August 6th – Marion County Commissioner – Danielle Bethel
Commissioner Bethell serves as Marion County Commissioner (elected 2020) and current President of the Association of Oregon Counties. She co-owns Bethell Plumbing and previously served as Executive Director of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce and on the Salem-Keizer Public Schools Board. She holds key leadership roles as Chair of Northwest Senior & Disability Services, board member of Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance, and represents Oregon Counties on the National Association of Counties Board. Her major accomplishments include leading passage of HB 4002 (2024) recriminalizing hard drugs, securing $12 million for Santiam Canyon wildfire housing recovery, and expanding rural healthcare access through wellness vans and telehealth networks. Her policy focus areas include housing, homelessness, behavioral health, public safety, children and youth issues, and economic development. An Oregon State University graduate, she lives in Southeast Marion County with her family. Commissioner Bethell will provide an update for Marion County, our systems of care and 2025/26 budget.
Program Chair – John McCulley
Meeting Location: Cedar Hall, Main Street Alliance Building
President’s Message
Unite for Good: Celebrating Growth and the Power of Personal Stories
The Rotary International theme for the month of August is Membership. This week we will induct our third new club member of this Rotary year. I look forward to welcoming another new member and hope that each of you will do your part to welcome each new member that joins our club. When we focus on growing Rotary, we grow our ability to serve, to lead, and to bring change to our community and beyond. Each new member brings unique talents, ideas, and fresh energy to our club. Each new member is also looking to us for a sense of belonging. They want to understand each of us and the talents, ideas, and strengths we have brought to the Rotary Club of Salem.
Our own District 5100 Governor, Susanne Holmberg who is a member of the Three Creeks Rotary Club of Vancouver, Washington has a passion for and a declared Rotary theme of Story Telling. This theme links nicely to Membership and acquainting yourself with new members in our club. Meeting a new club member is an opportunity to tell your story and to invite the new member to tell their story.
I find personal story telling to be an excellent way to connect with others and find common ground. This common ground or linkage between my story and yours often leads to what I refer to as “small world stories”. When you start sharing your story with someone you may not know of the connection you have with them, but after you share and they respond accordingly, the common ground you discover can lead to a lasting friendship. Together, you may UNITE FOR GOOD.
Think about who in your life should be our next new Rotary member.
Also, if you have topics or ideas for the Club board to consider, please reach out to a board member. Our club Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
I look forward to seeing each of you on Wednesday and be sure to sign up to attend Rotary at the Pavilion on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
President Doug Parham
Rotary Club of Salem
2025-2026
