Unless written objections are submitted to the Board within 10 days of this posting, the following individuals will be invited to membership: 

 

EDUCATION - Vocational

President

Bates Technical College

Sponsor: Cindy Niemi

 

REAL ESTATE - Residential

Managing Broker

Windermere Professional Partners

Sponsor: Barry Benson

 

LAW PRACTICE - General

Attorney

Eisenhower Carlson PLLC

Sponsor: Barbara Mead

 

August 30

1715 Dock Street

Tacoma, WA

 

September 6

No Social-Happy Labor Day

 

September 13

Thursdays at 5 Meeting

 

September 20

6320 Grandview Drive West

Tacoma, WA

 

September 27

5104 Grand Loop

Ruston, WA

The August 23 meeting began with a wonderful Eulogy for Bill Baxter acknowledging his 63 years of service above self. Mike Dunbar, Jim Harris and Becky Fontaine shared their memories of Bill and how he had been a mentor to each of them over his many years as a leader in Rotary 8.
President Linda Kaye called the meeting to order; Donna Haynes provided the invocation; and Jan Brazzell led us in singing the National Anthem and reciting the 4-way test. We were joined by several visiting Rotarians, including Howard Svigals, a member  of the Gig Harbor Club and Assistant Governor of Area 11.  And there were many guests including our new Youth Exchange student, Renata, from Paraguay and some perspective new members.
The meeting was sponsored by Pierce Transit.  Ryan Wheaton provided a brief video of regarding a new Pierce Transit service called BRT (bus rapid transit) which will run between Tacoma and Spanaway.
Our speaker, Nate Bowling, gave a powerful and inspiring talk related to civic engagement. Nate, a teacher at Lincoln High School, was selected 2016 Teacher of the year for Washington State, and a finalist for National teacher of the year.  He showed a brief video about inspired teaching.  Then noting that students rarely have a chance to talk with civic leaders he spoke on behalf of his students with a focus on Education, Housing, and the White Supremacy and Racism which exists in our community.  Nate believes Tacoma has made progress in education citing the statistics that this year Tacoma graduated 565 more graduates than there were in 2010.  That’s the equivalent of en entire middle school.  That is true progress but Nate believes we are failing our students regarding the availability of affordable housing in our community because housing costs are rising significantly and wages are not, which makes it harder and harder for those graduates to feel secure about their future in Tacoma.  Nate also informed us about a problem of White  Supremacy on the Eastside of Tacoma.  He noted both a lack of awareness by most of the community and a lack of acknowledgement by many civic leaders about the problem.  He shared that while his students and others have expressed concern, they feel they have not been heard.  Nate described three groups of people:  the Political leaders and their circle of supporters; the Activist class who are passionate and vocal but who often feel that political and civic leaders believe their personal comfort is more important than the struggles the activists feel.  And this leads to a Disengaged group.  Nate believes the good news about Tacoma is that when public policy is debated statewide and nationally, Tacoma is large enough to matter and small enough that each of us, as individuals, can make a difference.  He urged us to be open to dialogue about these important civic issues. 
Member Anniversary Congratulations were extended to Christina Turner (2 years), Rob Roth (18 years) and Stephanie Christensen (26 years). Gil Quante reminded us about the dates for the Rotary 8 Home building opportunities with Habitat for Humanity.  Carolyn Weyrick encouraged more people to volunteer to help at the Courage Beer Garden. Maria Harlow reminded us to donate toiletries which will be given to Nativity House.
Let’s keep reigniting our Rotary!