President Neil started the meeting at 12:01 pm with members attending in-person and online for today’s meeting. Today’s meeting was #5505 of the club and #3 of President Neil’s year.

 

President Neil, was philosophical about the recent rains by pondering the question: Wool clothing shrinks when it’s wet – so shouldn’t sheep?  He also quoted Warren Buffet: “Predicting the rain doesn't count; building arks does.” President Neil also selected a profound quote by Bob Marley - "Some people feel the rain, others just get wet."

 

Rotarians wanting lunch at the meetings will need to email their order by 3 pm on Mondays to Sandy.  Lunches will be $20 from Kindred Kitchens. 

 

Kelly Sheppard, for the Local Impact Committee, announced that volunteering at the Food Bank will begin in September on the 2^nd Thursday of every month. 

 

President Neil highlighted club members whose organizations were recently awarded large grants from Snohomish County for childcare programs, according to the local news.  They are Paul Stoop, Krissy Davis, and Bill Tsoukalas.  

 

There was a round of applause for Amy Norman as the outgoing President Emeritus after her 4^th year and the responsibilities that go with the role. 

 

Bylaw Approval vote:   President Neil and Past President Amy presented a motion, already approved the officers, to approve two additions to the bylaws for the Local Impact committee.  #1 addition is allowing the Local Impact committee to award grants to organizations in Snohomish County and #2 – organizations will not be permitted to receive grants if a member of their organization is serving on the Local Impact committee.  Will McMahon motioned for approval and Don Stewart seconded. Motion passed.  Bylaws with the updates will be published soon.

 

Brian Hollingshead reminded all of the upcoming Rotary After Hours event on Thursday from 5 – 6:30 pm at the Courtyard by Marriott on Colby.  

 

President Neil announced that there is a board meeting on Friday at 7:30 am.  

 

Henry Newton shared that he met with Tom Rainville recently and he is doing well but no longer drives.  He thinks Tom could be convinced to attend if provided with a ride.  Henry and Tom started attending Rotary together several decades ago and gave $102 in Happy Bucks in recognition. 

 

Greg Lineberry had $58 birthday bucks as he was looking forward to a Grand Canyon trip next week with some other Rotarians. 

 

Ashley Bolden conducted this week’s raffle.   Jim Schrader (white wine package), Larry O’Donnell (Lunch and Flowers), and Henry Newton (Red wine package) were the winners this week. 

 

TODAY’S PROGRAM – NW Educational Services District (NWESD) 189 Pre-ETS presentation by Perter Schlegel and Brian McClay was introduced by Rotarian Ryan Willis.  

 

Peter Schlegel

 

Brian McClay

 

NW Educational Services District 189 represents 35 school districts within the five counties of northwest Washington.  The district is the second most dense service area in the state.   The Pre-ETS program serves over 2,000 high school students with pre-employment transition services through job site tours and paid internships primarily. 

 

Pre-ETS provides support in Workplace Readiness Training, Self-Advocacy and Work-Based Learning opportunities.  The Pre-ETS team brings in employees to help build skills and interest among the students.   Currently, seventy-four different organizations provide job site tours in the five-county area.   100 students are currently employed as paid interns with thirty companies.  The goal is to triple that number in the next few years.  Of the interns, 35% have been offered permanent positions with the companies.  

 

Students have to be between the ages of 14-21 and at least 16 to participate in paid internships.   The students must have a 504, IEP, or documented disability.  They have to submit a Pre-ETS form.   Their teachers must provide a green light as well.

 

Job Site Tours organizations in Snohomish County include Burkhead Arts Centers, Snohomish Boys and Girls Clubs, Cedar Grove, Cascade Coffee, and multiple city municipalities.   Other companies in the five-county area include FEMA, Border Patrol, Job Corp, and Dakota Creek.   The team is looking to build new partnerships with more organizations.  They strive to have students with an hour or less travel time to the tour sites or the internships. 

 

For the tours, the District provides transportation for the students.   The tours occur once or twice a year.   The internships positions are normally from 40 to 120 hours.  The NWESD reimburses wages plus 15%.  Students are teacher recommended and need to work independently and have their own transportation.   The state’s DVR program provides much of the funding for these programs. 

 

After questions, President Neil thanked the presenters and shared that a donation was being made in their names to the Bridge Receiving Center.  

 

Meeting was adjourned. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Photography submitted,