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RYLA - Rotary District 5010 - 
Birthday's
Anniversaries
Club Anniversaries
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WASILLA - David Kennedy sat at the kitchen table Friday evening, sitting alongside his mother, Janet, sorting through the invitations for his upcoming high school graduation.
When Kennedy, a Wasilla High School senior, hits the stage as a class valedictorian during the school's commencement ceremony on May 14, it'll mark the culmination of his years at Wasilla High.
Stories
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.png)  Welcome to the beginning of another fantastic year of Rotary! July 1 starts our 2018-19 year and I am privileged to be this year's District Governor. Barry Rassin, our Rotary International President, has chosen the theme of BE THE INSPIRATION . His explanation of the seascape theme logo includes the Sunrise or a new dawn for Rotary and the Wave carrying Rotary into the future. The colors are beautiful as is the thought. July has been a whirlwind of fun and enlightening visits to the Southeast Clubs of Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka and Petersburg as well as a trip up north to see the small but mighty Nome club, and an in person meeting with our local eClub members. August so far has been filled with visits to Anchorage Downtown, Girdwood, Wasilla Sunrise, Anchorage Midtown, Russian Jack, and Gateway, Visit our District 5010 Facebook page to see all the pictures of Presidents' Kaia, Dave, Helen, Aaron, Chris, Sharon, Kim, Jeff, Chandra, Nancy, Lew, Leah, Art, CeCe, Janet, John, and Aili and their club members and the local projects that continue to give back to their communities. I'm also gratified by the new members coming into join our forward thinking organization. The Wasilla Sunrise Club under the direction of Matt Stilstra, Dan Kennedy and President Janet Kennedy chartered our first formal Satellite club with 14 new members - this is just one of the "waves" for the future for Rotary - Congrats! August will be the kick off of Membership month so be sure to follow up on anyone interested in your clubs - we need more energetic and passionate members to continue your community and global projects. And I know you won't forget to have fun - a big part of what we do is enjoy each other's fellowship and company - and boy are you all creative at having a good time! A BiG THANK YOU to Rosie Roppel for her faithful delivery of our newsletter for several years. Her photography and Public Image skills are being requested for new District and Zone positions. THANK YOU ROSIE! And remember to - Be The Inspiration! Diane Fejes - District 5010 Governor 2018-19 |
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Just heard from Ken. He said the distribution went GREAT ! ! ! ! ! ! ! They distributed 180 wheelchairs. The Ecuadorian Indians that live in the mountains couldn't make it down due to the Volcano. The Bishop of the Catholic Church (along with his priests) determined who needed chairs. He said it was just like in the video. He shared one story of an elderly woman being carried in a sling to the distribution point and being placed in her chair. He's been staying with the former president of Ecuador (his new friend) and she had a television crew there and will provide us with a copy of the tape. We plan to share during the Rotary meeting on Tuesday, July 15th. He's had a few other adventures while there so plan on a long meeting on the 15th. He did mention something about "crazy drivers", I guess 80 is the normal speed on winding mountainous roads. Miss all of you. Donna (and Ken in absentia) Donna & Ken Conrad - Sunrise Rotarians
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Posted by Chuck Foster A Rotary Classification talk is designed to be very brief. In a nutshell, this is your chance to tell us the important parts of your personal and professional life - not all the story, but just enough that we can begin to ask questions. Think "four minutes and four questions." In other words, you should plan to speak 3 - 5 minutes and tell us: 1. What are you passionate about? 2. Why do you do what you do professionally? 3. Who are your most important relationships? 4. How do we Rotarians fit into your life? You can also use a different lens. Though it doesn't translate well into organizing a talk, it is useful in trimming the topics: a. Where do you spend your money? b. How do you spend your time? c. What do you think about when you can think about anything at all? Finally, you can organize around time: i. History: how did you get here? ii. Present: What's the focus of your personal and professional life? iii. Future: What do you hope to become, through Rotary and your other relationships? The classification talk was traditionally used to acquaint Rotarians with a member's profession. Most of us don't know what its like to be a dentist, or an airline pilot, or a midwife, or a pharmacist. But the talk also recognizes the personal aspects of life, which is why tying Rotary to both profession and personal is my advice. Bottom Line: tell what we should know to begin an interesting conversation with you. Be pithy, and don't try to answer all the questions. Instead, plan to stay after the meeting for social time. |
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Looking for silent auction items to fill a picnic basket and a fishing/hunting basket. Please see Trish or Judy, thank you. We are short on selling tickets to the event. Please purchase your tickets. Each club is responsible to sell 40 or 50 tickets. Half of the donation amount comes back to our club. If you purchase an item at the event you accumulate points toward your Paul Harris. Bring your items for auction tomorrow with you donation forms filled out. Join Valley Cinema and Mat-Su Valley Rotary Clubs to support The Rotary Foundation. Tickets $50 each or two for $80 - Contact Judy Tebow for tickets: 907-354-6972
Saturday, Nov. 4th “Time, Talent & Treasure” Live and Silent Auction Beer & Wine available in the Bistro and Theater #6 Please donate "Time, Talent, or Treasure" to the Live or Silent Auction! Donation Form |
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Our fellow Anchorage Rotarian Stan Tebow has the privilege of escorting United States Air Force Veteran Roger Bon Sr. on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on October 16, 2018. One of the activities that is shared with the veterans during these flights is "Mail Call". Will you be so kind as to compose a handwritten card or letter for the veteran he is escorting and bring to our meeting tomorrow morning? They need not be lengthy just sincere. If we can let these men know how much their service is appreciated and that they are remembered, we will have added much happiness to their trip. There was nothing like a letter for the soldier, sailor or airmen away from home during war to boost morale. If you are able to write a letter or two, please bring them to the next WSRC meeting on October 16th (tomorrow). If you are unable to attend the meeting, but still wish to write to these vets, I can come get them or perhaps you can coordinate with another club member to collect your letters for you. Honor Flight Homecoming will be on Saturday, October 20th, at noon and there will be quite a celebration!All are welcomed and encouraged to attend and welcome them all home! They arrive on Alaska Air. Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure. Our Mission: To transport America’s Veterans to Washington, DC to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. On Tuesday, October 16, Stan Tebow will be escorting one of America's Veterans to Washington, DC., Please bring your handwritten notes to our Veteran to tomorrow's meeting. If you have children that would like to write them or other family members or friends, please reach out to them. |
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 Contact Any Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Member for Tickets
or call Garry Forrester at 907-841-9490 |
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  Thank you to all who made our 15th Annual VPA fundraiser a big success!! We appreciate you!!
.jpg)  Wasilla Sunrise Rotary and Valley Performing Arts
Thank you for the Artfully crafted beer from June & Stephen at Arkose Brewery in Palmer, and Specialty wines brought to you by K&L Imports.
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aka "The Pirate Club"...Arghh! We welcome visitors to our meetings, pirate and non-pirate alike! Please join us for a continental breakfast and program $10
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It was an honor for Dan Kennedy to present the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club's "Teacher of the Year" award to Mr. Blake Livingston of Wasilla High School. He has greatly helped our Rotary exchange students with academic success for over a decade. Also in the picture is Dr. Deena Paramo (Rotarian), Superintendent and the School Board President of the Mat-Su Borough. Oorah Blake! |
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The Rotary 4-Way Test Speech Contest 2015 was held this month at Wasilla High School.
Special thanks for WHS Teacher Ed Ripley and the WHS staff for helping put this event together. Thanks to Andy Faiks for coordinating this years event and for our judges,
Greg Brooker, Jerry Moses, Garry Forrester, Andy Faiks and Trish Keown. The winners this year are: 1st Place - Miriam Farley
2nd Place - Chase Hammer
3rd Place - Cory Stubbs
4th - Tie - Logan Whitlatch and Deborah Polk
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Wasilla Sunrise Rotary, Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, Alaska Family Services, PRESENT NO MORE Mat-Su Domestic Violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender Master of Ceremonies - Wasilla Councilman Stu Graham Past Governor of Alaska, Sean Parnell Iditarod Musher, DeeDee Jonrowe Alaska Family Services Director, Jeaninne Milne Wasilla High School Teacher & Coach, Jason Marvel
Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Wasilla High School 10am - 12:00pm - No More 12:30 -1:00 1pm-3pm - Compass For More Information contact us at: nomorematsu@gmail.com |
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RYLA 2015 is scheduled for April 23-26 (Thursday-Sunday) at Kings Lake Camp in Wasilla. All the information, registration dates, guidelines, forms and registrar’s contact information can be found on the District 5010 Club Runner under the page “RYLA for Rotarians”. This information should be forwarded on to the members of your club that will lead in the recruitment of 10th/11th grade students and adult chaperones. Wasilla Sunrise RYLA Director is Debbie Bushnell. Team committee; Debbie Bushnell, Jackie Marvel, Trish Keown RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a 3.5 day academy that focuses on building leadership within our youth community. It is one of the most effective New Generations service programs that Rotary offers. It happens by clubs members reaching out into the community, often through school counselors and administrators, to recruit students with great leadership potential and sending them to this coordinated event. Students who may benefit most from RYLA maybe have not yet had leadership opportunities presented to them. RYLA is a game changer. Each year a handful previous RYLA participants return as Alumni to help with the event and share their experiences which showcases the impact of the program. If you know of a 10th or 11th grade student that would be a interested in attending RYLA, please direct them to the website above for more information and a registration form. All candidates will be reviewed and chosen by the RYLA committee based on the registration form. https://www.facebook.com/District5010RYLA2013 If you have business advertising items that you would like to donate to fill the backpacks given to the students such as snacks, gadgets, water bottles, frisbees, notepads, etc... please let us know. If you are able to give monetarily so that we can purchase specifics, that would be nice also. We will be giving out awards and possibly door prizes. Thank you!
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Rotaract, Interact, and RYLALeadership is an essential aspect of Rotary—and we offer both clubs and programs to help emerging leaders develop their skills. Through these groups, participants strengthen their leadership skills, serve their communities, increase their world understanding, build friendships, and more. RotaractRotaract brings together people ages 18-30 in universities and communities worldwide to organize service activities, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun. Rotary clubs sponsor them, but Rotaract members manage and fund their clubs independently. Rotaract members work closely with their local Rotary club, and may join after their Rotaract membership ends. How can I participate in Rotaract? - Facebook - Mat-Su Valley RotaractFollow Rotaract on Facebook, Twitter, Slideshare, and Storify to see what Rotaract clubs are doing around the world. To find a Rotaract club in your area, contact your local Rotary club. Interact - Facebook - Mat-Su Valley InteractInteract is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Interact clubs organize at least two service projects a year: one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves. How can I participate in Interact?Follow Interact on Facebook and visit Interact’s YouTube channel to see what Interact clubs are doing around the world. To find an Interact club in your area, contact your local Rotary club.
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JULY No special designation 1 July — Start of new Rotary year AUGUST Membership and Extension Month SEPTEMBER - Basic Education and Literacy Month OCTOBER Economic and Community Development Month NOVEMBER Rotary Foundation Month DECEMBER Disease Prevention and Treatment Month JANUARY Vocational Service Month FEBRUARY Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month MARCH Water and Sanitation Month APRIL Maternal and Child Health Month MAY Youth Service Month June 10-14 2017 — RI Convention, Atlanta, Georgia JUNE Rotary Fellowships Month |
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Playground Upgrades Members of the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary recently gathered to install much needed benches at the inclusive playground at Wasilla Lake.
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The WSRC appropriated $500 toward the Honor Flights in support of John Warner and John Glass’ efforts for the WWII Vets and in memory of so many of the fathers of Club members. Great work John, John and Ron. |
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Choose Respect
Many thanks to Governor Parnell for joining us for breakfast this morning and sharing his vision on the administration's "Choose Respect" initiative. Speaking to a full house this morning the governor challenged groups like ours to continue our efforts to keep the conversation about domestic violence going. Remember, sometimes a victim only needs someone they can trust to take a step towards getting help. Our children need to hear that abusing someone else is never acceptable. |
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Aimee Bushnell Graduating Senior of Wasilla High Aimee was awarded a scholarship from WSRC President Dan Kennedy Tuesday night, 5/13/14. We are very proud of all she has accomplished with Rotary and the community at large. Congratulations from all of us at the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club!!!
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Rotarian Judges Greg Brooker, President Elect; Andy Faiks, Community Service Chair; Carole Coppock; Jerry Moses, Vocational Service Chair; and Dr. Jim Martin evaluate speakers at Wasilla High School to determine the 4 winners to take home the $250 prize cache.
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Dear Fellow Rotarians; We have a unique opportunity to be part of History and carry on a Legacy. Rotarians throughout District 5010 have always worked with the limitations of “being on a road system.” So much of what we do dictates air travel based on the few available highways. In the past, a simple move or a change in job assignment often meant losing access to the weekly Club meeting and fellowship so prized by all Rotarians. This resulted in losing many valued Rotarians from our Rotary family. Well not anymore, we are in the throes of forming the first Rotary e-club of District 5010 Alaska –Yukon. Forming the first e-club of 5010 was a dream of DG Sue Foley. Always a visionary, Sue believed that an e-club was the answer to both growing our Rotary Family while stopping the “leakage” of those Rotarians who have drifted away for some reason. As usual, she was right! So you see friends, this e-club is part of Sue’s legacy. At our last e-club committee meeting, Sue asked if we could charter the e-club by District Conference. The committee committed to this, and now we are even more committed to seeing this come to fruition. We have the critical mass and the momentum but we need your help! We all know former Rotarians who have slipped through the cracks, or the “Friends of Rotary” who have the service above self attitude, but circumstances prevent them from joining a brick and mortar club. Please take just a few minutes and reach out to them, send them the attached admission form or just forward me their information and I’ll reach out to them. Friends, our window of opportunity is shrinking every day. If by working together we can eradicate Polio around the world, surely we can work together to recruit 25 Rotarians to make History! By ourselves we are but one, together we are an army that can create miracles. Please take a few minutes to complete the: Rotary 5010 E-Club Application or forward this letter to any former or potential Rotarians you believe would be interested in making History. Once you are approved you will be invoiced for the $15.00 application fee and annual dues when applicable. If you have any questions please call me at 907-355-7934 Yours in Rotary service, Marty Metiva Special Representative to District 5010 e-club |
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Lt. Ruth Josten, Matcom Dispatch Supervisor has asked us to consider showing appreciation for the men and women who work as 9-1-1 dispatchers locally. She would like folks to send a short letter or email just to say thank you to the people who are there to answer the call 24-7-365. See below for details.
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We will need nine (9) more Rotarians, besides Dan, to present career talks at Wasilla MS on April 29th from 11:15 to 2:15.
We will have a sign-up sheet on Tues. |
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Welcome
Read Dunn
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As you all know Sue was an instrumental, influential, and positive Rotarian and was happily demonstrating her ongoing commitment to service above self as our District Governor. With her unexpected loss last week we are all in a state of shock and are struggling to reason with this stark reality. Please keep Sues family and in particular her husband Harold in your thoughts and prayers and that each of you may find some comfort in this very difficult time. A Celebration of Life for Sue will be held in Anchorage on April 13 at 1:30 pm at the Captain Cook Hotel.
If someone wishes to send a note or card to Harold, his address is: 2725 S Nellis, Unit 2069; Las Vegas, NV 89121
Peggy Pollen |
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In celebration of the Rotary youth exchange and Rotaract month (March) the Wasilla Sunrise Club’s club service & new generations committees are throwing a fireside party on March 22 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. You are invited. Rotarians should consider bringing something - beverage and favorite hors d’oeuvres.
The party will be at Janet Kennedy’s home: 4701 E. Shoreline Cir. Wasilla
We have also invited the Valley Rotaractors and Rotary exchange students
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The Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club enjoys sharing our careers with the 8th graders at Teeland MS, a STEM school. Our presenters were, from left to right are: John Warner, Dan Kennedy, Garry Forrester, Dr. Martin, Jake Libbey and Matt Ketchum. Al Haynes and Norm Harris (not pictured) . |
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Jason Marvel The most common reaction to today's presentation was "Wow!" Jason gave us an overview of the Freedom Writers program, training, goals, and achievements. A confident and inspirational speaker, it is easy to see Jason is one of the better teachers out there and we are lucky to have him teaching the children of the valley. His presentation hit upon the difference between Tolerance and Understanding. It also tied into a discussion on domestic abuse, a large and sensitive problem in the valley. Jason challenged us to tap into our creativity as Rotary to come up with an action plan for tackling this issue - a thought seconded by our President, Dan Kennedy. So, fellow Rotarians, what can we do? How can we help our community address not only the after effects of domestic violence, but more importantly prevent it from occurring? Very tough questions with difficult answers. Talk about it, think about, and let's see what we can do to make a difference to fight something that touches too many of us! |
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Dan Kennedy and Sara Zwink presented portions of the New Generation elements at the D5010 leadership meeting in Anchorage 2/1/2014. Sara continues to hone her leadership skills while being the guiding hand of the Mat-Su Valley Rotaract Club as their current President. A DG or RI President in the making!
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Dan Molina - January 22 Al Haynes - January 29 Rusty Burlingame - February 4 Mark Lee - February 16
Debbie & Eric Bushnel
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1/14/2014 Presentation Dee Dee Jonrowe
Dee Dee Jonrowe gave a wonderful motivational speech today on the importance of team work. She crafted the presentation using her real-life experiences on and off the Iditarod trail. She also reflected on her interactions with fellow Rotarian, Martin Buser. A skilled orator and charming personality, she captivated and entertained the audience. We wish her luck on the trail again this year. Dan even presented her with a Rotary sticker to place on her sled, so maybe we'll see the first "rotary emblazoned" sled to pass through the arch in Nome. Our thanks to Dr. Jim Martin for arranging this event.
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!!Wasilla Sunrise has changed their meeting location as of August 6, 2013!! We are no longer at the Regan Building on Palmer Wasilla Highway Our New Location is in the Meridian Point Building865 N Seward Meridian Pkwy, Wasilla, AK, 99654 Right Next to the Mat-Valley Credit Union on Seward Meridian
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Ron D. Burton
President 2013-14October 2013In Rotary, October is the month we set aside to remind ourselves of our second Avenue of Service: vocational service. While some Rotarians call this the "forgotten" area of service, I would disagree: In fact, vocational service is the avenue through which we serve so often, we don't always recognize it as service. Vocational service has its roots in the second object of Rotary, which encourages all Rotarians to hold high ethical standards in our business affairs and our professions, to recognize all useful occupations as worthy of respect, and to dignify work as an opportunity to serve society. In short, the idea of vocational service is that our jobs, in themselves, are a way of serving society. Whether we are serving customers, teaching students, or treating patients, whether we're involved in commerce, research, the media, or any one of countless other fields – we take pride in doing our work with competence and integrity. Every occupation fills a need, and by doing our work well, we are contributing to our communities and our society. The role of vocational service in the club is important, even if it isn't always prominent. By maintaining high standards individually, we earn a reputation that we share collectively. By valuing all occupations equally and by maintaining a classification system in our clubs, we ensure that our clubs reflect our communities – and can serve them well. A Rotary club of all lawyers wouldn't be capable of nearly as much as one that also had teachers, engineers, business owners, and dentists; in Rotary, our diversity is our strength. That diversity is an advantage not only to our service but to our members: It gives us all a valuable way to find the connections and opportunities that help us in our own careers. That aspect of membership is as old as Rotary. Paul Harris himself wrote often of the business advantages of Rotary membership, believing, as I do, that being a Rotarian means a person holds a certain set of values that will make him or her a good person to do business with. Today, with the world more connected than ever, Rotary membership is an honor that we should be proud to share. https://www.rotary.org/en/member-news/office-president/presidential-message |
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Dear Dan, and Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club, On behalf of the City of Wasilla, and our Honorable Mayor Verne Rupright, we that thank YOU for your dedication of time, and talent to persevere in sometimes inclement conditions to ‘serve’ in a capacity that truly holds credence to your motto, ‘service above self’. Thank you for making this year’s Mayor’s Picnic a wonderful success, as we have appreciated your long- standing commitment to serving our community. On a personal note….HUGE THANKS to all of you for helping me coordinate these efforts. I couldn’t have done it without you!! I’m looking forward to working with you next year! Joan Klapperich Event Production & Facility Supervisor Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center City of Wasilla 1001 S. Mack Drive |
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Past President Norm Harris - Passing of the Gavel Event 2012-13
Any job very well done that has been carried out by a person who is fully dedicated is always a source of inspiration.
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Dan & Ricky on "Operation Sandbox"
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MYHouse Appliances and Mat-Su Valley Rotary Clubs A great big thank you to the Rotary Clubs of Palmer, Wasilla, Sunrise, and Susitna for taking part in the MYHouse Appliance Grant. Wsilla Sunrise Donated $300 to the project.
MyHouse celebrated their grand opening on August 8th at their new Gathering Center off of Herning and Lucille in Wasilla (the old Husky Building). For more information go to http://myhousematsu.org .
Thank you to the Palmer Rotary and the Wasilla Noon Rotary for purchasing a washer and dryer from Allen and Peterson for our Gathering Place. |
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Wasilla Sunrise 13th Annual VPA, Wine & Beer Tasting Event was a Huge Success! Special Thanks To:
Our Beer Sponsor, Arkose Brewery in Palmer Brown Jug Wasilla UPS Store Palmer Thank you to all of you who Attended our Event!! Thank you to all of our Sunrise Rotarians who made this event happen! We Appreciate You! Please visit our website from time to time to see what Wasilla Sunrise is up to in our Community! |
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Veteran Spotlight - U.S. Army Veteran James Hastings:http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=spotlight-veterans I am proud to introduce the most recent edition of my Veteran Spotlight featuring Wasilla resident James Hastings, a U.S. Army veteran who served 22 years in the Infantry and later in both the Army Reserves and Alaska National Guard. Hastings continues to serve our great nation through his dedication to the battle wounded and battle weary in Alaska and beyond. When he was only 17-years-old, Hastings felt the tug of service, as he decided to carry on the tradition of military service in his family that began during the Civil War. Hastings was assigned to the elite 82ndAirborne Division and trained all over the world, including Germany during the time the Berlin Wall came down. Upon returning stateside, Hastings was stationed in Alaska at Fort Richardson. In all his years of active duty Army Infantry, Hastings says it was difficult never seeing active duty combat – something he says “one must come to grips with.” (Click on image for an excerpt of James talking about having to heal himself before he could help heal others, CLICK HERE for the extended interview). Today, Hastings has devoted his life to helping other military members and veterans in his role as the Alaska Employment Transition Coordinator for the Department of Defense’s Hero 2 Hiredprogram, and as the Director of Operations for Alaska’s Healing Hearts, a local non-profit. I invite you to watch James tell his story – how he proudly stepped up to serve our country and the devotion he has for helping his fellow soldiers and veterans. If you have a family member or friend in the community you think has a story to share, email me atSpotlight@Murkowski.Senate.Gov. |
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DRAWING IS SEPTEMBER 10TH... GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!! The 2013 Annual Gallons for Rotary Giving Fundraiser is in Full Force Contact any Wasilla Sunrise Rotarian for your chance to Win!  |
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Jose is be headed off to West Coast Tour and then back to his homeland. We will miss You Jose!! He and Zury both gave wonderful presentations about their stay in Alaska. Zury will be here until the 25th of July. Our Inbound Exchange Student is from Switzerland and her name is Lara Rufenacht. She will be here in August
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Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club is planning to construct an inclusive playground at Newcomb Park on Wasilla Lake over the coming summer. The Mat-Su Valley is one of the fastest growing areas of the State and the demand for services for residents with physical and/or developmental disabilities is growing. Unfortunately, there is a general lack of accommodation for the younger generation in this population segment, and, as a Club we are committing to help meet some of this demand with this proposed project. The playground will be located next to the newly constructed playground for 2 to 5 year old children that the City of Wasilla began building last fall. Our project will complement the new playground and will include accessible activities for handicapped and developmentally disabled children. The City of Wasilla will be assisting our club with administration of the project in the city park and they are fully on board with the project. photo's of the plans can be viewed if you go to our homepage and scroll down on right side to bottom and you will see the proposed playground drawing link.
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Thanks to All Rotarians who helped Paint the Deck at the Hatcher Pass Visitor Center on July 15th 2013 and Thanks to James Hastings for organizing!
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And the Winners are.....
1st Prize: Vera Otte - Anchorage |
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Wasilla Sunrise is proud to announce our 2011-12 Scholarship Recipients |
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Please welcome New Members Annie Bill and Ken Peltier!! |
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One of the many Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Projects that we participate in. Thank you to all who make this program possible!!
You can download an Imagination Library Registration Form from the Home Page of our website. Click on the Mat-Su link under Downloads on the right side of our page. Dolly Parton congratulates Alaskans When Alaska's enrollment topped 13,000 children receiving Imagination Library books every month, Dolly Parton sent a special greeting and congratulations to all the Alaskans who make this possible. Check it out on YouTube - YouTube.com/BestBeginningsAlaska |
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Thursday May 5, 2011
Judges needed for the Wasilla High School 4-Way Test Speech Contest. Please contact Greg Brooker!
The Sunrise Rotary 4-Way Test Speech Contest is next Thursday (May 5).
We still need some judges to help with the scoring.
The process starts at 10 am in the theatre at Wasilla HS and usually lasts about an hour.
The kids appreciate it and it is a truly inspiring experience for the judges.
Greg Brooker 373-3977 |
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Celebrate World Interact Week, November 2nd through the 8th, 2009.
Rotary International News 5 Oct 2009
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This is RotaryEN from Rotary International on Vimeo.What would it take to change the world? Rotary's 1.2 million members believe it starts with a commitment to Service Above Self.
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WEEKLY PROGRAM May 26, 2015
Club Assembly
Please be present for discussion of club activities
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Thanks to Andy Faiks our Community Service Chairperson for organizing our first Road Cleanup of 2014. (not everyone who picked up trash is pictured, missing are Matt Stielstra, Jackie & Jason Marve and Norm Harris)
This is what Greg and Dan were doing while trash was being gathered |
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Dear Anchorage International Rotary Club, I'd like to thank you for providing me with the opportunity of a lifetime by sponsoring my attendance to Dstrict 5010's Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2014 camp. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire weekend I spent with Rotary. Previously, I have not had the knowledge of Rotary that I accquired recently. My interest in Rotary has heightened, and I'm proud to say I took part in a leadership seminar put on by Rotary. Throughout the weekend, I was constantly learning. A majority of our lessons took place on the first full day, and the three major categories covered were: risk taking, self responsibility/self-esteem, and goal setting. Discussion took place both as a camp and in smaller groups, and in each I felt comfortable sharing. The goal that was announced was to teach us to learn who we are, and I feel that I have done just that. In camp, I took risks by putting myself out there and opening up, which I normally would not do. I came up with positive risks I can start taking now that will improve my life. During self responsibility, I learned about defense mechanisms and was able to acknowledge the ones I absent-mindedly use so that I can begin taking full responsibility. RYLA built up my self-esteem with it's accepting and loving atmosphere. When discussing goal setting, I was encouraged to open my mind more. I had a very specific plan of action as to what I want to be when I grow up, and I now accept that my job isn't going to define me and my ultimate goal doesn't have to be job-related. I hope to positively impact the world. Friday was packed full of learning how to be a leader through lessons and acitvities. On Saturday, we started the day with affirmations by thanking and complimenting all the people we had met. In RYLA, I made more friends than I have in my first two years of high school. Everyone was open and friendly, and I grew close with people who I hope to keep in contact with. By having my social skills enhanced, I will be able to utilize the leaderships skills I now know to a variety of people. In the afternoon, we were split into groups and went off to do service projects in Wasilla. I traveled to My House; an organization that provides homeless teens with food, clothes, showers, etc. Because I have had first-hand experience with helping and befriending teens who have been homeless, this organization affected me personally and now that I know about it, I plan to do more volunteer work in the future there. Overall, I feel that RYLA allowed me to grow as a person and as a part of this community. I will take the skills and knowledge from this one weekend and use it for the rest of my life as I lead and serve the community. I look forward to personally sharing my experience with my grandpa, Raymond Ellis, and my uncle, Tim Ellis, who are members that I know in Anchorage International Rotary Club, and I also plan to seek out any Interact club close to my home so that I can become more involved. Again, thank you for sponsoring my attendance to RYLA 2014. I was sad to leave, and only hope I will be able to return again next year. If you would be willing, I woulld appreciate it if you would consider sending me back as a student so I can further learn and solidify all of the skills, or as an alumni so I can be a part of other teens' leadership education and help to the best of my ability. When you are notified of RYLA 2015, please think of me and if you could, contact me with the information so that I may once again apply. I appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you very much, Monica Heintzman |
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Thank You To Everyone for a Fantastic Evening! |
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Sunriser's please welcome Sherie Viera!
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Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership program coordinated by Rotary Clubs across the globe. Each year, thousands of young people participate in this program. Young people ages 14–30 are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to attend the event run by the club's district committee. Participants are chosen for their leadership potential. Rotary Clubs and the Rotary District cover all expenses for the participants. The format of the event vary from district to district, but commonly take the form of a seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event's curriculum. RYLA aims to:[1]
Every RYLA program covers the following core topics:[1]
After District 5520's first RYLA, a participant summed up his experience in one word: Camelot. He wrote:
RYLA participants often go on to become Youth Exchange students, Rotaract participants or Ambassadorial Scholars. History[edit]In 1959, the state government of Queensland, Australia, invited local Rotary Clubs to help plan an event to help celebrate the upcoming centennial of the state. Princess Alexandra, who was in her early 20s was due to attend the celebrations, so activities were planned specifically for the princess's age group.[2] The gundoo, an aboriginal word meaning "festival" or "fun together," was deemed successful with more than 300 men and women between the ages of 17 and 23 attending. Encouraged by the event's popularity with the young attendees, Rotary saw potential to create an annual youth program based on Gundoo. The governor of the then District 260, Art Brand, approved the project and on 2 May 1960, RYLA was an official Rotary project. Australian districts 258 and 260 established a committee together that developed the official framework of RYLA:
These guidelines helped RYLA expand to all Rotary districts in Australia and led to its approval as a Rotary International program by the RI Board at the 1971 Convention in Sydney, Australia. |
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Dear Cherie: Thank you so much for your excellent presentation to the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club this morning (Oct. 1st). Your message about United Way was very well received by our Club. The $705 check in the name of Valley Rotary Club charter member, Harold Newcomb, was a huge surprise. The Inclusive Playground at Newcomb Park is now a valuable community asset. Thank you for the contribution toward that endeavor. :) Cherie, thanks so much for your extraordinary efforts in the Community - Rotary, United Way, VPA, etc. Sincerely, Dan Kennedy, President of Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club 2013-2014 |
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Ben will be visiting December 10, 2013 and give a presentation on his year abroad. Dear Ben: I enjoyed your report and hearing stories fro Brenda Fulton's visit with you last month. You are a terrific young man. :) Please look at your schedule when you return to Alaska. May we kindly suggest that you please present to our Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club on Dec. 10th or 17th? You are welcome to stay in our "Rotary room" at our home the day(s) before the Tuesday morning meeting. Thoughts? May we please publish excerpt of your report in our newsletter? Thanks, Dan Hello All - My year as an Ambassadorial Scholar has come to an end! I cannot believe how quickly it went. It helped that I kept busy, as you will see at the end of my report in my abbreviated activity/travel log. Thank you all for your advice, time, help and general goodwill and support in this last year. I cannot put into words how grateful I am to have had this experience; I can only hope to pay it forward in whichever way I can in the coming years.
To my friends in Germany: thank you for a wonderful year! I look forward to seeing you in Germany and Alaska in the future. To my Alaskans: I am already looking forward to presenting to Rotary Clubs in Alaska about my time in Germany. I have lots of pictures, and maybe I can even arrange some Franconian beer tastings. All the Best, Ben Woodland Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, 2012-13 Soldotna, USA - Bayreuth, Germany |
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Day of Caring May 16th and beyondYour community needs YOU! Join the Day of Caring Thursday, May 16. It is a fun way for businesses, organizations and individuals to help those who help so many --our local non-profits. Check out the list of opportunities and contact Cherie at 745-5822 or email cherie@unitedwaymatsu.org to volunteer. There is something for everyone and locations from Sutton to Talkeetna. Do not worry if you cannot participate that day. Weather and or people's work schedules can sometimes interfere, but arrangements can be made to complete some projects at a later time and date. Volunteering feels good. Join us and feel the joy. Download a list of volunteer opportunites. (.PDF)
2013 Day of CaringThursday, May 16, 2013 United Way of Mat-Su will be organizing volunteers for the annual Day of Caring. It is a fun opportunity for local organizations, businesses and individuals to assist those who help so many in the Mat-Su, the local non-profits. There are always a wide mix of projects available for volunteers, everything from planting a few flowers to building an ADA compliant ramp.
To volunteer to take part in the 2013 Day of Caring contact Cherie at 745-5822. We will match volunteer’s interests and skills with projects.
Non-profits are encouraged to submit a project form to be added to the list of planned jobs to be completed. |
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Thought you’d like to know. The Alaska Mental Health Trust approved our request for matching fund in the amount of $15,000 for the inclusive playground. then... news from District 5010 Subject: Congratulations! You did it! Dear Sunrise Rotary, What a fantastic response! You blew the socks off of the District Grants process. Twenty six (26) clubs submitted Memoranda to qualify to submit grant proposals for the next Rotary year. Almost all Clubs have had a member attend a Grants Management Seminar. The most impressive feat was the development of Project Proposals. You submitted forty three (43) proposals for a total budget of $471,809, and a request for District Designated Funds (DDF) of $184,405. Wow! That's the GREAT news. The CHALLENGE is that District funds available for matching amount to approximately $75,000. Your District Grants Committee will review the proposals next week, and will seek creative ways to support your efforts to provide service to your communities. We know this was a complicated and sometimes confusing process, but you rose to the challenge. Thank you for your persistence and patience. Your Rotary Foundation is one of the finest humanitarian service providers in the WORLD. Your support of the Annual Programs Fund makes it all possible. Special thanks to the Presidents, Presidents-elect and your team for the 2013-2014 Rotary year for a tremendous effort. Rotary regards, Will Will Files District 5010 Grants Chair |
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Sara Zwink is the Mat-Su Rotaract President and they are looking for new members! Do you know someone who would be candidate for their club? Visit the Mat-Su Rotaract Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/matsu.rotaract About Rotaract 
R otaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are either community or university based, and they’re sponsored by a local Rotary club. This makes them true "partners in service" and key members of the family of Rotary. As one of Rotary’s most significant and fastest-growing service programs, with more than 8,400 clubs in about 170 countries and geographical areas, Rotaract has become a worldwide phenomenon. How does it work?All Rotaract efforts begin at the local, grassroots level, with members addressing their communities’ physical and social needs while promoting international understanding and peace through a framework of friendship and service. http://www.rotary.org/en/studentsandyouth/youthprograms/rotaract/pages/ridefault.aspx
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Awards for clubs - Guidelines for Clubs to receive the Presidential Citation 2012-13 Presidential Citation The 2012-13 Presidential Citation will recognize Rotary clubs that achieve an array of accomplishments that help them become stronger, deliever effective service, and enhance their public image. Rotaract and Interact clubs can also qualify for a citation.
Significant Achievement Award Presidential recognition of a club activity which addresses a significant problem or need in the community. A district selects one project and submits nomination to RI. A president-appointed selection committee evaluates nominations.
Recognition of Smaller Club Membership Growth This district-level award offers an incentive to clubs that fall below the charter requirement of 20 members by recognizing the challenges and achievements of small clubs.
RI Membership Development and Extension Award -- MDEA This district-level certificate program recognizes membership growth in existing clubs, retention of current club members, and the organization of new clubs. Districts that meet their membership goals are also recognized. RI Recognition of Membership Development Initiatives -- MDI This district-level certificate recognizes clubs for the development and implementation of a creative plan or strategy to support one of the three primary foundations of membership growth and development: retention, recruitment of qualified new members, or the organization of new Rotary clubs. |
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Reese Everett and Nichelle Henry - Palmer High School International Baccalaureate ProgramReese is the Principal of Palmer High School and Nichelle is the IB Coordinator at PHSThey gave a wonderful presentation on Tuesday, February 19thFor More information on the IB program at Palmer High, please click on links below:click on the "Academics" tab and scroll down to International Baccalaureatewww.matsuk12.us/phsAlso, visit:www.ibo.org
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  Top: Past RI President Luis Giay, chair of the Future Vision committee, highlights the advantages of The Rotary Foundation's new grant model during the International Assembly 18 January. Rotary International/Alyce Henson Bottom: RI General Secretary John Hewko talks about the need for continuity, strategic planning, and sustainability. Rotary International/Monika Lozinska Rotary International on Facebook
This year’s International Assembly is focusing considerable resources on training incoming Rotary leaders in The Rotary Foundation’s new grant model, to pave the way for the worldwide launch of Future Vision in July. The effort is designed to benefit all Rotarians by sending the governors-elect and district Rotary Foundation chairs-elect back to their districts with a wealth of knowledge about the grant model. “The Future Vision plan provides us with an opportunity to be a truly cutting-edge organization, on the same level as many other successful philanthropic organizations, like the [Bill & Melinda] Gates Foundation,” Past RI President and Future Vision Committee Chair Luis Vicente Giay told the incoming leaders. “To ensure the future of Rotary, we need a Foundation that is strong, vigorous, organized, agile, competent, international, and ready to meet the challenges and demands that society, Rotarians, and clubs present to us.” Giay highlighted several advantages of the new grant model, including streamlining the system into three grant types that fund a variety of activities with fewer requirements. Placing district grants into the hands of a new district committee structure will give Rotary clubs and districts greater flexibility in meeting community needs both locally and internationally, he said. And by linking global grants to Rotary’s six areas of focus, the Foundation will be able to ensure that projects have a greater impact, as well as sustainability – an impact on the benefiting community that continues long after grant funds are expended. The Future Vision plan has benefited from Rotary’s leadership in the effort to eradicate polio, which has relied on a strategic partnership with other organizations. Reflecting that lesson, packaged grants allow Rotarians to take part in predesigned projects funded entirely by Rotary’s World Fund and its strategic partners. “As Rotarians, we can use our new Foundation to do greater good in the world,” Giay said. “I am confident you all will succeed.” Sharpening our brandIn another assembly speech, the incoming leaders heard Past RI President William B. Boyd talk about the initiative to strengthen Rotary’s brand. He said that extensive research conducted by Rotary’s consultants, Siegel+Gale, had found a perception gap between the way Rotarians and non-Rotarians view the organization, which the brand initiative is designed to address. “For non-Rotarians, that communication is very important, because they need to know who we are and what we do, and what differentiates us from other organizations. Then we can ask them to join us,” Boyd said, noting that the initiative is not about reinventing or creating a new brand but about bringing the existing one into sharper focus. "What is a brand? It's simply and clearly who we are, what we do, and why it matters." He asked the incoming leaders to spread the message about Rotary’s brand and to reach out to non-Rotarians to explain what the organization does both locally and globally. Foundation goalsRotary Foundation Chair-elect Dong Kurn Lee laid out the Foundation’s goals for 2013-14, including completing the job of eradicating polio, launching the Future Vision grant model, engaging Rotarians in innovative projects, creating partnerships, and building ownership and pride in the Foundation. “In Rotary, every job is valuable, every job is important,” Lee said. “But in the year ahead, all of you here today will have a special role to play in determining Rotary’s success — and not just in 2013-14 but in all the years to follow. It is a tremendous responsibility, and I know that you will rise to this challenge.” Support from RIRI General Secretary John Hewko focused on the need for continuity, strategic planning, and sustainability in his address to the assembly 16 January. “Every Rotarian, and every Rotary leader, is a link in a chain. Our success can’t ever be measured by our own strength,” Hewko said. “It will be measured by how well we link what was done before us to what can be done after us.” He encouraged the district governors-elect to use Rotary Club Central, an online tool rolled out in July to help districts and clubs better understand and capture their past achievements and plan strategically for several years. Rotarians can find the tool by logging on to Member Access. Hewko said sustainability, at its core, means that the work Rotarians do now will have a continued impact, without continued investment. “A helping hand that meets a need in the short term is never as efficient a use of our resources as an investment that will continue to meet that need over time,” he said. To help promote Rotary and ensure its future, he asked the governors-elect to make use of the Internet and social media. The Rotary Grants microsite was launched this month, and Hewko noted that a redesigned RI website is in the works.
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Hello Fellow RotariansWelcome to the Rotary District 5010 District Conference for 2013 in Ketchikan. |
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Tuesday December 18th is
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Trish: Vicki is going to donate the money back to the Community of McGrath. At the present time she is trying to update the roles of the Native Community. For those who do so in the next couple of weeks she will enter their names into a drawing. She will then draw five (5) names out of the hat. Each one of them will receive $500 worth of fuel from her winnings. That truly is "Gallons for Giving". |
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Heather Karwowski visited our club and gave a great presentation on the Anchorage Rotaract Club. Matt Stielstra of the Mat-Su Rotaract Club also attended. They have a very small club but they are not small in projects. If you know someone between the ages of 18 and 30... or more, please contact Heather. They are always actively seeking new members.
2010/2011 Board President: Heather Karwowski
Email: anchoragerotaract@gmail.com
Vice President: Kayse Ericksen Treasurer: Skye Frison Secretary: WANTED Past President: Katie Johnson Local Projects Paint the Town Run For Good Relay for Life Health Fair Anchorage Rotaract celebrated this year's World Rotaract Week with by partnering with Gateway Rotary Club and volunteering at a community heath fair. Helping children and adults in Anchorage get the information they need for a healthy life. Covenant House Wish List Drive Anchorage Rotaract conducted a wish list drive for homeless teens. Members collected hygiene and clothing items for the local teen homeless shelter Covenant House. Toy for Tots At this years Rotaract Holiday party members brought a toy to donate to children in need. Teddy Bear Tea Anchorage Rotaract hand decorated and donated nine circus bears to Salvation Army's Teddy Bear tea this year. The bears helped raise money for this organizations vital community programs. International Projects Supplies for Preschool in South Africa This year Anchorage Rotaract has made a commitment to providing developmentally appropriate school supplies and toys for a South African Preschool in the township of Kwandengezi that will support over 1000 children by the year end. We are hosting a Softball Game and Beer Tasting event to raise funds for this project. Mayasa Nicaragua School Project- Rotaract's International Project 2010-2011 Last year Anchorage Rotaract has made a commitment to help build and supply a school in Mayasa Nicaragua. The school will house 150-200 children in a rural and impoverished part of the country. We have partnered with Soldotna Rotary and Project HOPE. In August we hosted a Rotary Softball game between Downtown and East Rotary to raise funds to help send volunteers to help build the school along with raise money for the much needed school supplies for the children.In October we hosted a Rotary Halloween Party to raise funds for the school again. We raised over $2,500 this year! We also sent a team of three Rotaractors to help build the school in September of 2010. The school is now built and holding classes!!! |
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Get your tickets now for the Annual Event of the Year!! |
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Our Exchange Student is here!!
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Rotary International Monthly Themes:January Rotary Awareness MonthFebruary World Understanding MonthMarch Literacy MonthApril Magazine MonthMay Promote International Convention MonthJune Rotary Fellowship MonthJuly Literacy Month & New Rotary Year BeginsAugust Membership & Extensions MonthSeptember New Generations MonthOctober Vocational Service MonthNovember Rotary Foundation MonthDecember Family Month |
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Peggy is a business owner with her husband Mike and is the Vice President and CFO of NTL Alaska, Inc. and its predecessor company Northern Testing Laboratories, Inc., Alaskan water and wastewater laboratory and consulting firms. Her expertise is in business and information systems management. She is a 42-year resident of Alaska, a graduate of Kodiak High School, and has completed course work in computer sciences at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and Business Administration at California Coast University. For many years, Peggy was active in professional associations in the water and wastewater treatment field, and has received several prestigious awards from the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation, including membership in the “Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers.”and the Arthur Sydney Bedell Award for service to the Alaska Water and Wastewater Management Association. She is a Past President of the Midnight Sun Council of the Boy Scouts of America and is a recipient of the BSA’s Silver Beaver Award. In February 2011 the Girl Scouts of the Tanana Valley honored her as one of their “Women of Distinction”. In 2006, Peggy was awarded one of the highest commendations given by the Department of the Army to a civilian: the ‘Commander’s Award for Civilian Service’ for her tireless work with the families and soldiers of the 172nd Stryker Brigade stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, during the Brigade’s deployment to the Middle East in 2005-2006, and has since been honored as a Distinguished Member of the 1-25 Stryker Brigade for her continued work with the military and their families in Alaska. Peggy is a dedicated Rotarian, and is a Past President of the 185-member Fairbanks Rotary Club. Her extensive Rotary Club honors include the Fairbanks Rotary Club Spirit Award and Rotarian of the Year. She is a Paul Harris Society Fellow, Major Donor, and Bequester. Peggy has served as the Assistant Governor of D5010 for Northern Alaska From 2008 to 2011 before being selected in 2011 as the DGN for D5010 in Alaska & the Yukon. Her Rotary service includes District Conference Chair, District Rotaract Chair, and many other committee activities. In 2011 she served as a PETS trainer in Seattle. |
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RI presidentBiography Sakuji TanakaYashio, Saitama, Japan A member of the Rotary Club of Yashio since its charter in 1975, Tanaka has served RI as a director, Rotary Foundation trustee, chair of the 2009 Birmingham Convention Committee, member of the Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Force and Future Vision Committee, and regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, district governor, and training leader. Working with his district, he helped to construct a school building in Bangladesh. Tanaka has received the RI Service Above Self Award and the Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Kyoko, are Paul Harris Fellows, Benefactors of the Permanent Fund, Major Donors, and members of the Arch C. Klumph Society. In addition, Tanaka has established an endowed Rotary Peace Fellowship. He and Kyoko have been married since 1963 and have three children and six grandchildren. |
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Wasilla Sunrise Rotarian's
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Chatted with Ricky last week a little and he wrote back the following... Its two oclock in the afternoon, we had a day off because of the pouring rain. Im sitting in front of the computer and watching some news around the world. Few days ago, i went out with some exchange students from US and Europe. they are about to go home, we chatted. i felt everything they are experiencing right now it was just i had been though, time flies by, i can believe two years had passed:( How is everyone doing in the wasilla sunrise rotary club? hello to all new members in the club! i missed the breakfast that Polly made. And raisedd my hand for the happy buck time! Even though it was pretty hard to wake me up on Tuesday morning but whatever. Ray, how are you? Are you having big bucks this few months? Don't just sit on the couch and watching golf forever. haha, i saw your pic at the party of Dan and Janet's anniversary you look good! still have that charming smile! Glad you are doing well, miss you:) why everyone laugh when i write something about ray? |
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http://kearneytateinthailand.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 3, 2013Rabbit Rabbit Swordfish! March 26
My host family owns a van rental company so at about 2pm all of us Lop Buri kids and a few others leave for Bangkok. We meet the others in Bangkok and by 6pm we are on our awesome VIP double decker bus and offff! The first hours are excited, loud, chattering and rambunctious! Slowly people begin to quiet down, tire out and drift off to sleep.
March 27
At about 8am I open my eyes, I try and try to focus them but I can't. All I see is a strange blue, moving mass before my eyes. Within about a minute the bus lights are turned on and our funny Thai tour guide tells us that we have arrived! Oh... I put two and two together... blue wavy mass = the ocean. We check in to our hotel which is barely a five minute walk from the beach and take showers, half an hour later we are back on the bus, breakfasted and wearing our swimsuits under our clothes. We spend the day taking a small boat just big enough for our group of exchange students around the islands of Krabi, stopping for an hour here and an hour there. Swimming, swimming, swimming! That evening we walk around at the night market street and Alex and I go to a shop and get our hair done into a million tiny braids. We plan to keep them for the entire trip. After two hours we are only about 10 minutes late for dinner, that night we take a walk on the beach and finally roll into bed only to wake up in the morning to another day in paradise.
March 28
We take the bus to a hot spring, but it's not like the hot springs I've been to before, water coming out of the ground and creating a pool of warm water, no this is a hot waterfall! The many levels of the waterfall can fit one, two or even six or seven people in them and if you get to hot you can always slip on down and land in the cold river water below. We splash and play for almost an hour, even though supposedly one should only stay for 20 minutes... no more and no less. Later that day we go to The Emerald Pool. To get to the pool you must take about a fifteen minute walk through the beautiful jungle. It was very pretty and of course we all went swimming again! That evening we drove to Pang Nga and stayed at a hotel with a beautiful view of the river. We went swimming in the pool, dove around, took crazy photos, I once again stubbed my old fractured big toe and everyone got some betadine and bandaids for all the cuts from the rocks on the beaches.
March 29th
We took a boat from the pier infront of our hotel and visited James Bond Island. I've never seen the movie that was filmed there so that is on the list of to do's now! While there, a few friends and I explored some caves and disturbed a few bats. Later that day we took the boat to a tiny village of about 200 households on a tiny island. Most people living there were Muslim and they were in the process of building a mosque. There we ate lunch and walked around. We saw the floating soccer field... the rules are that whoever kicks the ball off has to jump in a go get it! Then we donated a bunch of mosquito nets, a water filtration system and some snacks and candy to the local school. A few of us played soccer with some small Thai children... I sort of sunburned the bottom of my feet from this but it was totally worth it. I spoke to a group of girls and learned that many of them did not know how to swim... that surprised me. Also while talking to a woman there we learned that her pet gibbon's name was Turi! The lady let our friend Turi hold the gibbon and we took lots of pictures, even though usually the photos are 50 baht the woman didn't make us pay. Turi was pretty overjoyed. How often do you go to a tiny island with 200 households and find a gibbon with the same name as you? Once in a lifetime for sure. That night we checked into a really beautiful hotel, we played in the pool and then went to dinner. Dinner is a whole other story... now we can get foreign food, sort of, but nothing good and nothing thats not ridiculously expensive so when we walked in to see that the food was an International All You Can Eat Buffet you can probably imagine what happened next. After eating ourselves into what we like to call a "chicken hangover" (the chicken was really, really, really delicious), we rested for a bit before going out to the walking street market to buy some new bracelets and look around.
March 30
In the morning we headed to Phi Phi Island. On the two hour boat ride we met some nice people, especially one couple from Brazil who were travelling all over the world. We ate lunch at Phi Phi Island and then went snorkeling. It was absolutely beautiful. Our chaperone started feeding the fish and there were so many of them and so close together that they were swimming into us! That night we all got a bit dressed up and went to Phuket FantaSea which is an amazing show of Thai dance, magic, other dance, elephants and all sorts of animals! My favorite was the group of about fourteen or so trapeze artists swinging and twirling in the air above us while everything was dark except for their neon outfits. My friend Lea and I walked to The Hard Rock Cafe Phuket later but everything was way to expensive so we couldn't even get a pin for our blazer. Later we walked around at the street market again and we jumped into the ocean after midnight to celebrate Sophie's 17th birthday!
March 31
We swam at the pool, gave birthday gifts to Sophie, went shopping a bit more and finally started the long bus ride back home. On the bus we watched The Sound Of Music and Turi, Daniel and I all sang along. The chaperone had prepared a cake, so we all sang and Sophie blew out her candles on the top of a double decker bus somewhere between Phuket and Bangkok.
It was an absolutely amazing week and I couldn't have asked for any more wonderful people to spend it with than the awesome Spacepeople (inbound students of District 3350), few outbounds who went and our awesome Rotex-- Coco and Ohm! Thanks for everything, especially the goodnight hugs! :)
Also, here is the link to the album of my photos from the trip-- Krabi, Phuket, Phi Phi and more!
and here is the link to my youtube- Kearney on Youtube!
Kearn |
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Glenn E. Estess Sr., who served as 2004-05 RI president during Rotary’s centennial year, died on 7 February. He was 84. In 1993, Estess retired as chief executive officer of Glenn Estess Associates Inc., a sales and marketing personnel consulting firm, to devote himself full-time to Rotary. “I am sure the word most often used to describe Past President Glenn is ‘gentle,’” says Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair William B. Boyd. “He was strong in his beliefs but always gentle in expressing them and treated all people with respect and courtesy. He served the world through Rotary in many ways and always with a smile. The Rotary family will miss him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Mary.” Read More:http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/120208_news_estess.aspx |
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Wasilla Sunrise Rotary donated $600 toward 4 wheelchairs and (11) Eleven additional wheelchairs
were donated by WSR members. Thank you!! Thank you to our International Committee for organizing this effort! |
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Please take time to introduce yourself to new Rotarian |
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Hello awesome rotary leaders, Great news from San Diego! Hopefully by now you have heard that India just passed its one year anniversary with no cases of polio reported! But wait, there's more. At the International Assembly today, John Germ, CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, announced the Foundation is giving Rotary a grant for $50 million dollars as a thank you for the early closure of the last matching grant they presented us. This grant is not a matching grant, it's their way of saying thank you.Please pass this message on to your club members.At the rate this Assembly is going, I hope to have good news to report to you every day.Yours in Rotary Service, Peggy |
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This year's fundraising event is a performance of "A Christmas Carol" at the Valley Performing Arts was a big success! WSR would like to thank all of you who attended or purchased tickets for someone else. We are very grateful!! |
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Past President Carol Kane and Teresa Kennedy, Mat-Su Interact Club are interviewed and featured in the article,
Frontier spirit
click on link below to read the article: http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/TheRotarian/Pages/Frontier1109.aspx |
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In the past few weeks, we've had some pretty special visitors to our club meeting. A couple of weeks ago, Ken and Donna Coonrad paid us a visit from Reno, NV and last week Tony and Sandra Delucia visited from Kissimmee, FL. All are former Sunrise Rotarians and have new home clubs in their own cities. They were a very active presence in our club and we miss them so much!! Thanks for the visit!! Stand in President Jerry with Sandra exchanging club flags. |
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1st Prize: Patrick Wright - Mat-Valley Thank Every One of you who purchased a ticket for a chance to win! We really appreciate your support and please know that this fundraiser will support a great amount of service in our community! Please visit our website often to keep up-to-date on what our club is doing |
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The Pirate Club's newest member is Robert A. (Bert) Hall Also, we have welcomed back Gary & Nancy Hall who are former Sunriser's. They spend half of the year in Argentina and the other half here. Nancy says that women are not allowed to be Rotarians where she lives in Argentina. |
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Wasilla Sunrise Awarded Amber Bisbee, a graduate of Burchell High School a $1000 Scholarship to the college of her choice. Amber will be attending St. Cloud State University in MN. She came to Alaska to assist with the care of her grandmother and attended Burchell because it allowed a flexible schedule. She really seems like a great kid. Very smart, organized, keeps good contact and went back to the Burchell to thank all the teachers for their help in getting this scholarship.
Nancy Hall |
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Thanks to All who participated in our first Road Cleanup of 2012!! |
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Al Haynes, a charter member of the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club, was presented with a 5th (fifth) Blue Sapphire. Paul Harris Fellow/Multiple Paul Harris Fellow Donors of US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, or the Humanitarian Grants Program, or people who have that amount contributed in their name, can be recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. Each new Paul Harris Fellow receives a commemorative certificate and a pin. Become a Paul Harris FellowSimply mail the completed recognition and contribution form (PDF) with your check. Read the Paul Harris Society brochure . It provides more information about this special program, including its history and guidelines. Learn more about donor recognition totals for this and other recognition programs. |
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Wasilla Sunrise has donated $500 to the local youth group the Junior Alaska Avalanche Hockey Association. Matt Ketchum (a Sunrise member) is the President of this association and accepted the donated with gratitude. We hope to have members of the association team up with us in some of the local activities we participate in. |
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Wasilla Sunrise has donated $500 to Iron Dog rider and Rotarian John Glass. John will represent Wasilla Sunrise as well as his other sponsors on his ride to Nome. |
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Members of the Mat-Su Interact Club work to help feed the Community. Rotarian Jerry Moses worked out well with the teenagers. He also sang them 1960 songs that the kids never heard before. Rotarians Jack Williams and Dan Kennedy missed the photo op. Thanks to President Carly Colligan for leading the team of Interact workers. |
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Thanks to all the WSR Members who volunteered to "ring the bell" for the Salvation Army at Fred Meyer on Saturday!
~Merry Christmas~
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Wasilla Sunrise is proud to announce our newest member Tim Mullikan! |
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Wasilla Sunrise and Food Pantry of Alaska November 2010
The difference between the Food Bank of Alaska and the Food Pantry of Wasilla:
The Food Bank collects and provides
food to the agencies that distribute food. Money or food that goes to Food Bank, may be used anywhere in the state. Money or food that goes to the Food Pantry, is used here in the valley. The Food Pantry does not just serve Wasilla.Their mandate says they serve any resident of the Mat-Su valley. They will serve ANYONE who comes to their door, but concentrate on Valley residents. |
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Wasilla Sunrise would like to thank all of you who attended our 10th Annual Valley Performing Arts/Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser. This event helps us to fund some of the many projects we take on each Rotary year. We appreciate your donations and look forward to next year's event. If you would like to receive our weekly newsletter, please sign up on our web page and you can find out what we are doing in our community during the year. Thanks Again!!
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Rotary Youth ExchangeWhy Youth Exchange?Globally mindedRotary clubs are made up of volunteers who are involved in community service, emphasize high ethical standards, and work toward peace and understanding in the world. Over 1.2 million Rotarians in more than 32,000 clubs create the extensive network that provides support for Youth Exchange. A commitment to youthRotary maintains a strong connection to youth and young adults. Besides Youth Exchange, Rotary clubs sponsor youth service clubs such as Interact, Rotaract, and RYLA and offer career development and mentoring programs. Rotary is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in its programs, including Youth Exchange. Low costsRotary club volunteers administer the program at the local level, which helps keep costs low for students and their families. These volunteers often offer years of experience with students, host families, and fellow Rotarians who are involved in the program. "What a wonderful opportunity I was given, from both the Rotary club and my family, to spread my wings, taste the culture, and live the life." |
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About RYLA
R otary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-30, but most clubs and districts choose to focus on a narrower age range, such as 14-18 or 19-30. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to
To find out about a RYLA event in your area, contact your local Rotary club , or e-mail RI staff , who will put you in touch with your district’s RYLA chair. Read more about RYLA events . Subscribe to the e-newsletterThe New Generations monthly e-newsletter provides news and developments regarding the Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) programs. |
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In defense of The Four-Way TestRotarian Magazine - April 2010Editor's note: More than 20 people wrote responses to a letter about The Four-Way Test that ran in the December issue. Here are a few of them. Read more responses online. |
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For those of you who missed it, Ricky, Gregg Brown (Guppy) and Ray Keown all jumped in the Polar Plunge representing Wasilla Sunrise Rotary. Take a look at the photo's on home page listed under photos on right side of screen. We had a great time and the boys (all three) were really good sports. Carey Parker and Norm Harris braved the freezing cold too! Wasilla Noon Club Inbound student, Jonas and Outbound Logan, also jumped.
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Dear Dr. Greer and Family:
At this morning's Rotary Club meeting, the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club approved a $500 check to help Dr. Greer and Family with the Valley efforts to help the victims of the Haitian earthquake. In addition, past Rotary Club president Harold Newcomb, who resides in the Pioneer Home, wishes to also donate money. How do we get these checks to you? We appreciate the opportunity to help.
We wish to also thank Dr. Richard Strohmeyer for bringing Dr. Greer's efforts to our attention. Dan |
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Youth Exchange students share tips |
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Thanks to All who participated on Saturday to help raise money for the Salvation Army. Starting at 10am at Fred Meyer in Wasilla, Sunrise Rotarians and a couple of potential Rotarians showed up for an hour at a time of ringing the bell. Ricky our exchange student put in two hours. One shift with me and one with his host family the Welch's. There was an elementary school choir there for the first hour and everyone was really disappointed to see them leave.
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A note from our District Governor, Bill Hopper regarding the Interact Charter night...
Hi Dan Thanks for the update - sorry I could not be there - I am currently in Novosibirsk doing my club visits - I am down to 9 clubs left - should be out of Russia on the 15th of December - I want to thank you and Carol and the Wasilla Sunrise RC for making this happen - I know these youth people will make a difference in the local Wasilla community - it is nice to see the young people give back - have a wonderful Thanksgiving - give my best regards to everyone - The Future of Rotary is in Good Hands with the Wasilla Sunrise RC Best Wishes Bill
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Melissa Stewart (Pirate Name, Gun Powder Girdie) and Kevin Dykman, (Pirate Name, Captain Blood?) were inducted to Wasilla Sunrise Rotary today. Please take some time to sit by them at the next meeting and introduce yourself. Welcome!!
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WSR welcomes our Inbound Exchange Student, Yang, Hao-Hsuan (Ricky) from Taipei, Taiwan. Ricky arrived in Alaska, August 5, 2009. He will be live with 4 families throughout the year returning to Taiwain in June of 2010. He is attending Wasilla High School and his studies include US History, English, Algebra, Biology, Technical Applications and PE (his favorite). He speaks very good English. Ricky loves basketball and will hopefully be able to play for the Warriors team. Ricky is one of four Rotary exchange students here in the Mat-Su Valley. Ricky said it is his purpose to teach us about Taiwan while he is here.
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For Meadow Lakes Community Children up to age 5. Join us for the Meadow Lakes Community, Imagination Library kick-off and sign up event! Sign up your child or children to participate in the Imagination Library Program. Your child will recieve, free of charge: One hard bound, quality book delivered to your mailing address every month until your child is 5 years old. (must be living in the Meadow Lakes Community. Donations accepted) When: Thursday, April 23rd Time: 3:45 to 6pm Where: Meadow Lakes Elementary Gym More information: www.matsureading.com and http://www.imaginationlibrary.com/ |
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Wasilla Sunrise Rotary is proud to be a part of the start up of Imagination Library in the Mat-Su area.
Click on link to sign up your child 0-5 years of age, for a library book a month... http://www.bestbeginningsalaska.org/index.php/Families/Meadow-Lakes-Mat-Su-Valley-Imagination-Library.html |
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WSR's Paul Harris Fellows:
Greg Brooker; Martin Buser; Dennis Clark; Dwight Coppock; Donna Coonrad; Sandra Delucia; Tony Delucia; Paul Dauphinais; Lyda Green; Al Haynes; Stan Hooley; Matt Ketchum; Kent Kluever; Carol Kane; Vicki Kluever; Dan King; Dan Kennedy; Janet Kennedy; Mark Lee; Jerry Moses; Harold Newcomb; Sylvia Reyes; John Warner; Micah Weinstein; Newell Walther
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