Soundings (1/22/08)

Orphalee said since we are a member of the WWU Presidents' Club, we have 4 complimentary tickets available to the "Distinguished Lecture Series": STEPHEN PROTHERO, World Religions Expert, will speak on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the PAC Mainstage. If interested, see Orphalee.

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships: Stew, Tonja and Orphalee attended a Rotary training event recently. Orphalee says we are missing a great opportunity to propose young people for "Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships" which can be valued at up to $25,000.  The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.
For details about this scholarship, see: http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/AmbassadorialScholarships/Pages/ridefault.aspx

Bucks in the Bay

• Orphalee is glad to see such big attendance today - hope it's a good trend for future;
• Shannon Terrill for 21 anniversary and 21st birthday;
• Mimi back from three weeks in La Paz, she is glad Scot Swanson made partner, she announced that St. Paul's Academy will host its annual fundraiser this Saturday, the Salute auction and only 6 tix left;
• Phil X looking forward to trip to La Paz, thankful for progress with Food Bank (cement going in today); 
• John Templeton sad about stock market returns, glad about real estate market returns;
• Bill Gorman is a board member for Downtown Renaissance Network, there will be a DRN fundraiser on Mardi Gras Feb 9th 7-11pm at Leopold;
• Tim Krell missed a few meetings, skiing with son;
• Gerald Baron missed meetings, travel to Palm Springs during storm, DC was wonderful;
• Bob Jones' son and daughter-in-law off to Hawaii while Bob babysitting dog;
• Frank Chmelik Lake Tahoe ski trip;
• Bill Geyer spent two weeks in Cabo, and Food Bank's Mike Cohen / wife expecting baby any day now;
• Lynn Templeton on passing of Lou Parberry who is founder of B&G Club of Whatcom County
• Jim Wells returned from Cannon Beach where he experienced 100+ mph winds;
• Pete R for Cougar wins.

Sergeant at Arms by Pete Rittmueller
John Templeton for advertising; Frank Chmelick for $29/flights to Salt Lake City, and for Waterfront EIS is 800+ pages! Lesa Boxx got financial license, Tonja Myers, financial planners and brokers, Gerald, Sarah R for, Bob B and Bob Y for their Porches, Eddie, All who have never worn shorts to Rotary meeting.

Program
Tonja Myers introduced Doug Roulstone. Doug served 27 years in Navy. After retirement, he moved to Snohomish and founded Damar Machine Co., a precision machining company that builds parts for airplanes and commercial and recreational equipment. During a teachers' strike several years ago in Snohomish he was asked to mediate between the two sides at a Town Hall meeting - attended by 500 angry people - but next day thetwo sides did come to an agreement. Doug in that way became familiar with both teachers' union and school district administration. This led him to the idea to create Educational Pathway Partnership - a program to provide CAD and "precision machining" training to high school students in Snohomish. It was a revolutionary approach - essentially a three-way partnership between high school / community college / and business. Everyone benefits. The program helps kids move toward becoming skilled machinists. The situation today:

• there is a shortage of skilled machinists;
• most jobs today require specialized training;
• image of manufacturing today is abysmal
• but manufacturing jobs pay well with benefits, so we need to change the negative image;
• looming problem of skilled machinists (Boeing for example) will be retiring soon, who will replace them?

To establish the program, Doug put together a diverse team and partnership with secondary and higher education, business and government. Doug proposed the idea for the program early in 2004. By the start of the 2004 school year, Doug and his team had already bought the machines, computers, software, remodeled the classroom, and developed the curriculum. Doug and his team have since raised over $300K privately, which resulted in matching funds of $8M in equipment, and now another $30M grant was awarded. Currently, over 95 kids graduate from the program each year, receiving college credit, with no dropouts.

Raffle won by Bob Jones.

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot