The Rotary Club of Kirkland held its regular weekly meeting online on August 3, 2020.
Attending were Dave Aubry, Gary Cohn, Dan Bartel, Joanne Primavera, Kristin Olson, Rich Bergdahl, Patti Smith, Rick Walter, Don Dicks, Amy & Dave Mutal, John Woodbery, George Anderson, Stefan Landvogt, Steve Shinstrom, Dave Debois, Mike Hunter, Terry Cole, Monica Fratita, Jim Meneketti, Elizabeth Rusnak. Let me know if I missed anyone.
Acting President Dave Debois called us to order at 6:15 p.m.
Mike Hunter recited the Pledge of Allegiance while the rest of us stood, mostly mute, in order to avoid ‘out-of-sync-problems’ with our audio.
Guests were Marc Kawakani, a friend of Terry Cole, former member GG Getz, Dave Debois’ brother in law Henry, Anna Aubry, and Terry Cole’s brother Bart.
Dave Debois reported on our fund-raising efforts in the era of COVID-19. An on-line fund-raiser is being looked at. We are trying to work with the Duck purveyors – no response from them so far.
Mr. Debois reported that District apparently wants incoming club presidents to go through the Toastmasters program – a huge time commitment. Many members agreed that would be difficult for people who are also holding down a full-time job.
Terry Cole introduced our speaker, and his daughter, Gina Cole, who spoke on The Seattle Times – covering a crisis.
Ms. Cole gave a quick review of The Seattle Times – a local, family-owned newspaper. Ms. Cole coordinates the paper’s on-going virus coverage. In February, the entire paper began to work remotely. Staff met to decide how to cover events and what the most important points to watch were. The first death in Kirkland shifted their focus to a higher level. They also had to work to keep the paper’s employees safe.
The Times reported government, business, and social responses to the virus locally and nation-wide, along with how the crisis has impacted all facets of our lives. The local public has responded with more Times website traffic and a large number of new print subscriptions.
The state government struggled to make organized data available to the public and the news media.
The paper developed new sections on the availability of take-out food, things to do at home for adults and kids, and a section to put a human face on some of the local people who have died from the virus. The Times began to explore how and when the economy might re-start.
Many questions remain – testing, the economy, schools, and the effect on society and on individuals. The Times wants to be a vehicle for human connectivity.
Rotarians had a number of questions about the data and its fluctuations – much of the problem is due to refinements in how data is collected and organized. There were also questions about the effect on state finances and the impact of a business slowdown on state revenues. Everyone seemed to agree that there has been a sense of shared community and a coming together among citizens.
We adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
David Aubry - Acting Scribe