Slide show prior to the opening bell included Rotary Vision, pictures from Dinners for Eight, OysterFest Poster, News Tribune article and pictures from the Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting, and numerous past and present Rotary projects.
Opening Bell: Welcome by Mary Grubbs, open by President Alvestad at 7:30 am. Invocation: by John Duppenthaler. Pledge of Allegiance: by Mike Pinch; Song: “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” by Hal Cline (solo). Four Way Test: by Annmarie Huppert. Greeters: None noted.
Visiting Rotarians: Introduced by Coach - Blaise Gorne (Shelton). PP Joyce Taylor joined shortly after the start of the meeting. Guests: Mel Wick introduced his guest Donna Lee Cole, Al Weaver introduced Steve O’Donnell from the Bellevue Club, Sharon Shaffer introduced Glenn Olson, and Ron Roberts introduced his spouse Joann. Being the start of the campaign season, Judge Hogan introduced her guests Mary Robnett (candidate for PC Prosecutor) and Mary’s campaign manager Rachel; and Annie Arbenz introduced her guest Tim Lewis (candidate for District Court Judge). Not to be outdone, and to gain some “brownie points,” David Cathers introduced fine master John Winslow.
Opening Comments: President Alvestad noted that the restrooms are across the way and around the corner. He also referenced trees.
Announcements:
- Calendar – President Alvestad highlighted the upcoming Board Meeting and the Skookum Rotary OysterFest.
- Rotary Bucket List – President Alvestad recapped what should be on every Rotarian’s bucket list: (1) To attend an International Conference, (2) To attend a few District Conferences, (3) To hold a Rotary Office, (4) To become a Paul Harris fellow, (5) To include the Rotary Foundation in your will, (6) To attend OysterFest, and (7) To join in Rotary fellowship (how will be presented at a future meeting).
- OysterFest – Blaise Gorne and Joyce Taylor reminded everyone to attend the Shelton Club’s OysterFest October 6-7. There are 50 non-profit food vendors, 16 Washington Wineries, monster microbrews, and entertainment. Joyce said the funnest part is the oyster shucking. The event is at the airport.
- Rotary 101 – President Alvestad presented his “signature” action, a review of the Rotary organizational structure, including four separate entities: the Club, the GH Charitable Fund, the GH Rotary Foundation, and the Olson Foundation.
- New Member Induction – Dave Morris introduced our newest member Geoff Barcalow and his sponsor Randy Barcalow. Dave wondered about the past success rates of father-son Rotarians. Duane Fister conducted the induction and welcomed Geoff as the “World’s Newest Rotarian” as of 8:48:10 am (PDT).
Fines and Happy Bucks: John Winslow was the fine master. Judge Hogan prepaid her fine but was fined again. Richard Pifer is off on another cruise (pictures to follow), President Paul was fined for his socks (after approval by PP Mel Santos). Fine master Winslow worked on a theme, without a lot of success. Hal Cline was fined for having multiple Facebook accounts and never-ending friend requests. Happy Bucks: Judge Hogan for Tim Williams work on a referral, Mike Pinch for Rotary’s polio eradication efforts, Mary Grubbs as she is retiring October 26, Sharon Shaffer for six nominations for Star Awards (committee of past presidents to meet next week), Randy Spitzer for a father-son 2,400 mile motorcycle trip, Howard Mackert for spending all day at the track tomorrow fulfilling auction promises, Coach for Rod Ladd coming through with corn today, Annie Arbenz for Tim Lewis running for Judge and for Zach Lester coaching her son in soccer, and Bob Lutschg for his trip to Wisconsin.
Drawing: Eric McGinnis ran the raffle. The pot was $185 and 10 chips. Randy Spitzer won the 10 free tickets for next week and Hal Cline won the right to draw from the chips for the chance at the pot. He drew the white chip for a consolation prize.
Late Announcement: President Alvestad announced that about 40 people attended the joint club picnic. He thanked everyone that helped.
Program: (Part One – Club Happenings) Corey Coryell, Community Services, started by inviting everyone to the next committee meeting on Tuesday, October 9, 5:30 pm, at Timberland Bank. Cory then briefly recapped some of the club’s current projects, including Wilkinson Fence installation, Chamber of Commerce remodel, Angel Guild shed installation, Veterans’ Day lunch event on November 12 at Oceans 5, Kayak rack storage project design, and parking day (on hold). John Duppenthaler, Club Services, talked about the “behind the scenes” work of his avenue of service, including songs, invocations, publications, photographs, and scribes. Jeannie Simmons, Youth Services, reminded everyone they meet on the third Friday of every month immediately following the Club meeting. She recapped Youth Services work in Outbound Student selection (applications due September 26), host family video production, dancing classrooms (more than 1,000 elementary students currently participating), Early Act (per Jeannie “excited little Rotarians”) and Interact at PHS (meet first and third Wednesday at 2:10 pm). Jeannie noted that getting involved in Youth Services helps you feel young again. Rod Ladd, International Committee, noted that they are all caught up and even canceled their last meeting. They meet the second Monday of the month. He summarized activity in water projects and the Rachel project. He thanked Geoff, the World’s Newest Rotarian, for his donation of 15 computers to help establish a computer lab in a Philippine High School. He also reported that he is working on a water retention/drip irrigation project update to be presented to the club. Howard Mackert, Cars for Change, noted they have had a few hiccups in the implementation of this program (liability insurance and drivers’ licensing). They have restructured and are now helping to sell cars, take donations, and help with licensing and car purchases.
Program: (Part Two – Reclassification Talk) Past President Ron Roberts shared his story (thus far) with the club. Born in Auburn, Ron attended Gonzaga after graduating from High School in 1957. He started as a Business and Finance Major at $1,500 per year for tuition, room and board. After three years, he entered law school (night school at that time). During law school he met his soon-to-be wife, Joann, also a Gonzaga student, pursuing a teaching degree. Shortly thereafter they married and started a family (not always at the most opportune times). For example, Ron gave up a job at Old National Bank so that he and Joanne could go to Great Falls, Montana, only to find Joanne was pregnant. After law school, before fulfilling a service commitment, Ron joined the law firm of Eisenhower & Carlson (he only applied to firms with more than one name, to improve his hiring chances). In July 1964, Ron sat for the Bar Exam while Joanne was preparing for Mark to join the family. Timing is everything. Ron joined the Military Police to serve his commitment to the Army. He trained in Fort Riley, Kansas, as a First Lieutenant, Executive Officer, and headed to Vietnam in August. Of course, Joanne was pregnant with Matt. His division was charged with base and convoy security. He left Vietnam in August 1966 as a Captain and was rehired by Eisenhower and Carlson. The firm had grown from nine to 30 attorneys. Ron served on the firm’s management committee and served as the Managing Partner before retirement in 1988. During that time Greg, Ben and Adam joined the family, now mom and dad and five sons, and lots more! Ron moved to Gig Harbor in 1978 and joined Rotary in 1989. He has chaired the Community Service Committee, been on the GH Foundation Board, and was President in 1992-93 (the year of the first auction). Ron was named Rotarian of the year in 1990 and remains very active in the club. He finished by showing pictures of his family and sharing how blessed he and Joann feel.
President Alvestad ended the meeting at 8:30 am.
Notes by Chuck Cuzzetto
