Meeting Notes, Dec. 21, 2016

Posted by Tom McClellan on Dec 25, 2016
 
When it seemed that there would be no Finemaster at all...  Lo, one was delivered unto us.  It's a Christmas miracle.
 
President Jim Hairston opened the meeting promptly at 12:30.
Invocation – Dr. David Cotant
Pledge of Allegiance – Bonnie Kern
Rotary 4-way test – President Jim
 
Twenty Rotarians gathered on December 21, which included the following 3 visiting Rotarians:
  • Helen McGovern-Pilant (Passport Club of Pierce County)
  • Keith Galbraith (Parkland Spanaway Club)
  • Jack, the therapy dog (wearing a blue badge from Parkland Spanaway Rotary), who also served as greeter continuously throughout the course of the meeting.
 
Other guests: 
Though Fred Willis and his family were having lunch on the other side of the restaurant, he brought them all over for introductions.  He had with him his bride Ingrid (celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary), his son Raymond who works at Boeing as a data analyst, and grandson Tim who works as a web developer in Massachusetts.
 
Announcements:
Future Programs:
Dec. 28 – Mike Courts, Mayor of Dupont
Jan.  4 – Mark Lindquist, Pierce County Prosecutor
Jan. 11 – Sandra Campbell, Tacoma Area Literacy Council
 
Joy Taylor discussed the work of the Rotary International Foundation, sharing its goals and talking about club recognitions available to individuals and the club.
 
No sunshine report for the day.
 
Fun and Fines:
In the absence of both General Ed Trobaugh and Heidi Wachter, and also the occasional stand-in Alan Billingsley, President James Hairston was left in an unenviable quandary about how to manage this traditional segment of the meeting.  He decided that only the one club member present with the most experience in this area should serve, and so Marie Barth was tapped for the job.  She did a fine job of leading fun and fines and Joy collected contributions. Several took the opportunity to “confess
  • Dave Cotant is celebrating a new grandchild Emma (first girl born in the family).  Confession – he forgot about her last week when asked what’s new.
  • Randy Black – He and Tina sold their house in Puyallup, and also closed on house in Peoria, Arizona (in a development called Bridlewood).  They are making plans to be snowbirds in the future, traveling between Lakewood and Arizona.
  • Bonnie Kern returned from separate trips to Maui and Wisconsin.
  • Past member (and frequent visitor) Helen McGovern-Pilant - Contributed $20 for General Ed to match because of the picture he saw in the paper that wasn’t actually her, even though he called Helen’s attention to it.
  • Finemaster pro tem Marie Barth celebrated that she had five closings (home sales) in 1 week, $50.
  • John Munn – Contributed $10 for the support that the Lakewood Playhouse’s board displayed as they renewed his contract through 2021.
  • Bryan Christensen – Is celebrating his second anniversary ($10, plus he paid for his outstanding Wachter)
  • A unanimous vote was given, finding that our two fine masters (General Ed and Heidi) shall incur a fine of $10 each for missing this week without notice/coordination/arrangement, to be collected at a future meeting.
 
This Week's Program:
Keith Galbraith, Executive Director of Family Renewal Shelter, provided an interesting program about the organization’s work with victims of extreme domestic violence, and the amazing power of pet therapy & service animals. 
 
 
Pierce County has the highest rate of domestic violence homicide in the state of Washington. The Family Renewal Shelter works to relocate victims of extreme violence. Jack is one of K-9 first responders that help comfort children during stressful times. 
 
Raffle Drawing:
Helen McGovern Pilant had the lucky raffle ticket for a potential to win the pot of $197.  No ace was drawn ($5).
 
 
And Finally...