STEVE PICKETT was the meeting’s greeter and KARL CORPRON did the invocation.

PHYLISS MEYER was able to retire her gold badge and become an official member with her very own blue badge. President RON also asked if there were any volunteers to help in giving CHRIS CRISTMAN rides to the weekly meeting. Orchard Park, where Chris is living, is on Ron’s way, but for times when he is unable to attend he would like an alternative ride for Chris.

The purpose of the meeting was to elect officers for the coming years. Past President WENDY handed out ballots and the accounting firm of Danielson/Aguilar was responsible for counting. As expected, CHRISTINE COTE was elected President, LINDA HACKETT President Elect, and LORI CROW Vice President for 2009-2010. The four available Board positions for 2009-2011 will be filled by KIRSTEN DANIELSON, BETH KLINGELE, Karl Corpron, and TRESSA SHOCKLEY. STACEY DRAKE is expected to be tapped to fill Lori’s Board seat when she takes over as Vice President.

Lori Crow was a rather unprepared Sergeant, but the membership managed to fill the basket with many brag bucks. DON DAVIDSON called a game of Bingo, won by JULIUS GLOVER (who was playing Don’s card). The 50/50 Raffle (currently standing at between $200 and 300) was ably administered by LYNN BUCHANAN, giving newly minted President Christine Cote a chance to win (which she did not).

The Program was a series of Committee Reports led off by Beth Klingele who is heading this year’s Rock the Gap event. This fundraiser has been in existence since 2003 and has raised more than $83,000 since then. This money has always gone to fund playground equipment, first at Martin Luther King Elementary and now at the YWCA’s new facility. This year’s event will be May 30th at Sarg Hubbard Park and feature dinner, dessert auction, dancing, and a darned fun time (had to find another “d”). So far, Beth and her committee have sold 48 tables, with 60 considered sold out.

BECKY SCHOLL was next up to discuss Young Children Priority One. She stressed how important it is to sponsor programs that help families, which in turn benefit the young children in those families. She pointed to Ready By 5 as a prime example of just such a program and had director Stacey Drake come up and talk about the new Creative Families component of Ready By 5 which works with children from birth to age 5 at night to help them learn to play creatively. As Becky said, they are trying to do what was planned with only half the money available, so the volunteers who help are greatly appreciated.

Wendy Aguilar distributed financial reports that showed our club has more cash on hand than usual which is allowing the club to subsidize meals for the members who show up at lunch.

PAT ANDREOTTI spoke of Camp Roganunda Work Day, this Saturday. He thanked those who have gone up prior to the actual work day and made a plea for more help this coming Saturday. He promised great food, both breakfast and lunch for those who attend. AMY NEAL invited anyone who wished to keep her company to come up the night before so they could be ready to work bright and early the next morning.

RUSS ROBERTS reminded everyone of Clergy Day in two weeks. Invite your favorite clergy to lunch.

PAT DANIELSON handed out printed samples of the website and spoke of some of its neat features. It was also suggested to make www.yakimakiwanis.org a member’s homepage.

Chris Cote spoke briefly about Rock the Gap as a tool for membership, she is currently in a fierce battle with Jeff Brantner of the Greenway to be the first to sell five RtG tables, and had new members for the year stand and be recognized.

STEVE EMHOFF talked about the Father/Daughter Winter Ball heading into it’s sixth year. Last year there were 127 people in attendance and he is shooting for 200 this year. The “around the world” theme has taken the Ball to Paris, Hawaii and will be going to Venice this year. It has become quite the fun and fund-raiser.

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