The June 13, 2011 Kirkland Rotary meeting was called to order by President Pat Dye at 6:37 p.m.  President Pat thanked Carl Boruck for manning the desk and registering the members and guests.  She also thanked Joanne Primavera for standing in as an informal Greeter and Duck Dash promoter.  The Inspirational Moment was given by Chuck Brockway on Miracle League.  Chuck thanked everyone who volunteered and came out for the games.  He especially recognized Chris Rusnak for attending all the games (except the first one) and taking pictures of each of the players.  See photo journal on the web site.  Chuck also read a thank you letter from one of the players (Daniel Stewart) that summed up the gratitude of the players, the parents and their grandparents.  Chuck asked each of the members that had volunteered at the games to stand and it represented about 50% of the Club.

 

Guests were introduced:  Bill Spangle (not sure I got this spelling correctly) is visiting us for the 2nd time.  Anne Hamilton visiting us for the first time (an employee of Microsoft).  Jason Wong (our Exchange Student) offered a “correction” that was brought to his attention following his talk last week.  He referred to “old” members, when we have “older” members.  After a round of laughter, an apology was offered to the membership (all in good fun). 

Club Announcements:  Rick Ostrander has the Duck Dash signup sheet for venues.  Please contact him to sign up.  There are lots of openings.  Steve Shinstrom requested you contact him if you are interested in helping with the parade float and/or being in the parade on the 4th of July.  Bill Woods announced he has been issued a “warrant” for his arrest and will spend time in “jail” at Anthony’s Home Port on June 23rd.  He needs to raise $2400 in “bail” for Muscular Dystrophy.  Please contact him with your contributions and get Bill out of jail.  President Pat also gave an update on John Overleese and his health status.  A card with well wishes was passed around for John.  (We miss you, John, and hope for a speedy recovery.)   Katherine Kehrli also thanked all those members that signed up with Celebrated Chefs so that our Rotary would receive 5% of the proceeds from the members dining out.

 

Special Announcement:  Doug Wozeniak, Executive Director of the Kirkland Boys & Girls Club.  Doug gave a brief history on the founding of the Boys & Girls Club.  (Founded in 1860 by three women in Hartford, Connecticut as The Boys Club.  It quickly grew to a national organization and added “girls” to become The Boys & Girls Club.  Doug wanted to thank our Club for our generous $25,000 donation for the expansion and development of the Teen Center.  He brought slides of the old “room” and the much needed new addition.  He was very grateful for our partnership and continued support.

 

Program:  Patti Smith introduced our speaker, Toby Nixon, current President of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.  His topic:  Open Government. 

Toby’s contact information:

(206) 782-0393  email:  president@washingtoncog.org   website:  www.washingtoncog.org

Toby’s slide presentation is available to all members; please email him if you wish a copy.

 

The Washington State Coalition mission statement is the same as the federal government’s open policy guidelines.  “All political power is inherent in the people….”  There is to be a “Web of Trust” and to ensure this there are three main areas that are addressed in Open Government.  The first is Preservation of government documents under the Archives Act.  The second is the Public Records Act, which provides access to some government documents, the third is the Open Public Meetings Act (that discussions and policies are made in a public setting and not “behind closed doors” “no secret ballots”).   Not all government records are available to the general public, there are some 300+ exemptions to public disclosures.  (i.e. individual social security numbers, the location of ginseng plants---they have an international treaty).   The Sunshine Committee reviews the exemptions to public disclosures and makes recommendations to add or eliminate items that are currently covered by the act.  Washington State public disclosure exemptions are very narrowly defined, whereas the federal government’s is very broad and general in nature, subject to interpretation.   The Washington Coalition for Open Government has 4 areas of interest:  Education, Litigation, Recognition and Legislation.  Membership to join is $25.00.  Again, if you wish a copy of the program, you can email Toby and he will send you his presentation.

 

The Lucky Ticket was drawn by Tim Kehrli.  There are 45 cards in the deck with the Joker and about $350.00 in the pot.  Tim drew the 4 of Diamonds, no Joker.

 

Before adjourning, President Pat reminded everyone to notify Steve Shinstrom if you are attending the Transition Dinner next week, June 20th.  We will be in the Tent at the Woodmark and President Pat has ordered up sunshine.  She also reminded everyone that this year’s dinner theme and dress is “Caribbean”, a casual, fun, relaxing night.  Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.  

Submitted  by:  Pat Swenson, Scribe