June 23, 2008 Spokesman

Visitors:  Visitors included Jessi Thompson and Jaime Howard, guests of Al Hoviland.  Al met Jessi and Jaime while selling Duck Tickets!  In addition, Malaylaa Powers was welcomed back.  Cameron Michels, our student of the month for June was also in attendance.  Cameron gave a talk about her impressions of Rotary along with her plans for the future [WhitmanCollege].  There were no visiting Rotarians! 

Club Anniversaries:  Chuck Morgan has been in Rotary for 49 years!  Other long-time members included Gary Bruner, 27 years; Brian Tucker, 15 years; Patti Smith, 10 years.    

Club Business and Announcements:

• Bill Taylor reminded us that we can still bring our old cell phones and pagers to the next meeting [actually the Duck Branding Party].
• President Rachel recognized Steve Brown [Evergreen Healthcare] for donating a computer projector to the club.  Also recognized was Bret Johnson for the 75^th Anniversary of Lee Johnson Chevrolet, Mazda & KIA.
• President-Elect Bob Webb and Joanne Primavera relayed the positive experiences they had while attending the Rotary International event held in Los Angeles.  Both Bob and Joanne encouraged the membership to attend future Rotary International events.  Dates and locations can be found on the Rotary International website.
• DUCK DASH NEWS:
  • Bill Taylor [big duck] urged us all to sell more Duck Adoption tickets! 
  • Joanne Primavera is collecting duck adoption stubs and money.  If you can't locate Joanne, Rick Ostrander is available [or just about anyone in Rick's office].
  • Alice Volpe is lining up selling sites and times for Duck Adoptions.  Contact Alice for selling locations!
  • Steve Shinstrom is recruiting parade decorators and participants!  Location will be in the next Spokesman, the meeting time is 10:00am on July 4^th.
  • Bret Johnson reminded club members that the Branding Party is next week, June 30^th at 6:00pm; location, Lee Johnson Chevrolet.  Pizza and sodas will be provided.  The Branding Party will take the place of our regular Rotary Meeting.  Bring friends, spouses and neighbors to help with the Branding!
  • For the 4^th of July, we need all our members to help.  See Bill Taylor, Dan Bartel, Jack Bloodworth, Steve Shinstrom, Patti Smith [and others] for jobs and locations where help is needed.                  
• Elizabeth Rusnak announced Pascal Kunz as our new exchange student.  Pascal is from Bern, Switzerland and will be arriving on August 22^nd.  We are looking for host families.  Contact Elizabeth for more information.
• Our goodbye get-together for our other Pascal will be hosted by Bob & Gail Norman.  The date is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 6^th.  This will be a potluck.  More details to follow.
• The Transition Dinner will be held July 14^th at the Woodmark.  Sign-ups will be at the Branding Party and on our Rotary website.
• Pat Swenson announced that she is a grandmother; in addition, she is cancer free!  Pat indicated that we should keep August 2^nd from 1 to 4 free to help her celebrate.  Details to follow from Pat.                    

Program:  Patty Smith introduced our very own Steve Brown who presented an informative program about  the healthcare industry and Evergreen Healthcare.  Some of the highlights are as follows:

• Evergreen started 36 years ago.
• Evergreen employs over 3,200 people and is Kirkland's largest employer.
• Evergreen was the first Eastside Level III NICU provider.
• Evergreen has the second highest number of baby deliveries in KingCounty.
• The budget for Evergreen is over $600 million.
• Our aging population is perhaps the biggest future healthcare challenge we will all be facing.

Honey Pot:  G.G. Getz had the lucky ticket and also chose the correct duck [yes, #5].