Soundings (11/21/06)
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Flag Salute & Invocation by John Hulbert
Visiting Rotarians: Max Legg, Art Palmer.
Guests: Claire.
Announcements
Bob Moles reminded us about next years Honduras trip Feb 23 - March 4, 2007; we need more members from our club to travel and represent us! Only three people from our club signed up so far.
We received a nice thank you letter from our Squalicum Student-of-the-Month (September 2006) Marian Padilla. She writes:
"I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Bellingham Bay Rotary Club for the recognition as volunteer student of the month. Volunteer work has always been second nature to me. Upon receiving this award, I have been reminded that no act of service, no matter how small, is ever wasted; every act creates a ripple with no end. Your organization's commitment to "service above self" serves as an inspiration to many, especially to me. It is an honor to be beneficiary to a group who pools its resources and contributes its talents to promote service, scholarship and character.
Respectfully yours, Marian"
New member prospects: Two applicants have been approved by the membership committee and board.
1. Rodney Bring is the owner of "Employee Benefits Planning", which negotiates healthcare service contracts. He's a former teacher and coach at Sehome HS. He was sponsored by Jim Wells, and also knows Matt Rose.
2. Mike Hammes is the president of Ram Construction, a local general contractor. He has supported a wide variety of charitable and civic causes. He was sponsored by Frank Chmelik and also knows Pete Dawson, Sarah Rothenbuhler, and Brad Cornwell.
If anyone has any objections or comments abouty these individuals becoming members, please contact Matt Rose or Barry Kramer.
Bucks in the Bay
Ron Hardesty for the unfortunate Wolverine loss to Buckeyes;
Bill Unrein for the Husky win, and a few days in Scottsdale AZ;
Bryant Engerbretson for wind damage challenges, also he is hosting an open house at his Bellwether office today from 4-7 PM;
John Templeton for two weeks in Cabo, and good to be back with all of us Rotary "guys" (non-gender specific);
Lynn Templeton for two recent birthday parties;
Carol Beecher for next Friday night Hospice auction, $80 per ticket and they are still available;
Tonja Myers thankful for a felled tree that missed her house;
Curt Smith for Husky win at Apple cup, power outages on South Hill;
Sergeant at Arms by Barry Kramer (filling in for Robin)
John Hulbert, Huskies, Todd and Bill Boyd, John Templeton, Ron Hardesty, Cougers, Eddie, Lynn Templeton,
Program Tim McEvoy introduced Roz Spitzer from the Bellingham Tech College. Roz has worked at the BTC for 15 years; she both teaches and serves on the board.
She spoke on adult literacy and workforce education. There is a looming crisis in the US workforce: Not enough qualified applicants for jobs (in the healthcare, transport and manufacturing industries in particular). Most future workforce growth will come from immigrants and the under-educated. But there is an education gap: these people need better math, reading and English skills. The nation's Community and Tech colleges are and will be the main means to train these people. Tech colleges are often the starting place for their career paths. There is a great payoff for investing in workforce education. Programs include: IBEST - integrated basic edication and skills training - which combines basic education with college-level technical education in high-demand fields. Opportunity Grant.
Roz introduced April McGovern, a recipient of an opportunity grant. April talked about how BTC and the opportunity grant changed her life. She had major medical problems starting in 1998, which contributed to personal financial problems. After meeting people at BTC and learning about the possibilities for grants, she applied for and was awarded the opportunity grant. The grant helps pay for both tuition and some living expenses. April's story was very inspiring. Byron wins raffle.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stowe Talbot