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.

Club Dues: With increases in both Rotary International and District 5100 dues, along with the need to offset credit card fees for payments, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove will be increasing dues from $72 to $82 per quarter. This increase will be for all club members (active, Satellite and “pay as you go”). This increase will be effective with the October dues billing. If there are any questions, please contact treasurer Ken Cunningham.

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. Our 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: Thank you to all of our members who came out for last week’s Rotary Club Golf Tournament at the Sunset Grove Golf Course. Here are the winners as announced by tournament-master Tim Schauermann…

First Place Team: Mike Yakos, Julia Kollar, Scott Coffey & David Noyes
Second Place Team: Mike Hundley, Ron Brandy, Jerry Frye & John Ball (who shot either 24 or 27 depending on who you ask).
Long Drive (women): Jeannine Murrell
Long Drive (men): Lazaro Rodriguez, Tigard Rotary
Closest To The Pin (women): Mike Hundley (really?)
Closest To The Pin (men): Alex Shepherd (Kruse Way Rotary)

In all, the tournament raised $355 for the Rotary Foundation!

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.

Rotaract Club Update: The Pacific University Rotaract Club will be recruiting new members during the Pacific University Club Fair on Fri., Sept. 6, from 4-6 pm. Our club will be supplying ice cream to help scoop up interest. If you can pop by and say hello, let’s show some support from our club!

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: Tom Meier & John Minor
Thought for the Day: Bob Nixon
Rototeller Article: Loren Waltz
Raffle Prize: Eric Burbano

Last Week’s Program: Jeff Shapiro, Community Connection West
Community Connection West is a local organization that is dedicated to connecting the local community with non-profit and service resources. The organization, based in Forest Grove, has no paid staff.

The organization is working on building a shower trailer for use by homeless in Forest Grove and Cornelius. To help provide showers and good hygiene to the homeless population, we can make the community healthier and help prevent disease. Fifteen minutes of bathing helps reduce infection of healthy levels.

For over 350 documented unsheltered persons in Western Washington County, there is only one free open shower (at the Open Door Counseling Day Center). During the winter shelter season, showers are available at the Forest Grove Aquatic Center for $4.05.

The shower trailer will be built by local volunteers and operated by local volunteers and non-profit organizations. The shower trailer will cost $22,000 to build. To date, the organization has raised $18,000. .

Club Calendar
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)