Posted by David Aubry on Nov 20, 2016
Rotary Meeting Minutes November 21, 2016
The meeting was called to order by President Scott Becker at 6:30PM.   Eric Olsen led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Thanks to Terri Ekert for manning the front desk, with the able assistance of Jodi Long, and at times, Amy Mutal, who also was working on the Holiday Gala.
 
We met in the Marina Room of the Woodmark and due to the typical northern latitude early sunset, were not treated to a gorgeous view of the lake and skyline as the evening came on.
 
Rick Ostrander shared a Rotary Moment involving Rotary International and the Rotary Scholars Program [exchange students].  There have been about 42,000 of them since WWII.  He recounted two students that his family knew and have stayed in contact with for decades.
 
Visitors and Introductions:
Doug Seto, our popular refugee from Seattle 4, was once again in attendance.  Our Student of the Month, Varenna, was here and will be telling us about herself and her plans next week.
Announcements:
  • Joanne Primavera announced that Kirkland Rotary Foundation funds have been used to purchase new chairs for Friends of Youth.
  • Anne Hamilton thanked everyone for all the food brought in for the Thanksgiving/Kirkland Nourishing Network food drive.  She asked for volunteers to stay after the meeting and assemble the boxes and then help load them into cars for delivery.
  • Dave Debois spoke about the upcoming Kids’ Holiday Breakfast in December. The party will be Dec. 17, beginning at 7AM at the Peter Kirk Community Center.  The kids will arrive for breakfast about 7:30.  The kids will then be connected with their ‘shopping buddies’ for the excursion to Fred Meyer.  Presents will be wrapped at Fred Meyer by Rotarians beginning about 9AM.  We will then return to Peter Kirk Center for videos, wrapping up at about 11AM.
  • Rich Bergdahl solicited members to go to a Seattle 4 Wednesday lunch meeting.  Watch for an email with details.
  • Amy Mutal gave us information on the upcoming Club Holiday Party.  Chris Rusnak will be the photographer.  Wine is included in the price for the event at Dellile Winery!
  • Brian Tucker thanked all his helpers at the KTUB Teen Feed last Friday. 
Don Dicks gave a pitch for Rotary International as November is Foundation Month.  As always, the goal is ‘Every Rotarian, Every Year’.  The RI Foundation has spent $3 billion around the world over the years.  About half of that plus countless volunteer hours has gone towards polio eradication.  In 1985, there were 1000 cases per day, worldwide.  Last year there were 60 total cases worldwide.
 
Gary Bruner spoke about what the RI Foundation means to him.  He spoke of the efforts of the Foundation, and also of our Club, in doing good works around the world. There is also the multiplier effect, both in peoples’ lives and in resources generated.  The personal involvement of Rotarians makes even more difference.  Money is important; personal involvement touches many more lives. 
 
Don Dicks then discussed the Paul Harris Fellowship – the following members were honored as new multiple Paul Harris Fellows: Bob Auslander, Mike Hunter, Scott Becker, Rich Bergdahl, Bob Norman, Pat Swenson.
 
Jason Overleese introduced two of our newest members, Terri Ekert and Jodi Long, who individually told us about themselves, their personal lives and their work lives. 
 
The meeting was adjourned at about 7:45PM.
Respectfully Submitted