ROTARY CLUB OF EVERETT
PRE-MEETING PREDICTION:
Thursday evening, September 17th, Rotarian Henri Janiki will host a Rotary after hours at his business, Odessey Logistics, which is located on the Snohomish River/ Possession Sound.
My prediction is that everything will go very well. The weather will be wonderful, and everyone will have been able to find his location. I anticipate about 25 people will attend the party and they will be treated to a great barbeque dinner by chef Henri.
His business, I believe, encompasses about 50 acres of land right on the river and sound. During your walking tour Henri will point out all the things they do. That huge pile of logs you’ll see will be loaded and shipped all over the world. You’ll have a very interesting and informative evening.
MEETING:
President Kari Petrasek led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and into our 11th meeting of the year and our 5,662nd meeting of the Rotary Club of Everett. There were 22+/- Rotarians, guests, in attendance along with 2 ZOOMERS.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
Past President Kelli Thode read the following poem which reflects on the idea of continuing a legacy or mission begun by others. (Think Rotary)
“The lantern was lit by another’s hand,
A flame caught in the wick, a story told.
They walked the path, they set the steps
They sang the song; they built the wall.
We came to find the light still burning,
To see if embers could be kindled anew.
The ash was cold, the wick was spent,
But in the dark, a spark was found.
We took the torch, not as a prize,
But as a trust, a duty, a thread.
The work was theirs; the start was theirs,
Yet in the hands we held the seed.
The road ahead was long and steep,
With shadows where the sun had not.
We walked the line they had not walked,
And kept the flame from going out.
They planted trees, we watered them,
They laid the stones; we swept the dust.
The same old earth, the same old sky,
But here we stand, the torch in hand,
Not ours to start, but ours to keep.
The fire burns, the path is clear,
And in the keeping, we are free.”
INTRODUCION OF VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS:
Henri introduced his daughter Veda. Past President Mark Valentine introduced his wife Michelle.
MEMBERSHIP MOMENT:
Janice Ellis called herself a boomerang Everett Rotarian as she was a member of our club from 2002 - 2010 and left because of professional job relocation reasons and returned to our club in 2012. She first joined when a friend had told her to get involved in Rotary as she would find out what is really going on in Everett. At the time she had a young family, a husband, and she worked in the prosecutor’s office which didn’t give her much time to get too involved in Rotary except for lunch meetings, etc. Fast forward to 2012, her kids are older, no husband and she was now a judge, Janice immediately got involved. Past resident Steve Miller asked her to help with our incoming exchange student, Daniel Neilsen. Janice was the first host home for Daniel. This experience propelled Janice’s desire to get even more involved in the district’s exchange student program. We all know the passion Janice has for youth, but she has also been involved in international Rotary Exchanges with other clubs along with helping host international Rotary club contingents here at home.
Janice wanted us to know the 6-B’s every exchange student is asked to practice.
- Be first.
- Be courteous.
- Be on purpose.
- Be grateful and appreciative.
- Be observant.
- Be here now (not on your phone).
ANNOUCEMENTS:
Henri will host a Rotary After Hours event Osprey Logistics on Thursday, September 17th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. The address is 2326 27th Place NE in Everett. Please see Brain Hollingshead’s email to all of us dated August 27, 2026 to RSVP. Henri said it looks like the weather will be good but to bring a coat as it could get chilly by the water. Please don’t come earlier than 5:00 pm as they will still be “action” going on at his work site. See my PRE- MEETING PREDICTION above.
HAPPY DOLLARS AND BIRTHDAY BUCKS:
Betsy Baker-Bold is happy to be a sponsor/speaker at the Waterfront Women’s Expo – Longevity Edition this coming Sunday, September 20th at the Hotel Indigo stating at 10:00 am. She was also happy to have enjoyed a multiple day/first class Salmon River rafting trip and on the return home she enjoyed windsurfing at Hood River, Oregon.
Janice was $20.00 happy to have hosted inbound District 5050 exchange students at her home. The students are from Germany, Japan, Italy, Brazil, and then I lost track, sorry.
Past President Kelli was happy to have celebrated her 35th wedding anniversary.
Veda gave $10.00 as she was happy to be here with her dad Henri.
Past President Mark Valentine was happy that their new driveway construction is now completed.
Past President Neil Angst gave $10.00 for the loss that Jerry Tucker’s Oregon Ducks earned last weekend.
Krissy Davis was happy for the Rotarians who joined her at the Puget Sound Kidney Centers Gift of Life Dinner and Auction last Saturday night. Over $250,000.00 was donated.
President Kari gave a bell ringer ($100.00) for the great vacation she and her husband just returned from at 4:00 am this morning. They went to an all-inclusive resort on the eastside of the Dominican Republic.
Kari Quaas gave memorial dollars for the enormous turn out for Past President Larry O’Donnell’s service on Saturday. He had a “Life well lived”.
RAFFLE:
Ashley Bolden called out the following winning tickets.
Winner number 1
Veda won a bottle of wine, and Henri donated it back to the raffle. Past President Greg Tisdal’s ticket was then selected as the winner and he donated it back. Veda had another ticket drawn and Henri decided to keep the wine to be used at his Rotary after hours get together on Thursday evening.
Winner number 2
Past President Steve Miller’s ticket scored a bottle of wine.
Winner number 3
Past President Kelli collected Starbuck’s gift cards.
PROGRAM: Rotary International Convention
President Kari introduced herself and her presentation on the Rotary International Convention she attended in Taipei, Taiwan.
President Kari met people from all over the world along with teaming up with local and semi-local Rotarians she met up with while at the convention. She enjoyed sightseeing and
the culture of Taipei along with the activities within the convention “walls” itself. Here is a glimpse of sessions she attended.
Opening General Session.
- Future Proofing Rotary Through Interact.
- Include an interactor and Rotarian in every service project and event we do.
- Today’s interactor, Tomorrow’s Rotaractor, Tomorrow’s Rotarian, Tomorrow’s Club Leader, Tomorrow’s District & Community Leader.
The Club Experience - What makes up the Club Experience
- Meeting enjoyment.
- Confidence in Club Leadership.
- Personal Growth Opportunities.
- Connections.
- Meaningful Service.
AI for Good: Empowering Rotaries Mission with AI
- AI Platforms and tools for Clubs.
- Integrate AI tolls into club projects to boast impact.
- See the AI generated Paul Harris Rotary Rap on U-Tube.
Rotary Foundation Donor Support.
- Stories and updates about the impact donors make through their support of Rotary’s programs.
- Building Rotaries Brand for Global Impact.
- Strong branding helps.
- Increase public trust.
- Attract younger members and volunteers.
- To stay relevant, Rotary needs to bring in younger members.
- Strengthen partnerships within communities and organizations.
- Showcase Rotary as a Global force for good.
Closing General Session.
Next year’s international convention will be in Barcelona. If you register early, you’ll get the lowest available registration rate. Registration opened on September 17th and if you register before 11:59 pm on September 21st you’ll get the lowest registration rate.
See convention.rotary.org for more information.
The club asked questions and thanked President Kari for her presentation
NEXT PROGRAM:
City of Everett Mayor, Cassie Franklin
MEETING ADJOURNED:
President Kari adjourned the meeting at 12:58 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Past President Andy Hall
Photography Submitted,
Walt Greenwood