Posted by Pete DeLaunay
 
President Beth called the meeting to order promptly at 12:30 at the Rainier Club and on Zoom, followed by the day’s opening song, Morning Has Broken,  led by Raymond Tymas-Jones accompanied by Ryan Bunbury on the piano. 
Marsha Mutisi delivered the day’s inspiration reciting the lyrics of Anita Baker’s song, ‘Only for a While’ –  if you are in valley and life is so unkind, you must remember it is only for a while – lose someone you love, for a while you feel alone. 
Visiting Rotarians and guests were introduced, followed by a ‘Top Gun’ themed anniversary video.  Joe Phillips then introduced our newest member, Annie Ramirez, Development Director at NW Children’s Foundation (Classification - Foundations & Philanthropy).  
The day’s short program featured Rotary Past President Sue Nixon, who works as Chief Marketing Officer, Bloodworks NW.  She described her life-threatening heart condition that was finally remedied thanks to Bloodworks NW heart valve research.  She said most people don’t know there is a need for blood donations, and how Rotary District 5030 has stepped up to encourage Rotarians to make donations.
Sue then introduce hip hop artist, Amir Islam, who leads a Bloodworks NW project, Where the Heart Lives:The Residency, to build a community of young hip hop artists equipped with artistic and leadership skills.
President Beth announced that Blookworks NW will support Rotary as a sponsor and each week introduce Rotarians who give blood.
Introducing the day’s featured program speaker, President Beth called ArtsFund President/CEO, Michael Greer a relationship builder, thought leader, and one who is dedicated to building a healthy equitable creative Washington.  Since 1969, ArtsFund has distributed more than $100M to 650 ArtsFund arts organization grantees.
He began with a data array about the economic value of the arts and how the arts contribute to Washington’s vitality.  The arts from galleries to theatre contribute some $64M to the state’s economy, he said, attracts 13.4M people to the area, and leads to a better quality of life for everyone.  Research reveals how 79% of people believe the arts benefit their personal well-being, and 50% believe that culture organizations play a key role in our lives. 
He asked Rotarians to use “your influence and resources to support the mission of arts”.“The arts are a significant economic driver in our community, regardless of your opinion about the art being produced,” he said. “But the sector is providing employment and support for other sectors -- part of an eco-system beyond what you see on stage or in galleries.”
ArtsFund is committed to youth development and arts with programs that create better outcomes.  He said 71% of at-risk students with high arts involvement attend college vs.  48% of at-risk students with low arts involvement attending college. 
Research has statistically confirmed the significant impact of the arts on the health and well-being of people, with 45% of medical instructions nationwide offering some sort of arts program --  50% doing so to benefit patient recovery. 
“Art is a tool in our communities to think upstream, how arts of all kinds can be part of that solution,” he said. “Covid impacts has made the essential role of arts and culture more expansive and urgent.”   During the pandemic, he said, the arts lost $95.9M in overall revenue between 2019 and 2020, and $313.6M decrease in earned revenue.  Pandemic restrictions forced staff reductions in 41% of all arts organizations, and the loss of more than 8,000 volunteers.
Although  47% of statewide poll respondents say they plan some arts participation, they also expect to spend about 50% less of what they spent prior to March 2020.As a result, arts organizations are exploring new and creative initiatives to reimagine how arts work with their communities.   “There  are significant economic benefits to having a thriving arts community and covid has taken much of that away,” he said. “ Arts’ needs to be supported because it is the public good”.  He said the arts workforce is significant and needs to be taken care of, from competitive wages to benefit packages to keep them working in the industry.
He concluded by asking Rotarians to Include arts & culture in conversations -- to learn about their Visionaries program that works with managers to CEOs to promote the arts. and explore the arts by visiting Artsfund.org.    
The meeting concluded with announcements from the Service Committee’s, Larry Granat, who invited Rotarians to join him as a malaria fighter touring in Zambia, and a Safari experience for viewing The Great Wildebeest Migration. For more information, contact Larry Granat at larry@lgranat.com or (206) 932-8881.
David Bobanick invited Rotarians to join him and fellow-bowler, Mark Wright, for a ‘Hunger Strike’  on November 21, 5p-8p, at Bowlero, 1222 164th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98087, United States of America.  Join Rotary teams from around District 5030 for this event in support of Harvest Against Hunger. It's not too late to find a team to join; you can also donate to support a team or bowler of your choice!  Register your team on the website: Rotary "Strike" Against Hunger | Rotary Club of Seattle (seattlerotary.org).
‘Prince of Programs’, Ken Grant, announced coming programs:11/23 - No Rotary Meeting Due to Thanksgiving Holiday11/30 - Cassie Sauer, Washington State Hospital Assoc. - Online12/7 - Emily Cantrell, Provail - Westin Hotel and on Zoom12/14 - Mayor Bruce Harrell & The Salvation Army Band
President Beth concluded the meeting with a quick sports update including the Huskies defeat of the Ducks, the Cougars becoming bowl eligible, and the Seahawks that remain in first place in the NFC West. She concluded the meeting with a memorable quote from Yogi Berra, “Love is the most important thing in the world, baseball too.”
 
Thank you to meeting reporter Pete DeLaunay for another great meeting report! We appreciate you!
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