It was nice to see a packed room and crowded ZOOM screen, and to also see some Rotarians we haven’t seen in a while.  This made for a wonderful atmosphere.

 

When you sit at a table with all guys and those guys are well over 50 years old sometimes discussions turn to health concerns. September was national Prostrate Cancer Awareness Month and I just wanted to remind all those Procrastinators that 5 months has passed since that time and to please make an appointment for yourself and get that PSA blood test done.

 

President Neil led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and into our 29^th meeting of the year and the 5,531^st meeting of the Rotary Club of Everett.  At the conclusion of the pledge there were 25 Rotarians and guests in attendance and 15-16 ZOOMERS (they came and went each time I looked at the screen and made a count)

 

We didn’t have a Thought of the Day message so how about a this?  Today is, among other things, National Valentine Shopping Reminder Day. Thanks to Susie Black most of us ordered Valentine candy that she delivered to us today.  Thank you, Susie, and thank you to the Providence General Childrens’ Association who puts the raised funds to helping children in our community.

 

Former Everett Rotarian Kaye Phinney was here to not only see her friends but to also thank our Rotary Club for the scholarship her well deserving grandchild received from our Club. See happy dollars below.

 

Brian Hollingshead reminded us that on February 15^th the Rotary get together at the Marriot on Colby will be held from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. 

 

Ryan Willis has filled his table for the annual Domestic Violence Services Chocolate & Wine Lovers’ Gala Auction which will be held at the Tulalip Resort Casino on Friday, March 8^th.  Please contact Ryan If you want to attend, I’m sure he can get you seated.

 

President Neil is looking for volunteers to help sort food at the VOA Food Bank on Thursday February 15^th between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.

 

President Elect Michael Kvistad needs a volunteer form our Club to attend a Rotary 5050 grants seminar on March 8^th in Burlington.  He attended the same seminar in Surrey, BC but to be eligible for a grant our club needs to have two members attend a grants seminar.  Please contact Michael for further details.   

 

An email was sent out last week from President Elect Michael Kvistad and Past President John Olson outlining this year’s annual Fundraiser expectations and the fun we’ll have getting to our goal. Donations of prizes would be greatly appreciated. More to follow.

 

Anna Marie Laurence is looking for volunteer interviewers for the Rotary Scholarships.  The interviews will take place on Saturday April 20^th at the Everett School District’s CRC.  Be prepared to be on site from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm that day.

 

President Neil mentioned that Alli Sharp, as part of the World Community Services committee, is helping any of us who wants to know more about writing loans for qualified candidates will be glad explain the program and answer your questions.

 

HAPPY DOLLARS AND BIRTHDAY BUCKS: 

Glenn Bachman was $20.00 happy that the Secretary of the Navy will be coming to town.

 

Kaye Phinney was very happy (See visiting Rotarians and Guests above) about the scholarship her granddaughter received from our Rotary Club last May.

 

Janice Ellis was happy about a couple of things, First she introduced Pamala from Venezuela who along with seven family members are living with Janice as Janice helps find them a home.  Secondly Janice was happy about having traveled to Mexico and India, she gave President Neil a hand full of banners from Rotary clubs she had visited on her travels.

 

Jeff Moore was an I.O.U. happy for having been able to spend time with our own Past District Governor Tom Ranville and how happy Tom was to be able to participate,

via ZOOM, in the recognition that our Club provided to him. Jeff was also happy to announce that his granddaughter, after having been born very pre-maturely and weighing only 19 ounces is now home after 100 days in the NICU and she now weighs over 10 pounds and is doing well.

 

Anna Marie gave $100.00 in the celebration of her birthday.

 

Walt Greenwood also gave $100.00 in the celebration of his birthday.

 

Janice donated a scarf she bought in India and that was auctioned off to Past President Mark Valintine for $100.00.

 

Winner number 1 - Barb George selected the free lunch and popcorn.

 

Winner number 2 - Jeff Moore picked the Red wine.

 

Winner number 3 - Pamela, our visitor from Venezuela, won the white wine.

 

Jeff Moore introduced Kathryn Smith Derksen, the Communication engagement program manager for Path From Poverty.  Kathryn holds a degree in Conflict Management and has worked all over the world to empower the marginalized and support grass-roots work in development and peace.

 

Path From Poverty was formed after two women, A Kenyan and an American, embarked on a journey to rural Kenya to find out what the greatest need facing families was and to learn how they could lend support.  The Kenyan women they talked to made it abundantly clear that safe access to clean water was their greatest need to lift themselves out of poverty.

When this need was met, they could concentrate on income generation, family care and improved health.

 

Thus, the sustainable model of women’s empowerment through group work and savings was launched.

 

Alone women survive; but in a group, they thrive. Their group provides support, accountability, sharing of best practices, and fellowship.  The field staff, all Path From Poverty graduates, provides training in leadership development, group governance, implementation of income generating projects and micro savings.

 

Path From Power supports the following women’s group projects in Kenya:

 

Since 2000 Path From Poverty has:

 

Clean, safe water has been shared with 28,000 family members, neighbors, and community members.

 

Sue Musyoka, the Program Manager from Kenya had the following to say about the program: “Our partnership has changed the lives of so many women in Kenya.

It has enabled Kenyan women to achieve their goals, achieve their dreams.  Our families are changing, and women are being respected.  Girls are now getting an education and when you educate a girl, you have educated the whole community.”

 

Jen Selders - EHS Interact Club

 

President Neil adjourned the meeting at 12.59 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Photography Submitted by.