Jennifer Ott will discuss “The Amazing Life of Civic Leader Jim Ellis” at the Rotary Club of Mercer Island’s meeting on March 4 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St.

The main meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.; socializing is from noon to 12:30 p.m. Guests are always welcome and there is no fee to attend. A catered lunch from Pogacha is available for $25, or attendees can bring their own meal.

Ott is co-author of the book “Jim Ellis: A Will to Serve,” helping to complete the book after Ellis died. Ellis’s daughter, Lynn, and son, Bob, will also talk about their dad and what he taught them as a father.

According to a press release, “Jim Ellis was one of the most influential and impactful civic leaders of Seattle’s and Washington’s recent history. Though he never sought elected office, his vision and drive were a key force behind many major projects defining our city, county, and region from the 1950s through today. From cleaning up Lake Washington, establishing King County Metro, and implementing the broad array of community-centered Forward Thrust improvement initiatives, to forward-thinking regional projects like the Mountains to Sound Greenway and the Washington State Convention Center, Ellis was astute at bringing together leaders across political divides to create consensus and effect change.”

For more information on the Rotary Club of Mercer Island, visit http://mirotary.org