Events

Seattle is the economic engine of the region and beyond. Following the Great Recession, we led in recovery time and economic vitality. That’s what we can do when we come together in partnership to ensure the region is a great place to live, work and enjoy. Challenge Seattle has engaged and continues to engage in partnerships to address COVID, homelessness, housing affordability, climate and more. Make no mistake, we are in very challenging times but if we join the public, private and philanthropic sectors together, there’s not much we can’t accomplish. We need hope in our communities and that is best done through partnerships. Let's talk about it. 

YRLs and all other Rotary members are invited to attend a happy hour at Oliver's Twist, hosted by the YRLs. Please contact Tabitha Claus at tabithaclaus@gmail.com for additional information.

Rotarians are welcome to attend this forum virtually; please click HERE to register.

Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and fellowship will join together to thank President Jimmy Collins for his year of service.  Significant others are welcome. 

Tickets are $10.00 per person and include two drink tickets.  Cash bar for additional drinks.

To register and buy tickets to attend, please click HERE.

Laurel James would like to invite fellow Rotarians to a holiday potluck party! Kids are welcome and Laurel suggests bringing sports items for play. For party address details or to RSVP, please call Laurel at 206-979-9930.

Mat Chacon is a recovering CEO turned award-winning conflict photographer. He’s traveled to high-risk conflict zones across the globe and uses his photography to shine a light on the darkness of social inequality. His photos have won numerous accolades, and have been displayed around the world in galleries, photography magazines, fine art publications, and featured by the Smithsonian. Learn about his journey from building software companies to his life changing, near death experience that inspired him to follow his true passion for photography. Mat is using his photography to inspire people into actions of enduring transformation that help our fellow human beings improve their stations in life and succeed where prosperity and peace might otherwise only be a dream. 

Zambia-born Pedersen is a software executive currently leading technology for AstrumU and has over 20 years of experience in venture creation. Pedersen found Rotary through his mother's fight with Polio, which she suffered through when Pedersen was a child. Rotary's ambitious work to eradicate Polio appealed to Pedersen and his personal goals towards service and growth, leading him to pursue leadership positions within the organization as Club President, Assistant Governor, and, currently, as District Governor Elect for District 5030 Rotary. Kaj and his wife Claire have been married 25 years and have a son, Sebastian, who is studying for his honors degree in Game Design at Columbia College in Chicago. 

"The Present and Future Coast Guard in the Pacific Northwest"

Congresswoman Dr. Kim Schrier is the representative for Washington's 8th Congressional District. She is the first and only pediatrician in Congress, and prior to serving the 8th district in the other Washington, she served families in the Issaquah area as a pediatrician for 17 years. In Congress she sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee, which oversees healthcare and energy policy, and is the only member from the Pacific Northwest on the Agriculture Committee. As the only pro-choice woman doctor in all of Congress, she is a fierce defender of women's reproductive rights and is the only candidate in her race for re-election this year who will protect a woman's right to choose.

Dr. Schrier will be co-presenting with Leah Rutman, Policy Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, as they discuss the ramifications of the Supreme Court's recent overturning of the Roe v. Wade precedent. 

All (including kids!) are welcome to attend the grand opening of Aegis Living Lake Union. For more information, please contact Nicole Cheramie at nicole.cheramie@aegisliving.com.

How to Be More Persuasive, Productive, and Happy

Learn the art of motivating others and yourself to get more done and enjoy doing it. Whether it is at home, at the office, or at your Rotary club, small changes in the way you approach others, can have a big impact on your effectiveness. 

This two-day event will feature sessions covering the impact of Rotary in Ukraine and current projects working to bring stability and support to the country. For more information on how to access the event, please email ddbodal@gmail.com. 

Kerri Murray will be discussing her work serving as President for the global disaster relief charity, ShelterBox USA.

Kerri has worked since 2009 in disaster relief, often serving on the front lines of disaster and conflict zones. Kerri is a member of the Montecito Rotary Club and has served for six years as Board President for GIRLS ROCK Santa Barbara, a nonprofit that empowers and builds self-esteem in young girls through music education.

Kerri has an 18-year-old daughter, Sofia, a singer/songwriter who appeared on the 2020 season of American Idol, and who has sung the National Anthem at many Rotary District Conferences.

“Leading with Gratitude - The Intersection of Foresight, Hard Work, and Luck”

WaFd Bank President and CEO Brent Beardall will present how a 105 year old bank transformed from a technological neophyte to an industry leading digital first bank. In 2018, under Brent’s direction, WaFd undertook a bold initiative “Vision 2025” to transform into a “digital first bank,” with the vision of having a real time understanding of clients’ financial health, anticipating their needs, and helping them make better financial decisions. Brent will share examples of how we look at digital banking and how the pandemic accelerated our push to offer more digital tools to clients while maintaining our heritage as a relationship bank. He will share the role we played when businesses were staring into the abyss when the pandemic hit and how WAFD stepped up and offered PPP loans to both clients and non-clients. It’s our team’s belief that a bank should help any business get the help it needs in good times and bad times. His simple ask of all employees is to “love what they do and make a difference”.

Learn about the importance of healthy soils in our food production. To attend this virtual summit, please pre-pay $25 and register for the event by clicking HERE.

Movie Magic in Washington State

Washington State has a long history of hosting high-profile Hollywood movies and television shows.  From Elvis Presley starring in It Happened at the World’s Fair filmed in the 1960s to more recent blockbusters like Top Gun Maverick in 2022, Washington’s breathtaking iconic locations have served as the backdrop to some unforgettable movie moments. Since 2006 Washington Filmworks has been at the center of all the film action facilitating and funding productions all over the state.  Join Executive Director Amy Lillard as she pulls back the curtain and takes you behind the scenes for a sneak peek of what happens on film sets.  Not only will she talk about who’s who on set but she will also talk about some of the challenges working on location.  She will also share how the organization attracts big-budget productions to the Evergreen state and what you can do to get in on the action! 

Rotarian Fedva Dikmen would like to invite all Seattle Rotary Club members to a special ethnic dinner at Ada's Restaurant! Socializing will begin at 6:00 PM with dinner slated to start at 6:30. The three-course meal is $60.

Please RSVP and pre-pay for dinner with Fedva no later than Tuesday, September 13. Dinner menu options and additional information can be found in the attached graphic or in your newsletter.

Get your business cards ready as Rotarian Nicole Klein would like to invite members to the first networking mixer of the 2022-2023 Rotary year! Enjoy speed networking with your fellow club members, learn about networking etiquette, and make some new connections along the way! To attend, please pre-register for the free event HERE no later than Friday, September 16.

4:30 - Event starts with socializing
5:10 - Welcome and speed networking introduction
5:15 - Speed networking begins!
6:10 - Speed networking ends; discussion of best follow-up practices
6:15 - Socializing and event wrap-up 

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America and national interest is introducing pickleball to a whole new generation of players. Created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, Pickleball has been named the official state sport of Washington. Now due to Roger BelAir’s efforts, the game is being played with impressive results in prisons from coast to coast. Hear how a 60 Minutes segment on crime encouraged BelAir to bring the sport to incarcerated individuals.

Off the court, Roger is a financial expert who has been profiled in a cover story of Money magazine; an acclaimed author of financial books; and a keynoter at conventions. 

The September Sea4s (Newer Rotary Members) Happy Hour will be held at Rotarian Mary Johnstone's scenic rooftop! To RSVP, please click HERE.

To pre-register and pay to attend this event hosted by the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, please click HERE.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is looking for volunteers to assist high school juniors and seniors on portfolio development to aid in college and career readineess. For more information or to sign up to get involved, please call Linda Thompson-Black at 206-851-8178.

Our fellow Rotarian, Einer Handeland, and his wife Marilyn have been working with Dahlias for over 40 years and are inviting you to join them for a tour of their stunning garden filled with 700 dahlias including 160 different varieties.  You will enjoy a charming garden party with your fellow Rotarians and guests.  Iced tea, lemonade, wine, and appetizers will be served.

Parking is available in front of their house as well as at Trinity Lutheran Church just three (3) houses north at the corner of 85^th Avenue SE and SE 40^th Street.  There is wheelchair access on the north side of the house.  Please make your reservations with Doug Seto at dougseto@comcast.net.

It is disheartening to witness the increase in hate and extremism in recent years. Miri Cypers, Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League’s Pacific Northwest Office, will share current trends with Seattle Rotary as well as tools for prevention.

The Anti-Defamation League is a national anti-hate organization that works to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate through education, community building and civil rights advocacy. Miri Cypers has a longstanding commitment to social justice and has worked for over a decade in government and advocacy. She previously served as Director of Federal Affairs and Partnerships at Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization in Washington, DC, founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle and as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives. Miri was named by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 Honoree in 2021 and is a graduate of Barnard College of Columbia University.

Rotarian Nicole McDonald (nee Cheramie) would like to invite you to a free  ice cream social featuring the Ben and Jerry's ice cream truck! For more details, p;ease contact Nicole. 

Rotarian Fedva Dikmen would like to invite all Rotarians on a tour of the Museum of Glass Tacoma. Please contact Fedva to RSVP and for more event details.

Come help us honor our donors and learn more about the amazing work of the Rotary International Foundation. The evening will feature special guest, Rotary International President Jennifer Jones. To register for this event, please click HERE.

Join the Seattle Rotary Mariners Group on Saturday – October 8^th, 10:30am – 3:00pm, for a day of Whale Watching. Cruise out of Pier 69 across the Salish Sea to explore the PacNW most scenic areas with an onboard expert naturalist. Cost is $110 per person and only 20 spots! Please RSVP by September 30th and pre-pay by September 23rd (extra days added from original RSVP date of 9/15). To RSVP, email Stephen.morse206@gmail.com or LMLowry@me.com. To pre-pay, please use this link:  https://seattlerotarymariners.org/whale.html.

Puget Sound Rotary Passport's featured speaker will be Kaj Pedersen, the current District 5030 Governor Elect.  It will be a great opportunity to hear how our District is doing and what the future is looking like for us.  There will also be a chance to get to know Kaj and ask questions you might have. To join the event, please click HERE and use this additional information to login: 

Meeting ID: 861 4859 1232
Passcode: 683850

Beyond Rideshare in Space: Introduction to Spaceflight Inc.’s Launch, Integration, and In-Space Transportation Services

For more than 10 years, Spaceflight Inc. has been a pioneer in providing launch services to small satellite developers, helping them access, integrate, and launch their payload to space across a large portfolio of domestic and international rockets. Recently, the company has doubled its footprint with a new headquarters in Bellevue to meet customer demand for its integration and production services and introduced a line of propulsive space vehicles for last mile delivery in space. President and CEO Curt Blake will share the highlights of the innovative company’s offerings and future plans.

Our member Assunta Ng, Publisher of the Northwest Asian Weekly, will take us on a tour of the International District showing where Chinatown, Japan town and Little Saigon are.  This is her Chinatown tour Part II. It will focus on Bruce Lee’s first kung fu schools and where his childhood movies in Hong Kong were shown in the early 1960s. The story of the Chinese Historic Chinatown Gate, the controversy of Sound Transit Stations in Chinatown, the conflicts between the young activists and business owners on new developments and homeless issues, and other landmarks will be featured in this tour.

Meet at Seattle Best Tea at 506 S. King St. at 4:45 p.m., ending at Tai Tung  (655 South King Street, Seattle, WA 98104) for dinner and beverages. Dinner including tax, $30.

For more information and to register, please contact Assunta Ng at assunta@nwasianweekly.com. 

Rotarian Linda Thompson-Black would like to invite fellow club members to volunteer their time and talents to UNCF's PNW College & Career Fair for high school students. To get involved, please call Linda at 206-851-8178.

Public Safety and Criminal Justice in Seattle

Please click HERE to register for both the online and in-person event!

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test is required for entry. A limited number of rapid tests are available for guests onsite.  ASL interpretation is available.      

Celebrate World Polio Day 2022 with Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center. This hybrid event will be an opportunity to celebrate progress in the fight against polio, but also discuss the remaining obstacles to overcome in order to achieve a polio-free world. Hear from our keynote speaker Ramesh Ferris, who is a Rotarian, Global Citizen, and Polio Survivor. Ramesh lives in Canada and is a global advocate in the fight against polio.

Mark Wright, former Seattle Rotary President and former King 5 anchor, will moderate an engaging panel discussion with national and local leaders including Lara Paige from the Gates Foundation’s Polio Team, and Ezra Teshome, Rotarian, and Polio Plus Chair.

Following the panel discussion, there will be time for questions from the audience.  We hope you can join us because, together, we can #EndPolio. 

EVENT SCHEDULE:
5 – 5:30 pm: Reception 
5:30 – 5:45 pm:  Keynote by Ramesh Ferris  
5:45 – 6 pm: Panel discussion  
6:15 – 7 pm: Visit the galleries and discover ways to take action 

All Rotarians are welcome to attend this memorial for Todd Summerfelt. A number of our fellow members will participate in the memorial ceremony. The celebration will last about an hour and there will be a social hour following.

To demonstrate what they’ve learned, the Maritime High School freshman class are designing boat-based tours of the Duwamish River to share the story of historic and current communities on the river.

The students will be presenting on - and operating - the vessel "Admiral Jack" with the assistance of a trained captain.

Space is limited, so please let Stephen Streufert know which date and time you would like to attend by emailing stephen@nwmaritime.org.

Tour Dates & Times:

• Wednesday, 26-October, 10:00am-11:30am & 12:00pm-1:30pm

• Thursday, 27-October, 10:00am-11:30am & 12:00pm-1:30pm

Tours will depart from and return to Harbor Island Marina, 1001 SW Klickitat Way, Seattle. Arrive 15 minutes ahead of time for a short briefing from teachers.

Agents of Influence: A Game to Critically Evaluate Information

In the midst of the pandemic, co-founder of Alterea Inc., Anahita Dalmia, realized the frightening power that misinformation and fake news has on the younger generation. Anahita, a 3rd Gen Rotarian originally from New Delhi, India, and a member of the Rotary Club of Newport Beach, CA was inspired to develop 'Agents of Influence’ - a spy themed media literacy game aligned with the 4-Way test that equips middle school students with the necessary skills to critically evaluate information and make responsible, informed decisions.

This is an informal committee gathering to encourage our members to celebrate and learn about our diverse community. Every year at SAM, Fulgencio Lazo and a team of local artists design a unique tapete (sand painting) to celebrate Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. The art and traditions of Día de los Muertos aim to help us accept death as a part of life. Visit this year's tapete—inspired by Oaxaca’s beautiful Día de los Muertos traditions—from October 28 to November 6 and take part in a celebration at the museum on Friday, October 28 with music, dancing, and hands-on art activities that inspire creativity and learning. Free with RSVP. Limited tickets will be available at the door the day of, first-come, first-served. This event is kid friendly.

Economic Forecast

In his presentation, Mr. Gardner will present his 2023 national and regional economic forecasts.  As Chief Economist at Windermere, he will provide additional insider insight into the local housing market and why we are will not see a repeat of the 2008 market crash. Gardner has over 28 years of professional experience and sits on several real estate and economic boards including the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors. 

The Seattle Rotary 4 Art Committee invites you to attend the 1^st Thursday Art Walk on November 3^rd.  Meet in the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) lobby at 1300 1^st Avenue at 5:00pm.  We will tour the collections in informal groups and then “walk” across the street for libations at the Goldfinch Tavern, 99 Union St.

Free First Thursday tickets will give you the run of the permanent collection and special exhibitions.  Please RSVP to Jeff Parker at jeff.parker@bristleconeadvisors.com.

Join the Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement and Migration and the Rotary Fellowship for Global Development for an engaging webinar focusing on Rotarians’ response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, featuring Rotarians and nonprofit partners.

To register for this online program, please click HERE.

To access the event:

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9027676862?pwd=bEQ2eXVEWXJlUjJWVnVJdzFBZHV1dz09

Meeting ID: 902 767 6862
Passcode: 1234

On behalf of Seattle Rotary #4’s Environmental Sustainability Committee and NatureBridge, I’d like to invite you to the Rotary Elwha Exploration Day on November 6, 2022. Since removal of two major dams the Elwha was completed in 2014, the Elwha ecosystem has undergone radical changes and made huge strides toward restoring the Elwha’s legendary salmon runs and many other ecological functions. During Elwha Exploration Day, you’ll be led by NatureBridge’s environmental educators to explore in detail the changes that have occurred in the River since the dams came down. The day will begin with registration, coffee, banana bread, and a classroom session at the NatureBridge campus on Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park, then continue with exploration of the Elwha River itself.

The event is free but registration is required and donations to NatureBridge are strongly encouraged. Sign-up and additional information on the Elwha Exploration Day is available here. NatureBridge is holding registrations open for Rotary only for the next week, then will open to the general public.

More information about NatureBridge and its mission of science-based environmental education in the nation’s National Parks is available here.

The National Park Service’s page on the history of the Elwha and ecological restoration is available here.

Space is limited so please do not delay in signing up. We hope to see you there.

For 25 years, Bob Donegan has helped manage the historic Ivar’s seafood emporium from its offices on Seattle’s waterfront.  Donegan will bring this insider knowledge to his presentation, outlining the state of the waterfront today and exciting developments on the horizon. 

Donegan volunteers with the Waterfront Association, the new Park Oversight committee, the Seattle Aquarium, Chamber of Commerce, Sports Commission, UW Foster School, Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts, the Washington Hospitality Association, and the Seattle branch of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank.  He and his wife live in Richmond Beach. 

The Arts committee will be holding their meeting in-person at the Rainier Club before the 11/16 Rotary meeting. More information forthcoming. Please direct questions to Jennifer Hohnstein. 

The Economic and Social Impact of the Arts and the State of the Sector

Michael Greer, President and CEO at ArtsFund, will discuss the state of the creative sector today and discuss how we can secure the benefits of arts and culture for the future.

With degrees in economics, education, and business, Michael brings a diverse skill set to the role and a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of the sector. Greer is a dedicated community partner and serves on several boards including the Downtown Seattle Association, Inspire WA, Puget Sound Regional Council's Economic Development District, Seattle Regional Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of King County. Greer is also a dedicated husband and father and enjoys calling the Pacific Northwest his home.

Join Rotary teams from around District 5030 for this event in support of Harvest Against Hunger. It's not too late to find a team to join; you can also donate to support a team or bowler of your choice! 

To sign up or donate in support of a bowler or team of your choosing, please click HERE.

Cassie Sauer is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA). WSHA represents all the hospitals in Washington State, and works to improve the delivery, quality, accessibility, and affordability of health care.

Cassie will discuss current challenges facing hospitals. Hospitals are experiencing a capacity crunch related to delayed care, an intense respiratory season, and difficulty finding places for patients leaving the hospital to go. Hospitals are also struggling financially. Cassie also will share solutions to these challenges, largely centered on the 2023 state legislative session. Hospitals would greatly appreciate the support of Rotary members for these solutions.

Rotarian and Japanese General Consul Hisao Inagaki would like to invite all Rotarians to this disaster preparedness seminar. 

The threat of destructive earthquakes and tsunamis that have historically hit the Washington coastline are a major concern. While the risk of land liquefaction and damage to critical infrastructure such as power lines and underground utilities during an earthquake in the Seattle area is known, recent studies suggests that the Seattle Fault can also generate a tsunami with the same level of destruction as could be experienced on the coast. This seminar will introduce technology from Japan’s experience preparing for and recovering from destructive earthquakes and tsunamis that could occur in Washington State and share recent research into disaster preparedness.

Building Pathways to Inclusion

McPage & Powell Full Band is doing a show at North City Bistro and invite you to help pack the house with Rotarians! Tickets are $15 and can be purchased HERE.

Join your fellow Rotarians and the general public for this free, fun night of holiday songs sung by a choir, drinks, and outdoor fireside merriment! Since this is an outdoor event, please dress warmly!

The Seattle Mariners would like to invite you to their holiday party! This party is a BYOB, potluck affair with the main course and non-alcoholic drinks provided. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Stephen Morse.