Rotarian Ron Herring will share the inspiring story of Project Flourish, a Rotary global grant initiative led by the Lake Oswego Rotary Club in 2022-23. This project supported MAIA, an Indigenous-run high school in Guatemala, by developing and implementing a gap year program to prepare graduates for higher education and workplace success.
The MAIA School celebrated its first graduating class in 2021, and since then, the program has yielded outstanding results. Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, all 80 participants passed university entrance exams, with 61% enrolling in university or securing formal employment. Additionally, 15% received full scholarships or immediate job placements, and three graduates earned international scholarships—one even speaking at an Obama Foundation event.
Ron will share the program’s measurable impact, the social changes it has driven, and future opportunities for Rotary clubs to support this transformative work.
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. Guests are welcome. Lunch is available off the menu; please arrive and order by 11:45 a.m. if you are ordering lunch. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.
Official bio:
Ron Herring has three grown children and five grandchildren with his wife of 55 years. He served 18 years in corporate management in the manufacturing and service sectors in the Western U.S. He has 30 years consulting and small business development success, having built four successful companies. He continues as a co-founder and 20+ year partner of a SCUBA diving shop in Belize, Central America.
Ron served several years on the Board of Directors of the Visitors and Convention Bureau of Washington County, Oregon, including as President in 1997-98.
Having been a Beaverton Rotarian in the 1990’s, Ron joined the Lake Oswego club in 2020. He has chaired the Peacebuilder Committee, currently serves as Foundation Chair, and manages the International Service Committee operations.
He currently presides over two non-profit organizations dedicated to helping youth education and achievement. Ron continues to collaborate with and support several community non-profit organizations in the Portland, Oregon metro area.
