At 11:00 am we all received an email that our ZOOM crew, President Tammy Dunn, recovering from COVID, along with Past President Greg Lineberry would not be able

to attend our meeting.  The hybrid meeting turned into an all inhouse meeting as the rest of us were inept at even trying to figure out how to set up for a ZOOM meeting.

 

Another minor obstacle was discovered, no microphone.  Vice President Michael Kvistad did a great job of improvising by pushing the tables closer to the lectern for a more intimate, easier to hear setting.

 

Because of the snow this morning and the fact that the ZOOMERS wouldn’t be able to attend the meeting via that platform President Elect Neil Angst made an over/under prediction that no more than 13 people would be in attendance.  That prediction was shattered as 21 of us made it through the falling snow and slushy streets.

 

At 12:05 pm Vice President Michael led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and into our 22^nd meeting of the year and our 5,474^th meeting of the Rotary Club of Everett.

 

Brian Hollingshead said whether it is players after a game congratulating their winning opponents or a losing politician congratulating their opponent, we all need to understand to “Always be a good sport, be a good sport All Ways” (Quote from Bob Robertson, the voice of the Cougars for over 50 years).  Editorial license used in part of this Thought of the Day.

 

We didn’t have any visiting Rotarians today, but we did have the following guests:

Cat Wilson introduced Ashley Bolden, Realtor.

Past President Ed Petersen introduced Garry Clark, our speaker for today’s meeting.

 

Brian Hollingshead mentioned that on December 8^th there will be another Happy Hour from 5:00 - 6:00 pm at the Courtyard by Marriott Everett Hotel.

 

Vice President Michael asked that we all try to be at our December 13^th and 20^th meetings as we will be hosting the students of the month (13^th) and being entertained by the EHS choir (20^th).

 

President Elect Neil gave a report that the nominating committee has selected candidates, more news will be forthcoming.  

 

Ralph Quaas was driving to Rotary today and on the radio the song “Going Home” was playing. It reminded him of good times and some sad times as that was the song played at his father’s funeral close to 60 years ago.

 

Jim Staniford was $20.00 happy that he had a homecooked Thanksgiving dinner with his family at his sister’s home.  In the past they normally went out to dinner.

 

Jerry Tucker gave $5.00 to not have to talk about the Oregon - Oregon State football game.

 

Krissy Davis was $5.00 happy to be a Cougar.

 

Past President Mark Valentine was happy to have attended last weekend’s basketball tournament in Portland where he got to watch his West Virginia Mountaineers and talk with his cousin, coach Bob Huggins.

           

Ralph Quaas was the first of three drawn for the raffle prizes, so he had his choice between receiving a bottle of wine or a poinsettia.  He said he didn’t need a poinsettia.

 

Anna Marie Laurance had the second choice, and she selected a bottle of wine.

 

Jim Staniford won the poinsettia, and he graciously gave it to our guest Ashley Bolden.

 

Past President Amy Norman concluded her successful fundraiser that helped support Rotaries International projects within the 7 Areas of Focus listed below.

 

     1.   Disease Prevention and Treatment.

     2.   Peace and Conflict Resolution.

     3.   Clean Water and Sanitation.

     4.   Maternal and Child Health.

     5.   Basic Education and Literacy.

     6.   Economic and Community Development.

     7.   Supporting the Environment.

 

Our club’s annual average goal for the November fundraiser has been between $13,000.00 and $14,000.00.  Past President Amy’s goal was to at least double that, but with her theme of Leveling UP ONE and getting BACK to ROTARY, more than $43,693.00 was collected.  The club also has 29 more Paul Harris Fellows.  Great job Past President Amy!!!

 

The following prizes were given out to those randomly chosen who had donated to the cause.

 

Kevin Nichols won a gift card to Shawn O’Donnell’s Restaurant and a Rotary pin.

 

Past President Greg won a gift card to The Vintage Café and a Rotary pin.

 

David Chan won a gift card to The Vintage Café and a Rotary pin.

 

Past President Andy Hall won a bottle of Idaho’s finest Vodka, 44 Degrees North, along with a hat, a flask, and a rotary pin.

Jim Staniford won the watermelon flavored version of the Vodka along with a hat and a Rotary pin.

 

Past President Steve Juntwait won the huckleberry cream version of the Vodka, a hat and a Rotary pin.

 

Jerry Tucker won a “shot” ski and 4 shot glasses that he can use next year when he tailgates at the Oregon - Oregon State Football game.

 

 

Past President Ed provided the following background/introduction to our speaker, Garry Clark. Garry is a graduate of Dana College where he earned a Bachelors in Sociology and a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he earned a Master of Science in Urban Studies and Public Administration.  He holds track records from Dana College, is the author of a book titled “Unlikely Viking” and had been recognized as a 40 under 40 recipient by the Midland Business Journal.  Garry was selected as the President and CEO of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County in February of 2021.  He previously was the President of the Greater Fremont Development Council in Fremont, Nebraska, the Manager for Nebraska Opportunity Fund and the Economic Development Director for Cuming County, Nebraska.

 

Garry told us his background growing up in Washington DC with parents who were addicts and his father was in and out of incarceration.  He experienced homelessness and moving from school to school.  He found his way out of it; he turned his low grades in high school to high scores in college to where he made the Dean’s list.  He thanked people who have helped him along his journey.

 

Economic Paradigm Shift… Why Snohomish County?

 

There are 6 pillars of economic development that guide Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

     1.   Advocacy

           -   Unify Snohomish County voices to improve policy that supports economic vitality for all.

     2.   Business Attraction

           -   Recruit new companies from outside the region to grow the local economy.

     3.   Business Retention and Expansion

           -   Direct outreach to company leaders linking them to business solutions.

     4.   Quality of Life

           -   Leverage funding and partnerships that incentivize solutions and fill community gaps.

     5.   Small Business and Chamber

           -   Strengthen business community through partnerships and resources.

     6.   Workforce

           -   Local workforce aligns with current and future talent demand.

 

What is happening?

     -    Global - Some economists say to buck up and be prepared for a recession and some say they are not forecasting a recession.

     -    Political (China and Russia) - How will this affect the global economy?

          -   China’s supply chain affects the whole world.

     -    Domestically - We need to focus on our affordable housing supply, equality, energy, quality of life, public safety, etc.

     -    Snohomish County Business Shifts - Aerospace to expand and diversify, bio-tech firms, energy firms, food production firms, hospitality, maritime and healthcare are contributing to a paradigm shift in our local economy.

          -   Need for housing for the workers, the medium selling price for a home in Snohomish County is $790,000.00.

          -   Businesses need to find ways to provide pay hikes and quality of living situations to attract qualified workers.

          -   How will companies compete?

              -   Automation, less work force high production.

 

Changes in how we do business smarter, and more profitability is no different than when the cobbler made one pair of shoes at a time or when the first cars were built one at a time.  A Paradigm Shift occurred and assembly lines provided the production needed to “re-launch” those businesses.

 

Vice President Michael thanked Garry and presented him with this year’s token of appreciation for his presentation today.

 

Helping Children Find a Healing Start in Foster Care with Bridge Receiving Center. Presented by Tracy Rubstello.

 

Vice President Michael adjourned the meeting at 12:58 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Photography Submitted by.