The Rotary club meets at the Fraternal Order of Eagles for its August 19 regular meeting.
John Storbeck presents a program on decisions during WWII changing peoples' lives.
Annual Rotary Salmon Bake at the Auslander home, looking west from the buffet table.
Annual Rotary Salmon Bake at the Auslander home, looking east toward the buffet table.
Betsy Brill presented on obstetric emergency training.
Eight club members devoted a Thursday morning sorting food by category and checking expiration dates. Once finished, it was off to the Kirkland Olive Garden for great food and enjoyable conversation. We will try to do this again in 2024.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SEPTEMBER 16 CLUB MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE KABAB HOUSE.
The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting on September 9, 2024 using the Zoom platform. Past President Gary Cohn presided at this meeting and called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Doug Evanson led us in the Pledge, and Jocelyn Ellison led the recitation of the Four-Way Test. Attendees were: David Aubry, Bob Auslander, Cody Baker, Gary Cohn, Sue Cohn, Sandy Ekins (Honorary), Jocelyn Ellison, Doug Evanson, Rashmi Garimella, Margie Glenn, Rick Ostrander, John Pruitt, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter.
Past District Governor Kai Pedersen wants you to know that Rotarians are coming together on October 10, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Doubletree SeaTac ballroom for the DG Rachele Foundation Event 2024! District 5030 will be celebrating the incredible generosity of our district’s donors who make Rotary’s mission come alive. Whether they’re hitting a new tier of giving or earning their first Paul Harris Fellow recognition, this night is all about them—and you get to be the one who makes it happen! Rotarians will welcome special guest, Rotary International Director-elect Wyn Spiller, who will join the event to recognize and appreciate the esteemed donors.
For Rotarians who’ve announced Happy Bucks contributions during a virtual meeting, the simplest payment method is by credit card through the DONATE page. This page can also be used to donate during or after in-person meetings, when cash is short. Alternatively, the Happy Bucks contribution may be paid by credit card through the Dues & Billing System after a statement is sent, which should occur the Friday after the meeting during which the Happy Bucks were announced (if they have not already been paid). Of course, checks sent to the club will work as well! Look for the smiling Happy Bucks graphic on the DONATE page. Thank you!
Almost 60% of the club gathered on July 29, 2024 at Brezza Condominium to hold a 2024 Great Kirkland Rotary Rummage Sale debrief.
As a result of the post-sale debrief held shortly after this year's rummage sale, the club's board approved several changes to our approach to organizing the fundraising event. Club members recognize the changing environment in which the club is working to build ongoing success in community service and investment in its efforts. What was formerly known as the steering committee is now the coordinating team, and is headed by Cody Baker. This lead team is designed to steer and coordinate the efforts of an array of redesigned task teams structured to improve the event operation and financial success.
Walter Hughes, of the Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia, reports that Rotarian Mark Holland and he have joined the Ghanaian Rotarians in celebrating the start of the Ghana water project 23-52766 (to which the Rotary Club of Kirkland is a contributor). Walter reports that all of the 240+ contributions broke the Rotary Foundation payments system; it took months to get the payment from TRF. But the project now has contractors drilling wells in Eastern, Ashanti, Central and Upper West Regions. Walter says our support is making it happen. There are five Ghanaian Rotary Clubs leading this project: Kumasi, Obuasi, Dunkwa, Wa and Accra Achimota. Walter has visited four clubs so far. Accra's projects will be visited in three weeks. He reports starting his mission trip for the next three weeks in the North Eastern and Upper East Regions, and would appreciate a prayer for traveling mercies for the rest of the trip. There's been some armed robberies in the area he's serving. Walter also reports working on selecting communities for grant 24-60049, and hoping to get that grant submitted in October or November. It will be approved early in 2025. He notes the support of clubs like ours makes all of this possible. Click HERE to see more photos from the project.
International Service Committee chair Isabelle Kalisa received a report on progress of construction of the Bukobero Community Health Center III in Uganda, to which our club contributed through a Rotary grant. The overall international grant project raised a total of $103,677. Forty-three Rotary Clubs in four districts contributed and the project also received two district grants. (Click HERE to see the full report.) The funds have been transferred to Uganda and construction on this phase has started. The Uganda team is negotiating hard for discounts on materials to make sure our funds go as far as possible. The image above shows what the building will look like when it is completed.
The Rotary Club of Kirkland Annual Salmon Bake was attended by 20 club members (57% of the club) as well as six guests, including two prospective members. The wonderful turnout at the Auslander home at Yarrow Point once again marked a fitting conclusion to the summer activities of the club and its membership. The Catering Company provided superb salmon, and custom-made margaritas added a certain joie de vivre to the fellowship experience. Thanks to Bob Auslander and Margie Glenn for their hospitality, to Doug Emerson for carting the equipment to and from the rental facility, and to everyone who brought food, drink, and decorations.
During the year past presidents are stepping up to preside at meetings while our president is away from club activities. Thank you to those all of the past presidents who've volunteered to lead meetings during the year. There are several other roles that are necessary for smooth conduct of our meetings, whether in-person or virtual. Please sign up for several "open" meeting duties for this year.
Rotary dues statements were sent to active members on June 1, 2024, and were due by June 30, 2024. Reminder statements were mailed on June 15, 25, 29, August 1, and September 1 to all Rotarians with outstanding accounts. As of August 5, 91% of continuing club members had fully paid their dues, and three accounts had outstanding balances. Dues may be paid by credit card or debit card using the online Dues & Billing System link in the June 1 invoice, or using the link in the reminder statements, or by logging into your account on the website. Members may also pay by check through the U.S. Mail.
Captain of the boat Terry Cole and his wife Michelle took Rotarians Rick Walter and Bill Taylor along with wives Stephanie and Sandy to lunch to fulfill a Foundation auction purchase. After lunch, Terry took Rick, Stephanie, and Anna Aubry on a wonderful hours-long Lake Washington boat ride and provided superb refreshments.
Past District Governor Kai Pedersen wants you to know that Rotarians are coming together on October 10, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Doubletree SeaTac ballroom for the DG Rachele Foundation Event 2024! District 5030 will be celebrating the incredible generosity of our district’s donors who make Rotary’s mission come alive. Whether they’re hitting a new tier of giving or earning their first Paul Harris Fellow recognition, this night is all about them—and you get to be the one who makes it happen! Rotarians will welcome special guest, Rotary International Director-elect Wyn Spiller, who will join the event to recognize and appreciate the esteemed donors.
For Rotarians who’ve announced Happy Bucks contributions during a virtual meeting, the simplest payment method is by credit card through the 
Walter Hughes, of the Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia, reports that Rotarian Mark Holland and he have joined the Ghanaian Rotarians in celebrating the start of the Ghana water project 23-52766 (to which the Rotary Club of Kirkland is a contributor). Walter reports that all of the 240+ contributions broke the Rotary Foundation payments system; it took months to get the payment from TRF. But the project now has contractors drilling wells in Eastern, Ashanti, Central and Upper West Regions. Walter says our support is making it happen. There are five Ghanaian Rotary Clubs leading this project: Kumasi, Obuasi, Dunkwa, Wa and Accra Achimota. Walter has visited four clubs so far. Accra's projects will be visited in three weeks. He reports starting his mission trip for the next three weeks in the North Eastern and Upper East Regions, and would appreciate a prayer for traveling mercies for the rest of the trip. There's been some armed robberies in the area he's serving. Walter also reports working on selecting communities for grant 24-60049, and hoping to get that grant submitted in October or November. It will be approved early in 2025. He notes the support of clubs like ours makes all of this possible. Click 
International Service Committee chair Isabelle Kalisa received a report on progress of construction of the Bukobero Community Health Center III in Uganda, to which our club contributed through a Rotary grant. The overall international grant project raised a total of $103,677. Forty-three Rotary Clubs in four districts contributed and the project also received two district grants. (Click 
The Rotary Club of Kirkland Annual Salmon Bake was attended by 20 club members (57% of the club) as well as six guests, including two prospective members. The wonderful turnout at the Auslander home at Yarrow Point once again marked a fitting conclusion to the summer activities of the club and its membership. The Catering Company provided superb salmon, and custom-made margaritas added a certain joie de vivre to the fellowship experience. Thanks to Bob Auslander and Margie Glenn for their hospitality, to Doug Emerson for carting the equipment to and from the rental facility, and to everyone who brought food, drink, and decorations.
During the year past presidents are stepping up to preside at meetings while our president is away from club activities. Thank you to those all of the past presidents who've volunteered to lead meetings during the year. There are several other roles that are necessary for smooth conduct of our meetings, whether in-person or virtual. 
.png)
