August 13th – Ann and Tony Syrett – Life in the Foreign Service
Ann and Tony Syrett bring remarkable global experience to our community. Tony served as a US diplomat and consular officer for 30 years across Sub-Saharan and North Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and Washington, DC, including three years as U.S. Consul General in Egypt. A former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, he and Ann have channeled their international expertise into meaningful service, organizing the shipment of 500+ books to a primary school in Tortola and fundraising for Rotary’s Polio Plus campaign.
The Syretts are passionate sailors who have cruised extensively through the Leeward Islands, including a two-month voyage from Antigua to the Chesapeake Bay. Their diplomatic assignments became adventures in cultural immersion—from visiting Rwanda’s Mountain Gorillas in the Virunga Mountains to collecting Haitian art during their time in Haiti. Their travels have taken them across the Pacific, around South America, and through the Panama Canal, reflecting their lifelong commitment to understanding diverse cultures and landscapes.
Program Chair – Holly Berry
Meeting Location: Cedar Hall, Main Street Alliance Building
President’s Message
Committee Spotlights, Hands-On Service, & August Overview
As we progress through the 25-26 Rotary year a Rotary Committee will be featured each month. A member of that committee will be front and center at the beginning of each weekly meeting to present a Rotary Minute or Rotary Moment. To understand the difference between those feel free to “ask Google”.
We hope you will take note of the various committees and follow through to join a committee that suits your interest. The Committees are where Rotary Service Above Self activities are developed and carried out.
AUGUST 18 FROM 5:30PM TO 7:30 PM HANDS ON PROJECT OPPORTUNITY: During these two hours 10 Rotary Club of Salem members will have the opportunity to assist Helping Hands Resources (one of our recent Good Works grant recipients) sort items for resale in their ship or warehouse. Please contact Alicia Bay to be one of the first 10 to sign up for this opportunity. Alicia’s contact information isexecutivedirector@acgilberg.org.
I am very excited about our August program schedule. I mentioned this at the meeting last Wednesday but want to repeat it because you and your Rotary friends should plan to attend our meetings to enjoy the company of other Rotarians and benefit from the wonderful presentations. Last week was a wonderful presentation by Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell. We learned that governments have specific responsibilities to their constituents. Counties focus more on health services and Cities focus more on public safety, library, parks, and general government. It is important to know which government provides what so you ask the right agency for the assistance you need. This week we will hear from Ann and Tony Syrett about their life experiences in the Foreign Service. I have heard from Club members who have heard these stories informally at small group gatherings, I am excited that we all get to hear these exciting stories.
On August 20, 2025 we will meet at the Rotary Pavilion at Riverfront Park for our annual Picnic at the Pavilion. Our program at the Pavilion will feature Salem Fire Chief Dave Gerboth (a new Rotarian within the past year). Dave is very energetic and very knowledgeable about Fire and Safety services. Our picnic lunch will be prepared by Adam’s Rib and will include selections to accommodate most dietary needs. The cost will be $20 per person and the lunch will be prepared onsite at the Pavilion. Also, in past meetings at the Pavilion the sound system has been a challenge. This year we are borrowing a sound system from MAPS Credit Union which has performed well on other occasions in Riverfront Park.
Our final meeting of August will feature Salem-Keizer School District Superintendent Andrea Casteneda. I have enjoyed her presentations on several occasions; at Chamber of Commerce gatherings as well as Rotary meetings. Often she starts her presentations with a story about a recent personal experience that adds a bit of humor to the presentation. Karl Raschkes will be the program chair and he is busy gathering a special line up for the head table.
Please plan to attend and UNITE FOR GOOD. When we meet at Broadway Commons in the Cedar Room lunch can be preordered from Little Lois Catering or Better Than Mamas or it can be purchased at the meeting from a limited offering of sandwiches prepared by Better Than Mamas. Watch the E-Blast for lunch ordering details.
President Doug Parham
Rotary Club of Salem
2025-2026
