Attending: Bob Allen, Pat Anderson, Carol Baumann, Charlie Baumann, Keith Carpenter, Charles Cohen, Keith Dahlgren, Shaun Dean, Katie Dugan, Ed Jefferson, Les Metrovich, Dean Tedder, Debbie Sylvester, Scott Weaver, Shiao-yen Wu; Guests Turi Anderson, Kristine Carpenter, George Stapp, Linda Jefferson.

 
President Les Metrovich and President Elect Keith Carpenter. Photo by Bob Allen

This was the last official meeting of the President Les Metrovich era of the Rotary Club of North Seattle.  With several spouses and friends present, President Les asked returning member Shaun Dean to lead the pledge of allegiance and incoming President Keith Carpenter said the invocation.  President Les welcomed all the guests, and welcomed Shaun Dean back into the fold. 

 
President Les welcomes Shaun Dean. Photo by Bob Allen

Scott Weaver carried the basket around for Happy Bucks.  Ed and Linda Jefferson’s daughter ran the Seattle Rock and Roll half marathon, and they were proudly on hand to see it.  Debbie Sylvester ran a triathlon a week ago, and plans to run more. Katie Dugan announced some very sad news:  Penny Legate’s daughter Marah, who had been a Student of the Month at North Seattle Rotary some time ago, died recently of a drug overdose.  Katie will send contact info out to the club, and perhaps the club can send condolences.  Also, an ex-member of the club, Phyllis Cooper, fell and broke her hip recently.  Shiao-yen Wu described at length some of her adventures in her recent trip to Taiwan.  Keith Carpenter described the great Block Party this past Sunday, thanked the Rotarians who contributed, and was pleased with the fact the Mayor of Seattle, Mike McGwinn, showed up, along with about 1000 attendees.  Pat was thankful for all the birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations.  Scott Weaver told the club it was his anniversary.

 
Guest George Stapp. Photo by Bob Allen

Carol’s question of the week was regarding incoming RI President Tanaka’s theme, Peace through Service.

 After a very nice buffet lunch (remember, if we get enough members to attend regularly, we can have a buffet lunch every week!), the club drew the name of the door prize winner from the Block Party. Congratulations Anita Steele!  Kudos went to PE Keith Carpenter for a very successful third year of creating the block party, and to Scott Weaver for his great efforts in helping the club get it set up, and coordinating the Arthritis Foundation and North Seattle Rotary with both booths. Also kudos go to April Carey for her Boys and Girls Clubs booth.  The North Seattle Block Party is becoming a great asset to the community!

 
Keith Dahlgren, Kristine and Keith Carpenter. Photo by Bob Allen

President Les gave a very heartfelt speech thanking many people for their help this past year.  PE Keith and Bob Allen presented Les with a nice plaque honoring his year as President, and a Past President Rotary pin.  Past President Keith Dahlgren also presented Les with a bottle of champagne and a joke book in gratitude for stepping up to become president and doing such a great job.

 
Ture and Pat Anderson. Photo by Bob Allen

PP Keith, as last year’s recipient of the club’s TIGER award (Totally Involved Generous Engaged Rotarian), presented the current award to a great Rotarian, Ed Jefferson.  He has stepped up in so many ways and taken on so many roles in the club, everyone agreed Ed was the perfect choice.  Well done, Ed!

 
TIGER award from Keith Dahlgren to Ed Jefferson. Photo by Bob Allen

PE Keith Carpenter spoke as well, saying that he wants to double the size of the club in the next year (don’t we all!), as well as come up with a quarterly hands-on work project the club can contribute to.  The club has confidence in the upcoming president, and we know we can do anything as Rotarians!