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People. Service. Community. | ||
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 Why The Rotary Foundation Matters to Me
I want to tell you about a woman who has been a member of District 5030 for more than twenty years. Long before Rotary became part of her life, she served twice as a missionary in Zambia, Africa. There, she saw firsthand the devastation caused by the lack of clean water. She held babies dying from AIDS and dysentery. She saw children whose lives were being cut short simply because they did not have access to something most of us take for granted every day—clean water. Those experiences never left her. And then she found Rotary. | ||
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 The Power of Opening a Door
September is Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Month , and it gives us an opportunity to think about something we sometimes take for granted: the extraordinary power of being able to read, learn, understand, and communicate. Literacy is about much more than words on a page. It is the ability to fill out a job application. To understand a prescription. To help a child with homework. To navigate a website, manage a bank account, read a ballot, understand a contract, or confidently participate in your community. Education opens doors. Literacy gives people the ability to walk through them. | ||
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 September: Your Rotary Classroom Is Open
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month, making it the perfect time for a little Public Image learning. Public Image is always evolving. New tools, new resources and new ways to connect with people give us plenty of opportunities to learn. Whether you’re a new Public Image Chair, a longtime Rotarian, or simply someone who wants to feel more confident talking about Rotary, there’s always something new to discover. And Rotary has created some terrific places to start. | ||
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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. | ||
 Memory Makers ChallengeListed in this issue · 2026-08-10 J oin Rotary Clubs across America in a four-week national fundraising challenge supporting Alzheimer’s awareness, caregiver support, advocacy, and the healing power of music. Four weeks of nationwide fundraising, weekly engagement challenges, leaderboards, Memory Wall participation, club activities, and community awareness leading up to the national finale. Register now > have friends and family pledge to support you > play LIVE online on September 21st! REGISTER YOUR CLUB TODAY! | ||
 Kent Sunrise Rotary – GolftoberfestListed in this issue · 2026-09-09 Please join us for our annual Golftoberfest event! We cordially invite sponsors and golfers to participate in and support our initiatives that benefit the community, including recognition programs for middle school students and staff, the Marge & Harry Williams Memorial Scholarship, local non-profits, and international projects. To register for this event, please go to http://www.golfgenius.com/ggid/rotary26/register. | ||
 Rotary Club of Edmonds OktoberfestListed in this issue · 2026-09-11 Rotary Club of Edmonds presents its 7th annual Oktoberfest Family Festival. This event takes place at Civic Field in Edmonds September 11 and 12. All the Oktoberfest favorites including great food trucks, kids korner (games) and pet parade (Saturday only), fantastic live music, and of course…BEER! This year we’ve added games in the beer garden, and you can bring your kids in until 7pm on Saturday. The cost is $12.00 for adults, and as always, kids get in free. For more information, or to volunteer, go to https://edmondsrotary.com/oktoberfest/ | ||
 Challenge RaceListed in this issue · 2026-09-12 Gravity Cars racing allowing children with disabilities to experience the thrill of riding in a soap box derby type race. We will be looking for co-drivers who are 10 years or old to drive the kids and have an experience of a life time for both. We do consider this a family event and if you have a child with disabilities or an able body child that you the whole family comes out to share this experience. | ||
 Rotary Work Party @ Elk Run FarmListed in this issue · 2026-09-13 Rotary Work Parties at Elk Run Farm We are excited about bringing back Rotary work parties and invite you to join us on the second Sunday of the month from April – October 2026 from 10am-2pm at Elk Run Farm. Elk Run Farm isn’t just a place where food is grown – it’s a farm that exists solely to serve hunger relief organizations across South King County. Every carrot pulled, every tomato harvested, and every row planted is done with the express purpose of feeding neighbors in need. | ||
 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona, SpainListed in this issue · 2027-06-26 The 2027 Rotary International Convention will take place in Barcelona, Spain , from June 26–30, 2027 at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via . The event brings together thousands of Rotary members from across the globe for service, networking, and inspiration. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ] | ||
 Happy Hour for Good benefiting The Center for Wooden BoatsListed in this issue · 2026-09-17 Please join us on September 17 to support this month’s beneficiary: The Center for Wooden Boats! This month we’ll be meeting in the CWB’s Bill Garden Boat Hall in the Wagner Education Center by the parking lot along Valley Street. The event takes place from 6-8 pm and will includes live music from the Jazz Night School, food provided by La Malquerida, wine, soft drinks, and beer. We will hear a few words from our the Center for Wooden Boats and have a further opportunity to support their work. | ||
 University District Rotary Club Peace Pole DedicationListed in this issue · 2026-09-21 University District Rotary Club Peace Pole Dedication September 21, 2026, 4pm Please join us for the dedication of the Ronald McDonald House Peace Pole, a joint project of the University District Rotary Club and Ronald McDonald House of Washington and Alaska Time: September, 21, 2026, 4pm Address: 5130-40th Ave NE, Seattle, Washington Light refreshments will be served | ||
 Issaquah Rotary Run With the FishesListed in this issue · 2026-09-27 Run With The Fishes is a family friendly 5k, 10k and Kids’ Fun Run hosted by the Rotary Club of Issaquah. The race course follows the Lake Sammamish State park waterfront and Issaquah Creek so you can literally “Run With the Fishes” as they return to their spawning grounds this Fall. Participants receive a long-sleeve shirt. Come in your best fish-themed attire to win prizes, and stick around for live music, food trucks, and a beer garden! Home | ||
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 Rotarians Helping Rotarians Turn Good Ideas Into Action
Across District 5030, clubs have projects ready to make a difference. Now they’re inviting fellow Rotarians to join them. One of the great strengths of Rotary is that a good idea in one club doesn’t have to remain one club’s idea. Across District 5030, Rotarians are developing projects that address real needs — close to home and around the world. Some have the volunteers. Some have community partners. Some have carefully developed plans. And some need just one more ingredient to move forward: another Rotary club willing to become a partner. That creates an opportunity for all of us. | ||
 Registration Is Open for District 5030 Conference – Save Today
2027 Rotary District 5030 Conference | April 15–18 Join fellow Rotarians for four days of fellowship, fresh ideas, local flavor, and a mini-vacation with purpose in beautiful Walla Walla. Last year’s conference sold out, and we’re looking forward to another memorable gathering. Bring your club friends, connect with Rotarians from across the district, and come ready to learn, share, laugh and be inspired. The 5030 Double Deal Attending the District Foundation Gala on October 16, 2026? Gala attendees receive a special discount on 2027 District Conference registration when they register for both events. | ||
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 Rotary Club of West Seattle Believes in Music4Life
The Rotary Club of West Seattle received 79 instrument donations and 1 cash donation ($20) in connection with the August 8, 2026 community donation day to benefit Music4Life, held at KeyBank in the Alaska Junction . Our community really came through to promote music education, giving the instruments another life in the hands of public school students in the greater Seattle area. This offers opportunities to many more students, especially those for whom acquiring an instrument would be out of reach and thus enhances their lives and education. | ||
 Duvall Rotary to Host Picnic for Peace
As people around the world recognize the International Day of Peace , the Duvall community will mark the occasion close to home with a Picnic for Peace , a free, family-friendly gathering at Depot Park hosted by the Rotary Club of Duvall on September 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. Picnic for Peace will bring together families, neighbors, local organizations and businesses for an afternoon of live music, art, games, children’s activities, community booths and opportunities to explore one simple question: What can each of us do to cultivate peace where we live? | ||
 Rotary Club of South King County Officially Charters
On a beautiful summer evening on July 23, 2026, the Rotary Club of South King County officially received its charter during a celebration banquet at Anchovies & Salt in Renton, WA. What started as an idea from Nathan Box and Amy Hobson has become a reality through their tireless work over the past couple of years. The new club is focused on building connections, serving the South King County community, and creating opportunities for members to make a difference together. | ||
 SeaTac-Tukwila continues the tradition at Back to School Fair
The Rotary Club of SeaTac-Tukwila continued a favorite club tradition this summer, grilling hot dogs for local students and families at the 2026 SeaTac Back-to-School Resource Fair. Our club’s connection to the Back-to-School Fair reaches back more than two decades. SeaTac Rotarians Dave Bush and Claudia Dickinson were among those who spearheaded the first event. Lutheran Community Services NW leads the planning for the Back-to-School Fair in partnership with the City of SeaTac, Highline Public Schools, and SeaTac-Tukwila Rotary, preparing backpacks with school supplies for participating students. The Back-to-School Fair has always been more than a backpack giveaway, however. | ||
 Food4 Kids Shoreline Rotary partners with Shoreline Community Church
For the past six years, Shoreline Community Church has been helping address food insecurity among students at Ridgecrest Elementary through the Food4Kids program. This school year, Shoreline Rotary is joining that effort in a new way—bringing volunteers together each month to help pack weekend meals for local students who may otherwise face uncertainty about where their next meals will come from. Through the Food4Kids-Shoreline program, students receive a package of six easy-to-prepare meals to help provide food for their weekends. | ||
 Community Partners: Building a Stronger Shoreline Together
Rotary has always understood that we can accomplish more when we work together. Community Service is about improving the quality of life for the people who live in our community—and Rotary encourages clubs to cooperate with other organizations to achieve those goals. That spirit is at the heart of Shoreline Rotary’s new Community Partner initiative. A Community Partner is an organization that shares our commitment to service, inclusion, and positive community impact; works with us in meaningful ways to address community needs; operates with integrity and accountability; and helps create lasting impact in our community. | ||
 Global Grant, Technology for Teachers – 2026-27
Last fall, University Sunrise Rotary announced its third project, in partnership with local NGO Technology and Information for All (TINFA), to bring computer equipment and training to teachers in underserved local schools in Guatemala. We were joined by fifteen amazing partner clubs, thirteen from our district, the local host club, Club Rotario Los Altos of Quetzaltenango, and even Calgary Heritage Rotary Club of Alberta, Canada. We launched the project early this year. On August 5 th , participating teachers gathered virtually to demonstrate their newly acquired skills to one another. There was a lot of pride, enthusiasm, occasional tech. | ||
 Bloodworks NW
Something BIG Is Returning. Give Blood. Show Your Team Pride. This year, Bloodworks Northwest is once again proud to participate in the return of the We Give Blood drive with Abbott and the Big Ten ® . Football season is about more than rivalries and game days—it’s about coming together to make a difference. From August 26 through December 4 , blood donors across the country can help save lives while supporting their favorite Big Ten ® team. | ||
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 Remembering Steve Swank
Steve Swank, a 32-year member of the Rotary Club of Des Moines & Normandy Park and a remarkable human being, leaves a long legacy of service that reaches across the globe. Steve’s years of dedication, fellowship, and leadership have made a lasting mark on all of us who had the privilege of serving alongside him. Steve personified the Rotary moniker People of Action. Steve served as community service chair for many years and held the post of international service chair when he passed in July. | ||
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The Pulse Rotary District 5030 · People of Action Archived issue · September 2026. Article summaries reflect the WordPress content available when this archive was rebuilt. Events and offers may have ended. Visit Rotary District 5030 |
