The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on December 13, 2021 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 6:26 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
Matt Colpitts led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were George Anderson, David Aubry, Scott Becker, Rich Bergdahl, Matthew Colpitts, David DeBois, Monica Fratita, Margie Glenn, Michael Hunter, Jim Meniketti, John Pruitt, and Rick Walter. This was the third fully “hybrid” meeting operated by the club, with Margie, Monica, and Scott attending the meeting online.
Guests:
Isabelle Kalisa was back on another visit to check us out; President Dave had her give quick summary of her work and of HERO House NW, her employer.
Greeter:
Our greeter this evening was Jim Meniketti, who manned the front desk.
Announcements & Club Business:
Monica [!!] is back with us on Zoom - everything going well with her and new baby. She announced that 31 have signed up for the holiday and gift-wrap party next Monday at the Kirkland Women’s Club. The system would not let some members add guests after signing up, but they will have extra food and you can pay at the party. (Gary has been adding guests for people who haven’t been able to do so, and then sending an invoice through Dues & Billing. You may send him an email if you are having trouble with the event registration process.)
Rick Walter has a Christmas trivia game for us to play next week at the wrapping and holiday party. There may also be an ugly sweater contest.
After 12/20, we will not meet again until January 10.
Rich Bergdahl told us about the work of the Rotary International Foundation, and its progress at fighting Polio and Malaria. There is still lots of work to do. He reminded us that there is still time donate to the Foundation – you can donate directly on Rotary International’s website, or you can give a check to Rich. He will come and pick up the check to assist in getting it done this calendar year.
Happy Bucks:
There were no Happy Bucks collected during this meeting.
Program:
President Dave DeBois gave his long-delayed Classification talk. He told us about being born in Victoria, B.C., and growing up in Richmond, B.C. He had a great group of friends, many of whom he is still connected to. He was a Cub Scout, and also was almost abducted as a child. This has fostered an interest in anti-child abuse measures.
He told us several stories about child-hood adventures. His family broke up, but a network of friends and their parents shepherded him through growing up.
He met his wife while he was in college, at the Unicorn Bar in Vancouver, B.C. He moved to Seattle because Christine lived here. He got a job in banking, worked for a great boss, and rose through the ranks. He was fast-tracked at Washington Mutual; the bank eventually imploded. He went through a hard time at work and at home. Banner Bank, his current employer, recruited him. Things are going well there.
He told us a bit about banking and mortgages during the financial crisis a number of years ago. He wrote a program to try to resolve the issue of people being underwater with their homes and mortgages, but at that point there was an industry in bankruptcies and foreclosures, so no alternative solution was implemented. A lot of money was being made in the bankruptcy process.
Rick Walter, John Pruitt, and Dave Aubry entertained us with humorous stories.
Joker Pool:
There was not a Joker Pool this evening.
Adjournment:
President Dave rang the bell at 7:34 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
Dave Aubry – Acting Scribe