The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting at The Woodmark Hotel on July 12, 2021. Rotarians attended in person and online. It was an outstanding start to the new year.

President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 6:30 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.

Margie Glenn led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attending were George Anderson, Bob Auslander, Gail Auslander, Scott Becker, Bella Chaffey, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, Dave DeBois, Don Dicks, Jim Feek, Margie Glenn, Brandon Honcoop, Mike Hunter, James Meniketti, Amy Mutal, James Nevers, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, and John Woodbery.

Guests:

President Dave and several Rotarians introduced guests Shellie Gehring (former member of the club), Rebecca Schlager (a nurse), Dennis Pierce (an executive coach), and Laura Loomis and Chuck Loomis.

The Great Puget Sound Duck Dash is upon us, Rotarians. At the club meeting this week, Head Duck Amy Mutal reminded members of these key dates and events for Duck Dash volunteer sign-ups:

 

Kirkland Wednesday Market, July 14, 3-7 p.m.

Kirkland Wednesday Market, July 21, 3-7 p.m.

Kirkland Urban QFC, July 12 - Sept. 24

 

Lee Johnson Auto Family, Sept. 20, 5-7 p.m.

 

Kirkland Marina Park, Sept. 26

 

This is the Rotary Club of Kirkland signature event for the year, and provides funding for the community service programs. The club's goal is 100% membership participation. Contact Head Duck Amy Mutal to sign up for any or all of these Great Puget Sound Duck Dash events! All but the QFC dates may be found on the club's online Calendar. 

The Rotary Club of Kirkland's "Lift Your Spirits" July speaker series includes presentations from several beverage industry leaders, and tasting will be included in the cider program! At this week's meeting, wine making consultant and co-founder of the Betz Family Winery, Bob Betz, offered his perspective on how and why the wine industry has grown in Washington state, where we are now, and the opportunities and challenges of the future. Next week, the co-founder of Maelstrom Brewing, Dr. Scott Vanderheiden, will provide Rotarians a vats-eye view into the development of craft brewing in Kirkland. Then, Dr. Jeff Peterson will entertain Rotarians with the history of cider production around the world, an overview of how cider is produced, and the experiences of a personal journey in the cider business. Thank you to Dave DeBois for assembling this speaker series. Program details will be available on the Speakers page of the club website. If you have program suggestions for future meetings, please email Gary Cohn.

As of July 13, 14 of the club’s 40 active members, or 35%, have paid their annual dues. Annual dues payments are due by Saturday, July 31, 2021. Rotary club members may pay using the online Dues & Billing System link in the statements emailed on July 1. This requires a credit or debit card (remember, Herb Weisbaum recommends using only credit cards for your financial security), or by check through the U.S. Mail. Only three Rotarians who’ve announced Happy Bucks contributions at a meeting, and who've received billings, have yet to pay those contributions. Happy Bucks (and other) donations may be made through the Donations page. Happy Bucks commitments also may be fulfilled through the Dues & Billing System if an invoice is sent. If any Rotarian needs a duplicate invoice mailed, please send a request to Gary Cohn.