Swedish Club News Vol. 52, Issue 7: September 2013 Swedish Club . Seattle . Washington Auction Anticipation ur annual auction, From OSweden with Love, is right around the corner on Our Mission Oct. 27. Thanks to the Swedish Club members and To promote better understanding friends who have donated between the United States and items for both the silent and the Nordic countries, with live auctions. Here are just a emphasis on Sweden, and to few that will be auctioned off. perpetuate Nordic culture • Holland America cruise: and traditions through the Seven days to Alaska, teaching, observance, practice Mexico, Hawaii or the Caribbean. and celebration of this culture • Weekend in a cabin on and its traditions. Samish Island. Continued on p. 4 Clockwise from top: Club staff member Amanda Sullivan is the chief organizer for the auction donations we’re receiving. Fremont’s Red Door Tavern has donated a gift certificate. Seattle’s very Swedish Hotel Ändra will host a night on the town for a lucky auction bidder. www.swedishclubnw.org Swedish Club Club Notes 1920 Dexter Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 he Swedish Club has many friends among for a very special community: those who hold a organizations and businesses in the area. deep interest in Scandinavia, specifically Sweden. 206-283-1090 Club Business T 206-283-1078 Rentals Thanks to Swedish Medical Center and Swedish And what makes a community and holds it 206-283-2970 FAX Automotive for sponsoring our auction, From together? [email protected] Sweden with Love, on Sunday, Oct. 27. Thanks • For one, common interests. Check! Over the [email protected] also to the numerous other businesses that have past five or more years, we have increased [email protected] www.swedishclubnw.org provided auction items. Look for a complete list our offerings of Swedish and Scandinavian in our October newsletter. music, food, décor, programs, etc. Office Hours Another business whose help we appreci- • For another, the opportunity to grow, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. ate is Skanska, a multinational construction and explore and learn about our common Board of Directors development company based in Sweden. denominator of Nordic roots and interests. President Brandon Benson VP, Facilities Larry Johnson Skanska USA’s Seattle office is in South Lake Check! We offer Swedish language classes, a Secretary Mary McCann Union, so we’re almost neighbors. Last year, Viking series, weaving classes, men’s and Past President Terry Anderson Skanska staff helped us by supervising the women’s choruses, and so on. Each niche Directors: Paul Heneghan, Vince installation of a new acoustical ceiling in the group further binds the members to the Madden, Kristina Nordstrom, Rebecca O’Briant, Larry Omdal, Glen Peterson, dining room and bar. overall community. Erik Pihl, Susan Ramstead, Vi Reno, Per- Recently, we invited Lisa Picard, regional • For another, including all generations, Ola Selander, Kathryn Summers manager and executive vice president for knowing and respecting one another and [email protected] Skanska’s Seattle team, to get acquainted. We enjoying each other’s company. Check! Visit Club Operations expected to chat about the building and plans for a Friday Happy Hour at the Club and you’ll Executive Director Kristine Leander the roof, but she surprised us by immediately agree that folks are friendly and welcoming. Financial Manager Debbie Smith Rentals/Facil. Mgr. Doug Newlands asking about our vision for the Club. Our new membership directory (see p. 4) Club Historian Vision, Lisa explained, is imperative when will go a long way toward firming up Aina Oscarsson moving forward with changes, updates, etc., for connections among the members in our Ladies Auxiliary a building. She also explained that an organiza- community. Chair Jean Wirch Vice Chair Susan Aldridge tion’s vision should be something that is • Finally, having a plan for the future. Check! Secretary Aina Oscarsson instantly recognizable to everyone, both Both regular members and the Board have a Treasurer Bonnie Orr current and future members and supporters. It keen interest in the Club’s future, which Swedish Women’s Chorus Geri Damm [email protected] should encompass both how we use the Club portends a thought-out, inclusive vision that Svea Male Chorus now and how we want things to be in the will serve us well. Bob Reetz [email protected] future. Without vision, we won’t attract the Thank you, Lisa, for your question. Swedish Club News help we need to move forward. Editor: Kristine Leander Copy Editor: Martin Stillion Since its beginning, the Swedish Club has KRISTINE LEANDER been a social center. Before the turn of the last Executive Director century, many immigrant groups started clubs to Swedish Club News (USPS 533-750) provide both socializing and training in how to is published monthly as part of get along in America, as well as support for yearly membership dues at $15 per health care needs. In contrast to the local person, per year, by the Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, Norwegians and Danes, whose organizations WA 98109-2795. Telephone is included what we now call health insurance (i.e., 206-283-1090. Periodicals post- age paid at Seattle, Washington. taking care of one another during illnesses and Postmaster: send address changes deaths), the Swedes who started the Club to Swedish Club News, 1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109-2795. oversaw their health care needs by starting Deadline for material for Swedish Hospital. That meant that the Swedish the next issue is NEW BAKERY: We’ve received word from Club could be simply for socializing—for getting Brian and Michelle Morck that they are Sept. 15. together to dance, play cards, sing songs, eat establishing a Swedish bakery, Byen Bakeri, Bring articles into the office or fax to 206-283-2970. You may also Swedish food and generally hang out together. It’s on Nickerson Street, not too far from the e-mail articles to just as true today. Well, OK, there’s not so much Club. They expect to be open in October. [email protected]. We’ll continue to keep you informed about card playing going on, but it’s still a social center this delicious development! 2 september 2013 President’s Message SC Announces he Club’s Bylaw Revision committee (Terry served on the Board for at least one full year in News about, or in the interest Anderson, Brenda Bard, Sharon Lucas, Larry the previous five years. The Executive Director T of our members... Omdal, Erik Pihl and Don Wahlquist) has been is an ex officio member of all committees, but meeting for nearly a year. Their goal was to shall not have a vote. A Director or officer The Swedish Club announces 1,053 bring our governing documents up to current appointed to fill an unexpired term serves only member households. standards for nonprofit organizations and to until the next Annual Meeting. reflect changes requested by Club members and Members: Members are requested, but New Members Board Members. not required, to declare support of the Celeste Axelson The Board has approved the committee’s purposes of the Club (delete “educational and Tina Bergman recommendation of simple changes to the cultural purposes” of the Club). Members must Veronica Truong Boyd bylaws. (More complex changes will come pay dues to be considered in good standing. later.) Now it’s the members’ turn. The changes Changes to Bylaws: The Board of Virginia Follstad will be presented at the Members & Friends Directors has the power to make recommen- Isabella Gee Dinner on Sept. 11 and then tabled for a vote dations for changes to the bylaws, but only Kerry Godes the following month, Oct. 9. Here’s a summary the membership has the power to make, alter, Charles Hornig of the changes. amend and repeal the bylaws. Board of Directors: Change the size of After the members vote on these changes Anna Johansen the Board to at least 11 and no more than 17 in early fall, the Bylaw Revision Committee will Kjell Myraas members, from the current 12 to 18. Require continue their work on more in-depth changes. Rhonda Peterson that a person must be a Club member for at For a copy of the bylaws and proposed Mark Pomerantz least one year before being eligible for election changes, call the office at 206-283-1090 or to the Board. Add that Directors may partici- e-mail [email protected]. Or Mark Sinay & Kathleen Maloney pate in meetings via teleconference, Skype or visit www.swedishclubnw.org/PDFs/ Nathaniel Strandberg similar methods. There shall be four standing Bylaws0913redline.pdf for a “redline” version Frank & Jennifer Swant Board committees: Nominating, Finance, of the changes, or www.swedishclubnw.org/ Jean Werner, Willy Jimenez, Vineka Building & Property and Executive (which PDFs/Bylaws0913.pdf for a “clean” version consists of the officers of the Club and up to incorporating the changes. Sheard two other Board members selected by the Presi- As always, I welcome your questions, dent). Any Director or Officer may be removed comments and feedback. Deaths by two-thirds of the votes cast at a monthly Members Meeting or the Annual Meeting. No BRANDON BENSON Harry Beasley one may be elected as an officer unless s/he has Swedish Club President Christine Lenker Be a Re-Gifter! New address? Send your address changes or corrections to: ondering how to help out for the Wauction, From Sweden with Love, on Oct. 27? Do you have a drawer or wallet full of Swedish Club gift cards you haven’t used? Your boss gave you a Attn.: Address Change card for a steakhouse, but you’re a vegetarian? You’re a 1920 Dexter Ave.