President John, began his 23^rd meeting precisely at noon and with over 40 Rotarians. This was our 39^th virtual meeting and our 5,377^th meeting of the Rotary Club of Everett.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by President John.

 

Dr. Paul Stoot’s Thought of the Day was a prayer about us giving our service during these unprecedented times.

 

Walt Greenwood sang “Turning of the Year” which is appropriate as the new year is coming up in a few weeks.

 

Kari Petrasek introduced her guests Carrie Carlson and Kathryn Greenburg, CASA volunteers, and Kathy Hayes, presenter.

 

Kari Petrasek announced that the last Happy Hour of the year is Thursday, December 10^th at 5:30 pm. Enjoy a great hour and wear your ugliest or best Christmas Sweater.

 

Ed Petersen gave an update on Foundation Month. He explained the Recognition Points that us Rotarians earn. He thanked Deborah Wright, Greg Tisdel, Steve Miller, John Olson, and Ed Petersen for donating their Recognition points as these 4,750 points.

 

Ed Petersen announced that one of our Rotarians was gifted a Paul Harris from the District 5050’s raffle. The name drawn by District 5050 was Walt Greenwood. Congratulations Walt!!

 

Tammy Dunn tagged teamed with Amanda Overly for $100. They announced that Larry O’Donnell will be interviewed along with Eric Jennings and Brein Elliott, Everett High School, about the 1920 Everett High School Football team on the Prep Sports Weekly - KRKO 1380, Thursday, December 17^th, 7pm – 8pm. Amanda added that this interview on the 1920 Everett High School Football team is a preview of a celebration about the 1920 Everett High School Football team winning the National Championship a hundred years ago.

 

Kari Petrasek gave $25 as she was very appreciative of Carrie, Kathryn and Kathy speaking about CASA.

 

Kelli Thode gave $25 for the 25^th anniversary Real Heroes Breakfast, Thursday, Dec. 10^th 8 am, Live Video. More Information. Thanked many Everett Rotarians for their support.

 

Judi Edwards was $28 happy for celebrating Bob’s and hers 28^th Anniversary.

 

Walt Greenwood gave $100 – thank you for the players in Rotary Foundation.

 

Kari Petrasek introduced Kathy Hayes who works for the Snohomish County CASA.

 

Kathy reviewed the program history. David Soukup, presiding Judge of King County Superior Court in Seattle, became concerned about decisions being made that significantly impacted dependent children’s futures. He decided to recruit and train volunteers from the community to serve as children’s long-term GALs. This program began in 1977. Today there are over 75,000 CASA volunteers across the United States.

 

Snohomish County CASA program services children ages birth to 18 years. CASA volunteers visit with the children in person every 30 days and gather facts in order to advocate for the child’s best interest and make recommendations to the court regarding services and placement.

 

CASA Volunteers are ages 21+ and are diverse in ages, races, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. The rigorous screening process includes completing an application, be interviewed, background check and ongoing assessment during Pre-Service Training. The volunteers spend 30+ hour pre-service training. Currently the pre-service training is online.

 

The duties of CASA volunteers are Represent Best Interest, Investigate, Monitor, Reporting, Notify of attorney appointment and Notify of ICWA status. Difference between a CASA Volunteer and an attorney is the that the CASA volunteer advocates for child’s best interest and the attorney represents what the child wants.

 

CASA volunteer training consists of trauma-informed care and child development, case noting, interviewing skills, and court report writing skills. The volunteers are continually learning, and the National Standards require annual in-service training to be a minimum of 12 hours.

 

Kathy discussed how to apply to be a CASA volunteer and request from more information by email, CASA@snoco.org. There are upcoming Informational Sessions on Friday December 11^th, 12 pm – 1 pm and Monday, December 21^st, 12 pm to 1 pm.

 

Carrie Carlson has been a CASA volunteer for 10 years and has been a CASA to 50 kids. She become interested in volunteering when she was volunteering to help homeless children. She learned about CASA and signed up right away. Her company allows her to volunteer and work with her schedule.

 

Kathryn Greenburg has been a CASA volunteer for 4 years and has been a CASA to 10 kids. Kathryn had a friend who was a foster parent in the CASA program. Kathryn stated that being a CASA volunteer is rewarding and fulfilling, and it fits in with her schedule with work.

 

Many questions were asked by many Rotarians.

 

President John thanked Kathy, Carrie and Kathryn for a great program.

     

Respectfully Submitted,

            

Photography Submitted,

 

 

“Stranger Times”, presenter Katie Herzog; introduced by Sean Kelly