June 28 Meeting Notes

This was Kathleen's last meeting as our President.  Job well done.  Thanks for your leadership, energy, organization, and dedication to Rotary.

We welcomed guests Alan Blackman (Stacy's guest) and Rachael Hansen (program) today.

Announcements

July 4th parking lot attendants are needed at the Town Toyota Center.  A sign up sheet was sent around again to fill the slots.  

Our July 5th meeting will be at Walla Walla Park at 7:00 am.  Coffee, water, and food will be available.  We'll spend some time cleaning up the park.  This has been fun in the past, and doesn't take much time at all with a good group to canvas the area.

John gave a summary of the last Board meeting.  Topics discussed were eliminating the VP position, designating a plaque in honor of John and Betsy McDarment from our club in the coming Peace Pole area at Rotary Park ($5000), a summary of the Challenge Scholars' progress, preparing for our inbound youth exchange student, and possibly replicating the Chelan Rotary glass recycling project in Wenatchee.

Jackie gave a recap of the Pybus Takeover and Pet Parade on June 18.  We may look into a trying a different weekend with less community activities going on next year. Highlights were the Wild Coyote, prizes, and the photo booth.  The next pet parade will be at Halloween.

New member induction - Wayne Steele

Wayne was born in Butte, MT.  He married wife Chris in 1973, and they have three grown children.  Wayne worked as a marine machinist and mid-level manager in the Seattle shipyards until 1986, when he went to Boeing as a machinist, followed by 19 years in management.  Wayne retired in 2014, but has been busy with several volunteer organizations over the years.  He sees Rotary as another way to give back to the community and help improve conditions, future skills, and mental health of the children and adults of this world.  In his spare time Wayne likes home projects, woodworking, golfing, fishing, reading and traveling.  We're glad to have him in our club.

Brags and Confessions

Kathleen and Steve did the Chelan Rotary wine ride last Saturday, and attended the Monday Mariner's game in Seattle.

Robin gave us a sad note that two bike riders in the Chelan Rotary ride died of heart attacks Saturday and the club is devastated.  Please reach out to the Chelan Club.

Alan gave kudos to DG Richard DeRock, who stepped in to induct our new officers at the changeover dinner last Tuesday.

Carol and Jim celebrated their 50th anniversary, and their daughter got married last weekend.

Rebecca went to Olympia to spend time with her parents.

Program

Chris introduced Rachel Hansen, PUD Senior Communications Strategist, and the two of them talked about how the Chelan County PUD is working to reduce wildfire threats from PUD systems.  In trying to balance safety with reliability, they have gone through a process of planning involving a few stages:

1. fire risk assessment
2. fire mitigation actions
3. 2001 lessons learned
4. 2022 recommendations

The PUD got input from the community and customers, and sent social media messages, as well as conducted a public outreach campaign.  There is an increasing risk of fire every year.   Plans are to have pre-season fire meetings, have responders and resources ready.  They will assess fire fuels, weather, topography, and transmission and distribution, poles and substations.  They created a baseline risk score for each geographical area, and will fireproof and maintain poles, replace some wood poles with steel poles, remove vegetation under powerlines, and shut down power periodically during extremely windy, dry conditions.

After Notes

Robin's ticket was drawn, but not the right marble.  The pot is starting small, but will grow each week.

Remember - next Tuesday's meeting will be at 7:00 am at Walla Walla Point Park.  

Pictures from the Pet Parade.  Thanks to Kathleen, Jackie, Ruth, Alan, Woody, Robin, Marcy, Allie, Glenn, Zach, and Kevin and Lynn (and anyone I may have missed) for helping at Pybus and the Pet Parade.