From Mt. St. Helens to shipwrecks,
from presidents to pedestrian stories–
Mike Donahue, 40 years in TV journalism

For four decades, television journalist Mike Donahue had a constant presence in the lives of Oregonians. And when he spoke to Portland Pearl Rotary Aug. 14, two Rotarians proclaimed the recently retired KOIN-TV broadcaster, “our Walter Cronkite.”

“He was part of our lives for forty years,” Rotarian Nancy Fowler said in her introduction. His tenure began as a journalistic intern from the University of Oregon in 1968…and with the exception of 3-1/2 years of military duty, he was on duty as a reporter and anchor until his retirement on May 31, 2012.

Donahue’s 25-minute presentation included clips of him on the scenes of major news stories, beginning with his work before and during the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Terming it “the biggest thing to happen here in two centuries,” Donahue showed clips of the devastation–seen from the press plane that accompanied President Jimmy Carter. More memorable than covering a president, Donahue said, was interviewing Harry Truman, the mountaineer who refused to leave his cabin despite warnings that a major volcano would take his life. “The mountain is part of me,” Truman had said. Reflected Donahue: “He is now a permanent part of the mountain.”

Major news stories defined Donahue’s domain–including the May 1986 tragedy on Mt. Hood when nine students and teachers from the Oregon Episcopal School froze to death; coverage of Gov. Tom McCall and the environment; and the 1999 shipwreck of the New Carissa which ran aground in a winter storm near Coos Bay.

When he began, there were just five channels on television; today, “you can access one thousand channels.”

“Cameras have advanced by leaps and bounds,” he continued. “This is not your father’s TV news today.”

But, he asked, “Is TV news better today?’ He answered: “Yes and no.”

Broadcast journalism is far more instant today, Donahue observed: “It’s news gathering ‘in the raw.’ It’s a rough first draft…In the rush to get on the air, it can be being first rather than right. You as viewers need to decide if you want speed rather than accuracy.”

He urged Rotarians to contact the local stations and demand what they want from television news in Portland. “What you see on TV is what the majority of people want to see,” Donahue said, referring to the crime and accident beats which so often dominate. “If you want something different, you need to speak up…

“It can be so much better if you play your role.”

Today retired at 66 and without the rush of deadlines, Donahue has time to perfect his rose garden and reflect: “I have more time for travel and to see some of God’s amazing creation.”

Jambo! Lou Radja ends his presidency, cites Pearl Rotary’s accomplishments

Lou called himself a “reluctant” president.

But his initial uncertainty 15 months ago when he agreed to be 2011-12 Pearl Rotary president was short-lived. Now after a year at the helm, Radja can look back and use other adjectives. The experience, he told Rotarians at his farewell July 3, was “awesome” and “wonderful.”

Summarized the native Congolese Rotarian: “It’s been an incredible journey… I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve.”

Radja reminded Rotarians of his ten goals (citing “progress in every area”). Those included making a greater impact in the Pearl District, successful fundraising (he cited both Bet on the Pearl and the recent cruise raffle–see story below) and amazing membership growth (the club went from 50 to 72 on his watch–and he inducted a new member before passing the gavel).

“Stretch goals,” Radja called them a year ago, encouraging Rotarians to “go beyond the call of duty.” He cited the Nepal solar project at an Asian hospital initiated by international service Chair Jordan Weisman. “A quarter of a million people in western Nepal will be touched by Rotary.”

He also cited an African proverb:

“Back home [in the Congo], we say, ‘If you want go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go with others.’ ” That’s exemplified in PPRC by our development of “future leaders” and our connections with District 5100 programs, Radja said.

He complimented individual Rotarians for their behind-the-scenes efforts to assure “a smooth-running club.” And he cited those who assured accomplishments and fellowship:

“Success is a team sport; we’ve been able to do it as a family.”

With that, Radja passed the gavel to Dave Haack, who saluted his predecessor for “your commitment, your graciousness, your caring.” Haack then presented Radja his past president’s lapel pin and his new button. With his beaming characteristic smile, Radja held the button high and took a seat.

And collectively, his fellow Rotarians were saying, “Jambo, Lou.”

Many hands make a lighter load

by Dave Haack, President

Paul Harris founded Rotary in 1905 to promote fellowship among local professionals and to provide service to the community. Our club clearly represents those two ideals. But, we cannot sit on our laurels.

Fellowship and service are not serendipitous enterprises. With a plethora of new members, a focused plan is necessary to promote both fellowship and service. This year Lori Beight will lead our club service committee primarily fostering fellowship, and Tracy Vicario and the membership committee will continue promoting membership and membership retention. Lori and Tracy need committee members committed to making our club a warm, welcoming place for members and guests. If you believe fellowship is important and should not be taken for granted, please join with Lori and/or Tracy.

As club secretary, I had to write a report listing our service activities. The list included an amazing array of local and international projects in all five of Rotary’s Avenues of Service. We can be proud of our accomplishments. Every member, new and long-term, should actively serve on a club service committee. Our Tuesday club meeting of two weeks ago where committee chairs discussed their projects was at attempt to provide information and inspire club members to join the fun!

This is not to pressure anyone. One of the beauties of our club is that we recognize the unique circumstances of each member–family, school and careers. Please evaluate your situation; if you have the time and interest to join a committee, please do so. Many hands make for a lighter load…and greater fellowship!

Here’s the 2012-13 Pearl Rotary board of directors (first meeting is Thursday, July 12, 7:30 a.m., Jerry Baysinger’s office):

• President: Dave Haack
• Past President: Lou Radja
• President-Elect and Community Service: Marc Hillman
• Secretary: Pat Mahoney
• Treasurer: Michael Steen
• Club Service: Lori Beight
• Community Service (co-chairs): Marc Hillman, Farhad Ghafarzade
• Vocational Service: Yelena Girich
• International Service: Jordan Weisman
• New Generations Service: Darcy Cronin (the committee is co-chaired by Genevieve Morganstern; domains include: Interact at Lincoln HS, Rotaract at PSU, Youth Exchange and Student of the Month from Lincoln H.S.)
• Membership: Tracy Vicario
• Communications/PR: Don Smith
• Rotary Foundation: Phil Rothrock
• Pearl Fund: Jerry Baysinger
• Fundraising: Greg Mottau

At Pearl Rotary breakfasts each Tuesday morning, Kevin Mowell sets the buffet table.

Soon he can be on the receiving end of meal preparation: Mowell is the winner of PPRC’s cruise raffle. Kevin, pictured on the right with President Lou Radja, can choose a destination for two people from Holland America’s ten-day cruises.

His winning ticket was drawn June 19 by Elisabeth Gruner, inbound youth exchange student from Germany. She is flanked by fundraising Chair Greg Mottau (left) and committee member Duane Cook. Value of the first-place prize is $5,400.

Mowell’s entry was purchased by Honorary Rotarian Julie Wallner who bought tickets for her six managers. Pearl Rotarian Don Smith sold the cruise winner ticket.

The successful raffle netted $13,000 for the club’s non-profit Pearl Fund. Among the international and community projects that will receive funding is the club’s major effort to install solar energy at a rural hospital in Nepal. The top prize was arranged through Willamette International Travel, represented in Pearl Rotary by Nancy Fowler.

Winning tickets were also drawn for the second- and third-place prizes: Al Dennison, director of the Pearl District Business Association, won the $800 cash prize (Don Barney made the sale); Carol Rogoway, the mother of a Clackamas Rotarian, now has a new iPad (Mottau sold the ticket when attending the noon club).

Over 1,570 tickets were purchased over the past two months. New Pearl Rotarian Denise Razzeto won the dinner for two at Salty’s by selling 201 tickets.

Next events on PPRC’s fundraising scheduled are: Friday, July 27, golf tournament in Newberg; and Friday evening, Oct. 19, our annual dinner and auction (with entertainment) for the Pearl Fund.

Peace through Education is the theme of the Pearl Rotary Club-Portland Rotaract symposium planned for Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Hall. The event features many examples of how Oregon leadership and organizations have contributed to peace and education in schools around the world.
This gathering of interested professionals and students was inspired by the work of Portland leaders whose work continues to help prepare students for a peaceful, productive life. Also stories from the field of community foundations, microcredit, peace actions and global action will be illustrated by 21 speakers and two panels. The luncheon keynote speaker is Julie Mancini, director of Mercy Corps Action Center local and global involvement.

Portland Pearl Rotary President Lou Radja, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will open the conference at 9 a.m., speaking on “The Importance of Schools Today Internationally.”

Also, please see the brochure on the Peace Symposium here.

Rotarians’ efforts at building peace were supported Nov. 2 when the City of Portland passed a resolution, citing Rotary International’s “Respect for cultural diversity and the life and dignity of every person, without discrimination of prejudice; Resolution of conflict within local and global communities; and Reconciliation of differences in pursuit of harmony.”

Also, read Mayor Sam Adams, “the Rotary Peace Committee of Portland and the City of Portland join together to promote peace, understanding and goodwill between our residents in in communities around the world.”

Sharing Rotary’s peace-building seminar with Adams and the city council was Pearl Rotarian Roger Meyer. He was joined in the council chambers by fellow Rotarians Radja and Anne O’Neill (Pearl club) and Al Jubitz, Portland Rotary.

The symposium is open to the public. Student admission is $10 and all others $25, which includes the luncheon, the symposium and the conference syllabus containing resources and speaker summaries. Surrounding the PSU peace-building meeting will be resource tables from the World Affairs Council, Rotaract, Rotary Foundation and Mercy Corps as well as other inspiring groups.

Advance registration may be mailed to Peace Education Symposium, 1220 N.E. 17th Avenue, Suite 11E, Portland, OR 97232. Make checks payable to Pearl Rotary Club. Online registration will open the first week of January.