SAVE THE DATE!

A Conversation with Phil Smart, Sr.

August 9, 2012 | 12:00 p.m.
The Rainier Club

The Seattle Philanthropic Advisors Network is pleased to announce that Phil Smart, Sr., will be the featured speaker at its Summer 2012 program on Thursday, August 9, at 12:00 p.m. at the Rainier Club in downtown Seattle. Please mark your calendar now and plan to join us.

Phil Smart grew up in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, he enrolled at the University of Washington, but World War II intervened during his sophomore year. He served 18 months in Italy and North Africa before returning to build the area's first and most-successful Mercedes-Benz dealerships that bear his name. At the same time, he was driven to serve as both a volunteer and volunteerism advocate, particularly to causes benefiting children.

Mr. Smart's discipline and commitment to service were forged while on active duty in the U.S. Army during WWII and in the Reserve, from which he retired as a colonel after 27 years.

He volunteered weekly at Seattle Children's Hospital for more than 46 years and spent 26 Christmas mornings appearing as Santa Claus. He also has spoken to roughly 736 organizations on their behalf, both nationally and internationally. He has addressed more than 93,000 people with his philosophy on community service and the lessons learned from sick and dying children.

Phil was an Eagle Scout and went on to later serve as Scoutmaster for 14 years. He also served in other Scouting roles, including Council President. The Boy Scouts of America awarded him the Silver Beaver for his volunteer service and the Scouts' Distinguished Eagle Award. The Urban Scouting Center in Seattle is named for him.

While president of Seattle Rotary Club in 1989, Phil encouraged his fellow Rotary members to follow his example by volunteering in the community. He urged them to 'do more than write checks and attend meetings--get out there and do something.'

At 93, Phil Smart is more enthusiastic than ever about what he considers his life's purpose: to motivate others to help change lives using their "third eight". We each have 24 hours in a day: 8 for work or school, 8 for sleep, and a third 8 for giving back to our community and our world.

In naming Phil Smart First Citizen of 1994, the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors stated, "Phil is a true believer that life is not measured by duration, but by donation. Through his service to others and advocacy of volunteerism, Phil truly has found the way to give himself away."

Phil Smart believes: "I'm not everyone, but I am someone. I can't do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I will do."

Please join us for this exceptional opportunity to hear this dynamic Seattle businessman, volunteer, and philanthropist speak on August 9th at 12:00 p.m. at The Rainier Club, 820 4th Avenue, in downtown Seattle. The cost is FREE for SPAN members or $65 for non-members. Mark your calendar and register today!