The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting via Zoom on Monday, March 10, 2025, with Past President Gary Cohn presiding. He called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Dr. Cohn led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jocelyn Reiter led us in the recitation of the 4-Way Test.
Attending: David Aubry, Bob Auslander, Cody Baker, Gary Cohn, Sue Cohn, Terry Cole, Sandy Ekins (Honorary), Jocelyn Ellison, Margie Glenn, Chris Kelly-Storbeck, Laura Loomis, Rick Ostrander, Rémy Pairault, Angela Pritchett, John Pruitt, Daniel Sada Caraveo, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter.
Guests: We had as an honored guest Mr. Jay Harris of the Evergreen Health Foundation, who has begun the application process for membership in the club. Our other guest was our speaker, Carmin Dalziel of the Kirkland Community Foundation.
Rotary Moment
We were treated to TWO Rotary Moments – the first by Sandy Ekins, the Club’s first woman member AND first woman President in 1992-93. She treated us to the story of how she was recruited as a member by Lon Brown and Bill Woods. She recounted some of her adventures and noted that she has remained in touch with many members. She is proud to be the first woman member of the Rotary Club of Kirkland, and is now the second Honorary Member of the Club in recent history.
Rick Walter recounted his experience with Rotary clubs in the Los Angeles area, and how he observed how they had a goal of providing one X-ray machine for an African hospital and managed to actually come up with resources to provide two machines. One woman guest who observed this wound up contributing $25 and began the process of becoming a member the following week.
Announcements:
The Rotary Super Sale is scheduled from June 24 to June 29.
The Salmon Bake is scheduled to be held at Bob Auslander and Margie Glenn’s on August 25.
Scholarship dinner will occur June 2 at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
We need volunteers to do tasks like Happy Bucks, raffle tickets, Greeter, etc. at upcoming meetings.
Rick Walter reported that the tax returns for the Club and for the Foundation have been filed. He encouraged everyone to send the current year tax information to him ASAP.
Committee Reports:
Membership – Cody Baker has Rotary Pins available at Banner Bank in downtown Kirkland. Remember – wear your Pin!!!
Speakers – John Storbeck needs speakers after April.
Happy Bucks:
We did a quick round of Happy Dollars and flushed out a number of happy folks, and raised $125 in the process.
Program:
John Storbeck introduced our speaker, Carmin Dalziel of the Kirkland Community Foundation. Ms. Dalziel, the executive director of the Kirkland Community Foundation, provided an overview of the organization's history, mission, and recent activities. The foundation, which evolved from the Kirkland Parks Foundation, aims to support and improve the Kirkland community through various initiatives. Carmin highlighted their involvement in projects such as the Fisk Family Park purchase, the "Save the Salmon" campaign, and the "Ignite Kirkland" crowdsourcing event. She announced an upcoming "For the Love of Kirkland" event featuring Peter Kageyama, which will focus on community engagement and offer micro-grants for local improvement ideas. She also explained the concept of donor-advised funds and expressed her commitment to listening to community needs and building partnerships.
As the Kirkland Parks Foundation, the organization supported both the Waverly Park Picnic Pavilion, and the recent Rotary Central Station project. Specifically, the Foundation was key to the financing of the fenced Native Plant area at the Central Station project. This project involved removing a couple of massive cottonwood trees, clearing invasive plants, replanting with a selection of native plants, and erecting a split-rail fence, with signage identifying the various species planted.
The Foundation has become much more sophisticated in offering donors a variety of different tax strategies. She will send the Club information on an upcoming tax strategies workshop for potential donors.
Dr. Cohn reminded us that there will be no meetings for the next three weeks; the March 17 meeting will not occur due to a conflict with Eagles' activities at the Eagles’ location.
April 7 will be in-person – a presider is needed. Contact Gary if you can fill in. Dr. Cohn will preside April 14 for the on-line meeting. Joanne Primavera will preside April 21 for the in-person get-together at the Eagles.
Rick Walter encouraged us all to become members of the Eagles to help support them.
We adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Submitted by Dave Aubry
Acting Scribe