March 4, 2019 Spokesman

Posted by Mike Hunter on Mar 04, 2019
Rotary Club of Kirkland
Monday, March 4, 2019 Meeting
President Rick Walter called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.  Jim Feek, our long-time member, led us in the Pledge.  After some Pirate humor and the correct way to say sentences, guests were introduced.
Guests: 
Georgina Enciso, Student of the Month from Juanita High School
Lily Laursen, Student of the Month from Lake Washington High School
Kay Taylor, Evergreen Hospital
Laurene Burton, Evergreen Hospital
Kae Peterson, Evergreen Hospital Foundation
Lucy DeYoung, Evergreen Hospital Foundation
Rotary Foundation
President Rick asked if anyone knew what the first community contributions were from Rotary.  Joanne raised her hand and said it had to do with “Outhouses.”  Absolutely right, responded Rick, but they were called “Comfort Stations” and were placed in downtown Chicago.
Red Badge to Blue
Rich Bergdahl presented Monica Fratita with a Blue Badge to honor her achievement as a full member of Kirkland Rotary.  Monica received a standing ovation from Club members.
Announcements:
  • Dan Bartel announced our first Rotary First Harvest workday for this year is this Saturday morning, March 9th from 9:00 to 11:30 at Northwest Harvest in Kent.  Meet at 8:00 AM at the Houghton Park & Ride if you want to carpool.  Let Dan know if you’re coming and stay for lunch afterwards with our Club members.
  • Steve Shinstrom clarified that Bunco will be Saturday evening, April 27th at his home.  This is a date change, so remark your calendars!
  • Terri Ebert and President Rick elaborated on two District adventures.  First, the cleaning of the Interurban Trail in Seattle on April 13th, and second, an all-out District Blood Drive on April 8th from 10 AM to 4 PM.  Contract Terri or Rick if you’re interested in helping (an email on the Blood Drive has been sent on Club Runner).
  • Scott Becker is coordinating Sponsors for our upcoming Duck Dash.  Contact Scott if you want to help sponsor or know of anyone who might be interested in sponsoring.  An amount of $500 or more gets your name on the Duck Adoptions.
 
Classification Talk
Jim Meniketti began his life story with insights into parochial schools, then his college years at Berkeley, ending with a degree in mechanical engineering and a specialty in thermodynamics.  After working for Boeing for three years, he returned to Berkeley for a master’s degree, then came back to Boeing for another seven years.  A stint on the east coast working on digital flight controls lasted for two years, then he returned to the Pacific Northwest, got his Professional Engineer’s license, and joined a consulting firm in Totem Lake.  After building a custom home in Kirkland not far from the Aubrys, he met Dave & Anna and learned about Rotary.  Oh, and he loves gin martinis.  He has learned that some of our Club members have been helping our community for years to make society better and wants to contribute where he can.  Thanks, Jim, for an enlightening look at your life! 
 
Program
Scott Becker introduced Amy Beiter, the CEO of Evergreen Hospital since July 2018.  Amy has a vast background in health care and was recently the head of a hospital in Tucson.
Amy gave us some information on Evergreen.  It’s been rated one of the top 100 hospitals in the country by Health Grade and has been in our community for over 45 years.
A short video explained the future for Evergreen, including seismic upgrades to the original building, the move of Critical Care to the Silver Tower (the newest building we see from the freeway), update to the Family Maternity Center, new space for Outpatient Care, and several additional construction projects and renovations.
An upcoming Bond ballot will arrive on April 3rd and is due back April 23rd. Lucy DeYoung, a member of the Evergreen Hospital Foundation, asked for our support of this new Bond.  The original Bond issued in the 1970s has three years left.  The new Bond will assess 18 cents/$1,000 assessed value.
Thanks, Amy and Lucy for an informative program!
 
Adjournment
President Rick adjourned the meeting at 7:35 PM.
Submitted by Mike Hunter, Scribe for the Week