May 18, 2009 Spokesman

Lauren Poulos, fiance of David H;   Debbie Gregorik, guest of Patti S, who was there for the 5th or 6th time;  and Wilson Anhar, guest of Steve Brown, there for the 3rd time.   We had some very SPECIAL guests, who would be introduced more formally later in the meeting.   Welcome all!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jim F announced that, due to the economy and the difficulty some of our members are having with finances, the Board has worked with the Woodmark to effect a price reduction for all members.   Effective June 1, meal prices will be reduced to $22.00, or a meal ticket (punch card) of 10 meals for $200.00, a much better deal for the long haul.   Also, as a new offering, those members who just want coffe/tea and dessert may purchase just that for $12.00, or a meal ticket for 10 desserts/coffees for $100.00.   Raffle tickets will remain $1.00.   Many thanks to Jim and the Board for thinking of all our members during these difficult times!

Chuck Morgan update.  He is doing fine and would love some phone calls.  He has a new land line and his old cell number will soon be disconnected.  His new # is (509) 664-9051.  If you are sending anything to him his address is:  Chuck Morgan; River West Retirement; 900 N. Western Ave #135; Wenatchee, WA  98801

President Bob announced again the District Conference on Saturday May 30.

There are some new members who don't have pictures for the directory.   Bob G is available after the meeting, or after upcoming meetings, to take pictures of new members.

Chuck B thanked all those who helped out at Miracle League the past Saturday, and announced the next game will be May 30, as there is no game Memorial day weekend.   Also, the season-end party will be coordinated by Rachel K, and assisted by Steve B.   Other volunteers are welcome.

Joanne P announced that Duck Dash sign-up sheets are available on every table, along with a schedule of all the venues and weekends, so members could get a feel for upcoming dates they might be available and let Joanne know.   Rick O would be available after the meeting for those who have yet to pick up their starter kit of tickets.

Rich B annonced that we were about one-third of the way to our Rotary Foundation goal, with about one-third of the club participating.  As our goal is 100% participation, we have some work to do, folks!   He thanked everyone who's contributed thus far and anounced that there will be some Paul Harris Fellowships awarded in a future meeting.

Steve S made his normal announcement about sign-up sheets for Scribes and Greeters, which was circulating.

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
President Bob then turned the program over to Felicity B, who coordinated the Educator of the Year Awards this year.   This was started in 1989 by then-President Dick Westin, and has continued ever since.   We had three outstanding winners this year, all of whom were introduced by their respective principals.

From Peter Kirk Elementary, winner KATIE PETERSON was introduced by her principal, Sandy Dennehy.   Katie is a music teacher, and has been teaching for 22 years, 13 of those at Peter Kirk.

From Kirkland Jr. High, winner DARCY MORRISEY was introduced by her principal, Debbie McCasson.   Darcy teaches choir and music, and is in her 9th year at Kirkland.

From Lake Washington H.S., winner STEVE ARKLE was introduced by his principal, Brad Malloy.   Steve has been a teacher since 1973, and at Lake Washington since 1978.   Steve teaches English and creative writing.

Congratulations to all our winners on receiving the Kirkland Rotary Outstanding Educator Award!!

GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Chuck B, who coordinates the GTKY program, introduced Mary-Alyce Burleigh, who shared with us a little about her background and a lot about her passions and what makes her tick.   Mary-Alyce was particularly proud of the program this evening, being a 29-year veteran of teaching herself.   She is a native of Michigan, moving here with her family after WW II,  and grew up with her three siblings in Sumner, Wa.   After watching a segment of the old Edward R. Murrow program, "See It Now", about the plight of migrant workers in America, she read "The Other America" about the invisible poor.   After those experiences, she was hooked and these served as her inspiration to become a teacher.   After graduating from Washington State University (Go Cougs!), she spent some time in migrant worker camps in the south before returning to Redmond to start her distinguished teaching career.   Mary-Alyce is a passionate organizer, working with neighborhood associations and helping people stay connected with their community.   She has served 8 years on Kirkland City Council, and 2 as Mayor.   She joined Rotary because our motto of Service Above Self spoke loudly to her, as well as our commitment to giving back to the community.   Mary-Alyce will also serve as Director of Community Service this coming year.   We're proud to have Mary-Alyce as a member of Kirkland Rotary!

CLASSIFICATION TALK
Makalla Powers, one of our newer members, then gave us a very interesting Classification Talk, one of the requirements for moving from red badge to blue.   She was born in a small mining town in Lake Ontario, Canada, and moved to Toronto when she was seven, and grew up there.   She soon became bitten by the dance and theatre bug, and moved to New York to pursue her career on Broadway.   When that didn't work out the way she'd planned, she got married and moved to Los Angeles.   After divorcing, she took a job with Princess Cruise Lines, and was in LA at the time "The Love Boat" was being filmed.   In 1980 she moved to Kirkland with her two sons, and has been here ever since.   She worked at Microsoft for several years, and it was while she was caring for her ill mother that she became aware of the concept of home care-givers.   To make a long story short, she now owns a franchise of "Visiting Angels", a national organization that provides non-medical in-hom senior care, and just loves it.   And by the way, Makalla Powers (I'm no doubt spelling it wrong!) is not her real name.   She was born Beverly Joan Brown, and one day after a flash of revalation at a traffic intersection, her new name "just came to her"!   (I don't know, I'm kinda partial to the "Brown" part, myself!)   A very interesting talk, Beverly - thank you!!

RAFFLE
Dave H held the winning ticket, but alas, did not pick the right duck, so the pot continues!

ADJOURN
There being no other business, President Bob adjourned the meeting at 7:45pm

Faithfully submitted,
Steve brown, Scribe-For-The-Evening.