The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on June 27, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 6:32 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
John Storbeck led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were George Anderson, Pete Anderson, Bob Auslander, Rich Bergdahl, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, David DeBois, Donald Dicks, Doug Evanson, Rashmi Garimella, Mekonen Giorgis, Margie Glenn, Brandon Honcoop, Michael Hunter, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, James Nevers, Rick Ostrander, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, John Storbeck, Bill Taylor, and Rick Walter.
Guests:
Guests this evening included Michelle Cole, Merrily Dicks, Sharon Hunter, David Mutal, Peggy Ostrander, Patty Shinstrom, Chris Storbeck, Sandra Taylor, and past presidents Sandra Ekins*, Rotary Club of Kirkland’s first female president in 1992-1993, and John Woodbery. *Attended via Zoom.
Greeter:
Our greeter this evening was Jim Meniketti, who was at the front desk to greet members and guests and collect dinner fees.
Announcements, Club Business and Leadership Transition:
Dave DeBois gave his last speech as our president (tear falling onto computer keyboard as I write this-sniff)
- Dave recapped his year, saying it was like his hike in the Dolomite Mountains-peaks and valleys.
- Covid made Dave’s year more difficult because some of the restrictions were lifted but people are still skeptical.
- Covid added the challenge of having meetings in person with the Zoom option.
- Dave gave many thank you’s, in the form of bottles of Italian Tuscany wine and insulated cups because Rotary gear would take too long to obtain.
- Thank you’s to Mike and Gary for Student of the Month and Scholarships.
- Thank you’s to Joanne Primavera for international committee contributions, including Ukraine relief fun night at Flatstick Pub.
- On the money-side, Dave acknowledged the “slide in nickels”.
- The things Dave thought were done really well:
- Bella's coordination of Christmas gift giveaway
- Duck Dash after NO duck dash in 2020
- Rich Bergdahl getting everyone to contribute to Rotary International
- Speaker line-up was exemplary with Dave’s picks for the best being Isabella’s discussion about and guests from Hero House, and Kristin Olson’s daughter, Megan, speaking on her assignment in Guatemala with the U.S. Department of State. Really good topics included the wine, cider, and beer series in the fall; the Univ. of Washington professor’s talk on the Law of Space; and the city of Kirkland historians who grabbed all of our hearts with their stories of research and exciting discoveries (the ones we all thought would be the most boring speakers of the year turned out to be some of the best!).
Dave acknowledged Gary Cohn as Rotarian of the Year for our club. Gary is no less than amazing at his jobs. Nothing half-done by this guy! Every task Gary tackles, he is all-in! Thank you, Gary!
Via the distinguished line up of past presidents in attendance, on Zoom, and remembered, the gavel was passed to Amy Mutal for 2022-2023 Rotary Year.
Thank you, Amy, for stepping into this critical leadership position.
Amy expressed how she is looking forward to her year because it is an opportunity to focus on reconnecting, reengaging, and moving forward from Covid. She want to get back on track with Rotary becoming the acknowledged leader it is in the local Kirkland community.
Amy emphasized that a return to Club Service would include spouses at a lot of the events. More socializing-YAY!
She called on Gary who noted that Duck Dash day of race sign up are still critical, as some of our veteran day of race volunteers are unable to be present this year. MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO CONDUCT THE RACE and sign-up sheets are on the tables now and will be on the website soon.
Adjournment:
President Dave rang the bell at 7:16 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Margie Glenn, Secretary