Member News
Stay up-to-date on everything happening in and around Eugene Southtowne Rotary Club.
December Social Recap
Although the turn out was less than expected the fun was more than anticipated!
Good food, great desserts, wonderful music by the Emerald Valley Chorus, fun games, and a holiday sing-along!
Officer and Board Elections are Coming Soon
We are working on our election process for the 2025-2026 Rotary Year. According to our handbook, we are supposed to have our slate of candidates ready to vote upon by early December. If you want to run for the board (which will also include heading a committee), please let us know soon. You can also nominate someone for these roles.
We are looking for the following for the upcoming Rotary Year, which starts July 1st, 2026:
- Local Services Director (oversees Local Service Projects)
- Resource Director (oversees the administration of our various committees).
For questions, email:
Patric – patricjmiller@gmail.com
Sylvia – rotary.sylvia2526@gmail.com
Karen – jkfretwell@comcast.net
Travis – travismisfeldt@zoho.com
Thanks for stepping up to Southtowne Leadership!
Rotary Friendship Exchange: Upcoming Opportunities
The Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) program offers Rotarians and their partners the chance to experience culture, service, and fellowship through personal connection. Participants travel as Rotary ambassadors, stay with host Rotarians, and engage in local activities that bring Rotary’s global mission to life.
Outgoing exchange updates for District 5110 include:
- Peru – District 4455 (April 14–29, 2026)
CLOSED – Team Selected. The Peru exchange to Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco generated strong interest and is now full. We look forward to sharing highlights from the team upon their return. - Western Kentucky – District 6710 (April 14–29, 2026)
This exchange will focus on bluegrass music, regional traditions, bourbon heritage, and pre-Kentucky Derby festivities.
Watch a short video from our Kentucky RFE hosts
Application deadline: January 15, 2026. - Brazil – District 4410, Espírito Santo (April 26–May 9, 2026)
Planned with an emphasis on culture, nature, and service, this exchange will showcase Brazilian hospitality and Rotary projects. Dates may shift slightly as planning continues.
Application deadline: January 30, 2026. - Northwest Washington & Vancouver Island – District 5020 (September 10–24, 2026)
A closer-to-home exchange highlighting scenery, culture, and service. Additional details will be shared as planning progresses.
Planning is also underway for a Memphis / Mid-South exchange in 2027.
Rotary Friendship Exchange is open to Rotarians and partners who enjoy active travel, cultural immersion, and home hospitality. For more information or to express interest, contact the District 5110 RFE Committee:
Paul Spain, spainer58@yahoo.com
Patty Dempsey, pg.demps@gmail.com
Camille Ronzio, ajr60@comcast.net
Karen Fretwell Recover Update
We learned that Karen Fretwell, our Past President, is recovering well at home. Here’s a photo from a video call with this weekend’s MKA crew to Karen.
Last Week’s Meeting at SEHS
We truly enjoyed last week’s meeting at South Eugene High School and the pleasure of listening to the students’ musical performance. It was a delight to see such talent and hard work on display. We are grateful to the students and staff for their warm welcome.
Invite Your Friends to Our Community!
Help us grow our community by inviting your friends to join our email list! With their approval, you can easily sign them up on our website to stay informed about all the exciting events and updates we send out, including the weekly Spinoff.
