August 28, 2006 Spokesman

Posted by John Pruitt 
 
President Steve Brown started the August 28, 2006 meeting promptly at 6:32 P.M.  Mary-Alyce Burleigh made us all feel welcome as our greeter.  Vernell Sutherland led us in the Pledge.  Gary Bruner gave us a fine inspirational moment reminding us of our club heritage from the 1937-1947 era.  Yes, even then we were talking about raising the cost of meals [from $1.25 to $1.50], establishing scholarships, sponsoring YMCA and Scout Troop activities. 

Gary read to us a section written by the club historian during that period.  It is as follows:    

 

"The future is not the function of a history to look beyond the present and even if it were, the gift of prophecy has not been bestowed on your historian.  This much we know:  our club has weathered some severe storms; it is stronger today than ever before; and it contains a wealth of talent among its members that can be counted on to meet the challenges that are ahead of us.  Some future historian, perhaps fifteen or twenty years hence, will write Volume II of the chronicle.  The only forecast that will be hazarded here is the confident prediction that it will record continued progress toward a bigger, better and more useful Rotary Club of Kirkland-Bellevue."

 

Visitors & Visiting Rotarians:   Visitors included our exchange student from Macoma, Italy [on the island of Sardinia], Elisa Puggioni, and "host-mom" Joanne DeLautour.  Wendy Allan was welcomed [her 3rd visit].  Betty Newman, a guest of Chuck Morgan, was also welcomed.  We were honored with a visit from the District Governor-Elect, Don Gregory and Michael Dunlop from the Seattle #4.

    

Club Business and Announcements:

·         President Steve announced that the minutes from the August 8th Board meeting are available.  Contact Steve for copies.

·         Chuck Morgan is celebrating his 95th birthday on August 31st at the KirklandPerformanceCenter from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00.  All are invited but are asked to RSVP so food can be planned.  Please call KPC at 425/828-0244 if you are going to attend.

·         No meeting next week.Labor Day Weekend!

·         Welcome party for our exchange student, Elisa Puggioni is Wednesday, September 6th at Linda Julien's !!!   The theme is Italy, so bring an appetizer or a dessert to share and something you would enjoy drinking.  Please RSVP Linda at lindaj@windermere.com or call at 425/802-0365.     

·         Project Wetlands at Residence XII is Saturday, September 9th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  This is an opportunity to join fellow Rotarians for a half-day project to help restore and maintain the wetlands surrounding Residence XII operated by our own Sharon Chambers .  Brian Tucker is coordinating the effort and advised us to bring pruners, clippers, gloves and other tools.  You may contact Brian or obtain more information through our Club website.

·         The Annual Quacker Backer Party is also Saturday, September 9th, at 6:00 p.m.  John Overleese [& Teddy] will be hosting the party so you know all will have a fine time.  Bring an appetizer to share and RSVP either through our Club website or call John at 425/822-3643.  

·         If this is not enough activities for Saturday, September 9th, you can drop in at the Concours De Elegance at Carillon Point, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  There will be 85 of the World's most beautiful and rare cars to view.  This is a fundraiser for Evergreen Hospital Women's and Children's Services.

·         Family Rotary Day at Tillicum is September 19th, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  This includes all Clubs in District 5040 and others in Zone 23.  Contact Ande Hollander [Vashon Club] at 206/935-7921 for more information. 

·         November is Foundation Month.  Jim Feek will be looking for commitments and dollars.     

 

Chancellor:  There was lots of happiness this evening and also some missing Rotary pins and badges that cost us a few bucks.  Chuck Brockway introduced some of our members to Mary-Alyce Burleigh [didn't I sign the Howdy-Doody List?]. Perhaps the big happy-dollar news was from Al Hoviland that his cancer was in complete remission.

    

Program:  Patti Smith introduced Shannon Bolizsar, Government Affairs Director for the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and Randy Bannecker, President of Bannecker & Associates [a public affairs company].  The topic Ms. Bolizsar presented was regarding the East King County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition.  The "Coalition" encompasses 11 Eastside Chambers of Commerce.  Its mission is to bring together a unified legislative agenda to serve the best interest of the Eastside business community.  This work is done through the collaborative effort and shared resources of member Chambers.           

 

Randy Bannecker spoke about the Eastside Business Alliance.  The Alliance is a legally separate political action committee formed by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce.  It is governed by a separate Board of Trustees.  Its mission is to foster a political climate on the Eastside in which elected officials know and understand the challenges faced by today's businesses.  The Alliance has had a success rate of 77% getting their candidates elected.

 

Both Shannon and Randy encourage our membership to get involved and call your State Senators and Representatives and let them know your concerns and opinions.

 

Honey Pot:  Ev Cox had the lucky ticket and drew the colored stone.  With a fifty-fifty chance, Ev was the winner of the $120 pot!  Nice going Ev! 

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.