July 18, 2016 Spokesman

Posted by John Pruitt on Jul 18, 2016
 
Our new President Scott Becker called the July 18, 2016 Kirkland Rotary meeting to order promptly at 6:29 p.m.  Dan Bartel was the greeter, George Anderson led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the front desk was manned by Rick Walter [scribe’s note:  I thought there was a committee to run the front desk!].
 
Scott Rethke provided a fine Inspirational Moment, with quotes from Richard Branson.  Some of the zingers were: “You don’t learn to walk by following rules.  You learn by doing, and by falling over.”  Another quote: “A business has to be involving, it has to be fun and it has to exercise your creative instincts.”  There were other great quotes; however, the scribe’s typing skills are only so good.
 
Visitors & Visiting Rotarians:  We had one guest, Adam Kushabi.  Adam was introduced to Rotary at a Duck Dash sales venue.  Adam is an architect with an office located in Bothell.  Ran ________ was a visiting Rotarian from one of India’s largest cities.  Ran is a Past-President of his Rotary Club.  He has a daughter living in the area. 
 
Club Business and Announcements:
  • Rick Walter informed the membership that dues statements have been mailed.  Please call Rick if you haven’t received your statements.  Note that you can pay your dues via a credit card.
  • Patti Smith gave an update on the picnic and Picnic Shelter dedication at Waverly Beach Park.  Besides the beautiful day and the pleasant surroundings, we had many distinguished guests including the Mayor of Kirkland, Amy Walen.  Patti thanked all who helped including the “Patties” [Patty Shinstrom, Patty Sims and Patty Doherty], the cooks including Scott Rethke, James Nevers and Eric Olsen, Wilma for her great dish [perhaps a tradition?], the clean-up and set-up crews including Dan & Wilma Bartel, Bill & Sandy Taylor, Brandon Honcoop, Rich Bergdahl, Terry Cole and many others.  Patti Smith indicated that the whole picnic cost about $304!
  • Steve Shinstrom - We need to sell Duck Adoptions.  Please sign up and sell!
  • Rotary Board Meeting is Wednesday, July 20th @ 6:00p.m. [a light dinner is available at 5:30p.m.]. All Rotarians are welcome.  Please RSVP to Scott Becker if you plan to attend. 
  • Save the Dates:
    • Duck Branding:  August 8th at 5:30 p.m.  Bring family, friends and guests!  The branding location is at Lee Johnson Auto Family, 11845 NE 85th, Kirkland.  Pizza and sodas will be provided.  Note that no [live ducks] will be harmed with the branding; and start letting your fingernails grow!!! 
    • The Duck Dash Booth will be open from 1:00 p.m. ‘til 6:00 p.m. on Friday August 12th and from 11:00a ‘til about 1:30p.m. on Saturday, August 13th [Duck Dash Race will be at 2:00p].  This is a once a year, “all hands” event.  Please be there to help!        
    • The Salmon Bake will be hosted by Bob Auslander and will be held on August 15th.  More information will be forthcoming!
  • President Scott passed on thanks from the John Muir School Library for our $1,200 donation.  Also we received thanks from the Promise Committee for our donation and from the Catering Manager at the Woodmark.
 
Happy Dollars:  Rick Walters collected many happy dollars from our membership and guests.
 
Program:  Jason Overleese introduced our speaker for the evening program, Kirkland Chief of Police, Cherie Harris.  Chief Harris was installed as the new Chief on April 19, 2016.  She was selected after a nationwide search to replace Rotarian Ex-Chief, Eric Olsen.  Chief Harris has 23 years of law enforcement experience and was first hired by the Kirkland Police Department in year 2012.  She has two fantastic children, with one very facile in debating [probably with mom].  Some of the points that the editor gleaned from Chief Harris’ presentation are as follows:
  • Before coming to Kirkland, she was the Deputy Chief at Monroe, Washington.
  • Kirkland has a very stable government and the police department has good community support.
  • She is a member of the Morning Rotary Club.
  • Her “to do” list includes recruiting, retention and succession planning for her department.
  • The Kirkland Police Department has 137 employees, with about 100 cops. 
  • The police department has about 10 openings.
  • The department wants to improve community communications and have more positive exposure.
  • The City of Kirkland is a fairly diversified community.
  • The three things that are increasing in our community that affect law enforcement are the “Kirkland Crawl” [traffic], vehicle prowls and road rage.
  • The goal:  Treat people with respect.
President Scott presented Chief Harris with a Racing Duck and a donation in her name to Rotary First Harvest.
 
 
President Scott’s thought for the week: “When life gets hectic and you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to focus on the people and things you are most grateful for.  When you have an attitude of gratitude, frustrating troubles will fall by the wayside.”
 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
 
Scribe for a day, John Pruitt