Lorraine Baldwin will be joining Rotary and lives near Bill Potter. Jim Rooks said Jason Whalen saved him after their willingness (also with Pres Mark) to dive into American Lake to celebrate the auction goals for 2021.  Nicole said about $9000 has already been raised! And Greg Rediske has a brand new boat that was perfect for viewing the star-studded event.  Thank you, Leanna, for the video. We should put it on U-tube!!  John Lowney will be sponsoring Wendy McGowan as a new member. Ron Banner said the last day of school is June 16 and summer school will be available to support students K-12 academically as well as socially and emotionally.  He also says he has a great team working with him. Well done!



Above:  Lake Jumpers

Leanna Christian then muted all members and the meeting was called to order.

The Formal Meeting:
     President Mark Edgecomb then welcomed Rotarians and guests.  Jan Gee gave the invocation and thanked all mothers and women who have been there for us during both good times and bad. With Sunday being Mother's Day, we all celebrated the generosity of those who have impacted our world. Mary Jo Copland then led us in the flag salute. John Lowney will be happily taking fines.  Mary Marlin is the Bulletin writer and every Rotarian is a photographer.  Greg Horn, our esteemed District Governor, was then introduced. Greg Rediske then welcomed guests Mike England, the AG of 5030 on Vashon Island, Jim Mullinax (today's speaker), Jesse Saltez, James Osundwa (new member soon), Lori Baldwin, and Jamie Simons  (another soon new member). Puffins attending were : Mike Brown, Tom George, Mike Murtha, Brehen Freeman, Carole Wier, Tonya Winski, Jessica James, Dave Hall, Carl Bronkema, Rachel Mazoff and Steve Saalfeld. 
     Mark asked John Forkenbrock about the Sunshine report. He had nothing to report except Mary Horn had news about Ward Fletcher.  She has been trying to get ahold of Ward's family because he apparently is not doing well. He is homebound and needs help. We will keep you informed. Keep positive thoughts going his way! Bob Zawilski then thanked Brian Humphrey and Jamie Simons for their excellent help with the food pantries.  Julie White's birthday was celebrated.  Unfortunately, she was not able to be here today.




Above:  Rotary Benches at old game farm-wonderful project

     There were two Students of the Month celebrated in May. Leanna Albrecht introduced them and their principals. Olivia Batista is the first Student of the Month today and she is from Steilacoom High School. She is a member of the Principal's Cabinet which provides student perspectives on a variety of subjects. She is an outstanding student and an athlete and the 2021 class president.  She was sincerely grateful and thanked the club for this recognition.  Lindsay Miwangi from Harrison Prep promotes women of color, wants to become a doctor, has attended Multi-Care Nurse's Camp and is active in her school community.  Both students are obviously well deserving of the accolades.

     Today we also welcomed two new members of Lakewood Rotary after Mark led the installation by noting the Four Way Test.  James Osundwa, sponsored by Mark Edgecomb, and Jamie Simons, sponsored by Rose Stevens, were welcomed happily into the Lakewood Club.  James was born and raised in Kenya, participated as a Rotaractor in Kenya, is married and has two children and works as a Tacoma IT.  He was impressed with our multi-generational club,( i.e. Seldens family specifically) and it "stayed in my mind." He is excited about serving and finding fellowship with our members.  Jamie Simons is a middle school teacher at Jason Lee and is working toward becoming a principal. She has a 4 year old son. The food pantries were a project she really loves and she is excited to learn more.  Welcome, James and Jamie!!

   AUCTION NEWS:    Everyone: Let's Help Rotary Help Lakewood by attending the Lakewood Rotary Online Auction, which takes places Saturday, June 5 at 6 PM to midnight on Sunday, June 6.  We need to procure items for the auction! Get your procurement forms in today, and (coming directly from the Fundraising Committee) no later than May 31! Here is a link to the form: https://www.dacdb.com/Accounts/5020/Downloads/69/Procurement%20Form%20-%202021%20(fillable).pdf Please send your completed procurement form to Paula Olson. 



Above: Pretty fancy banner

Speaking of procurement, Team Country Club (TCC), one of our Auction teams, got busy. TCC, in conjunction with the Fundraising Committee, is presenting Sip By Sip, a Pre-Auction Virtual Gathering. Sip By Sip will begin at 5:00 p.m.-- one hour before live bidding starts at the Auction. Purchase your tickets to this awesome pre-event ASAP (this will sell out fast). Purchase tickets here: https://lakewoodrotary.maxgiving.bid/itemsales
Tickets to Sip by Sip are $100.00 per couple and $50.00 per individual. Each participant will receive a kit with four different types of wine from L'Ecole Winery, in 3 oz pours, along with a charcuterie board from the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The charcuterie board is packed with delicious meats and cheese. More importantly, Sip by Sip will not only be packed with delicious wine and charcuterie, but with a rich discussion of all we do at Rotary and all of the amazing Auction items up for bid. Let the Adventure Begin with Sip by Sip! Tell all your friends—this is not just for Rotarians.
Greg Horn also reminded us of the FREE District Conference on June 4th at 5:30 when it opens, starts at 6:30 and ends at 8:30.....all by Zoom.  Celebrating 99 days of the world being free of polio is an added bonus!

THE PROGRAM

     Andrew Kruse then introduced our speaker of the day, Jim Mullinax.  Jim is a Deputy Director for the State Department and works in the Economic and Business Affairs Bureau while traveling extensively to nations around the world. He's quite familiar with Lakewood being a Clover Park graduate who loves Dunkin' Donuts, Daffodil Festivals and Clover Park Jazz Choir.  Bill Potter seems to know much of Jim's high school history too. Having been with the State Dept for 27 years, Jim acknowledges it has been a fantastic journey to be able to support our country while learning about other countries and their ways of operating. He mentioned that Rotarians are everywhere and it has been a privilege to see the good that is happening around the world with Rotarian efforts. The specific mission of the State Dept. is to promote a strong American economy, protect US security, attract foreign investors and generate prosperity and security.  The Divisions that are addressed are:   Commercial Business Affairs, Economic Policy Analysis and Public Diplomacy, Address Threat and Sanctions, International Finance and Development, Trade Policies and Negotiations, Transportation Issues, and International Communications and Information Policy.  With over 200 Ambassadors, or posts, in almost every country, there is much work to be done. Embassies abroad have missions to: Level the playing field for American companies, Identify opportunities, Keep high standards, and Protect American security by working with trusted partners. Jim has worked with five presidents and truly understands the needs of our government to make America stronger and be aware of how state policies impact American workers and their families.  The current Biden-Harris focus is on the following:

1. Stop Covid 19
2. Build our economy and the global economy
3. Create humane and effective Irrigation systems
4. Revitalize ties with Allies and Partners
5. Tackle the climate crisis....Drive a Green Energy Revolution
6. Secure Technology Leadership....75% of Dow Jones is Intellectual Properties
7. Better Manage our relationship with China
8. Strengthen relationships with allies
9. Address needs of middle class with foreign policy
10. Abandon "Organizing Principles" for US Foreign Policy
11. Protect access to crucial materials.....security
12. Breakdown domestic and foreign policy silos....e,g. childcare, health issues etc.
13. Safeguard our own house before we reach out....better coordination between agencies
     

With that, Jim took questions and agreed with Peter Marsh that vaccinations should be required for in-person gatherings. Gayle Selden said the impact of Chinese goods here in the US is significant. He mentioned a new person is in charge and has extensively worked with these issues. The Chinese government provides subsidies and it has been a challenge for us. We need to be aware of being "choked" by Chinese supplies being cut off. Barlow Buescher mentioned that many students are interested in coming to the US. We need them to share their talents. Jim agreed. There are currently 1.3 billion people in China.  All in all, a very special program and many more questions are on the table. Hopefully, we will invite our speaker back and enjoy the progress being made.   The meeting was then adjourned.     Till next time......................................yours truly, Mary Marlin

Late Breaking News:  Peter Marsh wanted to announce that the Marsh Tomato Emporium is now open, so if you want to get tomato starts before they are all gone email Peter at pusrus@aol.com.




Above: Some Marsh Tomato starts-- all labeled

Remember that if you shop online, you should do so at Amazon Smile so you can allocate a portion of your purchase to Lakewood Rotary. Also remember to tell Greg Rediske that you read the bulletin so you can get a make-up for a missed meeting.