Rotary Log 11-15-22
 

 

National Philanthropy Day

 

As one entered the meeting hall there was a heightened sense of “togetherness” as background music was played through the stage speakers, people lined up at the lunch table to select their sandwiches, salads, chips and beverages and the socializing amongst tables was evident as the hum of conversations swelled and soon drowned out that background music. (I apologize to my English teacher for this run on sentence,it is a run on sentence, isn’t it?)

 

Our all in person meeting was attended by close to 50 people, thanks to many Rotarians we haven’t seen in several weeks along with the students of the month and their parents.

 

I noticed today is National Philanthropy Day which I assume most of us didn’t know falls on November 15^th. This day signifies the importance of working together for the common good, just as we do as Rotarians (See this LOG’s section on ROTARY FOUNDATION MONTH) and as we’ll hear from our program speaker today.

 

At 12:03 pm President Tammy Dunn tested her microphone, got it working, and in moment she led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and into our 20^th meeting of the year and our 5,472^nd meeting of the Rotary Club of Everett.

 

President Tammy had two quotes for us today in honor of our students of the month and their respective schools.

 

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We didn’t have any visiting Rotarians today, but we did have the following guests:

 

Cat Wilson introduced Ashley Bolden, Realtor, and the student of the month from Sequoia High School, Laura Infante, and her parents.

 

Anna Marie Laurence presented her student of the month from Everett High School, Derek Olson and his mother along with ESD Superintendent Ian Saltzman and EHS Principal Kelly Shepherd.

 

Mike Holcomb announced his student of the month from Cascade High School, Cristobal Miranda who was with his parents.

 

Brian Hollingshead gave us a report on last week’s Happy Hour gathering at the Courtyard by Marriott Everett on Colby Avenue.  There were 10 in attendance and as usual it sounded like fellowship and fun was had by all.

 

President Tammy mentioned that this month’s board meeting will be a week early (to avoid meeting the day after Thanksgiving).  The meeting will be at President Elect Neil Angst’s office at 7:30 am on Friday November 18^th.

 

Past President Amy Norman is in charge of this year’s Foundation Month for our Rotary Club. During most of the year we have fundraising activities that support our local projects and more specifically, our scholarships. In November, Foundation Month proceeds go to Rotary International to support international projects within the 7 Areas of Focus listed below.

PP Amy’s theme for this fundraiser is Leveling UP ONE and getting BACK to ROTARY. Her goal is to get 100% participation from our members. For those close to getting another Paul Harris to pay up enough, or more, to get that next Paul Harris, for those who don’t have their first Paul Harris, PP Amy, teamed up with Jim Staniford who will donate ”points” to help get them to the Paul Harris level.  For all those who reach the Major Donor level (cumulative donations in the amount of $10,000.00) during this fundraiser will receive a personalized Funko figurine. 

 

To help in the process of collecting on pledges for the fundraiser PP Amy has developed a weekly drawing, with prizes, for those who have paid up.  Today there were two prizes drawn and the winners were, Kari Petrasek, and Past President Mark Valentine.  I didn’t hear what each person won but I do know the prizes were donated by PP Amy’s daughter who works at Funko and by Jim Staniford’s Vintage Café.

 

Please make this Philanthropy Day (working together for the common good) as a catalyst for donating to Foundation month and supporting what we Rotarians do.

 

 

Cat Wilson introduced Laura Infante from Sequoia High School. Staff members at Sequoia had these fine things to say about Laura.  She is a beam of light, she is focused on her schoolwork, she is a wonderful mother, her school attendance is impeccable, and she sets good examples for others.  Laura graduates this month and will pursue a degree to become an elementary teacher.  She was very appreciative of Rotary and of the recognition she received as being the Student of the Month from Sequoia.

 

Anna Marie Laurence introduced Derek Olson from Everett High School. Anna Marie read comments that staff members from Everett prepared, and this is what they said about Derek.  He is very involved in Leadership and a lot of other school activities. He is a three sport letterman in football, swimming, and track, he works as a lifeguard at the YMCA, he is a WSU (Go Cougs!) Regent Scholar Nominee, he is inspirational, cares for others and is a solid good person.  He thanked our club for this award and recognition.

 

Mike Holcomb introduced Cristobal Miranda from Cascade High School. As with the others, staff from Cascade described Cristobal as a bright scholar, appreciative, leaves a smile on your face, asks great questions, the sun shines around him, he is a ROCKSTAR, he is good at coding and could go as far as he wants to in that field. Cristobal said he never gives up and he always tries to advance himself.  He said some people call him a nerd; but look who is up at the lectern today.  He, like the others, was very excited to have been the student of the month to represent his high school.

 

PP Mark Valentine was the first winner, and he had his choice of a free lunch or a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts and a bottle of wine.  He selected the candy/nuts and the red wine.  It was interesting that in small print on the wine label there was a guarantee that the red wine, color, would not fade. (I didn’t make this up). 

 

Paul Stoot won the second prize, and he also chose a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts and wine over the free lunch.  I didn’t notice if it was red wine, white wine, or a faded red wine.

 

David Chan, as the third and final winner, received the free lunch or $12.00 back on the lunch he may have purchased today.

 

Paul Stoot introduced us to retired Seattle Chief of Police Carmen Best by first presenting a comprehensive list of her accomplishments and recognitions. The highlights of this impressive list include, joining the Seattle Police force in 1992 and working her way up to being named Seattle’s first Black woman to become Chief of Police.  She held this position from January of 2018 until her retirement in 2020 following budget cuts.  Carmen has two daughters and 2.5 grandchildren (The third one is almost here), she has lived in the PNW her entire life except when she did a stint in the army.  The title of today’s program is Breaking Barriers and Racial Reconciliation or as in Carmen’s words, Building a Bridge.

 

Carmen thanked Kari and President Tammy for inviting her to speak today. She also congratulated the students of the month for their accomplishments and thanked Rotary for what we do (working for the common good).

 

The entire room stayed focused as Carmen spoke for 25 minutes about leadership and what is needed to make positive changes in our society. Building a Bridge takes time, a lot of effort and a lot of understanding.  Accepting differences, discussing changes, and accepting changes are difficult.  All parties (individuals, companies, social services,  government agencies, etc., need to understand that change is inevitable and need to help make changes work for the betterment and safety of our communities, states, and country.

 

 

Unfortunately, there wasn’t any time for questions or comments.

 

President Tammy thanked Carmen and presented her with this year’s token of appreciation for her presentation today.

 

Carmen wrote a book titled Black in Blue and after the meeting Carmen sold and signed copies of her book.

 

From the 2014 Mudslide to Today, Building Resilience in Community with Glacier Peak Institute.

Presented by Oak Rankin

 

President Tammy adjourned the meeting at 1:03 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Photography Submitted by.