On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, our lunch speaker will be Zavier Borja, Community Relations Manager for the City of Bend.

Zavier currently serves on the boards of Parks & Rec, the Latino Community Association, Gray Family Foundation, and more. Zavi founded Vamonos Outside, in hopes to get more Latino and Spanish-speaking community members into the outdoors. Zavier will briefly share about his background that shaped who he is today, and he’ll then focus on his work at the City of Bend, sharing about partnerships and equity, as well as what that means for community engagement.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (restaurant side), 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, January 17, 2023, our lunch speaker will be Dr. Laurie Chesley, president of COCC.

Dr. Chesley is the sixth president in Central Oregon Community College’s 70-year history. Her tenure began in July of 2019. Prior to joining COCC, Chesley was provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan. Her administrative and leadership experience spans 18 years and includes both two- and four-year colleges. Chesley served as interim dean of learning at Northwestern Michigan, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Ferris State (Michigan) University, dean of humanities at Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) Community College, and associate dean and dean of arts and sciences at Grand Rapids Community College.

A first-generation college graduate, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Alma College. She went on to receive her master’s and doctorate degrees (her dissertation examined the portrayal of women in the work of Daniel Defoe) in English at the University of Notre Dame, where she met her late-husband, Brent. Chesley taught English at a variety of higher education institutions for 14 years, including five years of full-time teaching at Northwestern Michigan College.

A recipient of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Faculty Excellence Award and a past winner of the Michigan Chapter of the American Council of Education Network’s Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award, Chesley is passionate about mentoring the leaders of tomorrow. Born in Michigan, she’s a fan of classic cars, traveling and cycling.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (restaurant side), 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, January 10, 2023, our lunch program will be a presentation on the Bend Film Festival by their Executive Director, Todd Looby. Founded in 2003, BendFilm is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating independent cinema’s unique power to enrich lives, promote diversity and inspire change through vibrant educational programs and film festival experiences across Central Oregon.

BendFilm’s signature event is the annual Bend Film Festival, named in 2019 as one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Coolest Festivals in the World and one of only 27 Academy-qualifying film festivals in the United States. Festival award-winners in the Indigenous Short, Narrative Short, and Animated Short programs are eligible for Oscar nominations. With more than 6,000 attendees, the festival showcases more than 130 professional independent and student films and hosts a variety of public educational panels and post-screening talks with visiting filmmakers and award jurors.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (restaurant side), 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 13 2022, our lunch program will be on our club’s Bill Berg Foundation, presented by Kyle Frick. The Foundation continues to grow and support 8 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.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (restaurant side), 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, November 15 2022, our lunch program will be a presentation from Julie Brown and her team at Bend Park and Recreation District.

Julie is the communication and community relations manager at Bend Park and Recreation District. She’s also a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Bend. She’s been with BPRD for 6 years. Before working in parks and rec, Julie was the media relations director at the University of Oregon, her alma mater, for 9 years. She and her husband are busy raising two daughters. She’s a novice greenhouse gardener and a slow-but-steady runner.

We all love some aspect of the great outdoors in Central Oregon and there are probably only a few who haven’t floated the Deschutes at least once or visited at least one of Bend’s many parks. Bend’s parks and recreational facilities are a big part of what makes Bend a great place to live. Keeping these resources in prime shape for a growing population, without breaking the bank, and sustaining the natural spaces for generations to come takes forethought and planning. Julie and several other Park & Rec staff will join us to talk about their efforts related to water conservation, drought impacts and adjustments, natural resource management, and the use of alternative power sources in their efforts to keep Bend recreating.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (restaurant side), 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, November 8 2022, our lunch program will be autobiographies of some of our newer members: Gary Crockett, Michelle Solley, and Fred Rafilson. Gary is a Commercial Loan Officer at SELCO Community Credit Union. Michelle is the Philanthropy Officer at St. Charles Foundation, and on the board of Envision Bend. Fred is Chief I/O Psychologist at Talview. Come get to know more about these awesome new folks in our club!

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (restaurant side), 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, November 1 2022, our lunch program will be in two parts: first, a discussion on a proposed joint project between all of the Bend area Rotary clubs. Past president Bruce Abernethy will lead the discussion. Second, we will have a presentation on the status of the Rotary Foundation and grants from past District Governor Cindi O’Neil.

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (restaurant side), 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, October 18 2022, our lunch program will be autobiographies of some of our newer members: Janie Hayden, Fred Rafilson, and Jamie Garza. Come get to know more about these awesome new folks in our club!

Signup for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse (restaurant side), 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, October 11 2022, 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. 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.

Sign up for lunch here.

This meeting will both in-person at the Riverhouse Convention Center, Room Cascade CD, 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.