently.
 
Bernie Halliday is the president  of the IPA as  of 7/1/25.
Major donation allowing for 4 large initiatives.
  • Best high school in the region
    • Opening a weekend high school at a middle school campus
    • Providing transportation for students to attend
  • Computers  in the school
  • Expanding the number of university scholarships
  • Trade  schools for both high school students and adults
    • Current successful businesses are Small stores, livestock raising or  vegetables Nothing works if transportation Is required
    • Villages asked for a trade school for adults
    • Well established trade school agreed  to open a satellite
    • 50 adults so far
    • Need consistent campus
    • Equipment
    • Establish a lender to
    • Sewing baking  beauty and welding
    • Next year: add refrigeration, advanced sewing ,  electrical,  carpentry to the others
    • 64 students have graduated so far
    • 83% have used the knowledge gained for business
    • Projecting another 100-140 more graduates this year
  • Villages have 50-100 homes each with about 5 people
Adopt a school
Our club funds 3 schools
One girl needs a sponsor because she is going on to7th grade; Don Wick will sponsor her.
 
Announcements: 
  • November  16, 1pm:  Tulip Planting in the La Conner traffic circle
  • November 18, 10-12: Helping Hands Food Bank Volunteering  Marty, Dennis, Pam, Don Wolf, Audrey
  • December 6: Santa Breakfast
The Raffle for the chance at the $150 pot was won by Charles Yousling,  however he failed to come up with the yellow.   Next week the $165 pot will be waiting for some lucky winner. Danya and Lyanne each won $5.
 
Connie collected happy bucks.
Etta Project 2025
At our November 3, 2025  Rotary Meeting.
 
The inspiration was provided by Connie and came from a Facebook post:
  1. Compliment three people every day.
  2. Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
  3. Be the first to say, "Hello."
  4. Live beneath your means.
  5. Treat everyone like you want to be treated.
  6. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen.
  7. Forget the Joneses.
  8. Never deprive someone of hope. It may be all he has.
  9. Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
  10. Be tough-minded but tenderhearted.
  11. Be kinder than necessary.
  12. Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
  13. Keep your promises.
  14. Learn to show cheerfulness, even when you don't feel like it.
  15. Remember that overnight success usually takes • about 15 years.
  16. Leave everything better than you found it.
  17. Remember that winners do what losers don't want to do.
  18. When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone's day.
  19. Don't rain on other people's parades.
  20. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
 
 
YES Students
Youth Engaged in Service (YES) students Rosie Abiles, a Junior at La Conner High School and Sebrina Hill, a junior at Anacortes  High School are both being sponsored as YES students by the Rotary Club of La Conner. Each of them needs to attend leadership and team-building training, volunteer 80 hours during the year, and raise $1,500 for their trip to Honduras next June. They talked to us about their excitement for being chosen for the program and told us about themselves.
They are selling raffle tickets for $10 each. The winner will be drawn at The Luck of the Irish on March 7th.
Rosie is a cheerleader and part of two clubs, Varsity in Volunteering, and Eagles Nest, a club she helped start last year. She is president of the Eagles Nest Club. Currently, Rosie volunteers for the Braves Club, and she will soon begin volunteering at the La Conner Retirement Inn. She enjoys meeting new people and trying new things.
 
This is Sabrina’s first year at Anacortes High School where she participates in softball and volleyball. She also plays club volleyball. Sabrina belongs to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young Life. Her primary volunteer site will be Creekside Continuing Care Community in Burlington. Sabrina  LOVES CATS!
The ETTA Project
Audrey introduced our guest speaker for the evening Dino Maccari who joined the Etta project in 2017 and is currently the Executive Director.
 
Background
Dino provided background, explaining how the Etta Project came to be.
Etta Turner was a 16-year-old Rotary International Exchange student in 2002 in Bolivia who died in an accident. She was recognized by the people in Montero, Bolivia as an open minded, outgoing, strong woman and they wanted to do something to remember her. Etta’s mother, Pennye Nixon, and the people in Montero raised funds to help kids in Montero: two feeding centers for malnourished children. (Local Rotarians Jack Frisk and Matthew Paul both traveled to Boliva as volunteers on this project.) The centers fed at least 200 children a day and organized training for women’s employment skills. Those centers were turned over to the Catholic Church and are still open today. The mission had changed to finding solutions to water sanitation and healthcare in  rural communities.
Dino talked about the water distribution systems, training for families, children, and water committees. Then he referenced the sexual health program which we supported last year. These programs are ongoing as funds are available.
 
Dry Composting Toilets
The focus of today’s presentation was dry composting toilets that are being built in 47 rural villages in Bolivia. These replace pit toilets that are just holes in the ground that people squat over with not much privacy.
 
The dry composting toilets are each built for one family and take a week to build. The exterior is brick. Families are trained to keep them in good working order. The door on the bathroom helps keep women safe because they don’t have to use the outside pit toilets.
Pee goes into one chamber, can be used for liquid composting. Poo goes into back chamber. No water is used. After 5 or 6 months, the toilet bowl is moved to the other side of the bathroom. 6 months later, the first poo chamber can be used as human compost. It is shoveled out,  kept in the sun for 48 hours, and then can be used for composting crops, just not vegetables.
 
Prior to building, a needs assessment is conducted, ten mandatory workshops for families, once a week for 2 hours, are held and families sign an agreement. Once the toilets are built, there is personal training for each family member. Volunteers are also trained to be Sanitation Promoters to make sure all is going well.
 
The cost per unit is $800-$1,000. The Rotary Club of La Conner presented $2,000 to the Etta Project.
The next Dry Composting Toilet build trip will be in September or October of 2026 if anyone would like to participate.
 
Announcements: 
  • November 8: Rotary Success Seminar at  Shawn O’Donnell’s
  • November 15: Rotary Success Seminar in Canada  for anyone who did not attend on November 8th
  • November 18: Helping Hands 10-12 volunteering
  • December 8: Christmas Party at Skagit Golf and Country Club. Sign up with Lyanne
Happy Birthday  to Don Wolf on November 7th!
Dennis collected  Happy Bucks.
 
 
Journalism - La Conner Community News
At our Rotary Club Meeting, President-Elect Lori Buher read an inspiration that was printed in  Daily Word on October 16th.
I find my inspiration in acts of goodness and grace.
 
Today I give thanks for the encouragement, mentoring, and kindness I have received throughout my life.
 
When I was in school, I had favorite teachers whose wisdom continues to bless me. During my career, I have had colleagues whose work ethic and abilities inspired my own. In my relationships, I have learned from friends and family who were patient, empathetic and compassionate with me. Even my pets have inspired me over the years with their unconditional love and trust.
 
Inspiration surrounds me; I need only have eyes to see it. I feel blessed by the examples of selflessness and service I find everywhere. They inspire me to act in kind.
 
Children of the Valley
Jessica Rodriguez and Flora Lucatero from Children of the Valley.
thanked the La Conner Rotary for the $2,000 grant that provided technology upgrades for Children of the Valley.  They explained how important this money is for supporting students with their learning through technology and teachers with improved technology tools. Currently, 175 students are served in the after-school program and all are referred by teachers for academic needs.
They also told us about their $5 million Capital Campaign that will be going for the next three years: $3 million as part of an endowment and $2 million for capacity building. They shared a video about their campaign that highlighted the positive impact Children of the Valley has on students and the needs still to be met.
 
La Conner Community News
Kari  Mahr is the editor and publisher of the La Conner Community News. She told us about her journey to take on that role and especially emphasized Newspapers in Education.  Her goal is to provide the La Conner Community News in paper form to every middle and high school student and teacher in La Conner. The $25,000 price tag is due to the cost of printing. It is valuable for students to be able to interact with an actual paper rather than reading it online. Newspapers are great teaching tools when combined with curriculum, thoughtful questions, and study of what it takes to tell the news in an honest, unbiased manner. Here are some things Kari said in her presentation:
Truth-telling takes courage, but it's what we need. It's the way that we will know the difference between our reality and something that was generated by artificial intelligence. And, our children are watching us and learning how we negotiate the relationship with truth. And with context, and with bias. Let's give them the tools they need to be well-equipped to handle those issues.  Truth is not automatic.  It must be defended, practiced, and taught. Newspapers write the first draft of history.
 
The La Conner Community News is also starting an after-school journalism club. Kari wants to grow the next crop of journalists.
Chinook Enterprises 2025
At our October 13, 2025, Rotary Meeting, 
The inspiration and 4-Way Test talk were provided by Lori Buher who said she regards the 4-Way Test as an evaluation test for Rotary and life, much like the Golden Rule and the 10 Commandments. It’s how she conducts her life. For the inspiration, Lori read us the back cover of the book Theo of Golden by Allen Levy. She said she has read the book twice and finds it very inspirational:
“Questions linger about Theo, a pleasant but mysterious stranger, after his arrival in the southern city of Golden. Who is he, and why is he here? He arrives early one spring and by chance — or is it? — he visits a coffee shop where 92 framed pencil portraits are on display. Inspired, Theo sets out on a mission of purchasing all the portraits one at a time and quietly bestowing them on their 'rightful owners.' Stories are told; friendships are born; and lives are changed.”
 
Marty introduced our guest speakers from  Chinook Enterprises: Nikki Wegner, Chief Executive Officer and David Wilder, Advocacy Specialist. Also in attendance: Rob Martin, Founder.
 
David talked about being a Disability Advocate: Life lessons from a chair.  He has worked for Chinook  Enterprises for 26 years. Both Nikki and Rob added to the conversation. The goal of Chinook is to help disabled people or people with other barriers become productive members of society so they can pay rent, buy food, etc., in the communities in which they live.
There are 21 million working-age adults with disabilities in the world.
200-250 people are served annually by Chinook.
 
Chinook Programs that fund the company’s mission with integrated employment, disabled and non-disabled:
Assembly and Manufacturing Services including Aerospace (parts manufacturing)
Commercial Grounds and Landscaping Maintenance (800 acres per week)
 
Employment Services:
                  Vocational assistance
                  Employer support
The average person from Chinook stays in a job for 7 years and calls in sick less often.
Job coach checks assist the employee and employer.
Accommodations needed for a disabled employee are typically under $500.
 
Chinook Enterprises website has great information and videos of their work.
 
Bylaws
The updated bylaws have been disseminated to all the members, and they have had three weeks to comment. Dennis Milliken moved, and Audrey Gravley seconded approval of the updated bylaws. There was a quorum present who voted unanimously for approval.  
 
Announcements: 
  • Membership forum Friday Oct 24th 10-11:30, La Conner Swinomish Library
  • Rotary Success Seminar 11/8 here or 11/15 in Canada, all members are welcome
  • Membership: It’s everyone’s responsibility to invite guests
  • Mount Vernon has put aside 6 tickets for us at their auction 11/15
  • Christmas party 12/8: Lyanne handed out dinner choices
  • November 15th Skagit Historical Museum Fundraiser is at Maple Hall
Happy Birthday  Martin Howard  on October 19th
Happy 10th Rotary Anniversary October 17th to Christi King
 
Ollie also collected Happy Bucks.
Tate and Mike Classification
At our September 22, 2025,  Rotary Meeting, Adam McGarity gave the 4-way test moment with the following poem:
 
The Man In The Glass by  Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.
 
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
 
For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
 
He's the fellow to please - never mind all the rest
For he's with you, clear to the end
And you've passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
 
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
 
The inspiration was provided by Dennis who referenced The Daily  Motivator by Ralph Marston. https://www.greatday.com  He talked about how completing small tasks can add up to large accomplishments. Dennis related this to the work we do in Rotary, for example our work at the food bank, which might seem like small mundane tasks, ends up feeding many people.
 
Danielle introduced our guests this evening: Director of Teaching and Learning Beth Clothier, Elementary Principal Marcus Knowles, and Pre-K Teacher Faith McIntosh. Adam then introduced Marcus and Beth who presented a design of a preschool playground they would like help in creating.
Classification talks  were presented by Tate Ohls and Mike Cook.
Audrey  Gravley led us in an Auction Debrief
 
Announcements: 
  • Awards/Recognition : Paul Harris +2 Lyanne, Rick +8
  • Helping Hands October 14th 10-12 Fruitdale Rd, Sedro: Don, Pam, Lyanne, Christi, Keith, and Dennis
  • Membership forum with town’s nonprofits October 24th 10-11:30, La Conner Swinomish Library
  • Rotary Success Seminar: Public Image, Membership, Foundation: Saturday 11/8th 8:30-3:30 at Sean O’Donnell’s, cost $50
  • Tiny Trees fundraiser for La Conner Swinomish Library
Happy Anniversary to Jerry and Kathy Willins: 63 years 
 
Marty collected happy bucks and thoughts.
La Conner Mayor Marna Hanneman 2025
 
At our September 15, 2025 Rotary  Meeting, 
 
Dennis gave the 4-Way Test Moment combined with the Inspiration.
Dennis described his role as the Assessment Director and Career and Technical Director in the Northshore School District and then said:
 
“So, testifying before the legislature on numerous occasions served as a reminder that our two-party system of government yielded mostly good results when listening preceded the decision-making. In fact, it needed to be based on truth. So, in face of conflict situations, gathering facts, listening patiently to all sides, and validating the involved party's beliefs and opinions, seeking the truth, and not intimidating them with threats and retribution was always most effective in conflict resolution.”
 
After describing violence against both democrats and republicans, Dennis went on to say:
“Evil has the ability to fester on either side of the aisle, and it is the responsibility of all Americans to stop it. As Americans, we're called to be just that: Americans. Not Republicans, Democrats, or Independents. As Americans, we should all join hand in hand to condemn atrocities like these. As Americans, we should focus on what unites us, not what divides us. What unites us is far greater, far more powerful than what divides us. More than ever, we need truth.”
Marty introduced our guest this evening: Marna Hanneman,  then, Audrey introduced our guest speaker, La Conner Mayor Marna Hanneman.
Marna talked about her life in La Conner and as mayor since 2023.
“I love what I do. I love where I live. I think we all love where we live. It's been  a real eye-opener for me, because of this little town that we call home. We have a thousand people, and in my graduating high school class, I had over 800. It's interesting! I just… wake up every morning, and I thank whomever, whatever, that I live in this Magic Skagit, and live in the town of La Connor. Very blessed. Not very many people can walk everywhere and never have to get in their car, literally. And the people around me are kind. I would say that 99.999% of the people in La Connor are kind.
So, the best, best thing that I can say is we so appreciate Rotary. You guys have done so much around town, quietly, just getting the job done.”
 
Some things Marna is excited about:
  • A new fireboat that did not cost the town a penny
  • First street has  been one way for almost a year
  • 4 new parking places on the side of the post office and a new accessible one going in soon
  • Working in partnership with many to solve problems
  • Hand railings will be installed as you go into Gilkey Square, as suggested by  people from the retirement Inn
  • Water sewer treatment plant redo is needed after 50 years and it under study
  • Ollie’s salmon slide looks beautiful with Maggie Wilder’s art on the outside (Ollie has done an amazing amount of work to make the salmon slide useable.) Marna slid down it and proclaimed it FUN!
  • Maggie Wilder’s painting of Clyde Sanborn will be in the library
  • Talking to certified fireworks expert and tribal member Rodney Johnson about doing the town’s fireworks this year for the 250th anniversary of the town. (The current fireworks show will double in cost if we use the that has been doing it.)
  • New sidewalks have gone in and are appreciated
  • The Fable Festival is coming to town October 11th which is also the day for Brew on the Slough
  • La Conner Thrives  and the La Conner Chamber of  Commerce are starting to be compatible and work together
  • The Ice Cream Social was wonderful!
  • Safety is Marna’s biggest concern
  • And, she said much more which you can hear by going to The Rotary  Club of La Conner Facebook page and listening to Marna’s whole talk.
Announcements: 
  • The Fish Slide will be dedicated on September 28th at 1:00pm
  • President Elect: Want to be a leader of this awesome group in 2027-28?
  • Public Image Chair, is that you?
  • Helping Hands October 14th 10-12: signed up are Pam, Lyanne, Dennis, Christi, Keith, Don
  • October 24th Membership Forum with other non-profits at the library
  • We received thank you notes from the Wheelchair Foundation and the YMCA
Happy Bucks were shared.
 
 
North Cascades Institute 2025
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:
  • 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.
Youth Engaged in Service (YES) 2025
At our August 25, 2025  Rotary Meeting.
 
The inspiration was provided by Patsy and included her thoughts about the 4-Way Test.
 
The greatest reward in giving is internal. Things like joy, purpose, and liberation. A life dedicated to service is a life fulfilled. The small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. There are many ways to give. Saturday night represented a room full of people who gave in a variety of ways. Time, talent, energy, and of course, the goal for the night was money. Money that keeps our club viable, ambitious, and generous. And that’s the truth. It benefits many. It builds goodwill. I felt like I was in a room full of friends. I think it’s fair to say it was a lot of fun and a successful event.
 
Danielle introduced our guests this evening:  Bernie Haliday from the Burlington Rotary Club, Chris Cleaver who was a YES advisor and who should be a Rotarian, Kurt Nelson from the Fidalgo Island Rotary Club, Honorary Rotarian Susan Macek, and YES participants Hadden Zimmerman and Nelly Corona.
 
Marty introduced our guest speakers for the evening: Hadden and Nelly, who were the two students we sponsored for the YES program. (Youth Engaged in Service)
They spoke about: The YES Experience Through Our Eyes
Their experience began with leadership lessons: How to be a good leader, what is a leader, what it takes to be a leader. They participated in different activities and found their strengths, skills, and differences. They also had cultural lessons. Washington has a cooler climate, and Honduras has a very warm climate. People interact differently based just on the weather. They had retreats and team meetings. They got to meet everyone and got to know everyone better which was really fun. They felt very prepared and said Marty did a great job of preparing them, so they understood what to expect.
 
They spent their first day at Casita Copan, which was originally an orphanage but is now a daycare for working single moms. Hadden and Nelly helped them build a ditch for excess water so the place wouldn’t flood and a fence. The people showed the students how to make their food which was really good. Nelly said she is normally a picky eater, but she decided to be open and try new things. Both Nelly and Haddon liked the food.
 
The second place was Barbasco Cabanas at a school. There the YES students poured concrete and rebuilt their chicken coop. They also did some activities with the local kids, like making slime and making things with pipe cleaners. Although it made a big mess, everyone enjoyed it. They played soccer outside. Both Hadden and Nelly loved playing with the kids. Nelly did not enjoy mixing the concrete.
Los Lomas was the final destination and the place where the YES students did most of the painting and work. They finished building a playground and Nelly learned to use a power drill. “Little working woman, what can I say? It was really fun.” They also painted the walls and a mural. They showed slides of the work they completed.
 
Part of the time the YES students were divided into different groups, but Nelly and Hadden both enjoyed when the who YES team worked together. They said it was a beautiful thing how the entire year led them to this, how they communicate so well, and understand each other, knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
 
After all the work they got to go to the Mayan ruins, the bird sanctuary, and the hot springs.
 
What did they gain from this experience? Seeing other parts of the world, how people lived compared to us, and understanding what to be grateful for. They also felt like they made a difference. They did something to help, made change, and had a great time doing it. They gained good friends and good connections with people they would not have met or been close to without this YES experience. And, they built confidence.
 
Nelly and Hadden also presented Days for Girls and Men Who Know. They went on an agriculture tour to a coffee plantation and went horseback riding. They were surprised by the heavy rain in Honduras.
 
Each YES student has to do 80 hours of volunteer work before they can go to Honduras. Nelly volunteered at Children of the Valley. Hadden volunteered at the Braves Club and was the basketball and track manager.
 
Hadden and Nelly taught the Honduran kids to play four square, which is a game the kids didn’t know. Nelly found she didn’t depend on her phone.
 
Hadden has traveled to Ecuador and plans to travel to Costa Rica this year. This was a first for Nelly, but she hopes to come back and work for the YES program after she is done with college.
When asked what was hard:
Nelly: I feel like staying super committed is something that's really hard, because when you start, you're doing this a whole year, and you start, it's still so far away, but then, I feel like part of me was like, oh, like, I can't do it, like, I have such a busy schedule, I'm working, I'm volunteering, I want to do all, like, these activities at school. But, yeah, I feel like it was really hard at times, but it was all worth it.
Hadden: At first, it was going to be me and my friend going from La Connor, and then he dropped out because it was too much work. And that kind of made me think, like, oh, should I just drop out too? Like, because he's, like, my best friend, and I didn't know everyone else too well at all, or at all, really. And… but him dropping out kind of forced me to, make better relationships with everyone else, so, I'm kind of glad he did. I made more friends, and different friends. It was challenging, but I think it made it better.
 
Announcements: 
  • Auction: Audrey thanked everyone for their work on our successful auction. She will chair it next year, but wants to train someone to succeed her. We will have a debrief soon.
  • We still need a President Elect for next year.
  • Awards/Recognition: The Rotary Club of La Conner earned the 2024-2025 Club Excellence Award!
  • Audrey presented the Rotary International  “Unite for Good Banner”. It is signed by our District Governor Isabelle Hayer.
Happy Birthday Patsy, and our club which is 80 years old…much older than Patsy.
 
 
Rotary Foundation 2025
At our August 18  Rotary Meeting.
Connie introduced our guests this evening: Rick Watkins and Kevin Paul. 
Kevin brought his Eagle Carving, which he is donating to our auction.
Connie Milliken gave the 4-Way Test Moment relating one of the best days of her life 50 years ago and the worst day of her life 25 years ago and how sharing that has helped others.
 
The inspiration was provided by Danielle.
A mother embraces her daughter at the airport and says, “I wish you enough.” They explained it this way: Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing this would be the last time? I’m old, and she lives far away. The next time will probably be for my funeral. When we said, I wish you enough, we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain it. I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest of joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wantings. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.”
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, an entire lifetime to forget them. The author was Bob Perks.
 
Marty introduced our guest speaker for the evening who was our own Rick Bolduc speaking about The Rotary Foundation.
What does the Rotary Foundation do? It encapsulates not only the 7 areas of focus (water and sanitation, economic community development, maternal and child health, supporting the environment, basic education and literacy, disease prevention and treatment, peace and conflict resolution) but it helps the homeless, feeds the hungry, heals the sick, and educates the uneducated. We do all that through a process of grants, and gifts, and donations.
 
The Rotary Foundation received a 4 Star rating on Charity Navigator- demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency for the 16th year in a row. This is the highest rating for a charity and only one percent of charities achieve it. 92% of all the funds collected through Rotary go to the end result. Not a lot of administrative costs because we are all volunteers. Over the last 100 years, Rotary has spent $4.9 billion on its grants and gifts worldwide.
 
The Rotary Foundation:
A. Annual Fund: Your gift to the Annual Fund helps Rotary clubs take action today to create positive change in communities at home and around the world. Your contributions help strengthen peace efforts, provide clean water and sanitation, support education, grow local economies, support mothers and children, and fight disease. It is the day-to-day life blood of Rotary.
  1. You donate to the Annual Fund by giving a check to the treasurer, by donating online, and/or by signing up to donate monthly through your credit card or bank account.
  2. $100 a year makes you a sustaining member.
  3. When your giving reaches $1,000, you receive Paul Harris recognition.
  4. The Share System: Rotary International invests the money for 3 years, then the District gets half the money back to be used for such things as District and Global grants.
    a. District Grants – address needs in your community and communities abroad – each district chooses which activities it wants to fund.  
    b. Global Grants  - support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s AREAS OF FOCUS.  Grant sponsors form international partnerships that respond to real community needs. 
B. The World Fund
  1. The World Fund is spent at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees wherever the need is greatest around the world.
  2. This is the default designation for any undesignated donations to Rotary of $10,000 or more.
C. Endowment Fund
  1. Earnings support Global Grants, Rotary Peace Centers, polio (via World Fund support made possible through endowed fund earnings) and SHARE which can specifically provide District Directed funds to our district.
  2. Important point – at $25K and up, donors can create named funds within the Endowment Fund, and larger size endowed funds can support more specific grants or programs. 
  3. These can be established during donors lifetimes with outright gifts or can be documented now but become operational in the future after a donor’s estate is realized. 
  4. None of the principal is used, just the interest.
  5. People should contribute to the Endowment Fund to ensure the future of Rotary.
D. Polio Plus
  1. This is a separate program.
  2. If you pledge to donate $100 per year, you become a member of the Polio Plus Society.
  3. Donations to the Polio Plus Society count toward a Paul Harris
And…found this in Rotary News:
Rotary’s ambitious goal, officially set at the 2017 Atlanta Convention, when TRF celebrated its 100th anniversary, to take its Endowment Fund to $2.025 billion by 2025, has been achieved. “Today, we are proud to announce that, with only six days left to reach the 2025 by 2025 goal, thanks to the response of dedicated Rotarians, Rotaractors, and members of the family of Rotary, we have indeed doubled the size of the Endowment (from $1 to over $2 billion). So let’s celebrate!”
 
Rotary has spent $4.9 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects in the past 100+ years
 
You’re part of the Rotary Family …
 
Membership Committee
Christi is on the District Membership Committee
Everyone is encouraged  to come to the monthly membership meetings
 
Mike suggested that everyone commit to bringing a new person to Rotary this year.
 
Announcements: 
  • President Elect needed! Who would like to be a leader of this awesome group in 2027-2028?
  • Awards/Recognition : Audrey received her Paul Harris +8 pin, meaning that she has  donated $9,000 to the Annual Fund or Polio Plus.
  • September 20th Hungarian Team will be here and they will be going to the Miracle Field in Monroe  if anyone wants to go.
 
Who We Are
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 5:30pm.  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
Charlene Teel
Nov 24, 2025
Days for Girls Local Services
PEO, Garden Club, Kiwanis
Dec 01, 2025
Non-Profit In La Conner Review - All member hybrid
Club Update & Boards Meetings
Dec 08, 2025
Club Update & Boards Meetings - All member Hybrid
Christmas Party - Skagit Golf & Country Club
Dec 15, 2025
Christmas Party - Skagit Golf & Country Club - All members in Person
Christmas break
Dec 22, 2025
No meeting
New Year break
Dec 29, 2025
No meeting
Denny Hagen Skagit County Assessor
Jan 05, 2026
Skagit County Tax Assessment System - All member hybrid
TBD
Jan 12, 2026
TBD - All member hybrid
Club update and board meeting
Jan 19, 2026
Club update and board meeting - All member hybrid
TBD
Jan 26, 2026
TBD - All member hybrid
TBD
Feb 02, 2026
TBD - All member hybrid
TBD
Feb 09, 2026
TBD - All member hybrid
Club update/board
Feb 16, 2026
Club update/board - All member meeting
TBD
Feb 23, 2026
TBD - All member meeting
TBD
Mar 02, 2026
All member hybrid
TBD
Mar 09, 2026
All member hybrid
Club update/board meeting
Mar 16, 2026
TBD
Mar 23, 2026
All member hybrid
Fifth Monday fun
Mar 30, 2026
All members and guests
TBD
Apr 06, 2026
All member hybrid
TBD
Apr 13, 2026
All member hybrid
Club update/board
Apr 20, 2026
All member hybrid
TBD
Apr 27, 2026
All member hybrid
TBD
May 04, 2026
All member hybrid
TBD
May 11, 2026
All member hybrid
View entire list...
Upcoming Events
Club Executives & Directors
President
Martha Pease
President Elect
Lori Buher
Membership
Christi King
Vice President
John Milnor
Past President
Audrey Gravley
Secretary
Connie Milliken
Treasurer
Don Wolf
Community Services
Patsy Good
International Projects
Danielle Mullen
Vocational Services
Doug Moore
Youth Services
Adam McGarity
Foundation
Dennis Milliken
Public Relations
Keith Stobie
Rotary Links
 
Local Links