The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting online on March 29, 2021.
Attending were James Nevers, Dave Aubry, Dave DeBois, Ken Hollingsworth, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Rick Ostrander, Rick Walter, Mike Hunter, Jim Meniketti, John Woodbery, Brandon Honcoop, George Anderson, Monica Fratita, Gary Cohn, Steve Shinstrom, Dan Bartel, Dwight Olson, Rich Bergdahl, Amy and Dave Mutal, and Tricia Stromberg.
President James Nevers rang the bell at 6:15 p.m. Rick Walter recited the Pledge.
During the club’s March 29 meeting, Head Duck Amy Mutal announced to the membership that the 2021 Duck Dash is an all-out go, and is scheduled to occur in concert with Kirkland’s Oktoberfest celebration, September 24 - 26, 2021. Huge thanks are due the Lee Johnson Auto Family for stepping up as a 2021 Duck Dash top sponsor with a $3,000 contribution. In addition, the Lee Johnson Auto Family facility will be the host for the duck branding meeting on September 20, 2021. All of the club members are invited to participate in this event.
The actual Duck Dash race will occur on Sunday, September 26, 2021, during Oktoberfest. This year, the club has purchased 8,000 ducks for the race. Rotarians can volunteer for the Duck Dash Committee by contacting Amy Mutal.
Rick Walter is a leader in our Rotary Club's Scholarship Program. Last year, Rick led the establishment of and co-funded the Business & Accounting scholarship in partnership with his firm, Hutchinson & Walter, CPAs, and club member Margie Glenn.
This scholarship was intended for students who demonstrate financial need, academic promise, a record of community service, leadership, who promise societal contribution, and who intend to pursue an accounting or business major. No one was awarded a business scholarship in 2020. Rick, Hutchinson & Walter, and Margie all contributed to continue the scholarship in 2021.
As a result, there are two Business & Accounting Scholarships, and both are available to all of the eligible Lake Washington high schools. Thank you to Rick Walter for exemplary support of the Rotary Club of Kirkland Scholarship Program.
At its March 29, 2021 meeting, the Rotary Club of Kirkland elected its board and officers for the club year that begins July 1, 2021. The 2021-2022 board and officer team are:
President – Dave DeBois
President Elect – Amy Mutal
Vice President – Gary Cohn
Secretary – Margie Glenn
Treasurer – Jim Meniketti
Club Service – Monica Fratita
International – Joanne Primavera
Vocational – Mike Hunter
Community Service – Bella Chaffey
Membership – Dave Aubry
RI Foundation – Rich Bergdahl
Programs – Gary Cohn
In addition, James Nevers will serve as immediate past president, and Amy Mutal will serve as head duck through the conclusion of the major fund-raising effort in the fall.
The club’s board of directors met on Thursday, March 25. Highlights included progress of plans for the Duck Dash as the annual fund-raiser during Kirkland's Oktoberfest in September; completion of the president-elect's task of forming a new board for 2021-2022, and the challenges presented by future presidents spending part of the year out of state.