Focused on Fellowship and Giving

Fellowship and giving, Jesse Tam. This year has been filled with focused on ways to continue growth in our clubs and bring fellowship to the district level.  It's always busy this time with holiday celebrations and family gatherings ahead for many.  The West Seattle Rotary celebrated it's 70th anniversary with a huge cake, of course and stories from achievements during the many years as an organization.  It continues to be the "fun club" and share in giving with a shopping spree for children at Westfield Southcenter with volunteers in December.  The early morning event shares a time for children to select items and enjoy a breakfast with volunteers and rotary members.

The Rotary theme "Making A Difference" can relate to each and everyone of us. It could be setting aside an hour a week or monthly to tutor school children or adults, helping the food banks, cleaning someones yard or visiting elderly people who may not be able to get outdoors.  The things each of us can achieve are endless and will surely bring smiles to others.  Plan ahead and see how you can make a difference in an activity or talent to share with others.

A great way to learn and keep active is being a mentor and continue to volunteer in our own communities.  I've find mentoring those in college, graduate students and our future leaders are great ways to connect in helping them decide on career paths.  The students are filled with questions about jobs and new ideas about the future ahead.

Stay connected, Jesse.tam  https://rotaryfriendship.blogspot.com/   Sharing fellowship and giving in our community network, Make a Difference.

Peace Making a Difference

How can each of us make an impact or small difference in this world?  Jesse Tam, making a differences starts with one person, idea and reaching out to spread the word and taking action.. The Peace: Making a difference Rotary Day at the United Nations in Geneva is November 10-11th.  Here's an opportunity to learn and hear from others.

"More than 600 participants are expected for the Rotary Day at the United Nations in Geneva, where United Nations representatives and experts of the humanitarian world will educate and inspire delegates on how to actively build peace at the local, regional and global levels.  Plenary sessions and workshop"   http://rotarydaygeneva.com/en/

Stay in touch, we all have stories from our daily lives and community in ways to make changes and reaching out to others.  Thanks for reading Jesse http://rotaryfriendship.blogspot.com/

Growing Our Club Membership

Growing our club membership, Jesse Tam. Like any organization, changes are necessary in order to adapt to our members' needs and grow our club. The club decided starting in July of this year to meet twice a month for the regular meeting on the 1st and 3rd Thursday instead of weekly meeting. The decision was to allow each of the members to explore other clubs and hold more service events to involve the whole family and friends.

One of the events held was a social for our club members to know each other at Ivars on Lake Union with friends and families.  It was an informal gathering to discuss upcoming events and how we can make a difference in our community.  Fairly simple meet and greet for those interested, spending an evening outdoors with family and getting to know our members.

The club had the summer BBQ hosted at one of our member's home with a brief officer's meeting. It was well attended in a relaxing wooded setting with delicious appetizers, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, salads, cobblers, desserts, wine and more.  It's nice ice breaker to develop fellowship with other members, spouses and guests.

It's time for each of us to make a difference in our community and do what we can.  Every small effort from one can be of value and provide that opportunity for change.  Think of a few things that you can do and see the results.  Thanks for reading - Jesse  https://rotaryfriendship.blogspot.com/

Sharing and Making a Difference

You can start  "Making A Difference" across the world and in the community. Begin as a volunteer, mentor or sharing ideas - Jesse Tam.  The theme for Rotarians across the global as we lend a hand and share in how we can all make a difference with projects and volunteering.

 There are many ways to be involved with spending a few hours a week or monthly by mentoring in our educational institutions.  The local food bank are great places or help with cleaning and planting trees or gardens in our cities.

Rotary: Making a Difference. “Whether we’re building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives — in ways large and small — for the better.”  2017-18  RI President Ian H.S. Riseley’

There are many local clubs and organizations to join.  It's a wonderful experience to connect and learn from others. Take the lead and see the difference with one person.  Thanks for reading, stay in touch. Jesse https://rotaryfriendship.blogspot.com/

Convention, Top 5 Reasons to Attend

Convention is almost here, Jesse Tam with a 5 hour non-stop flight from Seattle metro and Bellevue friends. Another exciting year for fellowship and convention in Atlanta to renew with friends from near and across the global.  Hear about recent projects, future outlook for clubs, speakers, share success stories and more from June 10 - 14th, Atlanta, GA.  Bill Gates co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be one of the speakers.  

Top 5 Reasons to Join Us  http://www.riconvention.org/en/atlanta/top-5-reasons-join-us  from Rotary International convention site.

1. Meet the most inspiring people in the world

Rotary members from more than 130 countries meet at the convention every year. This is your unique opportunity to connect with old friends, make new ones, and share stories about your club’s current and future projects.

2. Strengthen your club and your passion for Rotary

The general sessions and breakout sessions offer countless ways to help you get the most from your Rotary membership and make your club stronger. In the House of Friendship, you’ll find new ideas, learn best practices, and share project successes — it’s where the Rotary world comes together!

3. Join The Rotary Foundation celebration

The culmination of a yearlong celebration of the Foundation’s centennial takes place in the city where it all began. Join the festivities at The Rotary Foundation’s 100th Birthday Party. Attend a book signing and meet the author of “Doing Good in the World: The Inspiring Story of The Rotary Foundation’s First 100 Years.” See all the activities we have planned.

4. Explore the American South

Bask in the sun on the Atlantic and Gulf shores. Test your game at some of the world’s most celebrated golf courses. Experience the magic of Florida’s Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World.

Explore the natural wonders of the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg. Sample the sophisticated charms of New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston. Learn more

5. Enjoy special tours and events offered by the Host Organization Committee

Watch for more information about special activities like Restaurant Night, Host Hospitality Night, and a screening of "Gone With the Wind" at the historic Fox Theatre. Visit the Host Organization Committee site to find more activities.

Thanks for reading  http://rotaryfriendship.blogspot.com/  Jesse, stay connected.

Bellevue Inspiration Playground Opportunities

The Rotary Club of Bellevue has partnered with the City of Bellevue to help fund and build an inclusive outdoor play environment at the Bellevue Downtown Park. Inspiration Playground will have an accessible design and feature sensory-rich play experiences and equipment suitable for all ages and abilities. Bellevue Rotary is in charge of coordinating $4.3 million Inspiration Playground capital campaign.

The outdoor playground provides opportunities for all children to social\y together and also build understanding and acceptance. It will be a play space for the welcoming the entire community in outdoor fun and exercise. Be a part of Play for All campaign, see information and link for naming opportunities.

Visit the PLAY FOR ALL campaign website www.inspirationplayground.org for more information. Add your name to the whimsical design elements of the Inspiration Playground fence. You can also honor family or friends, commemorate an occasion, or share an inspiring quote. Click here to view our gallery of choices, and consider making a donation that will make your gift a legacy that will live on at the Inspiration 
Playground  

Thanks for reading join the community projects  Jesse 

Read more about the ground breaking of the Inspirational Park on Jesse Facebook 

Youth Exchange Experience

Rotary is an organization for all age, Jesse Tam from Seattle suggests seeking an opportunity to learn about culture and travel with youth exchange. Clubs can hosts a student for the school year or summer exchanges.  Below is an article from Rotary Voices blog...

Reblog  Rotary Voices  A larger than life youth exchange experience

It would be impossible to pick a favourite memory from my exchange in Germany due to the sheer number of opportunities I had and dreams I lived. From sailing in the Baltic Sea, to walking in the North Sea, to swimming in the Mediterranean, there are simply too many experiences to pick a favourite.

On the one hand, I felt so incredibly small when I realized where I was sitting and with whom I was sitting; as I was just a boy from Ontario who suddenly found himself halfway across the world, with people who would maybe only have a one in a billion chance of meeting together in any other circumstance. And yet, on the other hand I had never felt so large in comparison to the vastness of the world, and the borders as I had pictured them. The world suddenly felt like it had shrunk, and that there was nowhere that was out of my reach anymore.

Birthday on a beach 
One of the many stories that I do love to share, however, was when I was celebrating my 18th birthday during our year-end European Tour. All the exchange students had gathered on the beach at night to watch the stars in the little town of Portofino, Italy, and eventually I found myself sitting back to back on a rock with a Brazilian student, a Russian student, and a Taiwanese student. In all of my life, no other moment has ever made me feel so paradoxical as that night.

Larger than life
If I had to try to make a metaphor that could explain the experience, I would say that it gave me a feeling of being “Larger than Life” while still humbling me with the realization of the sheer amount of opportunity that had been given to me by the kindness of others; as without everyone back home in the Rotary club supporting me, I could have only dreamed of being where I was that night.

Out of all my life experiences, I would say that my exchange year played a fundamental role in forming and shaping the person I am today. It has shaped my world view; given me the courage to break out of my shell; and has given me the experience of living in an interconnected and continually shrinking world.

It has also inspired me to seek an international career, as I am currently studying in International Affairs and Policy due to the inspiration I received from my exchange year to continue living an international lifestyle.

Doing Good In The World

Doing Good in the World, join or volunteer in a service organization Jesse Tam Nepal to Bellevue, Seattle Gates Foundation,education, clean water...We make new resolutions each year and the Rotary Foundation celebrates 100 years with displaying their float at the Rose Parade titled Doing Good in the World 2017. Learn more about the committee and organization in promoting projects to serve humanity in our community and worldwide.

Read about the 2017 float committee and contributions http://www.rotaryfloat

 Winner of the 2017 PRINCESSES’ TROPHY 

Most beautiful float 35’ and under

2017 Float
Doing Good in the World

The 2017 Float promotes and celebrates the 100 years of The Rotary Foundation. The Foundation empowers Rotarians to travel throughout the world and create and complete projects which serve people in need in six areas of focus which are: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies.  The spectacular and colorful dragon is clearly a world traveler carrying luggage decorated with the six symbols of the areas of focus.  The Dragon also is proudly wearing a necklace with a medallion marked 100 for the 100 years of service.

Stay in touch  http://rotaryfriendship.blogspot.com/  Jesse