Soundings (11/16/10)

Bucks in the Bay

• Leena says last weekend was Garrett's final football game of the season; a 24-hour car ride to Humbolt, CA! 
• Matt Rose $ for missed meetings, he has left his job at NW Radiology (Mt Baker Imaging), but looking forward, he is hopeful to stay in Bellingham and find a good managerial position somewhere - spread the word!
• Bob Moles thankful for contributers to Bucks for Banos;
• Bill Geyer has new-found appreciation for Gordon P, Phil X, Bob Jones for their perseverance in the face of past business troubles: Bill experiencing it himself with the recent closing of Aluminum Chambered Boats, they are looking for a $1.5M investor to resurrect the company;
• Curt Smith glad for Husky basketball win, also said ABCD (Access Dentistry) found a new home for its operations, and an endowed scholorship was created in his name at BTC - Congratulations Curt!
• Mike Kirkland was honored by the Hospice Foundation, he is very grateful!
• Mary Humphries had a good week, glad for Curt's scholorship and the fundraising that went along with it! And she bought a new car!
• John Templeton "Let us not wait for the storm to end, but to learn to dance in the rain." Daughter a finalist in Rolling Stones songwriters award!
• Patti Imhoff attended a succession-planning seminar last week (Harvard?) and anniversary dinner with husband in Boston.
• Anna says $230K raised Saturday for Hospice House!
• Art Runestrand honored to serve as caregiver for his wife who recently had successful heart surgery (by Dr. Jim Douglas), and actually walked a mile the other day!

Sergeant at Arms and Program were missed by your respected scribe, so I hope they were interesting.

Here are some interesting ideas on Grape & Gourmet from this morning's Board Meeting:

• Most wineries were very happy especially with pre-event sales (except two wineries that had no sales).  

• Most participating restaurants were happy, but some smaller restaurants pulled out at the last minute because "not worth the effort, too expensive".   It would be nice to get a few more restaurants next year.  Also maybe get a few more culinary school volunteers to help the restaurants serve?

• Wine shop was more successful being in one room, but suggested that next time wine bottles/cases be organized in one place, and we need a few more volunteers.  Ask Scotty for other improvement ideas.

• Anna:  The event is 5 years old now; maybe it's time to reinvent / reposition ourselves.  Some ideas: 
*We could buy advertising - design a new "media package".  
*We should form a MARKETING COMMITTEE to find big-name sponsors who would pay us money to attach their name to the event and its advertising (not only for G&G, but also Brewers, and an annual spring "International Fundraiser Event").
*Also we need to better communicate to non-rotarians what our money goes for, Anna suggests using Marilyn Olson.  Bill Gorman says RI has some good resources available through their Website. 
*We need a "post-G&G" press release for inclusion in "Good Works" in NW Business Monthly.  
*"Talk it Up TV"?
*An intern/student from WWU/BTC marketing department?

• Final G&G debrief meeting will be next Friday, December 1, 5pm at Big Fat Fish.

Respecfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot