On Tuesday, August 19, our lunch speaker will be Dr. Jeremiah Deboever, who’ll be talking to us about the evolving electric power grid and the opportunities and challenges that this industry is facing. Jeremiah is currently a senior technical leader at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an international non-profit organization supporting the energy sector in addressing their challenges and enabling more reliable and affordable energy resources.

He is also actively involved with OSU-Cascades, mentoring students, providing guest lectures, and sponsoring senior capstone projects to create the workforce that will be needed with this rapidly evolving industry.

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, August 12, our lunch program will be our own member Heidi Wright, who’ll be talking to us about the current and future state of news sources. Heidi is currently the Executive Director of the Independent Newspaper Group (ING), an industry association committed to supporting the continued vitality of independently owned news organizations.

She’s also the president of ForJournalism (FORJ), an organization that’s on the leading edge of journalism advocacy, providing tangible and innovative solutions that work.

Prior to her role at ING, she was the COO of EO Media Group, which published the Bend Bulletin until its acquisition by Carpenter Media Group in 2024.

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, July 22, our lunch program will be a presentation from Dr. James Knox, Professor of Music at Central Oregon Community College, on the Estonian Singing Revolution.

The Estonian Singing Revolution was a powerful nonviolent uprising in which Estonians used mass singing and cultural defiance to reclaim their independence from the Soviet Union between 1987 and 1991. In open defiance of Soviet rule, tens of thousands gathered to sing banned patriotic songs, turning music into a weapon of resistance.

About the Presenter

James W. Knox is an American composer and Professor of Music at Central Oregon Community College, where he leads a dynamic program in choral and vocal studies. Known for his vivid, expressive choral writing, his works have been performed across the U.S. and internationally, including in Europe and Latin America. His compositions—celebrated for their emotional depth and accessibility—are frequently commissioned by collegiate choirs, community ensembles, and international festivals.

Knox has held international appointments in the UK, Estonia, and Italy, collaborating with renowned choirs and conductors. A passionate educator and conductor, he continues to inspire through a career that blends teaching, composing, and artistic collaboration across the globe.

Special location: We’ll be at the Convention Center, Room Cascade G.

Please 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, July 22, our lunch program will a presentation from Captain Brian Beekman, Investigations Branch Captain with the Bend Police Department.

The Investigations Branch consists of around 45 police department employees that includes detectives, school resource officers, community service officers, traffic enforcement officers, canine teams, drone operators, crime analysis, and the Bend Area Real-Time Information Center. Brian has served in Central Oregon law enforcement for over 25 years.

Brian has a master’s degree in public administration from Portland State University and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police. He is a lifelong Central Oregonian and a proud parent of three children (Jackson, Natalie, and Laila). Brian is an avid bike commuter and mountain biker.

In his off time, he volunteers with Central Oregon Trail Alliance maintaining our local trails.

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

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, July 15, our lunch program will a presentation from Loren Irving about John C. Frémont, a renowned explorer and military officer who led expeditions in the American West, including parts of Oregon and California.

John C. Fremont, also known as “The Pathfinder” made 5 expeditions to little known areas of the American West including Central Oregon and NE Nevada in the 1840’s. In 1843-1844 Fremont along with 24 members of the expedition visited Central Oregon after Mapping the Oregon Trail from Missouri to Oregon. Included was explorer Kit Carson, and a young Native American named Billy Chinook. Over 3 years Loren Irving located all 39 camp sites in Oregon and 32 camp sites in Nevada and photographed them. The program will include a video produced by C-Span regarding Irving’s efforts.

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

About Loren:

Loren was one of the co-founders of the Family Resource Center of Central Oregon, to help parents care for teens. A photographer, Irving both donated his photographs and engaged area photographers to contribute their works in support of the Center. Irving serves on the organization’s board as director emeritus. He served on the Central Oregon Leadership Council of the Oregon Community Foundation from 1995 to 2008, and also served on the board of trustees of the Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon.

He is a past president of the Greater Bend Rotary club, and was named Bend Citizen of the Year in 1997.

Irving is a 1966 graduate of Oregon State. After fulfilling his military service with the U.S. Army in Vietnam in 1969, and working with Brooks Scanlon, Inc., Irving co-founded a wholesale lumber company, Deschutes Pine Sales in 1974. Irving currently serves on the board of the Deschutes Historical Museum and is the curator of “Finding Fremont, Pathfinder of the West,” an exhibit that traces the 1843 travels of John C. Frémont.

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, July 8, our lunch program will be autobiographies from Victoria Carothers, Allan Bruckner, and a Mystery Member to be named later :-).

Come learn more about some very interesting fellow Rotarians!

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

Bios:

Victoria: Born in New York and raised in the cultural hubs of Hamburg and Vienna, Victoria brings a rich tapestry of international experience and a deep appreciation for the arts, architecture, and diverse cultures. Her journey through Europe instilled in her a lifelong love for creativity, connection, and community—values that resonate deeply with the vibrant spirit of Bend. After earning her BA from Rutgers University, Victoria launched a successful career in commercial banking in New York and New Jersey. Today, she serves as a Business Banker with U.S. Bank, where she continues to support local businesses and entrepreneurs with integrity, clear communication, and a genuine commitment to their success. In the early 2000s, Victoria moved to Los Angeles with her family, continuing her banking career while also serving on the board of the Los Angeles Air Cargo Association. Her dedication to service extended beyond her profession, as she actively volunteered her time to support local initiatives. Now happily settled in Bend since 2023, Victoria feels fortunate to live near her two daughters while staying closely connected to her son in Los Angeles. She’s embraced the natural beauty and strong sense of community that Bend offers and is proud to give back through service and fellowship. When she’s not working or volunteering, you’ll find Victoria enjoying the outdoors with her chocolate lab, Blu. Whether she’s hiking, skiing, traveling, or soaking in live music, she finds joy in the simple pleasures of life and the connections that make a place feel like home.

Allan: Born a long time ago and a long way away in Ithaca New York, Allan spent his first 21 years there until he decided to view more of the world. Following a spur of the moment decision, Allan and his best friend headed for Oregon where he enrolled in the university. After getting a bachelor’s and master’s degree and a wife, Allan headed east for a year in Washington DC, then to Long Beach California for two and a half years and then a year in Walla Walla. Finally back to Oregon to work as an economic development economist for 5 years with Pacific Power in Portland. Deciding there was a better future in mobile homes than electricity, he worked for a manufacturer for a year and then in 1970 moved to Bend and started a mobile home dealership. After 10 good years followed by five bad years in the business, he sold it and have since engaged in buying, building, fixing up, renting etc. small office buildings in Bend. Allan was sponsored into the Greater Bend Rotary Club by Mark Capell’s father in 1977, and he became the sixth president in 1981. Allan served on the Bend city council for 4 years in the early 90’s and now continue to enjoy harassing whoever is in office.

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, June 17th, our guest speaker will be Michelle Healy, Executive Director with Bend Park and Recreation. Michelle will be giving an overview of how Bend Park and Recreation serves the community, and an update on their current projects and future initiatives.

Michelle Healy is the executive director for Bend Park and Recreation District. She will celebrate one year as executive director on July 1, but she’s not new to Bend or to the park district. She’s been with BPRD for 12 years, formerly as the deputy executive director and director of planning and development and park services. Her career also includes roles at North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District and in the private sector in environmental consulting. She is a certified parks and recreation professional (CPRP), a past-president of the Oregon Recreation and Parks Association, and is currently a judge for the National Gold Medal Award Program of the best park districts across the U.S.

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.

Don’t miss lunch on Tuesday, June 10th, for an enjoyable and inspiring program that promises to be one of the highlights of the year!

 

At this year’s Rotary Student Recognition Lunch, we will honor exceptional high school students who have been chosen by their respective schools as the epitome of the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.” This is an excellent opportunity for us to recognize these outstanding students and celebrate their remarkable achievements.

We hope that you will be able to join us for this special occasion.

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, June 3, our lunch speakers will be Amy Fraley and Brook O’Keefe from the City of Bend, talking about solutions to homelessness in Bend.

Amy Fraley is the Senior Program Manager – Houselessness Solutions for the City of Bend. Her primary focus is developing and implementing comprehensive houselessness response for the city.

Brook O’Keefe is the Shelter Coordinator for the City of Bend. With a passion for community welfare, Brook began her journey with NeighborImpact where she served in a variety of roles supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability. She is currently pursuing her master’s in public policy from Oregon State University.

We’ll be at the Riverhouse – Convention Center, in room Cascade CD this week.

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.