Invocation, Pledge & Introductions

The 7:25AM bell caught me in a mid-chew state as President Chuck initiated an early start for a business session full of recognition for this President's Day weekend.

A member not caught off-guard was Past President Chuck Barnes, with his very thoughtful invocation, followed by the flag pledge. Past President Cary Kopczynski introduced visiting Rotarians and guests, which included BBRC Past Presidents: Don Chandler, Rick Meadows, Bob McKorkle, and Phil Salvatori.

Former member Stewart Martin was in the room under the alias of "Steve," and an echo from the past — "Give me an eye!" — Jim Givan, was also present.

Remember that you are always welcomed at the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club.

Past Presidents

With all the Past Presidents in the house, it was only fitting that we also experienced a visit from Past President Abe Lincoln and his supportive wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. They came to the front to play Stump the Members with a BBRC Past Presidents quiz: Miss an answer and put your contribution on the table.

If nothing else was demonstrated, it was proven that the BBRC knows its history, for very few dollars were collected.

For those of you reading at home, see how well you would have done:

1. What year was Lou Web a President and how many members did the BBRC have at the end of his term?

 

2. Which President had the nickname "The Quincy Jack Rabbit" and what was he known for?

 

3. When did the BBRC have its first female President, who was she, and what was she known for?

 

4. Who was the BBRC President during the Rotary International Centennial Year, and what caused him to lose sleep and nearly get an ulcer?

 

5. What three members have been, or will be, District 5030 Governors before 2013, and which one was never a President of the BBRC?

 

6. Name the Past Presidents and their leadership teams that molded the BBRC into today's great, fun loving, hard working, humanitarian service club with the motto: "The Best Darn Rotary Club in the World."

So, how did you do?

The Past Presidents were then invited to the front and introduced in order of year of service: Jim Owens, Don Chandler, Dick Brown, Rick Meadows, Howard Johnson, Jeff Cashman, Bob McKorkle, Chuck Barnes, Cary Kopczynski, Kim Shrader, Brian Evison, Norm Johnson, Steve Lingenbrink, Phil Salvatori, Jenny Andrews, and Margie Burnett. Missing were Lou Web, Dick Clarke, Bob Moloney, Sharon Edberg, John DeWater, Steve Goldfarb, and Jim Zidar. Don Deasy passed away in 2007.

Student of the Month: Ryan FitzPatrick

Larry May introduces our February Student of the Month from Bellevue Christian High School, Ryan FitzPatrick. Ryan is a senior and has participated in a mission trip to Costa Rica. He has also demonstrated "Service Above Self" by volunteering to to help an ailing neighbor by caring for his yard.

Ryan's future plans include attending either Azusa Pacific University or the University of Oregon. He was presented with a plaque by Larry, as his parents Connie and Dave and his brother Sean look on. Counselor Danielle Lopez and teaching mentor Ann Steffen were also in attendance.

BBRC Annual Retreat at La Conner

Wendi Fischer reminded us to visit the BBRC website and sign up for the Annual Retreat at La Connor — even if you told John in December that you are coming. Let Norm Johnson know if you are planning on golfing with the Friday group at Avalon Links, and let Christine Addison know if you are a shopper.

Membership

We have five new members, but to escape the wrath of the Spider Monkey and the harsh judgment of the Sergeant at Arms bring your very own guest if you have not already.

Rotary Cares

We have a number of BBRC members with a need for your thoughts, prayers, and concern. Bob Moloney is in Overlake recovering from surgery; Alan Bohling has a new hip; Tom Harrelson needs your thoughts; and Tom Miller's wife Michele needs them as well.

PROGRAM

"New Normal? Great Disappointment? Contained depression? Sustainable recovery?" Michael Parks, Editor Emeritus, Marple's Newsletter

Michael Parks

Jim Gordon (Past President of the Redmond Rotary Club) introduced Green Lake power walker, Spokane native, Seattle U alumni, 25-year member of Seattle 4, opera buff, amateur economist, and public speaker Michael Parks, who has honed his observations of the economic conditions of the Pacific Northwest as business writer for the Seattle Times and Marple's News Letter.

Michael opened with the observation made by Winston Churchill that he will require three or four days to prepare a 15-minute speech, but if you want two hours, he is ready now! With 20 minutes to deliver a message, Michael provided the "take-away" that in the world of economics we now have a "new normal." The new normal is an economy based upon fear-based savings versus the old normal of debt-led consumer spending. Under the old normal, the markets were free, government was light, and it allowed the bankers to lead us into the recession we are now experiencing. Low taxes and high growth rates will be replaced with slower growth and higher taxes. There is now a lack of trust in the banking community which leads to tighter credit availability.

The recession has accelerated a festering problem forward by a decade, and that is our commitment to public employee health and retirement programs. Wisconsin is gathering headlines, as state workers protest proposed cutbacks and limitations on collective bargaining. Washington is also facing a gap of five billion dollars in the next budget cycle. The City of Seattle has run out of operation funds. It won't be pretty.

Things will be better in 2011 but that is not saying much, since 2010 was a mess, with employment in construction down 33% and manufacturing down 12%. Aerospace is strong, with Boeing showing the Puget Sound area some love with increasing employment and a pledge to hold the 787 engineering team together for the next generation of aircraft. Our exports of community products, such as wheat, are strong, due to a solid infrastructure.

Over all, Michael tends towards optimism with the New Normal. We see the stock market rising, profits improving without workers, and strong balance sheets. We also see high unemployment in the 9% range, and unsettled Washington, DC, policies. Growth at a rate of 10% per year for the next 20 years in the middle classes of China and India will also provide opportunities in our area.

Michael's 20 minutes expired, and President Chuck presented him with a card indicating that 750 pounds of fresh produce was donated to local food banks by Rotary First Harvest for his talk.

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