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Twelve members of Clark County’s newest Rotary provide community service
CLARK COUNTY, Wash. – The Rotary Club of Three Creeks completed 79 hours of service to the community during its first-ever “virtual service project” April 4-5 around the county. Twelve club members, plus family members in many cases, worked together – but separate in respect for social distancing protocol and to not create a gathering – across Clark County to volunteer for the good of others. Those 12 different Rotarians and their family members turned in a total of 79 hours of service, completing a total of 17 projects over two days.
“I’m so proud of how our club stepped up and provided service in this innovative structure during a crazy time in our world,” said club president Scot Brantley. “To see close to half of our membership make a difference in each individual member’s way, and involve some of their family members, too, is simply inspiring.” Brantley added this was the 46th service project completed by the club, which is only three and a half years old. He also said he’s not surprised to see his club step out and be different. “Just the fact that we tried something new, again, and made it successful,” Brantley said, “is really very exciting. It truly is what makes our club unique.” We have already successfully held a virtual club meeting, virtual club board meeting and virtual P-Team Meeting, and will hold another virtual club meeting this week, so the club leadership got to thinking:
Susanne suggested: "Why don't we try a virtual service project?" Since service to the community is part of our club's DNA, and we are living through one of the nation's biggest-ever health crises, it seems appropriate for Rotarians like us to do what we do. On Saturday, April 4, the club encourages you to provide service that you can do while still respecting the "stay at home" order and social distancing practices. The club has prepared a list of service ideas that can be done in respect to the situation we are currently in. From that list (below) if club members will take time out of their day on April 4 to provide a little bit of service, you'll be making a big difference in the community. If you have Rotary attire to wear while doing it, please do. Here are some suggestions, which all fall into the "essential services" list approved by Governor Inslee:
We will also share a narrative and photos with Rotary District 5100 to encourage other clubs to continue to provide service, if even virtually, during these days of us all limiting exposure in order to "flatten the curve". If you have any questions, please contact Nelson. We had a fantastic turnout for our planning session on January 30. A mix of charter members, newly inducted Rotarians and two guests brainstormed ideas and gave feedback for our club’s next stage of growth.
Under the leadership of Eric Lucescu and Kelley Campbell, we all agreed that our club’s DNA is service, friendship and fun (not necessarily in that order). Kelley and Eric will create an ‘elevator speech’ and buzz words we can all use to promote our unique club, that is not your usual grandfather’s (or even father’s) Rotary club. On a separate topic, we talked about the significance of Rotary International, local and international service projects. Past president Susanne offered to schedule and lead quarterly Rotary chats to discuss The Rotary Foundation, RI’s focus areas and projects, district, zone and Rotary’s ABCs. The final discussion topic addressed ideas on what we do right and what we could do better. Ideas such as table signs and short tidbits to promote and explain our projects and inform our guests about our club’s customs. The event was accompanied by personal stories, laughter and some tears. I would say it was another very successful strategic social. -Past President Susanne The Rotary Club of Three Creeks has two new members, after inducting Paige Uhlemeyer and Samantha Moullet during the month of January.
Uhlemeyer has a bachelor's in Kinesiology, a masters in the art of teaching and is finishing up her masters in social work. She is continuously participating in trauma-informed training around the county. She is also founder and principal of Project Hope4Humanity, which we will hear more about at our February 6 club meeting. Her sponsor is Daniel Spanski-Dreffin. Moullet is the volunteer programs assistant for the City of Vancouver. She is a graduate of Beaverton's Sunset High School, Portland Community College and the University of Oregon, where she played lacrosse. Moullet also lived in Rosario, Argentina for four months & Denali, Alaska for four months before returning to the Vancouver area. Her sponsor is Andi Costello.  Liz Cerveny (second from left) accepts the Rotary Club of Three Creeks' donation of $10,000 for the North County Community Food Bank. Past Presidents Susanne and Nelson Holmberg present the award with District 5100 Governor Diane Noriega (far right) and Rotary Zone 27 Representative Steve Lingenbrink. Rotarians vote to support programs for kids, veterans, hungry & homeless
VANCOUVER, Wash. – North County Community Food Bank was selected by members of the Rotary Club of Three Creeks as the club’s nonprofit community partner, announced Club President Scot Brantley at the club’s August 1 regular meeting. As nonprofit community partner, the Food Bank received a check for $10,000 and will have the opportunity to be the club’s partner for up to two more years. Rotary District 5100 Governor Dianne Noriega and Rotary Zone 27 Coordinator Steve Lingenbrink were in attendance for the check presentation and the meeting’s program. At the club’s July 18 meeting, 10 nonprofits each gave two-minute pitches in a “Shark Tank”-like exercise that was backed up by added written documentation. Every member in the club then had an opportunity to vote for their favorite nonprofit partner. “Wow, I’m stunned and I’m crying, this is just totally amazing,” said Liz Cerveny, executive director at North County Community Food Bank, upon hearing of the award. “Each one of the groups presenting at the ‘Shark Tank’ event is truly doing great things in our community and are certainly deserving. I am humbled and I feel extremely fortunate having the North County Community Food Bank selected.” “We were all really impressed by the nonprofits and the impact each of them has in our community,” said Club President Scot Brantley. “We really are blessed to have so many compassionate and thoughtful people in Clark County. We could not have gone wrong with any of the nonprofits as our partner.” Funds for this award were raised in the first two seasons of the club’s primary fundraiser, Dancing with the Local Stars 2.0. The 2020 season of Dancing with the Local Stars 2.0 will culminate on Saturday, March 7 at ilani Resort. Local stars will be the event’s dancers and will compete for best dance, voted by celebrity judges. The grand champion – and winner of the Mirror Ball Trophy – will be the local star who raises the most funds. Brantley was the 2018 Grand Champion, and Jeff Swanson won Best Dance. In 2019, Kelley Campbell won both the Grand Championship and the Best Dance award. Local stars and ticket sales will be announced soon. “I’m extremely excited to have this opportunity to partner with Rotary of Three Creeks in making Dancing with the Local Stars 2.0 at ilani an amazing event,” Cerveny said. “There is such a great potential with our organizations to see this event continue to grow each year, attracting a terrific, supportive crowd which can benefit each of our organizations.” The other nonprofits who participated in the “Shark Tank” exercise were: Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Washington; Community Military Appreciation Committee; Evergreen Habitat for Humanity; Home With Heroes; Northwest Association for Blind Athletes; Rock Solid Teen Center; Shared Hope International; Police Activities League of Southwest Washington; and YWCA of Clark County CASA Program. The Rotary Club of Three Creeks is approaching its third anniversary and serves the Hazel Dell, Felida, Salmon Creek and Ridgefield areas of North Clark County. Since chartering in October 2016, the club of 34 members has completed more than three dozen service projects. More information about the club can be found on its website (www.rotaryofthreecreeks.com), or Facebook (www.facebook.com/rotaryofthreecreeks). In another nod to the special - and unique - culture of the Rotary Club of Three Creeks Vancouver, Susanne and Nelson Holmberg were named District 5100 Rotarians of the Year on Saturday, May 18 at the District Conference in Bend, Ore.
As stated by District Awards Committee Chair Jeff Lines, "the award for 'Rotarian of the Year' was presented to Nelson and Susanne Holmberg of the Rotary Club of Three Creeks Vancouver. Their club is in its third year and has already grown by more than 10 new members so far. Susanne was the initial president and it was her third round as a club president. Nelson followed her in assuming the president role, serving this year. "We are both very honored," Nelson said. "While the plaque has our names on it, it's really an award for the whole club. We may be the co-founders, but all of the club's success has been a team effort by the members of the club. We are both very proud of this club, and love being a part of it."  Azar Ghiasvand, who has visited our club several times, is the latest to apply for membership in the Rotary Club of Three Creeks.
She is associate vice president and branch manager for the Salmon Creek Banner Bank. Azar has been in management for over 42 years and in banking over 32 years. Her sponsors are Lisa Abrahamsson and Jim Selby. Lisa says she's very excited to be joining our club, as her experiences with the club so far have been a lot of fun. We conducted first reading of her proposed membership on May 16, and will conduct the second reading at our strategic social on May 30 at Dan Sockle's house. Her induction - pending board vote - will be set for June 6 at Creed Coffee Co.  The Rotary Club of Three Creeks is excited to introduce the Emerging Leaders Confab, designed to connect tomorrow’s leaders with the leaders of today. We will bring together outstanding high school and college students with leaders of business, nonprofit and government. Our goal is to help emerging leaders see the complexity of business relationships and demonstrate the many opportunities in our local area.
The day begins with a moderated discussion among several leaders, then moves to a “speed dating” session where students can have a few minutes of facetime with business, nonprofit and government leaders. We believe this will not only help students see the myriad connections between different businesses, but demonstrate the great opportunities for the future in our local area so they will consider returning to Clark County after completing higher education. We hope you will consider joining us for this FREE event on Saturday, June 1, 2019, from 9 a.m.-noon at the brand new Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. A continental breakfast will be served. If you're an emerging leader in Clark County who would like to register for this event, please click here.  Event raises nearly $17,000 for youth leadership, literacy programs and service projects
RIDGEFIELD, Wash. – Kelley Campbell hustled her way to both the best dance and Grand Champion honors at the Rotary Club of Three Creeks’ annual Dancing with the Local Stars 2.0 fundraiser. Themed “A Night at the Movies”, the event was held at Windy Hills Winery in Ridgefield on Saturday, March 23. “After last year’s success, we are so excited and proud that our Local Stars were record-setting,” said Rotary of Three Creeks President Nelson Holmberg. “It was a thrill to see the dancers not only get into the role of their character, but it was also really fun to see the creativity and collaboration they put into their fundraising. “We are so appreciative about how the local stars, fellow Rotarians and the community supported us.” Campbell, owner of Specialty Graphic Solutions in Salmon Creek, as the last of six stars to dance, performed a hustle with instructor Aaron Siebol to “Disco Inferno” from the movie Saturday Night Fever. Her costume and her moves wowed the crowd and the judges, who scored her dance a 39 out of 40. Kevin Getch, owner of Webfor, was second in the judges’ scores with a 38 of 40. Getch and his instructor Rachel Lidskog performed a stunning Viennese waltz to “Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. Campbell also raised a total of $4,063 for the Rotary Club, followed closely by Mill Creek Pub owner Russell Brent’s $4,033. Third place was Mike Filbin, owner of Filbin’s Ace Hardware, who raised $3,134. Brent performed to “Can’t Fight this Feeling” from the movie Trolls. Filbin’s dance was to “Old Time Rock ‘n Roll” from the movie Risky Business. Sandra Day, Ridgefield City Council Member performed the role of Sandra Dee to “You’re the One That I want” from Grease. Maureen Montague of Columbia Springs performed to “Dancing Queen” from Mamma Mia. “This turned into a series of smiles,” said First Dance Productions founder, and event producer, Ralph Stevens. “These dancers really started at doubt and it very, very quickly turned to confidence. These stars were pushed beyond the limits of their own expectations and they embraced it. They performed, they bonded, and they had fun.” The fundraiser brought in donations totaling nearly $17,000 from the Local Stars, who solicited donations over three months while also learning their dance and rehearsing for the event. First Dance Productions, owned by Stevens, produced the event and provided dance instructors Siebol, Lidskog, Dani Synarski and Melinda Piekstra. Stevens also instructed and served as emcee. Judges for the event were KGW Meteorologist Rod Hill, WSU Vancouver professor Dene Grigar, and professional dance instructor Brett Graham. Valerie Dewitz won a raffle to be an audience member serving as judge. The event sold out for the second consecutive year at Windy Hills Winery. Sponsors of the event included: Opsahl Dawson Certified Public Accountants, Insure North America, Vesta Hospitality, ilani Resort, Sherwin Williams Protective and Marine Coatings, Specialty Graphics Solutions, First Dance Productions, Riverhouse on the Deschutes, Best Western Plus Agate Beach & Local Ocean Seafoods, Double Fifth Dragon Boating, Clark County Historical Museum and Windy Hills Winery. Do you know a young adult age 19-28 who holds a leadership position and an interest in expanding their leadership qualities?
If so, the Rotary Club of Three Creeks is seeking scholarship applicants for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program, July 13-19, 2019. The purpose of RYLA is to recognize young leaders and provide them with an opportunity to expand their perceptions and ideals. Participants gain knowledge about themselves and learn to work with others in order to become a better person and a future leader. Participants are selected through an essay and application process through their local Rotary Club. Once selected to receive the award, young adults are invited to attend a weeklong seminar aimed at further developing their interpersonal and leadership skills. All RYLA participants are selected and sponsored by a local Rotary club. RYLA is also unique in that it is one of the rare Rotary programs that includes current Rotarians and their families. More information about RYLA is available by clicking here. |
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