http://www.portlandpearlrotary.org/

Portland Pearl Rotary Club, 721 NW 9th Avenue Ste. 200, Portland, OR (2026)

09/08/2026

PPRC welcomes newest members

Chip Rosenfeld, a retired physician who lives in Milwaukie, was welcomed into the club at the Sept. 1 breakfast meeting.

Membership Chair Nadine Menashe made the introduction and has previously reported: "Chip has been invited to visit our club for years by both Alan Bacharach and Adam Steckel and has now been joining us on and off for the last few months. Chip spends half the year in Tucson, where he is excited to join another Rotary Club. Chip is passionate about service opportunities where he can provide free medical care or visit patients with his emotional support dog. He is interested in the community service, international service and social justice committees."

His medical specialty was internal medicine, Chip told the Post.

When introducing himself to Rotarians, Chip chose a saying/belief from his Jewish tradition: "ikkun Olam," a Hebrew phrase meaning "repairing the world," used to describe actions that improve or heal society (according to online research). "In contemporary practice--Social Action: Since the mid-20th century, progressive and modern Jewish movements have used the term to mean social justice, charity, and community activism;
global causes: today, it inspires work in environmentalism, human rights, fighting hunger, and helping those in need."
---
Taking off with Rotary...

Portland Pearl received our first membership application of the Rotary year from Macala Shon.

Macala is a long-time friend of the Rotarian/Alaska Airlines retiree Kelly Morrow and is a flight attendant with Alaska. PPRC membership chair Nadine Menashe told the club: "She's been hearing about our club forever and was moved to join as soon as she heard Kiki speak at her first meeting as president."

Macala lives in Vancouver and loves hiking, history and travel. Added Nadine: "She's excited about volunteering with our club, so please add her to our MOW rotation and make sure she feels included in projects! She is interested in the community service committee, the youth exchange committee and the social justice committee."

The Post had no photo of her induction...but here's an outdoors image provided by Macala.

09/07/2026

Rotarian Kelly Clendenon, our filmmaker

Rotarian of the Day, Kelly Clendenon

When we first met Kelly nearly a year ago during his introduction to the Pearl, he had completed his first film on how he escaped poverty and a life on the streets. "Helpers" was viewed by many Rotarians.

Common Lens Films, his newly formed company, focuses on documentary storytelling and social justice reporting from Portland. New projects, he told the club, are titled Ground Score and Hygiene 4 All. A video that's progressing has focused on Gather Me Shelter, a nonprofit that recently spoke to PPRC. Kelly is the founder and executive director of CLF.

"We are trying to expand and grow," he reported.

Kelly added that his mother, Jo Martin, a Rotarian and past president of the Towson, Maryland, RC, will join him soon in Oregon. She recently visited our club with her son; she serves as president of her son's venture .

More to discover about Kelly's endeavors, visit: www.commonlensfilms.org

09/07/2026

PPNA cites new vitality in Pearl

Bruce Studer, president of the Portland Pearl Neighborhood Association, brought an upbeat message to Pearl Rotary: The Pearl is experiencing a new vitality, and much of it is coming from efforts to build a stronger sense of community (9/1 meeting).

Studer described a neighborhood that is more than its restaurants, shops, parks, apartments and condominiums. The goal now is to help the 15,000 people who live in the Pearl connect and take greater advantage of the neighborhood’s many public spaces and amenities.

The main points of Bruce's visit were echoed by the theme he posted on the Ecotrust screen: "Re-Ignite the Pearl."

"The key thing we are trying to do is revitalize the Pearl...lots of cool things are going on."

A big part of that effort is outreach—and bringing people together. From four events a year ago, the PPNA will have staged 33 when 2026 ends.

Among the activities Studer reviewed are a Sunday farmers market (3-4,000 people have regularly attended); group yoga in the Fields Park; and scheduled concerts and other community events. Each provides a different way for neighbors to get out, meet one another and enjoy the neighborhood together. (He previewed a "Light Up the Pearl" promotion planned for the holidays--"We're going to make it the Peacock Lane of downtown Portland!")

Studer emphasized the importance of making these activities welcoming and accessible to everyone. The objective isn't simply to put on events; it is to create connections and help residents feel that they are part of a genuine neighborhood.

The neighborhood association is taking on the role of community convener—helping generate ideas, organize activities and create opportunities for neighbors to participate. Gatherings of different sizes and the shared experiences will build momentum and lead to an even more active neighborhood, he believes.

And it's working, Studer boasted: "There's a swagger in the Pearl again."

Studer’s message was simple and positive: there is new energy in the Pearl, and the neighborhood association wants to help turn that energy into community. He further cited the newly formed Pearl Patrol, a volunteer effort on the streets of the community (15 walks a week have been recorded).

The effort was necessitated by the neighborhood's challenges, many coming since 2020 and Covid's negatives. Bruce said property values--for residents and businesses--have fallen 25% over the past four years.

"Between 2010 and 2020, there was no better place on the planet than the Pearl District." His background gives him a wide perspective: Bruce was an active developer and planner in the first part of the 21st Century--an effort that "took an old railroad yard to one of the foremost redevelopment projects in the country." He's lived in the Pearl four years.

Negative publicity, of late, about the Pearl is another challenge for the neighborhood association, he outlined, including the controversy of a homeless, overnight shelter that opened--and will soon close--in the heart of the Pearl. The association board took no formal vote on the effort by Mayor Keith Wilson, he said, while admitting that the majority of its members opposed it. (Many attended an association-promoted meeting with the mayor that brought 600 people to the Portland Center Stage.)

"It was a bad idea," he said of the shelter. "No amount of money and effort in itself could solve the problem."

Bruce believes there's a growing embrace of "Re-Igniting."

"There is a desire for people to be involved. We create ideas for people to join in."

(Want to review activities: see the events calendar live at pearldistrictevents.org)

08/31/2026

Goal: reshaping society
across the generations

Portland Pearl Rotary welcomed Dr. Derenda M. Schubert, PhD, who spent much of her time with members discussing her new book, "The Power of a Joyful Village" (Aug. 25). The book gathers the lessons, stories and strategies behind the inter-generational movement she has spent her career building, offering what she described as the soul of a model reshaping how people care for one another across generations, systems and society.

"We are not meant to live apart," Derenda proclaimed at the outset. (She was interviewed by PPRC Past President Diane Brandsma, a fellow employee.)

Dr. Schubert is CEO of Bridge Meadows, where she has advanced a model bringing together youth, families and elders in neighborhoods built around belonging, healing and joy. She told Rotarians that the book grew out of the conviction that people are not meant to face life alone, and that communities rooted in love and mutual support give everyone, regardless of age or circumstance, a genuine chance to thrive.

"When we create places rooted in love and mutual support," she writes, "everyone has a chance to thrive."

Much of her presentation centered on how that philosophy translates into the everyday life of a Bridge Meadows neighborhood, where elders and young families live side by side, offering each other companionship, practical support and a sense of shared purpose that neither generation could easily find alone. She described the book as an effort to capture not just the strategies behind that model, but the emotional and relational texture of what happens when strangers become an extended family.

Grounding the "Joyful Village" stories, she said, is her deeper understanding of healing, attachment and resilience. She spoke about the process of writing the book itself, describing it as a chance to distill decades of work in child welfare, aging, mental health and housing into a narrative accessible to readers well beyond the non-profit world.

Derenda also touched on the wider recognition Bridge Meadows has received, noting coverage from outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post. The book--which was available for Rotarians to purchase--extends that model's reach to communities far beyond Portland. Her hope, she told the club, is that readers will come away with practical tools as well as inspiration to build their own "joyful villages," wherever they live.

When approaching "living inter-generational," she advised, "people are excited to bring generations together." Demographics will provide a push for that movement. "In 2030, we will have more people over 65 than under 18." She expects an embrace from younger people seeking engagement with elders:

"We have a social isolation epidemic in this country. It's very hard to be a young person today."

Internet and social media have given us more access to the world. But, she believes, "We are also more lonely."

08/31/2026

Meet Viktor Patzelt, PPRC's
inbound exchanger, 2026-27

Viktor, from the Czech Republic, was introduced to Pearl Rotary as the next youth exchange inbound (Aug. 25).

Sponsored by Rotary Club Trutnov in his city of the same name, Viktor arrived ten days ago, reported Steve Long, Pearl club officer. He's 17 and has enrolled at Ida B. Wells High School in S.W. Portland.

Viktor's first host family is Kate and Howie Cockrill; they have two daughters, Georgia and Eliza--host sister Georgia, now a sophomore at Wells, was at the evening meeting.

Picture: Viktor and club President Kyrsten (Kiki) Schenck.

08/24/2026

Back from Germany, Makenna eyes
senior year (Grant), career (nursing)

Pearl Rotary's Aug. 18 breakfast meeting opened with Jerry Baysinger, song leader, directing the words to the speaker of the day, Makenna Rose Cronin:

"This is the perfect song on what youth exchange does--building peace around the world." And Rotarians crooned with the New Seekers:

I'd like to see the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills
Ah, peace throughout the land

Makenna, who went to Berlin, Germany, and was sponsored by PPRC, opened: "One of the best parts for me was the friends I made...from all over the world. [They] made me more confident and open-minded."

That happened on European trips with both fellow y.e. inbound students and with host families. London, Paris, Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Italy (her favorite)--all were brought to the Ecotrust screen by "Kenna."

"Pizza in Venice?--Amazing!"

The journeys were "exciting," she told Rotarians. Her talk will also be remembered for its candor. Her "struggles" included learning German, fitting into the rigors of a strict high school, enduring winter and occasional conflicts with host families.

Regardless, "I never failed to make friends...I'm bringing back far more than souvenirs."

She carried a banner from her host Rotary Club, presenting it to President Kyrsten "Kiki" Schenck. To PPRC, she offered gratitude. "You are a really amazing club."

Makenna, the daughter of Rotarian Ravi Rose, enters Grant H.S. this week for her senior year. Her vocational goal, she said during Q&A, is to enter nursing. Of her next adventures in life, "I feel like I have it planned out."

Kiki was among those wishing Kenna well: "You're going to do great things. Thanks."

08/19/2026

Moving stones--that's the motive of
Rotarians, DG Renee tells PPRC
Portland Pearl Rotary, District Governor Renee Fontenot observed, "is one of my favorite clubs...this is a fun club and I'm very happy to be here."

Renee's official rounds of visiting 60+ District 5100 clubs opened with the salute to the Pearl before focusing on "stones in the way" (Aug. 11). Rotarians, she said, "are stone movers--we see obstacles and move them."

She cited Rotarian Alan Bacharch's effort to combat cervical cancer. That started with an Alabama outreach that this PPRC learned at the Calgary RI convention a year ago. "It's amazing what he's managed to do," the DG added. Applause for Alan, who was beaming, filled the room.

Forest fires in the Northwest are a major and new "obstacle," Renee said. Again, Rotarians "have an opportunity to move 'stones.'" She explained an elaborate framework that's been built for disaster relief across 30 Rotary districts. Also there's a mechanism for clubs and indiviudal Rotarians to respond to disastrous fires that struck nearby Spokane, Wash.

Next spring at the 5100 annual conference (May 15, at OMSI), Rotarians will again be "moving stones." Three service projects that will engage Rotarians and the community are planned in conjunction with sessions, speeches and acknowledgments. "Celebrating Lasting Impact" is promised, tying 5100 to the RI President's theme for 2026-27.

Renee ended by introducing Steve Long, Pearl member, for the governor's groundbreaking award. Steve's leadership over the past year as club youth exchange officer was lauded.

"Every Rotarian," she said of Steve's service, "has an opportunity to move some stones."

Renee, a 21-year Rotarian, lives in Hillsboro and is a member of the Rotary Club of Tualatin. A regular District Newsbyte is published for all Rotarians, Pearl members who want to receive them in the future can send a quick email to Liz Butson at the District Office, [email protected], and she can get you re-subscribed.

Pictured : District Governor Renee Fontenot awarded Steve Long with the prestigious Rotary Ground Breaker Award for his exemplary service to the Portland Pearl Rotary Club.

Second picture: Fontenot and banner

08/15/2026

Weekly Spotlights--youth exchange
Nathan Zich proclaims: "My turn"

For as long as he can remember, Rotary youth exchange--inbound students and outbound, too--permeated everyday life.

His family hosted numerous times--he cited Thomas from Brazil and Kush from India in recent times. His sisters, Katy, and Rebecca, had exchanges sponsored by Pearl Rotary, to Denmark and India, respectively.

"Every day the world was at my dinner table," Nathan told Rotarians on Aug. 4. "It's my turn to go on exchange."

The sixteen-year-old from Grant High School leaves this Thursday for Chile. His host club will be in the city of Pichilemu. "The surfing capital," Nathan said; the city is located on the Pacific south and west of Santiago.

He looks forward to experiences with native and social and cultural interactions. Attired in his traditional blue blazer, without pins and souvenirs that will come, Nathan closed:

"I am so excited. I have butterflies in my stomach."

He ended with a salute to Pearl Rotary. "You have changed the world...Now it's 'my turn.'"

Blessing visits, gives update

Two years ago, Blessing Amponsah stood before PPRC about to begin her Rotary youth exchange year in Brazil. She had finished her sophomore year at McDaniel.

Her successful international outbound year was followed by her senior year of high school in Portland. Now she's completed a year of college at Santa Clara University in the Bay Area of California.

She's studying neuroscience, she told Rotarians (including her Pearl youth exchange officer, Bob Turner, whom she greeted with a hug). Blessing was accompanied by her sister, Precious, who is about to enter eighth grade.

Current officer Steve Long reported that the club's next inbound, a boy from the Czech Republic, is due to arrive Aug. 20 for his year under PPRC. On Aug. 18, the club will hear from the most recent outbound, Makenna (Kenna) Cronin, who traveled to Germany on Rotary exchange.

08/03/2026

Gab, his family, travel here to
renew Pearl Rotary connections

It's been just over a year since Gabriel ("Gab") Bobard, Pearl Rotary's 2024-25 inbound youth exchanger, returned to France.

But his physical contacts in the last 14 months have been more frequent than most Rotary students experience.

Gab, now 19, was back in Portland this week with his parents, Aurore and Franck Bobard, and his brother, Sacha, age 21. They arrived Thursday from Seattle and stayed with Phil and Vickie Rothrock, his first of three host parents during his exchange year. A France flag welcomed the quartet to the Rothrock Northeast Portland home.

The Rothrocks had previously been welcomed by the Bobards in their home city of Segre Haut where the family owns a jewelry store.

During his Portland stay, Gab also connected with his second and third families--Rotarian John Kuiper (and Berri Hsiao); Emma and Steven Heitner and their two daughters who hosted Gab on Sunday. Saturday morning was spent with Berri’s son, Dylan, shooting at targets at a range somewhere near Sauvie Island, followed by an afternoon barbecue at their house.

The Bobards' last evening also found the French four hosted for dinner by Janet Young (and Bob Hinger); Janet, president during Gab's year here, was among a group of visiting Rotarians to Angers last spring who connected with Gab, his family and his sponsoring Rotary Club, Segre Haut-Angou. His father, Franck, was then the club president. PPRC Rotarians also visited a club service project--a farm for young people with intellectual challenges.

Pictured BELOW are the Rothrocks with their guests...the French foursome with a Portland skyline background...and the Sunday evening event that included the Rothwells, Janet and Bob, and Rotarians Michael Steen, Jonelle Anderson and Jan Berger.

On Monday, Gab, his brother and parents were headed south for San Francisco and Los Angeles before returning home.

08/03/2026

Ngamwa District Global Grant Update

On July 28th at Pearl Rotary, Dawn Schneider provided an update on the Ngamwa project in Kenya and shared some of her experience while visiting the project in May.

Approved in April 2025 the Ngamwa grant is a $158,000 Water and Sanitation project at the Ngamwa Primary school in rural Kenya. The project includes a borehole (well), water tower and tank (pictured above), new sanitation facilities for the students, and a community water kiosk.

Construction is complete on the borehole and water storage tank. The borehole is 774 feet deep, the water storage tank is on a 30 foot tall tower and holds 12,000 gallons of water.

The new sanitation facilities for the school students have just been completed. Photos of the beautiful tiled latrines with colored doors were shared. Included in the project is a disabled toilet and a menstrual hygiene room.

Still to be completed is a water treatment system that is necessary due to the high iron content in the borehole water, and the community water kiosk. It is hoped that this last phase of construction will be completed within the next month.

While visiting the school Dawn delivered school supplies generously donated by PPRC members. There were enough pencils, pens, sharpeners, crayons, etc for each of the school's 300 students to receive a personally delivered gift. This was the highlight of Dawn’s trip, she shared thank you cards from the students to the club. Kenyan Rotarian Rachel Kungu told Dawn that the impact of such a visit could not be underestimated, that the students would remember the visit and gifts for the rest of their lives.

Dawn also attended the presidential installation of Joshua Okeyo, current president of the Milimani RC, our partner in the grant. The installation was a formal event held on a Saturday night, much different than how PPRC transitions presidents. Dawn was one of the several speakers at the event. She also attended the Milimani RC weekly meeting. Thanks to the generosity of PPRC she was able to award Paul Harris Fellows to 4 Milimani RC members who supported the Ngamwa project. The Rotarians greatly appreciated this special gift.

Dawn closed by sharing how valuable the experience of international fellowship and service has been to her, and expressed her gratitude to PPRC for supporting international projects.

Pictured":

Students at Ngamwa Primary School receiving gifts from PPRC

Thank you cards from students at Ngamwa Primary School

New girls latrine at Ngamwa Primary School- 29 new stalls for boys and girls were built.

Portland Pearl Rotary Club

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