The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting online on March 8, 2021.
Attending were James Nevers, Dave Aubry, Dave DeBois, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Rick Ostrander, Rick Walter, Amy & Dave Mutal, Jim Meniketti, John Woodbery, Brandon Honcoop, Bella Chaffey, George Anderson, Kristin Olson, Margie Glenn, Brian Tucker, Don Dicks, Rich Bergdahl, Monica Fratita, Gary Cohn, Steve Shinstrom, Terry Cole, and Dan Bartel.
The membership gathered in breakout rooms to start, and discussed what we have been doing, weather, views, restaurant dining, current activities, living in different parts of the continent.
President James Nevers rang the bell at 6:15 p.m.
Jim Meniketti recited the Pledge, and also announced he has purchased one of John Woodbery’s books.
Guests:
One of the guests this evening was Beatriz Soriano, another banker friend of Scott Becker and a potential Kirkland Rotarian.
Announcements:
Gary Cohn discussed scholarships; need more interviewers. 15 students are in the process of applying. May get more money from local companies.
Joanne Primavera announced that the District Conference is scheduled for the first part of October in Coeur d’Alene. Need to get a critical mass of people signed up. The final decision on whether to proceed will be made at the end of July.
Member Al Hoviland’s shop, Ace Frames, is back in operation – stop by and visit.
Happy dollars:
Thank you to Dave DeBois, Dan Bartel, Terry Cole, Dave Aubry, Don Dicks, and Rich Bergdahl for contributing this evening.
Student of the Month:
Amy Mutal introduced our Juanita High School Rotary Student of the Month, Kathleen Pham, a senior at Juanita and a native of Kirkland. She is interested in dentistry, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Due to the pandemic, she has had to curtail her activities working with grade school students. She wants to attend a four-year college and major in biochemistry/dentistry/orthodontics. She wants to start at University of California-Irvine.
Program:
Joanne Primavera thanked her International Service Committee members for all of the work they did to formulate the grant program for the year, and to contribute to the program series for this month: International Service.
Bella introduced Pauline Kamanja, who recounted the work of Gloryland Missions International – changing communities of street-families in Africa to better livelihoods through a holistic approach, incorporating health, economics, empowerment, etc.; all women-focused. Many people have been shepherded through the program so they can go out and train and empower others. COVID-19 has required some adjustments in their approach.
Joanne introduced our own Kristin Olson, who spoke about how Kristin’s Rotary Club in Mexico has undertaken a safety project at the local high school. Part of this has involved preventing falls by installing railings on stairs and elevated walkways. Volunteers from clubs in Canada and the United States have come down to help with the labor part of the project; she encouraged us to consider such a step. The club in Mexico raises money for such projects and also supplies hands-on labor to complete projects. Most projects have been school-centric.
We adjourned at about 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
David Aubry - Acting Scribe