If you didn’t make it to this week’s Rotary Club of Forest Grove meeting, here is what you missed.

Backpack Assembly Day – Volunteers Needed: For the second straight year, local Rotarians are teaming up with the Forest Grove School District to assemble backpacks of school supplies for needy students. This year’s assembly event will take place on Thursday, August 29, starting at 8 a.m. at the school district’s Taylor Way Annex, 2701 Taylor Way. If you can attend and volunteer, please contact Claudia Yakos.

Satellite Club Meeting: A huge thank you to all who attended our August Thirsty Thursday social at David Hill Winery. The meeting was well attended and all enjoyed a very enjoyable evening. Out next Thirsty Thursday will be held on Thurs., Sept. 19, the McMenamin’s Grand Lodge in the Pat’s Corner outdoor area at 6:30 p.m.

Golf Tournament: Thanks to all who participated in the annual club golf tournament at the Sunset Grove Golf Course. A good time was had by all. The winners will be announced by Tim Schauermann at next week’s meeting.

Rotary Emerging Professionals Summit: On Saturday, August 10, Claudia Yakos and Aleasha Casayuran, a member of the Pacific University Rotaract Club, attended the Rotary Emerging Professionals Summit (REPS). A day was spent along with District 5100 leaders and selected young professionals brainstorming how to make our clubs and Rotary district more inviting and engaging to younger people. Claudia and Aleasha were part of a process to discover what’s working now, identify solutions to challenges, and amplify the positive experiences so that more young professionals can discover Rotary and Rotary can continue to evolve and grow.

District Governor Visit: We will have our club’s official visit from District Governor Diane Noriega on Wed., Sept. 11. Please plan on attending to hear Diane’s message and vision for the district for this year! Officers and board members should plan on staying after for a short meeting with Diane.

Have A Program Idea?: If you have an idea for a program or would like to present something yourself, let our program chair, Julia Kollar, know. She will also have a program planning board at meetings so you can see what is on deck and what dates may be available.

Next Week’s Duty Roster: Make note of your assignment!
Greeters: Bobby Kirkman & Alma Lozano
Thought for the Day: Paul Minor
Rototeller Article: Blake Timm
Raffle Prize: Ron Brandt

Last Week’s Program: Amanda Yakos, My360 Project (from August 14)
In January, with the support of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, the Yakos family had the opportunity to travel to Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, for a service trip with My360 Project. Amanda Yakos presented to the club about their trip and the program.

“My360 Project an organization that helps provide sustainable, dignified employment to those without as well as deliver shoes to children in need. Did you know there are 300 million children in the world who walk barefoot? And without shoes, their life expectancy and health is drastically reduced as they are susceptible to infection and injury that can be life threatening. A pair of shoes can literally save their lives. Children without shoes do not have access to education so these shoes not only help them physically but can help set them up for a better future.

“Additionally, the people employed to sew these shoes are women saved from abuse and human trafficking, those who have been affected by gang violence, individuals with illness or disease preventing them from being able to obtain traditional jobs, even former prison inmates…these men and women are given an opportunity to earn dignified employment and a sustainable wage to improve their lives. This is why it’s called the My360Project. The goal is to disrupt the cycle of poverty in a full circle way.  These shoes were created by a senior shoe designer from Nike and have the ability to grow with the child so they can be worn longer.

“We painted a home in a community for women who have been rescued from trafficking and are given an opportunity to rebuild in safety. We also visited Eternal Anchor, a home and school for kiddos with special needs, established by an inspiring woman with a huge vision. We spent many hours in the streets of the most impoverished neighborhoods washing feet and giving shoes. It was an incredibly powerful experience and I’m so deeply grateful to have had this opportunity and I sincerely thank you for your wonderful and generous donation.”

The club’s International Service Committee donated $2,000 to My360 Project for the purchase of shoes for the trip. The Yakos family also fundraised $1,850 on their own. In all, 155 pairs of shoes were donated on the trip.

Club Calendar
Wed., Aug. 28: Weekly Meeting, Noon, Pacific University
Program: Jeff Shapiro, Community Connection West
Wed., Sept. 4: Weekly Meeting, Noon, Pacific University
Program: Tim Schauermann, The Cost Of Higher Education in America
Tues., Sept. 10: Concours Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Forest Grove Chamber Office
Thurs., Sept. 12: Executive Board Meeting, 7 a.m., Moore & Welliver Lawyers
Thurs., Sept. 19: Board Meeting, 7 a.m., Forest Grove Chamber Office
Thurs., Sept. 19: Thirsty Thursday/Satellite Club Meeting, 6:30 p.m., McMenamins Grand Lodge (Pat’s Corner)