The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting via Zoom on January 13, 2025 [Friday the 13th is on a Monday this month!].
Past President Gary Cohn presided, called the meeting to order at 6:16 p.m., and led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jocelyn Reiter recited the 4-Way Test.
Members Attending: David Aubry, Bob Auslander, Cody Baker, Gary Cohn, Sue Cohn, Jocelyn Ellison, Margie Glenn, Isabelle Kalisa, Kate Koslosky, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, Angela Pritchett, John Pruitt, Daniel Sada Caraveo, John Storbeck, and Pat Swenson.
Rotary Moment:
Rick Ostrander spent a few minutes discussing the Rotary Classifications criteria. The system started out as a way to ensure that club membership consisted of a diverse cross-section of professions among its members. In this way members could expand their knowledge and understanding of a broad cross-section of their community. Originally a club was allowed only one member in each Classification, and the Classification system became very specialized in its titles.
Announcements:
Be sure to register and pay on the club’s website to attend the Rotary Valentine’s Day Dinner occurring February 10 at St John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland.
The Salmon Bake is August 25, again hosted by Bob Auslander and Margie Glenn. The event is posted to the website and is open for registration.
We still need folks to sign-up for meeting tasks including presiding officer, leading the Pledge, 4-Way Test, Rotary Moment, etc.
Youth Service Committee: Jocelyn Reiter plans for the committee members to meet at the conclusion our next-in-person meeting. Decisions need to be made on several scholarship matters in order to get the application opened by February 7.
Rummage Sale Committee: Cody Baker reported that the Rummage Sale Committee met today to discuss organizational issues. They are really looking for sponsors/sponsorships. Remember: we will need ALL members to pitch in to make this work. They would like each club member to sign up at least three additional volunteers, part-time or for the full event. The event will occur during the last week of June, Tuesday through Sunday, at Rose Hill Middle School. All members need to consider where they would like to work, especially during the event.
Membership Committee: Two folks are in the membership pipeline, and there is no progress to report.
Programs & Speakers: John Storbeck reported that he has assembled a slate of speakers. He would like the city to present an update on the NE 85th Street project.
Happy Dollars:
There were several happy Rotarians! Jocelyn Ellison was particularly proud of her son’s admission to a graduate music program. Gary and Sue Cohn celebrated a wonderful dinner with Bob Auslander and Margie Glenn, and Bob matched the happiness contribution. Dave Aubry celebrated Anna’s recovery from a knee injury and surgery. And Daniel Sada Caraveo celebrated his family's new rice cooker and the joys of steaming rice.
Program:
John Storbeck introduced Peter Donaldson, director of Sustainability Ambassadors, six of whom then presented on what everyone can do personally to reduce our impact on the environment.
The Kirkland Team consists of Eva Odderson, Belle Marlar, Tanushri Goyal, Dila Ertem, Ela Hanif, and Marianna Makowska, all from Juanita and Lake Washington high schools. Before they began the program, they suggested that we could reconnect with them 1-3 times each year – let them know.
Each team member presented a facet of their program, beginning with a map of the area showing building density around Puget Sound in 1936 and then showing recent building density. Other team members presented information about the various ways we can lighten our carbon footprint, through such means as: greater use of public transportation and non-motorized transportation; installing solar panels, installing a heat pump, exchanging gas appliances for electric ones. Students are now provided with Orca Cards in an effort to reduce automobile use. They gave us information on carbon emissions under different scenarios of home-appliance mixtures.
The City of Kirkland has a Sustainability Plan – check it out on the City’s website.
Look at the Energy Smart Eastside website for ways to get an energy audit of your home, thus giving you ideas of positive changes that can be made. If you have an old furnace, consider converting now to a heat pump – there are rebates and cost-reductions available.
Several Rotarians had questions for the students and Peter, to which they happily responded before departing for their own Zoom commitment at 7 p.m.
There being no further business before the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Aubry, Acting Scribe