Category: Guest speakers

Rotary Lunch Program: Wildflowers: Missing Link in Sage Land Conservation – Josh Collins

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. Josh Collins
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

Dr. Steve Cook, Superintendent

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.

Invention Convention 2023   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.

Rotary Lunch Program: International Travel/Signature Project

On Tuesday, March 12, our lunch program will be presentations on our club’s international travel programs and our Signature Project.

Patty Dempsey   Laurel Fishkin   Gail Klein

Patty Dempsey will share about her travels to South Africa via a Rotary program. Laurel Fishkin will share about our Bend-Belluno project as well as her Rotary-focused travel there. Gail Klein will give an update on the club’s Signature Project.

Since our Bend/Belluno Summer Youth Exchange program began in 2014, we have sent 31 students to visit our Sister City of Belluno, Italy, and hosted more than 35 Italian youth. With gratitude to Oran Teater, who established the Sister City connection, and Kit Carmeincke and Steve Lelli, who initiated this unique cross-cultural short-term exchange program, ten years later we are still going strong, with 3 students participating this summer and more planned each summer for the foreseeable the future. This program is part of our Club’s commitment to accomplishing Rotary International’s goal of building peace one young person at a time.”

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.

Andrew Untermeyer   Matt McDonald

Andrew is a broadcast advertising veteran with a combined 35 years of experience in Central Oregon. Growing up in inner city San Francisco he was a big fan of the 49ers and Giants where Live broadcasts of his favorite teams were few and far in between. Fast forward, live sports on are some of the biggest events on television. Over the years, many of his local clients have been in events such as Duck and Beaver Football games, baseball’s World Series and the Super Bowl. Being the son of a broadcast professional, his father used to say: “Without Advertising, You Wouldn’t Know”. Having a career where paying attention to News, Sports, Politics and Culture is not a bad way to spend the day.

Matt is a veteran journalist who has called Central Oregon home for the better part of two decades. Originally an engineering student, an insatiable curiosity and a love for great stories lead Matt into a new career path. He was part of the team launching KOHD (ABC for Central Oregon) in 2006 and would find himself the News Director at the very same station 13 years later. The values Matt has aspired to have never changed. Be honest. Be clear. Bring great stories to life. And be there when your community needs you most.

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.

Dr. Vicki Johnson   Based on her own experience adventuring, studying, and working all over the world during her previous career in public health, Dr. Vicki Johnson is pleased to share her secrets to paid adventuring and career advancement.

In this presentation, she will share how her organization, ProFellow, helps people find and win unique funding awards for professional development, graduate study, research, and creative projects.

Come prepared to tell her what you want to achieve and she’ll show you how to find a fellowship for you!

Dr. Vicki Johnson is Founder and Director of ProFellow™, the world’s leading online resource for professional and academic fellowships, now listing more than 2,700 funding awards. She is a four-time fellow, public speaker, and an award-winning social entrepreneur. Dr. Johnson speaks at universities and conferences throughout the United States on application secrets to achieving competitive fellowships and funding opportunities. She is also the creator of the Fully Funded Course and Mentorship Program, an online course and group coaching program for graduate school applicants that has helped more than 300 people enter top PhD and Master’s programs and collectively win more than $30 million in graduate school funding. During her previous life, a 15-year career in public health policy, Dr. Johnson completed her MSc in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and her PhD in Emergency Management at Massey University in New Zealand.

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.

John Rollert   Nancy Gilbertson

Speaking will be Nancy Gilbertson, the teacher in the COIC Skills Lab Classroom, and John Rollert, Community Justice Specialist Supervisor for Deschutes County.

An experienced educator, Nancy is also passionate about gardening, live music, hiking, crafting, culinary endeavors and 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.

Rotary Lunch Program – Bend High Debate Team

On Tuesday, February 6, our lunch program will be a presentation from Malia Mills and her Bend High Debate team.

Bend High Debate team

On April 29th, 2023 the Bend High Debate team took First Place for the 5A teams in all of Oregon at the State Tournament. They also have 3 students who qualified for the National Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. These National Competitors will be giving their speeches to the Rotary Club. Their speeches are humorous, and both speeches are 10 minutes long.

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.

Scot Dalquist   Chris Skully   Greg Ferenz   Wendy Patton

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.