October 8th Erik Andersson – SEDCOR – Economic & Community Development Update
Erik Andersson has 30+ years of experience in economic development, and his background includes work in the utility industry, serving as Economic Development Manager for Tacoma Public Utilities and Pacific Power. He was also the regional coordinator for Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s Economic Revitalization Team and a Business Development Officer with Business Oregon. He also has served as a SEDCOR board member; as a president for Oregon Economic Development Association; chair for the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority and a board member of Restore Oregon and Rural Development Initiatives. He was awarded the Oregon Economic Developer of the Year in 2014.
Born and raised in New York, Erik received his bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from Cornell University in New York and his masters of business administration from McGill University in Canada. Known for his enthusiasm for the region, Erik works on economic development projects to support the communities and traded-sector businesses throughout the region.
Program Chair – Elise Bauman
Meeting Location: Cedar Hall, Main Salem Alliance Building
President’s Message
Salem Rotary Committee Review: 211 Members Serve on 20 Active Committees, But 32 Still Waiting to Unite for Good
Club committees are where the work of Rotary gets done. We keep saying that. Let’s take a look at what that means to a member of the Rotary Club of Salem. Last month I asked each of the Rotary Club board members to update and refresh their committee rosters as they appear in DacDB. On Friday, October 3 I made a thorough review of our Club Committees as listed in DacDB.
I found 26 Club Committees (or Boards). Three of those committees are filled by election or selection according to the club by-laws. Three additional committees listed on DacDB are currently dormant (Hunger Awareness, Membership Operations, and Shelter Box).
That leaves 20 Club Committees with membership rosters that total 211. The 20 committees range in size from 2 (RYLA) to 22 (Hands On).
I encourage committee chairs and board members (who oversee the committees) to determine the appropriate or optimum number of members for each of their committees and make an announcement of committee roster openings. 32 of our 123 club members are currently not on a Club committee. That is 32 members who have yet to take on this year’s theme of UNITE FOR GOOD and become Rotarians At Work. 32 Rotarians whose talents are not being fully utilized. We do have 91 club members who are on one or more Club Committees. In fact, we have 10 superstar Rotarians who are identified as members of 5 or more of our Club Committees (or Boards). Those individuals are David Deckelmann, John McCulley, Holly Berry, Renee Campbell, Jenn Columbus, Tammy Dennee, Fara Etzel, Chane Griggs, Rus McCracken and Beth Rhoades.
These 10 superstar Rotarians are to be commended for their SERVICE ABOVE SELF and their efforts to UNITE FOR GOOD.
Thanks to all in attendance at last week’s meeting when we experienced 4 of our committees in action. We also had an opportunity to be part of a service project during our lunch meeting. If you were unable to attend last week’s meeting, there will be additional opportunities approximately every other month to experience a “Committee Meeting” as a Club Meeting. This is an excellent way for our Committees to come front and center with their agendas and a wonderful way for a club member looking for a committee to join to gain a better understanding of what each committee is accomplishing or planning to accomplish.
The month of October includes a special focus on Polio – World Polio Day is October 24. One of our club goals for Polio Plus and Rotary International efforts to eradicate Polio worldwide is to contribute $10 per member. At the time this goal was set our club membership was 145 so our club goal is $1,450. Rotary International monitors all contributions to Polio Plus and will track any contributions made by our club members. Step up today and go to DacDB to make your Polio Plus donation or send a check to Rotary International and designate it for the Polio Plus campaign.
See you on Wednesday for an economic update from Erik Andersson of SEDCOR – Strategic Economic Development Corporation.
President Doug Parham
Rotary Club of Salem
2025-2026
