June 22, 2009 Spokesman
President Elect Jim Feek opened the meeting at 6:32PM and Roy Selvidge led us in the flag pledge. Debi Gregorek was our greeter. For inspiration, Jim shared a program from his Son's graduation from Harvard Business School called the MBA Oath, a pledge analogous to the Physicians Hippocratic Oath, to promise to be ethical and competent in business.
Our guests included Tina Duss, exchange student from 2000-2001 who is now an English teacher. Three Exchange Host Families for Pascal were represented. Alex Knight, Rachel's Son was here as was Pam Hurst-Gera, a late scholarship winner from Cascadia, a single Mom going back full time to college, thanks to Rotary help, was introduced by Brandon Honcoop of the Scholarship Committee. She was a standout in her interview, he said, partly because she had done her homework well and knew all about Kirkland Rotary and Rotary International. Visiting Rotarians Patrick Fleedge, Seattle Four with 32 years perfect attendance was here. Bill Woods introduced prospective member Shelli Gering. Kathryn Kerhli introduced husband Tiim. Visiting Rotarian with 44 years perfect attendance, Kemper Freeman from Bellevue with his wife Betty were in attendance.
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John Overleese announced sign up opportunities for the Salmon bake, picnic at Everest park and the Transition Dinner on July 14th.
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Chuck Brokway praised the 83 volunteer participations from our club that made Miracle League a success along with the help from Patti Sims for treats and others.
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Duck dash Branding Party is next Monday at Lee Johnson Chevrolet at 6:00PM. Gary Redfern announced multiple opportunities for service at the 4th of July Pick nick.
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Visiting Rotarian Kelly Tile (Redman Rousers) introduced their Exchange Student Jose from Spain.
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The Feeks invite us all to their lakeside home to watch the 4th fireworks. Call or e-mail ahead for 7-9 PM activities, desert only.
New member Wilson Anhar who manages Aegis Living Totem lake was inducted by president Elect Jim Feek with Sponsor Steve Brown and John Overleese as Mentor standing by in support. Steve Shinstrom and Brandon Honcoop came up with Scott Rethke as well as Patti Smith with Shirley Metcalf to be acknowledged for going from Red to Blue badges. Shirley said it took twice as long with Patti who was too busy arranging speakers for us. Congrats Scott and Shirely.
Our program tonight was Pascal Kunz giving a pictorial summary of his year. He is a diplomat in the making by the smooth and endearing way he wove his story around friends and hosts with a praise for everyone and everything. From Soccer varsity letter at LWHS to Schuster Wenatchee trips and to every island in the San Juans you ever heard of and friends everywhere, he had one fantastic year. His soccer coach was the best he ever had, the weather, even when it rained was gorgeous, a grotesque turkey picture for his first Thanksgiving ever (they never have that in Switzerland), water sports at the Shinstroms, skiing and snowboarding at Whistler and Stevens Pass, and target shooting on Whidbey Island rounded out the year. What more could a Swiss boy want? Well with the end of the year "The Great safari Tour" covering San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosmite and back to the City by the Bay before home to the Swiss Alps, that will make a pretty good run of it.
Alice Volpe had the lucky ticket which she promptly gave to Pascal who by the legerdemain of President Elect Jim Feek in cahoots with Rotarians Tom Sturgell and Bill Taylor holding the silent number, how could he possibly lose. He didn't!
Meeting over at 7:45PM
John Woodbery, Scribe