November 5, 2007 Spokesman

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS/VISITING ROTARIANS
The following guests and visiting Rotarians were introduced and welcomed:   David Friedman (4th visit);  David Bourree (Kirkland Downtown); Stu Vanderhook (Bellevue);   David Ramsay, Kirkland City Manager;  Jenny Schroder, Parks Director.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Steve Brown gave a brief background on the efforts of the club to identify another community service project, as it has been several years since our last project, the picnic pavilion at Everest park.   Steve  brought the membership up to date on how the decision was made to fund the Garden Arbor of the City's Centennial Heritage Park Garden project, which he shared with the membership some weeks ago, and will be completed by the end of this year.   He then introduced Dave Ramsay, who thanked the Club on behalf of the City of Kirkland, and Jenny Schroder, who also thanked the Club and gave a brief description of the project.   President Rachel and Steve will attend the November 7 meeting of the Kirkland City Council to make the formal presentation of the check.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Victor Yang, a senior at Juanita High, was introduced to the club on this his first week with us, and gave a few brief remarks.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Rachel announced that Wendy Allen was granted a 3-month leave of absence, and Jeremy Meadows was still on an indefinite leave of absence.   He and his wife are expecting their second child.  Congratulations, Jeremy!

Pat Dye thanked everyone who volunteered to help with Operation Warm this past Saturday at Muir Elementary.   It went very well with a lot of members participating.

John Overleese reminded everyone of the next Club event, "Holiday Bubbles", a tasting of champagnes and other elegant bubblies, just in time for the Holidays.   It will be held on Saturday November 10 at Totem Lodge (I think). Dan Bartel reminded everyone of the next Rotary First Harvest outing, which will also be this Saturday, November 10.   This will be the last outing at the original location. Cheryl Bloodworth, once again coordinating this year's Thanksgiving food drive, announced this year's plans.   This year, we will be working with HopeLink, who has asked volunteers like us to donate one special thing so they can put together the dinners for the less fortunate.   Our requested item is 300 pounds of BROWN SUGAR.   Each member is asked to bring individual boxes/bags no larger than 5 pounds to the next meeting, November12.   Cheryl will arrange to get them to HopeLink.

Dick Westin passed around sign-up sheets for volunteers to help the Salvation Army ring the bell for the Holidays.   Our club volunteered for the first three weekends, a Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2;  Dec 8 and 9;  and Dec 15 and 16.   Please see Dick if you can help!

Rich Bergdahl, alone this evening as his partner, Jim Feek was a little under the weather (Get well soon, Jim!),  announced that November was Rotary Foundation Month, and reminded the members that we exceeded last year's financial goal of $13,000, raising over $15,000.   He's planned a speaker for later in the month and will get new "smiley faces" for the badges of this year's contributors.   The good news is, he already has TWELVE contributors for this year!   Thank you Rich!

  
Chuck Brockway announced this year's Apple Cup fundraiser, by assuring everyone it had absolutely nothing to do with football.   (Clearly that's the case, since it involves the Huskies and Cougs!!)   Anyway, chances are $5 and half the proceeds goes to the Foundation.

Elizabeth Rusnak announced the dates for our Club's participation in Rotary Internationals Blane Grant immunizations.   Flu and pneumonia vaccinations will be given to seniors at each of two dates, where we need five(5) volunteers each - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29, 11:00-1:30, and THURSDAY DECEMBER 6, 11:30-1:00.  Both will be held at the Kirkland HopeLink location.   Please see Elizabeth if you can help! Brandon Honcoop announced that the scholarship applications for this year are finalized and ready to go!

CLASSIFICATION TALK
Marian Gilbert was then introduced and gave her classification talk.   Miriam was born in Alabama, and has lived in Dallas, Colorado, and most recently Arizona before relocating to the Seattle area, where her son and two grandsons live.   Her father's family came to this country in the early 1600's, and her mother's family in the 1760's.   Miriam has two master's degrees, one in engineering and one in spiritual psychology.   She left the corporate world to start her own business about 10 years ago.   She helps companies grow and ride the waves of change.   Her gift is being able to see the whole picture and help leaders move from chaos to order or re-order.

Following her presentation, President Rachel formally inducted Miriam into the ranks of the Blue Badges, performing a brief red-to-blue ceremony.

Congratulations, Miriam!

SPECIAL PRESENTATION NUMBER TWO
Patti Sims gave a brief presentation about the possibility of starting a Rotaract Club in conjunction with Cascadia Community College.   Our own Jean Hernandez has already volunteered to be the adviser.   After her presentation, and a few questions, the club formally voted to endorse moving forward.

SPEAKER
Patty Smith then took the podium and introduced the evening's speaker.   Maggie Josiah is Field Director for the African Hospitality Institute.   She ran her own restaurant in the Seattle area, as well as several other hospitality-based services, before taking her skills and experience to help those in Uganda, East Africa.   Coming from a very difficult childhood and adolescence, filled with violence and abuse, Maggie found the Lord when her abusive father died.   She uses her pain and suffering to make a difference in other people's lives, living by a strong mantra:  Hurt people hurt others; transformed people transform others;  healed people heal others.   She used pictures with her presentation and ended with a very moving video, after which she answered several questions.   All in all, hers was a message of hope, caring and inspiration, through the telling of a very moving and meaningful story.

HONEY POT
Our student of the month, Victor Yang, had the winning ticket, and - lo and behold - even drew the lucky duck to take home the money!   Congratulations, Victor!

ADJOURN
There being no further business to conduct, President rachel adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Brown, Scribe for the Evening