THE ROTARY CLUB OF EVERETT, Meeting #1 of Will’s Presidency July 11, 2017

 

Greeters:  Adam Ballout and Jeff Moore

 

12:05   Pledge of Allegiance- Will McMahan

 

12:07   Thought of the Day- Sean George: His 4 core values

 

Opening Song: Deb Wright: America the Beautiful

 

Introduction of Visiting Rotarians-Rick Comeau, selling duck dash tickets from Lake Stevens; Cassie Franklin Past President of South Everett/Mukilteo, a guest of Lyle Ryan. Guests: Andrea Sekora’s daughter Olivia.

 

President Will reported his view of meetings this year. Meetings to start promptly at 12:05 and will end by 1:10 if not sooner, and he rearranged rooms to include more mingling with guests.

 

1.            Swearing in of new officers:  Pat Doud, Mark Duffy, Dave Schlosser and Steve Miller as President Elect, George Bowden (Vice President)

2.            Aquasox Baseball Fellowship July 24th- Danny Tetzlaff

3.            District Golf Tourney (1 more golfer needed to make 2 teams) Aug 18 up in Lynden.  – Judi Edwards

4.            Membership Committee – Lyle Ryan: New Rotarians brought in get entered into a drawing for a Paul Harris and the winner is: Gary Cohn! Over past 4 years, we averaged 16 members leaving the club each year. If we don’t bring in new members, the club won’t exist by 2026. The Membership committee is actively encouraging and will be communicating to the club regularly to grow us to 150 members, (currently 132). For each new member that you bring in, you will get a Paul Harris (in July and Aug)

 

12:25  Happy Dollars/Birthday Bucks:  Steve Miller Happy for Kiteboarding lessons with Betsy Baker-Bold’s husband Sean, then waterskiing competition last week unfortunately ended with a ruptured bicep tendon and rotator cuff (surgery pending).   Jeff Cornish-Daughter officially an RN, Larry O’Donnell reported that Mark Nesse has been in the hospital but is improving, Tom Koenig- Steve really got hurt having his arm twisted to be president.

Cassie Franklin- (missed hers),  Janice Green-retired from Boeing and starting anew.

Andrea Sekora-back to Rotary and thankful for the support from Rotary.  MaryBeth Dingledy- bought a condo for her parents to move to WA, excited to have parents close by.

  Janice Ellis- Hugo’s goodbye and thanks f or the club to be supportive of Rotary Youth Exchange.  Rose Goulet- oldest son completed residency and starts being an OB/GYN August 1. Bruce Timm- happy to be cancer free.

 

Raffle: wine and baseball hat:  Olivia Sekora (mom Andrea gets the wine), Will McMahon (wine, etc), Jerry Tucker (Wine/Bargreens/Banana-strawberry cake)

 

Introduction…Sean Kelly (who announced he was looking for programs that are innovators in our community!)

 

“Bridgeways” presented by Jeff Patterson (Dir of Marketing) and Tony Orso (Director of Manufacturing) Bridgeways is a local nonprofit which helps people with disabilities and challenges to become contributing members of the workforce by creating employment opportunities for members of our community. Jeff and Tony opened with compliments to our club for 100 years of supporting the community, and thanks for the gift to Catholic Community Services for low barrier housing. 

All about Bridgeways:

                100 people working together in 25k square feet that offers support services to individuals and makes parts for medical and aerospace industries. Central driver is to help people with chronic mental illness find employment (in their facility or out in the community).

1 out of 5 people will need help with mental illness, and many won’t seek treatment. 1/25 live with serious mental illness. 87% chance of not working in Snoh County if you have mental illness, even though Sno Co has nearly full employment.

                54% of the company has mental illness, yet it is a business that is doubling in growth. Bridgeways makes over 100k parts per month. Started with Boeing company, and have grown to more customers. Rated Gold on delivery and Silver on quality ratings by Boeing, which due to its high ratings, does not require further QA from buyer.

                All employees make at least minimum wage and many make much more. Mental Illness does not mean not skilled. In 2016, all hires were those who struggled with mental illness. 

                Supported Employment: Bridgeways helped 58 people get jobs in this community (for those who cannot work in a manufacturing environment). Many are Medicaid eligible but have a goal of being employed. Many have lost jobs because of their mental illness, and Bridgeways work with new employer.

Example stories of people in Brideways plant: In January they gave a 10 year anniversary gift to an employee who works no more than 2 hours/week. He is an employee, gets a paycheck, gives him purpose, and can say that he makes parts to help airplanes fly.

For people who are homeless, trying to find employment without basic necessities is a huge challenge.

Another example is Kim, who used to be an administrative assistant and who used to be employed. She had an abusive husband and mental illness. Came to Bridgeways and is now full time and is no longer on Medicaid. She says without Bridgeways she would be either dead or on the streets. Her goal is to get a car and get her teeth replaced (because her husband knocked her teeth out) and being employed is helping her reach her goals.

Tony (one of the presenters) ran away from home and lived on the streets in Baltimore when he was 13 years old. He knows how it is to feel helpless and homeless, which is why he does what he does now with Bridgeways and values what Rotary has done in the community.

Bridgeways referrals come through Compass Health or SeaMar from provider referrals who know that employment is a goal. Also through Dept of Voc Rehab. Anyone can apply for a job in their manufacturing plant.

 

1:05  Thank you: contribution as Speaker Gift: Stove Team International-provides stoves to people in Central America for safe cooking and less wood use.

 

Will was presented with his drawing by Don Senter (at the price to him of $200)

 

Will read a thoughtful email from Barb McCarthy, who has been voted an honorary lifetime membership to Everett Rotary, as the first woman in our club 30 years ago.

 

Adjournment at 1:04

 

Next Program July 18:   “Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum” presented by Justin Spielmann Introduced by Sean Kelly

 

 

1.            VOA Food Bank Volunteering, July 27th 11am-1:00pm

2.            Rotary Board Mtg, July 28th, 7:30am 3rd Flr Chapel at Bethany

3.            WSU Tour, August 21st, 4-6pm – contact Joe Gaffney

 

1:10  Closing