Sonia Patterson

President

Rotary Club of Vienna


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Inova Blood Donor Services

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SEPTEMBER 2024

Back to School! Football! Cooler Temps! Oktoberfest! Pumpkin everything! Cozy Sweaters! What’s not to love about fall?


Well, maybe the shorter days, more traffic, leaf clean-up, and, let’s face it, the Pumpkin Spice overload. I’ll admit, I’m going to miss summer (but it doesn't technically end until September 22nd). I’ll miss my evening primroses, the buzzing pollinators, and the migratory birds that grace my garden.

But as the seasons change, they remind us that life is always moving forward. There’s something comforting in that rhythm. It’s a time to reflect on fond memories and maybe see the challenges we’re facing with fresh eyes.


As Rotarians, we’re all about community service. So, how can you step out of the September hustle and make a difference? Maybe it’s grabbing coffee with someone who’s feeling overwhelmed, donating to a school supply drive, or just picking up trash on your morning walk. Whatever it is—go for it! Keep an eye out for those moments to lend a hand this month.


September’s Club agenda is packed! We’re excited to welcome a new member (hello, Melody!), kick off the grant submission window (details below), and plan a special 9/11 program (mark your calendar!). If you’re into football, don’t miss the Madison/Marshall team lunch on September 18th and join us for the Town of Vienna cleanup on the 14th and volunteering at Chillin’ on Church on the 20th (which, by the way, is the same night as the big football game!).


And let’s not forget the 'regular' stuff—like updating our Club Bylaws and pushing forward various Board initiatives. It’s a lot, but we’re stronger together. If you’re not plugged into a Committee yet, let’s chat. We’ll find the perfect spot for you.


Time flies, so take a deep breath. Enjoy the change of seasons, do a #randomactofkindness, and stay connected with your fellow Rotarians.


Yours in Rotary Service,

Yours in Rotary Service,


Sonia Patterson

President

Rotary Club of Vienna

THIS MONTH'S MEETINGS

SEPT 04

Gail Perry – Transform Your Daily Walk into an Epic Adventure


Join us as Gail Perry, the passionate hiker and acclaimed author of Walks of the World, shares her insights on turning ordinary walks into extraordinary adventures. Learn how adding more steps to your routine can open up new experiences, making each walk a journey of discovery. Whether you're a casual walker or a seasoned trekker, Gail's tips and stories will inspire you to see the world in a whole new way.

SEPT 11

Marcus Kuiper – 9/11 at the Pentagon: Remember & Respect – It’s Not Done


On this solemn day of remembrance, we are honored to welcome Marcus Kuiper, a 30-year Army veteran and military intelligence officer, who was only 100 feet from the point of impact at the Pentagon on 9/11. In a moment of unimaginable chaos, Marcus not only led his unit to safety but also risked his life to save another. His story is one of courage, resilience, and a deep sense of duty. Join us as Marcus shares his powerful firsthand account, reminding us that the echoes of that day continue to shape our world and that our commitment to honor and remember is far from over.

SEPT 18

Rotary Bowl LunchCelebrating Local High School Football Spirit


Get ready for an afternoon of excitement and local pride at our annual Rotary Bowl Lunch! We’re thrilled to host players and coaches from the Madison and Marshall High School football teams as they gear up for their big game the following Friday. This year, we’re also welcoming a few cheerleaders to add even more energy and spirit to the event. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support our hometown teams and enjoy that special small-town camaraderie that makes our Rotary Club gatherings so memorable. Don’t miss out on the fun!

SEPT 25

Rotary Magic in Action – New Members, Awards, and Community Spirit


Join us for an engaging and energetic meeting as we celebrate the magic of Rotary! We’ll begin by inducting Melody Yazdani as our newest member, adding even more talent to our Club. Following the induction, René Laws, our Immediate Past District Governor, will present awards to outstanding members for their achievements during the 2023/2024 Rotary year. For our Program, Bill Comerford, one of our newer members, will deliver his classification speech, offering fascinating stories and insights about himself. This is a wonderful opportunity to build a stronger community while enjoying a lively and inspiring meeting of discovery, recognition, and camaraderie. 

PULSE OF EXCELLENCE – NEWS & UPDATES 

MONTHLY RCV BYLAWS PROGRESS UPDATE 


The Bylaws Committee meeting was held on August 15, 2024, with four members attending. Our committee members have diverse knowledge and experience that are perfect for the project of updating the Bylaws. We compared our bylaws to Rotary International’s guidelines for club Bylaws.


We are approaching the project with the principle that the Bylaws should be consistent with modern Club practices and modern terminology. Our September meeting is scheduled for September 5, 2024.

FROM OUR TREASURER, SHEILA BRENNAN


Big news! We’re upgrading our banking and financial systems to keep things running smoother than a well-oiled machine. We’re moving from Sandy Spring Bank to Burke & Herbert Bank and from QuickBooks to the DACdb Finance Module.


To make this transition as smooth as possible, members with outstanding pledges will get a separate email with the amount due. Please settle any overdue invoices at your earliest convenience. Think of it as a chance to start fresh with our shiny new systems!


If you’ve already talked to me about any special circumstances, keep following the plan we set. And remember, we’re in this together—just like a well-coordinated relay team.


Thanks for your prompt attention. If you have questions or need a hand, don’t hesitate to reach out.

INSPIRING FUTURES: OUR SPONSORED STUDENT IN HONDURAS


Our Rotary Club is sponsoring Dunia at Leadership Mission International (LMI) this year. Dunia, from Honduras, dreams of starting a business and helping her family. She loves music, reading, and her pets.


We're also proud to announce that Elva, our previous student, has graduated! We'll share her graduation highlights soon.


Stay tuned for updates, including an October event with an LMI speaker.

READ MORE ABOUT DUNIA AND ELVA 

NEXT UP FOR ROTARY

Circle these dates for fun social and service events!  

SEPTEMBER 14

SERVICE PROJECT


Town of Vienna Clean-Up Day

September 14th, 2024

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. 

Vienna Town Green. JOIN US!


RSVP HERE

SEPTEMBER 20

VIENNA TOWN EVENT


CHILLIN' ON CHURCH

September 20th, 2024

6:30 - 9:30 PM. 

Vienna Town Green


Volunteer with our Rotary Club at the last "Chillin' on Church" of the summer season scheduled for September 20th! Held on historic Church Street, the event includes food, local beer and wine, music, and family-friendly activities. Admission is free.  Sign Up to Volunteer

OCTOBER 23

VIENNA TOWN EVENT


Join Us for the Town of Vienna Halloween Parade!

Wednesday, October 23rd

7:00 PM. 


Since 1946, the Town of Vienna has delighted families with its annual Halloween parade. Held rain or shine on the Wednesday evening before Halloween, the parade features an array of floats and entertainment marching down Maple Avenue from Branch Road to Center Street. This year, our Club’s involvement is being spearheaded by Lucia and Bill, and we want you to be a part of the fun!


Mark your calendars and get ready for a spooktacular evening — it's going to be a blast!  

OCTOBER 25

Mark your calendars and get excited for this exciting fall social event!

SOCIAL EVENT


First Annual RCV Scavenger Hunt

October 25th, 2024

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 


Get ready for a fun-filled evening! Join us for the First Annual RCV Scavenger Hunt on Friday, October 25th, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Teams of 4-6 will race around the Town of Vienna, hunting for items, solving clues, and documenting their finds with smartphones. The adventure will end at a local bar, where we’ll crown the winning team and celebrate together.

CELEBRATIONS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


Brian Billet - September 10

Shirley Buford - Sept 15

Yasmine Bonilla - September 25

Carol Wagner - September 27

IF YOU'VE MISSED A MEETING

Here's where you can go in DacDB to learn more:


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WE VALUE YOUR VOICE AND VISION!

Reach out to Sonia to share your ideas and help shape our vibrant community! 

CONTACT SONIA


ROTARY CLUB OF VIENNA  

ViennaRotary.org