January 7, 2013 Spokesman
President Patti called the January 7, 2103 Kirkland Rotary meeting to order about 6:30 PM.
Cynthia Fitzgerald led us in the Pledge. Eric Olsen gave a moment of inspiration. Thinking on sports that we watch so clearly, especially in the Fall, he discussed difference in results of individuals in a group working for individual goals/prestige vs. a group more intent on team goals. Obviously in team sports like football the team emphasis is clearly better. Eric pointed out that this is also how Rotary has been so successful. Team sport is a good example for us to remember.
VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS Doreen Marchione, Deputy Mayor of Kirkland and ex-mayor of Redmond was a guest of Eric Olsen. Peggy Ostrander, Merrily Dicks, and Ingrid Bruner attended with their husbands this evening. Ty Baird is our student of the month from Juanita HS and will attend WSU this fall. Julian Lo, staff for Rep. Susan DelBene, also attended.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Pat Swenson thanked a multitude of people for helping with Christmas Gift Wrapping at the Bellevue Barnes and Noble. Over $350 was earned and will be used to buy books for John Muir Elementary School.
· Ann Hamilton chaired getting food for three needy families of John Muir students. She thanked a number of folks who supported this effort in various ways.
· Dan Bartel reminded us that this Saturday is Rotary 1st Harvest. We go to the warehouse in Kent. Please let Dan know you are coming and if you want to carpool the gathering place is at 8AM at the Houghton Park and Ride on I-405 just above Houghton.
BOB COHON JOINS KIRKLAND ROTARY Bob Cohon is an attorney in Kirkland. He has met most of us at previous meetings and “Getting to know you” activities. Bob was was welcomed into our club this evening. John Woodbery officiated. Bob Webb was his sponsor and will be his mentor. We all welcome Bob and hope to get him very involved with our club.
KIRKLAND ROTARY SUPPORT AREAS FOR 2012-13 President Patti explained we had $37,000 net income from the 2012 Duck Race and recently another $4.500 from Joker Pool. The Board, consistent with club desires from last spring allocated $9,000 to our three extramural service areas and plans the remainder for special legacy activity. Last week Alice Volpe, International Service Chair, announced we are supporting the construction of 2 new homes in Ethiopia with $800; a hospital in Nepal which we have supported in the past and the Mosquito Net project in Africa for polio eradication each will receive $4,100. David DeBois, Community Service Chair, arranged multiple community projects as follows: WarmCoats and shoes at John Muir > $4000, Rotary First Harvest>$1000, Nourishing Networks>$1000, Miracle League (new uniforms this year)$550, Home2Home>$450, Reading Buddies at John Muir>$500, and Sophia’s Way for homeless women>$1,500. Eric Olsen is the Vocational Service Chair. Seven scholarships of $1,000 each will go to 7 local college and tech school students. Another $1,000 will go to the student winning a competition for the Chuck Morgan scholarship for publishing interest. Finally, $1000 will support local educator recognition.
PROGRAM Susan DelBene, the new 1st Congressional District representative was our speaker for the program. She really was elected twice: first to fill her seat for the old District 1 for the last 2 months of the 2011-12 Congress, then to come into the next House term for this year and next (2013-14). Rep. DelBene shared a wide variety of thoughts and shared some interesting surprises. The most interesting anecdote to me was the welcoming reception where her husband, Curt, received a very nice handbag as a present from the House. (This was despite about 20% of new reps were women) How’s that for planning. Other items that struck me was the pattern of most days, arranging her office, staff, etc.,being appointed to the Judicial and Agriculture subcommittees, and the obvious polarization of representatives into their political parties. Susan’s stongest area of emphasis was the importance of the House to work together. She thinks this may be more likely in this group as there seems to be significantly more diverse. It was a very good talk with time for lots of very good questions from the group assembled.
President Patti thanked our guests and speaker. The meeting was adjourned about 7:35.
Respectfully submitted Bob Webb