The Rotary Club of Kirkland held an in-person meeting on August 5, 2023 at the Madison House Independent and Assisted Living Community in Kirkland’s Totem Lake. We are evaluating Madison House as a possible meeting venue. Members gathered beforehand to socialize and enjoy some refreshments.
Jim Meniketti greeted members.
President Gary Cohn called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m.
Joanne Primavera led us in the pledge.
Members attending were Pete Anderson, Bob Auslander*, Gary Cohn, David DeBois, Donald Dicks, Sandi Ekins (Honorary), Jocelyn Ellison, Doug Evanson, Rashmi Garimella, Mekonen Giorgis, Margie Glenn*, Brandon Honcoop, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, and Pat Swenson. *Attended via Zoom.
Visiting Rotarian this evening was Kate Kosloski, who is attending her fourth meeting and has completed the application process. Visiting Rotarian alum this evening was Dr. Ernie Norehad.
The club’s guests at this meeting were the speaker, Dr. Amy Morrison, president of the lake Washington Institute of Technology; Zac Baker, a banker in Kirkland with First Financial Northwest, and here for his third meeting; Michelle Cazeau with Banner Bank, attending her second meeting; Peter Peaquin*, who is attending his second meeting and this one via Zoom due to business travel; and Sharat Sakala, who is looking for a club to join. Also present again was Karen Nelson, relationship manager with Madison House.
Announcements:
President Gary noted that:
- the club would conduct a venue survey on August 7, today, after the conclusion of this second meeting at Madison House, and the survey would be sent to those who have attended at least one of the meetings at this location;
- there is a board meeting on the calendar August 17, and that members can attend in person or Zoom in to listen;
- Rick Walter has organized a Rotary booth at the Kirkland Waterfront Car Show on August 13, and members may sign up on the website to join Rick for two-hour shifts;
- the annual Rotary Salmon Bake is August 28 at the Auslander home in Yarrow Point (Joanne Primavera provided a quick summary of the history of the event for guests), and that Bob and Gary would be sponsoring a margarita bar until the supplies run out;
- the Kirkland Rotary Foundation Gala & Auction is on October 9 (which is a federal holiday so there is not a club meeting that day) at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland beginning at about 5 p.m., and donations are welcome and needed (foundation president John Pruitt added that the foundation has decided to add $10,000 to the funds raised at the auction, and the attendees would determine the distribution of funds that night);
- club profile update emails will come from ClubRunner shortly, and members should update their personal and business details and update their photos with “headshots” that new members will be able to use to recognize them; and
- an event/speaker opinion survey will be coming soon, as will a Rotary membership survey that can be offered annually to track members views of the club meeting their needs.
Jocelyn Ellison noted that she is recruiting members to the Youth Services Committee and that she has contacted the Lake Washington High School staff to prepare for the student of the month process.
Doug Evanson reported that club service has settled dates and locations for most of this year’s major events, and he is working on some smaller events for the year.
In Rick Walter’s absence, President Gary noted that the membership committee is working with seven referrals and applicants, and that five may be ready to present to the board for recommendation to the membership within about 45 days.
Happy Bucks:
Doug Evanson conducted a round of Happy Bucks. David DeBois, Doug Evanson, Brandon Honcoop, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, and Dr. Amy Morrison contributed happily toward the club’s community service work. Thank you all for your generosity!
Program:
Our speaker was Dr. Amy Morrison of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology. She is the college's ninth president, and is completing her first decade as president having begun in July of 2013. Dr. Morrison described the impacts on the college of post-Great Recession budgetary challenges, and how the pandemic impacted students and teachers and caused the shift to online learning across the campus. She told the story of the nursing students who were impacted especially by the pandemic, and how their experiences were considerably different from what was planned, and that they all graduated despite the challenges.
She discussed the growth of various college programs and partnerships, noting about $70 million in capital improvements that would include removal of the old portables that serve as the early learning program facility, to be replaced with a new building, and the development and construction of a new design program center on the campus.
While the college has grown program offerings with a focus on equity, completion, and empathy, she described the enrollment declines suffered by two-year institutions as a result of the pandemic as well as the cyclical nature of the economy.
Dr. Morrison responded to numerous questions from members either curious about or personally involved in certain programs or aspects of the college’s operation.
Joker Pool:
There was no Joker Pool at this meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rashmi Garimella, Secretary