President Jimmy called the meeting to order promptly at 12:30 pm with two items of breaking news: Rachele Bouchand is the Rotary District 5030 Governor designee; and how our weekly meetings will continue as ‘Zoom sessions’ through December. He acknowledged attending diplomats and guests by name – recognized several diplomats that are posted here in Seattle. Officers of the Consular Association of Washington were introduced, and U.S. Department of Commerce officials were in attendance for the Seattle Rotary Diplomacy Roundtable’s 6th Diplomacy Day.
He then introduced Chris Bostrom to lead the day’s anthem, ‘God Bless America’, followed by Rabbi Daniel Weiner with the day’s inspiration about the value of diplomacy for a common good; and “making a point without making an enemy”.
Seattle Rotary Service Foundation Chair, Dave Kraft, and SRSF annual fundraising chair Jon Bridge officially kicked off the 2022 campaign asking Rotarians to ‘step up’ with their tax-deductible donations.
The amount raised during the campaign determines the number and amount of grants. “This year the SRSF funded 30 different grants, having raised $231,000,” Dave said. “This year’s goal is $250,000 with more than $101,000 already raised or pledged from the board and others.” SRSF is awarding fine bottles of fine wine to those who donate at the Pinkham & Steele level ($1000) and early contributors.
For more information about SRSF grants review the annual report on the website. Jon Bridge said all members will receive an email asking for their donation or pledge to the SRSF and Rotary International. Rotarians can donate online in one payment or monthly or send a check to the Rotary office. Jon concluded by saying, “If you act now you won’t have to worry about us bugging you!”.
The amount raised during the campaign determines the number and amount of grants. “This year the SRSF funded 30 different grants, having raised $231,000,” Dave said. “This year’s goal is $250,000 with more than $101,000 already raised or pledged from the board and others.” SRSF is awarding fine bottles of fine wine to those who donate at the Pinkham & Steele level ($1000) and early contributors.
For more information about SRSF grants review the annual report on the website. Jon Bridge said all members will receive an email asking for their donation or pledge to the SRSF and Rotary International. Rotarians can donate online in one payment or monthly or send a check to the Rotary office. Jon concluded by saying, “If you act now you won’t have to worry about us bugging you!”.
President Jimmy said the work of the Seattle #4 Rotary International Service Committee is funded by the SRSF. He asked fellow Rotarian and committee member, Alicia Flatt, for an overview. She said the committee works to inform members about our foundation and Rotary International’s work around the world. “During the past five years the committee has sponsored 37 grants and projects,” she said, “as members are involved in a number of projects,” She said the committee meets nine times a year via Zoom; and encourages members to get more involved by joining the International Service Committee.
President Jimmy asked Diplomacy Roundtable Co-Chair, Skip Rowland, to welcome guests for the Seattle Rotary’s 6th Diplomacy Day, focused on North American trade and the benefits of the U.S. Mexico-Canda Agreement (USMCA). Skip said the ‘soft power of diplomacy will enhance our quality of life as we prepare to open borders on December 8”.
David Woodward, Co-Chair of the Diplomacy Roundtable introduced the following three panelists: Héctor Iván Godoy Priske, Consul of Mexico in Seattle; Jérôme Pischella, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at Consulate General of Canada in Seattle; and Alex Tercero Chacón, Mexico Desk Officer at U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC.
David facilitated discussion among the panelists beginning with their perspectives about North American trade going forward, implications of the USMCA for the Pacific Northwest, and perspectives.
Mr. Priske of Mexico said the USMCA is ‘catching up with what is happening on the ground’, as further integration of the North American economy is taking place such as the 1.5 million Americans now living in Mexico. “We want to establish a strong North America alliance and the competitive advantages of Mexico over Asia as we are stronger together.”
Jérôme Pischella, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at Consulate General of Canada in Seattle called the USMCA “a modernization of NAFTA from 1994,”. He said things have changed so countries must update agreements to reflect changing dynamics. “A North American integrated economy will become more competitive,” he said and pointed out how Canada and Mexico are the biggest trading partners with the U.S., with Canada as never less than a first trading partner – and that the world’s largest undefended border in the world is between the U.S. and Canada. “There are 400 Canadian-owned companies in Washington State worth more than $1.3B to the economy and providing134,000 jobs,” he said. “Supply chain changes and use of virtual tools have increased viability of other parts of Canada doing business in Washington State”. He favors the concept of a North American “trading block’ with all three countries working together.
Alex Tercero Chacón, Mexico Desk Officer at U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Washington, DC takes a holistic view of the USMCA and its benefit to all concerned. The DOC has conducted more than 150 events in 14 cities to educate the business community about how to use the USMCA. “More than a half-trillion worth of goods are traded between the three countries,” he said. The USMCA fosters good regulatory practices, environmental obligations, labor rights & preventing violence against workers, among other topics.
“Canada is the biggest importer from the PNW, as modernization does benefit the Seattle area.”, Mr. Chacon said. “DOC is here to help exporters in the PNW with available DOC resources to answer questions and support for specific needs”.
Skip Rowland said next week’s program will feature Dr. Suzanne Griffin to speak on Afghanistan., and the district’s empowering girls project.
President Jimmy closed the meeting with his perspective on diplomacy, and how Seattle 4 Rotary continues to provide a forum for strategic discussions.
