Rotary Meeting Minutes February 22, 2016
The meeting was called to order by President Rich Bergdahl at 6:34PM.
 Rick Ostrander led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 Thanks to Rick Walter for manning the front desk.
We met in the Bayshore Room of the Woodmark and were treated to a gorgeous view of the lake and skyline as the evening came on.
Rick Walter shared some thoughts relating to relying on unreliable information when making financial decisions.  It is usually wise to get accurate and expert information before making such decisions.
Announcements:
President Rich announced that Teri Olsen, wife of member Eric Olsen is recovering nicely from two surgeries to repair a brain aneurysm. 
The Club board will meet March 9 at the Remax office on Kirkland Way.  All are welcome.
Next week’s meeting will be a joint meeting with the Downtown Club at the Flat Stick Pub, at 5:30.  The pub is next door to the Grape Choice at the Marina Park parking lot.  We will have pizza and mini golf – cost $20.  Do not forget to bring food items either to the meeting or to Steve Shinstrom’s office – we are in competition with the Downtown Club for most pounds of food donated.
Joanne Primavera announced that the Foundation Auction will be moved from March 5 and rescheduled to sometime in May due to members’ scheduling conflicts.
Steve Shinstrom needs scribes and greeters.
Patti Smith announced that the effort to get sponsors for the Duck Dash is going well – many members have pledged support.
Sounders Coach Sigi Schmidt will be the speaker at the March 7 meeting.  We may also have a couple of Sounders players present.
Mike Hunter announced that we will have multiple Students of the Month from Lake Washington High because the committee was unable to decide among several outstanding candidates. 
Joanne Primavera announced that Friends of Youth at 132nd & 132nd in Kirkland used some of our money to buy chairs for the facility they have there serving youth in transition.  
District Conference in Coeur D’Alene in May – President Rich is organizing golf for attending Club members.
Our outgoing Student of the Month from Juanita High, Jaspreet Singh, told us a bit about his personal and school life.  He has played football and was leading tackler in the conference and team co-captain.  He is maintaining good grades and hopes to attend UW and study Chemical Engineering.  Giving back is an important part of his life and he has been active in the local Sikh community.
 
Visitors:
From Seattle Rotaract, Rekha Mathew, and Bellevue Rotaract, Chris La Fleur.
Kalika Curry of KTUB [Y-staff, who are running the Team Union.].  They will be responding to our RFP on serving homeless Eastside youth.
 
Jason Overleese introduced Becky Barker and Kerston Swartz from Woodland park Zoo.  Our speaker this even
ing is Ms. Barker, interim VP of Education at the Zoo.
She told us a lot about the zoo and its mission to protect animals and their habitat through education as well as active efforts in the wild.  The zoo participates with other top zoos in the country in wild animal breeding efforts to try to build diverse populations.
The zoo’s budget is growing but an increasing percentage comes from earned income.  The zoo actively reaches out to the public, especially low income kids with free passes and free educational activities.
The animals living environment at the zoo has been totally reworked – there are no more barred cages.  They are seeking input as to what to do with the now vacant 3-acre elephant area.  Vote at zoo.org/feedback. 
In a short presentation, our Rotaract guests Chris and Rekha, told us about their efforts with Service above Self, and Rotaract’s effort to increase the number of young Rotarians in the US.  They are focusing on getting Rotaract members to transition into Rotary.  They also want to raise awareness among young people of Rotary’s activities.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Acting Scribe - David Aubry