In 2011, Shalisa Hayes endured the nightmare of losing her 17-year-old son, Billy Ray Shirley, to senseless gun violence. Inspired and encouraged by Billy Ray’s friends (Team Billy Ray), Shalisa formed the Billy Ray Shirley, III Foundation and set out to transform her devastating pain into realizing Billy’s Ray’s vision of creating a safe haven for East Tacoma youth to pursue positive activities.

Shalisa reached out to countless leaders in business, philanthropy, government and politics to rally financial support, proclaiming, “We lost one life, but we shall save many more.” Shalisa’s compelling story, and her tireless, impassioned, and enlightened advocacy, garnered the support of Metro Parks, City of Tacoma, Tacoma Housing Authority, Tacoma School District, and Washington State officials, as well as the Greater Metro Parks Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound boards. Together, they formed Imagine Eastside – a collaborative, public-private partnership that, with the help of generous philanthropic foundations, businesses, and individuals, built and opened the new Eastside Community Center in 2018. Meanwhile, Shalisa maintained her full-time job with an insurance company; founded a program to support other mothers who had lost children to violence; mentored countless young people as “Mama Shay;” and served actively on the Imagine Eastside Campaign Cabinet.

Shalisa continues to make a positive difference as she shares her story with others affected by violence, and presents at conferences and workshops locally and around the world.

Unless written objections are submitted to the Board within 10 days of this posting, the following individuals will be invited to membership: 

 

REAL ESTATE - International Business

All Points Development, LLC

Sponsor: Harrison Laird

 

ASSN: SOC SVC - Youth Training

Tacoma Youth Marine Center

Sponsor: Mike Dunbar

 

ASSN: SOC SVC - Furniture

Northwest Furniture Bank

Sponsor: Stacey Ogle

 

REAL ESTATE - Residential

Windermere Professional Partners

Sponsor: Kit Evans

Financial Insights

Timberland Bank

Titus Will Auto Group

Dimmer Family Foundation

Rusty George Creative

Johnson Stone & Pagano PS

Kathryn Nelson

Union Bank

John & Audrey West

Cole Graphic Solutions

Cornerstone Financial Services

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions

Superior Linen

Tacoma Screw 

Carol & Chris Webster

Banner Bank

 

Additional volunteers; Jacob Christensen, Cynthia Darland, Robin Echtle, Jacki Farrar, Sally Glover, Katie Guild (Outbound RYE Exchange Student), Kelly Lane, John McMasters, Dane Meyer, Cap Pearson, Rob Pfarr, Gil Quante, Renata Ramirez, Jeff Rounce, Diane Tilstra, Taylor Webb (Outbound RYE Student) and Carol Webster

 

 

President Linda Kaye Briggs rang the bell at 12:05pm for the weekly meeting of Tacoma #8 Rotary at the Tacoma Yacht Club.   Prior to the beginning of the meeting the ‘Mission Possible’ auction video was played with a cast of characters which everyone enjoyed viewing again.  Rob Pfarr,  Allstate Insurance gave an clever invocation tied to a March Madness theme.  Today’s meeting was sponsored by Jack Connelly, Connelly Law offices.

Visiting Rotarians and guests were asked to stand as Noah Baskett, Tacoma Rescue Mission, and Missy Zenczak, United Way brought mics around.  There were a number of guests today, and we learned that our inbound Exchange Student, Jacob Christenson is about to move to his third host family.

District Governor Craig said he was looking forward to hearing what we did later in the meeting on Strategic Planning.  He also said that our district 5020 has seen a membership gain of plus 140 member in Zone 25.  He also invited everyone to the upcoming District Conference in Victoria.

This year’s Auction Chair, Monique Nadeau then came forward to recognize all of the members who have been working on planning and presenting our auction – Mission Possible.  She recognized sponsorships, procurement, baskets, raffle tickets, desert auction, guest experience, and the fund an item video production.  She then called forward for special recognition:  Kathi Willis, Joy Vivar-Beeks and Cindy Grady and thanked them for the long hours they have put in for the auction and presented them with flower bouquets.  They all received a standing ovation.

President Linda Kaye then called forward Missy Zenczak, United Way to introduce today’s speaker Dr. David Hirschberg, from RAIN, a Life Science Community Incubator growing companies, jobs and talent in biotechnology and entrepreneurship in Tacoma.  He is an Affiliate Professor and Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Urban Waters at the University of Washington – Tacoma.  He told us that RAIN is growing talent and companies and jobs, and started an incubator in Biotechnology.  He said we should be comfortable with technology and that young students should be exposed to it early.  One of their goals is to keep students in this the area.  RAIN trains students at the high school level and trains a technical workforce and utilizes Tacoma’s assets.  The incubator wants to be sustainable and do education and training.  President Linda Kaye then thanked Dr. Hirschberg and presented him with the speaker gift.

President Linda Kaye then recognized members who are celebrating service anniversaries this week:  Rob Modarelli – 1 year; Past President Carolyn Weyrick – 15 years; Past President Brien Elvins – 22 years; Frank Dacca– 35 years cumulative; Paul Doty – 36 years; and Past President and Past DG Jim Harris – 40 years.

President Linda Kaye then called forward Past President Mark Anderson and Jan Brazzell to lead the members in table talks around the proposed changes to the club’s Strategic Plan.

President Linda Kaye announced that at next week’s meeting we will present the Community Service Award and will also host the Daffodil Festival Princesses and that the meeting will be at the Salvation Army for that week only.

There was time for True Confessions.  Coming forward were Donna Haynes – who said she had a California trip with some senior, yet very active family members;  Past President Mark Anderson - a trip to California with his choir; Debbie Regala - three week trip in Mexico; Barbara Mead spent five weeks in Europe, and Steve O’Brien – for missing some meetings and an upcoming trip to the Masters

President Linda Kaye thanked Rob for the invocation,  Mark and Libby for the music, Jack Connelly, Connelly Law Offices for sponsoring the meeting.  Thanked again Dr. Hirschberg for his remarks. Tonight’s social is at Mediterranean Gyro Grill, 3555 Market Place.   Now go out and Reignite your Rotary.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:03pm.