THE ROTARY CLUB OF EVERETT LOG Jan 24, 2017
We were greeted by Tom Koczynzki and Deri Ford as we arrived to the Meeting on January 24, 2016 (meeting #29 of Ed’s presidency and #5187 of the Rotary Club of Everett).
The meeting was called to order early by President Ed Petersen who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. There were no visiting Rotarians, but we had one guest, Katie Vaniman from the Daily Herald of Everett, a guest of Josh O’Conner.
Presidential Recollection: Lyle Ryan was president 2005-2006. Lyle thanked his team who are still members including Secretary Bill Dobler, Treasurer Rich Toyer, and Executive Assistant Judi Edwards. He spoke of his travels to Chicago for the Rotary International Convention during the Centennial anniversary year of Rotary International. He reminded us that the International President that year charged the clubs with creating a Centennial project, which we achieved with raising $100k to give to develop the water spray park at Forest Park, which is still a popular attraction for our community. The year of Lyle’s presidency was a busy one. Our Scholarship program awarded $243k, we participated in an International Project in December of that year to buy 300 wheelchairs for the Wheelchair Foundation and a group then went and delivered them to San Filipe, Mexico. Marc Baker led a Group Study Exchange team to Turkey for a month. Lyle reminded us of Larry Byers and Mark Valentine sharing their musical talents with the club along with Mary Fears and her gaelic singing, Kim Buike’s energy and his whistling. During Lyle’s year, our meeting venue changed from the Yacht Club (it was supposed to be torn down-but is still standing) to the Everett Naval Base, along with occasional random searches at gunpoint which we never got to experience meeting at the Yacht Club.
Several new members joined that year who are still with us including Gail Larsen, Mark Olsen, Michael Hawkes, Cheryl Dryden, in total we had 23 new members into the club that year. Lyle wrapped up his recollection with a Thought for the Day about relying upon “constants” in life as he gets older. We all have constants like family and church and he shared that for him Rotary has always been a constant of friendship and fellowship. Rotary can be a constant for all of us, as it has been for over 100 years and will continue to be.
Meeting Sponsor: provided by Family Optometry/Jim Schraeder- who gave his spot to Sylvia Anderson of the Everett Gospel Mission. Sylvia told us that today was a perfect day for her to speak to us because today at 8:00am started the Snohomish county count of homeless people, in order to have an accurate number to plan and allocate resources. The Everett Gospel Mission started in 1961 as 8 beds for men, and now provides shelter to over 250 men and women each night. They help provide food, clothing, training, services and support for people of Everett and Snohomish County. Sylvia reminded us that homelessness is everywhere-even where she moved to in Mill Creek and other suburban areas. She thanked all Rotarians who come to serve on the holidays at the Mission, that the time that they put in to be there is appreciated by the volunteers and the clients. (Gentle reminder how great it is to participate in that activity!)
Announcements:
• Fundraising Committee – Amy Norman: Rotary Rocks! In February. Asking for early donors, sponsors and prizes. Sponsorships $500+. Carnival theme: every 50$ gets a ticket to put into prize boxes (sunglasses, diamonds, etc)
• Centennial Committee: Josh O’Conner: Everett Rotary’s 100th year Commemorative Special Section, printing for March 1st : This will be a 16 page insert in the Daily Herald telling stories of Rotarians and Rotary history and activities. A great way to get out to our community all the good that we do, and hope to get more interested members. 20% of advertising proceeds goes back to Rotary from advertising rates. Contact Katie Vaniman at 339-3461 kvaniman@herald.com
• Membership Committee: 4th Tuesday lunch idea; bring a visitor to lunch on the 4th Tuesday, and the lunch will be provided by Rotary and if the visitor joins, you get entered into a drawing for a Paul Harris.
• International Service: Greg Lineberry; Dominican Republic trip; need to start to make flight arrangements for those going on the trip March 31-April 7. Meeting tonight at George Bowden’s house to go through the many applications of students wanting to attend. Contact Greg if you have questions about the trip.
Happy Bucks/Birthday Bucks:
Dale Newman-anniversary bucks and to say that when Lyle was president, Dale’s wife was 5 yrs old (ouch!)
Howard Bargreen-thanks for Rotary Water Park
Judi Edwards- Food Bank volunteer this Wed
Marc Baker-also happy for Betsy’s medical news (no cancer)
Tom Koenig-brother has a hard cider company in Chelan and has a delicious hop infused hard apple cider.
Betsy Baker-Bold-3 YAIL participants this past weekend who really enjoyed themselves and were appreciative of Rotary’s sponsorship in sending them, and reminder to think ahead for RYLA (leadership camp for 18-30 yr olds May 12-15. Looking for candidates!)
Raffle winners: wine, chocolate etc: Sylvia Anderson, Wine and candle and popcorn: Henry Newton, prosecco, hot chocolate and Rotary Lunch-
Judi Edwards Program: Ted Wenta introduced Sandy Milam, Chair of Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens Membership, Donations and Grants. Sandy is a resident of Stanwood and a graduate of UW and was formerly employed with KCTS in Seattle as well as other Seattle non-profits. Sandy thanked Eileen Simmons for introducing her to the Everett Rotary Club. Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens is a local group of members that builds and supports the community gardens at Legion Park which highlights seasonally changing local plants and teaches regular gardening workshops. The mission of the Evergreen Arboretum Foundation is to create and maintain an inspirational arboretum and gardens accessible to all, internationally-acclaimed and locally-enjoyed for its plant diversity, original art and educational opportunities. They are a 501c3 organization where membership dues go directly towards operating costs, and it is a 100% volunteer organization. The Evergreen Arboretum and Garden is free and open to all, showcasing trees, shrubs, perennial gardens, a rock garden, Japanese Maple Walk, outdoor pavilion plus sculptures and an incredible fountain, together to form a unique Snohomish County destination. They are currently working on finishing the south portion of the garden in cooperation with the Parks Department, finishing drainage and irrigation. The garden was closed for a year for the Arsenic mitigation and they have been working hard to clean up and restore it after the closure and the more recent November windstorm damage when they lost several trees. Sandy reported that all the pathways are accessible and have been utilized by many senior service groups. They have an annual plant sale June 17, usually right after Sorticulture at Legion Park, and plants are typically donated by many local nurseries. It is a major fundraiser for the organization, last year earning over $20k.
President Ed asked Espen Diamond to give an impromptu report on YAIL from the past weekend: Espen reported that they had a great weekend filled with presentations from many inspirational speakers, including young leaders inspiring the participants toward service and leadership, and had meaningful workshops on leadership skills, which Espen reports he is already working on ways to utilize what he has learned.
Next Program: “Children’s Hospital Collaboration with Providence” presented by Kim Williams and Darren Redick introduced by Ted Wenta
MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MAKEUP OPPORTUNITIES:
• VOA Food Bank Volunteering, January 26th, 11am-1pm
• Rotary Board Mtg, January 27th, 7:30am in the 3rd floor chapel at Bethany
• Wheeler’s Meeting, February 14th, 11:00am, Boys & Girls Club Topic: Policies & Procedures/Service Opportunities
• District 5050 Conference, May 5-7th, Waterfront Marriott Hotel, Seattle Club pays registration for the first time attendees if you sign up before December 13th Closing Remarks - Rotary Serving Humanity
*President Ed read a letter from a College Essentials scholarship recipient thanking the club for providing for her needs for her first year of college.
