The Rotary Club of Kirkland held its regular weekly meeting online on December 21, 2020.
Attending were James Nevers, Dave Aubry, Dave DeBois, George Anderson, Joanne Primavera, Russ & Tricia Stromberg, Bill Taylor, Margie Glenn, Mike Hunter, Gary Cohn, Steve Shinstrom, John Pruitt, Rich Bergdahl, Rick Ostrander, John Woodbery, Brandon Honcoop, and Dan Bartel. Let me know if I missed anyone. Let the record show that George Anderson was present at our December 14 meeting.
We joined breakout rooms before the meeting started, giving everyone a chance to catch up socially with fellow Club members.
We were informed that former Club member Dick Westin’s wife died recently. The Club extended its condolences.
President James Nevers rang the bell at 6:17 p.m. Rick Ostrander recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements:
Dave Aubry announced that two picnic tables were delivered to the new Rotary Central Station Pavilion today. The tables were purchased with funds from a Rotary District Grant written by Joanne Primavera.
Dave DeBois thanked everyone for their efforts on the Club Christmas present drive. He feels that it was a huge success based on the volume of gifts that appeared in his office. He also thanked Members who donated funds to the effort. The Club thanked Mr. DeBois for his dedication in organizing this effort.
Happy Bucks:
Several of our members continued the holiday giving spirit through our Happy Bucks opportunity: Dave DeBois, Dave Aubry, James Nevers, and Mike Hunter, all for $20 to the Club. Thank you for your contributions!
Program:
Russ Stromberg introduced our speaker, Dr. Philip Ballinger. He spoke about efforts that he has helped organize to get disadvantaged students into the University of Washington. The program is called the Presidential Scholars Initiative [PSI]. The program tries to overcome the negative aspects of the college application process.
The admission process has to some extent become a ‘game’ that does not necessarily positively serve all stakeholders. [Dr. Ballinger referenced the recent college admissions scandal.]
“Achievement” in narrow ranges tends to exclude positives in areas that are not measured or valued as highly as might be more appropriate. Concern and leadership for the welfare of the student’s communities might be more worthy of greater consideration in the college application process. The PSI is intended to address this and to find students who demonstrate these values. An endowment has been established at the University of Washington with the goal of growing the endowment to the point where it can support 50 or more students per year.
The PSI searches out candidates through non-traditional channels; it is not a program to be applied to by students themselves. The program is not need-based. The program is still under development and various issues are being addressed.
There were many informed questions by Rotarians, who were obviously very interested in the potential of the program. Gary Cohn suggested the we connect Dr. Ballinger with other Clubs who might be a resource for him to identify potential candidates for the program.
Remember next week, December 28, the program will be a Holiday Happy Hour hosted by Rick Walter.
We adjourned at about 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
David Aubry - Acting Scribe