THE ROTARY CLUB OF EVERETT Meeting of March 14, 2017 #36 (5194)

 

We were greeted by Joe Gaffney and Tom Koraczynski. The meeting was opened and the Pledge of Allegiance led by President Ed Petersen.

 

Guests: Michael Mathis, Speaker, Burned Children Recovery Foundation Gina Clark, guest of President Petersen, Snohomish Health Amy Kaestner, guest of Jen Rancourt, introduced by Marybeth Dingledy.

 

Our Club Meeting Sponsor, Howie Bargreen, thanked all club members for their support of Bargreen Coffee Company. Bargreen Coffee Company, roasters of hand crafted coffees, has served the community since 1898. A video about the company was not able to be seen due to technical difficulties and will be shown in the future.

 

 

Past President Recollections, Andy Hall – Rotary President 2012-2013: The Everett Navy Base was our meeting place. Board of Directors during that time were Tammy Dunn, Walt Greenwood, John Mohr, Eileen Simmons, Jason Chang, Sonya Kraski, Steve Uberti, Shelly Hutcheson-Smith. Rich Toyer was Treasurer, Bill Dobler was Secretary, and Larry O’Donnell was our Historian. The Avenue of Service Chairs were Marc Baker, Fontelle Jones, Jim Schrader, and Deb Wright. Andy’s favorite Assistant to the President was Judi Edwards. A special thanks to Steve Juntwait who stepped in and served in the Vice Presidential role. Highlights of the year included the introduction, by Ted Wenta, of the “Next Generation Project” – the AVID program. Rotarian Steve Saunders, age 99, visited with his wife Jo. Also, several representatives from Everett’s sister city in Japan visited to hear the Program about the Nippon Business Institute and there was a lengthy exchange of Banners, bowing, and hand shaking. Daniel Nielsen was our exchange student from Denmark. Hailey McIntyre, our outbound student, traveled to Europe. Katrina Hooks, our GSE Team member visited New Zealand. We were visited by District Governor Sean Hogan (twice) and Congressman Rick Larsen. The successful fundraiser was run by Mark Valentine. During that year we reached the milestone of meeting number 5000. In the spring $125,000 in scholarships were awarded to 42 students and 12 students each received a $500 Fred Meyer shopping spree. During the weekly Raffles that year over 140 bottles of wine were won. Past President Andy Hall thanked all the members for their hard work and dedication.

 

 

Thought of the Day – presented by Past President Andy Hall A quote by Lyttelton Braima from Sierra Leone, who earned a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Duke University, courtesy of a Rotary Peace Fellowship. Lyttelton is now back in Sierra Leone working to build Peace Through Service: “There is no greater imperative than peace. None. If there is no peace, you won’t go to church. If there is no peace, your University will be closed or destroyed. If there is no peace, there’s no point in digging clean drinking water wells or Helping poor people set up micro-credit businesses, or providing educational resources to school children. Peace comes first. Without peace, nothing fruitful can happen in society. I have experienced it, so when I speak about conflict, I have lived it. War and conflict is not an academic subject to me; it is something I have experienced first-hand in all its horror. Peace is the most valuable thing we have in all humanity. Peace comes first. Peace comes first.”

 

Classification Talk: Jeannie Willard. New member as of September 2016. Part of the “Next Generation Project”. Raised in a Military family and traveled a lot. Graduated from Carnegie Melon University, received her Doctorate from WSU in Educational Leadership. Loves to travel. Traveled around the world when she was 28. Worked in NYC for New Yorker Magazine then worked for Lehman Brothers. She then became a teacher in Brooklyn and her life changed when she learned what huge impact a teacher can have on a family. Currently she is involved in College and Career Readiness. Everyday her family keeps her going.

 

 

Happy Bucks: Tim Coulter - Retiring soon after 37 years in the banking business and celebrating his 63rd birthday. Henry Newton - Reminded us that 52 people accepted the Rotary Club of Everett Charter 100 years ago. We will be celebrating on May 2nd commemorating our club receiving the Charter, receiving the Charter, a reception at Coastal Banking will follow. The theme of the Charter Party is ‘Celebrating 100 years” or as Don Senter calls the event, “Having a beer for yesteryear”.

 

 

Denny Austin - He is leaving Bethany and is taking a new job in Seattle. He will be part of our club for a while longer.

 

 

Amy Norman – Stacey, daughter of Buzz Miller, emailed that she put a check in the mail for the $350 to fulfill Buzz’s pledge. There is a scholarship being set up in Buzz’s name. Mark Nesse - $100 Birthday dollars.

 

Scott Castleberry – His youngest daughter, Rachel Marie, has just been accepted for her 2nd Master’s Degree in Public Policy. She will attend the UW or Columbia in NYC. Barbara George – We are invited to celebrate the “Everett Public Library History Room”, catered by Shawn O’Donnell. Sign up at Everettmuseum.org Gary Cohen – Safe return of 42 kids from a field trip on the other side of the Pass whose return was delayed because of the weather. Marybeth Dingledy - Found a large bound book on the 1893 History of Washington, found at Howell’s Books in the NW Section. Marybeth will bring It to share with Larry O’Donnell. Also, Marybeth has learned that when Foster Kids leave their home they get plastic bags to carry their stuff. She want donations of suitcases. Raffle announced by Jessie O’Brien – Looking for more donations of bottles of wine.

 

 

Our Raffle winners were Scott Forslund, Larry O’Donnell, Kay Phinney. They won Bargreen’s coffee, wine, and cookies.

 

 

 

Program introduction by Ted Wenta. He introduced Michael Mathis who is the Founder and President of Burned Children Recovery Foundation. Burned Children Recovery Foundation – Michael Mathis In 1967 Michael, 11 years old, was severely burned by an explosion from gasoline on a camp fire when he and a childhood friend were camping in the backyard. At 11 years old he didn’t understand what being burnt meant in the long run. He felt like a monster, the insurance money ran out, his parents’ marriage fell apart. His experiences motivated him to create the Burned Children Recovery Foundation in 1989. Each year there are 280,000 children burned in the United States. These children need to learn how to deal with people’s curiosity. They just want to be loved and accepted. Where do they go and how do they live when they leave the hospital are challenges that need to be addressed. It is a battle dealing with the anxiety, the name calling, and the rejection. The Burned Children Recovery Foundation “is a non-profit organization of dedicated staff and caring volunteers who are committed to effectively helping burned children and their families manage the emotional, social and psychological effects of being scarred.” They offer support from experienced burn survivors, assistance in social re-entry, counseling, and financial services. They have distributed over 125,000 Recovery Packets to burned children and their Families. The Foundation also serves the community through Phoenix House and Camp Phoenix. The Phoenix House is a ten bed recovery center for severely burned children. The kids Do not have to walk the healing path alone as they learn skills to help them cope with what has happened. Camp Phoenix provides an opportunity for children to meet other children who share similar feelings and experiences. The week-long camp “gives these children temporary freedom from the everyday frustrations of being burned, a chance to share their stories and to bond with each other.” The camp is located in the Bellingham area and Rotarians are invited to attend a camp celebration on August 13, 2017. For more information about their programs, please call 800-799-BURN or email burnedchildrenrecovery@gmail.com. President Ed Petersen thanked our Speaker and Guests.

 

 

Next Program: “Master Builders Association Update” presented by Shannon Affholter introduced by John Olson

 

 

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MAKEUP OPPORTUNITIES: 1. Wheeler’s Meeting, March 14th, 11:00am, Boys & Girls Club Topic: Rotary History & Traditions 2. VOA Food Bank Volunteering, March 23rd, 11am-1pm 3. Rotary Board Mtg, March 31st, 7:30am in the 3rd flr chapel at Bethany 4. District Training Assembly, April 1st 8-2pm, Surrey BC (Need 4 more to attend-Required) 5. 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