The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on December 5, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
President Amy Mutal rang the bell at 6:20 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
Pres. Amy led us in the Pledge, as somehow the flag did not get set out.
Attending were Pete Anderson, David Aubry, Don Dicks, Doug Evanson, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Kristin Olson, Rick Ostrander, John Pruitt, and Rick Walter. There was no Zoom availability.
Guests:
This evening’s guests were Emerson High School Student of the Month Kylie Wasserman and her mom, Amy. Karen Quirk, a former club member, joined us again.
Greeters:
Jim Meniketti manned the front desk.
Announcements, Club Business, Committee Reports:
Dave Aubry reminded us about a club 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 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 announced the club members brought lots of food to our last December meeting, which he has delivered to John Muir Elementary School. The food is for a number [20] of families designated by the school. Doug thanked members for their contributions. He also spoke about holiday gift-shopping; information and lists will be distributed shortly via email. We will have 15 families comprising 76 kids and 28 adults for whom to shop. Those who wish to do their shopping in person will be doing so early on the morning of December 19, at Fred Meyer in Kirkland. Shopping can also be done in advance. [Sign-up via the club website.]
Don Dicks said he has recently spoken with former member Dick Westin. Dick is doing well at Aegis.
Everyone is invited to the next Rotary Board Meeting at the Prevail offices on the 15th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Pete and Rich will present ideas on alternatives to the Duck Dash as our primary fund raiser.
Happy Bucks:
Rick Walter led Happy Dollars, collecting money from many happy Rotarians.
Student of the Month:
Student of the Month Kylie Wasserman spoke to us for a few minutes, telling us about her studies at Emerson High School in Kirkland, some of her activities, and some thoughts on her future plans. Emerson is a small LWSD high school for kids who have had difficulty in a “normal” high school setting. She is considering going to a four-year college in a “less-rainy” climate, studying either pediatric nursing or special-education teaching. She really likes kids.
Kylie, a high school junior, is in Running Start at Lake Washington Instituted of Technology, accumulating some college credits as she completes high school. She told us about some of her favorite teachers who have helped her as she navigates school successfully.
Program:
Our speaker for the evening was to be District Governor Kae Lynn Peterson, but due to a family emergency, was unable to be here.
President Amy recounted some of the results of the recent club meeting preferences survey of the membership. The survey revealed that members want to continue to meet Mondays, but food and drink is not absolutely necessary. A downtown Kirkland location is preferred. Members also want more committee reports and more Happy Dollars.
Amy than gave us more information from the member survey, as well as progress in finding a new meeting place. Members would like more Classification Talks/Getting-to-Know-You talks from members so we can know more about our fellow members.
Three contenders have emerged in the search for a new meeting site:
The Grape Choice – has wine and appetizers, as well as a 30-person capacity meeting room. Future club growth may require another option in the future, there is also a restaurant next door where members could get take-out meals.
The Heathman Hotel has a meeting area kind of between the lobby and the bar where we could assemble.
It is felt that parking might be a problem for both these locations. It was pointed out that there is free parking in the garage under the library next to the Heathman.
The third option is Soi, an Asian restaurant in Kirkland Urban, near Chainline Taproom. The space at Soi is not completely private.
More work is being done to finalize a new location.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Dave Aubry, Acting Scribe