2/5/26 Rotary Off the Cuff: Shelli Sonderen & Mike Church

What’s your favorite day of the week?

Mike: Saturday

Shelli: My favorite day of the week is when I have no responsibilities.

Which Winter Olympic sport do you like to watch the most?

Shelli: Well, I didn’t know the Olympics were coming, so we’ll say that. I think something with flair would be fun to watch. I don’t know, maybe ice skating.

Mike: All of the skiing sports, I especially like the ski jump. I watched that movie, Eddie the Eagle, one time and loved it, especially when they wipe out.

Would you rather ask for permission or beg for forgiveness?

Mike: Always beg for forgiveness.

Shelli: My motto is that as well.

What do you wish you had learned sooner in your life?

Mike: Well, I just got back from my first-ever guys’ trip with some of my Rotary friends to the British Virgin Islands. I had so much fun and developed such deeper friendships with my friends, I wish I would have learned that developing friendships with my guy friends was as important as it is, which I realize now.

Shelli: I wish I would have learned sooner that it’s important to just put something on your calendar and to not wait for the perfect moment, because oftentimes you have to make the perfect moment.

How long have you been a Rotarian and who/what inspired you to join?

Mike: I have been a Rotarian for almost 35 years, starting with Rotaract. I joined because I wanted to get new clients for business and stayed because of my friends. 

Shelli: I was also in Rotaract, but we were in different years. [Laughter…Mike says, “Thank you.” Shelli responds, “You’re welcome.”] I joined Rotaract because I came as a guest. Mark (Sonderen) actually gave me an award, and I saw what Rotary was all about, and that’s how I joined Rotaract. But then I joined this Club 2 ½ years ago, and I stayed because I really like the people here, and I get to choose to be here. I think it’s important to choose to be around the people that make you a better person.