The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting on November 13, 2023, using the Zoom platform.
President Gary Cohn called the meeting to order at 6:17 p.m.
Attending were Pete Anderson, David Aubry, Rich Bergdahl, Michelle Cazeau, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, Donald Dicks, Sandi Ekins (Honorary), Jocelyn Ellison, Doug Evanson, Rashmi Garimella, Isabelle Kalisa, Kate Koslosky, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Kristin Olson, Peter Peaquin, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter.
The club’s guests at this virtual meeting were: Kim Brenner, Lake Washington School District early learning director and potential Rotarian, and our speaker, retired Brig. Gen. Bob Reese.
Rick Walter presented a Rotary Minute in which he illustrated how, by making a difference by helping one person at a time, you can effectively help a family, a village, a country, and the world.
Announcements:
Dave Aubry reminded members that he has free to club members a number of tickets to the Kirkland Wine Walk on December 1, starting at the Heathman Hotel at 5 p.m. Please let Dave know if you are interested in joining the wine walk.
Gary Cohn announced that:
- The Nominating Committee is developing a slate of club officers for next year. He reminded members that the club needs a vice president and club program chair now, for this year.
- There will be a board meeting this Thursday evening, and he expects the board to consider a spouse/partner membership provision for the Bylaws, replacing our current hybrid meeting tools with an OWL Labs device (much, much better), and continuation of the Joker Pool among other topics.
- He met with the Lake Washington School District curriculum director and David Endicott of Music4Life, and they will partner with M4L and the club to establish a chapter locally. Jocelyn Ellison will chair this effort.
- If everything aligns correctly, we may have USCG District 13 folks here next week to present a program on maritime security.
Rick Walter announced that we have inducted a number of new members and we have several folks checking out the club. Some of our new members are advancing through the red sticker-to-blue badge process. Kate Koslosky will present her classification talk next week, as may Michelle Cazeau.
Jocelyn Ellison, for the Youth Service Committee, reminded members we will have a Rotary Student of the Month, with parents and likely a Lake Washington High School staff member, here next week.
Pete Anderson gave us an update on the Rummage Sale. The school district will again let us use Kamiakin Jr. High. The date is tentatively June 29, one week after school is out. However, if there are snow days that cause the school year to run long, June 29 will not work. The more likely alternate date is July 13; July 6 is a no-go with the district. Hours for drop-off and for the event are still being discussed. If you have thoughts on this, send them to Pete.
Jim Meniketti, for the Community Service Committee, asked members to bring their filled food bags to the next meeting, November 20.
Doug Evanson, for the Club Service Committee, noted we are set up for the wrapping party and Rotary Holiday Gala at St. John’s Church in Kirkland on December 18. He is working on the Valentine’s Day event for February. Gary added that the December 18 date will also be the club’s annual meeting with elections. Registration for the holiday event should open after the price is set during the board meeting later this week.
Isabelle Kalisa, for the International Service Committee, notes she has recruited two more members for her group.
Happy Bucks:
Rick Walter conducted a round of Happy Bucks. The happy Rotarians this evening were Dave Aubry, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, and Rick Walter. Thank you all for your generosity!
Program:
Our speaker was retired Army Brig. Gen. Robert Reese, who spoke to us about his project creating distinctive photographs of older US veterans. He believes that they are overlooked and deserve to be honored and remembered for their military service to their country, as well as to their respective communities.
He has always had an interest in photography, especially in photographing people. He recently completed an associate degree program at Everett Community College to become more skilled at photography, focusing on portrait photos. During COVID, he realized that there are not many portrait-type photos of older people, especially of older veterans.
There are four state-run veteran’s homes in Washington. He has been visiting them in order to take portrait photographs of residents. He displayed a number of examples of his work [he had the subjects’ permission to do so.]. Some of the people in the photos have disabilities or are in memory care. He has been able to pose his subjects in ways that minimize or crop out entirely their wheel chairs, or missing limbs. He also is able to minimize the visual impact of any skin problems the subjects may have. Mr. Reese believes it is important that we see the person and not be drawn to temporary blemishes or a disability they might have.
Taking photographs can help break down barriers; since many subjects are photographed sitting down, he often kneels down to their level when taking the photograph. He consults with the subjects so that the image can reflect as nearly as possible the wishes of the individual. Family members may be included in the photo if desired.
At no charge, he provides the veterans and their families with a 5x7 print and a thumb drive containing an 8x10 portrait.
Rotarians asked a number of questions.
President Gary reminded members that Joanne Primavera will preside in his absence at the November 20 meeting, and noted that the Rotary 5030 District Governor and the CEO of The Lighthouse for the Blind are planned speakers for March.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Aubry, Acting Scribe