Remember that familiar feeling from "Cheers"—where everybody knows your name? In today's increasingly disconnected world, the Rotary Club of Mercer Island offers something similarly precious: a place where genuine connection and purpose intersect.

At its core, Rotary transcends the typical community service organization. While the global network's impact is undeniable, the true magic happens in the small moments—when members share coffee after a project, mentor each other naturally, or celebrate a community milestone together. These seemingly simple interactions weave together to create something rare and valuable: a sense of belonging that extends far beyond meetings and service projects.

What sets the Rotary Club of Mercer Island apart is its unique ability to transform individual good intentions into collective impact. Here, a retired executive might work alongside a young entrepreneur, each learning from the other while working toward a common goal. A quiet retired CFO might discover her voice leading a significant community initiative, while an outspoken business owner might find joy supporting "behind the scenes". This diversity of perspectives and talents creates a rich blend of experiences and abilities, all united by a shared commitment to service.

The camaraderie that develops while doing service projects isn't just about networking or socializing—it's about creating a second family bound by shared values and purpose. When our members roll up their sleeves together, whether they're organizing a local food drive for Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, feeding the homeless at Operation Nightwatch in Seattle, collecting kids' clothes for Treehouse, educating our youth to help stop sex trafficking in King County or implementing global health initiatives like building a health clinic in Africa, they're crafting a legacy of connection, understanding, and impact that ripples through the Mercer Island community.

This magic isn't accidental. It's cultivated through intentional inclusion, celebrated through shared achievements, and sustained through genuine care for one another. In a world that often feels fragmented and distant, Mercer Island Rotary stands as a beacon of what's possible when people come together with open hearts and willing hands.

For those seeking more than just another membership or networking opportunity, Rotary offers something invaluable: a place where you can be yourself, grow alongside others, and make a lasting difference in the world. It's where purpose meets belonging, and where everybody truly does know your name—and values what you bring to the table.

As many of you know, November is the month dedicated to raising funds for The Rotary Foundation. 
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is a fantastic resource for clubs all over the world to do comprehensive projects globally as well as through each district through grants.  Member support of the TRF is crucial in Rotary’s commitment to helping those less fortunate, both at home and abroad in the seven areas of impact:

Peace and Conflict Prevention / Resolution
Disease Prevention and Treatment
Water and Sanitation
Maternal and Child Health
Basic Education and Literacy
Economic and Community Development

Our goal is for every member to give an amount that is right for them.


Donna Buckingham is chair of this year's fund drive. Please contact her with any questions.

[email protected]

Enjoy this video with more information about TRF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta02B3EKe4o&t=6s

A “Leaf Labyrinth” was the central focus of a unique and creative event at Rotary Park on Sunday, Oct. 27, organized by the Rotary Club of Mercer Island.

About 30 volunteers of all ages spent several hours raking colorful fallen leaves into intricate patterns around the park. The project was conceived by Rotary member John Hamer and enthusiastically supported by all club members, including president Benson Wong.

Julie Hsieh, the club’s social-media committee chair, took photos and videos as the “Leafy Artwork” took shape. The elaborate circular labyrinth, designed by Anne Hritzay of the Mercer Island Visual Arts League, filled a large area near the Rotary Peace Pole. Participants walked in single file through the maze when it was completed.

A Rotary Seal in yellow and green leaves was assembled on a nearby slope by Rotarians Diane Tien and John Howe. Mercer Island High School students from the Interact Club came early to help set up the event, and they spelled out “MIHS” in leafy letters. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department provided rakes, gloves and other tools.

The hope is to make this an annual event and get even more MI residents to help in this fun project that uses natural materials in an innovative way. Meanwhile, drop by the park at 44th and 88th, just north of the MI Library, and see how many of the leaf designs remain. Some of them have already blown away in the wind, which was expected. But it was sure beautiful while it lasted.

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When it comes to international service, one of the most crucial debates is how best to provide aid: should we focus on short-term relief, or aim for long-term empowerment? For Rotary, the answer is clear. While emergency assistance has a place, real transformation happens when communities are empowered to take control of their own futures. This philosophy drives many of Rotary's most impactful projects.

Relief vs. Empowerment

Providing food, shelter, and medical care such as with ShelterBox in the immediate aftermath of a disaster saves lives. However, the challenge is that once the aid stops, communities often find themselves back where they started. Rotary believes that while this type of intervention is sometimes necessary, it should not be the primary focus. The goal is to empower communities to meet their own needs, reducing dependency on outside help over time.

Take, for example, Rotary’s micro-finance projects in India. By providing small loans to women to purchase sewing machines, Rotary not only gives individuals the tools they need to generate income but also helps entire communities break the cycle of poverty. The success of these projects lies in their sustainability. Rather than simply handing out money or goods, Rotary invests in skills and opportunities that allows recipients to thrive long after the initial support is gone.

Challenges and Benefits of Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is not without its challenges. Implementing long-term solutions often requires significant time, cultural understanding, and resources. It can be difficult to measure immediate impact, which sometimes makes it less attractive to donors looking for quick results. However, the benefits far outweigh these hurdles. Projects that focus on sustainability not only create lasting change but also foster a sense of ownership and pride within communities.

A prime example of this is Rotary’s work in clean water projects. Rather than simply digging wells or installing filtration systems, Rotary often partners with local communities to train residents on maintenance and repair. This ensures that the infrastructure will continue to serve its purpose long after the initial project is completed. Empowerment, in this sense, is not just about providing tools, but also about building the knowledge and capacity to keep those tools in working order.

Transitioning from Immediate Aid to Long-Term Solutions

For organizations used to providing immediate aid, the shift to long-term empowerment can be challenging. One effective strategy is to start with short-term relief while simultaneously laying the groundwork for sustainable development. For instance, in areas affected by natural disasters, Rotary might provide emergency shelter or medical supplies, but also begin conversations with local leaders about how to rebuild in a way that strengthens the community for the future.

Rotary’s PolioPlus program is another great example of this approach. The campaign initially focused on mass vaccinations, providing immediate aid to eradicate polio. But over time, the strategy evolved to include broader efforts in health infrastructure, education, and community engagement, ensuring that the progress made could be sustained long-term.

Rotary’s approach to aid goes beyond simply addressing immediate needs. It focuses on empowering individuals and communities to take control of their own destinies. By transitioning from short-term relief to long-term solutions, Rotary’s projects create lasting impact, fostering resilience and self-reliance. Whether through micro-finance, clean water initiatives, or global health campaigns, Rotary's commitment to sustainable aid ensures that communities are not dependent on outside assistance but are empowered to thrive.

Building Tiny Houses for the Homeless in Seattle

Pastor Roy Change is the Executive Director of "Schools Connect Washington", a non-profit organization providing a full complement of wrap-around services including a high-achievement, low-cost, full-week elementary after-school program serving 40-50 low-income, largely immigrant, BIPOC students each year.

For over 60 years, The Mercer Island Rotary Club has been made up of active community members from all walks of life working together to make a lasting change on Mercer Island, in Washington, and around the world. We are part of the larger global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change. 

Interested in joining or learning more?  
Visitors are always welcome and there is no cost to visit.
Join us at our meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St. Mercer Island, WA 98040.   A catered lunch by Pogacha (a restaurant on Mercer Island) is available for $25, or bring your own.

Socializing 12:00 - 12:30    Meeting and a speaker 12:30 - 1:30

You can also reach out directly to Diane Tien, Mercer Island Rotary Membership Director, [email protected]

Rotary International Causes
Global Rotary Network

In appreciation for our Club's generous and longstanding support to reduce hunger in our community, Harvest Against Hunger invited our club to be recognized as a member of the newly created

The buzz of a Rotary meeting isn't just noise - it's the sound of purpose. Our motto, "Service Above Self," isn't a lofty ideal; it's our daily fuel.

I've seen it transform lives, including my own. It's not about martyrdom, but finding strength in responsibility. It's the spark that turns personal ambition into collective impact.

Sure, balancing Rotary's values with our own can be tricky. I've wrestled with it, juggling work, family, and service. But here's the secret: when we align with Rotary's ideals, everything else falls into place.

We're not just talkers; we're doers. From building Tiny Houses, to supporting the Mercer Island High School Interact club and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, to feeding the homeless, building a health clinic in Uganda, or providing clothing for kids in need in Seattle, we roll up our sleeves and make things happen. It's about meaningful action, not empty promises.  

One of the most powerful Rotary volunteer activities I experienced was giving polio vaccines to children in the villages of Ethiopia.  (See the video below.)

These values of Service Above Self aren't just words on a page—they're the DNA of who we are. They challenge us, shape us, and connect us to something bigger than ourselves.

Leadership in Rotary? It's not about the spotlight. Our best leaders listen more than they speak, lifting others as they climb. It's humility over ego, and it's powerful.

In a world that often feels fractured, Rotary's values are a unifying force. They remind us of our shared humanity and our power to create change. It's not just about MAKING a difference - it's about BEING the difference.


 

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HOMELESS IN SEATTLE

Tiny Houses provide a stable environment on the way to more permanent housing.These houses have light, heat, a window and a door with a lock. The tiny house villages throughout the city have communal kitchens and bath and laundry facilities. The 8’ by 12’ units can be built quickly by volunteers.

Mercer Island Rotary Club members, as well as other Rotary partners, have helped construct and paint many of the homes.

There are over 11,000 homeless in the area. It is easy to assume that homelessness, especially in the US, is a choice. What we have learned instead is that there are many men, women and families in our society who actually have few choices for lack of caring support. Homelessness is not a choice in most cases, it is what happens to people with few choices, if any choice at all.  Mercer Island Rotary is making a difference. One Tiny House at a time.

For more information about Tiny Houses project in Seattle, please watch this video:

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For more than 115 years, the members of Rotary have bridged cultures and connected continents by championing peace, fighting illiteracy, poverty and disease and promoting clean water and sanitation.Recently, growing local economies and protecting the environment has been added to the causes we support.

To this end, The Rotary Club of Mercer Island is uniquely positioned to have its own Foundation (the Mercer Island Rotary Foundation), which funds grants for projects that have measurable goals, are sustainable, based on community needs, and are centered on at least one of our areas of focus listed above.

If you think your request qualifies, please click on the link below to complete a grant request application!

MIRF Grant Application

A lot of people have heard about Rotary, but not everyone knowns what the club is all about. The Fargo-Moorhead Rotary Clubs created this short (and funny) video to clarify things.

Enjoy!


 

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