The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on April 25, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 6:56 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
Bob Auslander led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were George Anderson, Bob Auslander, Scott Becker*, Rich Bergdahl, Gary Cohn*, Dave DeBois, Don Dicks*, Monica Fratita, Margie Glenn, Brandon Honcoop, Mike Hunter, Jim Meniketti, Ernie Norehad, Kristin Olson, Joanne Primavera, Steve Shinistrom, Bill Taylor*, and Brian Tucker. *Attended the meeting online.
Guests:
Guests this evening were the speaker, Megan Truxillo currently serving in Guatemala as career diplomat for the U.S. State Department, and Jocelyn Ellison, who joined the meeting via Zoom. Prosepective members Rashmi Garimello and Doug Evanson attended their third meeting tonight. Both are on the docket to be voted as new members into Rotary Club of Kirkland.
Greeter:
Our greeter this evening was Margie Glenn, and treasurer Jim Meniketti staffed the front desk to greet attendees and collect dinner fees.
Announcements & Club Business:
Monica Fratita announced plans for an upcoming event, a Movie Night, possibly May 5 – details of time and movie name to follow.
Dave DeBois reminded members that on May 16 there will be NO MEETING AT THE MARRIOTT as it is Electric Boat Night at the Kirkland Marina. Each boat holds 8-10 people. Significant others and spouses are welcome. [Registration is online through ClubRunner.]
Don Dicks reported that Bill Woods is doing well in Palm Desert CA. Bill welcomes phone calls or visits. Contact Don for Bill’s contact information [or look up the information in the Membership section of ClubRunner].
Program:
Our guest speaker, U.S. Vice Consul to Guatemala Megan Truxillo, introduced us to the workings of the U.S. State Dept. in Guatemala. The mission of the US Embassy is to advance US diplomacy, provide security for travelers and security for borders, support good governance in the country of the US Embassy location, support and promote opportunities for employment, provide legal pathways for immigrant and non-immigrant visas, screen temporary workers in effort to stop “fake” employers from getting possible candidates for human trafficking, support and promote agriculture and commerce, donate Covid vaccinations, and reduce crime when possible.
Megan noted that public diplomacy has shifted to social media. That venue is reviewed by the Deputy Chief. As vice consul, Megan is engaged in general duties that are needed to support economic and foreign service, including emergency services such as: passport replacement, arrest of U.S. criminals who are in Guatemala, illnesses that occur while US citizens are travelling in Guatemala, dealing with death of U.S. citizens while abroad, aid for victims of crime while travelling in Guatemala, children’s services, and crisis services, such as natural disasters.
To get help with anything while abroad, Megan encouraged everyone to enroll in STEP to receive notifications while abroad.
Foreign service careers require: a long process for hire, in Megan’s case 1½ years, tests-written and oral, essay writing, and a day-long interview in person, called “oral assessment”. Two-thirds of a foreign service career is spent overseas. The foreign service top position in the State Dept. is ambassador.
Covid changed a lot of the testing from in-person to virtual via computer, Zoom etc. A big concern is spousal employment locally and pets.
Joker Pool:
There was not a Joker Pool this evening.
Adjournment:
President Dave rang the bell at 7:25 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
Margie Glenn, Secretary