If you did not make it to our last Rotary Club of Forest Grove meeting, here is what you missed…

This Week – President’s End Of Year Dinner: This week we will not have a regular noon club meeting. We instead invite members to join us for our annual President’s Dinner, Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at Prime Time Sports Bar & Restaurant. Come to enjoy some good food, fellowship, to celebrate President Amy Tracewell’s year and to welcome President-Elect Lucas Welliver to his year leading the club.

Cost for the dinner is $40 per person. Partners and guests are welcomed and encouraged to attend. A RSVP sheet will be passed around at Wednesday’s meeting or contact Claire Agner to RSVP by no later than Monday, June 17. There will be no noon meeting on Wednesday, June 19.

Upcoming Meetings: Our weekly meeting on Wednesday, June 26 will take place at the Forest Grove School District’s Community Alternative Learning Center, 2701 Taylor Way. Please RSVP to Claire Agner for lunch orders by no later than Friday, June 21. We will not have a club meeting on Wednesday, July 3.

Steak Feed: We have a great community! Thank you to all of our friends who came out and supported the club during our annual Steak Feed on Friday. We kept busy the entire time, cooking and serving meals that go to support our involvement in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Thank you as well to all our club members who stepped up and made this great event happen!

A special thank you to the Steak Feed co-chairs, Geoff Faris and Jeff Duyck, for their hard work to bring this annual event together. Thank you as well to the committee chairs for their assistance: Amy Tracewell, Julia Kollar, Greg Nemchick, Jim Crisp, Geoff Johnston, Parri Van Dyke and Pete Van Dyke.

If you have not turned in your money for tickets or unused tickets, please get those to Geoff Faris soon as possible.

Youth Citizens of the Month: At our June 5 meeting, it was our pleasure to honor our final Youth Citizens of the Month for the 2023-24 academic year: Orion Spencer and Enrique Russell of Gaston Jr./Sr. High School! A story on these two youth’s accomplishments will be posted soon to the club website, FGRotary.org. Congratulations to Orion and Enrique!

Hillsboro Rotary Fourth of July Parade: It is an annual tradition! Members are invited to help promote the Concours d’Elegance at the Hillsboro Rotary Fourth of July Parade. Participants should plan on being at the staging areas by no later than 8 a.m. The parade begins at 10 a.m., beginning ending at 3rd Avenue and NE Grant St. If you are interested in marching with our club, put your name on the sign-up sheet at next week’s meeting or email Claire Agner.

Rotary Club of Forest Grove 100th Anniversary Celebration: Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 7, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of our club! Join us at the Carpenter Creek Winery, 47266 SW Carpenter Creek Road, Forest Grove, for an evening of fellowship and celebration. The event will include a social hour and barbeque dinner. More details will be coming soon.

Friends of Historic Forest Grove Displays: As part of celebrating the 50th Concours d’Elegance and the 100th anniversary of our club, Friends of Historic Forest Grove is looking for items to use for a lobby display to celebrate both milestones. The display will be located in the Old Train Station Museum at the corner of Main Street and 19th Avenue. The display in June and July will highlight the Concours while the display in September will highlight our club.

If you have items that you would be willing to loan to FHFG to promote the history of Concours and/or the club, you can also bring items to the museum during its open hours, Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Mentorship Program With Rotary: Since joining our club, Rotarians Cole Thursam and Javin Frelin have been exploring how to connect younger professionals to our club and to Rotary as a whole. The two are in the preliminary stages of developing a mentorship program for young professionals in the local community that would be tied to Rotary. If you would like to learn more or are interested in taking part in this effort, please contact Cole or Javin.

Past Programs: Did you miss a meeting or want to go back and check out a program again? Many of our programs since May 2020 (over 140 videos to date) are archived on our club’s YouTube page. Visit https://bit.ly/fgrotaryprograms.

Concours News
2024 Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance, presented by the Rotary Club of Forest Grove
Sunday, July 21 on Pacific University’s Forest Grove Campus

Concours Website | Enter A Car | 2024 Concours Weekend Schedule

Concours Committee Meetings: The Concours d’Elegance Committee is starting the planning for our 50th show on July 21, 2024. If interested in getting further involved with the Concours, the steering committee is always looking for volunteers to prepare for the show throughout the year. For more information, contact Tom Raabe at 503-704-1200 or rotarytomr@gmail.com or Geoff Johnston at 503-939-7868 or gamsma@comcast.net.

The committee will be meeting weekly on Tuesdays, 7 p.m., via Zoom.

Volunteer Assignments: Like the Steak Feed, the Concours D’Elegance is an “all hands on deck” event, requiring all members to volunteer and make this event as successful as possible. If you are unsure of your volunteer assignment, please contact Tom Raabe or the Concours volunteer coordinator, Janet Peters, 503-679-6479 or rjlc4peters@msn.com.

Sponsorships: Sponsorships go a long way to increasing the profit of the Concours, which goes to fund our scholarship program and our club’s other outreach activities. To learn more about available sponsorships, Click Here to contact Tim Pearson at 503-998-8616 or timpearsonpc@gmail.com.

Concours 50th Anniversary Kickoff Concert: For the last two years, Concours weekend has kicked off with a dinner and concert event. This year, this kickoff event will be bigger and better than ever as McMenamins presents the Concours d’Elegance 50th Anniversary Kickoff Concert at McMenamins Grand Lodge.

This year’s event takes place on Friday, July 19. Doors open at 4 p.m. and an evening of music begins at 5 p.m., featuring music by Scott Pemberton O Theory, Hillstomp, the Forest Grove Outlaws and Trask River Redemption. McMenamins will be serving food and its line of locally-produced beers, wines and spirits. This will be a tremendous opportunity to promote Sunday’s show and to celebrate 50 years of a hallmark community events.

Once expenses have been met, the Rotary Club of Forest Grove will receive proceeds from ticket sales.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door on the day of the event. Click Here to purchase tickets…and send the link to your friends!

Future Collectors – Youth Judging Program: As part of the 50th Concours d’Elegance, the committee is offering a program for high school students to learn the ins and outs of judging classic cars. The Future Collectors program is sponsored by Sports Car Market, allowing students to learn the craft of judging and to select a car to receive the Future Collectors Trophy at this year’s show.

In addition to admission to the show and the opportunity to judge their Future Collector class, participants will also receive two tickets to the Concours, a polo shirt and a hat.

Interested youth can learn more and fill out a registration form on the Future Collectors Program page on the Concours Website.

Polo Shirts: We still have a number of our club Concours polo shirts available for new members or club members who did not get one last year. The blue shirts have the Concours logo on the front and the club logo on the sleeve and are the work shirts we wear during the event. Shirts are $30 each. If you would like a shirt, please contact Tim Pearson.

Service Opportunities For Club Members
Do You Know Of Service Opportunities?: Are you aware of service opportunities in our area that our members might be interested in? We can advertise those here! This space is not limited to club-sponsored activities but to any service opportunity in the community. To promote the service activity, please send a detailed description of the project, the date and time, contact information and a link to register to Rototeller editor Blake Timm, blakertimm@gmail.com.

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 Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. The pantry is located along Nichols Lane between the football field and the Basinski Center. Click Here for more information on the FGHS Food Pantry and on other resources for those experiencing food insecurity.

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.

Bloodworks NW Blood Drives: In an effort to build blood supplies in the Pacific Northwest, Bloodworks NW is sponsoring a number of blood drives in 2024 at the Forest Grove City Library. Upcoming blood rives will be held on Friday, July 26, Friday, Sept. 27 and Friday, Dec. 6. To sign up to give and set an appointment, please visit the Bloodworks NW website.

Around District 5100
District Governor Renee Brouse’s June Message: In the month of June, Rotary International marks the month as Rotary Fellowship Month. It’s a time to celebrate the bonds of friendship and the spirit of service that unite Rotarians around the world.

Rotary International, founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, has grown into a network of over 35,000 clubs with 1.4 million members across more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Its mission to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, and alleviate poverty is underpinned by the principle of fellowship – the idea that individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Fellowship is at the heart of Rotary. Beyond the projects and initiatives undertaken, it’s the camaraderie and connection among members that sustain the organization’s spirit. Rotary Fellowship Month in June is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate this aspect of Rotary life.

One of the key ways Rotary fosters fellowship is through its various Rotary Fellowships. These are international groups that share a common passion or profession, allowing members to connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. Whether it’s a love for golf, a commitment to promoting peace, or a shared interest in wine, there’s likely a Rotary Fellowship that caters to it. These fellowships provide Rotarians with the chance to network, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects that align with their shared interests.

Additionally, Rotary clubs often organize fellowship events and activities throughout the month of June. These can range from social gatherings and family picnics to volunteer outings and service projects. Such events not only strengthen the bonds between current members but also provide an opportunity for prospective members to learn more about Rotary and its mission.

June is also a time for Rotary clubs to reflect on the past year’s achievements and plan for the year ahead. As Rotary International transitions to a new theme and focus areas each year under the leadership of its President, June serves as a pivotal month for clubs to align their goals with the organization’s larger objectives. It’s a time for strategic planning, leadership transitions, and setting the course for future endeavors.

Moreover, June offers an opportunity for Rotary clubs to engage with their communities and raise awareness about the work they do. By hosting open houses, participating in local events, and sharing success stories through traditional and digital media, Rotary clubs can showcase their impact and inspire others to get involved.

As Rotary Fellowship Month unfolds, it’s a reminder that while the work of Rotary is serious and impactful, it’s also infused with joy, friendship, and a sense of belonging. Whether through a shared hobby, a common cause, or simply the bonds of friendship, Rotarians come together in June and throughout the year to make a difference in the world.

So, as we celebrate Rotary Fellowship Month this June, let us take a moment to cherish the connections we’ve made, the friendships we’ve formed, and the impact we’ve had – and recommit ourselves to the ideals of service, fellowship, and goodwill that define Rotary International.

Thank you fellow Rotarians for the honor to serve this district as your district governor. May your clubs continue to thrive; may you continue to impact the communities you serve in a greater way and may you continue to put service above self.

In the spirit of Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” let us march forward with determination, compassion, and hope.

Shoot For The Moon – This October: This October, Rotary District 5100 will be holding a Major Donor event to recognize and thank you who have been generous supporters of The Rotary Foundation and to challenge our district to reach even further to support the cause.

The Shoot for the Moon dinner event will take place on Saturday, October 19, at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville. Inspired by the Artemis mission, which will cover nearly a million miles traveling to the moon and back, we are launching a campaign to raise $1 million in new TRF contributions.

As part of Shoot for the Moon, 2024-25 Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick will be our keynote speaker. This marks the first time a sitting RI president will have visited District 5100 since the late Ray Klinginsmith in 2010-11. Shoot for the Moon will be an inspirational evening and a testament to the great work Rotary and Rotarians do in the world through The Rotary Foundation.

Invitations for Shoot for the Moon will be sent to Arch Klumph Society members, Bequest Society members, Major Donors and Paul Harris Society members. If you are not part of one of these giving groups yet, you can earn an invitation by “leveling up” your giving to TRF:

• Move from Paul Harris Fellow to Paul Harris Society
• Close the gap to become a Major Donor
• Move from Benefactor to Bequest Society

In addition, those who give a new gift of $10,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation between now and August 15, either as an outright gift, a two to three-year pledge or in a gift to the Bequest Society, will earn an invitation to an exclusive reception with Stephanie Urchick. Gifts can be made to any TRF giving area: Annual Fund/SHARE, PolioPlus, the Endowment, Peace, an Area of Focus, or to a Global Grant.

To learn more, visit the Shoot for the Moon website. For further questions, please contact Jeannine Murrell or Blake Timm. We hope to see you on October 19!

Click Here To Learn More About Giving To The Rotary Foundation | Click Here To Donate 

District 5100 Newsletter: Click Here To View The Monthly District 5100 Newsletter

Last Week’s Program: Rotary Scholarship Winners
At last week’s meeting, we were honored to recognize the recipients of our 2024 Rotary Club of Forest Grove scholarships.

Seven students from Forest Grove High School, six students from Banks High School and one from Gaston High School will receive one-time scholarships varying from $1,000 to $2,000. Scholarship applications were judged on academic success, community service and financial need.

“Once again this year, we had a terrific group of applicants that represents the best that our schools have to offer,” said Sharon Olmstead, chair of the club’s Scholarship Committee. “We are honored to continue this community tradition and provide assistance to start these youth look towards their future.”

Applicants to the Rotary Club of Forest Grove Scholarship program must be graduating seniors residing in the Forest Grove, Banks and Gaston school district attendance areas. The funds are available to use for first-year tuition at any four-year college or vocational school in the United States.

Of the $24,000 in awards, a total of $9,000 is being awarded to students intending to attend Pacific University. In addition to these scholarship awards, the club also maintains an endowed scholarship at the university to benefit students from Forest Grove, Banks and Gaston.

Over the last 50 years, proceeds from the Concours d’Elegance have been used by the Rotary Club of Forest Grove to award over $1 million in scholarships to local students.

2024 ROTARY CLUB OF FOREST GROVE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Forest Grove High School: Luke Dahl, Penny Webber, Grace Hertel, Nathaniel Pratt, Helena Barbour-Weiss, Melissa Johnson, Dani Hammond
Banks High School: Katherine Nevis, Ireland Wilson, Josie Kimmel, Tarryn Duyck, Darian Nelson, Trevor George
Gaston High School: Lexi Fern

Club Calendar
Tues., June 18: Concours Meeting, 7 p.m.
via Zoom

Wed., June 19: President’s End Of Year Dinner, 6 p.m.
Prime Time Sports Bar & Restaurant, 4450 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove
There will be no noon meeting on June 19

Thurs., June 20: Board Meeting, 7 a.m.
via Zoom

Tues., June 25: Concours Meeting, 7 p.m.
via Zoom

Wed., June 26: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Forest Grove Community Alternative Learning Center, 2701 Taylor Way
Program: CALC

Tues., July 2: Concours Meeting, 7 p.m.
via Zoom

Wed., July 3: No Meeting – Happy Independence Day!

Sun., July 21: Concours d’Elegance
Pacific University Campus