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Shelter Box is a cutting-edge charity that delivers emergency shelter for families devastated by disaster. It was founded in Cornwall, UK in 2000 and continues to operate out of that region. The US Affiliate is in Santa Barbara, CA.  They are project partners with Rotary International.  Shelter Box’s mission is to create positive, lasting change in communities at home and all over the world. In 2012, ShelterBox became Rotary International’s first Project Partner in disaster relief. By working together with Rotary, Shelter Box collaborates and combines resources to ensure that they can support more communities in desperate need of shelter after disaster. Shelter box also has partners in the field such as: International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Habitat for Humanity. They work with many global humanitarian aid agencies, including United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amnesty International, UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). These networks, rooted in communities, help Shelter Box go the last mile to deliver a diverse range of emergency shelter aid to remote and vulnerable people. The signature ShelterBoxes and ShelterKits contain the tools to transform lives and rebuild communities. It is driven to reach more people, to empower them to transform their lives, and to build a world where no family is left without shelter. The need for emergency shelter is urgent. As of 2022, around 100 million people around the world have been displaced by disaster and conflict – more than ever before. Over 80 million were forcibly displaced due to conflict and 30 million due to disaster.  Every minute, 25 people are forced from their homes due to conflict. In 2022, we responded in 10 countries, providing shelter aid to 400,000 people.

Wen was born in China at the end of the Great Cultural Revolution. Being the victim of this horrific atrocity that killed two million intellectuals and destroyed traditional Chinese culture, Wen's parents had mixed feelings about her education. Despite their discouragement, Wen eventually won a national prize at a science competition when she was 16. Hence, she went to a top university for undergraduate study and then came to the U.S. in 1994 for graduate school. Wen received a Ph.D. in Biology at the California Institute of Technology in 2000. Because of her personal experience of being brainwashed in China, she decided to be a voice for the voiceless. Since 2012, she has given hundreds of presentations to community organizations about Chinese culture, history, and society.
Wen has been working for Caltech since 2000 as a biologist and information scientist. Her everyday work includes scientific outreach by speaking at conferences and seminars at universities. In her personal life, she is an active
member of Amnesty International, focusing on human rights in China. She serves as a board member and community liaison for Caltech Women in Biology and Biological Engineering.

Everyone loves trees! They make our cities beautiful, clean the air and water, help us de-stress, and give us shade and cooling in the summer. So why is Tacoma's urban forest struggling? Why do some neighborhoods have more trees than others? And what can we do about it as a community? Lowell Wyse will share about the efforts of the Tacoma Tree Foundation to bring trees and shade to the Tacoma communities that need them the most.

An English professor turned urban forest advocate, Lowell Wyse, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation. For over a decade, he taught college writing, literature, and environmental humanities, focusing on the many ways that social and environmental issues overlap. His scholarship resulted in the book Ecospatiality: A Place-Based Approach to American Literature, published in 2021. In 2016, he founded a community group called Tacoma Needs Trees, to call attention to the urban forest crisis in Tacoma, where tree coverage is the lowest of any city in Western Washington. He now lives in downtown Tacoma (Puyallup territory).   

This will be a day to celebrate and have some fun!  We have 38 members who will be receiving Paul Harris pins!   Your Program Committee has cooked up a fun meeting to get to know each other better and tap into our competitive Rotarian energy! We will be playing Rotary Trivia! Each table will get a chance to play as a team and then we will also have a prize for individual play!

Tanya Krohn began working with The Goodtimes Project as a volunteer and transitioned from the corporate world of marketing and communications to a paid position as a full-time camp director. She loves the ability to connect with families and be present to witness the joy that Goodtimes' programming provides. Tanya is an avid world traveler, having visited 71 countries to date, with three more scheduled this year. And, has visited 49 states; is just missing Alaska! 

The Goodtimes Project is a Seattle-based pediatric cancer non-profit who spreads hope, love, and joy to those who need it most through camps and year-round programming.

According to an ancient Chinese saying to enjoy the best life has to offer one should "be born in Suzhou, Live in Hangzhou, die in Luizhou and Eat in Guangzhoiu" Guangzhou (F/K/A Canton) has been famous for its cuisines in the age of the Middle Kingdom. Elaine Chan, a descendant of Canton takes to the heart of the eating culture heritage. Join Elaine and Andy for this Cantonese BBQ dinner. This fun event is being held Sunday July 9 at 4pm.  There will be vegetable only salad, BBQ veggies; Cantonese BBQ is predominantly pork, pork ribs, chicken and duck.  Have a great time!

David Bobanick, Executive Director of Harvest Against Hunger (HAH), has nearly three decades of experience in non-profit executive management.  Since David joined in 2001, the organization has significantly expanded its impact at the local, national and international levels, resulting in the delivery of nearly half a billion healthy servings of produce for those in need. 

David has led the creation and development of the national Harvest VISTA program, as well as innovative and award-winning programs focusing on shortening the connections from Farm to Community. In addition, David and the HAH team continue to build and scale nationally-recognized programs with partners like the Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps, USDA, WSDA, Washington State University, the University of Washington and other partners to enhance food systems in communities across the United States.

David has a degree in communications from Penn State University and has studied at the Non-Profit Executive Leadership Institute at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, as well as the Non-Profit Management Institute at Stanford University. David was also recently named a “Food Waste Innovator” by ReFED, and currently serves as a board officer for four local, statewide, and regional non-profit organizations. 

Summer in the NW can be warm.... add Tango & it will be steamy on the evening of Saturday July 22nd. Hosted by Sharon & Barry Benson at Sunrise Rotarian, Katy Farrell 's North Tacoma home designed exclusively for Tango parties inside & outside on the view patio! Menu to reflect Argentina's cuisine with homemade Sangria & Parrillada or Asado (barbequed beef) with chimichuri, Argentine Grilled Potatoes and so much more deliciousness! Vegan or Vegetarian? We will have options for you! Join your friends for a new experience... learn to tango or just watch... it is going to be so much fun!

Battlefield Addiction is a free-service non-profit that employs a unique “Family First” approach to drug & alcohol addiction and prevention.

Angie Keaty-Dahlen,  Executive Director of Battlefield Addiction:

Angie Keaty co-founded Battlefield Addiction in 2014 with former addict turned sober living provider, Art Dahlen. After 5 years of struggling to find help for her son’s drug addiction, she finally found success after being coached by Art. They soon began coaching other parents together and honed their “Family First Approach” to addiction. Becoming sole Director in 2020, Angie is deeply compassionate and skilled at walking families through every aspect of connecting with their addicted loved one in a way that helps guide them into treatment and recovery.

Derek Kilmer serves as the United States Representative of Washington’s 6th Congressional District.

With over a decade of experience working in economic development in the Puget Sound region, Derek Kilmer is focused on getting our economy and our Congress back to work. Derek has a strong record as a problem solver for Washington families and he's been recognized by veterans organizations for his support of our troops, their families, and those who have served.

As the dad of two, he is working to make sure all our children receive a quality education. He is committed to honoring our promises to seniors by protecting Social Security and Medicare. Derek grew up on the Olympic Peninsula and has worked to promote local economic development and to be responsible stewards of our natural resources. 

Born and raised in Port Angeles, Derek saw firsthand how the region's economy has struggled, and the impact that has had on families and communities. The son of two school teachers, Derek was taught to appreciate the value of education. Derek wanted to make a difference in his community, so he chose to study public policy, looking for ways to help economically struggling communities. He received a BA from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs and earned a doctorate from the University of Oxford in England.

What's better than a summer evening on the Deck at the home of Past President Jim Whitacre, while you enjoy his delicious spaghetti. 

Every child, no matter who they are or where they live, has dreams of doing big things. They have unique talents, and they face obstacles—sometimes, a lot more obstacles. “The Power of One” is the program that changes the lives of youth and the extraordinary relationship they build with Friends, paid professional mentors, over the course of 12+ years, from kindergarten through high school graduation.

Any child in any situation can succeed, even those facing the most obstacles. Friends youth go on to become leaders in their communities and successful in their careers. This has ripple effects on their siblings, peers, neighbors, and their children, breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years, no matter what. #ThePowerOfOne

Leave the meeting and hop on a 39 passenger bus provided by the Port of Tacoma. Join us for a Port of Tacoma bus tour! The approximately two-hour tour through the Port and the Tacoma Tideflats is about as close as you can get to international trade. Get a behind-the-scenes look into how the Port contributes to our region’s economic vitality and works to enhance the environment.

Medieval Turkey Legs will be slowly roasted and enjoyed along with an array of period vegies, breads, fruits and of course libations/grog! Our starter course will be some kind of pottage.  The second course will be  an array of medieval meat and fish dishes including the turkey legs.  Main course will be veggies such as cabbage, carrots, turnips, fresh fruits and hearty breads.  Final course of desserts will be both savory and sweets.  Come dressed in you favorite medieval garb if you wish....enjoy the music, games of chance and more.....medieval times will abound!

Turkish hors d' oeuvres with Carol and Chris Webster includes; grilled baby lamb chops, stuffed grape leaves, Turkish spanakopita, Turkish carrots, Walnut-pomagranite dip, Feta, olives and bread and grilled peppers. Plus great wines and beers!

Deborah Tuggle didn't plan to open a bakery. As a single mother, she desired to get an education that would allow her a job with the security she craved to take care of her young son, so she enrolled in college. To help her make ends meet, she started selling cookies to her classmates. The cookies were so popular that she started selling them every Friday.

After college, Deb tried the corporate world and decided it was not for her. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and knew how successful her cookies were at school, so she decided to go all in on starting her own business. Without looking back, she opened her first bakery in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood on MLK Jr. Way, and aptly named it “Friday’s Cookies”.

Deb soon sought a mentor in the cookie business and became quick friends with the owners of Bite Me Cookies. She later purchased the company and merged her two brands under one cookie roof, Bite Me, Inc. Today, Bite Me is a wholesale bakery, producing cookies under the Bite Me, Friday’s, and Bite Free brands. Bite Me products can be found in high-end grocery stores including Metropolitan Markets, Pavilions, Whole Foods, New Seasons and AJ’s Fine Foods as well as coffee shops, gift companies and other retailers. Bite Me also produces private label cookies and is a third-party manufacturer for many bakery items sold throughout the country. Deborah is also co-owner of Seattle Shortbread, a gluten free cookie company and majority owner of Bite Free Cookies, a vegan, paleo and keto-friendly cookie company.

As a board member for Culinary Arts at Clover Park Technical College and WorkForce Central, Deb stays actively involved in the local community to help support the next generation and help ensure economic vitality across the region. Deb believes in empowering woman and immigrants through job creation and skill development, this is what drives her to make cookies that make jobs that change lives. 

Opal House serves the rural Mayan indigenous poor of Guatemala with free surgery, free Montessori education, water programs and nutrition, they cooperate with Rotary INTl International on every level of service

Dr. William Boegel worked in the orthopedic department of Virginia Mason/Franciscan Health center for 21 years before leaving with his wife Diane for full time immersed life of service.  We serve in all of the Rotary project areas, including clean water, women’s education and empowerment, high quality free Montessori school education, free pediatric and adult orthopedic surgery and all of this leads to Peace in the community. Dr William Boegel is a founding member of RECLA(Rotary E club of Lake Atitlan-District 4250) and served a s VP 2015-17 and president 2017-19.  He was a guest speaker at the Toronto Rotary Intl annual meeting, featuring best practices that transparently opened and closed 12 Global Grants worth over a million dollars in 5 years.

Enjoy a delicious King Salmon dinner at the Hersey beach house on Lakebay. Includes appetizers, beverages and a delicious Salmon BBQ.

PAUL grew up in Eastern Washington (shout out to the 509) where he devoured trivia books and game shows at an early age.  He has been writing/hosting pub quizzes since 2006. You can find him hosting quiz nights at The Skylark Cafe, Crown Bar, and The Local 907 as well as co-hosting the Shall We Compare Thee Podcast and singing with local faves The Profits. Hobbies include drinking lots of coffee and mispronouncing Flo Rida.

Hear from BirdNote Executive Director Nick Bayard about the popular daily public radio show about birds and what BirdNote is doing to advance equity and inclusion in the worlds of public media and environmental conservation. 

Nick Bayard is the Executive Director of BirdNote, a public media nonprofit organization with an estimated 6 million radio and podcast listeners that seeks to inspire people to care about--and take steps to protect--the natural world. Prior to this role, Nick served as Assistant Chief Equity Officer for the City of Tacoma and Director of the REACH Center. He also served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, where he founded a tri-lingual radio show. He holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from Brown University. You can learn more about BirdNote at www.birdnote.org. 

We will also have a few minutes to hear from our Exchange Students Raul and Tomas!

Erin Guinup is the founding Executive and Artistic Director of the Tacoma Refugee Choir. A passionate advocate of community singing and the power of music to heal and unite communities, she has led community singing events and spoken at national conferences for Chorus America, National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Director’s Association, and the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm, Sweden, and TEDxSeattle. and the world premiere of Orson Scott Card and Mark Mitchell’s He is There; singing with Israeli-Palestinian choir Common Ground Voices in Jerusalem and Europe; and vocal workshops with Fortune 100 companies including Amazon. She is a composer and author, contributing to the books So You Want to Sing Music by Women and My Body Was Left on the Street: Music Education and Displacement. Most recently, Erin was named one of five Women to Watch by South Sound Magazine, and she became a Senior Fellow of the Tacoma/Pierce County chapter of the American Leadership Forum in 2022.

The Tacoma Refugee Choir was founded in 2016 to create community for refugees, immigrants, and friends. Refugees and many immigrants often face very difficult conditions before leaving their home countries, and while taking on the practical challenges of establishing a new home, their presence here is too often viewed with suspicion. It can be challenging to foster a sense of belonging under these circumstances, and the resulting sense of isolation can be as emotionally difficult as what people experienced in their countries of origin. One of the most joyful ways to develop a sense of belonging – a basic human need and public health concern alongside food and housing is singing with others. Many studies have observed that singing in groups is a uniquely powerful tool for developing interpersonal bonding and camaraderie.

A member shared: “The Choir is family to me, “adding that TRC helped when she was facing homelessness and connected her to resources to help her launch a business. Maurice, from D.R. Congo, credits TRC for his newfound sense of belonging and growing community engagement. TRC has accumulated many lessons during rehearsal conversations about how to create an inclusive environment for all, one of the most significant being that regardless of background, everyone can learn to be more welcoming.  They hope to share what they have learned with other community partners.

Learn to make pasta from scratch! Chef Katie will teach you many techniques and timesavers so you can create at home for the family. You will enjoy a freshly made ravioli meal at the end of class, and take fresh pasta home with you! Class will be held at Gourmet Niche Kitchen, 7104 6th Ave. Enjoy! The fun starts at 3 pm!