The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting via Zoom on April 8, 2024.
President Gary Cohn called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Amy Mutal led us in the pledge. Jocelyn Ellison recited the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Attending were Rich Bergdahl, Michelle Cazeau, Gary Cohn, Sue Cohn, Donald Dicks, Sandy Ekins (Honorary), Jocelyn Ellison, Doug Evanson, Monica Fratita, Brandon Honcoop, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Rick Ostrander, Peter Peaquin, Steve Shinstrom, Patti Smith, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter.
Visiting Rotarians:
Several Rotarians from other clubs were guests this evening. Beth Wandia is a member of the Rotary Club of Mombasa Downtown in Kenya, is visiting Kirkland for a few months, and will try to make an in-person meeting before returning to Kenya later in May. Anisha Joshi is a member of the Rotary Club of Nyatapola (Nepal & Bhutan) and plans a move to Kirkland with her family. Madan Mohan Kumar, Srivardhan Ganta (president), Namburi Venkata Raju (president-elect), and Suren Poruri (advisor) are members of the Rotary Club of Global Wizards in Hyderabad, India. Madan will be in the Kirkland area soon, called in from Chicago and invited fellow Rotarians from his club (calling in from India) to join the meeting for a virtual club flag exchange. (We will effect the actual flag exchange at a later date.)
Guests:
Other guest of the club this evening were Nancy Khoury, a Banner Bank employee and prospective Rotarian who volunteered extensively at the first rummage sale, and Adam Li, a recent addition to the Kirkland area who is looking for an avenue of service to the community and has begun the application process for membership in the club.
Announcements:
President Gary shared several announcements. There will be a special club meeting for all rummage sale teams on May 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Brezza Condominium. An invitation will be sent to members, and the entry code will follow. There will not be a Zoom option for this meeting.
The next club meeting is an in-person meeting on April 15, and past-president Rick Walter will preside.
Bunco is on Saturday, April 27, at the Shinstrom’s home. Steve was present tonight to remind attendees to send him an email if we plan on attending. He will assign food responsibilities once he has an idea of the numbers attending.
The club’s Outstanding Educator Awards are scheduled for May 20; nominees were received from Kamiakin, Kirkland, and Rose Hill middle schools, plus a nominee was received from Lake Washington High School which was accepted by the vocational service committee. U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene is schedule to attend that meeting and address the club and guests.
Scholarship Night is scheduled on June 3 and will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland. As of this evening, there are 17 active applicants, three of which have already been submitted. Jocelyn reminded members that Banner Bank is hosting the interviews in the branch conference room. (Thank you to Cody Baker for making the branch office available on a Saturday.)
Rich Bergdahl made arrangements for the club to hear from real estate economist Mat-thew Gardner, formerly chief economist for Windermere Realty, during the virtual meeting on June 10.
The club’s Leadership Transition Dinner will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on June 17.
Club members are reviewing two alternative meeting sites. Dave DeBois led a group to investigate the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall on Central Way, and Jocelyn Ellison is convening a group to visit L'Experience Paris (formerly the Queen Bee) on Lake Washington Boulevard.
Program:
President Gary introduced our speaker, Anne Hess, who is executive director of the Kirkland Downtown Association. Anne provided Rotarians an update on local programs and activities supported by the KDA to maintain Kirkland's status as a vibrant, growing, and delightful place to live, work, and enjoy. The KDA supports Kirkland businesses, particularly the smaller ones, by attracting visitors to downtown Kirkland, and organizes numerous free community events, helps beautify our community, and supports merchants.
KDA events include the Kirkland Wednesday Market, Summer Concert Series, Kids Concert Series, Flower Pots, Kirkland Clean Sweep, Santa's Letters, Christmas holiday lighting downtown, Wine Walks with the chamber, the Waterfront Car Show, Pumpkins in the Park, and Winterfest. They are all designed to draw both tourists and residents into the heart of Kirkland to explore shops, dine at various restaurants, and enjoy the picturesque waterfront. The KDA also operates the visitor center, and has invested in a new kiosk.
Rotarians were invited to participate in the Clean Sweep on May 19 to help beautify the downtown area, and to consider sponsoring a downtown flower pot or a KDA event.
There were a number of questions from Rotarians, and several compliments for Anne’s and the KDA’s work in Kirkland.
President Gary thanked Anne and noted the club makes a donation to Harvest Against Hunger in honor of the presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Gary Cohn
Acting, Acting Scribe