The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting on April 10, 2023 using the Zoom platform.
President Amy Mutal called the meeting to order at 6:19 p.m.
President Amy Mutal led us in the pledge.
Attending were Pete Anderson, Bob Auslander, Rich Bergdahl, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, David DeBois, Donald Dicks, Doug Evanson, Monica Fratita, Rashmi Garimella, Margie Glenn, Brandon Honcoop, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, Karin Quirk, Steve Shinstrom, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter.
Guests:
There were no guests at this virtual meeting.
Greeters:
President Amy greeted members as they joined the meeting.
Announcements, Club Business, Committee Reports:
Joanne Primavera attended a District 5030 meeting for international projects on behalf of the international service committee. The committee discussed various options and approved the following international projects: $1,000 to support a field hospital in earthquake disaster areas in Turkey and Syria (Alderwood Terrace); $1,000 for a Rwanda computer literacy project (Maple Valley), $1,000 for a projoect named Days for Girls that provides reusable menstrual kits and adolescent health care for both boys and girls in the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland (Lynnwood); and $1,000 for a Water Harvesting Project at the Twegashe Primary School in Tanzania (Seattle International Club).
Pete Anderson updated members on the Rotary Rummage Sale project. He is presently working closely with Associate Superintendent Barbara Postumus on details of the building us application and agreement for the use of Kamiakin Middle School, and expects to have various items resolved and the application approved shortly. Pete reminded the membership that the Rummage Sale Operations Team is meeting at Banner Bank on Tuesday, and Dave DeBois added that virtual attendance is being supported through the club’s Zoom account. The team will use the regular meeting Zoom link on website. Pete noted that all of the team leads have been identified: Jim Meniketi for finance, Doug Emerson for volunteers, Rashmi Garimella for technology and marketing; Rick Walter for food. Pete is chairing the operations team. Joanne expressed concern that she didn’t receive emails about Kamiakin, and Pete promised to check out that email.
Rick Walter provided an update on the Duck Dash. The board wrote a letter to Game, Inc. over President Amy’s signature expressing discontent with the stance that the club should pay a penalty of 10,000 racing ducks after 20 years of being a customer, and providing three options for settlement. Game, Inc. staff didn’t like the tone of the letter. Rick noted he isn’t sure which option they chose, but he sent a response noting we’ll pay for 6,000 racing ducks and he asked that they don’t send the racing ducks. We may not be done with it yet. We’ll see what their next response is when we see it. Members had some questions and suggestions, and there were some suggestions that we share our discontent with their business practices with all the clubs in our area.
Gary Cohn provided an update on scholarships, noting this year 27 students began the online application process through the SmarterSelect system, and 18 submitted applications by the deadline. Of the eighteen students vying for 11 scholarships worth a total of $28,000, nine are from Lake Washington High School and nine are from Juanita High School. Rick Walter and Brandon Honcoop are organizing their interview teams and expect to be done by May 5.
Jim Meniketti reported he sent refund checks by mail to all who had balances on Rotary Dinner Tickets.
Gary reported on the survey results, summarizing the findings. Amy recommends staying with three-per-month meeting format, using the fourth Monday for committee meetings at the discretion of committees, and staying with about four events per year. Amy opened the meeting for comments. Pete suggests that we use the fourth Monday for all rummage sale committees, noting that for the fourth Mondays in April and May Gary has reserved the large meeting and conference rooms and kitchen at Brezza Condominium (225 4th Ave.) for all the teams to meet if the club wishes to do so.
Amy noted the speaker for next week is Rajiv Nagaich, as the members waited for tonight’s speaker to join the meeting.
Rashmi Garimella and Doug Evanson have yet to deliver their classification talks, and Rashmi’s is scheduled for May 8. Amy will work with Doug to schedule his talk.
Happy Bucks:
President Amy conducted a round of Happy Bucks, and Rick Walter, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, Rich Bergdahl, Steve Shinstrom, and Amy Mutal participated for a total of $126.70. Thank you all for your generosity!
Program:
The program schedule for this meeting was not presented. [Ed. Note: Nan Sun eventually joined the Zoom during the board of directors meeting, as his timing was one hour off the club’s time, and was invited to reschedule on May 8, which he accepted.]
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gary Cohn, Secretary