On Tuesday, February 18, our lunch speaker will be Shareef Dajani, Vice President of Business Development, Strategy, and Sales at Silverlabs Inc.

Silverlabs leverages AI from leading companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, Getty Images, and Eleven Labs to transform written text into video. The company focuses on using AI responsibly to create marketing videos, training and DIY content, and converting articles into engaging video formats. The focus of Shareef’s discussion will be to provide insight into how AI is being used in business and the future applications of this technology.

With a 32-year career spanning Knight Ridder, Yahoo, Intel, and Getty Images, Shareef has been at the forefront of digital innovation. His insights into AI, data gathering through home gateways, and the broader implications of technology will leave you entertained—and possibly a bit shaken—given the current landscape with TikTok, tariffs, and AI regulations.

Outside of work, Shareef enjoys everything Bend, Oregon, has to offer, alongside his partner and great friends.

We’ll be in our usual room at the Riverhouse – Deschutes South.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.

On Tuesday, February 11, our lunch speaker will be Kira Sandiford from the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA).

Kira is a leader in the outdoor industry with a focus on public lands and trail stewardship. She currently serves as the Development Director for COTA. Prior to that, Kira spent 8 years working for REI, in a variety of roles, including Outdoor Programs and Retail Management.

Kira is an avid adventurer, mountain biker, and river nerd. In 2016, she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada, and in college, she spent a school year living and studying in Thailand. On her days off you’re likely to find her working in the garden or on the single-track trails in Bend.

COTA is a non-profit organization that focuses on the development, protection, and enhancement of the Central Oregon mountain biking experience. This goal is achieved through trail stewardship, advocacy, collaboration, and education. COTA currently has 6 chapters, who collectively maintain over 600 miles of single-track trails.

We’ll be in our usual room at the Riverhouse – Deschutes South.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, our lunch speaker will be Dr. Steve Ross, Adjunct Professor at the Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Steve will be talking to us about deep-sea science and returning to the Titanic shipwreck. Chief Scientist of the 2022 Titanic Survey Expedition, Dr. Ross led a team of accomplished scientists in a first-of-its-kind survey of the marine ecosystems on and near the Titanic. The wreck of the Titanic, sitting at over 12,000 feet down on a barren abyssal plain, is a refuge for life forms like corals, squat lobsters, brittle stars, and rattail fish. His team utilized the 5 crew member Titan submersible as a research platform to observe and record the deep dwelling sea life.

Location: We’ll be over at the Riverhouse Convention Center, in room Cascade AJ.

You MUST sign up for lunch ahead of time, as we’re expecting a big turnout!

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.

On Tuesday, January 21, our lunch program will be autobiographies from new members Eric Taylor and Ron Parodi, and long-time member and past president Mark Capell!

Come learn more about some very interesting fellow Rotarians!

Eric Taylor is an attorney at Brix Law. His diverse business and real estate practice focuses on acquisition, disposition, and financing of various real estate assets, leasing, mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning and general corporate and real estate matters. He’s represented clients in large scale real estate financing transactions in variety of asset classes as well as affordable housing projects utilizing complex debt stacks incorporating both public and private funding.

Ron Parodi has lived in Bend for five years and he is the General Manager at KTVZ News Channel 21. He has served in the TV/Media business for over 25 years. Since moving to Bend from Scottsdale, Arizona, Ron, and his wife Lori have welcomed their two daughters with their families (yes, that means 5 grandchildren) to the community as full-time residents as well. Besides wrangling the grandkids and grilling at large family gatherings, Ron enjoys golf, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, road trips that include their two golden retrievers and riding horses “western style”. He and his wife still own horses in Arizona that are being used for therapy at an at-risk youth and horse rescue non-profit ranch.

Mark Capell has been a member of our club for 22 years. He is a past president and a past co-president. Mark is retired. He recently sold the IT business he started 22 years ago. Before that he worked in Sales Management and Planning for American Airlines. Mark spent 8 years on the Bend City Council. His family has been in Bend since 1916.

We’ll be in our usual room at the Riverhouse – Deschutes South.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, our lunch speaker will be Jenny O’Bryan, Executive Director of the St. Charles Foundation.

Jenny is an Oregon native who has spent the past two decades working in the nonprofit sector, first with the Portland Rose Festival Association, and then as Senior Vice President of Revenue and Development at the Children’s Cancer Association in Portland. Over the past several years, the Foundation has provided funding for much-needed advancements for the region, including leading-edge equipment, scholarship programs, grants, patient services and multiple capital projects like the Bend patient tower, which houses St. Charles’ 24-bed Intensive Care Unit and 28-bed Progressive Care Unit.

Location: We’ll be in our usual room at the Riverhouse – Deschutes South.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.

On Tuesday, January 7, our lunch program will be our annual New Year’s Toasts, led by Neil Bryant. If you’d like to give a toast during the meeting, we’d love to hear what you have to say.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (Deschutes South, our usual room), and virtual. Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link. You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, our lunch speaker will be Anthony Poponi, and he’ll be talking about “Happiness & Resilience in the Workplace”. Anthony moved to Bend from Colorado in 2020. His career has included decades of work in the public and non-profit sectors. His experience specific to youth development includes serving as a school educator and working as staff for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii. Anthony has also been a foster parent twice and profoundly appreciates those who support youth in any capacity.

Currently, Anthony’s business, Focus on the 40, offers a mix of professional speaking services, workplace training, and workshops focused on the applied research of positive psychology: the study of human happiness.

Location: We’ll be in our usual room at the Riverhouse – Deschutes South.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, our lunch speakers will be Karen Brockway, Lisa McCoy, and Megan Minkiewicz from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Guide Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in San Rafael, California and a 50-acre campus in Boring, Oregon, which opened in 1995. GDB is the largest guide dog school in North America and has been raising and training guide dogs since 1942. Its mission is to empower lives by creating exceptional partnerships between people, dogs and communities.

Our speakers will be Karen Brockway (co-leader/puppy raiser), Lisa McCoy (co-leader/puppy raiser), and Megan Minkiewicz (puppy raiser). Between Megan, Lisa and Karen they have over 75 years involvement with Guide Dogs for the Blind. Lisa has raised 8 puppies, Megan has raised 19 puppies as an adult, she and her family have raised 43 dogs. Karen is currently raising her 10th pup.

They’ll be talking to us about the history of the organization, where the main campus is, what the puppy raisers do, and opportunities to work with their organization. We’ll also learn about the Bend Puppy Raising Club.

Location: We’ll be in our usual room at the Riverhouse – Deschutes South.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, our lunch speaker will be Jon Stark, CEO of EDCO. Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a non-profit corporation supported by private and public members and stakeholders. Their mission is to create a diversified local economy and a strong base of middle-class jobs in Central Oregon.

Jon is responsible for leading the organization in accomplishing its mission to create a diversified local economy and a strong base of middle-class jobs in Central Oregon.

Prior to taking the role as CEO, Jon was on EDCO’s leadership team as Sr. Director of Redmond Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) where he his role included recruiting, retention, and expansion of traded-sector businesses and assisting them with issues such as business finance, site selection and zoning, facilities development, manufacturing processes, product marketing, workforce training, attracting and retaining a labor force, and incentives for expansion and relocation in the City of Redmond.

Jon is a past President of the Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) and was honored with the “Economic Development Leader of the Year” award for Oregon in 2015. He served on the Redmond Chamber Board of Directors for two terms and chaired their Membership Committee in 2002. Additionally, he has played an active roll on the planning committee for Youth CareerConnect, the former Central Oregon Job and Career Expo, and the Bend Chamber Professional Development Council.

Location: We’ll be in our usual room at the Riverhouse – Deschutes South.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.

On Tuesday, November 12 2024, our lunch program will be on our club’s Bill Berg Foundation, presented by Kyle Frick. The Foundation continues to grow and support annual local scholarships, youth programs such as The Gift of Literacy in collaboration with the club, and World Community Service funding.

Kyle will be presenting the financials and sharing how our members can contribute to the club legacy and future funding needs.

Location: We’ll be in our usual room at the Riverhouse – Deschutes South.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person and virtual. We will record the presentation for others who aren’t able to attend at noon.

Join the Zoom Meeting here: RCGB Zoom Link

You can also call in to the meeting at (669) 900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 692 491 9146. If you’re asked, the passcode is 5110.