Theme: Look Beyond Yourself

1991-92 was the year our club made a commitment to “Preserve Planet Earth.” In accordance with this theme, over $7,000 was donated toward completion of walking paths and a salmon viewing platform along Mill Creek where it flows through the property of North High School. Record-breaking Rotary giving also marked the year. Members filled a Salvation Army kettle with $8,022 at a single December meeting, and over 110,000 pounds of food was collected by the combined Salem-area Rotary clubs for Marion-Polk Food Share.

President Mike Carrick travelled extensively throughout the world and brought back messages of good-will from all the clubs he visited. He assisted with efforts in Simferopal (Crimea region of former USSR) to start a Rotary club there. Two exchange students were sponsored informally who arrived as citizens of the USSR and departed as citizens of Ukraine.

Theme: Real Happiness is Helping Others

1992-93 was highlighted by a $10,000 contribution to the Community Voice Mail Program, which provides free phone services for the homeless and other needy persons to help them find employment or otherwise get a new foothold on life.

An energetic membership drive resulted in some 58 new member proposals, enabling the club to end the year with 226 members. A visit by a Romanian pediatrician was sponsored during which she was able to learn about American medical practices to improve the care of children in her country. Eight foreign students were welcomed to Salem and four area students were sent to another country for an exchange school year.

Our club helped contribute 102,370 pounds of food and over $7,000 in cash to the annual food drive. Other contributions to the Salvation Army and other local services totaling $7,200 were made.

Theme: Believe In What You Do, Do What You Believe In

1993-94 was another banner year for our Club. Topping our list of “good works” was our Rotary Workplace Food Drive where we raised $10,576 in cash and collected 218,748 pounds of food. Our “Elephant Ears” sale at the Art Fair netted out $5,423 to support our many Club projects. For the first time, the Board adopted a charitable giving policy that directs our giving to the Rotary “avenues of service” equally. A chairperson was selected for each area to recommend projects, and $23,088 was distributed in this manner: plus another $6,667 from our members for the Salvation Army.

Support of the Rotary Foundation continues with 4 Paul Harris Fellows recognized along with 32 P.R. “Sustainers.” Club membership rose to a record high of 241 members. We continue to support 4 Exchange Students.

Theme: Be a Friend

1994-95 will be remembered as our Club’s 75th Anniversary!! A new Club banner was designed, and we celebrated by having several Past Presidents recall the Club highlights from their specific decade. R. I. Presi-dent Bill Huntley visited Portland in February 1995. Twelve members were honored as new Paul Harris Fellows. In addition 16 members became new Paul Harris Sustainers.

Replacing the Richmond Elementary School play-ground equipment was our major service project. We secured two significant cash grants and used the majority of our “Good Works” funds in the project. Over 40 members were involved in mentoring elementary and middle school students, plus joining other Salem Rotary Clubs in giving pocket dictionaries to every 4th grade student in Salem-Keizer and neighboring towns. Other service projects included the Christmas Tree of Joy gifts for needy children and patients in the State Hospitals and significant cash and food gifts to the Salvation Army and the Food Bank.

Our fundraisers are earmarked by two words…”fun” and “ears”…elephant ears, that is. It is fun to sell ears during the Salem Art Fair and Festival. The “Bite of Salem” was a new fundraiser in 1994. A dozen restaurants and micro-brewers set up tents during the Marion County Fair to sell their specialties. It was fun, profitable and is destined to grow. Bell Ringers remains a highlight of every weekly meeting. Our members can brag about themselves, their families, and other Rotarians for a cash contribution. 1994-95 will see us set a new record with over $4,000 in contributions. This money helps us continue all our traditions of Rotary Service Above Self. Salem Rotary lived up the 1994-95 motto…be a friend.

Theme: Act With Integrity, Serve With Love, Work for Peace

1995-96 was highlighted by Salem Rotary’s receipt of a R.I. Presidential Citation. As a large club, this award confirmed that our members completed at least four activities in each avenue of service.

Our club continued its focus on youth and especially the Richmond Elementary School, a local Title I school faced with many challenges to deliver a suit-able learning experience to their diverse student body. Projects that benefited our area youth included mentoring, job shadowing, reading is fundamental, toys for kids, playground equipment at Richmond and Englewood schools, and dictionaries were presented to all area fourth graders.

Another successful Rotary Workplace Food Drive resulted in cash receipts of $15,346 and 54,713 pounds of food was collected, benefiting many needy citizens. This year all proceeds from “Bell Ringers” went to our Salem Rotary Foundation to benefit local youth and/or youth organizations.

Two new practices this year was Youth Day in May, when our high school “Rotarians of the Month” con-ducted a club meeting and monthly tribute to long time members featured as our “Rotarian of the Month”.

A real highlight of the year was our hosting, in November, of nine Russian accountants and their two translators for three weeks. We were able to expose them to our business practices as well as become acquainted on a personal basis. All participants had many wonderful experiences. This project certainly contributed to a sense of international understanding and good will.

Theme: Build the Future with Action and Vision

1996-97 was the year the Rotary Club of Salem had its first serving woman President, Ellen Wyatt. Rotary International’s theme was “Build the Future with Action and Vision.” Rotary Club of Salem exhibited this theme in its projects and programs throughout the year.

Under community service, the five Salem-area Rotary clubs agreed to come together to build a lasting expression of Rotary’s motto, “Service above Self”, in the form of a playground in Salem’s new Riverfront Park. The project cost is $125,000, of which our club’s share is $60,000. These funds will be raised over a 3 year period. Our club organized a June Auction/Raffle to help finance this year’s portion of that goal. Our Salem Rotary Foundation Board instituted its own “fellow” designation to recognize individuals making a contribution of $500 to the foundation. Signing on during the year were: 16 charter fellows who stepped up with $500 by December 31; 10 sustainers who made a downpayment on their $500 pledge; and 2 benefactors who named Salem Rotary Foundation as a beneficiary in their wills. In the spring the foundation awarded $5,900 to youth-related programs in the Salem area.

On the international scene our club hosted an inbound exchange student from Sweden, Johanna Backbro. She was bright, articulate, funny and, early on, won a place in the hearts of our members. In addition, we sent Salem student Arlie Atkins to Denmark on an outbound exchange.
In keeping with our commitment to youth-related activities, club members mentored students in local schools, refurbished the mentor room at Richmond School, participated in the dictionary distribution to local 4th graders, expanded reading programs into several more schools, and completed the playground at Englewood School.

Once again our club received an RI Presidential Citation for its commitment to “service above self” in the four areas of service. And the recipient of our club’s Vocational Service Award, Carol Kilfoil, went on to win recognition at the District level for commitment to the students at North Salem High School.

Theme: Show Rotary Cares

1997-98 was the “Fun Year’ for District 5100 and our club. Our focus was on fellowship and membership while we carried out the RI theme “Show Rotary Cares” through our many club, community, vocational and international service projects.

Several purely fellowship meetings were held in addition to numerous events, firesides, and a great year-end dinner/dessert with Gerry Frank. Twenty-seven new members were formally inducted into our club, adding new energy and youth. Participation was encouraged, with committees being listed in the roster and attendance increasing. Ten new Paul Harris fellows were inducted, 16 new sustainers begun, and $12,700 raised for the RI Foundation. In addition, our Salem Rotary Foundation grew to almost $100,000 and used only interest earned for the first time to benefit eight youth organizations with $4,350.

Cooperative work with the other Salem Rotary clubs continued with our second $20,000 payment toward the Children’s Playground at Riverfront Park, the Rotary Workplace Food Drive, The Dictionary Project for all 4th graders in Marion and Polk counties, the golf tournament, the “community build” of the A.G. Gilbert Discovery Village, and the establishment of the Creekside Rotary Club. Other significant community projects included playground equipment for the Family Building Blocks program, improved playground equipment for Lake Ladish School, support for Reading is Fundamental in five schools, tree planting at Leslie School, and the first annual Ducky Derby, which supported the A.C. Gilbert Children’s Museum.

Finally, the year will also be remembered for the strategic planning effort to set guidelines for future good works projects, the complete revision of our classification system, the setting and review of club goals by mid-July with our first ever Assistant District Governor, a new record of $7,370 to the Salem Rotary Foundation from bellringers, the induction of five new members in one meeting, and another RI Presidential Citation. Indeed, it was a “fun year” in which we “showed that Rotary cares…”

Theme: Follow Your Rotary Dream

1998-99 The final year for the Salem Rotary Club before the millennium was filled with activity, fellowship and service to the local and world community.

Membership averaged 210, with the club sponsoring two outbound and two inbound international exchange students.
Internationally, the club funded a drinking water well/ supply tank project in Honduras and sent almost $4,000 in direct aid to the earthquake victims there.

The president’s goal for the year was to lead the club, analyzing several possible annual fund-raising activities and establishing a fund-raising template that could be used in years in the future. After careful study by a committee of key members, a gourmet dinner/auction event was selected. The evening’s entertainment was capped off by cakes provided by Gerry Frank’s Konditorei. For the first time, champagne was sold in glasses containing either a 1/2 carat cubic zirconium or 1/2 carat diamond. The stones were weighed after all glasses were sold to identify the lucky diamond winner.
The club again provided dictionaries to every fourth-grade student in the Salem-Keizer schools and provided an all-time high $7,500 in funding for the Reading Is Fundamental program in four local high-need elementary schools.

A new project funded this year at Bush and Richmond schools involved both study and soccer. Students who had no disciplinary referrals were allowed to participate in after-school study periods twice weekly, fol¬lowed by soccer practice. Rotarians tutored the students at the study periods, and those students who successfully participated throughout the week were allowed to play on the soccer team each Saturday. This project produced dramatic academic and behavioral improvement at both schools.

Salem Skyball received $5,000 to provide scholar-ships for middle school students otherwise unable to participate in after-school basketball programs.
Salem Rotary Foundation grew in size to over $125.000 in invested funds and donated in excess of $5,000 to several worthwhile youth education projects.

The decision was made to shift sponsorship of the annual Salem Pops Orchestra concert to a more youth-oriented event. For the first time, Salem Rotary next year will sponsor the annual Salem-Keizer High School choir, orchestra and band concert in what we expect will become an annual tradition of spotlighting Salem’s finest high school musicians.

All of these projects were planned and/or carried out during a fun-filled year of fellowship opportunities highlighted by a reception at the new Hallie Ford Art Museum. Needless to say, 1998-99 was a bountiful year of service-above-self accomplishments for Salem Rotary Club members.

Theme: Rotary International

The Rotary year began in July with a gift of a new Steinway Boston grand piano, purchased for the auditorium at North Salem High School. The Good Works committee determined this to be the top project for Rotary funds for two years. In 2000-2001, a second piano is to be purchased and given to South Salem High for that auditorium. These instruments will accompany thousands of students during the next 25 to 50 years.

The new millennium signaled a year of change for the club. The Black Angus ceased operation of the restaurant at the Ramada and by January Salem Rotary had to find a new meeting place. This was no small challenge. But with the work of key members, the club found a new home at Mission Mill.
In February, Salem Rotary sponsored the Salem/Keizer High School choir, orchestra and band all-city concert for the first time. Attendance was excellent, and plans are underway to continue with this event in the future. We again proudly sponsored the All City Concert. Salem Rotarians remain in awe of Students of the Month who come to us with impressive credentials. Further in the educational arena, the Preserve Planet Earth Committee established an innovative community garden and educational venue for Highland Elementary students, and it’s a pleasure to recognize true heroes in our club who serve as mentors to kids needing a positive role model. Salem Rotary again sponsored RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award), this year for two candidates.

Salem Rotary was able to respond to other community needs through the help of our Good Works Committee. The board endorsed the committee’s recommendations and awarded grants to: Alphabet House; Richmond Elementary Soccer program; Skyball (Salem-Keizer Youth Basketball); RIF (Reading Is Fundamental); and a self-esteem project for middle school students. Food Share and our holiday Salvation Army bell ringing remained strong and productive as many of our members participated in these events. The club continued its pledge to provide dictionaries to every fourth-grade student in the Salem/Keizer schools, and continued to support the Reading Is Fundamental program, as well as Salem Skyball and soccer.
The Salem Rotary Foundation continued its growth, and the gifts to the Foundation reached an all-time high. Our foundation granted $6,500 from its endowment (using income only) for Salem youth opportunities. The fund now stands at approximately $135,000 and growing through outright gifts and our club bell ringers that raise $7,000 to $8,000 annually.

Our club examined our internal club goals. Because many business owners and corporate heads want to support the ideals of Rotary, but cannot attend regularly, a groundbreaking tool toward membership enhancement began with the development and initiation of corporate memberships. A Roundtable Conversation discussing club issues was held creating an informal survey, which was facilitated by a number of members who led discussions at individual tables at a regular weekly meeting. The results became known as “the good, the bad and the ugly, “ providing leadership a means for future planning. The use of e-mail and the Internet became a number one communication method. Rotogram editors were able to instantly send weekly program and club announcements for timely reminders. To aid on-time delivery, the editors have plans to make the Rotogram available in its entirety via the Internet or fax.

In April, all the Salem/Keizer Rotary clubs came together at the Mission Mill location for an all-city meeting. This was the first of its kind, and there is much enthusiasm for continuing this annual joint meeting.

We received Rotary International’s Presidential Citation. It was a good year of service-above-self opportunities for all the members of the Rotary Club of Salem.

Theme: Create Awareness, Take Action

Rotary International’s theme, “Create Awareness, Take Action,” was further embedded when District 5100 had the rare opportunity to host the Rotary International Institute in Portland, with RI President Frank Devlyn serving as keynote speaker.

Support for youth in general and the Salem-Keizer School District continued by fulfilling our 2-year pledge to fund new grand pianos for both North and South High Schools, and we again proudly sponsored the All-City Concert. Salem Rotarians remain in awe of Students of the Month who come to us with impressive credentials. Further in the educational arena, the Preserve Planet Earth Committee established an innovative community garden and educational venue for Highland Elementary students, and it is a pleasure to recognize true heroes in our club who serve as mentors to kids needing a positive role model. RC of Salem again sponsored RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award), this year with two candidates.

RC of Salem was able to respond to other community needs through the help of our Good Works Committee. The board endorsed the committee’s recommendations and awarded grants to: Skyball Alphabet House; Richmond Elementary Soccer program; Skyball (Salem-Keizer Youth Basketball); RIF (Reading Is Fundamental); and a self-esteem project for middle school students.

In addition, our Foundation granted $6,500 from its endowment (using only income) for Salem youth opportunities. The fund now stands at approximately $135,00 and growing through outright gifts and our club bellringers that raise $7,000 to $8,000 annually.
Because many business owners and corporate heads want to support the ideals of Rotary, but cannot attend regularly, a groundbreaking tool toward membership enhancement began with the development and initiation of corporate memberships.

A well-received program came under the heading of Club Assembly. Not having been done in a long time, if ever, the so-called Roundtable Conversation was an informal survey, facilitated by a number of members who led discussions at individual tables at a regular weekly meeting. The results became known as “the good, the bad and the ugly,” providing leadership a means for future planning.

Food Share and our holiday Salvation Army bellringing, both staple club activities, remained strong and productive.
The use of e-mail and the Internet became a No. 1 communication method. Rotogram editors were able to instantly send weekly program and club announcements for timely reminders. To aid on-time delivery, the editors have plans to make the Rotogram available in its entirety via the Internet or fax.

On the international front, we said hello and goodbye to two exchange students and participated in our third involvement with CCI (Center for Citizen Initiative), and American/Russian partnership. The World Community Service committee was able to provide $1,000 each for two international ventures in Honduras, the micro-banking and stove projects. Our Paul Harris fund drive brought new Paul Harris Fellows, as well as sustaining members, into the fold. While RC of Salem is not yet a 100% Paul Harris club, it is a goal which we should continue to pursue.

Elephant Ears sales at the Salem Art Fair and the annual auction were again our major income sources. With board approval, the auction committee hired a professional auctioneering service to upgrade this event from several angles, and was not disappointed with the consulting insight and expertise provided.

Members enjoyed several strictly fellowship opportunities, including a fall wine tour and trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. As Always, however, every project and meeting is an opportunity to enjoy the realm of Rotary and experience the satisfaction of Service Above Self.