January 12, 2009 Spokesman

Posted by Steve Shinstrom 
 

The January 12, 2009 Kirkland Rotary meeting was called to order by President-Elect Jim Feek at 6:35 pm.  The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Rich Bergdahl.  Elizabeth Rusnak gave the Inspirational Moment - "Parachutes" - recognize those folks who pack your parachute.

 

Guests included first -timers Laurie Thibert (Mother's Nature Organic Foods - visited Ghana to participate in a fresh water project) and Mike Metter (Business Services Manager, Kirkland Parks Dept), our Student of the Month from JuanitaHigh School -  Gabby Patelea,  third-timer Scott Rethke,  Ingrid Bruner (Gary's spouse) and many-timer Terry Cole from the Redmond Rousers Rotary Club.

Announcements:

-          Alice Volpe reminded us that Board Game Night will be held at the Ostrander's on January 31st.  Please sign up as seating is limited

-          G.G. Getz announced that there will be a going-away party for Chuck Morgan at Heritage Hall on Sunday, February 1st  from noon to 2 pm.  Bob Gassen will be taking photos.  Chuck is moving to Wenatchee to be closer to family.

-          Brandon Honcoop requested volunteers for Wednesday (the 21st) from 12:30 pm to 2 pm at Lake WashingtonHillSchool to interview candidates for Student of the Month.

-          Rachel Knight noted that the Boys and Girls Club is holding a raffle to get much-needed dollars.

-          Jim Feek reminded us that next week's meeting will be "Social" at the Wilde Rover in downtown Kirkland.  Hors d'oeuvres, coffee and tea for $15 and there will be an open bar. 

-          Jim Feek introduced his proposed slate of officers and roving Lieutenants.  He has sent an e-mail to everyone with the complete list.

 

New Members Induction:

Makonnen Giorgis, Stress Analyst/Engineer, sponsored by Chuck Brockway and Jim Styner, Mechanical Engineer, sponsored by Patti Smith, received their red badges.  Welcome Makonnen and Jim! 

 

Speaker:

Monty Reed from Shoreline Rotary Club and Executive Director of "They Shall Walk" was introduced by Patti Smith.  He is a Mary Gates Scholar and NASA Space Grant Scholar.  His goal is to develop a robotic exoskeleton suit that will enable paralytics to walk.  A parachute accident with the Army Rangers left him paralyzed.  During his hospitalization he became interested in developing a robotic suit (inspired by Heinlein's "Starship Troopers").  Luckily, he had a miraculous recovery and didn't need the "Lifesuit" but decided to move forward with development and founded "They Shall Walk".  By 2001, he had developed the first prototype.  One of the first prototypes was entered in the Saint Patrick's Day Dash and completed the "walk" in 90 minutes.  Since then, they have won Gold and Silver Medals at the Robot Olympics for weight lifting.  They continue to have medical trials at the VA Hospital and in Vellore, India (where they are being developed for polio victims who didn't get the Rotary-sponsored polio vaccines in time).  His goal is to develop prototype 16, get it into the VA Hospitals for trials and "Give the gift of Walking" to those less fortunate.

 

Respectfully submitted by Scribe and Greeter - Donald Dicks