Speakers

For 42 years ,Dr. Harman has been a Rotarian and member of the Rotary Club of Arlington, Washington; District 5050.  He has been a polio champion from the earliest days of what is now called PolioPlus and has raised over $500,000 since 2019, when Miss Vicky, a 1931 Model A Ford traveled from Peking (China) to Paris, France to prove “difficult things are doable, just like ridding the world of polio.”

Dr. Harman is a retired eye surgeon specializing in cataract and lasik surgery.  He and his wife of 51 years, Judith, are Major Donors at the Arch Klumph level and have two adult children and 3 grandchildren.

He is here today to educate, motivate and incentivize us regarding “all things, polio,” While celebrating the many successes of Rotary’s signature program, he will admonish us to hold steady and “stay the course” until the polio virus is finally conquered.   

A strong Rotarian Dr. Harman has been known to say:  “I owe more to Rotary than I can ever repay.”

Adam McGarity is the Executive Director for Burlington Little School.
He has worked in this role since August of 2026.
Adam has a winding resume including over 10 years as an educator,
having taught three languages to adults,
social studies and science to 6th graders,
and general education to our youngest learners.
He also has experience as university program manager,
and now he’s very happy to apply those administrative skills
towards making a positive impact in a fantastic early learning program.
Adam holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching Foreign Language,
certifications in elementary and early childhood education,
and a bachelor’s degree in history and Christianity.
Adam is originally from Georgia, but has lived in Washington for 11 years,
the last 8 of them in La Conner.
Adam is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of La Conner.
He is a Marine Corps veteran,
and a former Peace Corps volunteer.
Adam is a very proud father to his 4-year-old son,
and feels deeply grateful to be able to raise him in Skagit County.
Tonight he is here to tell us more about Burlington Little School,
the special place it’s been in this community,
and the teaching philosophy that’s behind its success.
With that, please welcome Adam McGarity.

Olivia Fross (She/Her) is committed to fostering Earth stewardship through ornithological research and environmental education. She graduated from the University of Puget Sound and has spent years researching Tufted Puffins, Marbled Murrelets, and other seabirds in Washington State. Olivia currently works for The Salish Sea School, an Anacortes nonprofit, as a Research Coordinator and Lead Field Staff and spearheads their Tufted Puffin and Marbled Murrelet research initiatives.