Meet our Members

 
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 Members Melissa Pilcher 2024-03-18 07:00:00Z 0

Meet our Members

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.
 
 
Meet our Members 2024-03-07 08:00:00Z 0

March Program Schedule

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
March Program Schedule 2024-03-07 08:00:00Z 0

December Meeting Schedules

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! 
December Meeting Schedules Melissa Pilcher 2023-11-30 08:00:00Z 0

October Meeting Schedule

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
 
 
October Meeting Schedule Melissa Pilcher 2023-10-10 07:00:00Z 0

September Schedule 2023

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.
September Schedule 2023 Melissa Pilcher 2023-08-29 07:00:00Z 0

August Schedule

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
August Schedule Melissa Pilcher 2023-08-01 07:00:00Z 0

On Target to Complete 100 Acts of Service

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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On Target to Complete 100 Acts of Service 2022-01-11 08:00:00Z 0

Standing on the Shoulders of Those Who Came Before Us

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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.
Standing on the Shoulders of Those Who Came Before Us 2021-11-20 08:00:00Z 0
Camp Korey Work Day for a Worthy Cause Don Morgan 2021-06-07 07:00:00Z 0

2021 MVRC Scholorships for Continuing Education

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.
 
2021 MVRC Scholorships for Continuing Education 2021-03-17 07:00:00Z 0
Scholarship Application Deadline Extended Through May 1, 2020 Ginny Bode 2020-03-22 07:00:00Z 0
Mount Vernon Rotary Meets at Camp Korey on Day of Caring 2019 DON MORGAN 2019-05-13 07:00:00Z 0
Teacher of the Year and June Students of the Month 2018-06-05 07:00:00Z 0
Mount Vernon Rotarians participate in Membership Seminar David Lukov 2018-01-14 08:00:00Z 0
Mount Vernon Rotarians Serve Dinner at Friendship House on December 4, 2017 David Lukov 2017-12-04 08:00:00Z 0
Mount Vernon Rotary Club makes a difference in record setting Auction David Lukov 2017-12-02 08:00:00Z 0
2017-2018 Club Leadership Ginny Bode 2017-07-03 07:00:00Z 0

17th Annual Benefit Auction was a great success!

 

A BIG Thank you to your 2015 Auction Sponsors:
 
B-24 "Liberator" Sponsors:
 
P-51 "Mustang" Sponsors:
 
 
B-17  "Flying Fortress" Sponsors:
David Lukov - Mutual of Omaha
 
 
P-38  "Lightning" Sponsors:
Blade Chevrolet
Cafe Burlington
Country Meadow Village
Farmhouse Inn
Pat Rimmer Les Schwab Tire Center
Savi Bank
Clarence Holden
Guardian Northwest Title & Escrow
 
 
 
 
 
 
17th Annual Benefit Auction was a great success! 2015-06-15 07:00:00Z 0

Congratulations Pat Grenfell

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. 
 
Congratulations Pat Grenfell 2015-01-21 00:00:00Z 0

Club Recognizes Art Palmer with the John Bustad Award

Posted by Ginny Bode on Jul 02, 2013

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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.

 

Club Recognizes Art Palmer with the John Bustad Award Ginny Bode 2013-07-03 00:00:00Z 0
Area I Rotary Bowling Challenge Ginny Bode 2013-02-06 00:00:00Z 0

Hillcrest Park Sign Installation

Posted by Ginny Bode on Apr 25, 2010
Check out the photos of the sign installation crew at Hillcrest Park. See 'photo journals' in the right nav bar.
Hillcrest Park Sign Installation Ginny Bode 2010-04-26 00:00:00Z 0

Dictionary Delivery

Posted by Ginny Bode on Feb 25, 2010
For the second year our club has underwritten and delivered picture dictionaries to 3rd graders in Mount Vernon schools.
Dictionary Delivery Ginny Bode 2010-02-26 00:00:00Z 0

Welcome to Mount Vernon Rotary Club

Posted by Ginny Bode
Mount Vernon Rotary was established in 1921 and is one of the oldest ongoing Rotary Clubs in the area. The club, with a membership of nearly 50, is actively involved in meeting needs in the Skagit Valley and Rotary Service projects around the world. Please join us for a meeting, or contact us via email for more information.
Welcome to Mount Vernon Rotary Club Ginny Bode 0
2014 Holiday Gala Tickets Go On Sale Ginny Bode 0

2013 Gala a Success

Posted by Ginny Bode

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On November 23th, the Mount Vernon Rotary Club held its annual Holiday Gala and Benefit Auction at beautifully decorated Skagit Valley Gardens. Over 150 people attended and enjoyed a delightful evening of music, great food and fun, raising over $60,000 to support local programs and service projects that  make a positive difference in our community.

Thanks to all of those  who generously donated auction items, volunteered their time, talent and resources to make this event a great success. Special thanks to our auction committee, Max Dales Restaurant for the scrumptious feast, and Skagit Valley Gardens for hosting us. We would also like to thank our wonderful auctioneer Tom Pasma, Colleen Smiley and Creative Celebrations, and everyone who attended; we hope to see you again next year!

2013 Gala a Success Ginny Bode 0

Pat and Tiffany Attend 2014 PETs Conference

Posted by Ginny Bode

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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Pat and Tiffany Attend 2014 PETs Conference Ginny Bode 0
Tuesday Social Hour Ginny Bode 0
Club Members Spruce Up Landscape at Youthnet Ginny Bode 0

MV Club Celebrates Rotary Day of Service with Two Service Projects

Posted by Ginny Bode

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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MV Club Celebrates Rotary Day of Service with Two Service Projects Ginny Bode 0

Club Raises Funds with Oscar Ballots

Posted by Ginny Bode
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Join the First Annual MV Rotary Oscars Challenge! See Tiffany for a ballot, fill it out, and turn it in with your donation of $20.00 to help fund Leadership Skagit Team ETS project with Channel Cove in LaConner. Checks should be made payable to Home Trust of Skagit, our

project partner. http://www.hometrustofskagit.org/index.htm
Club Raises Funds with Oscar Ballots Ginny Bode 0
Making A Difference in Our Community Ginny Bode 0
Top 10 Ways Rotary Berries Make a Difference Ginny Bode 0
MV Rotarians Build Garden Beds for Mount Vernon Manor Ginny Bode 0
3rd Grade Dictionaries! Ginny Bode 0

MV Club Awards Eight Scholarships in 2011

Posted by Jim Vandermey

2011 Scholarship Awards_web

MountVernon Rotary Club member Richard Sentner is pictured here with 4 of the 8 Lyle Poolman Memoral Scholarship award winners at the MVHS Awards Assembly.   At our club meeting on Tuesday, May 24, our 2011 the recipients were introduced to the club by Jim VanderMey, chair of the scholarship committee.  This year’s recipients are:

MV Club Awards Eight Scholarships in 2011 Jim Vandermey 0