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People. Service. Community. | ||
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 Celebrating Service: Mike Madden Named District 5030 Rotarian of the Year at WWDC26
Last month, our successful district conference – which was defined by inspiration, connection, and a sold-out crowd, one moment stood out above the rest. Surrounded by over 325 Rotarians who share a passion for service, District 5030 proudly recognized Mike Madden as our Rotarian of the Year—an honor that reflects not just a single year of impact, but a legacy of leadership that has shaped generations. Mike’s name has become synonymous with Youth Services across the district. For years, he has been a steady, guiding force behind programs that don’t just engage young people—they transform them. | ||
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 Investing in the Future Through Youth Service
May is Youth Service Month in Rotary — a time to recognize that some of the most important work we do is not simply for today, but for the generations that follow us. Across District 5030 and around the world, Rotarians are mentoring young leaders, supporting students, creating opportunities for service, and helping young people discover that they have the power to create meaningful change in their communities. Whether through Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, Youth Exchange, scholarships, mentoring, or local service projects, Rotary continues to shape lives in ways that often extend far beyond what we may ever personally see. | ||
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 Rotary District 5030 Foundation Gala Dinner – October 16, 2026Listed in this issue · 2026-10-16 Featuring Rotary International President Elect Larry Lundsford Friday, October 16, 2026 5:00 PM DoubleTree Hotel SeaTac $225 per person Register here: https://district5030.org/event-tickets/ Event Overview This special evening will celebrate and recognize District 5030 Rotarians who have increased their giving to the Rotary International Foundation and advanced to a new level of contribution. Honorees will receive stage recognition, meet RIPE Larry Lundsford, and receive a special thank-you gift. The program will also highlight the district’s commitment to global clean water initiatives, along with special recognition and appreciation for our global partner, World Vision. | ||
 RISE Alum Happy Hours for 2026!Listed in this issue · 2026-05-30 Calling all (almost 100) RISE alumni! Join us at two upcoming happy hour events: May 30th at 3:30 at the Roanoke Tavern on Mercer Island and mark your calendar for the October 13th speed networking event and happy hour, from 5 to 7 PM at Washington Athletic Club in Seattle. Plan to join us! | ||
 Bingo Bonanza Fundraiser for Northshore RotaryListed in this issue · 2026-06-01 Come help Northshore Rotary raise critical funds to support 6 scholarships and our annual Santa Breakfast that provides breakfast, toys, pictures with Santa, books, and warm coats provided by Woodinville Rotary! Purchase tickets here: https://www.nshorerotary.org/annual-fundraiser | ||
 Seattle Mariners & Rotarians Celebrating FellowshipListed in this issue · 2026-08-07 SOLD OUT! We look forward to seeing many Rotarians for an unforgettable night at the ballpark! ⚾🎉 A fun-filled evening cheering on the Seattle Mariners as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays. A huge thank you to Alan Merry and team for coordinating this exciting event. | ||
 2026 District Learning SymposiumListed in this issue · 2026-05-30 Save the Date! Details Forthcoming. | ||
 Mercer Island Rotary “Swing For A Cause” Golf TournamentListed in this issue · 2026-07-20 Join Us For a Day of Golf, Fun & Giving! Hit the green for a great cause at our annual charity golf tournament —open to all skill levels! Tee Times start at: 8:30 AM Why Play? Proceeds support the Rotary Club of Mercer Island Foundation, which funds life-changing projects locally and globally—from providing support for Harvest Against Hunger in King County, clean water and building health clinics abroad, to fighting sex trafficking in the Northwest, and creating inclusive, accessible parks right here in our community. | ||
 RISE Cohort 6 Registration Opens May 1stListed in this issue · 2026-05-01 Registration is now open for RISE cohort 6 that kicks off on September 10, 2026. Clubs are encouraged to nominate emerging leaders and president elects. Go to https://district5030.org/rise/ to register. | ||
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 Youth Takes Center Stage at Our District Conference in Walla Walla
At the Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla, twelve youth program participants brought fresh energy to the District Conference—moving more than 340 Rotarians and sparking new momentum for Youth Service. Youth programming wasn’t a side note—it was woven through all three days and placed at the heart of the conference. Cassie Howder—based at Rotary International headquarters and advisor to the Issaquah Interact Club—also champions youth service across District 5030 in her “free time.” She coached and coordinated seven youth program speakers, helping them shape powerful, personal stories for the main stage. | ||
 Ignite Rotary 2026 Brings District 5030 Together
The 2026 District 5030 Conference in Walla Walla brought together the very best of Rotary—connection, inspiration, fellowship, and a shared commitment to service. Set against the welcoming charm of Walla Walla , this year’s “Ignite Rotary” theme came to life through meaningful conversations, engaging breakout sessions, vibrant fellowship, and powerful storytelling. As a member of the conference committee and your District Public Image Chair, it was especially rewarding to witness the collaboration, creativity, and energy that made the conference experience so memorable for attendees throughout the district. | ||
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 Rotary Club of Edmonds celebrates Second Chance Scholarship winner at gala.
The Rotary Club of Edmonds came together at the Edmonds College Gala on April 25th to celebrate the recipient of the Second Chance Scholarship, Ryan Henry. This scholarship was established by Will Chen, Edmonds City Councilman and Rotary Club of Edmonds member. Ryan gave a moving speech thanking Rotary for helping to get him on the right path, and will be a speaker at a meeting soon. | ||
 Bee-utiful Woodinville
On a Saturday morning late this April, 480 hand-painted boards lined more than 300 feet of fence at the old Molbaks site along Woodinville’s main avenue, each one different, each one made by someone in our community who said yes to something a little outside their comfort zone. Together, they slow people to a crawl as they move along the fence investigating every piece. The project was called Bee-utiful Woodinville, and it was about as straightforward as community projects get. Discuss the idea, find partners, get supplies, reach out, ask people to paint boards, show up and install them. | ||
 A Community-Built Future: The Bukobero Community Health Centre III in Uganda
The Rotary Club of the University District has supported the development of the Bukobero Community Health Centre III Bududa District of the Mt. Elgon highlands since 2020, when it provided its first grant for a community engagement process. Since then, along with private donor support, UDRC has remained engaged and now the health center is almost completed! But they have not done this alone. More than 55 Rotary clubs and five districts have contributed, demonstrating Rotary’s commitment to collaboration. The health center is a locally driven health facility and was born out of necessity. | ||
 Spreading Joy and Hope Across Seattle through Our Diverse Bilingual Book Donation Project
Our Community Service Committee approved a grant to donate 1000 bilingual OHBD books https://ohbd-rsgbooks.com/ to 15 different organizations serving diverse communities across Seattle. The organizations included Solid Ground, Akin, the Ethiopian Community of Seattle, YMCA, the University of WA Horn of Africa program, East African Community Services and more. Ezra Teshome was a co-sponsor. The project was unique in that it donated books in languages that are hard to find for many communities including Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese, Afaan Oromo, and Arabic. The feedback was universally positive. | ||
 Bloodworks Northwest
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the start of summer fun and blood shortages in the Pacific Northwest. Vacation travel, outdoor activities, and increased blood usage in local emergency rooms impact everyone. As the weather gets nicer, fewer people are making time to donate blood. At the same time, our hospitals are seeing an upturn in accidents and injuries that require lifesaving transfusions. Make an extra effort to give blood this month, and invite a friend or two to join you, so we’re always ready with a safe and reliable blood supply to meet the healthcare needs of our community. | ||
 Peace Pole Cleanup Project
The Interact Club of West Seattle took on a project that combined community service and peace building. The group met April 24 at the American Foreign Legion where there are 3 Peace Poles, to learn about the Rotary peace pole program – it’s origins and relevance for fostering peace. They came with sponges and buckets to clean the poles and when finished at the Legion, visited and cleaned the other 6 in West Seattle. | ||
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 How the Rotary Club of Edmonds Welcomes and Guides New Members
One of the greatest strengths of Rotary is the sense of belonging that keeps members engaged, energized, and committed to service. The Rotary Club of Edmonds has created a thoughtful and effective New Member Mentor Program to ensure that every new Rotarian feels welcomed, supported, and confident as they find their place within the club. Joining a Rotary club can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. New members are introduced to meetings, service projects, committees, traditions, and a culture that has been built over decades. | ||
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The Pulse Rotary District 5030 · People of Action Archived issue · May 2026. Article summaries reflect the WordPress content available when this archive was rebuilt. Events and offers may have ended. Visit Rotary District 5030 |
