The weekly meeting was called to order by President Becky Fontaine at 12:11pm. We were asked to remain seated and George Pilant, RE Max came forward to do a eulogy for Dawn Lucien who passed away June 10, at the age of 91. Dawn joined Tacoma #8 in May of 2007 and was involved in the Program Committee and Membership Committee. With her connections to local, state and national public officials, she was able to secure a number of great speakers for our club.
Dawn, a civic activist, was called the ‘grand dame of Tacoma’, and was a key activist in the rebirth of downtown Tacoma in the 1990’s. She led efforts to save the Murray Morgan Bridge and to establish the University of Washington Tacoma. She was an advocate for renovating the Pantages Theater in the ‘80’s. She served on the Tacoma City Council and the Public Utility Board and worked in the office of U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks. As Pierce County Councilman Derek Young stated “We’ll miss Dawn Lucien, but it’ll be impossible to miss her legacy.” George’s remarks were followed by a moment of silence in Dawn’s Memory.
President Becky asked all of us to stand and thanked Ali Criss and Past President Mike Dunbar, from Financial Insights for being today’s meeting sponsor. She called on John Pfaff, Bathfitters, for the invocation. Our national anthem was led by Past President Pat Steel, with Jack Warnick on the piano. Pat led the club through the recitation of the Four Way Test. Cards were being circulated for members Larry Gaffney who will be having surgery and Steve O’Brien whose mother-in-law passed away. She also reminded members to let the office know about club members who may be sick, or who lost a family member so we can send cards.
Jeremy Fogelquist and Carol Webster took around the mics to members having guests and visiting Rotarians. There were three visiting Rotarians. Past President Jim Whitacre then came forward to provide birthday greetings. Stacey Ogle, Linda Kaye Briggs and Past President Jeff Lovely were present to celebrate and pay their birthday fines. Also celebrating this week but not present were Julie Foley and Larry Gaffney. Jim announced upcoming Project Committee events of an EFN food repack, a Crystal Judson Barbecue and Camp Goodtimes. More volunteers are needed at all three projects.
President Becky recognized the following anniversaries: Christine Cason-17 years; Linda Kaye Briggs-18 years; Cap Pearson-21 years, and John B. Dimmer-28 years. Then Community Service Grants Chair Cindy Grady came forward to hand out grants for the third and final grant cycle for the 2016-2017 Rotary year. She said this has been a very busy year with a budget of $95,000 and requests from 38 organizations for funding. Grants were given to 11 groups. The following groups were recognized and awarded funding: Big Brothers Big Sisters – for mentoring and providing an adult presence in young people’s lives; CASA Kids – volunteers and court appointed help; Citizens for a Healthy Bay-for an environmental conservation program; College Success Program- a HERO program serving around 160 students; EFN- helping to provide food to low income students in Pierce County; Neighborhood Clinic- supporting a free walk-in clinic; Palmer Scholars-supporting 157 scholars in college; Hilltop Scholars- for ongoing academic support; Pt Defiance Senior Center- for their community outreach programs; Rebuilding Together South Sound- helping the most vulnerable residents; and Trinity Learning Center – assisting 50-60 students with study skills. As each organization was announced, the grant checks were handed out by President Elect Nominee Linda Kaye Briggs.
Then as a result of the Raise the Paddle from the 2017 Tacomi Vice auction, Literacy Committee Chair Susan Barbeau came forward to talk about the focus for the committee. President Becky presented an award for Literacy efforts from Rotary District 5020 and Susan accepted it on behalf of the club and the Literacy Committee. She said the committee is working on the Little Free Libraries and partnering with organizations that can place them in areas of the community where lower income and disadvantaged people are located.
Major allocations were then presented by Susan to Read2Me - a program run by Tacoma Community House and where a number of our own members volunteer to be tutors. The check for $22,500 was accepted by Exec. Director Liz Dunbar who thanked the club for this support and our commitment to literacy. The program is now in four elementary schools within the Tacoma School District. Then Susan called forward Ron Asher from the Reach Out and Read organization to also receive a check for $22,500 which connects families with books during Doctors’ visits. The grant will allow them to purchase 8,000 books and will be presented to nine clinics in Pierce County which serve underserved families.
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We then were able to do a ‘hands on project’ of putting labels into 1,000 books. Bags of books were at every table and members took five minutes to apply the labels to inside covers of the books which will then be given to the Reach Out and Read organization for distribution, or be placed in Little Free Libraries. What great fun to work side by side supporting young readers in our community!
Some brief announcements followed: President Elect Mark reminding members of the July 13 Rotary with the Rainiers night, Maria Harlow saying there was still time to sign up for the June 29 Galleyside. There was some time for True Confessions and the following members came forward: Bryan Flint announced that work has begun on the Eastside Community Center; Libby Catalinich thanking the club for the sympathy card on the recent loss of her Mom and that she had run a marathon in her honor; PE Mark for a recent concert by his Breath of Air group, and presenting a banner from the Atlanta RI Convention; PP Jeff Lovely celebrating his birthday on the longest day of the year; PDG Pete Taylor presenting a ‘Mr. Fixit’ shirt to Rick Olson for all the help he gives to area non-profits on their computer problems; Clay Zhang running his first half marathon; and Diane Tilstra saying she is still seeking host families for the two inbound exchange students – one from The Netherlands and one from the Czech Republic.
President Becky thanked
Ali and
Mike from Financial Insights for sponsoring the meeting, followed with a reminder about the social at the Beach Tavern. Next week’s program is Turnover Day and Galleyside. Speaker gifts were given to
Cindy Grady and
Susan Barbeau and one has been placed!
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