July 26, 2010 Spokesman

GUESTS  Visiting Rotarians included our District Governor John Mathews and his Rotarian wife Mary Ellen, our Assistant District Governor Chris Boland of the Woodinville Club, Richard Carlson who splits his time between Tucson in the winter and Kirkland in the summer, and Sue Greenfeld who is transferring to the Kirkland area from Redland, CA where she was a university professor.  (This is probably a new record for number of visiting Rotarians.)  And, Tara Lange, Connie Rezendes, and Keenon Kennedy joined us from the Sammamish Club.  Guests/spouses Wilma Bartel, Ingrid Bruner, and Sharon Hunter were also on hand.  Exchange student Arnaud Rinacinn and his wife Beatrice from France are visitng; Arnaud came to our club about 15 years ago and stayed with the Bartels, the Hunters and the xxx Shinstroms (brother of Steve).  Finally Alex and Dawn Morgan joined us.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

·        Kirkland ‘s new exchange student will be arriving on August 27, our first student from Taiwan.  Dan Bartel is looking for one additional host family.

·        Last week’s 2^nd annual KR Picnic at Everest Park was a big success.  Thanks to all who helped.

·        Gary Bruner reminded us about the 40+th Annual Salmon Bake which will be at John and Dee Woodbery’s rural estate near Monroe on Saturday August 28.  Come eat wonderful salmon again and view the beautiful gardens.  Unfortunately due to a momentary lapse of maintenance the trout pond is off limits for fishing as the fish are only 4 inches long.

·        And VERY IMPORTANT, a rousing wish of good luck, Godspeed, and please come back to Dave and Anna Aubry who will live in Lyon, France for the next year.  I think I saw him nod his head when asked about keeping a guest bedroom open for Kirkland Rotarians.

PROGRAM   After being introduced by AG Chris Boland, Dist. Gov. Mathews was our speaker for the evening.  John is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Risk management for Costco Wholesale.  He came to Costco from a career in the Navy for 20 years and retiring as a Commander in 1989.  Both John and wife Mary Ellen our Mercer Island Rotarians.  John said some very nice things about KR including our being the second club in the Seattle area, and having a long history of outstanding community service.  He emphasized  R.I. President Roy Klinginsmith’s theme for 2010-2011 > Building Communities – Bridging Continents.  Suggesting there is no organization in the world better suited to build on this theme, he said we must grow in numbers to be successful.  Like the very impressive history of Costco, John is convinced that always striving for step by step improvement is the route to success.  i.e. He told us even the Costco salmon is better and more economical from step by step improvement.  (So, Gary, why worry about that line caught stuff for August 28?) 

   We were reminded about the importance of the R.I. Foundation.  The three big areas are Polio Plus, the Permanent Fund, and the Annual Fund.  RI distributed $115 Million last year.  “Every Rotarian – Every Year” is encouraged, and several clubs in District 5030 have had 100% giving for several years.  Ours is about 60% so this should be an opportunity of striving for little improvements every year. 

   Finally, the Rotary Academy was recommended as an excellent way to become knowledgeable about Rotary.  Our club has 14 graduates which is very good.  And the District Conference is in Portland next spring.  A new registration inducement that was very successful at this year’s preregistration for next year’s conference was a drawing for a $250 Costco Gift Card occurred for every 25 new registrants.  This super deal will continue through the fall and winter so signup and you have a 1 in 25 chance of winning $250.

     DG Mathews gave a very enjoyable and inspirational presentation.  Thanks, John.

TICKET DRAWING AND ADJORN Our meeting ended about 7:40 with drawing of the lucky ticket.  Alice Volpe again had the winning ticket, but, alas, she didn’t pick #1

Respectfully submitted         Bob Webb