The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on February 6, 2023 at SOI Thai Restaurant & Bar.

Past-president Rick Walter, subbing for President Amy Mutal, called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Brandon Honcoop came up with a flag on his phone and led us in the pledge.

Attending were David Aubry, Scott Becker, Donald Dicks, Jocelyn Ellison, Doug Evanson, James Feek, Rashmi Garimella, Brandon Honcoop, Alan Hoviland, Jim Meniketti, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, Karin Quirk, Patti Smith, Alice Volpe, and Rick Walter.

Guests:

We had quite a few guests also: Lake Washington High School Student of the Month Elena Ferry brought her parents Doug Ferry and Caroli Pohl-Ferry, and was also accompanied by Nichole Swanger, career specialist at Lake Washington High School.  Visiting Rotarians included Beverly Jacobson from Duvall Rotary, and former Kirkland Rotary President and now-South Everett-Mukilteo Rotarian John Woodbery.
Greeters:

Jim Meniketti manned the front table; Rick Walter did much greeting.  As everyone paid for their own drinks and meals, no money was collected.  We had 19 members present!
Rick Walter thanked Jim Meniketti for manning the table and “taking roll”.

In January, the Rotary Club of Kirkland membership approved moving to an annual rummage sale as the club's major fundraising project. The club's Fundraising Committee, Pete Anderson, Dave DeBois, and Rick Walter, have now formalized the fundraising committee structure and will be engaging members in commitments within the next few weeks. Gary Cohn has been researching details of school district partnership in the project, and has been able to discuss options with staff at LWHS and the district superintendent. Meetings and visits to two or three district sites are likely within the month in order for the club have adequate information to file the Building Use Application required to reserve space at schools. Dave and Gary are gathering information from the Bainbridge Island and Kirkland police departments in order to lay well-considered safety and security plans. The first rummage sale will most likely be during the last week of June or early July, depending upon location details. Members may tour the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island Annual Auction & Rummage Sale website for background information on their project.

The club held three meetings during January 2023, two at the SOI Thai Restaurant & Bar, and one January 30 exclusively via Zoom. Overall club attendance for the month was 53%, a better rate than all but the month of August in 2022.  The club's membership stood at 36 active members effective January 30, 34 of whom (94%) have paid dues as of February 6. 

The club held three meetings during December 2022, two at the Courtyard by Marriott and a holiday event at St. John's Episcopal Church. Not all included a Zoom option. Overall club attendance for the month was 38%, a four percent gain over the month of November.  The club's membership stood at 35 active members effective September 20, 33 of whom (94%) have paid dues as of February 6.