November 24, 2008 Spokesman
The meeting was called to order by president Bob Webb at 6:30 PM, Diana
Lanspa led the flag salute and president Bob played a recording of a
song about the Four Way Test. After listening to this rendition and
watching President Bob dance, it is apparent the Rotary dance Night
should be revived, for him at least.
Guests introduced were Mekonen Giorgis, Roy Selviege, Carey Wood and
Kay Zatine all interested in Rotary. Clare Hansen a former Kirkland
Rotarian was introduced as a guest.
Pascal Kuntz reported his sports related activities including his try for the LWHS basketball team, a Husky game (our sympathies) and a Seahawks game (ditto). Morris Linett, Student of the Month, Juanita was back.
Announcements:
-
Good attendance at the Penny LeGate event at KPS;
-
Joanne Primavera announced start of organization for the Duck Dash. Event at Marina Park this year. Volunteer for committees or be assigned.
-
Patty Smith, International Service Chair announced the "Spirit of Christmas" project for military personnel in Iraq, Matching grant for X-ray machine for India and sustainable water project in Ethiopia.
-
Chuck Brockway announced the winners of the Apple Cup matrix game: Dan Bartel 1st Quarter and half, Don Dix, 3rd Quarter and non Rotarian Dave Griffith won the game prize of $100.00. Makaylaa Powers was pleased to announce that her business's "wrap a senior ion love" blanket program for long term senior care residents has been adopted as a club program.
-
David Aubry presented his "wear your pin" program as public relations person.
-
Pat Dye reminded us the District Conference is May 1-3 in Victoria at a current registration cost of $275 but going up soon. The Club will pay one half the registration of first time attendees up to a total of $1,000, so apply soon!
-
The Holiday Party is at the Heathman Hotel 12/13 at $75.00 per person with a delicious menu, champagne on arrival and wine on the table. The Lyrica singing group from LWHS will entertain.
-
Pat Swenson announced that the Reading Buddy program is going well and she will collect change for the Salvation Army bell ringing program at upcoming meetings.
-
Diana Lanspa was inducted by her sponsor Barb Seaton into blue badge status.
Co-Chancellor Steve brown made the rounds for happy dollars with
Cougar victory, Rotary Song, happy to be here, picnic at marina and
invading plants of Kiwi and others were given as cause for happiness
and generosity.
Rich Bergdahl reminded us about Rotary Foundation month and explained
how may International Foundation funds get returned to the local
Rotary District in matching grants. He then introduced our speaker,
Jake Johnson, a graduate of Interlake High School who is a Rotary Peace
Fellow. Jake's work in the program has been in Guatemala where he
learned and related heart rending stories of survival during that
country's civil war in the 1980's.Villages in the mountains had very
little for survival. His college work was in economic development for
poor countries and became acquainted with Rotary on a trip to Honduras
for AGROS. He visited the village of Pedro a survivor of the
wars and is writing a book about his experiences. He found that he
had a commonality with all people no matter what their culture or
economic condition. He discovered that these people who suffered knew
a lot about restoring human dignity. He found that these people were
not surprised when things go wrong or evil is encountered because that
is expected. Instead they are surprised by goodness and generosity
because that is not expected. Being alive each day is considered a
blessing from God to be cherished. On a trip to Honduras he met Kim
Lorenz, a Rotarian from Tukwila, WA who introduced him to the Rotary
World Peace Fellowship Program. he applied and was accepted. He
learned that the program was not established to help people like him
have experiences but to truly help establish world peace. He cannot
say what is next in life for him but he wants to promote peace as a
positive concept of substance and not just the absence of violence.
When there is hunger, discrimination, injustice etc there is no peace
even if the guns are silent and the knives are sheathed. He said, "we
cannot do everything but we can do something". His Guatemalan friends
like to say that we need to bring people together and that hatred is worthless. He left us with the thought that even with our financial crisis in 2008 he remains optimistic to move forward in peace for the world.
Jake signed a book for the John Muir Library and drew Alice Volpe's
lucky ticket which turned out to be a two and not a five on her draw.
The raffle is now worth $120.00.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51PM
John Woodbery, Scribe