Thanks to Fred Janssen and Jenny Andrews for leading us at the start of the meeting this morning in leading the invocation and introducing our guests.  A special shout out to the young ladies from Mercer Island High School, who joined us this morning, as part of their civics studies, and mingling with the members at the breakfast tables.  Started with an idea from Kate Fischer, who mother is with the club.  Overall, there was a great energy in the room this morning and I suspect it was fed by the amazing weather we have been experiencing over the week leading into Memorial Weekend.

Brian Evison took the podium for our vocational minute this week, where he explained his work with purchasing and leasing aircraft to the airline industry.  They do a lot of work with the Boeing company, which has over the last few years allowed his business to significantly grow as other airlines look to acquiring Boeing aircraft to serve their customers.  At the end of the presentation, Brian auctioned off a model Dreamliner 787 to the membership and with the help of Tim Leahy he was able to secure $70 for the RI Foundation – the winning bid went to Chuck Kimbrough.

Chris Boland, our President-Elect, updated the membership on the projections for the All in For Autism 5K/10K event that was held last month.  Chris was able to deliver the very good news that we secured another successful fundraiser for the club – our projection is that the event will raise $135,377

in total (the main growth this year was from the number of runners), and with expenses taken out we are projecting a net gain of $74,300, which represent a 5% increase on last year’s event.  Well done to the entire event team for making this all happen.  It is a tremendous amount of work that happens, because of the contributions our club members make toward it.

President Kaj Pedersen reminder members that Rotary is focusing on Youth in the month of May.  This is especially important as our New Generations, an avenue of service within Rotary, plays a critical role in the sustainability of Rotary and this includes our club.  It is important for Rotary to be successful in reaching out to the next generation, enabling them to learn about the magic that comes for Service above Self.  It is on us to tell our story and encourage their involvement with our club.  With this in mind, the members were given a Rotary video presentation to show them the opportunities that are available through New Generations.

We finished off the program with a fun skit to promote the Rotating the Wheels fellowship event happening on 30th June, 2018.  Carmela Ramaglia introduced Doug Cameron as our Scottish guest, regaled in his kilt and completed with his bagpipes.  Carmela was able to ascertain that virtually everyone in the room had some association with Scotland, whether this was living there, having Scottish heritage, visiting Scotland or enjoying a wee dram – a wonderful opportunity for everyone to register for the Highland Fling.  Doug answered a number of questions about the kilt and its heritage, including the age old

question of what is under the kilt – socks and shoes of course!

Carmela, with the help of Kate Fischer, previewed the new dance we will all be led at the RTW event.  A Scottish fling, no less!  We will be looking forward to everyone taking the opportunity to secure the discounted price of $35 before the event increases up to $50 in June.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our biggest fellowship event of the Rotary year, where we will welcome in President-Elect Chris Boland and his new board.

Bob Holert introduced our speaker, and member, Claudia Balducci to address the club on the issue of juvenile crime and justice in King County.  This was delivered in the context of the new court house, juvenile facility and parking garage that is being built to help with improving the experience and process involved with handling the issue of juvenile crime in King county.  A topic that is garnering a lot of interest within the community at the present.

Kaj Pedersen finished the meeting, but thank the guests for coming, and reminding members that there is the District Leadership Training Assembly coming up on 2nd June, 2018.  It is a wonderful opportunity for members who are on the upcoming board, or who are looking for leadership development to attend this half day session.  More details can be found here District 5030 Website.  If you want to register straight away then you can do so via this Registration Link.  

The meeting was closed with the following quote from Valerie Jarrett, an American Lawyer, who said “Let’s figure out ways of keeping our children out of the juvenile justice system and in the classroom so that they’ll thrive. Because if you’re in the juvenile justice system, the chances of your going into the adult penal system are greatly increased.”

About the Speaker