The Rotary Club of Kirkland held an in-person meeting on January 27, 2025 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club in Kirkland.
Past President Rick Ostrander acted as president for this meeting. He called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m.
Jim Meniketti led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rashmi Garimella served as Greeter. Jocelyn Ellison led us in reciting the 4-Way Test.
Members Attending: David Aubry, Cody Baker, Terry Cole*, Sandy Ekins (Honorary)*, Jocelyn Ellison, Doug Evanson, Rashmi Garimella, Isabelle Kalisa, Kate Koslosky, Jim Meniketti, Kristin Olson, Rick Ostrander, Rémy Pairault, Angela Pritchett, John Pruitt, Daniel Sada Caraveo, and John Storbeck. *Attended via Zoom.
Guests included Carrie Buekel of Music 4Life, introduced by Jocelyn Ellison, who is actually the speaker at our next meeting.
Rotary Moment:
Doug Evanson reminded us of famous Rotarians and of some of the first Rotary community projects that were undertaken in Chicago.
Doug Evanson reminded us that the Rotary Valentine Dinner is coming up in two weeks – sign up on the club’s website. Bring a guest and enjoy a fun evening with Rotarians and guests.
Be sure to get the Salmon Bake on your calendar for August 25.
Rick Ostrander reminded people to sign up for meeting functions, such as leading the Pledge, greeting, providing a Rotary Moment, etc.
Jocelyn Ellison reported that the Youth Service Committee will meet after the club meeting next week, instead of this week.
Cody Baker reminded us the Rummage Sale is coming up. It has been renamed the “Rotary Super Sale”. He needs folks to lead the various departments – sign up now so you will not be drafted! The strategy this year is to emphasize sponsorships, and to ensure that sponsors see a real benefit to being a sponsor. They are thinking that a $10,000 donation will result in being named a “Presenting Sponsor”, plus literature that advertises “Rotary Super Sale Sponsored by XXXX”. Talk to Cody if you are interested and/or you have an idea for a sponsor who might like to get on board. He also reminded us that we need to wear our Rotary Pins daily to raise Rotary’s profile in the community.
Happy Bucks:
Rick Ostrander led a quick round of Happy Dollars – there were several very happy Rotarians.
Program:
John Pruitt introduced one of our speakers, Lila Sternberg-Sher, site coordinator for Communities in Schools located at John Muir Elementary School. Lila introduced Margot Schroeder, a counselor at John Muir Elementary, and Alba Cisneros, who is a lead at Communities in Schools of Greater King County.
The Rotary Club of Kirkland was thanked for the numerous programs we have contributed to, supported, and/or participated in over the years at John Muir. We heard about how appreciative students and families have been for the programs the club has sponsored, such as Warm Coats, Holiday Gifts, and Thanksgiving food gift cards.
We then heard about the Communities in Schools (CIS) program, and how it helps provide many kinds of support to students and their families with the goal of making it easier for the kids to succeed in school, and for the families to assist the kids in life as well as school.
CIS’s support services are tailored to the needs of each community in the school’s area. Support takes many forms, including mentoring and partnering. We saw a graph on the ethnicity and economic status of the John Muir school student community. More than 30% are low-income, and about 25% are ESL. There are 74 different languages spoken. CIS addresses any and all issues that might interfere with life or with school.
There were a number of questions from Rotarians. CIS is beginning to move into middle schools.
John Storbeck gave us an update on Rick Walter. He is currently undergoing chemo twice a week; he has lost a lot of weight, but is now gaining some of it back. Chemo will run through June, with July off. Radiation treatment will take place in August and September. John reported that he sounds much better, and misses us almost as much as we miss him!
Acting President Rick Ostrander told us to read the new Rotary [February 2025] magazine – we will be asked about our favorite article to use as a Rotary Moment.
Cody Baker did the ticket drawing – winners were Isabelle Kalisa, John Pruitt, and John Storbeck.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Aubry – Acting Scribe