Announcements and Introductions

Bill Spencer kicked off the meeting with a thought remembering departed Rotarians, in light of the meeting’s proximity to All Souls’ Day.

Theres’a Baumann introduced visitors and visiting Rotarians. Visitors included Guy Falskow, from the University District club, and two of our closet members from the Bellevue noon club, Frank Young and Kemper Freeman.

Wine Auction

An impromptu auction, officiated by our own Tim Leahy, raised $900 for First Harvest. Items included Leonetti wine, a gift basket, and a gift certificate to Haystack Antiques.

Anniversary Dinner, November 11

Paul Chapman announced that the Anniversary Dinner is coming up on November 11. The theme is “Second Chance Prom,” so be sure to get your high school era photos to Michel Carter in either paper or digital form before the event, so we can compare amount of hair, weight, etc., from the good old days.

Paul announced that several members would even be attending in military uniform from days gone by, provided they still fit.

John DeWater of Lawrence the Florist will offer a discount on boutonnieres and corsages for the evening. Paul Chapman demonstrated how to put a corsage on a young lady, with the aid of Elena Howell. Although the corsage was successfully applied, Paul demonstrated a good deal of weakness in the knees, nervousness, and a nice blush.to include in the program.

Partners for Work

Jane Kuechle announced that our club, in concert with Partners for Work, would be hiring a developmentally disabled intern to assist with greeting and morning chores around the club. Several clubs have already hired interns and found success for the clubs and their interns, who have gained valuable work experience and workplace responsibilities.

New Member Meeting, November 2

Norm Johnson reminded members about the new member meeting on November 2, at 7:00AM, at Hopelink.

PROGRAM

“The Rotary Foundation,” Kim Shrader and Jeff Cashman

Jeff Cashman took the microphone to discuss Foundation Month. He told the club why it was so important to contribute to the Foundation and brought up several past presidents to explain the good works of the Foundation. The club’s goal is to have every Rotarian contribute to the Foundation in some amount. The campaign is called “Every Rotarian Every Year,” and very few clubs achieve the distinction.

Jeff discussed the need for funds to go to the General Fund, which has the flexibility to give money to any Rotary project. While it is great to give to a specific project, such as Polio eradication, giving to the General Fund will allow the Foundation to spend money on an emerging issue or project that can have an immediate impact.

Sayoko Kuwahara talked about her experience with Rotary Group Study Exchanges. Rotarians from 25 to 40 have the opportunity to travel to other parts of the world with other Rotarians and explore how people from those parts of the world do the same job. For instance, firefighters in a Group Study Exchange Program would visit firefighters in a foreign country and study how their counterparts do their jobs.

The GSE program allows Rotarians to improve a foreign language skill, deepen appreciation for another culture, give a deeper insight into their given profession, and develop lifelong relationships.

Jenny Andrews spoke about the Polio Plus program. Jennie has had two experiences with Polio Plus, in Ethiopia and Uganda. There, Jennie became familiar with the children and young adults at Cheshire Home, where Rotarians have been instrumental in saving the lives of several individuals suffering from polio.

Jenny spoke of a young man named Gatachu, whom she has come to know. He had polio and was one of the many beggar boys on the streets of Ethiopia who could not walk upright. One day, while begging, Gatachu was hit by the car of a diplomat, who saw to it that the young man received treatment for his polio. After 18 months and 7 surgeries, Gatachu has become upright and mobile and is able to work in a local rose farm.

Jenny also spoke of a young girl named Meriam, whose grandmother walked 10 miles with her so the young girl could be inoculated against polio. By and large, polio has been eradicated; however, there are still cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. India has been polio free for nine months.

Dick Brown and Norm Johnson gave the following Paul Harris fellowship awards:

Lee Smith and Cyril Faulkner received their Paul Harris plaques and pins. Ann Norman and Robin Callan received two sapphires. Jim Zidar received three sapphires, and Paul Chapman received a ruby.

Howard Johnson was honored with a benefactor award, which means he has mentioned the Rotary Foundation in his will or otherwise made a legacy contribution.

Dick and Norm then unveiled a new banner for the club displaying the 2011 RI Foundation roll of honor.

Finally, Kim Shrader took the podium to wrap up and make the ask of club members for their generous contributions to the Foundation. The message is simple: Money can be given to the Foundation as an automatic dues check-off or via credit card, check, or direct debit.

As an incentive, the club will make available three wine baskets, two bundles of cookbooks, and 25,000 Alaska Air miles in a raffle for those club members who give to the Foundation before December 2. Until November 18, a contribution of $25 will get you two tickets in the raffle. Between November 18 and December 2, each $25 contribution will get one ticket in the raffle. The raffle will be held on December 9 at the club meeting.