The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting via the Zoom platform on December 11 2023.

President Gary Cohn called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Attending were Pete Anderson, David Aubry, Bob Auslander, Rich Bergdahl, Michelle Cazeau, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, Donald Dicks, Sandi Ekins (Honorary), Rashmi Garimella, Margie Glenn, Isabelle Kalisa, Kate Koslosky, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, Patti Smith, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter.

Pres. Gary led us in the pledge, and then told us a bit about the history of the Pledge of Allegiance; it was first published in 1892.

Guests: Pres. Gary introduced Lori Walker, a member of Seattle 4 Rotary Club, and greeted our speaker, Dietra Clayton.

Registration has been extended for club members and guests who still wish to register for the Holiday Gift Wrapping Party on Monday, December 18, 2023. The annual event begins at 5:30 p.m. with gift wrapping. After gifts are wrapped, dinner will follow and the club will hold its annual meeting for this Rotary year. During the meeting, officers and board members will be elected for 2024-2025. The club will meet at the St. John's Episcopal Church in Kirkland. As of December 13, the registration fee is $50 per attendee, which covers venue, food, and drink costs, and must be paid at the time of registration. Holiday gifting supports John Muir Elementary School families. The John Muir staff identifies families whose circumstances make them eligible for holiday gift donations.

Rotary Club of Kirkland Student of the Month for January Andy Alkin strives to be outgoing, friendly, caring throughout his daily life, and to get to know many different people in the local community. Andy often volunteers in food drives, park cleanups, and youth camps. He also played on the varsity soccer team all four years of his high school career, and plays in a band and writes original songs.  Andy plans to major in economics in college so he can create new financial mechanisms and applications such as micro-loans and budget planning to help people, especially the underprivileged, to overcome financial challenges.

During the club's program this week, presenter Dietra Clayton answered several questions about how club members may support the work of The Sophia Way at Helen's Place in Kirkland. As promised, Dietra provided information for interested members. The documents available for download this month from the club's website are Explore Engagement Opportunities and the Gratitude Report for 2022.