November 13, 2006 Spokesman

Announcements :  The few guests were balanced by the many announcements this evening.

• Steve circulated a thank you note from the Kirkland Downtown Club thanking us for our presence at their charter meeting and for the bell that we donated on that occasion.  He also announced that the Board minutes from the November 8 meeting would be available during the next week.
• Katherine Kehrli reported that our request for a District Simplified Grant to buy reading materials for John Muir Elementary School students was approved.  John Muir has not been able to fund a special reading program for accelerated reading students.  Specifically, they didn't have the evaluating materials for comprehension of extra reading.  We responded to that need wrote a grant that went to District and they matched the $3600 we contributed to fund this excellent program with $7200.  Gary Bruner took this opportunity to explain how RI manages donations.  The donations sit in a fund for three years and the income from these donations provide the funds necessary to run RI.  After three years 70% of the money comes back to the district for use in various projects.  Our District Simplified Grant made use of some of this money.
• GG Getz reminded the members of the upcoming Kirkland Rotary Christmas Party to be held at Broadmoor Country Club.  Currently there are 60 of us signed up.  We are asked to sign up on line or by calling GG (425 822-5100)  The cost is $60 per person and a fun night is planned with dancing and other activities for your enjoyment.  That's GG, 425 822-5100.  GG Getz Results.
• Tom Sturgell reported on progress reinstituting the Member Directory in the small blue vinyl loose leaf binders that were so helpful.  He circulated a printout and asked us to look for errors and report updates.  Also, many of us need pictures as this goes to press.
• Dan Bartel announced that the Alcohol Awareness gathering this Saturday evening is now fully subscribed.  He encouraged others who want to go to call him so they can be on a waiting list.  Dan also announced the next quarterly First Harvest visit will be Saturday, December 9.  A signup will be out at the next meeting.
• Jack Bloodworth thanked us all for signing up to donate food for our three Thanksgiving families from John Muir.  Food is to be distributed Monday after next week's meeting.  Please bring your items to the meeting.  There is a listing of what you signed up for on Clubrunner.
• Chuck (Chuckles) Brockway reported that the annual Apple Cup Pool is fully subscribed and will be reported to the club on Monday, November 27.  At that point President Steve gave a touching recognition of Chuck's hard work as our Chancellor.  He awarded Chuck a new RED Chancellor's Apron with thanks for all the service Chuck has given the club.  On the front of the apron was an attractive color coordinated flag from some Scandanavian country (not sure just which one).  However, upon modeling the new garment it appeared that the neck strap was much too long as the apron resided at knee level and barely covered areas above that.  But GG saved the day.  With amazing alacrity she reached someplace behind the apron and gave a mighty YANK (you should have seen Chuckles' gasp of surprise) and suddenly the apron was perfectly aligned. So, you see GG Getz Results for sure (that's 425 822-5100)

Program :  November is Rotary Foundation month and our Foundation leaders are Jim Feek and Rich Bergdahl.  The program was devoted to the Foundation.  Bob Auslander is our newest Paul Harris Fellow.  Bob accepted his certificate, medallion, and badge with wife, Gail, looking on.  Marian Webb's certificate, medallion, and badge were passed to Bob to deliver since Marian couldn't be present.  Then, all the current fellows were recognized from Bob, our newest, to Gerry Marsh who has the distinction of earning a badge with two rubies on it, signifying support in excess of $8000.  These folks had been invited to wear their PHF pin tonight; they each had the opportunity of showing the pin or donating to the Chancellor resplendent in his RED perfectly fitting, thanks to GG (that's 822-5100), apron.  We were also reminded of the Rotary Legacy Society recognizing those Rotarians who have remembered Rotary International in their wills.  Rich Bergdahl then unveiled a large shrouded object, which had been in front of the dinner all evening but was covered.  It turned out to be a large (maybe 3 x 5 feet) blue poster with a wide line across the middle.  Below this line were many (? 80) yellow happy face buttons.  Rich introduced this year's quest for Kirkland Rotary-100% participation in RI  by the end of this Rotary year.  Those members who have already given were then invited to the front of the room and replaced their happy face button with an even bigger happier button and put it above the line.  Below the line signifies support for Kirkland Rotary; above the line means Rotary International support.  The hope is that all our happy faces, unrelated to amount of giving, will appear above the line by June.  Furthermore, both Jim and Rich request that anyone who has   concerns about donating bring them forward so they can be forwarded to District and resolved.

Honey Pot :  The evening ended with Barb Seaton having the lucky number; however, we didn't have the third money winner in as many weeks.  There will be another $15 in the pot for next week.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM. 

Just the facts, maam.  Jack (no, its Bob) Webb