Join us for our Gala Benefit Auction ~ A Masquerade Set in Venice
Saturday, November 16, 2024
at the Swinomish Casino, Anacortes, WA
Jump over to our auction page to learn more >
What's Happening
Meet Flora Lucarero
 
How long has he been a member?
7 Years
 
Why did he join Rotary?
My father was in this Rotary club and always attended events with him, and wanted to be around other leaders and community members making a difference in our community.
 
What company or organization does he work at right now? If retired, where did he last work?
Children of the Valley After School Program
 
How have you benefitted from being a member?
Meeting and building relationships with new people and learning about other organizations in our community
 
 
Any tips or advise for new members?
Attend the meetings and don't be afraid to ask questions. Find someone that can be your go to person for any questions you may have
 
What does he like most about being a member?
Weekly gatherings with the members and the presentations each week
 
Who/what inspires him?
My parents and grandparents- the many sacrifices they made in order for me to be where I am today and my faith in Jesus Christ.
 
What has been his biggest achievement?
Being a mother- raising four boys while working and serving the community
 
What career advice does he live by? Who gave it to him?
Choose a job you love and never have to work a day in your life.
 
Future goals and aspirations for his life?
Would love to do a missions trip with my family and write a book one day.
 
How do you define success?
Success is whatever you define it, its a journey, with successes and challenges that lead to your ultimate goals.
Meet Hayley Thompson (left)
 
How long has he been a member?
6 Years
 
Why did he join Rotary?
Service
 
What company or organization does he work at right now? If retired, where did he last work?
Skagit County Coroner Office
 
How have you benefitted from being a member?
Networking, understanding our community better, serving our community through various service projects
 
What does he like most about being a member?
weekly connections with other members
 
Who/what inspires him?
The internal wish to grow beyond what you are.
 
What has been his biggest achievement?
Ascertaining accreditation of my office
 
What career advice does he live by? Who gave it to him?
Say yes to opportunities to that scare you. Former co-worker
 
Future goals and aspirations for his life?
Continue to be involved in my field, potentially be a participant in creating laws that positively impact those in my field
 
How do you define success?
Success, for me, will always be about making a difference in other people’s lives.
Meet Tony Cook
 
How long has he been a member?
12 years 
 
Why did he join Rotary?
My wife had been (and still is) a member of the Skagit club. It was amazing to see all the good they did in the community and the fun they had. I believe strongly that it's important to give back and support one's community and this was a good opportunity to connect with and meet more like-minded people.
 
What company or organization does he work at right now? If retired, where did he last work?
My own accounting firm
 
How have you benefitted from being a member?
Learning more about what goes on in our community through programs. Building and maintaining relationships with wonderful people.
 
Any tips or advice for new members?
This advice applies to new and old/existing members...Connect with your fellow club members
 
What does he like most about being a member?
That I have something consistent in my life that ensures I'm thinking about opportunities to give back in my community. I think it can be very easy to have these opportunities slip by if we aren't intentional about doing so.
 
Who/what inspires him?
My Wife
 
What has been his biggest achievement?
Opening my own business.
 
What career advice does he live by? Who gave it to him?
Make others better and you will succeed. It's something of an amalgam of lots of different people I've worked with and for through the years, including playing on sports teams as I was growing up.
 
Future goals and aspirations for his life?
I want to stay healthy and fit.
 
How do you define success?
That I feel like I've left everything in which I've been involved better than I found it.
 
Meet Jake Dey
 
How long has he been a member?
Officially since 2010 
 
Why did he join Rotary?
My parents told me to.
 
What company or organization does he work at right now? If retired, where did he last work?
The Dey Company
 
How have you benefitted from being a member?
Community connection, fellowship / friendship, education and entertainment from speakers, and learning from members.
 
Any tips or advice for new members?
Stay with it and it's ok to say no.
 
What does he like most about being a member?
An outlet to give back to the community in a fun, diversified, and impactful way.
 
Who/what inspires him?
Mark Hagen
 
What has been his biggest achievement?
My year as president.
 
What career advice does he live by? Who gave it to him?
Take care of your clients. 
 
Future goals and aspirations for his life?
To do my best to help my children and myself have a happy and comfortable life, along with helping others to do the same.
 
 
Meet our Member Dave Courtney
 
How long has he been a member?
 
12/1/2014 so 9 years
 
Why did he join Rotary?
 
I was assisting Greg Anders develop a business plan for a convention space at the Heritage Flight Museum. Greg was invited to Rotary by Ambr. Della Newman to meet business people in Mount Vernon and Skagit County. Greg needed to learn who potential users of the convention space might be. Greg needed a "wing man" and I was selected to accompany him to the meetings. I became a member.
 
What company or organization does he work at right now? If retired, where did he last work?
 
Currently I am retired. I worked for IBM from 1967 to 1992 in support of the distribution industry marketing. From 1992 to 2012, I was president of EDJ Enterprises, Inc., a software development company specializing is POS applications for the IBM POS systems.
 
How has he benefited from being a member?
 
I have gained insight into the Mount Vernon community and the pride that the residents exhibit in their support of education within Mount Vernon. I have also met some really neat people and made new friends which is hard when you get more "mature".
 
Any tips or advice for new members?
 
Don't be shy. If you wait for someone to come over to speak with you, then they control the interaction. Step up and out. Get involved. Meet a new member at every meeting until you have met them all. Repeat as often as necessary.
 
What does he like most about being a member?
 
The people I meet. Some of the meetings have very interesting topics.
 
Who/what inspires him?
 
Trying to make a difference and doing good.
 
What has been his biggest achievement?
 
Starting a business that has lasted over 30 years and provided financial support to the families that grew up with us. We started with college graduates who got married, had children and put them through college because of the business.
 
What career advice does he live by? Who gave it to him?
 
My word is my bond. If I say I will do something, I will do it. My father showed me the way. He was a shop teacher in the Chicago Public School system. He started with his skills and spent 17 years going to night school to get his bachelor's degree. He spent another 6 years getting his masters degree. He ended up as a vice principal in the largest high school in Chicago.
 
Future goals and aspirations for his life?
 
Make the most of the time I have left and see as much of the world as I can.
 
How does he define success?
 
Being able to look back and see that I have made some small difference in my life.
Meet our Member David Lukov
 
How long has he been a member?
 
10 /years
 
Why did he join Rotary?
 
I was told to by my boss in 1998.
 
What company or organization does he work at right now? If retired, where did he last work?
 
Kern Funeral Home
 
How has he benefited from being a member?
 
Experiencing purposeful service to others; fellowship and strong friendships; professional networking; fun.
 
Any tips or advice for new members?
 
Meet members of the Rotary Club; get engaged in service projects and activities;
 
What does he like most about being a member?
 
The relationships and friendships; witnessing acts of service above self
 
Who/what inspires him?
 
Watching people serve others; witnessing people who find purpose in life.
 
What has been his biggest achievement?
 
Being appointed as a District Governor
 
What career advice does he live by? Who gave it to him?
 
Listen, listen and listen; don't try to fix things; provide an environment where people can feel free enough to share their honest feelings, pains and concerns.
 
Future goals and aspirations for his life?
 
Remain active in Rotary at club and district levels.
 
How do you define success?
 
Having a positive and constructive vision--and being able to help others understand the vision

Meet our Member Mark Hagen

Works at Express Employment Professionals
 
I joined Rotary without being invited to a meeting. A mentor of mine, suggested that I join a service club like Rotary to not only "give back" but to network with other like minded professionals.
 
I have made great friends. Learned a ton at the meetings. Learned (and continuing to learn) how to lead a group of volunteers. I do business with a good number of our members and think that Rotary is a good way to solidify those types of relationships.
 
I recommend new members get involved early. I had no clue when I joined. Also, partner up with another Rotarian who can help you learn what is expected of you and how you can help and make the most out of your membership.
 
I enjoy the relationships with other members in our club. 5th Tuesdays are also a hit.
 
 
March Program Schedule:
 
3/5/24 Youth Net with Rebecca Carrol
 
3/12/24 Students of the Month
 
3/19/24 Helping Hands Food Bank With Rebecca Skrinde
 
3/26/24 Boeing with Cory Ertel
heartUpcoming Service Projects heart
 
December 16th 10:00-2:00
March Point Work Party
Skagit Land Trust
At March Point Heronry Property
Removing invasive blackberry and cleaning up solar panels
 
December 13-16 December 18-20 9:30-12:30 and 12:30-3:30
Sign up for slots
Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund
Christmas Fund Gift Distributions
At Skagit Fair Grounds
 
December 22nd 12:00 until done
Forgotten Children's Fund 
Christmas bag and bike unloading
At Skagit Acres
 
Contact Gary to sign up
 
 
December Meeting Schedule
 
12-5 Club Assembly
 
12-12 Student of the month
 
12-19 Alona Otrloff with the Female Football Team
 
12-26 No Meeting- MERRY CHRISTMAS! 
Happy October
 
We are meeting in a new location!
smiley Skagit Valley College smiley
Cardinal Center, International Office
2405 E College Way, Room CA-180 
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
 
October Meetings
10/3-Dean Snyder with Skagit Valley YMCA
10/10- Student of the month
10/17- Triumph Life Teen Center
10/24- Auction Discussion
10/31- Happy Halloween- Regular meeting/ Costume
 
 
September Presentation Schedule:
 
9/5/23 All about Whiskey presented by John Combell
 
9/12/23 Sinead Plagge presented by Career Connect WA
 
9/19/23 Ramon Rivera (TBC) presented by MV Music Mariachi
 
9/26/23 Haley Sebens with Skagit County Prosecutors office presented by Haley Sebens
 
IMPORTANT AUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT: The auction committee will be meeting 2x per month until the Big Day.    
 
3rd Wednesday at Max Dale's @ 6 PM
 
Contact Nicole Hagen if you have questions.
August Meeting Schedule
 
8/1/23 No Meeting
 
8/8/23 Cal Mann
 
8/15/23 Matrix Beyond Poverty: Jeff McCaffery
 
8/22/23 David and Rachelle Austrailia
 
8/29/23 White Branches
Service projects 
 
Helping Hands Food Bank Sedro Woolley- Saturday July 29th 9:00-12:00. Repackaging food. 
 
Community Action Diaper Drive- Bring boxes of diapers to the meetings before 8/1/23 and help your community. 
 
Skagit County Fair Work Party- 8/12/23 7:30- 10:30am
 
 
 
Meetings
 
7/11/23 Because We Care Rescue
Speaker Molly Salyer
 
7/18/23 Hunduras Trip Update and information about IPA 
Speaker Marty Pease
 
7/25/23 Skagit County Fair
Speaker Aric Gaither
 
 
 
 
 
Spread the Word to Deserving MV 2023 Graduates
__
--
The Mount Vernon Rotary Club will be awarding scholarships in the spring of 2023. The club's scholarship program recognize student's high school achievements and assists selected applicants in the continuation of their education. Students planning to attend 2- or 4-year colleges or universities or trade/vocational schools are encouraged to apply.
 
 
It can also be used in some formats through a copy/paste directly from this email using a link embed:
 
Spread the Word to Deserving MV 2022 Graduates
__
--
The Mount Vernon Rotary Club will be awarding scholarships in the spring of 2022. The club's scholarship program recognize student's high school achievements and assists selected applicants in the continuation of their education. A PDF Form of the entire application can be downloaded by clicking on the link below. Students planning to attend 2- or 4-year colleges or universities or trade/vocational schools are encouraged to apply.
Please use the link below that works best for your
 
 
It can also be used in some formats through a copy/paste directly from this email using a link embed:
 
 
January marks the halfway point in the Rotary year. Turning the calendar provides an excellent milestone for reviewing the successes of the first half of Mount Vernon Rotary Club's Centennial year.
Notable achievements include: the club's Roaring 20's style Anniversary Celebration in November; continuing weekly in-person meetings; and introducing Last Tuesday social gatherings. Along with the Centennial Celebration, highlighting the list of accomplishments is that we are on track to complete 100 Acts of Service commemorating our centennial year.
---
___
___
Thank you to everyone who joined us to Celebrate our club's 100th Anniversary. We gathered to honor those who came before us, particularly Pat Grenfell, our dedicated club member who passed away as we were planning this event.
-
The members of the 2021 Club are so proud to be continuing the legacy of service established by these community members who committed to 'Service Above Self' 100 Years ago. Founded in October of 1921 and the Mount Vernon Rotary Club is one of the oldest clubs in the state of Washington.
The Charter Members Were:
 
Spread the Word to Deserving MV 2021 Graduates
__
--
The Mount Vernon Rotary Club will be awarding scholarships in the spring of 2021. The purpose of the scholarship program is to honor students for their high school achievements and assist selected student applicants in the continuation of their education. A PDF Form of the entire application can be downloaded by clicking on this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WYYla9VDuLOoCafK5buWLafIugckwTTg/view?usp=sharing  Students planning to attend 2- or 4-year colleges or universities or trade/vocational schools are encouraged to apply.
 
Because we take Rotary's motto 'Service Above Self' seriously Mount Vernon Rotary is seeking out opportunities to serve our Community. If you have a project or know of someone who would benefit from the helping hands of 5-10 Rotarians, we encourage you to download and fill out our service request form and return it to Mount Vernon Rotary. 
__
Mount Vernon Rotary Club Completes a 5-Year Commitment of $100,000 to Skagit YMCA
 
---
Goals are good. Very Good. When our club made the commitment to help fund the local YMCA in 2016, it was a stretch. We had not made a commitment of that size in more than ten years. Our 2016 Auction had been successful, but the commitment to the YMCA meant we had to be all in on our auctions for the coming years. We originally committed $50,000, but 2016 Club President Dave Courtney thought we could do better and brought it back to the club to reconsider.
Club members enjoyed a great evening at The Grand Willow Inn celebrating Pres. Isaac's year and installing Pres. Dave's new board for 2016 - 17. Outgoing board members Stacey Salyer (Sec.) and Tiffany Urland (Past Pres.) were recognized. Outgoing President Isaac Williams recognized Ian Crawford with the 'Rising Star' Award and Stacey Salyer with the John Bustad award for dedicated service and commitment to the Rotary ideals. In the photo (rt) Pat Grenfell was honored with her 8th Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Mount Vernon Rotary Club's 17th Annual Benefit Auction was a wonderful success.  Thank you to all who helped us make a difference both here in our community and internationally.
 
President Tiffany Urland recently awarded Mount Vernon club member Pat Grenfell her seventh Paul Harris Award. Pat is a second generation Rotarian, her father was a member of the Bellingham club. Since joining the Mount Vernon club in 1999, Pat has served in many roles of leadership including Club President in 2007-2008. She is now District 5050 Area I Assistant Governor.  Along with her leadership capabilities, Pat is a caterer and can pull together the food for a club function in barely a blink of an eye. You won't find a more committed Rotarian, truly a shining example of Service Above Self. 
 
Senior Awards and Scholarship Night is always a special evening for the students and it was no different in 2014. Mount Vernon Rotary is happy to honor the hard work of 13 students who will receive scholarships for continuing education.  Pictured here are 9 of the 13 recipients of the Lyle Poolman Scholarship. Back Row (L-R): Kevin Hunter, Adan Hernandez, Amy Feeney and Cristian Rocha. Front Row (L-R): MV Rotary member Anne Clark, Cristal Aguilar, Janet Solano-Cruz and Leslie Rojas.
 

Pat Grenfell and Tiffany Urland had a great time at Pacific Northwest PETS training and were honored to meet Rotary International Incoming President Gary C.K. Huang and his lovely wife Corinna.

 Image

Upcoming Events
Mailing Address

PO Box 825, Mount Vernon, Washington  98273

Club Executives & Directors
President Elect
President
 
Welcome to Mount Vernon Rotary Club

Join us and see how Rotary is making a difference in our community.

Mount Vernon

Learning, Literacy, Leadership & Service

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Skagit Valley Herald Office
1215 Anderson Road
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
United States of America
Speakers
Upcoming Speakers
Student of the Month
Dec 10, 2024
Student of the Month
Don McMoran
Dec 17, 2024
15 Main Agricultural Commodities of Skagit County
Past Speakers
Dave Duskin
Dec 03, 2024
DG Visit
Club Assembly
Nov 19, 2024
Auction Debrief
Student of the Month
Nov 12, 2024
Student of the Month
Stacey and Team
Nov 05, 2024
Final Auction planning and task meeting
Join Us in Doing Good
Our club has been giving back to the community since 1921. Today that means providing scholarships to local students, along with helping with local and international projects which promote Literacy, Learning, Leadership and Service. You can help make good things happen by sending a check to Mount Vernon Rotary Club Foundation, PO 825, Mount Vernon, WA  98273

Follow Us on Facebook

 
Amazon Smile Link
 
Please link your Amazon account to support the
Mount Vernon Rotary Club Foundation
Just Follow the link below.
RSS
A Rotarian astronaut lives her out-of-this-world dreams

Rotary member and astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti dreamed of space travel since she was a kid. Now, she’s sharing the cosmic awe with her fellow earthlings

Finding family in France

Rotary Youth Exchange alum Athena Trentin shares her advice for young travelers

No limits with accessible travel

Long overlooked, travelers with disabilities are finding fewer barriers

Crowd control: Rethink the way you travel

Throngs of tourists are overwhelming the world’s most popular destinations. Here’s how to rethink the way you travel — and an alternative bucket list to get you started.

Keep the Buzz going to fight polio

Unexpected bumps fail to dampen Bashar Asfour’s epic road trip around Europe in an electric VW Buzz to raise money for polio eradication