Rotary Club of Kirkland
Monday, April 18, 2016 Meeting
President Rich Bergdahl called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.  Patty Doherty led us in the Pledge.
Guests: 
Chuck Kimbrough, Downtown Bellevue Club, who told us about his Club’s hosting of a 5K/10K Run/Walk for Autism to be held on April 24, 2016.  Races start and finish at the Bellevue Downtown Park.  Go to www.allinforautism.org for details.
Forrest Malcolm, Student of the Month from Lake Washington High School
Patty Doherty, Special Projects Coordinator with Aflac, soon to be our newest member!
Announcements:
  • First Miracle League game is this Saturday, April 23rd at 9:00 AM at Perrigo Park in Redmond.  A show of hands proved we have enough volunteers for this first game.
  • District Conference is April 29, 30 and May 1 in Coeur de Alene.  Kirkland Rotarians will be having dinner together Saturday evening.  Golf is also planned for Friday morning.
  • Rotary Foundation contributions for this Rotary year are due by June 30.  Contract President Rich if you want to know how close you are to becoming a Paul Harris Fellow.
  • Patti Smith announced 15 prizes are now set for the Duck Dash.  Bob Webb received a $1,000 contribution from the Safeway on 85th and now we’re on target to cover all expenses with sponsorships.  June 6th is Kickoff at the Wilde Rover and August 13th is the Duck Dash Race.  Venues are being set up this week and tickets will be available at the Kickoff.
  • Eric Olsen updated us on his son’s health and thanked members for their thoughts and prayers.
  • President Rich said the Past President Breakfast on Sunday morning was a great success and he learned a lot of history about the Club.
New Member Induction
President Rich inducted Patty Doherty, our newest member into the Club.  Joanne Primavera is Patty’s mentor.  Be sure and welcome Patty to our Club!
Program
Jason introduced Ray Copin, a retired Coast Guard pilot (Officially Coast Guard Pilot #744). 
Ray gave us a wonderful overview of the 100-year history of the Coast Guard from 1903 with the flight of Wilbur and Orville Wright at Kitty Hawk all the way to 2016.  The Coast Guard officially began in 1916 when Congress authorized airplanes, but no money, for the new service. 
Ray’s presentation included several pictures of the different aircraft used by the Coast Guard, and flown by Ray, over the years and key events that eventually led to the use of helicopters in rescues.
At the end of the program Al Hoviland added his own experiences as the skipper of a fishing boat in Alaska and the several rescues by the Coast Guard under trying conditions.
Ray received a standing ovation for his service to the Coast Guard and his country.
Thanks, Ray, for a wonderful and informative program.
Adjournment
President Rich adjourned the meeting at 7:50 PM
Submitted by Mike Hunter, Scribe for the Week