Kirkland Rotary Minutes for the Meeting February 24, 2020
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 pm by President John Woodbury. Dave Aubry lead us in the Pledge.
Visitors Introduced:
Sarah Freeman - Student of the Month (LWHS) for February
Laura & Mark Freeman - Sarah’s parents
Tom Everly - visiting Rotarian from the Wenatchee Rotary Club
Heather Ripplinger - speaker’s guest
Jarryd David Jackson - speaker’s guest
Announcements:
Steve Shinstrom – asked if any more members wanted to sign up for the Bunco party on March 28
Dave Aubry – asked for volunteers to help move an antique railroad semaphore from Kirkland storage to the CKC Central Station project
Gary Cohn – asked for volunteers for the Kirkland Rotary scholarship selection effort
Dave DeBois - Duck Dash will be on July 26. Kirkland Urban says they will allow Duck Dash ticket sales on their site starting July 16.
Scott Becker – still need more Duck Dash sponsors. Sponsorships must be completed by May 1st when ticket printing will start.
James Nevers – attended conference with former presidents and is eager to be the next Club president
Patricia Sims – asked that everyone take a look at the Miracle League flyer showing upcoming game dates and asked for volunteers
New Members:
Rick Walker welcomed two new Kirkland Rotary members:
Bella Chafey – Real Estate
Stephan Landvogt – Software Engineer
Student of the Month:
Sarah Freeman (LWSD) gave an excellent and well-organized talk on how she learned the Rotarian principles of leadership, integrity, and fellowship through her involvement in school gymnastics (LWHS recently won the state gymnastic championship) and other activities including taking a job last summer at her favorite pizza restaurant in Lake Chelan where she grew up. Sarah appears to be a bright and resourceful student who will excel in college and beyond.
Featured Speaker:
Ty Reed – “Addition 101” – Ty talked about the personal toll of alcohol and drug addiction that resulted in the loss of his job and family. He eventually wound up homeless and on the street. And he talked about his struggle back from the bottom beginning in 2015. He is now an active public speaker and life skills consultant for individuals recovering from addictions and homelessness.
Mr. Reed pointed out that homelessness is a much bigger problem than most of us imagine. Eighty percent of homeless individuals and families are unseen. They are not the drug addicted folks visible on the street and encampments. This problem has become politicized, and most of the money spent is wasted. The most effective and least expensive way to solve homelessness is to first get people into safe housing and provide services for life skills and if needed addiction treatment.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm
Jim Meniketti - scribe