May 9, 2022 Spokesman

The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on May 9, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
 
Past-president Joanne Primavera rang the bell at 6:22 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
 
Kristin Olsen and Mike Hunter led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Attending were George Anderson*, Bob Auslander, Rich Bergdahl, David DeBois*, Doug Evanson, Monica Fratita*, Margie Glenn, Michael Hunter, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti*, Kristin Olson, Rick Ostrander, and Joanne Primavera. *Attended the meeting online.
 
Guests:
 
Guests this evening were the speakers from Nourishing Networks and its parnters, Tammy Waddell, Alejandro Mendez, Glynis Abdallah, and Na’eemah Webb.  Lisa Westlund was a guest of Dave Aubry, and attended with interest in joining the club.  A guest Rotarian attending this evening was Jocelyn Ellison* of the Rotary Club of Virginia Beach.  Prospective member Rashmi Garimella attended tonight.
 
Greeter:
 
Our greeters this evening were Bob Auslander and Mike Hunter.  Margie Glenn stood in for treasurer Jim Meniketti at the front desk to greet attendees and collect dinner fees.
 
Announcements & Club Business:
 
On May 16 there is NO MEETING at the COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT because we are meeting at the Kirkland Marina for Electric Boats at 5:00 p.m.
 
THERE IS NO MEETING MAY 30 due to the Memorial Day holiday.
 
June 6, 2022 is Scholarship Night at the Rotary Club of Kirkland.  We have three applicants from Juanita High School and one applicant from Lake Washington High School.  Mike Hunter is coordinating the interviews.
 
July 31 is the Duck Dash, and it is progressing as expected. Everyone is looking forward to having in-person Duck Dash this year.
 
Program:
 
The program this evening was presented by a team led by Tammy Waddell, of Nourishing Networks.  She was joined by Alejandro Mendez, who also is with Kirkland’s Nourishing Networks, by Glynis Abdallah, who is with Free Pantry in partnership with Nourishing Networks, and by Na’eemah Webb, who is with Families Helping Families in partnership with Nourishing Networks.
     
    The program topic was “How Nourishing Networks Partners with other local free services”. Highlights of the presentation were that Nourishing Networks was part of HopeLink, but became so large that it started up as a separate service from HopeLink.
     
    Nourishing Networks has set up community groups from different free services to best meet the needs of underestimated and underserved populations (including seniors, families, immigrants, those without citizenship status, etc.) in Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue, Issaquah and other communities.
     
    Nourishing Networks is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, as is HopeLink.  There are seven layers to Nourishing Networks service vision:
    1. Core or roots called Guardians. These are the people that match needs with available resources.
    2. Everyday people who interact with those in need. Needs are passed onto Guardians.
    3. Relationship Volunteers-This layer includes volunteers at each location who match needs with resources
    4. Relationship Providers. This layer includes businesses and individuals who can actually meet a need.
    5. Group Meetings that are used for information sharing across all networks.
    6. Regional Providers who are local providers of services or goods.
    7. Across Country Providers who within the United States provide of services and goods.
    Nourishing Networks has found that gift cards work well for food purchases because they meet needs such as people being able to purchase food when diet is restricted by either health, religion or other reason.  As expected, the Pandemic and price inflation have had a devastating effect on our local communities in need as well as effecting supply chain resources.  The three agencies represented at our meeting are but a few of the services that are available in our communities.
     
    A flyer was provided members to let people know how they can help directly at Nourishing Networks, Free Pantry, Families Helping Families or other network providers.
     
    Closing remarks: Nourishing Networks is very thankful to Kirkland Rotary for the gift cards we provide each Holiday Season.
     
    Joker Pool:
     
    There was not a Joker Pool this evening.
     
    Adjournment:
     
    Past-president Joanne rang the bell at 7:22 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.
     
    Respectfully Submitted
     
    Margie Glenn, Secretary