On Tuesday, October 8, our lunch program will be an update on the evolution of the Perseverance Awards, which has recently expanded significantly to become the Axel F. Hoch Legacy Scholarships.

In what promises to be one of the year’s most inspiring programs, we want to invite people to come hear about the evolution of the Perseverance Awards, a scholarship designed to provide support for students of the Bend-La Pine School District who have overcome significant hardship and challenges (and a cause that our club has supported for many years).

Thanks to a significant bequest, this program has morphed into the Axel F. Hoch Legacy Scholarships and expanded to where we are now able to send multiple students off to college or trade school to complete their education with zero debt.

Please note: we’ll be over at the Riverhouse Convention Center 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.

On Tuesday, October 1, our lunch program will be a debate between the two candidates for Deschutes County Sheriff: Kent Vander Kamp and William Bailey.

IMPORTANT: you MUST sign up (and sign up any guests you are bringing). Attendance will be limited to the first 74 people who sign up (that’s the max room capacity). Signup for lunch here.

Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp started his law enforcement career 20 years ago with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office as a volunteer Search and Rescue medic and Reserve Deputy Sheriff. He was hired as a Seasonal Special Services Deputy in 2006 and then as a Patrol Deputy in 2008. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2017. and Detective Sergeant in 2020.

Kent currently leads the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), a multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement task force, as a Detective Sergeant. In addition to CODE, Kent currently leads the Deschutes County Illicit Marijuana Enforcement Team, the DCSO Drone program, and supervises the DCSO SWAT Team Paramedics.

He has also been recognized as a Cascade Business News “Top 40 under 40” leader, awarded the White House ONDCP 2020 Award for Outstanding Public Health/Public Safety in a Collaborative Effort, The Oregon HIDTA Award for Outstanding Investigation Impact by a CODE Investigation, the HIDTA Award for Outstanding Investigation Impact by a CODE Investigation, recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the Deschutes County DUII Investigator of the Year.

William Bailey grew up on the Oregon coast, where worked at his mother’s restaurant as a teen, and on ocean charter boats during the summer. After graduating high school, he served in the US Coast Guard. During his 23+ year career DCSO he has had the honor of holding a number of assignments, giving him a broad range of experience and perspective throughout all three divisions. From Field Training Officer for both Corrections and the Patrol Divisions, training newly hired Deputy Sheriff’s, to Criminal and Street Crimes Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, and Public Information Officer (PIO), Patrol Lieutenant, City of Sisters Station Lieutenant, and Administrative Lieutenant.

William Bailey currently serves as Captain over the Patrol Division, overseeing all patrol operations, three substations, City of Sisters and La Pine contracts, Records Unit, Civil Unit, Honor Guard, and Peer Support. William Bailey earned an Associates of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, and is a graduate of the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute (IPSLEI), Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Command College, Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association New Sheriff Institute and the DPSST Detective Academy. He is also trained on Crisis Intervention (CIT).

William and Rachel have been married for 23+ years, raised two great kids, Kaitlyn and Graysen, and have two dogs, Sage and Ember, and a young granddaughter. As a family they enjoy all central Oregon’s outdoors has to offer.

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, September 17, our lunch program will be a presentation about political polarization entitled “Bridging Divides”, from attorney Bill Howe. Developed for civic-minded and involved organizations and groups, Bridging Divides is a short presentation that first considers the current state of political polarization and how it creates policy gridlock and undermines democratic institutions. It then asks what individuals and organizations can do to work together despite differences so communities can move forward in a productive way and solve problems.

Bill Howe has practiced law for 47 years, which includes over 25 years devoted exclusively to family law with Gevurtz Menashe in Portland, Oregon. Bill has also devoted significant time to family court reform. He has been appointed by two Governors and several Chief Justices thru the years to lead family law and court reform efforts. Bill currently serves on the Board of SAGE (Senior Advocates for Generational Equity) and was instrumental in launching the SAGE Citizen Project.

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, September 10, our lunch program will be a debate between State Senate Candidates Michael Summers and Anthony Broadman.

Please submit your questions ahead of time to Neil Bryant at neilbryant8484@gmail.com.

For three generations, the Summers family has been a trusted part of our community. You may know Michael through his business – Summer’s Flooring, as the drummer for Precious Byrd, Chair of the Redmond School Board, or as a loyal friend. Now, here’s your chance to have a friend and advocate in Salem. Michael’s leadership through the pandemic demonstrates his capacity to unite Redmond School District for the benefit of students, families, teachers, and the community. His humble and collaborative leadership style and his creative approach to peaceful problem solving reflect his passion for unity and harmony.

Anthony is an active member of the Mt. Bachelor Rotary Club and a Bend City Councilor. Anthony and his wife, Dr. Kate Broadman, have three daughters and are currently hosting a Rotary youth exchange student from Belgium. Anthony is the Chief Judge of the Warm Springs Court of Appeals and has served as counsel to Tribal governments throughout his career. Anthony is co-founder and co-owner of a law firm focusing on defending and advancing Indigenous and Treaty rights for federally recognized Tribal governments. He serves on the Deschutes County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council, on the Board of EDCO, as Board President of the Horner Cycling Foundation, on the Downtown Bend Business Association Board of Directors, and on the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Steering Committee. He previously served as Chairman of the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council and the Oregon State Bar Indian Law Section, as well as on the Grace First Lutheran Church Council. When he’s not in a meeting, Anthony is riding bikes with his daughters, hunting, or trying out local restaurants and food carts.

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, September 3, our lunch program will be autobiographies from new members Donna Reitz, Fritz Reitz, and Dina Barker.

Come learn more about some very interesting fellow Rotarians!

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.

We are excited to announce that ReVillage, our $100,000 grant recipient, will present to the Rotary Club of Greater Bend at our meeting on Tuesday, August 20. This is a great chance to learn about their plans to open a new daycare center in Bend, Oregon.

As a “daycare desert” with a critical shortage of spaces for young children, Bend needs ReVillage’s commitment to high-quality early childhood education. Their innovative play-based learning and cooperative model nurture creativity, independence, and social-emotional development, involving parents and caregivers in the process and fostering a strong community.

ReVillage will share insights into their educational philosophy, how they create engaging learning environments and how they foster collaboration among families. This model supports children’s development and builds lasting connections among parents and caregivers, enriching the entire community.

We encourage all members to attend this inspiring presentation to understand how our grant will impact local families and help create a brighter future for Bend.

Arrive 15 minutes early to enjoy the special surprises we have prepared for you!

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 13, our lunch program will be a presentation from Carissa Heinige and Sarah Worthington from Deschutes County Public Health about all things smoke and health.

They will cover what is PM2.5 and why should we care, along with public health recommendations for how to stay safe and healthy when there is poor air quality in the area. They will also share about our roles in helping prepare and respond to smoke events in Deschutes County, as well as ways in which everyone can stay informed about smoke events.

Carissa Heinige is the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP)Coordinator for Deschutes County. As the PHEP coordinator, Carissa helps provide linkages between community partners, County emergency management, and various state agencies to help ensure public health needs are met during and after disasters. Carissa has been in her current role since 2021, and first started with Deschutes County Public Health in 2020 to support pandemic response.

Sarah Worthington is the Climate and Health Coordinator serving Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson County Public Health Departments. In this role, Sarah supports projects and partnerships that increase community resilience to climate-related hazards such as wildfires and extreme heat. Previously Sarah’s work focused on diabetes management and prevention.

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.

Rotary Lunch Program: Deschutes County Landfill

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, our lunch speaker will be Tim Brownell, Director of the Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste.

With the eventual and quickly approaching closing of Knott Landfill at the end of this decade, Tim will be speaking about the current search and process for locating a new disposal facility here in the County. This is one of several initiatives that the Department is looking at to improve the solid waste management, recycling, composting, and waste prevention systems and programs in the County.

Tim Brownell currently serves as the Director of Solid Waste for Deschutes County, having moved to Bend, OR approximately 2 years ago. He has had a varied career in recycling, solid waste management and policy, and originally starting out in the industry in San Francisco, which included setting up the first recycling collection route on the iconic Lombard St. He and his wife Carol love all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer and are enjoying amazing places and spaces in Central Oregon.

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.

Rotary Lunch Program: Autobiographies (Patty Dempsey, Scott Parr, and Scott Breon)

On Tuesday, July 23, our lunch program will be autobiographies from long-time member Patty Dempsey, and new members Scott Parr and Scott Breon.

Come learn more about some very interesting fellow Rotarians!

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.

Rotary Lunch Program: Environmental Sustainability – Sherry Auerbach

On Tuesday, July 16, our lunch program will be a presentation on Environmental Sustainability from Sherry Auerbach, co-chair of the Los Altos Rotary Club’s Climate Action committee. She’ll be talking about two environmental-related programs their club has put in place in their communities working with youth. The first is a Lithium Battery collection day and the other is for polyurethane plastic recycling.

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.