The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on December 12, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
President Amy Mutal rang the bell at 6:27 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
Doug Evanson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were George Anderson, Dave Aubry, Scott Becker, Dave DeBois, Doug Evanson, Rashmi Garimella, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Rick Ostrander, John Pruitt, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter.
Guests:
This evening’s guests were Juanita High School’s Rotary Student of the Month Clementine Nielson, who was accompanied by her Dad, Steve Nielson, and her Mom, Catherine Nielson. Karin Quirk, a former club member, joined us again. Also with us were former member Dave Mutal, and Monica Lee, a staff member at Prevail Wealth Management.
Greeters:
Jim Meniketti manned the front desk, and greeted everyone.
Announcements, Club Business, Committee Reports:
This is our last scheduled meeting at the Courtyard Hotel. Next week is the Holiday Gift Wrapping Party and Rotary Holiday Gala at St. John’s Church at 105 State Street Sout in Kirkland. The following two Mondays are holidays, for Christmas and New Year’s Day, so our next regular meeting will be January 9 at a to-be-decided location. President Amy will let us know where we will be meeting next.
Dave Aubry reminded us about the club’s work party, packing food boxes at Hopelink here in Kirkland, on January 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. There are a few slots left, so let Dave know if you are interested. Dave also reminded everyone about the Holiday Gift Wrapping Party, followed by our annual Rotary Holiday Gala, December 19. It will be a catered affair, at St. John’s church at 105 State Street South in Kirkland. It is the same place as was the Foundation Auction.
Doug Evanson needs holiday gift shoppers this week; he has lists for each family. [Many people took the lists – there may still be some left, so contact Doug.] We have 15 families consisting of about 20 adults and 72 kids. The budget is $50 per adult, $125 per kid. Save your receipts so you can be reimbursed. [Note – it was suggested that we provide $50 gift cards at Fred Meyer for the adults, so they can buy items that more closely fit their needs.] Currently, Fred Meyer will be open for us at 7 a.m. this Saturday; we will receive a 10% discount on all purchases. If Saturday does not work, members can also shop at their convenience on another day. [We will not generally be shopping with the families.] Bring all gifts to St. John’s Church this Monday and wrap them. We will need club member volunteers to help deliver the gifts next week – contact Doug Evanson. Note that the family information was provided to the club by staff at John Muir Elementary School staff.
Rick Walter told us that Olivia Koelsch, who is with Jefferson House Memory Care, has been checking out our Rotary Club, announced that we are welcome at Jefferson House’s Santa Photo session December 20. Rick also described Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army this past Saturday. A couple of Rotarians rang bells and collected donations.
Last week’s speaker, District Governor Kae Lynn Peterson, who had to cancel, announced that District 5030 will match club funds 2:1 for certain causes. [Note – did not record what that was.]
Happy Bucks:
There were no Happy Bucks collected during this meeting.
Student of the Month:
Student of the Month Clementine Nielson told us a bit about her current student life and activities, and some thoughts about her future education plans. Currently, she is very involved in Juanita High School activities, including student club governance, school governance, and fund raising for good causes. For college, she is thinking about statistical analysis or chemistry as potentials majors. She has applied to three schools in California, two schools in Washington state, and two Ivy League schools.
Program:
President Amy introduced our speaker for the evening, Linda Pichard of Eastside Community Aid Thrift Store [ECATS]. The store has been around since 1981, is entirely volunteer-run, and aims to provide support to Eastside non-profits in the fields of housing, hunger, and mental health on the Eastside. The store is located in the Totem Lake area, and sells donated clothing and household items, with the profits going to grants to the categories listed above. Her aim in speaking to us is to increase community awareness of the organization and solicit volunteers and support for the operation.
Her background is corporate management, with 35+ years in Bristol-Meyers Squibb in sales and marketing. After retirement, she wanted to find an outlet for her energy and skills. She came from a family that valued community service and donations.
ECATS has narrowed the number of recipients of its grants to a smaller number so each organization can receive a larger amount. The idea is that ECATS wants its donations to make a significant difference to the recipients. Currently, its largest grant has gone to The Sophia Way. People that ECATS assists can obtain vouchers for use in buying items in the thrift store.
Donated items they cannot use in the store can often be sold to recyclers so that the store gets some benefit. Donated items can be accepted on a walk-in basis. If the donor has a large quantity of items to donate, a call to schedule an arrival time is a good idea. Check their website [https://www.eastsidecommunityaidthriftshop.org] for more information and for volunteer opportunities. Older teens can also volunteer.
President Amy spoke about the community and Rotary Club of Kirkland legacy of the late Bill Woods, who passed away last week at the age of 97.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Dave Aubry, Acting Scribe