July 18, 2011 Spokesman

Posted by Doug Carter 
on Jul 18, 2011
 
Rotary meeting notes for 18 July 2011

Doug Carter, Scribe

The meeting was called to order by President Branon Honcoop at 6:30pm.  Tonights greeter was Bob Auslander.  

An Inspirational Moment was provided by John Woodbery.   His wife's uncle, Leonard, recently celebrated his 95th birthday.  Leonard served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Pacific theater.  During the battle for Muzon, Leonards position was overrun and he was grievously bayonetted.  Unable to leave his position or be rescued Leonard remain alone, wounded, throughout the night.  Leonard survived, returned to the States and was discharged on VJ day.  Despite the trauma of battle and severe wound, Leonard engaged civilian life in a positive and constructive way.  Much later in life, at 90, Leonard suffered a nearly fatal aneurysm and what might be described as a near death experience.  Recovering, Leonard's reaction was to redouble his efforts at enjoying life in the moment without worry of the past or what might come setting a positive example for all.

Visting Rotarian's included: Dwight Olson (well not a visitor but long time Kirkland Rotarian... Nice to have you back Dwight), Scot East - Bellevue, Tuesday noon
Other Visitors: Anne Hamilton, Rob Robertson, Susan Musi, PJ Glasy, Beverly Grant.
Club Announcements: 
Member Induction:

Megan Nakanishi, sponsored by her grandfather, Bill Woods and mentored by Elizabeth Rusnak received her induction into Kirkland Rotary and her Red Badge from President Honcoop.  Welcome Megan!

Main Program -  Duck Review to the Future, President Honcoop, John Pruitt

John commented that our club has raised on the order of $73,000 this year including about $35,000 from the Duck Dash.  Over its fourteen year history the Duck Dash has raised about $574,000!

A spirited but constructive discussion of four topics was held.  In very brief summary of points:

1. Constructive Discussion on why to keep the Duck Dash

Pluses
  • History of success ($$), excellent "branding" and generation of community goodwill
  • Can grow (scalable), broad based appeal, family friendly, "inclusive"
  • Getting easier, a "turnkey" event, takes a variety of talents to produce, brings us together
  • Coupons are popular
Minuses
  • DATE: 4th of July conflicts with family holiday plans for many, makes for a long day (7:30am to 4:30pm)
  • Hard to staff some sales venues, poor weather in May doesn't help
  • Some member don't like to sell tickets
  • Burnout: a few members have carried the bulk of the load, year after year, after year...

2. Constructive Discussion on changing the Duck Dash

  • Change the race day.  If race day was in September, tickets could be sold in July, including during the 4th parade.  The race itself might only take two or three hours instead of all day.
  • Consider more smaller prizes.  Suggestion that more winners is better than big winners.
  • Spruce up the race course.
  • Put on more effort to make the sponsors feel appreciated and welcome.

3. Constructive Discussion on moving to a different fundraiser

  • The only idea thrown out for an alternate fundraiser was to simply assess each member $500.  This idea did not receive significant support.

4. Constructive Discussion on Billing members who don’t meet the approved $ per member threshold.

  • This question did not receive any support and argued by some as not keeping in the spirit of Rotary.
After the discussion, John Puritt took a show of hands vote as guidance for the board on the following questions:
  1. Should we continue the Duck Dash?  YES
  2. Should we consider a different race date?  YES
  3. Should we assess members who don't meet the approved $/member threshold?  NO
The board is expected to take all of the above under advisement and make recommendations to the membership in a month.

The meeting was adjourned at 8pm.
 
Doug Carter Scribe for an evening!