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Oct 27 Speaker
Our speaker for our October 27th Zoom meeting is Mark Ritchie, Branch Chief at DBEDT. Mark Ritchie joined the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) as the Branch Chief for Business Support services. Mark works on a number of economic development programs including: Community-based Economic Development (CBED), which provides grants and loans for small businesses; Enterprise Zones, which gives businesses tax benefits in exchange for job creation; HiSTEP (Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program), which assists Hawaii companies with exporting products and services to larger markets outside the state. Prior to DBEDT Mark has held positions in a Hawaii Life Science start-up, a major Silicon Valley tech company in addition to economic development positions in several global trade and inward investment organizations.  Mark holds a BA in political economy from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in international business from the Fletcher School, Tufts/Harvard Universities.
 
OCTOBER IS ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MONTH: Rotary supports investments in people to create measurable and enduring economic improvement in their lives and communities. The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to invest in people by creating sustainable, measurable, and long-term economic improvements in their communities and livelihoods by: 1. Building the capacity of entrepreneurs, community leaders, local organizations, and community networks to support economic development in impoverished communities; 2. Developing opportunities for productive work; 3. Reducing poverty in under-served communities; 4. Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to economic and community development.
 
Last year, The Rotary Foundation spent $9.2 million to grow local economies and reduce poverty by breaking the cycle of poverty for women, provided 250 microloans and trained more than 270 community members in sewing, baking, plumbing, microcredit, sustainable farming and more.
Upcoming Events
Mtg- Speaker Terrina Wong - Pacific Gateway Center
Pacific Club
Oct 20, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Mtg- Speaker Mark Ritchie
Oct 27, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Mtg- Speaker PDG Del Green
Nov 03, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
DARK for Veterans Day
Nov 10, 2023
 
Mtg - Speaker TBD
Zoom
Nov 17, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
DARK for Thanksgiving
Nov 24, 2023
 
Mtg - Speaker TBD
Zoom
Dec 01, 2023
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Christmas Party
Outrigger Canoe Club
Dec 08, 2023
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
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World Polio Day
World Polio Day on October 24th each year, is a time for Rotary members, public health advocates, and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize our progress in the fight to end polio, and talk about the actions we need to take in order to end polio for good. We observe World Polio Day to raise awareness of the importance of polio vaccination to protect every child from this devastating disease, and to celebrate the many parents, professionals and volunteers whose contributions make polio eradication achievable.
 
Please join our West Honolulu Rotary team and donate online to the Rotary PolioPlus fund. CLICK HERE to donate.
 
Rotary and our partners have made tremendous progress against polio, but eliminating all cases is going to take even more progress and perseverance. Afghanistan and Pakistan face unique challenges, including political insecurity, highly mobile populations, difficult terrain, and, in some instances, vaccine refusal and misinformation. With sufficient resources, the commitment of national governments, and innovations that improve access to remote areas, we are optimistic that we can eliminate polio.
 
Club Foundation Chair Mike Kato thanks you for your donation!
 
                   
Upcoming WHR Meetings & Events- SAVE THE DATE!
As we head into the holiday season, let's reflect on all the things to be thankful for and that enrich our lives. We will be dark (no meeting) for Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.  Our holiday party will be on Friday, December 8th at the Outrigger Canoe Club.  Please sign up on the Google sheet.
West Honolulu Sign Up sheet
 
Meeting ID: 817 8451 0005,Passcode: 253649
 
FUTURE MEETINGS
We will not have in-person meetings until January, due to the holidays.  Zoom meetings will be on 10/27, 11/3,11/17 and 12/15.  
Please sign up for the holiday party on December 8th at the Outrigger Canoe Club and we have a service project in November, stay tuned for details.