The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting online on November 1, 2021.
President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 6:29 p.m., calling the club meeting to order. Tonight is the club’s first of two trial in-person meetings at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel!
Steve Shinstrom led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were David Aubry, Rich Bergdahl, Gary Cohn, Matthew Colpitts, David DeBois, Shellie Gehring, Brandon Honcoop, Alan Hoviland, Michael Hunter, Jim Meniketti, Kristin Olson, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, Patti Smith, Bill Taylor, Alice Volpe, and Rick Walter.
Greeter:
Our greeter this evening was Jim Meniketti.
Guests:
Dave Aubry introduced his wife Anna Aubry. Dave DeBois introduced John D. Storbeck who has been in business in Kirkland for 39 years, and is with Omega Financial. Mike Hunter managed the introductions of Jennifer and Mike Sigl, parents of Grace Sigl, our October Rotary Student of the Month (SOM), and Jane Sigl, sister of our SOM.
Announcements & Club Business:
Patti Smith announced the winners of the ‘baby contest’ held at the shower in September. The contest was for name, date, time, and weight at birth of James and Jessica Nevers’ new son, Jackson. Prizes were awarded to Joanne Primavera (weight), Kristin Olson (date), Scott Becker (time), and Monica Fratita (name).
President Dave announced that Bella Chaffey is asking for more donated dollars for the holiday gift drive – use DONATE on the Club’s website. The holiday gift wrapping party will be at the Kirkland Women’s Club, Monday, December 20, beginning at 5 p.m., in festive attire, with nibbles and drinks and then dinner to follow. Be sure to sign up on the Club’s website. Cost $50 per person.
President Dave announced that Vince Issacson of Lake Street Diamond Co. is retiring as of January 31. He has been a long-time sponsor of the Duck Dash.
Happy Bucks:
There were no Happy Bucks this evening.
Student of the Month:
SOM Grace Sigl spoke to us about her college plans and future plans. She is currently a senior at Juanita High School where she has been a member of DECA and has raised money for Hopelink. She has applied to several colleges and universities, where she would like to study biochemistry. Her preferred school is Butler University. She also spoke about how personal strengths and attributes can be used to make the world a better place. President Dave presented Grace with a certificate honoring her selection as a Rotary Student of the Month.
Program:
President Dave introduced our speaker, District Governor Howard Cohen. He joined Renton Rotary in 2001. He spoke about hospitality and how it relates to Rotary. Howard is in the hospitality/hotel management business and has been for many years. He used the term ‘breathe in suffering, breathe out compassion’.
There are many areas of suffering in the world – Rotary is deeply involved in bringing compassion-based solutions in the areas of disease prevention, providing clean water, and education.
He expanded on the theme ‘Every Rotarian, Every Year’ – 55% participation in donations to Rotary International can get the club on the road to qualifying as a significant contributor. During the pandemic, there has been a decline in donations in District 5030. This needs to be reversed – the District’s theme is ‘Ignite Your Passion with Action’.
World-wide, Rotary has been holding at 1.2 million members for 17 years – the new president of Rotary International wants to reach 1.3 million members by June 2022. He suggests a buddy system whereby members pair up and call any member who does not appear at a meeting. This is a way to keep members connected to Rotary. He also informed us that there are clubs formed around a theme, rather than a geographic location, such as a club to end sex trafficking. There are such clubs in several areas of the world.
Next year, Rotary International will inaugurate its first woman president, Jennifer Jones of Canada. Mr. Cohen suggested that we have a ‘District 5030 Table’ at the International Convention in June so we can hold up a banner that says ‘5030 Welcomes Jennifer Jones’.
There were several questions from Rotarians, especially on sex trafficking. We were informed that hotel workers are often trained to recognize the signs of sex trafficking.
Joker Pool:
There was not a Joker Pool this evening.
Adjournment:
President Dave rang the bell at 7:35 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
Dave Aubry – Acting Scribe