On Tuesday, June 11, our lunch program will be a presentation on PeaceTrees Vietnam, from Norman Knodt. Norm will present a combination of photos that he took in Vietnam in 1968, as well as current photos of those same areas that he took in 2018 and 2023 while participating in Citizen Diplomacy Trips sponsored by PeaceTrees Vietnam. These trips include visiting the actual demining operations, meeting with staff from the US Embassy in Hanoi and visiting several cultural sites. PeaceTrees has been the recipient of a grant from the Rotary International Foundation as well as support from several Rotary Clubs’ local foundations.

This organization has been providing unexploded ordnance clearance and Mine Risk Education in Vietnam for 28 years. They also provide several types of support for families that have suffered death and/or injury from contact with unexploded ordnance.

About Norm Knodt:

Norm is a Financial Advisor with Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC, and lives and works at Eagle Crest.

In 1966 he enlisted in the US Army and became a helicopter pilot, and served in Vietnam from January 1968 until January 1969. He flew UH-1B & C armed helicopters (gunships) and participated in operations at the Battle of Hue, Khe Sahn and the A Shau Valley.

Norm worked in the civilian helicopter industry as Chief Pilot for the Pan American World Airways helicopter operation in New York, New York and as Director of Operations for Omniflight Offshore Inc. supporting the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico. He was also employed by Columbia Helicopters located in Aurora, OR, and was Chief Pilot for Columbia’s operation in Papua New Guinea.

While no longer an active Rotarian, Norm was a member of the Manteca Rotary Club in Manteca, CA and served two years as President (one for the Centennial Year). He also served as an Assistant District Governor and at the district level on the Rotary International Foundation Committee as sub chair for the Permanent Fund (now the Endowment Fund).

In 2015, Norm learned of the PeaceTrees Vietnam organization. He has made two trips to Vietnam as part of their Citizen Diplomacy Program and is now a member of their Board of Directors.

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: Heather Ficht + East Cascades Works

On Tuesday, June 4, our lunch program will be a presentation entitled “The State of the Workforce in Central Oregon” from Heather Ficht, Executive Director of East Cascades Works. Heather is the Executive Director of the East Cascades Works, a non-profit serving the ten counties on the east slope of the Cascades Mountain range in Oregon including Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Wheeler, Gilliam, Jefferson, Crook, Deschutes, Lake and Klamath counties. East Cascades Works mission is to support the talent needs of employers, and maximize and align investments in the career goals of individuals to fuel a thriving economy.

Heather has over 25 years’ experience in workforce development in Oregon, ranging from direct service to working for local workforce boards. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Wisconsin Madison and her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University. Heather has supported the start-up of several organizations as well as programs and has extensive experience with youth workforce programming and re-engagement strategies that launch young people on to careers.

Currently, Heather serves as a member of the state’s Workforce and Talent Development Board and is immediate past Chair of her industry partnership in Oregon called Oregon Workforce Partnership (OWP), a collaboration of the 9 local workforce boards in Oregon. She also serves on the state’s oversight body for the public workforce system in Oregon along with state agency leaders called the Workforce System Executive Team (WSET) and as a member of the Oregon Governor’s Workforce and Talent Development Board.

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: Bend-LaPine High Schools Athletic Directors

On Tuesday, May 21, our lunch program will be our local high schools’ Athletic Directors, giving us an update from the 2023/24 school year. Erik Tobiason will also make a brief presentation on the history of the sports program fundraiser for new members. 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, May 14th, 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 seven 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, May 7, 2024, our lunch speaker will be Brenda Comini, Director of the Early Learning Hub of Central Oregon at High Desert Education Service District (HDESD). She will be speaking about early learning and childcare in Central Oregon. Topics will include:

• Oregon’s Early Childhood System, led by the Department of Early Learning and Care and implemented by Early Learning Hubs, including Central Oregon
• Raise Up Oregon: Statewide Early Childhood System Plan, guiding strategic action
• Key demographics and data points guiding our work
• Effective strategies and partnerships: Early Literacy, Child Care, Home Visiting and early childhood workforce
• Impact examples
• How you can support Early Care and Learning

Brenda was named the first Director for the Early Learning Hub of Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson Counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs) in April 2016.

In that capacity she works with cross-sector stakeholders to improve systems to ensure early health and developmental supports for all children, increase access to quality childcare and preschool and an educated, adequately funded early care and education workforce with emphasis on parent/caregiver voice and service to traditionally underserved communities.

Brenda attended Linfield College and the University of Oregon. She currently serves on the UpStream Prevention Workgroup of the Central Oregon Health Council, as a board member for the Central Oregon Chapter of the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children (COCOrAEYC), and as Treasurer for the Oregon Early Learning Hub Association. State appointments include Joint Legislative Task Force on Access to Quality Affordable Care (2019-21), State Healthy Start Advisory Board (2018–present), and Oregon Early Learning Council Home Visiting System Committee (2021–present).
In addition to a passion for social change, she enjoys exploring Oregon and travel beyond with family and 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, April 23, our lunch program will be autobiography presentations from three of our members: Heather Dion, Laurel Fishkin, and Oran Teater.

Come get to know a whole bunch more about these amazing members!

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, April 16, our lunch program will be a presentation from Dr. Josh Collins, Chair of the Sage Science Team for the East Cascades Audubon Society. His presentation will be entitled: “Wildflowers: Missing Link in Sage Land Conservation”.

Dr. Collins received his doctorate in ecology in 1993 from the University of California at Berkeley. He has an extensive background in research and teaching covering subjects from nearshore marine to alpine ecosystems throughout the West. ​Retiring to Bend in 2021, Dr. Collins began working with the East Cascade Audubon Society (ECAS) to help conserve the sage steppe ecosystem of Oregon and neighboring states, with a focus on the greater sage-grouse. He currently chairs the Sage Science Team of ECAS and represents environmental non-governmental organizations on the Coordinating Council of the SageCon Partnership.

People colonizing the high desert of central Oregon little more than a century ago would hardly recognize the same lands today. Among other changes, most of the high desert is missing its native wildflowers. New understanding of the ecological importance of wildflowers in the high desert mandates their restoration. Scientific knowledge is adequate to get started. More public awareness and political will is needed now.

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: Bend La/Pine School District Levy presentation

On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, our lunch speaker will be Dr. Steve Cook, Bend/La Pine School District Superintendent, overseeing our community of 33 schools, more than 17,500 students and 2,100 staff members. He will be will speaking about the upcoming District Levy that will be on the ballot.

Dr. Cook took this position in 2021; prior to that, he spent 3 years at the Superintendent of Coeur d’Alene School District; before that, he was Deputy Superintendent of Douglas County School District in Colorado.

Dr. Cook received his Doctor of Education from the University of Kansas; a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Emporia State University; and a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Education from Kansas State University.

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: Signature Project Finalists

Our upcoming meeting is not to be missed! We’re thrilled to announce that it will feature presentations from the three finalists competing for our generous Signature Project Grant. These projects are poised to make a significant impact on our community, and your participation in selecting the recipient is vital. Stay tuned to your inbox today to discover the finalists and explore detailed descriptions of their projects!

On Tuesday each finalist will outline how their proposed project will tackle key challenges in our community. Please note: there won’t be time for questions directly to the presenters during the meeting. However, your questions are incredibly important to us, and we’ll provide an opportunity for you to submit them to the committee at the meeting or via email by emailing the committee Chair.

Your vote on April 9th is important in selecting the project our club will support. Your input shapes our community’s future. Prepare to learn about each project and make a difference with us!

Mark your calendars for April 2 and come prepared to learn more about each project. Let’s make a difference together!

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: Invention Convention

On Tuesday, March 19th 2024, our lunch program is our annual Invention Convention. Every year, Rotary Club of Greater Bend hosts the “Invention Convention” where students from Miller Elementary School are encouraged to think up (and present to the club and their family members) their inventions to “save the world” or just make life a little easier for all of us.

It’s absolutely amazing what ideas these young entrepreneurs come up with and this event always leaves us feeling more positive about the future!

Club members help with judging which takes a good half day since virtually every student at the school takes part in this fun event!

We’ll be over at the Riverhouse Convention Center.

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.