The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting on July 10, 2023 using the Zoom platform.
President Gary Cohn called the meeting to order at 6:16 p.m.
Terry Cole led us in the pledge.
Attending were Dave Aubry, Bob Auslander, Scott Becker, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, Donald Dicks, Sandy Ekins, Jocelyn Ellison, Rashmi Garimella, Margie Glenn, Jim Meniketti, Rick Ostrander, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, and John Storbeck.
The club’s guests at this virtual meeting were the speaker, Chancellor Kristen Esterberg of the UW Bothell; Kate Koslosky, who has visited the club on at several other occasions and is qualified to transfer from her Rotary Club of Los Olivos in the Santa Barbara area; Michelle Cazeau, a Banner Bank manager who has met the initial qualifications for membership in the club, and Peter Peaquin, a health care judge who as also, with this meeting, met the initial qualifications for membership in the club. All three have visited at least three times, have applied for Club membership, and the club’s board will consider their applications this week.
Announcements:
President Gary noted that the venue survey results were sent to the membership yesterday (Sunday), and in deference to our guest speaker any questions or comments may be discussed at the end of the meeting.
He reminded members that the club’s board meets on the 17th, which is this Thursday, at Brezza Condominium. The entry code will be the same as for the rummage sale meetings.
He reminded members that the Rotary Salmon Bake is on Monday the 28th of this month, and the deadline to register for catering numbers is the 23rd at noon. Bob and Gary are providing complimentary Margaritas until supplies last; Rotarians are expected to provide their own designated drivers.
Dave Aubry reminded members that the Kirkland Rotary Foundation Gala & Auction is on October 9, a Monday that the club doesn’t meet due to the federal holiday that day, and activities are expected to begin around 5:00 p.m. Food will be catered. Dave is sending out an email with all the information, and Rotarians should start thinking about things you want to donate. This is a great get together, and the dress for the evening is “be presentable ... but no Hawaiian shirts”.
Happy Bucks:
President Gary conducted a round of Happy Bucks. Dave Aubry, Bob Auslander, Scott Becker, Michelle Cazeau, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, Don Dicks, Rashmi Garimella, Jim Meniketti, Rick Ostrander, and Steve Shinstrom shared happiness and bucks for a total of $502. Terry Cole suggested we do something to assist Maui fire victims, and Gary noted the District has established a portal to accept donations. Steve Shinstrom announced that his family insurance business has been sold after 112 years in Kirkland. Thank you all for your generosity!
Program:
Our speaker was Chancellor Kristen Esterberg of the University of Washington Bothell. Dr. Esterberg gave us a verbal tour of the physical facility, which includes new buildings, on-going construction, and considerable green spaces. Included is a large, restored wetland, now home to many birds and animals, including over 10,000 crows that return from our region to roost in the evenings.
The school can offer both a more intimate learning environment as well as a connection to the main U.W. campus in Seattle, and the campus in Tacoma. Most students commute to school. She also said that the school offers a wide range of activities and has programs for students with disabilities.
About 40% of the graduates are the first in their families to earn a college degree. Many of the students are from currently underserved communities. Dr. Esterberg was especially pleased that 66% of students graduate debt-free, and 90% of graduates remain in the state of Washington, including a large number who remain in the Puget Sound area.
There were a number of questions from Rotarians, especially concerning options for attending school in person, online, or a hybrid of both options. Other facts elicited by Rotarian’s questions include: that most students are full-time; most classes are in-person; there is a very high demand for computer services and software engineering classes, with more applicants than available slots.
Ms. Esterberg pitched the fact that one can donate to U.W. specifically for the Bothell campus. She likes Rotary and its mission. She also believes that it offers a way for people starting out in life to connect both with a wide spectrum of the community and to participate in activities that strengthen the community.
Following the program, members discussed the results of the venue survey the club conducted over the past week. Several members asked about the main ideas from the results, and various opinions were offered. President Gary discussed the recent venue survey and the fact that the Madison House location was not well-regarded as a meeting venue by a number of survey participants, especially as a positive atmosphere to which one might bring potential new members. He asked that members spend a few more minutes examining the results, which are posted to the website, and to expect another discussion and a decision about whether to stay at Madison House or return to SOI following the program at the next in-person meeting.
President Gary reminded everyone to quickly pay their Happy Dollars on line so the money can be disbursed as soon as possible.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Aubry, Recording Secretary, with Rashmi Garimella, Club Secretary