The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a virtual meeting on February 13, 2023 using the Zoom platform.

President Amy Mutal, called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Terry Cole led us in the pledge.

Attending were Pete Anderson, David Aubry, Scott Becker, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, Dave DeBois, Donald Dicks, Jocelyn Ellison, Monica Fratita, Rashmi Garimella, Brandon Honcoop, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Karin Quirk, Steve Shinstrom, Patti Smith, John Storbeck, Alice Volpe, and Rick Walter.

The Rotary Club of Kirkland Student of the Month program continues in March with Vernon Lumpkin from Lake Washington High School.  Vernon describes himself as a Singaporean American who is pursuing an entrepreneurial career in data science and information technologies. He is his high school’s ASB vice-president, Key Club president, and DECA vice-president of finance. Outside of school, he works for the city of Kirkland as a paid climate justice intern, engaging with council members and other city officials to further the goals of the city's Sustainabiliity Master Plan and address climate injustice by connecting with the community. Additionally, Vernon is the managing director of Ignite Robotics, a STEM education non-profit promoting STEM education and robotics within underrepresented groups and minorities!

Kirkland Rotarians will gather at the home of Rotarian Joanne Primavera to prepare lunch for twenty residents of Helen's Place in Kirkland. A program of The Sophia Way, Helen’s Place provides a safe and stable space for women experiencing homelessness to rest and heal. The shelter is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,  offering women the care and comfort they need, while being supported in navigating their individual journey to stability and housing. Rotarians may join Dr. Primavera for the cooking event by registering through the calendar item on the club's website.

Before the snow flurries begin again, make your plan to donate blood at Keller Williams Eastside Realty, February 21 & 22.  The Bloodworks team will be there to help us save lives.  Preparing our blood supply for more extreme weather is critical for patients in all of our Northwest hospitals!  Book a Blood Donation Appointment, and be a lifesaver.  Please arrive with your photo ID and wearing a face mask. Those who are 16 or 17 years old must bring a Signed Parent Permission Slip.

At the club's September 30 meeting, Rotarians welcomed new member Karin Quirk to the club's ranks. Actually, Karin rejoined the club after a several year hiatus. During the February 13 virtual meeting, Karin provided club members a classification talk that re-introduced her to some, and introduced her to many. Please welcome Karin back to service through Rotary.

Club members' readership of the bulletin, The Spokesman, in December paralleled the higher level observed in the month of November. Readership rates were 74% and 70% for the two editions. There are only two bulletins for November compared to three meetings, because typically a bulletin is not produced for an event, such as the holiday party, versus a regular meeting.

 

Readership of The Spokesman in January ebbed and surged as the club began the culminating process of reconsidering its meeting structure and major fundraising project. Readership rates fell to 64%, then peaked at 79%, and ebbed again to 66% for the three editions. A bulletin is "read" when the email containing it is opened by the recipient.