April 18th Program: Arctic Winter Games Athletes

Local students that represented Alaska in the 2018 Arctic Winter Games are back to tell us about their experience competing with nearly 2,000 athletes from around the circumpolar world in the Northwest Territories. These students were part of the USA Futsol team (fast paced, indoor soccer).

April 25th Meeting - Changed to Rock the Resilience

Posted by Kim Erickson

In support of Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club's "No More Mat-Su" efforts, Susitna Rotary is changing it's meeting on Wednesday, April 25th, to their "Rock the Resilience". This concert is a free community event to raise awareness and build connections that features performances by local high school students.

Rotary members are dedicated to maternal and child health

By Azka Asif, Rotary Service and Engagement Staff

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 830 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries where nearly half of all mothers and newborns do not receive care during and after birth. The leading causes of death for children under 5 are birth complications, pneumonia, birth asphyxia, diarrhea and malaria. These deaths can be prevented and treated with access to healthcare services.*

Healthcare before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborn babies. The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, addresses all major health priorities, including reproductive, maternal and child health; access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and vaccines.*

Rotary members are working diligently towards this goal through projects that provide education, immunizations, birth kits, mobile health clinics, and much more. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease.

This is open for Rotarians, friends and families that are willing to take a few minutes out of their day to teach our children water safety.

Click here now: http://signup.com/go/BQrNVYf

Free Movie- Resilience: Biology of Stress & Science of Hope

Posted by Kim Erickson

RESILIENCE: THE BIOLOGY OF STRESS AND THE SCIENCE OF HOPE chronicles the promising beginnings of a national movement to prevent childhood trauma, treat Toxic Stress, and greatly improve the health of future generations.

Thursday, April 26 at 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wasilla Public Library
500 North Crusey St, Wasilla, Alaska 99654

“This is the biggest public health discovery we’ve ever seen.”
– Laura Porter, Co-Founder, ACE Interface

When it was controversial to even think of asking patients about taboo subjects, the ACE Study dared to ask questions like, "Were you sexually abused as a child?" AND "Did you have a parent who was an alcoholic?"

The answers produced a public health revelation. For the first time, the loss of a parent through death, divorce or incarceration and other traumatic childhood experiences such as living with an alcoholic parent or being sexually abused was conclusively linked to both physical and mental health problems later in life. ACE, or Acute Childhood Experiences score, are now understood to lead to early-onset heart disease diabetes, addiction, and depression. Understanding that a broken-hearted child is more likely to suffer from mental and physical illnesses as an adult has professionals of all kinds asking, How can we help children before their physical and mental health problems emerge as adults?

Film NOT RATED
Length: 1Hr
Website: https://kpjrfilms.co/resilience/

JCMF: Susitna Rotary's Auction Donation

Posted by Kim Erickson

Thanks to the generosity of many of our members and local businesses, Susitna Rotary Club has donated the following Alaskan Trip ($5,000 Value) to be auctioned Saturday, April 28th, at the 10th Annual Benefit for the Josh Collingsworth Memorial Foundation (JCMF). The benefit itself is being held in Nebraska from 5:00pm - 10:00pm (2:00pm - 7:00pm Alaska Time). Anyone can bid on this and other auction items by logging into their website:

http://qtego.net/qlink/jcmf

The majority of the proceeds from this auction item will be credited to Susitna Rotary's account with the JCMF to be used for future purchases of Josh the Otter books and other water safety presentation materials.

Thank you to Jack and Kathy Timm for coordinating this effort and to everyone that has contributed to make this a spectacular Alaskan trip!

Alaska Trip ($5000 value)

expires Sep 1, 2019

Fly, Drive, or Cruise to Alaska on your own. Plan to spend 10-14 days.

On arrival, we will pick you up and:

Metivas will take you on a tour of Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters, tour of Martin Buser's kennel, and a BBQ at their lakeside house. Their B&B will be available for lodging depending on how yor itinerary works out.

Kochendorfers will take you on a day tour of Hatcher's Pass with side trips at Independence Mine, Muskox Farm and/ or Reindeer Farm. Lunch or dinner included.

Lisa Phillips will meet you at Hatcher's Pass, where she will prepare a professional photo shoot for you.

Timms will take you for a day (or two) of fishing for salmon on the Little Susitna River or for rainbow trout on the Kenai River depending on your arrival dates. Includes fish cleaning, packing, lunches and dinner.

Ericksons will have you overnight at their home on Willow Lake with four wheel atv riding and your choice of water activities depending on weather. Options include canoe, kayak, jetski, paddle boat, or pontoon boat. Includes dinner and drinks.

Hortons will fly you to a day of hiking to scenic Esther Island and the hatchery there, or to Homer. They also have an apartment available for "home base" if you like, with stairs access. They also have a Seward beach front condo available to you (blackout dates June 22- Aug 15 and Labor Day.) They have arranged guided fishing trip and guided sea kayaking at Miller's Landing while you are in Seward.

Seward Alaska Lodging, Fishing Charters, Rentals, Kayaks and Camping

Kayak trip will be either half day (Bridal Veil Falls) or full day (Caines Head Bay.)
Fishing trip for two before June 22 would be full day for halibut / rockfish for two ($285 each)
Fishing trip for two after Aug 15th would be full day combo for all species ($350 each)

May 2nd Program: Chas St. George, Iditarod

Chas St .George, Chief Operations Officer at Iditarod Trail Committee, will present an insider's view of the 2018 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Photo credit: Paige Spensor

May 9th: Big Lake Library Clean-up

Big Lake Clean-up Project

Mat-Su Day of Caring

In lieu of our regular meeting, club members and friends are invited to help clean-up the grounds at the Big Lake Library as part of our contribution to the Mat-Su Day of Caring.

Bring gloves, rakes, hoes, shovels, etc.to weed, trim, pick-up trash on the library grounds.

Sign Up Now / Learn More

To invite your friends to Sign Up, Click here
--Or send them this link: http://signup.com/go/oDMuQMs

May 16th Program: Amy Lalor, Big Brothers Big Sisters

Posted by Kim Erickson

Amy Lalor, Community Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, will discuss the organization and it's mission in Alaska.

"Changing perspectives. Changing lives.

For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission To provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Vision is that all children achieve success in life."

- Big Brothers Big Sisters

Nonprofits make Alaska work

Posted by Kim Erickson

The Foraker Group recently published it's 2018 economic report, "Alaska's Nonprofit Sector: Generating Economic Impact" highlighting the central role nonprofits play in the state's economy. A few more interesting statistics from the report:

Alaska's Nonprofit Sector - Generating Economic Impact

Posted by Kim Erickson

Nonprofits are part of the solution for a healthy Alaskan economy
Nonprofits are a major economic drive
Nonprofits leverage public funds for maximum return

Youth Exchange students raise money for Shelter Box

Nearly $3,200 was raised for ShelterBoxUSA by five of the Rotary Youth Exchange students who slept in a ShelterBox tent last Saturday night in Willow ahead of the Iditarod Restart Party. Thank you to the following students for going the extra mile and raising money for The ShelterBox Iditarod Challenge 2018!

Jan Bulinsky (Czech Republic)
Akila Amala (Indonesia)
Yugo Takahashi (Japan)
Isabella Cerri (Brazil)
Lucy Garault (France)

Rotarian Nancy Dodge of the Rotary District 5010 eClub coordinated and chaperoned the event. Other support came from Carl Bostek, Lance Wilber (Anchorage East Rotary President), Lisa Phillips (Wasilla Rotary), Dan Phillips (Susitna Rotary) , Ben Schuman (Anchorage International Rotary President), Tryg Erickson (Anchorage International Rotary), and Kim Erickson (Susitna Rotary) who assisted with the sleepover/transportation and, of course, the many donors. View the ShelterBox Iditarod Challenge photo album (photo credit- Lisa Phillips).

Thank you for helping families whose homes are devastated by disaster and conflict.

March 28: New permanent meeting location is Sky Lounge

Results of the member vote on the club's permanent meeting location were announced last week. Beginning March 28th, the Sky Lounge at the Extreme Fun Center in Wasilla will be the club's permanent meeting location. The meeting time will remain the same: Wednesdays from 6:00pm ~ 7:00pm.

Thank you to Paul Newman for chairing the venue review committee.

March 7th Program: Youth Exchange (Settlers Bay Lodge)

Join Susitna Rotarians this week at Settlers Bay Lodge for a Club Assembly focused on the Youth Exchange program in Rotary District 5010.

Jeff Johnson, Chair of District 5010's Youth Exchange (YE) Committee, is passionate about this premier Rotary International program that promotes peace throughout the world, one student at a time. He will explain what it takes to become a sponsoring club, a host family, how students are selected, and what it takes to be a volunteer in the program.

March 10th: Valley Rotary Clubs Blood Drive

June 2nd: Bank on the Run

Welcome to our newest member: Bill Borden

Posted on Feb 22, 2018

Susitna Rotary is proud to announce the addition of long-time Rotarian, William "Bill" Borden, to the club.

As a real estate pro and motivational speaker, Bill offers services throughout the 50 states and has offices in Georgia, Alaska and North Carolina. He is "Broker Emeritus" with High Caliber Realty based in Kennesaw, Georgia. Bill and his wife, Brenda (also a Rotarian), currently split their time between Georgia and Wasilla. He anticipates attending Susitna Rotary Club meetings when he is in town and doing "make-ups" at other clubs the rest of the year.

Bill has been an active member of his local community in Georgia and received numerous honors including the 2009 "Kennesaw's Citizen of the Year". For a full list the many accomplishments and accolades over a 40-year career in real estate,

He has been a Rotarian for many years as a member of the Rotary Club of North Cobb and the Rotary Club of Vinings nka Cumberland Vinings. He has served as a Rotary club board director, Family of Rotary committee chair, and had 12 years perfect attendance. In addition to being a Paul Harris Fellow + 2, Bill was also named by his club as Rotarian of the Year.

Bill was sponsored into membership by his friend of 15 years and former neighbor, Marty Metiva.

We welcome Bill into our Susitna Rotary family!

2018 Ice Breaker - Big Success!

Susitna Rotary Club President Cheryl Metiva was beaming Saturday night as local Rotarians teamed with the Big Lake Lions Club to host another fun and successful Ice Breaker event. Over 120 people feasted on a scrumptious prime rib dinner, bid on a wide array of auction items, were entertained with live stand-up comedy, then wrapped up the evening with an incredible fireworks display. It was a big event in Big Lake and the net proceeds will used by the two clubs for service projects in the local communities of Big Lake, Meadow Lakes, Houston, and Willow. The final tally for the event will be announced next week. View the photo album to see all the fun!

Who made all this happen? Generous volunteers and patrons, of course. Volunteers from the Susitna Rotary side of the event included the following:

Committee Co-Chairs: Lanissa Grogan and Rylee Rudd

Volunteers:

Claire Horton - ticket sales, auction
Jack Timm - ticket design and sales, auction, clean-up
Kathy Timm - auction, clean-up
Marty Metiva - MC, clean-up
Cheryl Metive - "Vanna White", "Girl Friday", auction, clean-up
Evelyna Kuhr - event treasurer
Dan and Lisa Phillips - clean-up
Rich and Liz Standley - clean-up
Rob and Lanissa Grogan - auction, clean-up

Sponsors:

Gorilla Fireworks (Robert Hall) - Fireworks Display & table purchase

Denali Refuse (Phil and Claire Horton)- table purchase

Big Lake Lions Club

Susitna Rotary Club

Auction Donations/Sponsorship (over $4,000 raised!)

MTA - gift basket
Altitude Chiropractic - massage
Mat Valley Federal Credit Union- gift basket
Mary and Janetta Pritchard- red/white/blue flag wood carving
Bill Holler/Big Lake Lion's Club - $100 gift certificate to Club Paris
Rob and Lanissa Grogan - Mat-Su Miner's gift basket with two season tickets
Grogan's and Standleys - Creole Dinner for 6 with wine/beer pairing
Mary and Janetta Pritchard- Mama bear and cubs wood carvings
Nancy Jerkins (artist) - #1/100 "Snack Attack" limited edition print
Claudia Buzard - antique snow shoes
Paul Newman and Christine - Bleu Iris custom necklace and earings
Cheryl Metiva - Dinner and a Show (VPA tickets for 2 to "Mary Poppins" and gift certificate to Evangelo's)
Valley Cinema/John Schweiger - 6 month unlimited pass for 2
Jack Timm - Ruger 1022 gun
Big Lake Lion's Club - Rangers hockey juersey signed by Scotty Gomez
Claire Horton & Bill Haller/Alaska Railroad - Round-trip for 2 to Seward with lodging at the Beach House
Remaining uncooked wrapped Prime Rib @ $10 per pound

Student Servers

Students from Colony High School's Marching Band (director Jamin Burton) raised $700 for their trip to Normandy, France for the 75th Anniversary of D Day event next fall by serving the dinner, operating the coat check, and helping with clean-up:

Collin Herbert
Carter Thomas
Gloria Shomer
Emerson Moser
Weston Moser
Samantha Lynn

Publicity

Rylee Rudd

Cheryl Metiva - live interview on the Q (KMBQ)

Entertainment (Stand-up Comedians from Koot's Comedy Night):

Matt Collins

Mark Griff

Bruce Schulte

February's Focus: Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution

"Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves."

---Rotary International's Vision Statement

February marks the month Rotary emphasizes one of it's six key areas of focus: Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution.

Our program chair this month is well qualified to address this theme. A Rotarian since 1985, Ch. Lt. Col (ret.) Rick Cavens is pastor of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla. Before retiring, he served as Wing Chaplain of the 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard. Rick has lined up four speakers to give us a perspective on the wide array of peace-making efforts taking place in our own community.

February 7th-

Bishop Shelley Wickstrom will speak about peacemaking.

February 14-

Kelly Marciales is the director of Valley Interfaith Action. A collection of eleven MatSu Valley congregations developing a system that listens to the needs of the community. This Community Organizing effort is unique in that it gives authority to the community. She will talk about peacemaking through organizing.

February 21-

Lois Rockcastle and Alea Nobel- Lois is one of the executive mission directors of the Arctic Winter Games. She will share with us insight into the peacemaking dream of arctic nations sending young people to compete in the Winter Games. Being from a dog mushing family Alea will tell of her adventures and insight into running sled dogs in the Arctic Winter Games.

February 28-

Michelle Sturgeon, a former member of Susitna Rotary Club, will talk about volunteering at the hospital or, as Rick Cavens puts it, "Peace through community caring."

"ME" Talks - First Thursday of each Month

You've heard of TED talks....now learn about ME talks. Next month, Susitna Rotary rolls out a new Membership Education program that is designed to be a fun and informative way to acquaint new members with Rotary and each other.

ME is a program to provide fellowship and Rotary information for new and experienced Rotary members. Rotarians from all area clubs are invited to attend.

ME meetings are short, 30-minute informal gatherings held September through April on the first Thursday of the month. Club firesides and other social events are also scheduled throughout the year to increase the fellowship among members while learning more about Rotary.

ME Meetings:

First Thursday of the Month from 7:00am – 7:30am

Location: Mat-Su Family Restaurant

Complimentary coffee and juice

No host breakfast available to order off the menu

For more information, download flyer or contact:

Kim Erickson at kim.erickson@greatlandlaser.com 907-223-8385

Liz Standley at liznrich@bellsouth.net 360-739-1124

Membership Education and Social Event Schedule:

Month	Topic	Type of Meeting
March 1, 2018	Youth “Next Gen” Service Projects	ME
April 5, 2018	Rotary Conferences	ME
June 9, 2018 (Saturday)	Lil Su River Clean-up followed by a club BBQ	BBQ – Lil Su River
August 25, 2018 (Saturday)	New Member Orientation - Red Ribbon tasks followed by club fireside	Fireside – location TBD
September 6, 2018	Rotary Basics	ME
October 4, 2018	The Rotary Foundation: Worldwide Projects	ME
November 1, 2018	The Rotary Foundation: Giving	ME
December 6, 2018	Rotary Awareness and Public Relations	ME
December TBD (Saturday)	Club Holiday Party	Fireside – location TBD
January 4, 2019	Community Service Projects	ME
February 7, 2018	Water Safety Projects	ME