If you didn’t make it to our last Rotary Club of Forest Grove meeting, here’s what you missed…

Online Meetings Continue: We will continue to meet virtually using the Zoom Meeting platform for the foreseeable future. Our meetings will begin at our normal meeting time, Noon on Wednesday. All Rotarians are welcome and participating will count towards meeting attendance. Here are the login details (will be the same for all of our online meetings moving forward)…

Direct Link: https://zoom.us/j/183084884
Meeting ID: 183 084 884

To join by phone, dial 669-900-6833 or 346-248-7799 and enter the meeting ID number when prompted.

Zoom App Downloads
Zoom Cloud Meeting App For Android
Zoom Cloud Meeting App For iPhone
Download Zoom Meeting App For Desktop

Steak Fundraiser: Thank you to all of our members from making both rounds of our Steak Sale Fundraiser such a success! The second round resulted in the sale of 358 packages of steaks.

Combined with the 600 packages sold in the first round, the 958 packages have raised $5,748 to go towards the Youth Exchange Program.

If you were unable to pick up your steaks on Thursday or Friday, you will need to contact Tim Pearson or Jeff Duyck to arrange for pick up. If you have not paid for your steaks, you will receive another invoice soon from Marge Johnston.

Once again, a big thank you to Jeff Duyck for coordinating this effort with Columbia Empire Meats!

Scholarship Program: The recipients of the 2020 Rotary Club of Forest Grove scholarships have been announced. This year over $26,000 of scholarships were awarded to 16 graduating seniors from the local area. Congratulations to the following recipients…

Forest Grove High School: Zachary Burke, Victoria Flores Parra, Alayna Gilliland, Eymar Gonzalez-Ocegueda, Olivia Grosse, Jessica Heinauer, Guy Littlefield, Sophia Mallett (awarded in 2019), Grace Malloy, Alan Rincon, Cameron Robinson, Faith Scheenstra, Piper Stewart, Jordan Vann

Gaston High School: Austin Walker, Caleb Wimberly

Banks High School: Adam Mayo

Click Here To Read The Full Announcement

Road Cleanup: After some delay due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we finally have our next road cleanup on the schedule. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 27. Participants should meet at the Oregon Department of Forestry offices at 801 Gales Creek Road, at 8:30 a.m.

Please note the following changes to the program to ensure proper social distancing…

• The cleanup will be limited to the first 20 participants who arrive.
• Children under 11 years old will not be allowed to participate. Children ages 12 to 18 will need to authorization from a parent to participate.
• Participants will need to sign a risk waiver.

For questions, please contact Andrea Stewart at 503-357-1427 or astewart@pacificu.edu.

First Responder Meals: Thank you to Howard Sullivan for coordinating our First Responder Meals donations over the last two months.

Fundraising is underway to another wave of meals to be donated in June once again to first responders at OSHU’s Hillsboro Medical Center (formerly Tuality Community Hospital). The plan is to raise $240 to provide for those meals. For more information on this initiative, contact Howard for more details, 503-680-1537.

End Of Year Celebration: The June Satellite Club meeting for June will also serve as the club’s End Of Year Celebration as we celebrate the 2019-20 Rotary Year and the work done by President Tim. Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. Note: To encourage attendance online for the End of Year Celebration, there will be NO WEDNESDAY MEETING on June 24 (this is a change from the information from last week’s Rewind).

McDougall Garden: The McDougall Garden, near the big flagpole, is looking good. But just like any garden, weeds will pop up. Rotarians are welcomed and encouraged to stop by and pull a weed or two, even if it is just for a few minutes. Many hands make for light work. Once again, thank you to our garden committee and especially Rob Foster, Geoff Faris and Lucas Welliver for their work in this visible community project.

Scouts BSA Donation: For a number of years, our club has helped coordinate donations to the troop from the Intel Volunteer Donation Program. Intel employees can log hours volunteered with local causes and, in turn, Intel donates money to those volunteer organizations in recognition of that work. This year, Troop 213 will be receiving $4,850 from that program through the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove.

Thank You Farmers Insurance: We send a big THANK YOU to Rotarian Kevin Harmon, who worked with fellow Rotarian Jeannine Murrell to secure $7,500 worth of grants from Farmers Insurance for Forest Grove High School’s Food Pantry. The funds are being donated to the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove and will be then directed to the Food Pantry.

The following is the official press release on the donations from Farmer’s Insurance.

As communities across the country continue to face unprecedented circumstances in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Farmers Insurance is granting donations to nonprofits directly related to COVID-19 relief efforts, as nominated by Farmers agents and district managers across the country.

As millions of people do their part to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, many nonprofit groups continue to rely on the support of local communities to assist in COVID-19 response efforts. To offer support to the Forest Grove community, Matt Elliott, Joe Gilles, Kevin Harmon, Jeannine Murrell & Danny Davidson nominated and secured a $7,500 grant for the Rotary Club of Forest Grove to aid in relief efforts directly related to the current crisis.   These funds will be used to provide much needed help to the Forest Grove High School Food Pantry.

“As Farmers agents & district managers, it’s a privilege to be able to do our part in helping communities in which we live, work and play with the continued support from Farmers Insurance,” said Harmon. “During these extraordinary times, we are proud to help support a deserving nonprofit with a grant that will enable them to continue to rise to the challenge of battling this pandemic.”

Golf Tournament Update: Even with social distancing guidelines, it appears that we will still be able to hold our annual club golf tournament, which usually takes place in August. It is possible that it will be a golf only event as we will likely not be able to have the usual lunch portion together. Tim Schauermann is in the planning stages and more details with be forthcoming.

Rotary Phone Tree: Thank you to everyone who has made our Rotary Phone Tree such a success in caring for our members. Paul Waterstreet is shuffling the lists up starting this week.

The goal of the phone tree is to reach out and check on every member of the club to make sure they are doing all right and to provide updates on club announcements and activities (Hint: You have a great list to draw from here). The plan is for the tree to be activated every Tuesday. The idea is that for each person to call the next one on the list. The last person on the list should call the team captain to make sure the list is complete. For more information or questions, or if your information on the Phone Tree is not correct, contact Paul Waterstreet.

FGHS Community Food Pantry: Even with schools closed, the need for resources at the Forest Grove High School Community Food Pantry continues. The pantry continues to need the following items to serve the community that is depending on it…

Food: Pasta, Canned Sauces, Tortillas, Rice, Beans, Canned Fruit, Jelly, Peanut Butter, Boxed Milk, Canned Vegetables, Bread, Applesauce, Granola Bars, Fruit Snacks, Macaroni & Cheese, Tuna, Crackers, Maseca and Vegetable Oil.

Hygiene Items: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Tampons/Pads, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Hair Brushes, Toilet Paper.

Over the summer, the Food Pantry will be open on Mondays and Thursday from 2-4 p.m.

If you can donate any of the above items, please contact Brian Burke, bburke@fgsd.k12.or.us. If you wish to make a cash donation to the pantry, Click Here.

Concours d’Elegance Canceled: With the uncertainly on the COVID-19 situation, the Rotary Board of Directors, at the unanimous recommendation of the Concours Steering Committee, has canceled the 2020 Concours d’Elegance, scheduled for Sunday, July 19. The committee will refocus its efforts on the 2021 show. The club board will be talking in the coming weeks to find avenues that we can fundraise for our scholarship fund with the absence of our top fundraising event of the year. Click Here For The Complete Announcement From The Concours Committee

Quarterly Dues: You should have received by now your quarterly dues statement from the club. Please note that this statement will not include any prepaid meals expenses. This reflects the decision of the board in March to put all members on a “pay as you go” status for this quarter since we are currently unable to meet in person.

We understand that this is a challenging time for all of us and that some of our members are affected more significantly than others. If you are able, please pay your dues invoice as soon as possible so that we can continue to meet our RI and District obligations. If you believe that your situation will make it hard or impossible to make a payment, please contact President Tim Pearson. The club will consider and work with those hardships on a case-by-case basis.

Helping The Forest Grove School Community: At the request of Rotarian and Forest Grove School District Superintendent Dave Parker, our Youth Funding Committee donated $3,000 to the school district to help in making supplemental learning items available to students as supplemental and distance learning. In addition, our committees have banded together for a $2,000 donation to the Banks Community Food Bank to help with the purchase of food from the Oregon Food Bank.

Take Out Locally!: There are many local restaurants and coffee shops that are continuing to operate for take-out during the stay-at-home order. Those local businesses are seeing a significant drop in business and could use our support. Could you commit to patronizing one of these eateries at least once per week to help stimulate the local economy? Click Here For A List Of Places That Are Opened For Takeout (updated on May 18), courtesy of Court Carrier and Jeff King at the City of Forest Grove.

District Announcements
RYLA Canceled: With the uncertainty of when stay at home orders will be lifted, the difficult decision was made to cancel the District 5100 RYLA program for 2020. The program will be back stronger than ever in 2021. Click Here For More Details

Rotary International Announcements
Virtual Rotary Convention 2020: Registration is now open for the 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention, which will take place from June 20-26. All Rotarians are welcome to sign up for sessions and experience the power of Rotary from all over the world. Registration is required to take in the sessions. Click Here For Information & To Register. NOTE: Times listed on the convention schedule are Central Daylight Time (subtract two hours for Pacific time).

Now More Than Ever, Rotary Connects the World: The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention will join you with Rotary participants around the world during a time of unprecedented challenges. If you have ever wanted to attend an international convention, or wanted to go back, this is a great chance to experience it.

Together, we’ll still experience the spirit of Rotary, be inspired by innovation, celebrate our resilience, and explore how clubs are addressing COVID-19. Experience Rotary in action during our Flag Ceremony, witness the power of connection during our general sessions, learn new ways to engage with Rotary during our breakout sessions, find inspiration from our global speakers, and much more.

We have never needed Rotary — and we have never needed each other — more than we do now. We hope to see you online, because Now More Than Ever, Rotary Connects the World.

Rotary Responds: Every Wednesday in the month of June, Rotary is a presenting a Facebook Live series to talk about how Rotary and clubs are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The #RotaryResponds Live series features Rotary leaders and members, and leaders from partner organizations, sharing how they are taking action in their communities.

Episodes are streamed live on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. (Pacific). This week’s episode will feature Brock Bierman, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Agency for International Development and Mike McGovern, chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee. The two will discuss with Rotary CEO John Hewko how Rotary partnerships are being utilized to respond to COVID-19.

Click Here For The Direct Link To The Facebook Event

Disaster Response Fund: Rotary International has a Disaster Response Fund that is drawn from to help clubs provide disaster recovery and support rebuilding efforts. This includes efforts related to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Contributions are combined into one fund and made available through Rotary Disaster Response Grants. To make a donation to the program, Click Here.

Last Week’s Program
Laura Thompson-Aue, Charitable Giving & Tax Preparation
Rotarian Laura Thompson-Aue, a financial advisor with Thrivent Financial, presented to the club about charitable giving and strategies that include tax efficiency. Thrivent is a member-owned a financial services organization. It is the only not-for-profit, full services financial organization in the United States.

Laura presented to the club a number of strategies to be able to maximize charitable giving with recent changes in tax law.

Bundling Charitable Gifts: Most people won’t give enough to surpass the new standard deductions. With a plan that allows for the bundling of charitable gifts, one can give two or more years of charitable donations in one year to reach the new threshold required for itemization.

Donor Advised Fund: Donor gives assets to a donor advised fund, which in turn grants funds to your chosen charities and the individual receives the income tax deduction. Plan allows for flexibility in amounts donated and organizations supported.

Qualified Charitable Distributions: After 70.5 years of age, you can donate to a charitable fund and in turn give to a charity or charities. Tax advantages of QCD: Amount directed is not included in your adjusted gross income (up to 100 percent for 2020 and up to 60 percent in following years); no income tax due from you on tax-deferred distributions.

Appreciated Securities: Donating appreciated securities to a non-profit allows you to avoid paying any capital gains tax on the security.

Life Insurance: You can designate a charitable organization as absolute owner and beneficiary for a life insurance policy, which leverages funds for legacy/charitable giving. You can use qualified (retirement funds) or non-qualified (not retirement funds) to pay the premiums.  The premium payments paid directly to the charitable fund can potentially count toward your deductible charitable donations.

Club Calendar
All Club Activities Are On Zoom Unless Otherwise Noted
Wed., June 17: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Program: Tualatin Valley Beekeepers Association
Thurs., June 18: Board Meeting, 7 a.m.
Thurs., June 25: Club End Of Year Celebration, 6:30 p.m.
Sat., June 27: Road Cleanup, 8:30 a.m., Oregon Department of Forestry, 801 Gales Creek Rd.