Retreat Breakout Session Summary

(At this year’s retreat, attendees were asked to participate in discussions leading to consensus on three major issues: Membership, Giving, and BBRC Centennial. Norm Johnson chaired the Centennial session, and here is his report.)

BBRC CENTENNIAL PROJECT

Goal: To undertake a community project with a completion date of February 2005.

The project should meet the following RI Objectives:

1. Fulfill a clearly identifiable community need.
    
2. Provide a solution that has measurable results.
    
3. Involve a “hands-on” effort by club members rather than simply providing funding to another organization.
    
4. Identify the project with the identity of the BBRC and Rotary’s centennial with a plaque or sign.
    
5. The project will generate goodwill for the BBRC and Rotary.

Summary of Retreat Breakout Session – Centennial Project April 4, 2003

We received a number of very good suggestions as to the type of project and how to access the needs of the Bellevue Community. Based upon the input form club members it is recommended that the following approach be taken:

1. Utilize the existing club infrastructure to undertake the Centennial Project by assigning the identification of the project to the BBRC Foundation Committee.
    
2. Identify local community needs by contacting the following organizations:
   
   City of Bellevue – Bellevue Human Services Commission
   Eastside Senior Care – Jan Nestler
   Hopelink – Shelly Noble
    
3. Possible projects suggested for the BBRC:
   
   A “Gateway” Project
   Park Enhancement Project for Downtown Park
   Special Needs Play Area
   Trail System
   Overlake Hospital – Post Polio Syndrome
   Mercer Slough/Lake Sammamish – Trees and Trails
   Bellevue Cultural Center to assist new immigrants with local culture
   Adopt a Park-and-Ride lot for clean up and maintenance
   Assist other non-profit organizations in planning fund raising campaigns
   Review past grant requests that have not been funded
   Repaint the railroad bridge over I-90
   Partner with Seattle 4 on a third Lake Washington Bridge
   Open a brew pub and sell Rotary Ale

There was also discussion as to how any project would be sustained into the future without being a burden to the Cub. An example of this type of problem is King County’s current funding crisis with the county parks.