The Rotary Club of Kirkland held an in-person meeting on November 6, 2023 at the Madison House Independent and Assisted Living Community in Kirkland’s Totem Lake. Members gathered beforehand to socialize and enjoy refreshments. Some members attended via Zoom.
John Storbeck greeted members, along with Rick Walter, and collected money for the meal.
Past President Rick Walter, called the meeting to order at 6:16 p.m.
John Pruitt led us in the pledge.
Attendance was unavailable by the time of publication.
Rick Walter gave us a Rotary Minute with some interesting information about the design of the Rotary Symbol and Rotary Pin. He related this by telling us about the reaction of a woman in Indonesia to Rotary’s efforts to assist people after the catastrophic tsunami in 2004. Rotary’s presence helped restore hope to people whose lives had been devastated by the disaster.
The club’s guests included potential new member Michael Berry and Austin Picinich, a 2023 Rotary scholarship recipient, who will show us holiday cards he has designed and has for sale.
Announcements:
Dave Aubry announced that the December Kirkland Wine Walk is available free to the first six or so people who let him know that they would like to participate. This is because Anna and he purchased a certificate for ten tickets at the recent Foundation Gala. Sign up with Dave Aubry.
Jim Meniketti announced that he has bags for members to take home and fill with food items for families at John Muir Elementary. A list of suggested items is in each bag – it is suggested that each family also receive a $50 Safeway or Fred Meyer Gift Card. Purchase the items and return the filled bags at our meeting in two weeks, on November 20. We have no specific family information at this time; Jim will see if he can get more information and will email everyone in the next week or so.
The Club contributed $400 ($200 of which came from Jim Meniketti and the Cohn’s) to finance the move of the mobile kitchen unit for Camp United We Stand-supported homeless camp to its new location.
We will be doing holiday shopping again for selected John Muir families and wrapping gifts. The wrapping can occur either at home or at St. John’s Church on State Street before our Holiday Party on December 18. Food will be provided. More information to follow.
Jocelyn Ellison introduced Austin Picinich and spoke about his locally designed holiday cards available for order. [Note: See Monday’s email from President Gary showing the four designs available.]
John Pruit reported that the Kirkland Rotary Foundation November Gala netted about $13,000 – a record amount for this enjoyable, low-key affair. He also remined us that there are still a few people who owe for the event.
Pete Anderson reported that we should have a date for the annual Rummage Sale soon – start saving goodies to sell!
Rick Walter inducted Gary Cohn-sponsored new member Josephine Shi, who then told us a bit about herself. She is director of community relations at MorningStar of Kirkland, a senior-living community.
Happy Dollars – conducted by Rick Walter, who extracted money from many happy Rotarians.
Our speakers for the evening, who were scheduled for our October 16 meeting, which was cancelled due to a flare-up of COVID cases at Madison House, spoke about the pro- and con- positions regarding Kirkland’s Proposition 1 on the ballot due tomorrow. The measure would fund extra dollars, primarily to operate a new recreation center that will include an aquatic facility, for the Kirkland Parks Department. If the measure passes, the city council would then authorize bonds to construct the proposed facility.
Ken MacKenzie spoke against the measure, as he feels that we could get what we need for less money. He compared the proposed facility to Sammamish’s facility, which is operated by the YMCA. He said Kirkland’s proposed facility costs too much, is too elaborate, and is in the wrong location. One of his main points is that Sammamish’s facility is built and operated at little cost to taxpayers. He also stated that the information given out about Kirkland’s proposed facility is not clear as to costs and benefits.
Susan Pappalardo, subbing for the originally-scheduled Scott Morris, presented the arguments supporting Proposition 1. She noted that in order to use the Sammamish facility, one has to purchase a family membership. Residents can also do the same in Kirkland, but there is also the opportunity to purchase an individual day-use pass. Kirkland residents will have higher-priority access to their facility than Sammamish folks currently have to theirs. The YMCA has had to access funds from King County for facility maintenance.
Scott Becker conducted a round of Joker Pool for the club. Jocelyn Ellison drew the winning ticket, but did not draw the Joker, so the funds stay in the pool.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Aubry, Acting Scribe