Outgoing president Joe Schwab presents four Rotarian of the Year awards
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville completed its annual leadership transition and new board installation last Thursday, June 24, while also giving out awards for a job well done during a challenging year in which no in-person meetings were held.
In a break from tradition, outgoing club president Joe Schwab gave Wilsonville Rotarian of the Year awards to not one, but four Rotarians who, in his estimation, made outstanding contributions during the year. They included Pat Wolfram and Dr. Laura LaJoie-Bishop for leading a successful virtual Heart of Gold fundraiser despite the lack of in-person gatherings, Director of Club Administration Bob Harland for implementing a club mentorship program and arranging for interesting speakers each week, and Treasurer Richard Martens for consistent work managing the club’s finances.
“Being club president was like leading an orchestra of fine musicians who made up the board,” Schwab said. “I was the one up front waving that baton, while they were the ones making the fine music …. Under extraordinary circumstances, they have given our club a year of outstanding accomplishments.”
Before passing the gavel, Schwab mentioned several accomplishments during the club’s just completed year, which ran from July 2020 through June 2021:
- At the beginning of the year, the club unanimously adopted and affirmed Rotary International’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement, which states that Rotary “values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.”
- The club inducted 10 new members and two new honorary members during the year, making progress towards the goal of having 50 members by the club’s 50th anniversary in 2025. The current membership stands at 35 currently, with a 36th set to join in July.
- The club continued to support the development of the Interact Club, a branch of Rotary for young leaders age 12–18, at Wilsonville High School.
- Despite no concerts to raise money for polio in 2020, the club exceeded its $5,000 fundraising goal for End Polio Now, as well as its $5,000 goal for fundraising for Rotary International.
- The club initiated two grant projects. The first was with the Family Empowerment Center at the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, providing items families needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second was with the Wilsonville Public Library, providing rewards for students for the Summer Reading Program.
- The annual Heart of Gold Celebration was held online. Elaine Swyt was honored as the 2020 Wilsonville First Citizen, and the club successfully raised funds to support foundation projects during the year.
Every year, the club has a board transition at the end of June. Some board members complete their service, some begin theirs, some move to new positions, and some continue for an additional term in their current position.
- Moving up to the office of president is Curt Kipp, who spent the past year as president elect. He is the director of publications and communications at the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which is based in Wilsonville. Kipp also served as club president in 2009–2010, and now becomes the first president of the Wilsonville club to be elected to two full years. “I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to getting back to in-person meetings and service,” Kipp said. “My top goal is to keep the club on the path to growth by elevating new leaders and finding new members, while engaging with the community and making sure that all members have the service and leadership opportunities they want.”
- Also moving up is the new president elect, Kyle Bunch. He spent most of the past year as club director of public relations and president nominee. He owns an agency in Wilsonville for Goosehead Insurance.
- Moving on to the office of immediate past president is Joe Schwab, a retired psychologist.
- Joining the board are new Director of Club Administration Gladys Boutwell, new Director of Membership Josh Dalglish, and new Sergeant-At-Arms Mike Bishop. Boutwell is the owner of Insurance by Design in Wilsonville. Dalglish works at the Wilsonville office of Academy Mortgage. Bishop is a regional director for Oregon for LegalShield.
- Continuing on the board are Secretary Dr. Laura LaJoie-Bishop, Treasurer Richard Martens, Director The Rotary Foundation John Holley, Director of Community Service Pat Wolfram, and Director of Youth Services Jake McMichael. LaJoie-Bishop owns Joy of Life Chiropractic in Wilsonville, and the other four are retired. In addition to another year as treasurer, Martens will also serve as president nominee, which puts him in line to be president elect in 2022–23 and president in 2023–24.
- Concluding their board service are Director of Club Administration Bob Harland, Sergeant-At-Arms Mark Stewart and Director of Membership Mary Stewart. All three are retired.
- The club’s Foundation Board governs the Wilsonville Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that funds the club’s projects. It operates on the calendar year, and continues to be led by Chairman Pat Wolfram. Other foundation board members include treasurer Richard Martens; directors Bob Harland, John Holley and Dr. Laura LaJoie-Bishop; club president Curt Kipp; immediate past president Joe Schwab; and club president elect Kyle Bunch (nonvoting).
The installation event was the club’s final virtual-only meeting, as the club will be moving to a hybrid format allowing attendance both in person and on Zoom, effective July 1.
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 36,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Through Rotary’s disease treatment and prevention programs, members educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. For more information, visit Rotary.org
About the Rotary Club of Wilsonville
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville was founded in 1975 and is dedicated to friendship and service projects. The club carries out several signature service projects throughout the year, including the innovative Through A Child’s Eyes program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, the annual Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, several Good Eggs omelet and pancake breakfasts throughout the year, the Wilsonville First Citizen awards program, and much more. The club meets weekly, Thursdays at noon, and has 35 members. Log on to www.wilsonvillerotary.com for more information.