May 31: Anahuac Farm of Capaces Leadership Institute   Capaces Leadership Institute is a social justice education organization whose mission is to strengthen the wellness, capacity, and political consciousness of leaders, organizations, movements, and communities to eliminate social disparities. Capace’s programs primarily serve low-income Latina/o/x, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant immigrant and farmworker families in the Mid-Willamette Valley. […]

May 24: Update on Rotary International Grant Projects   Past District Governor, Renee Campbell, recently visited East Africa with Rotarians, non-Rotarians, and members of a local NGO. The trip aimed to review and work on Rotary Grant projects in process and explore potential projects for District 5100.   The group visited nine water projects in […]

May 10: Jason Conrad and the Salem Capitals Basketball Team   After a successful Division 1 collegiate athletic experience in California, Jason Conrad played professional basketball in nine countries around the world. He then returned to Salem to become the inaugural team owner of the Salem Capitals Basketball team.   Program Chair: Elise Bauman   Meeting […]

May 3: Marion-Polk Early Learning Hub: Making a Difference for Children!   There is an adage that it takes a village to raise a child. It is amazing when that “village” includes effective programs, systems, and policies to support the family and the child. Enter the Early Learning Hubs! Early Learning Hubs exist in 16 regions across Oregon. […]

April 19: Early Childhood Attachment…What it is and Why We Care!   Today we welcome Ariahna Hays, a licensed therapist, who will help us understand the importance of the psychological phenomenon of early childhood attachment. Aria was a Rotary Exchange Student in high school and thanks to Rotary, spent 10 months in Ecuador! Aria will explore […]

April 12: Meet Janet Chvatal, a Classical Soprano, Paul Harris Fellow, and Much More   Janet Marie Chvatal, originally from Beaverton, Oregon, is a classical soprano and proud Oregonian who has achieved international acclaim in musical theater as a performer, director, producer, and author.   Janet graduated with honors from Sunset High School, and summa cum […]

April 5: Celebrating Children!   Children are our future! We all want the children in our lives and community to succeed! Many of our recent Rotary investments have supported resources and programs for children of all ages.    Today we will hear from a panel of three experienced community leaders who will comment on the question, “What are […]

March 29: State of Local Journalism in Salem   News outlets have been undergoing massive change as they merge, contract, and close. There has been a loss of local coverage, a reduction in news sources, printed vs. online options, and impacts on younger generations. Les Zaitz, one of Oregon’s top investigative reporters and publisher of the […]