March 27, 2006 Spokesman

Our guests included Rich Bergdahl's parents, Dick and Loretta Brown; Rick Ostrander introduced Bob Gurdsen; Jack Danforth introduced Steve Combs; and Steve Brown introduced Chris Ellis of Evergreen Hospital.  In addition, G.G. Getz re-"introduced" Chuck Morgan.  Welcome back!  

Announcements:

• Craig Neal reminded us that our Rotary Foundation Auction is Sunday, April 2^nd at 5:30 PM.  The location is the Women's Club, 407 1^st Street in Kirkland [across from the City Hall].  Gary & Ingrid Bruner are providing the spaghetti dinner for the event. 
  • Everyone is encouraged to sign up to bring either an appetizer or a dessert.
  • Bring your checkbook!  We will not be able to take credit cards! 
  • Bob Auslander is still collecting auction items.  Please contact him ASAP with your auction items.
  • Elizabeth Rusnak announced that Katrin Horn, a Group Study Exchange representative from Germany, will be attending the auction.  
•    Duck Dash updates:
  • Duck adoption tickets are now available.  See George McAfee for tickets.  Yes, it's time to sell duck tickets!   
  • Bob Webb announced that he is still looking for non-profit groups to sell tickets.  Contact Bob with your ideas and leads.
  • Alice Volpe provided signup sheets for the duck sales venues.  Call Alice for locations and to get on the signup roster.
• G.G. Getz graciously volunteered to take over student of the month duties while Linda Julien is on vacation.
• Rachel Knight announced that the 2006 Children's Champion Award will be presented to our Rotary Club at the Boys & Girls Club's annual gala auction in May.  Please forward your pictures of our activities with youths to Rachel by Thursday, March 30^th.        
• Pat Swenson reported on the John Muir School reading program.  Volunteers are needed to lead 3 to 4 student reading programs.  The commitment is ½ hour a week.  New groups will be starting on April 13^th.  See Pat for additional information.
• Chuck Morgan passed on the sad news that Rudy Bankson passed away.  Rudy was the President of Rotary during 1970-1971.  His memorial will be held on April 8^th at 11:00 AM at the Methodist Church in Bothell.   

Program:  Vice-President Rachel Knight introduced our very own Steve Brown as guest speaker.  Steve's topic, "Delivering on a Promise," presented a construction update on the new Emergency Department and Patient Facility at Evergreen Hospital.  In total, the expansion of the hospital will provide more than 570,000 square feet of rebuilt and new Emergency Department, surgical and patient space and support, including underground parking.  Construction began in spring of 2005, and the buildings are scheduled to be operational in early 2007.  Initially, only three floors of the Patient Facility will be completed.  The remaining floors will be finished and equipped from hospital operating funds as they become needed in the future.

            Steve indicated that the project is "on schedule and within the budget."  The other good news was that the hospital parking will remain free if Steve has anything to say about it.  Upon completion of the project, there will be an open house.
        

Honey Pot:  Mike Hunter had the lucky ticket.  With one chance in five, he didn't get the lucky card. 

Vice-President Rachel adjourned the meeting at 7:14 PM.