Washington’s Oldest Museum is Becoming Washington’s Newest Museum Speaker: Dr. Julie K. Stein, Executive Director
Founded in 1885 and declared the Washington State Museum in 1899, the Burke is the oldest museum in Washington. The Museum’s founders began collecting natural and cultural objects as they watched frontier-era Seattle transform before their eyes. For 130 years, the museum built upon this legacy, amassing millions of objects that show us how the Northwest has grown and changed. From its humble beginnings, the Burke has grown into the premier center for learning about the Pacific Northwest.
Executive Director Julie Stein will share stories of the Burke’s impact and reach—locally, regionally, and globally. She’ll also give a sneak preview of the Burke’s plans to completely upend the idea of a traditional museum where collections, researchers and artists are on one side of the wall, and exhibits are on the other.
SHORT PROGRAM: Discoveries in Geosciences (DIG) Field School
Speaker: Brody Hovatter, Assistant Director
The DIG Field School is a unique, non-profit program from the UW’s Burke Museum which takes K-12 teachers on field research with UW paleontologists. The mission is to connect STEM teachers with scientific research and researchers through ongoing professional development and teaching curricula - fossils spark student (and teacher!) interest and provide a fun and exciting way to engage with science, including field research methods, critical thinking, and examining evidence.
An Opening for Remembering and Preparing for St. Patricks Day Reporter: Bret Anderson
Before the meeting we spend time with each other laughing, hugs from Sue, checking schedules, commenting on the thick creamy balsamic vineger salad dressing and discussed what to do with our old high school yearbooks. Did you know that Grace Chien was a high school cheerleader?
Jimmy Collins and Burr Stewart got our Irish going with a tuneful “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.”
Bill Center told us the story of St. Patrick as the invocation. We had a moment of silent remembering for our friend Danner Graves who passed away this past week.
Mark Davis gave us a beautiful eulogy from the friends of deeply missed John Iverson. Mark read passages by a few of John’s friends: Jimmy Collins, Dave Endicott, Mark Wright, Roberta Greer, Carl Behnke, Todd Summerfelt, Vicky Oxley, Craig Wright, Linda Rough, Bob Rosner, Sten Crissey, Bill Center, Bob Alexander, and Marli Iverson. “We love you John Iverson and we’ll miss you.” Ardent Sage Sue commented “Serve together, grieve together.”
Kathy Williams introduced visiting Rotarians Lars Anderson, Allen Merri and Michael Sentani, and Grace Chien introduced Charley Dickey, who introduced prospective Rotarians Tolley McKowan, Laila Cohen and David Brenner.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: We still need female hosts for the Winners for Life event. Please sign up if you can.
Police Body Cameras: Keeping everybody honest or the eye of Big Brother?
Our distinguished panel was introduced by Maria Tringali. The moderator was Julie Bunting, journalist from the Washington Coalition for Open Government. Panel members were Eric Stahl of Davis Wright, Josias Flynn from Riddell Williams and the ACLU, and Mary Perry from the Seattle Police Department.
Body cameras for police officers present solutions and problems. Do they interfere with the public’s right to privacy? Do they presume misconduct for the wearers? What is to be done with the data accumulated by the cameras? Does the public have the right to view all police body camera footage?
As with all new technology we are dealing with new solutions to old problems as well as new concerns about abuse.
Eric explained a bill that is currently in the legislature. While not perfect, it represents a start in dealing with the concerns of both law enforcement and rights to privacy. In line with other agencies across the country, the bill attempts to balance the need for public disclosure, data management and police use. Anything that relates to the work of public service employees is supported. Blanket requests for records are banned. Videos inside private homes and medical situations are also protected. Advances in technology may make it possible to redact parts of the videos to protect privacy. This bill will expire in two years so adjustments can be made to take this into account.
Josias explained that the ACLU supported body cameras to support police accountability but is also concerned that personal privacy may be infringed in certain cases such as domestic violence or death notification.
Mary explained that the Seattle Police Department has two trial programs under way with two different vendors. Once a choice is made for the supplier, many SPD officers will have the body cameras in use next year.
One of the problems that remain is who pays for the processing of footage demanded by public disclosure requests. There is no technology at this point to reduce this.
Julie asked what problems the panel foresees with body cameras. The main one is cost of dealing with the vast amounts of data and for public record requests. Eric reported that new software is being developed that will improve redacting of camera footage. Currently, pixillating and black-boxing are used and are acceptable. Also, it might be possible some day to have the records available through the Cloud.
Questions asked: Will the trend also include elected officials to wear body cameras? No, not at at this time. In order for the program to work, there must be buy-in by the users.
What does the Seattle Police Department feel about using body cameras? The Police Officer’s Union has been consulted and there will be a detailed policy about when cameras may be turned on or turned off. The current policy may be viewed in the Seattle Police Manual on line.
What kind of abusive request control does the Police Department have? Julie tells us that we have an absolute right to know what the government is doing in our name. Eric says that agencies have tools to deal with such requests. The solution can be worse than the cure as someone who works in video can tell you. Redaction is not totally effective at this point and the programing is trying to catch up with the technology. Mary explained that the Communities Policing Commission has held extensive outreach programs. Josiah added that in many community roundtable discussions, most people say that body cameras can help change a bigger problem. They feel that there needs to be specific guidelines about how body cameras may be used.
Closing notes: The Annual High School Essay Contest deadline is the end of April! Click HERE for more informaiton.
Next week: Indiana Jones meets Jurassic Park at the Convention Center. Bring your whip!
From our Ardent Sage, Sue Nixon: “It feels vulnerable to be watched. Being watched over...feels really good.”
Unless WRITTEN, SIGNED protests are received in the time period required, the following will receive a "welcome to Rotary" notification that their membership has been accepted:
1. David Brenner, Law Practice – Non Profit, Attorney and Advisor (David Owens/Steve Crane)
2. Brand Ray, Non Profit – Legal Child Protection, Deputy Chief Marketing Officer, National CASA Association (Nancy Osborne/Faith Ireland)
3. Martin Edlund, Non Profit, CEO, Malaria No More (Charley Dickey)
4. Suria Elbietar, Real Estate - Commercial, Broker, KW Commercial (Cathy Gibson/Harvey Rubinstein)
5. Lauren MacLeod, Architecture – Lighting Design, Senior Associate, Santec (Sue Nixon, Jim Duncan)
Effective April 1, 2016 Seattle Rotary will be implementing new software for sending invoices and receiving payments.
As many of you have noticed, we’ve run into several technical issues with our current system since switching to monthly invoices and recurring payments last July. After much consideration, we’ve come to the conclusion that our old system simply does not work with our new billing practices.
Our objectives in switching from QuickBooks Payments to FreshBooks are:
• Implement an invoicing and online payment solution that is easier to use, more accurate, and more secure.
• Reduce staff time spent troubleshooting technical problems and managing a tedious process.
• Increase functionality and user friendliness of the online payment portal. New features will include the ability to view and pay multiple invoices, view invoice and payment history, and print copies for your records.
We’re very excited for this change and the efficiencies it will bring to our organization. You will soon be receiving an email outlining how this change will affect you personally. The two main things to look out for are:
• Emailed invoices and payment receipts will now be sent from maildelivery@freshbooks.com. Please add this email address to your safe senders list to ensure that you receive invoices in timely manner.
• Members currently paying by recurring automatic payment will need to re-enter their card information online. To set up automatic payments on the new program, members will need to indicate that on their first emailed invoice. Staff will no longer be able to create automatic payments for you. This is a security measure that eliminates the need to keep authorization forms with credit card information on file in the office.
As we all know however, change is never easy and we appreciate your patience as we work through the transition. Board members will be contacting members who currently have an outstanding balance so we can close out our old system as neatly and promptly as possible. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact President Sue Nixon or Mariah Kimpton in the office.
Seattle Rotary #4 Fellowship invites you to a very special Program Series
RETIREMENT: NOW WHAT? aka What Color is Your Hammock?
Tuesday, March 22, 5-7 p.m.
Space Limited, must RVSP by Friday March 18 to jhamer46@gmail.com. Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle - Light hors-d’oeuvres (free) & Cash bar. Click HERE for the flyer
Join Fedva Dikmen on Wednesday, March 30 for another fabulous ethnic dinner night! Enjoy Turkish cuisine and good company at Bistro Turkuaz. Click HERE for more details.
Each year, the Rotary Club of Seattle honors high school students who have shown exceptional character in overcoming significant obstacles to remain in school. Poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, and language and learning disabilities are just some of the challenges these kids have surmounted. These remarkable students are quietly building bright futures in difficult circumstances. They are our “Winners for Life.”
On Wednesday, March 30, we need 60 Seattle Rotarians to each host a “Winner for Life” at the reception and regular Rotary luncheon. Rotary pays for the reception and meals of the Winner and their guest, and Winners receive a plaque, but YOU make the recognition more personal! Please take a moment to fill out the form (HERE) and host a student. Thank you!
The Rotary Club of LaConner and Seattle 4's Ollie Iversen will be bringing loads of beautiful tulips to our April 6 luncheon. A bouquet of 10 stems is only $5 -- you'll want a bunch!
The Seattle 4 Sustainability Committee, along with Student Conservation Association ( SCA), invites you to the 2016 Earth Day work party at the Washington Park Arboretum on Saturday, April 23, 2016, from 9 am to 2 pm.
This has been an exceptional event for Rotarians, family members, friends and High School students needing volunteer hour credits. It is a great way to give back to our community and the Arboretum will be at its spring-bursting best. Sign up on the link below and be sure to note Seattle Rotary as your affiliation. See you there!
Wider World of Rotary
Brought to you by the Rotary Relations Committee
Committee Chair: Trent Mummery
Club Secretary: Lisa Mayfield
District 5030 Conference
Join the fun at the annual District conference in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on April 29-May 1. This is a great way to network with fellow Rotarians, learn from inspiring speakers and feel energized to keep doing good in our community.
NEW "Kids Camp" at Conference What? Will there be drop-off child care at the Kids Camp? Yes, there is drop-off care at the Kids Camp provided by Family Biz Kids during designated hours for ages 5-14 on Sat. and Sun. at the Coeur d’Alene Resort during the conference. There will also be some activities for children of any age with an adult chaperone: kite building, service project with school backpack assembly for Syrian refugees, a kids corner, a movie night, hear from Youth Exchange high schoolers, kids menu, games, prizes, and more. Register your kids at the conference link above. If you’ve been reluctant to bring your children or grandchildren or other future Rotarians to the district conference, hesitate no more! Questions about Kids Camp: contact Jean Thompson at seidlerthompson@aol.com.
The following Seattle 4 Rotarians have already registered: Cathy Burnell, Daryl Campbell, Corinne Cavanaugh, Ken Colling, Sten Crissey, Jann Curley, Clark Daffern, Mark Davis, Ralph & Lynn Davis, Cathy Gibson, Roberta Greer, Carolyn Hojaboom, Paul Ishii, Mariah Kimpton, Sandra Kemp, Ben Linford, Lisa Mayfield, Barry McConnell, Carma McKay, Virginia McKenzie, Tom Mesaros, Jim Moore, Trent & Alexandra Mummery, Derick Pasternak, Harvey Rubinstein, Mason Sizemore, Jean Thompson, and Kathy Williams. See you there!
Service Above Self
A big thank you to the Seattle 4 crew who joined other District 5030 Rotarians at the monthly Rotary First Harvest food pack at NW Harvest. The group helped to pack 7,775 lbs. of garbanzo beans (5,981 meals) and 5,550 lbs. of rice (4,192 meals) for local food banks. Go team!
The Seattle 4 food packing crew included: Sten Crissey, Jim Duncan, Cathy Gibson, Larry Granat, Einer Handeland, Simone Loban, Connie Miller, Rick Nauman, Allison Parker, David Siebert (with wife Carol), former Rotarian Sarah Horrigan and prospective members Michele Centanni and Lauren Macleod. Save the date for the next food pack on April 9 from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. RSVP to Lisa Mayfield if you are interested at lisa@agingwisdom.com.
Bill Dickinson
Introduced March 2, 2016 by Joel Paget
I have the privilege of introducing Major Bill Dickinson, Jr., Classification “Non-Profit – Salvation Army.” Bill is joined here today with his wife Lisa Dickinson, who is also a Major in The Salvation Army. Bill was sponsored by David Siebert and Todd Summerfelt, whom we thank.
Bill is no stranger to Rotary or Seattle. He was born in Walla Walla and was raised in West Seattle and Spokane. His family were part owners of the Pizza Pete restaurants located in the Pacific Northwest back in the 1970’s-80’s before selling.Bill and Lisa met in high school on a blind date and married four years later in 1984. Following 10 years working in the restaurant industry, they felt God’s calling to serve in full-time ministry as Salvation Army Officers. They attended seminary and were ordained and commissioned in 1993. They have served as pastors in North Las Vegas, NV and Prescott, AZ and in administrative positions in Sacramento, CA and twice in Seattle, WA, most recently being appointed as the NW Divisional Leaders in July 2015.
The Northwest Division extends from Washington to Great Falls, MT. It includes 30 Corps Community Centers, 30 churches, service extension units, 900 employees, and thousands of volunteers, including my daughter and my two grandchildren who once a year ring the bells for donations. Bill and Lisa have four children and five grandchildren, soon to be six.
Bill has a BS in Business Administration from Crown College and will graduate from Grand Canyon University with an MBA this April. Bill is a huge fan of the Huskies, Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders, and has fond memories of the Sonics (still hopeful). Bill was a member of Rotary in both Prescott, AZ and Sacramento, CA and believes Rotary is a good fit in supporting the same values as The Salvation Army in wanting to restore hope and dignity. As Seattle natives, they want to support Seattle. What keeps him on his knees right now is seeking guidance on how best to meet the demands and the many challenges of helping those who are struggling with homelessness, addiction, and other difficult circumstances get back to a life of hope and productivity.
Please welcome Major Bill Dickinson, Jr., classification Non-Profit – Salvation Army.
Daron Vchulek
Introduced on March 16, 2016 by Jan Levy
I’m pleased to introduce Daron Vchulek to all of you. Daron, who was proposed by Ollie Iversen, is the VP of Ancillary Service for the Polyclinic. For those of you who don’t know what Ancillary Services are, they include all of those services outside the physician visit such as services like physical therapy, diagnostic imaging and the lab operations. Daron is also charged with new business development. He has been with the Polyclinic for more than 12 years, and in healthcare administration for more than 20 years.
In addition to his work at the Polyclinic, Daron is an adjunct professor in leadership at Bellevue College, where he teaches a course on Leadership & Management in Healthcare and another in New Business Development. Clearly he knows a lot about leadership – the Ancillary Services department has some of the highest employee satisfaction ratings in the Polyclinic!
Daron is a native of our region, receiving AA degrees from both Shoreline and Bellevue Community Colleges, his BA in Healthcare Administration from Bellevue College, and his MBA from the University of Washington. Daron and his wife Melinda Wade (who is here today) have three children – a 12-year old daughter (Natalee), and twin boys, 11 months old (Oliver and Nickolas). They used to own Sport Boat Northwest where they sold and serviced motorboats ranging from 16 to 40 feet. Daron still has a boat which he enjoys taking out salmon fishing.
When I asked Daron why Rotary, he talked about the programs he’s enjoyed attending, and that he’s been very drawn to our international work. Daron serves on the Board of the Polyclinic Community Health Foundation which provides medications for clients who could not otherwise afford them. He also serves on the board of Bright Avenues School and is on the Technology Committee at St. Andrews Church. When I asked Daron to tell me something about himself that others wouldn’t know, he said he used to teach country dancing! In fact, you might see him dancing at the Little Red Hen near Greenlake. Daron is also an accomplished photographer. You can check out his photographs at www.daronsphotographs.com. You’ll be impressed!
Please join me thanking Daron’s nominator Ollie Iversen for bringing Daron to Rotary, and join me in giving a warm Seattle 4 welcome to Daron Vchulek, Vice President of Ancillary Service at the Polyclinic, classification healthcare.
The Rotary “Four-Way Test” is a standard
expected of all Rotarians:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
4. Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
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Kathy Williams introduced visiting Rotarians Lars Anderson, Allen Merri and Michael Sentani, and 
Seattle Rotary #4 Fellowship invites you to a very special Program Series
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Bill Dickinson
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