What's Happening
 
Meet our Member Dave Courtney
 
How long has he been a member?
 
1/1/2001 so 23 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 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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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. 
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Mount Vernon Rotary Club Completes a 5-Year Commitment of $100,000 to Skagit YMCA
 
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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.

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Mount Vernon, WA, July 2, 2013 ­– 2012-2013 Club President Mark Hagen (right) recognized Art Palmer for outstanding service with the John Bustad Award.  A club member with more than 45 years of perfect attendance, Art inspires club members through his high standards of service and his commitment to Rotary. The award was established to recognize outstanding service and ideals emulated by John Bustad who was a member of the club from 1952 – 1999, served as club president 1972-1973, and district governor from 1977-1978.

 

On Saturday, April 27 three Mount Vernon Rotarians-- Armin Mohr, Clarence Holden and Jim VanderMey completed a project at Mount Vernon Manor, placing two garden boxes and fill them with topsoil at Mount Vernon Manor. Along with physical muscle, our club purchased and donated the topsoil. 


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Upcoming Events
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
Mailing Address

PO Box 825, Mount Vernon, Washington  98273

Club Executives & Directors
President
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Community Services
Membership
Public Relations
IPA/Foundation
Vocational Services
 
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

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