Greeters Lynne Gauthier & Howard Johnson
President Jenny Andrews (Lowry) opened the meeting at Glendale, and the invocation and pledge were led by Howard Johnson.
Madeline Gauthier introduced visiting Rotarians and guests, including Rourke O’Brien’s boys, Tim and Mike, and Steve Szirmai’s daughter, Christine, who is going to Mongolia.
President Jenny Andrews & Wayne McCaulley
President Jenny thanked Wayne McCaulley, Chair of the District 5030 Conference, for his Leadership in planning and managing District Governor’s Conference in Victoria over last weekend, May 1-3, 2009. She also praised BBRC members who attended the conference. The BBRC was second only to the West Seattle Club in attendance at the District Conference. New member Colleen Turner, shared her experience at the conference, saying the highlights were the many wonderful world and local community projects that were displayed and featured in video stories and meeting the GSE Team from France.
BBRC Exceeds 2008-09 Rotary First Harvest Work Party Goal of 150 Hours!
Photos courtesy of Jonathan Koshar
Howard Johnson at the RFH Work Party (center): gas to get to the warehouse, $5.00; BBRC ball cap, $12.00, the looks on the Kent members' faces at the moment they learned that they weren’t "The Best Darn Rotary Club In The World,” PRICELESS!
There has been a bit of competition between the BBRC and the Kent Club, in terms of volunteer days. Howard Johnson, who leads the effort on this project, was pleased to report that the BBRC pulled ahead last weekend with 20 people showing up for the work party!
The Kremen family, along with our exchange student from Chile, Cristóbal Baladrón, worked hard bagging carrots for the full day. "I got them to smile by asking them to say carrots instead of cheese," said Jonathan.
Cristóbal Baladrón and Danielle, Carolyn and Morris Kremen
The next Rotary First Harvest work party at the warehouse in Kent, 22220 68th Avenue South, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, is scheduled for June 13th. Several members volunteered for last Saturday’s work party (May 9th). The upcoming work parties at the Food Lifeline warehouse in Seattle are May 23rd and June 27th.
Bring a friend or members of your family and help sort out all kinds of food for the hungry. Counts as a make-up!
Antigua Computers for the World Project
John Martinka
John Martinka and Steve Lingenbrink, recently back from Antigua, introduced Newport High's Jeff Mason and two of the student team leaders who accompanied him to Antigua, Chandler Hinkle and Tori Sander. These students led the teams that installed the computers. Their mini-program told about work of the student teams, the installation of the computers at the school, the happiness of the teachers and students, and the support from the government that was bringing the Internet to the school and providing tables.
Jeff Mason, Chandler Hinkle & Tori Sander
Steve announced that the government passed a special law and was waiving all tariffs (tax free) from Rotary-donated equipment and supplies. The BBRC Team installed 225 computers and 6 labs in 6 days. They also distributed 900 dictionaries to elementary school children and sewing machines to village women.
Student of the Month: Cassandra DelaCruz
SOTM Cassandra DelaCruz
Sammamish High’s Student of the Month, Cassandra DelaCruz and her parents Rene and Norma Ambrociao, were introduced by Ryan Scharnhorst. Cassandra holds a 3.44 GPA and is enrolled in Advanced Placement courses in Literature, Composition, Statistics, Environmental Science, and American Government. She is also completing an Advanced Photography course.
Ryan Scharnhorst & Cassandra DelaCruz
Community Service has become a passion for Cassandra. She was a poll worker in November’s presidential election, manager of the football team, and a member of the Black Student Union, where she has been involved in the project "Keep a child alive in Africa." She has played volleyball for 3-years and joined the tennis team this year. She is also a certified Nursing Assistant and achieved second place in regional and state skills competitions.
Cassandra will enroll at the University of Washington this fall, where she will pursue a program to become a registered nurse. This summer she will work at a nursing home, where she will continue her training and service.
REMINDER! Off-Site Meeting July 10 at Boeing
Chris Monger
Chris Monger reminded members about the off-site meeting at the Everett Boeing Plant on July 10. If you have not sent your RSVP, DO IT NOW! Email Chris right away and tell him the number of persons in your group (including children 4 ft or taller). If you would prefer to drive separately rather than take the bus, please make note of that in the email. If you are NOT attending, please let him know that.
Schedule:
- Buses pick us up at 7:30 am in Bellevue (location TBD, probably a park-n-ride lot)
- 45-minutes tour begins at 8:30 am
- Buses return to Bellevue around 10:00 am
- Continental breakfast provided on the bus
There will be no additional charge to members for this program. The cost for guests will be similar to that for our regular meetings.
This is a wonderful and unique opportunity to tour the world’s largest building, where the new 787 Dreamliner jet is assembled, and to see how the region’s largest employer manages a highly complex and fascinating manufacturing process. This promises to be one of the year’s best meetings and a once-in-a-decade experience. You won’t want to miss it!
Rotary District 5030 will host a Farewell Dinner Party for the GSE Teams from India and France on Friday, May 22, at 6:30 pm, at the Best Western Executive Inn, 200 Taylor Avenue North, Seattle. There will be hors d'oeuvres, dinner, and dessert, with vegetarian choices available, and a no-host bar.
Cost is $40/per person. Click here for more information and to RSVP by May 18.
Third Thursday Special! Beer Tasting & Barbecue With the Martinkas
You are cordially invited to the BBRC's May 21st Third Thursday social event (and make-up). It will NOT be at the Rock Bottom. It will be held at the John and Jan Martinka residence, 10819 101st Avenue NE, Kirkland, Ph 425-827-4979. Doors open at 5:00 pm; food will be served about 6:30 pm. Click here for a map.
We will host a beer tasting and barbecue, with five distinguished beer loving members at the tasting stations. These members are working hard to increase their beer knowledge, so we encourage you to come and see the results of their efforts and study. Your taste experts are:
Steve Lingenbrink - IPA - Phil Salvatori - Porter & Stout
- John DeWater - Czech & German lagers
- Tim Leahy - Amber Ales
- Jim Zidar - Pale Ales & ESB
Your job is to bring 2-3 bottles of your favorite beer that fit into any of these categories. Taste what the experts have, compare that to what you and your fellow Rotarians bring and have some fun!
There will be wine for those who don't care for beer [yes, it does happen].
Bring your spouse, your (potential BBRC member) friends, and your adult children. Please note: this is an adult event and is not for under-drinking-age children.
We need an accurate headcount for provisions, so please CLICK HERE TO RSVP (no need for negative replies). This will be a great opportunity to socialize with your fellow members. If you haven't attended these events before this is a good time to start!
"The Economy and Recovery," Andrea L. Durbin, CFA, Principal, Rainier Investment Management, Inc.
Andrea Durbin
Speaking on the The Economy and Recovery, and introduced by Kaj Pedersen, was Andrea L. Durbin, CFA, Principal, a senior portfolio manager and equity research analyst with Rainier Investment Management, Inc. (RIM), an employee owned investment manager with approximately $11.37 billion in assets under management.
Andrea received her Bachelor of Science degree in economics, with emphasis in both finance and statistics from the University of Minnesota. Her investment career began in 1992 with Dain-Rauscher in Minneapolis, where she was responsible for research, marketing, investment strategy and trading fixed-income products. Andrea joined Rainier in 2002.
Andrea is a member of the CFA Institute and the Seattle Society of Financial Analysts and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Andrea says, “At RIM, we pick stocks and manage portfolios.” Andrea is supportive of Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), a program of the United States government to purchase assets and equity from financial institutions in order to strengthen the financial sector. TARP is the largest component of the government's measures in 2008 and 2009 to address the subprime mortgage crisis. TARP allows the United States Department of the Treasury to purchase or insure up to $700 billion of "troubled" assets in order to further economic stability.
Andrea Durbin & President Jenny Andrews
Andrea expects that there will be continued negative news, as growth will continue to contract, push unemployment higher, and see corporate profits falling. However, she sees that the underpinnings are now in place to save the financial system and identified the following to support a reemergence of economic growth in the second half of 2009 and early in 2010. She credits lower energy and commodity costs, anticipated tax breaks, and an aggressive fiscal stimulus as steps toward healing the financial system and bringing the US out of this recession. She says that we need to place “jobs first,” because if people do not have jobs, they cannot stay in the market or buy homes.
What needs to happen to bring the US out of the recession by #Q09 and heal the financial system?
- Massive financial stimulus around the world.
- The Fed’s balance sheet expands by purchasing MBS and expands the money supply
- LIBOR stays below 1.25% and financial institutions are recapitalized
- Mortgage rates decline to 5.00% or lower (they are 4.78% today)
- Mortgages are streamlined in favor of homeowners (#1 need is improved mortgage banking regulation and supervision.)
- Fiscal stimulus package is passed by spring to abate higher unemployment
- Auto and house inventories need to bottom out in 9 months (no floor yet, improvements are needed!)
- House prices drop almost 30% from their peak in 9 months (prices are continuing to drop)
- Banks need to recognize losses and rebuild capital (investor stress tests are providing data)
- Financial markets need to improve by 4Q09 (avoid deflation and depression.)
2009 Rotary District 5030 Conference Report
Kaj Pedersen
Photos courtesy of Steve Lingenbrink
This was my first Rotary District Conference, and the fact it took place in Victoria, BC, was an added bonus to a packed three days of activities. BBRC was well represented by a large group of over 15 members, including spouses. Needless to say, the BBRC made their presence felt at this conference in Victoria. The theme of the conference centered on the desire to Make Dreams Real, but it would be more appropriate to say that diversification is what made these dreams real.
The conference events were tightly managed in terms of time by our MC Ralph Munro, who managed to keep the speakers moving along, while introducing a number of witty and enjoyable observations to keep the mood light. As we started to get into the presentations, it became clear how diverse Rotary is in many regards: people, projects, challenges and locations. This is why I think it is important to underpin the strength of diversity, in regards to the work we undertake as Rotarians, to support the idea of making dreams real.
The first day of sessions included the celebration of Seattle #4’s 100 years of being and how this group helped to launch the family tree of Northwest Rotary clubs. From the initial humble beginnings of the Seattle #4, we now find ourselves spread across District 5030 with some 55 diverse clubs, all playing their part in providing Service Above Self. It is amazing to realize how strong the fellowship of Rotary is in the Pacific Northwest and how well positioned we are in regards to playing an important role in Rotary’s mission.
BBRC members: Morris Kremen, Tamara Dean, Margie Burnett, Jenny Andrews, Bill Rambo, Elena Howell, Kaj Pedersen, Katherine De Stephano, Steve Lingenbrink & John Martinka
We also had another session in taking a journey to Ethiopia and learning about the work of Rotary there through the eyes of a young lady called Naliah Dodd. Her speech left us in no doubt about the role of Rotary in combating polio through its diverse connections and support from the Foundation to eradicate this scourge from the planet. We also had an opportunity to learn more about the Polio challenge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and how they will continue to play a valuable role in this vital work. The good news is that District 5030 is well placed to offer their support in this work as well.
Our morning speaker, Chip Hanauer, of the powerboat world and Gold Cup winner (several times over), was the perfect pick up for Saturday morning. He led us through his life and its challenges for him as he made his journey to the pinnacle of his career. He took us through the key moments in his life and what lessons he learned along the way. Needless to say, he left us inspired, which positioned us well for the second day of sessions.
The second day allowed us to be inspired by the works of the clubs throughout the District. Once again, the BBRC was well represented with their projects on adoption parties for foster kids (presented by Margie Burnett and Laurie Mayer) and the development of the computer labs (Bill Rambo). Other clubs also had some great projects underway in the District as well, and in all cases, the projects were supported by videos of the results of the work — this underpinned the message being delivered by the presenters. Again, the diversity of ideas and projects supported by the local clubs left us inspired as to how far our work can be creatively applied to Make Dreams Real.
We were also shown other initiatives in the supporting-the-membership challenge and the development of the Edmonds Women’s Shelter, which all dovetailed nicely into the role of Women in Rotary. This is particularly important, as it was only a short time ago, relatively speaking, that women were allowed to participate in Rotary activities. Frankly, the strength we get from the diversity of gender in the Rotary is something that has energized the Rotarians, and it was very good to see how many women were present at the District Conference, playing an active role in Rotary’s activities. It gives me a sense of pride to know that a club in District 5030 (Seattle International) helped lead the charge to change the rules that enable women to join in the activities of Rotary.
We also had an interesting session on fund raising and ways to improve this activity within the clubs. Once again, the BBRC was well represented in this session by Jim Owens and Steve Lingenbrink, who presented our club’s work with the Spray Park and the Bellevue 5K. The ideas from other clubs demonstrated that dreaming big allows you to get the name of Rotary out there, and although not all made tremendous amounts of money, they did play a valuable role in bring the community together. However, I did particularly like the Sammamish Haunted House presentation, where a simple idea has been transformed into a significant community event that also raises a lot of money in the process.
We finished the day’s session off with Rob Rose’s work in Nepal. He has been able to get a matching grant of $330,000 to support his work in Nepal to raise awareness of the productive role that disabled people can play in Nepal’s society. The Nepalese see disabled people as cursed and therefore confine the unfortunate individuals to a life of begging and misery. Rob’s mission to raise awareness about the plight of the disabled is helping to change attitudes and make dreams real for the disabled in Nepal. It came as no surprise that Rob Rose was recognized for his work as the Rotarian of the Year from the District.
There were dinner speakers on two separate nights, and I wanted to mention them both at this time. The first dinner speaker on Friday night was David Bley, who is heading up the Gates Foundation on Homeless Initiative. He allowed us to understand how the foundation is focusing on ways to remove the threat of homelessness from families with children. It is a project with a long-time horizon as the Foundation explores the many ways to tackle this unfortunate challenge in our society. Our second night’s speaker was Susan Hutchison, who provided us with a speech about Rotary Making Dreams Happen and expanding on some her life experiences as well.
Two long days later we found ourselves at the last day of the conference. The Sunday morning was filled with updates from the inbound GSE team members from France and India (The presentation from the Indian GSE team was both colorful and musical, which left us all intrigued and impressed with their introduction). We then finished off with presentations from our Exchange Students across the district, and they did us all proud — particularly our own Cristóbal Baladrón, who delivered an excellent speech about his activities.
And so, the conference ended — it would be remiss of me to not mention the excellent job of organization for this conference from Wayne McCaulley and his District Conference Committee. In the end, we were left upbeat and ready for the challenges that face us as we place Service Above Self. It is clear that we are a diverse group of people, with diverse ideas and opportunities to Make Dreams Real.
