Hear from Harrison Laird, Greg Rolsma, Jeff Albers, Maria Harlow and Malcolm Russell as they share information about this critical aspect of our club. For the past few years the Membership Committee has included multiple sub-committees which cumulatively focus on recruiting and indoctrinating new members as well as engaging our current membership base. The committee has recently decided to divide and conquer! They will be reforming four new committees which will be focused on recruitment, orientation, new members and engagement/retention. Join us to hear a brief overview of their plans moving forward, and how they will lead the charge to help make us a vibrant and growing club.
Science Olympiad
We will be co-sponsoring a Science Olympiad invitational competition at Curtis High School on January 13, 2018. We have an opportunity for 20 members (family or friends) who would like to assist with the judging and supervision of events at the competition. We have been assigned the Building events which include: Electric Vehicle, Helicopters, Towers, Wind Power, Hovercraft, Robot Arm and Leaf Challenge (design, build, and test a tethered electric aircraft that carries as heavy a load as possible). Training and instruction will be provided for all of these events. Contact Gil Quante at gil@greenhaveninteractive.com or Jim Whitacre at whit@wamail.net for more information.
Our next auction meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 10, at the Esplanade Community Room at 1515 Dock Street. We will have a light dinner ready to be served at 5 pm. Please let us know if you are able to join us. Bring $5 to help offset the price of food or a bottle of wine to share. We will socialize until 6 and then do some focused work from 6-7. There is a place for every single member of our club to be involved, let us know how you would like to help. Easy options include being a sponsor, donating an item or joining us and bringing friends to the auction on April 28. Procurement forms are available at the meetings or online. If you plan to hit any of after Christmas sales, consider picking up something to donate to the auction! Please email the office at clubadmin@rotary8.org if you can join us at the January meeting..
Members enjoying the Firesides last October
WINTER FIRESIDES
You will have a chance to sign up for the Winter Firesides beginning this week. This is a great way to socialize with a smaller group of Rotarians in the comfort of someones home. If you are willing to host a group please sign up or contact Maria Harlow. President Mark is working on a topic that is sure to generate a lively conversation. Clear your calendar for Tuesday January 30 and plan on a great time.
LET'S SOCK IT TO HOMELESSNESS!!
It's that time of year again when we are doing our best to serve the needs in our community. During this cold weather it is particularly important that we replenish the need for warms socks at some of our local non-profits. We are focused on getting adult socks, but can also use some for children. Please bring your socks to the meetings on January 11 and 18th. It will warm your heart to warm the feet of those in need.
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING
We were at Katie Downs, Harmon and Farrelli's at Point Ruston in the cold and wind! Thanks to the following members who had volunteered to staff the red buckets; Mark Anderson,Whitney Grisaffi, Julie Foley, Jeremy Fogelquist, Cathy Hall, Donna Haynes, Rusty Hersey, Kelly Lane, Jackie Lindstrom, Cosette and John Pfaff, Debbie Regala, Gil Quante, John Schneider, Ann Voves, Jim Whitacre, Kirsten Willis and Clay Zhang.
Paul Harris Awardee's in Ocotber
PAUL HARRIS AWARDS
At the meeting on January 11, we will be handing out more Paul Harris Fellowships. Be sure to wear your Paul Harris pin to celebrate your generosity.
As you have probably heard we are headed into the New Year anticipating the planned move of Kathleen and Rick Olson. While both have been an integral part of the club for many years and we will miss them dearly, we are currently making plans on how we will manage the audio/visual needs of the meetings without the technical ability of the Fixit Wizard. We are working with the Landmark staff to train us on the equipment, but would greatly appreciate having a cadre of volunteers who could help us with the microphones, sound board and slide shows on a regular basis. If you would be willing to be scheduled once a month to manage those activities please let Kathi or Joy know.
ROAMERS
Rick Olson - Arlington
Fred Moisio - Clover Park
HELPERS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 4
Invocation - Stephen Deal
National Anthem and 4 Way Test - Jan Brazzell
Piano- Barbara Mead
Board Greeter- Roving Mic - Marsha Burns
Membership Greeter - Jim Whitacre
Roving Mic - Maria Harlow
Birthdays- Kirsten Willis Fine Counter - Robin Echtle Meeting Reporter for Gearshift - Jim Henderson
Meeting Sponsor - Don Sheppard
WANT TO HELP AT A ROTARY MEETING?
There are clipboards at every meeting for you to sign up to help out!
--Leading the National Anthem & Four Way Test --Giving the Invocation --Playing piano --Mentoring a Pandaka --Greeter and Roving Mic --Writing the Gearshift Meeting Notes
Birthdays to celebrate
Carol Duris - Jan 04 Mike Shields - Jan 04 Diane Kelleher - Jan 05
Anniversaries to celebrate
Bill Baarsma - 16 years
Lee Gingrich - 22 years Tim Daly – 24 years cumulative Arvind Phukan - 28 years
Enjoying the Social at Indochine!
UPCOMING RELATIONSHIP BUILDING SOCIALS
The Fellowship/Relationship Building Committee invites all members of Tacoma #8 to join them on Thursdays at 5 pm. These socials are a great way to meet some new Rotarians or catch up with old friends. Pandakas, these meetings will fulfill your "social" requirement prior to graduation and, for all members, it’s fun!
January 4, 2018
The Spar
2121 N. 30th Tacoma, WA
January 11, 2018
Ted Brown Music
6228 Tacoma Mall Blvd
Tacoma, WA
Gather at 5:00 for beer, wine and light snacks
Drum circle starts at 6:00 kids are welcome
Reflections from the meeting of December 21 from Kirsten Willis
On the 21st of December the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 meeting was called to order, with the ringing of the bell, at 12:07pm. President Mark Anderson welcomed everyone to the annual Holiday Program and Ross Hjelseth, Life Christian provided the reflective invocation reminding Rotarians of the impact our club has in the community serving as a light for those in need.
Chris Serface, Tacoma Little Theatre led the National Anthem followed by the 4‑way Test, accompanied by Barbara Mead, Moss Adams, on the piano.
Mike Dunbar and Ali Criss from Financial Insights brought the microphones around to visiting Rotarians and guests. It was great to see so many people with family members attending the meeting.
President Mark introduced our meeting sponsor Larry Treleven, Sprague Pest Solutions.
We celebrated the following anniversaries:Van Sawin-3 years, Gretchen Adams-10 years, Don Hansen-20 years, Barry Benson-27 years, Jim Whitacre-36 years
Carla Santorno - Tacoma Public Schools wished the following Rotarians a Happy Birthday: Christine Cason, Laura Fox,Jeff Rounce,George Pilant, Emily Happy and Larry Norvell. In honor of their birthday Carla donated to their favorite charity! George Pilant was happy to designate his donation to Emergency Food Network. Carolyn Weyrick made an auction announcement about hitting up the after-holiday sales for an auction item and joining the committee meeting on Wednesday, January 10th at 5pm for the next auction meeting. Without further ado President Mark introduced Chris Serface who directed our“Twas Our Night Before Christmas” holiday program with narrator Gil Quante. The program included the Rotary Singers, Libby Catalinich, Ali Criss, Carlyn Roy, Steve Smith and Chris Serface and holiday hits including: Oh Hanukkah – performed by Chris Serface, Baby It’s Cold Outside – duo by Steve Smith and Ali Criss. Up on the Housetop – Rotary Singers We also heard from our exchange students: Mikulas, from the Czech Republic, told of the holiday traditions from his country and family. We learned that Mik really likes sugar, getting the tree on Christmas Eve, and misses the Christmas carp – fish kept in the bathtub! Veerle, from the Netherlands, told the audience about celebrating throughout November, jigsaw puzzles and leaving her shoes by the fireplace for Sinterklass!
The Rotary Singers were back to help get the crowd in the spirit with more songs and poems including: I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas – Libby Catalinich, Silent Night – Rotary Singers, Oh Holy Night – Carlyn Roy It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Rotary Singers (+ President Mark) It was another amazing holiday program. A big thank you and much appreciation for all the hours and talent that went into such a super program. At 1:03pm our meeting was adjourned and President Mark reminded us to go out and Live Rotary!
Sound Advice for Service Above Self Living, by Past and Past District Governor Jim Harris
"One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” — Albert Schweitzer
The Gearshift is a weekly publication to inform you about current happenings in the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8. We meet on Thursday at the Landmark Temple Theatre 47 St. Helens Avenue, Tacoma
Noon - 1:00 pm
The Rotary Office is located at:
47 St. Helens Avenue, Ste. 200
Tacoma, Washington 98402
MAILING ADDRESS:
PO Box 1777
Tacoma, Washington 98401-1777