April 7, 2026

Join us for an important conversation with Julie Wise, Director of King County Elections. At a moment when national attention is once again focused on voting laws and access, Julie’s visit could not be more relevant. As our nation debates proposals that may reshape how Americans register and participate in elections, this is an opportunity to hear directly from one of the most respected election administrators in the country.

Julie will share her perspective on the current state of our election systems, including how secure and reliable they already are here in Washington. She’ll also address the broader national conversation around voter eligibility, election integrity, and access—topics that have been the subject of increasing scrutiny and, at times, misinformation. While claims of widespread irregularities have circulated for years, they have consistently been tested—and disproven—through our court systems. Julie brings a fact-based, on-the-ground view of how elections are actually run and safeguarded.

If you care about the strength of our democracy and the confidence we place in our institutions, this is a program you won’t want to miss. Please join us for an informed, thoughtful discussion—and feel free to bring a guest who would value a clear-eyed look at one of the most important issues facing our country today.

March 17, 2026

Judge Gregory will offer a practical look at the judicial system as we experience it here in our region, sharing insights from the bench about how courts are working today — and the challenges they face in keeping the system fair, efficient, and functioning.

Our conversation will touch on questions many people are asking: How can courts operate more efficiently? How do we prevent endless delays and gamesmanship in the system? And what happens when government actors choose to ignore judicial decisions? With experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, public defender, and now municipal court judge, Jeff brings a uniquely balanced perspective to these issues.

A Washington native and graduate of Lower Columbia College, the University of Washington, and Gonzaga Law, Judge Gregory has spent his career serving communities throughout King County — and when he’s not in the courtroom, you’re likely to find him coaching youth baseball.

March 10, 2026

Fellow Sunrise Rotarian Tom Fowler will lead a thought-provoking conversation titled “Seeking Wise Counsel.” In both leadership and everyday life, we are constantly faced with decisions that benefit from the perspective of others. Tom will explore where we turn for guidance, how we recognize counsel that is truly wise, and how we respond when the advice we receive challenges our thinking.

Just as importantly, Tom will reflect on the responsibility we share when offering counsel ourselves—how to provide guidance that is thoughtful, honest, and genuinely helpful to those seeking it. It promises to be a meaningful and engaging discussion, and a great way to start the day. We hope you’ll join us—and feel free to bring a guest.

March 3, 2026

Our guest speaker will be Dr. Sibyl Frankenburg of the University of Washington’s College of Education — a passionate educator who is shaping the next generation of teachers across the Puget Sound region. Drawing on her experience as a former high school social studies teacher and current coach to Master of Teaching candidates, Dr. Frankenburg will share how today’s educators are trained, mentored, and inspired to make history come alive for students in ways that connect the past to the world they live in now.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Frankenburg brings a civic perspective through her service on the boards of the Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Brennan Center for Justice, underscoring the powerful link between education, democracy, and community life. If you care about the future of education — and the leaders it will shape — this is a morning you won’t want to miss. Please join us, and feel free to bring a guest for a thoughtful start to your day.

February 24, 2026

I hope you’ll join us next Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. at the Embassy Suites in Bellevue for breakfast, fellowship, and a timely program from our very own Steve Schmitz. Steve and his wife Peggy are principals of Schmitz & Associates, a Bellevue-based CPA firm that has served the community for more than 38 years. A University of North Dakota accounting graduate (Go Bisons!) with additional graduate studies at Gonzaga, Steve will help us make sense of the changing tax landscape at both the federal and state levels — so we’re all a bit better prepared when the “Taxman” comes knocking.

Please plan to attend and give Steve a warm Sunrise welcome, both as a respected tax professional and a long-standing Rotarian. This will be an informative — and dare I say financially therapeutic — morning, and you may even leave humming a certain Beatles tune on your way out. Guests are always welcome, so feel free to bring a friend.

February 17, 2026

Our speaker will be… President Randy Ohlendorf. He will be reprising his classification talk from ten years ago on Oregon running legend Steve Prefontaine. Even if you attended the original presentation, this updated version offers a fresh perspective on a true cultural and Northwest icon, with new insights and meaningful connections to his enduring legacy in sports and society.

February 10, 2026

We are pleased to welcome Shira Brewer, Executive Director of PropagationNation, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to strengthening environmental resilience and economic stability in the Pacific Northwest by planting coast redwoods and giant sequoias. PropagationNation is an intergenerational movement focused on renewing our environment by assisting the climate-adaptive migration of these magnificent trees and enhancing the long-term resilience and natural beauty of our region.

Founded in 2019 by three Boeing retirees, PropagationNation has already facilitated the planting of thousands of coast redwood and giant sequoia saplings in more than 70 communities across 10 Washington counties. Shira will share the organization’s inspiring story and the impact this work is having close to home.

February 3, 2026

We are honored to welcome Sue Rahr as our guest speaker who most recently as Interim Seattle Police Chief (2024-2025). Sue will speak to us on  our country’s broken immigration enforcement program. She will compare and contrast federal immigration enforcement with effective municipal policing standards. Sue will also address where we go from here in light of recent high-profile events, including national debates over federal immigration enforcement.