"Distracted Driving"
Kirk Nelson
President & CEO AAA of Washington
Scribe: Megan Sweeters Introduced by: Bob Holert
In This Issue
Kirk Nelson, CEO and President of AAA Washington, delivered a presentation on Distracted Driving. AAA Washington, founded in 1904, provides roadside assistance for its 1 million members along with travel and insurance services. Mr. Nelson shared statistics and research about risks associated with texting, phone use, eating as well as other distractions while driving. Club news includes Student of the Month, Rotarian of the Month, Check presentations to Alyssa Burnett Adult Life and Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue and “Words of Wisdom” from our Sergeant at Arms, Tim Leahy.
Speaker
Ann Norman introduced our guest speaker, Kirk Nelson, to share some insight on results of research conducted by AAA Washington on Distracted Driving. A Cognitive Distraction Study revealed through a Mental Distraction Rating System that rates level of risk based on task. Texting and phone use were highest on the rating system. He also shared research information about the hazards of “Siri”, with “Siri” skit on a video clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live. AAA Washington is working closely with the auto industry to devise systems and risk reduction measures to be incorporated into the manufacturing of newer vehicles.
Kirk Nelson closed by providing some ways to prevent distracted driving. Turn off mobile phones while driving. Don’t call or text someone who is driving. Take refresher driver courses. Educate yourself and loved ones.
Club Business
Invocation and Introduction of Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Ruben Ladlad gave the Invocation and led the pledge, and Tanya Franzen-Garrett introduced visiting Rotarians and Guests.
April Student of the Month – Minjot Singh
Bob Holert introduced April’s BBRC Student of the Month, Minjot Singh a Senior at Sammamish High School. Minjot has a GPA of 3.92 and currently enrolled in five AP classes. He is very involved in community service activities including Library Volunteer for King County Library System, Website Translator for Khan Academy, Intern at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center and Founder/President of the Seiva School Club. Minjot will be attending University of Washington next fall and planning on majoring in Biological Sciences to prepare to become a medical practitioner in the future.
April Rotarian of the Month – Bob Holert
President Wendi Fischer recognized Bob Holert as April Rotarian of the Month for his outstanding work on the Student of the Month program and as Program Committee Chair. Bob thanked everyone for their work since it takes a team to get it done. Adding if you know of a good speaker, he would love to hear about them!
Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center
Sheldon Sweeney introduced Tammy Mitchell of Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center. Tammy shared stories of how the new garden beds and improvements to the garden/patio area completed by the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club on March 29th. The new and improved space has offered the center a greater sense of community, place to socialize and learn new activities. Every morning, upon arrival, the participants regularly inspect the garden for the sprouting and growth of vegetable seeds they planted. She thanked BBRC for the gift that will keep on giving!
Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue
Michelle Heffron of the Boys and Girls Club accepted a check in the amount of $15,000, a District Matching grant. The new Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue will be breaking ground in 2015 and a room will be named Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club upon its completion. Fourteen thousand (14,000) children are served by the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, with a vast majority from low income families.
Sergeant at Arms – Tim Leahy
Tim led a song of Happy Birthday for President Wendi Fischer and President Elect Paul Chapman who both celebrated a Birthday this last week. Neil Bretvick was fined $10 for the arrival of his new baby Granddaughter. Carmela Ramaglia was fined for the Celebrity status gained from her recent exposure through television, Money Magazine and billboards. Chris Boland and Chuck Kimbrough were fined for improper use of cell phones followed by the members receiving a review of proper phone etiquette during BBRC meetings.
About the Speaker
Nelson was previously the Washington President for Qwest .He started his business career with Pacific Northwest Bell in 1979 in Seattle and held a wide range of management posts in Washington, Colorado, Utah and Minnesota.
Nelson has served as Chairman of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Washington Business (AWB), the Community Development Roundtable (CDRT), the Seattle Sports Commission, the Seattle-King County Sports and Events Council and the Utah Manufacturers Association. He currently serves on the Executive Committees of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Seattle Sports Commission. He is on the Board of Trustees of AAA Washington and the Membership Business Committee (MBC) and Accreditation Commission for AAA National.
Nelson received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pacific Lutheran University and a MBA from Seattle University.
Nelson and his wife, Patty, reside in Sammamish and have two grown sons.