We are the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8
Established in 1910, the Rotary Club of Tacoma is the 8th oldest Rotary Club in the world. We believe in the power of in-person connection, enhancing our beautiful local community, and contributing to the well-being of the world in which we live. We would be delighted if you would join us at our next club meeting. Please contact the office at 253.473.7723 for information.
Thursday, March 23, 2023
VOL. NINETY-NINE, Issue 38
The Gearshift is a weekly publication to inform members of current events in the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8.
 
This Week at Rotary
March 23, 2023
 
 
David Fischer
How to Innovate a 3,000 year old business

David Fischer’s professional background in the arts began as a professional theater artist in 1977. His degrees in theater and film (BA, MFA), combined with his Leadership Certificate from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, furthered by his work experience, have allowed him to become deeply invested in the arts through theater production, performing arts presenting, youth education, arts management, fundraising, advocacy, university teaching, and urban design. Previously, he has worked as: Producing Artistic Director for Tacoma Little Theatre, Executive Director of the Pierce County Arts Commission, Deputy Executive Director of Broadway Center for the Performing Arts and Executive Director of the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa, California

Fischer reorganized the Luther Burbank Center, including its staff, fundraising, capital investment, endowment growth, governance, and programmatic impact resulting in an improvement to the balance sheet of $14 million in 5.5 years, and the creation of a new community hospital adjacent to the arts campus.

Since 2006, Fischer has served as Executive Director of Tacoma’s non-profit performing arts center, Tacoma Arts Live, working to transform the organization to focus on strengthening its service to the community, particularly in: Education through the arts,, DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and access), Historic facility improvements and preservation, Economic development for Pierce County, Professional theater production and Advocacy for public funding of arts, heritage and science non-profits.

The Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 is open to all people who want to make positive changes in our community and world.  We welcome all members and guests, regardless of race, nationality, religion, faith, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, and ability. 
 
We will not tolerate racism.   We strive to become an anti-racist organization.  We are committed to learning more about how systemic racism has led to inequality in all systems – including education, housing, health, employment, wealth accumulation, policing, prosecution, sentencing, and incarceration – and working to eradicate inequality wherever we encounter it.
 
We will take these actions:    
  • We will review and update our Club’s procedures, policies, meetings, events, communications, grants, projects, scholarships, and traditions.
  • We will broaden our recruiting practices to align our membership more closely with the demographics of Tacoma.
  • We will use our grants, projects, and scholarships to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in our community.

Rotary is an international  organization whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services, to encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.  Rotary is open to all people regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, or political preference. There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians in over 35,000 Rotary clubs worldwide.  The Rotary motto is "service above self.” 

 
Within Tacoma, the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 invests in non-profit organizations throughout the community, recommended by the Community Grants Committee, that serve low-income children and seniors.   Rotary #8 also has many “hands-on” projects where Rotarians offer their service.  Some of these "hands on" projects that have been supported are:  
Food Drives and Repacks - for the Emergency Food Network. Regularly club members volunteer to participate in  repacking food for distribution into the community; and
Little Free Libraries - Rotarians build and install these libraries, filled with good children's books, near low-income elementary schools.
 
Rotary #8 has international projects such as clean water projects in Ethiopia and India, has brought firefighting equipment to Mexico, and has delivered school materials to Malawi.   Tacoma Rotarians have given Polio immunizations to children in India and Africa.
 
Throughout the world, Rotary Clubs, including Rotary #8, have contributed nearly $900 million to eradicate polio in the world.   More than one half billion children in developing countries have been immunized against polio, through Rotary’s PolioPlus campaign.
 
Rotary’s Youth Exchange sends 7,000 high-school age students abroad each year, to study in another country and to learn about its society and culture.  The goal is to promote world peace.  Rotary # 8 has always welcomed inbound students and have identified local students to travel to other  countries to participate in this life-changing experience. 
Supporting Our Community
 
December 2, 2022
Partnering with Catholic Community Services, Tacoma Rescue Mission and YWCA to deliver hundreds of gifts to children in Pierce County. 
 
December 1, 2022
Packing holiday gifts for Senior Citizens in our Community
 
November 12, 2022
Packing 9600 Break Bags at EFN
November 3, 2022
Supporting our Military with Comfort Kits
 
Helping Local Non-Profits
Food Projects for Our Community

Supporting the military
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our Little Free Library at EFN Filled After Thursday at 5
Distributing Books at Centro Rendu Community Resource Fair
 
Little Free Library Installations
 
Libraries Under Construction
Stocking Our Libraries
 
 
Website Sponsors
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Upcoming Events
Upcoming Programs
David Fischer
Mar 23, 2023
How to innovate a 3,000-year-old business
Community Service Award
Mar 30, 2023
Lua Pritchard
Dan Wirth
Apr 06, 2023
Responding to Natural Disasters
Club and District Links
 
Meeting participants lead the song, share a reflection, write a story, or help to welcome others to the meeting. 
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
La Quinta Inn and Suites
1425 East 27th St.
Tacoma, WA 98421
United States of America
Phone:
(253) 473-7723
We meet every Thursday except for the second Thursday of the month. On the second Thursday, we have Rotary @ 5 and have a vocational visit to a place of business of one of our Rotary Club members.
We are looking for a Part-time Bookkeeper. Please forward this job description to any potential candidates. 
Club Executives & Directors
President 2021-2023
President Elect
Vice President
Past President
Treasurer 2021-2023
Secretary 2022-2024
Board Member 2022-2023
Board Member 2020-2023
Board Member 2022-2023
Board Member 2022-2023
Board Member 2022-2024
Board Member 2021-2024
Board member 2021-2024
Board Member 2021-2024
Board Member 2022-2025
Board Member 2022-2025
Board Member 2022-2025
Tacoma Rotary 8 Foundation Board President
Youth Services Officer
Youth Protection Officer
Club Administrator
Club Administrator
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