We continue to have good response and packed 60 bags for delivery on  July 14.  Thanks to sandwich volunteers Kim Bedier, Marsha Burns, Maria Harlow, Sharon Jaffee, Seth Kaplowitz, Kathryn Nelson and Diane Tilstra. Our next date for packing is July 28, we need a few more volunteers. AS of today we are expecting sandwiches from Diane Kelleher, Becky Fontiane and Dorothy Lewis. Let Seth or the office know by July 27 if you are willing to put together 10 meat sandwiches (with no condiments) and deliver them to the office on Monday, July 27 by 4 or Tuesday, July 28 by 11. We will have volunteers to fill the sacks with chips, water, cookies and a piece of fruit. You can also use this tracking sheet to sign up on line. For questions contact Seth Kaplowitz at seth.tacoma8@gmail.com or call or email the office at 253-473-7723, clubadmin@rotary8.org 

Our Rotary 8 Zoom meeting for July 16 began at 12:15 with Chris Serface providing a brief reminder of Zoom protocols and techniques.  President Kathryn Nelson was presiding.  Stephen Deal inspired us with a reading of ‘Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou followed by Jeremy Simler signing the National Anthem. The meeting was sponsored by John West (a Rotary 8 member for 54 years!)who donated his time to Diane Kelleher, co-chair of the Projects Committee. Diane provided numerous slides of recent community projects performed by Rotary 8 members including  Camp Goodtimes, School Supply Backpacks, Food Backpacks for EFN, Building Bikes for kids, Science Olympiad, meals for the Rescue Mission, meals for Hospital essential workers.  Rotary 8 members are continuing to give to our community in many ways and you, too, can help the Projects Committee with these activities.

Anniversaries included: Alecia Cunningham (1 year), Dean Carrell and Sally Leighton (2 years),  Diane Kelleher (4 years), Cindy Grady (9 years), Donna Haynes and Carol Webster(12 years)and Ray Schuler(34 years)!!!

Larry Treleven introduced our speaker, Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, with a reminder of the myriad of responsibilities under the auspices of that office.
Julie spoke about the upcoming election cycle and how Washington State and Pierce County manage the very successful Vote-from-Home system which is the back-bone of Washington’s elections. We are one of five states whose elections are entirely conducted via mail ballots. Ballots are sent out 18 days in advance of an election.  If for some reason a ballot is lost or never arrives, it is possible to obtain a replacement.  Julie assured us that there are lots of security measures behind the scenes to ensure accuracy.  Because it is a paper-based system the tally is auditable, it can’t be hacked, and it can easily be reviewed and recounted.  In cases where a ballot may not have been properly filled out the trained workers in the auditor’s office focus on determining voter intent. Ballots are not simply tossed out. The control envelope which must be signed is the key. Only one ballot per registered voter is counted; any duplicates are held. The signatures are compared to the signature on the original voter registration card. If there are questions, the voter will receive a phone call. The lack of a valid signature is the main reason a ballot will not be counted. The Auditor’s office regularly works to keep addresses up to date and to remove names of people who have died from the voter rolls. The Auditor’s office has also worked hard to make returning ballots as easy as possible. Postage is free and drop boxes have been conveniently located throughout the county.
Julie indicated that Congress has been helpful in providing funds to help with election security. And there were some funds made available specifically thru the COVID19 funding.  Pierce County has used those funds to expand it’s processing center work space in order to ensure a safe social distance between workers at the Vote Center. Despite the fact that there is no ‘in person’ voting option in Washington, about 1% of Pierce County voters still want to use a ‘voting machine’ to vote in person and show up at the Auditor’s office on Election Day. There are no ‘voting machines’ in our state so these folks will be disappointed. During this COVID19 pandemic, they will not be permitted to enter the crowded office but will be provided with the same ballot that was previously mailed to them. In order to ensure these people can cast their vote, there will be a new ‘stand up’ drive thru at the election center for the them to utilize.
Julie reminded us that ballots will be mailed this weekend. You should have received a voter’s pamphlet will all the pertinent information. If you need a new one, all the pertinent material is on-line at Pierce County Elections. We were reminded to vote early, that helps avoid a overwhelming crush on election evening.
President Kathryn thanked the sandwich makers for last Tuesday.  She said they were able to provide 60 lunches of 2 sandwiches each.  She also invited members to signup for sandwich making for July 28, August 11 or August 25.  You can use the link in this Gearshift or e-mail Seth Kaplowitz or the Rotary 8 office to let them know you want to join in.

John Schneider, Edward Jones made an announcement about participating in Paint Tacoma Beautiful on Saturday July 25 and Sunday July 26.  He needs a few more volunteers.

Kim Bedier , Tacoma Venues and Events announced she would be sending an e-mail about a new ad hoc Committee regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 
President Kathryn invited members to sign up to volunteer manning the Election Ballot return Drop boxes November.  Just let her now you are interested. You will have an opportunity to select a time and location.

 Jackie Flowers was happy to announce that the City Council voted to reconfirm her as Director of Tacoma Public Utilities.
 Donna Haynes confessed that Pilkey-Hopping, Ekberg Insurance has grown with the purchase of Taylor Thomason Insurance.