Rotary meeting minutes 10/20/2014
Ben Premack was our greeter.
President John Pruitt called us to order at 6:32PM.
James Nevers led us in the Pledge.
Rotary Minute: Pat Swenson, with an assist from Scott Becker gave us a Rotary Minute.  She spoke about Reading Buddies and Math Buddies, two programs that the Club leads at John Muir Elementary.  Various adults, mostly Rotarians and spouses, come in once a week at lunch time to lead reading and math groups with small teams of students.   This provides a resource to the kids to read and discuss books of their choice and to conduct ‘number games’ that help kids understand math concepts in a fun atmosphere.
Introductions:
Guests: Scott Becker introduced Chris Forenka of Ford of Kirkland.  He is interested in getting involved in the community.
Visiting Rotarians:
John Woodbery introduced Stu Vanderhoek  of the Tuesday Bellevue Noon Club.  Sam Myoda of Seattle 4 was also introduced.
 
Announcements:
  • Rick Ostrander reported on the Warm Coats distributed last Friday morning at John Muir.
  • Gary Bruner spoke about the Rotary International Foundation.  November is Foundation month.  He illustrated how the Foundation [and Rotary] makes a difference in the world by describing how a student sponsored by this District managed to help Guatemalan village begin growing and selling apples.  The village was able to start a school and improve its water supply.
  • Mike Hunter reported that Elizabeth Rusnak has taken on the Student of the Month selection process at Juanita High School.  She needs people to assist her in the interview process.  Mike Hunter has her phone number.
  • Rick Ostrander brought Ben Premack to the front to remind all of us to sign his ‘Howdy Doody’ list.  He only needs a few more names.
  • Rick Ostrander then did Happy Dollars.  One of the “happy Things’ going on right now is the fact that our own Bill Woods will appear as ‘Grandfather’ in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker December 4, 5, 6 in Seattle.   [Bill Woods in a tutu may be more than any of us can bear, however.]
 
Our speaker David Rader, and his wife Susan were introduced.  He gave a fascinating talk about Theodore Roosevelt, and made the case that he was our first ‘modern’ President.  He was extremely active in a variety of areas, much more so than any President before him, and probably after as well.  [This was his 54th presentation to a Rotary Club on this subject in the past 15 months.]
Among other things, TR was the first President to fly, ride in an automobile, travel overseas while President, install a telephone in the White House, win the Nobel Prize.  Franklin Roosevelt emulated TR to a great exent.  TR was a remarkable individual who overcame a sickly childhood to achieve a great deal – he promoted National Parks and Forests, and military preparedness so that the US could play a responsible, leading role in world affairs.
Joker Pool – Bill Woods had the winning ticket but…. Not the Joker.
Thought for the week – TR said that if you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you would not be able to sit down for a week.
‘Surprise’ program next week.
Meeting Adjourned at about 7:36 PM.
Respectfully submitted
David Aubry
Acting Scribe.