Soundings (12/15/09)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 

Flag Salute & Invocation by Bryant Engebretson

Guests: Tonja's main squeeze, Rob Slater.

Visiting Rotarians: DC Morse, Jeannie McGee, Vince Latimore

New Member Application Stephen G. Swan (Steve) has been nominated for membership in our club by Steve Brummel. Mr. Swan works at WWU as Vice President-University Relations. His Classification would be "education-university". If you have any concerns or comments, please refer to Tonja Myers or Brent Walker.

Announcements

Tonja reminded us that there will be Rotary Leadership Institute January 23rd in Mount Vernon, WA.

Bell Ringing this Saturday!

Next week is our Christmas program, then next two weeks off.

Bill Gorman: Grape & Gourmet thanks to Todd Ramsay for wine permit, Bill Boyd for working with staff there at Lakeway, Lesa for auction, Bob for logistics, Barry for wine input and advice, Christine thanks for being co-chair, Ann and Bob Yost for wine sales, Scotty for wine sales, Scot (with Henry's help) did a great job with organizing the wineries, and everyone who helped out to make the event such a success this year.

Induction of new member: Leena Kirschman.  Steve Spitzer introduced Leena, who is a UW Husky fan, born and raised in Seattle, then moved to Bellingham in 1988. Steve met Leena six years ago while working at Whidbey Island Bank. Leenaa has been involved in a lot of community work: Boys & Girls Club, Chamber of Commerse, Whatcom Young Professionals, and other orgs.  She has a 17-year-old son at Squalicum HS who is quite an athlete.  Jim McCallum did the formailities, handed over the paperwork, did the secret handshake, etc. 

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Ron Hardesty missed meetings because of illness (mono!);
  • Tim Krell went up to Whistler;
  • Eddie Hanson has a beautiful baby girl - their 3rd child - born last Monday, successful toy drive at work, happy Jake Locker staying at UW;
  • Christine on the joys of being a parent;
  • Mayor Dan is very happy the City adopted its budget;
  • Bryant Engebretson went to Beaver Creek CO, and got to meet some of the US ski team;
  • Chuck Olson is appreciative that Jake Locker is sticking with UW for another year
  • Stan $100 for paying his house off!
  • Sarah Rotherbuhler oldest daughter turned 8!
  • Frank Chmelick and Dan Pike are friends of the Pacific Sturgeon (an endangered species whose habitat is in Newport Oregon - where NOAH wants to build their new facility instead of Bellingham...)

Sergeant at Arms by Bill Unrein
Fines for... Tim Krell, Stowe Talbot, Husky fans, Dave Harding (Bill's son set off the alarm at YMCA), golfers, Byron Sprague's new Cayenne, Zach for new job at WIB, Dannon for building and sleeping over in son's new fort, Lynn for passing his budget, Tonja, Bill Boyd for union contract, Frank for being late, Ron (just becasue), Marla Sanger's husband is a "zen master", AND Xmas trivia.

Program byShawn Hogan and Ray Something.
The various youth programs offered by Rotary.  Lance and Zach will be working opossibly establishing a Rotaract Club here in Bellingham in 2011).  Shawn attended RYLA in 2001 and then became a Rotarian in1 987.  Ray joined Rotary in 1988, and was asked soon after to help run the RYLA program, and has been involved ever since.  Shawn and Ray emphasized that these Rotary Youth programs (such as RYLA) are a truly transformative experiences for those young people who attend.

Youth Exchange:  The oldest program, started in 1927!  Working District to District, need 4 host families in your club to participate...

Newest program is called Youth Experience Service (YES):  Building young humanitarians, working through Interact and Rotaract, helping in third world countries. 

Adventures in Leadership:  Like RYLA, but smaller and only one weekend.  Next one will be Jan 15-17, 2010 at Camp Alexander in BC.

RYLA:  Next one will be April 29-May 10, 2010.  Growing young leaders.  Ages 18-25. 

Shawn and Ray encouraged our club to participate in these programs and identify young people to send.  Also they said we really should start a Rotaract club here in Bellingham; District 5050 can help us in this endeaver.  One secret to getting a successful Rotaract club formed: Send some kids to RYLA to establish a leadership base. 

Also a reminder:  June 18-23 is the Rotary International Conference in Montreal.

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe