North Notes
Spokane North Rotary Club Bulletin
Sept. 20, 2021
 
Calendar:
 
Sept. 27: Rotary Zoom, Noon, Classification talks: Sandy Fink and Nancy Hanson
 
Oct. 4:  Lunch meeting at Bark – program TBA
 
Oct. 11:  No meeting due to federal holiday
 
Oct. 18:  Lunch meeting at Bark – program TBA
 
Oct. 19: Rotary Potluck at Ron Schurra’s home. (Details on-line.)
 
Oct. 25:  Lunch meeting at Bark – Classification talks: Chuck Rehberg and Bob Romney
 
Happy Buck$: (Virtually, via Zoom)
 
            Chuck Rehberg donated a virtual dollar for the successful – despite the steady rain – of the dedication of the Spokane-Cagli Sister City sculpture in the Riverfront Park “Connections” garden and the rededication of the Kokanee Steel, Spokane’s sculpture.  The 1,300-pound marble Italian sculpture drew several dignitaries from the Seattle area, including an Italian vice consul and a former Sister Cities International board member.   Spokane-North members donated to the garden and organized the work project for its reflexology path.
 
            Ron Noble celebrated relatives from Twin Falls, Idaho, and other four grandchildren who toured Riverfront Park among other sites
.
            Michelle Fossum was happy that a long summer’s work for the family’s Montana cabin was finished, “just in the nick of time” before early snows arrive.
 
            Bill Simer was ecstatic when he received word that his motorsports entry in rural England was accepted.  Bill will be racing in the “Good Wood Road Racing Club” race in mid-October.
 
Welcome!:  Joining the Sept. 20 Zoom meeting were Gary Stokes, assistant governor for District 5080  Area 8 and a member of Spokane Club 21, and Mary Joanis, a Rotarian from the tip of Baja, Mexico.   Gary, who introduced the district governor, is the manager of KSPS-TV.  Mary also spends time in Bend, Ore., and will visit Spokane as her first grandchild will be born here.
 
Hats off for our District Governor
          
             In an engaging talk Sept. 20, Rotary District 5080 Gov. Lynn O’Connor discussed in detail the many challenges and opportunities for Rotary worldwide, nationally, the district and individual clubs.
 
             As the pandemic persists, O’Connor’s visit was done via Zoom.  She used the virtual venue to show the many “hats” – literally – that a district governor wears.  Using a variety of graphic headwear, Lynn wore a halo, a fedora, a pirate’s garb, a red bandana with white polka dots, among others.  She returned to the halo, saying, “sometimes I feel like I’m a symphony conductor.”
 
            As with many organizations, O’Connor said, the continuing Covid chaos has many Rotary casualties.
 
            Membership has dropped significantly, especially in the U.S.A., she said.  Leaders, from RI President Shekhar Mehta to all of the district governors, encourage every Rotarian to “bring a friend” and try to double enrollment.  RI Foundation funding also was challenged.
 
            “Last year was difficult,” O’Connor said, adding “there has been a litany of sacrifices.” But she said that there have been “silver linings,” such as the Zoom platform, “which showed us how we can meet differently.”
 
            She said Rotary is revisiting its total organization.  Leaders, she said, may become councils.  Various task forces are working to improve diversity, inclusivity and environmental issues.
 
            Peace conferences, especially in Africa, will also be on the RI agenda.
 
            One bit of the good news, O’Connor said, is that polio cases last year numbered “just two cases.”  She reminded club members that RI’s World Polio Day is Oct. 24.
 
            Concluding her presentation, Lynn urged members to attend the District Conference, May 13-15 in her home club in Colville.
 
            She hopes for in-person conference activities “hell or high water.”  In addition to the traditional golf tournament, a variety of activities will be available from the huge Colville National Forest.  In closing, O’Connor said, “What we in Rotary do best is change lives.”  To emphasize that point, she donned virtual sunglasses and a fake moustache.
 
Bulletin editors: Chuck Rehberg and Sandy Fink