June 1, 2015 Spokesman

Posted by Bob Webb 
on Jun 03, 2015
 
President John called the June 1, 2015 Kirkland Rotary meeting to order at 6:30 PM. 
 
Jason's daughter, Makana Halley, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Samir Saluja shared his background and how it lead to his joining Rotary.  During college years he was in the Peace Corps in Brazil and Bolivia.  With this awareness of other countries he was moved toward support of foreign peoples.  Then, working for Microsoft, he wanted more involvement with his community.  The interest in international people and his local community brought him to Rotary.  Isn't Kirkland Rotary fortunate!
 
Ernie then added religious impact with a story of three men of cloth converting a Grizzly.
 
VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS; Thomas Parkinson, CEO of Best Communications Group, is our speaker this evening.  Jason Overleese brought his 9 year old daughter Makana Halley.  Both these guests had a major part of the evening.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • Eric Olsen reminded all of the annual Golf Tournament at Bear Creek Country Club on July 27.Time to sign up!
  • Joanne Primavera announced a very successful Kirkland Foundation Auction last evening.We raised $6200 and had much fun.  She thanked all for items to auction and the many supporters including Ben Premack, Rick Walters, and Patty Smith.Joanne's hard organizing work was applauded by all.
  • James Nevers reminded all of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Wine Dinner this week.
  • Patty Sims reminded us of the last Miracle League game this Saturday
  • Pres. Elect Rich reminded the incoming Board of the meeting at 8:30 Saturday morning.
  • Head Duck Scott Becker announced the Duck Dash tickets will be handed out at our Kick Off next Monday evening at the Wild Rover.
     
    RED TO BLUE   George Anderson moved here from Palestine (sp?), Texas where he was a Rotarian for years.  George completed his tasks on joining this club and now wears his blue badge.
     
    PROGRAM; Thomas Parkinson, CEO of Best Communications Group LLC, is a business consultant who provides information and aid to help business people increase their success.  He has a clear stepwise program which he summarized for us.
    He started with a little of his background of being a Fuller Brush Salesman going door to door as a teenager.  Through that early experience he gained many keys that remain important now.  He said prospecting for customers/clients is a catapult to success.  Then those prospects (leads) must be pursued in a system we know will convert some of those prospects into customers.  He emphasized though out that one must have systems clearly in mind to produce success.  He also promised to send information to each of us who provided an email address.
     
JOKER POOL   Makana continued to help us out by drawing the lucky number.  It belonged to Patti Smith.  Happily for all EXCEPT Patti, she did not draw the JOKER.  We are now down to 5 cards.
 
President John thanked our guest and speaker and outlined the busy calendar for the next several weeks. Our next meeting will be the Duck Dash Kickoff at the Wild Rover next Monday at 6 PM.  The meeting was adjourned about 7:50.
 
 Respectfully submitted         Bob Webb