Road Cleanups Return: After a hiatus by Washington County due to the pandemic, our semi-annual road cleanup service project is set to start up again. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 12, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry at 801 Gales Creek Road.

As part of the Washington County Adopt-A-Road program, our club conducts cleanups on Gales Creek Road between Thatcher Road and Forest Gale Drive and along Thatcher Road between Gales Creek Road and David Hill Road. Our club has been involved with the program for over 25 years. There is no better way for club members to honor Jerry Hoerber’s memory than by taking part in this project, which he started and served as chair of for over a quarter-century.

Scholarship Program Is Open: Applications are now being accepted for the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s annual scholarship program. Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors that live in the Forest Grove, Gaston and Banks school district attendance areas. These scholarships are made possible thanks to contributions from club members and from our annual car show, the Concours d’Elegance.

Scholarships vary in amounts from $500 to $2,000 and are awarded to help pay for the first year of college of vocational school at a school in the United States.

The application deadline is midnight on Saturday, April 7. The application process will once again take place completely online. Click Here For Additional Details.

For questions, please contact Scholarship Committee chair Sharon Olmstead at sharon.olmstead8571@gmail.com.

Looking Ahead To The 2022-23 Rotary Year: At Wednesday’s meeting, president-elect Janet Peters gave a report on the attending the virtual Pacific Northwest President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS). The weekend was full of training sessions and inspirational speakers, including Rotary International president-elect Jennifer Jones, and 2018-19 RI president Barry Rassin.

Over the next three weeks, Janet will be reaching out to club members to try and gauge how you would like to be involved with the club during the 2022-23 Rotary year. Be watching for an email or a call coming soon.

Steak Sale Is Back On: The club is starting its next Steak Sale Fundraiser, which benefits all of our club’s community outreaches. We are offering packs two choice sirloin steaks from Columbia Empire Meats for $20 per pack (note the price increase from previous sales).

Orders for this round are due to Julia Kollar by no later than Sunday, March 13. Steak pickup will be on Thursday, March 17, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Jeff Duyck’s warehouse on 19th Avenue between Main and Ash Streets.

For more information or questions, please contact Julia.

The Concours Is Back – Save The Date: After two years without an in-person show, the planning is in full swing for the 2022 Concours d’Elegance. Our annual show, which raises funds for our club’s Scholarship Program, will take place on Sunday, July 17, on the campus of Pacific University.

This year’s theme is a celebration of Jaguar. In addition, the show will showcase a salute to British Excellence with feature classes for MG, Triumph and Lotus.

Concours weekend also includes a vineyard concert on Fri., July 15, the annual Vineyard Tour on Sat., July 16 and the Evening of Excellence dinner at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course on the evening of Sat., July 16.

For more information on the show, visit forestgroveconcours.org, or contact show chairman Ryan Garcia.

As our club’s primary fundraiser for the year, the Concours is an “all hands on deck” event with all club members expected to volunteer.

Add Concours Updates: The Concours Committee is in need of a vendor chair for this year’s show. The role involves keep in touch with our vendors and making sure that their needs are taken care of on the day of the event. If you are interested in taking on this role, please contact Ryan Garcia or President Bryce.

Tim Pearson, the Concours fundraising chair, is well in the process of securing sponsorships for this year’s show…but he needs our help. He has a goal of securing 100 sponsors for this year’s event. If you know of a person, business or organization that you believe would be a good fit for the show, please contact Tim at 503-998-8616 or timpearsonpc@gmail.com.

The Concours Committee has agreed to move forward with a Friday night concert event to start the weekend. The concert will take place on July 15 at Elk Cove Vineyard near Gaston. Capacity will be limited to 200 people. More details will be coming soon.

Crab Feed Is Back: After two years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Crab Feed is coming back in 2022!

Our club’s annual Crab Feed is scheduled for Wednesday, Apr. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Forest Grove Senior & Community Center. The Crab Feed is designed to be a social event for club members and their families to celebrate the good work that we do throughout the year. This is also traditionally when the club recognizes its latest Paul Harris Fellows.

Julia Kollar is re-forming the committee to take on the planning and execution of this event. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Julia.

Advanced tickets will be required to be purchased prior to the event (to assist in budgeting) and will be available soon.

Steak Feed Returns: Our annual Steak Feed is also returning after a two-year hiatus. This year’s event will take place on Friday, June 10, on the campus of Pacific University.

Designed as a community event, the Steak Feed is specifically targeted as a fundraiser for our club’s involvement in the Rotary Youth Exchange program (which we also hope to see return in 2022). A meal featuring a choice steak, potatoes, vegetables and dessert is prepared and served by club members.

As one of our club’s major fundraisers, the Steak Feed is an “all hands on deck” event with all club members expected to volunteer. More details on this year’s event will be available soon. For more information, please contact Geoff Faris.

Helping The FGHS Food Pantry: As part of our continued partnership with the Forest Grove High School Food Pantry, our club was able to fill a request for 10 plastic bins. These bins are being used to store winter coats that were collected by the school’s Renaissance Club.

Online Dues Payments: Our club is now equipped to process dues payments online! We can now process credit card or debit card payments for quarterly dues. Information on how to pay online will be included with quarterly billings that will be coming to your mailbox or email inbox.

With the transition to billing with Quickbooks, some members may not have received their quarterly invoice. If you did not, please contact treasurer Lucas Welliver.

FGHS Community Food Pantry: Our club’s support for the Forest Grove High School Food Pantry continues. Thanks to its partnership with the Oregon Food Bank, food donations are still welcome but are of less need at this time. Of need, however, are toiletries and hygiene products as well as household cleaning materials.

The Food Pantry is open on Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. The pantry is now open in its new site in the building along Nichols Lane between the football field and the Basinski Center.

For information on the Food Pantry, please contact Brian Burke, bburke@fgsd.k12.or.us. If you wish to make a cash donation to the pantry, Click Here.

Additionally, Rotarian Gwen Hullinger has put together an Amazon wish list of items that can be purchased and donated. Click Here To View That List.

Past Programs: Did you miss a meeting or want to go back and check out a program again? Most of our programs since May 2020 are archived on our club’s YouTube page. Visit https://bit.ly/fgrotaryprograms.

Around District 5100
District Video Updates: The latest video updates from District 5100 leaders are available online. We encourage you to click on the links below and learn more about what is going on with our district’s committee.

Update From District Governor Nominee Renee Brouse
PolioPlus Committee Update
Rotary Essential Enrichment Learning (REEL) Update
ShelterBox Ambassador Update
Vocational Service Committee Update
Rotary Youth Exchange Committee Update

Save The Date: District 5100 Rotary One Conference: Mark your calendars for May 19-22 as District 5100 will present its first combined Spring Training Event and annual conference in Seaside. The combined conference will provide Rotary training opportunities, inspirational speakers and a celebration of what is hoped to be a great year in District 5100. The conference website is now live. Check it out at http://www.rotary5100.com.

Around Rotary International
Rotary’s Commitment To Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: At Rotary, we’re committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, and providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service, and leadership.

Our members want and expect Rotary to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. We’re committed to creating supportive environments that foster open communication and shared learning. And although the Rotary experience may differ from country to country, the dynamics, histories, and structures that create inequality and bias can be found all over the world. Issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion are globally relevant.

The Rotary International Board of Directors and The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Rotary is taking action to follow these principles in everything we do. We recognize that being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization will enhance the experience that members have in Rotary, allow us to carry out more meaningful and effective service efforts, and create open, welcoming environments that appeal to people who want to connect with us.

A Guide For The Future
The Rotary International Board convened the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force to assess the state of DEI within Rotary and develop a comprehensive plan to establish these values even more firmly in our culture. To develop the plan, the task force used the responses from 31,000 members around the world who reported their experiences with DEI in Rotary through our first diversity, equity, and inclusion survey.

Read the highlights of the framework.

View a snapshot of DEI at Rotary.

Rotary’s Commitment Statement
In 2021, the Rotary International Board, with guidance from the DEI Task Force, strengthened our commitment statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which had been adopted in 2019.

DEI Code Of Conduct
Rotary International’s Board approved a new DEI code of conduct that reflects our core values. It provides a supportive framework for how Rotary members can create and maintain an environment that is collaborative, positive, and healthy for everyone.

The DEI code of conduct asks Rotary members to:

• Use respectful language
• Be supportive
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment
• Celebrate diversity

Although free expression is important, what we say and how we behave matter. Rotary does not tolerate speech or behavior that promotes bias, discrimination, prejudice, or hatred because of age, ethnicity, race, color, disabilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

All Rotary leaders, from club presidents and district governors to directors and trustees, are expected to apply the DEI code of conduct uniformly by taking responsibility for how their words and actions may affect others.

If you hear something or observe behavior that doesn’t align with the DEI code of conduct, you have several options for addressing it:

• If the situation can be resolved through discussion, encourage the member or participant to talk to the person directly. Very often, a person who said something or acted in a way that made others feel excluded, marginalized, or targeted did not do so intentionally. Although there might be mistakes, missteps, and uncomfortable conversations along the way, the end result is a better, stronger Rotary.

• If a discussion is not possible or the situation involves someone in a leadership role or another club, contact Club and District Support staff, who will review the information and follow up appropriately.

• If anyone is in danger or their safety is in doubt, contact local law enforcement and notify  Rotary’s Club and District Support staff.

Support DEI In Your Club & Community
You have access to many resources to help you advocate for DEI in your club and district. You can:

• Expand your knowledge and increase your ability to facilitate positive discussions about DEI issues with courses available in the Learning Center:

– DEI Basics

– DEI Intermediate

– DEI Webinar Series

• Talk about the benefits of a diverse and inclusive club with your fellow club members and use the Diversifying Your Club assessment to create a member diversity and inclusion plan.

• Join a Rotary discussion group about a DEI-related topic:

– LGBT Diversity and Inclusion Affinity Rotary Group

– Gender Equity in Rotary 

– DEI — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

– Celebrating Indigenous and Various Cultures, Peoples, and Places

– Rotarians Against Racism 

– Agrupación Feminista de Rotary (Spanish)

You can take action to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in your club:

• Invite local diversity, equity, and inclusion experts to speak to your club. Connect with organizations that support DEI efforts, and work with them on projects or events.

• Seek out new voices when you’re making appointments and encourage people who have been underrepresented in these roles to take on leadership positions.

• Hold conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Acknowledge that this can be uncomfortable and very personal. Establish the expectation that these conversations will allow everyone opportunities to learn and to be heard and will remain respectful.

• Create a club DEI committee that reflects the demographics of your community and works with residents to identify collaborative learning, sharing, and service opportunities.

Last Week’s Program: Raziah Roushan, Tualatin Valley Creates

Click Here To Watch The Full Program

Last week, we were joined by Raziah Roushan, who is the executive director of Tualatin Valley Creates, who provided an overview of the organization and how it serves the arts and cultural communities in Washington County.

With over 20 years as a non-profit organization, Tualatin Valley Creates drives the development of inclusive, resilient, creative communities using arts, culture, heritage and humanities.

Their work includes increasing the visibility and community engagement with local happenings, engaging under-served populations by making arts & culture more accessible, cultivating various economic opportunities in the arts and culture ecosystem and bridging resources needed to support people working in the local creative industries.

One of Tualatin Valley Creates’ biggest assets is their communication hub online, which acts as a clearinghouse for arts activities in the area. Posting on the hub and calendar is free. The hub also includes specific sections highlighting youth artists, including performing arts. They also send out regular newsletters based on various interests in the arts.

Tualatin Valley Creates also provides a Resources for Creatives webpage, which includes calls for artists, funding and employment opportunities and other resources. They also work to provide professional development for artists in such areas as bookkeeping, social media, photography for promoting artists and more.

With the COVID pandemic starting the decline, TVC is starting to ramp up in-person events. They will conduct an in-person networking event on Wednesday, Mar. 16 from 5-6 p.m. at Ridgewalker Brewing in Forest Grove.

Tualatin Valley Creates is also responsible for the musical benches installed across the area, including the one in Forest Grove located on 21st Avenue and A Street. The art installations are meant to be accessible and playful. They also work with public and private sectors on public art initiatives.

Tualatin Valley Creates also produces La Strada dei Pastelli Chalk Art Festival, a two-day festival that will take place in July in Hillsboro. The festival will include various artistic modalities, food and hands-on activities. There are sponsorship opportunities available by contacting TVC.

The arts are big business in Washington County. A recent Arts & Economic Prosperity Study found that the arts generate more than $21 million annually in Washington County alone. This includes not only arts activities, but also transportation, meals, etc. The study was released in 2017 and found that there was over 900 jobs in Washington County directly tied to the arts.

Learn more about Tualatin Valley Creates at tvcreates.org.

Club Calendar
Wed., Mar. 2: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Boxer Pause Room, Pacific University
Program: To Be Announced

Thurs., Mar. 2: Executive Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
Via Zoom

Wed., Mar. 9: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Boxer Pause Room, Pacific University
Program: To Be Announced

Sat., Mar. 12: Road Cleanup, 8:30 a.m.
Oregon Department of Forestry, 801 Gales Creek Rd., Forest Grove

Sun., Mar 13: Deadline For Steak Sale Orders

Sat., Apr. 7: Rotary Scholarship Program Application Deadline

Wed., Apr. 20: Rotary Crab Feed, 5 p.m.
Forest Grove Senior & Community Center

Fri., June 10: Steak Feed, 5 p.m.
Pacific University Campus

Sun., July 17: Concours d’Elegance
Pacific University Campus