Flag Salute & Invocation by Carlye Gillespie
 
Guests:  Lance’s guests Ashley and Sean from Growing Veterans.
 
Visting Rotarians: Del Vanderkirk from the Big Club.
 
Announcements by President Brad
 
 
Upcoming District Conference April 30-May 3 at Harrison Hot Springs https://district5050.org/sitepage/district-conference-1/
 
Rotary Leadership Institute May 7-8 in Mount Vernon https://www.district5050.org/Event/rli-weekend
 
Business Bucket by Michael Tilley: Big news Michael just bought Print&Copy from owners Larry and Becky Raney.  The business will be merged into Minuteman Press, combining the two over time and moving into Print&Copy’s space in Irongate neighborhood. Congratulations, Michael!
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Tim Krell five days at Whistler best skiing EVER!
  • Curtis four days in Vancouver with Felicity for birthday(s) celebration, amazing food;
  • Mark Turner said Brian’s relative donated him her old piano, so this weekend they moved it - with difficulty - into the house. Brian now taking lessons;
  • Lesa F helped Chistine at Seattle Boat Show, and a new grandkid expected in September;
  • Debbie K spur of the moment trip to Maui for nine days!
  • Christine ninth year at Boat Show for Nauti Girls, successful show, special thanks to Annika, Lesa and husband Chris for all their help;
  • Lance for 49ers losing Superbowl!
  • Michael Tilley for home state Superbowl win (Kansas City);
  • Chris Vazquez kudos to the other club’s Oysterfest fundraiser, really well done, raise-the-paddle for Skookum Kids collected $34K!
Sergeant at Arms by Steve Swan
Fines for this day in history trivia.
 
Program:
Lance Calloway introduced Sean Dalgarn from Growing Veterans https://growingveterans.org/. Sean served in the Air Force for three deployments in the Middle East. After he left the military, he decided to go back to school, but like a lot of vets he had trouble readjusting to regular life, missed the camaraderie and routine of military life. After graduating from WWU, he joined with Growing Veterans, because he recognized the value this organization brings to vets readjusting to civilian life
 
GV is a Veterans’ organization, but not a veteran’s club, i.e it has lots of interaction with the civilian community at large.
 
GV’s mission: Empowering veterans to cultivate purpose and belonging by growing food, community and each other. 
GV’s vision: To end the isolation that leads to veteran suicide. 
 
The Farm: GV operates a 3-acre certified organic farm located off the Guide Meridian and King Tutt road. There they train and employ veterans in farming / sustainable agriculture. They call it “dirt therapy”; instilling in these vets a steady daily routine, farming skills, working hard physically, feeling tired at the end of each day and sleeping well.  GV is now a registered 501-c3 non-profit, and has multiple partnerships with various food and beverage companies. They grow hops (delivering to brewers), peppers (delivering to a hot sauce maker “Fire in the Hole”), and honey. See their online store: https://growingveterans.org/shop/
 
History of the organization: Started by a local vet, Chris Brown, who received a masters degree in social work from UW, and then founded the organization in 2012, now serves as a counselor for the organization.  Two full time staff (Sean and Jeff) plus a lot of volunteer helpers.  They work also with active-duty military as well.
 
Peer Support: In addition to the informal peer support provided at the farm, GV also offers a formal accredited Peer Support training program: A hands-on learning experience, developed by veterans and mental health care professionals - for veterans, civilians, mental health providers, businesses, and organizations committed to the wellness of veterans. It’s a three-day training event, accredited by the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association, and eligible for 20.5 credits.  This training has been specifically designed for veterans, VSO employees or volunteers, and individuals with a personal experience of recovery from mental health, substance use, or trauma conditions and are now ready to use their own life experiences to support others.  Learning objectives include recognizing and understanding the symptoms, causes and cycles of PTSD and “transition stress”. Participants learn to facilitate healthy conversations and outcomes, reduce isolation and develop tools to create a network of peer support.
 
Annual fundraiser event: “Seeds of Hope” Dinner & Auction will take place on
Saturday, November 14, 2020 @ Semiahmoo Resort. Entry tickets includes appetizers, four-course meal prepared by award winning Chef Kellogg, featuring Growing Veterans organic produce. Their will be an opportunity to participate in a silent and live auction during the event.
 
Raffle won by Ed Satushek.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot