Flag Salute & Invocation by Tonja Myers 

Visiting Rotarians: Ray George 

Guests: None 

New member applicants: Kendall Pickerill, Asst. Manager at the Bellwether Hotel, sponsored by Stan Dyer. Approved by the Membership Committee and Board.  Comments or concerns please contact Dennis Archer, Bill Geyer or the board. 

Announcements

  • Bill Geyer asked all members to suggest prospective new members. March 12th there will be a presentation to the club about this committee and its goals. We are trying to keep our membership at about 110-115. 
  • Friday March 1st will be our next fellowship hockey night at Sportsplex; please sign up!  
  • RYLA registration (online only!) will take place May 2-5, 2013 at Mt Baker Baptist Camp. Our club will cover the fee. Our club can sponsor up to four kids. Ages are 18-25. 
  • Re. club finances: Dennis said we gave Donations Committee slightly more than last year, also wants to leave incoming President Christine a good chunk of change ($20K at least) in the coffers. Dennis also wants to donate some to our Foundation, maybe to try to reach $200K. 
 
Bucks in the Bay 
  • Bob Moles sold his boat, and now has twin grandsons (born Valentines Day)! 
  • Leena Kirschman is back!  
  • Bill Geyer said Parks District measure unfortunately passed, so he (facetiously) suggested other neighborhoods form their own parks districts! 
  • Steve Kimberley just back from Oahu;
  • Stew Ellison back from trip to Mexico; 
  • Dick Stark for Tony Larson, with whom he goes way back, looking forward to his talk;  
  • Eddie Hansen has bucks from an absent Paul Twedt, who said he couldn't come to Rotary because he is getting a massage; 
  • Orphalee went to PETS for sixth time! 
  • Mimi Ferlin for missed meetings, thanked Bill Geyer and Anna for their work fighting against the Park proposal; 
  • Dennis with some bucks for the Foundation; 
  • Denise B for missed meetings. 

Sergeant at Arms by Denise Bosman 

Fines for cranky accountants, Phil X, Leena Kirschman, Brent Walker for the new BevMo coming to Bellingham, Eddie Hansen's Caribbean vacation, Camry owners, old cellphone owners, Donna's cellphone. 

Program Anna Williams introduced Tony Larson, owner and publisher of the Bellingham Business Pulse. 

Tony talked about an organization he founded last year called the Whatcom Business Alliance (WBA), which is a 501c3 non-profit, which advocates on behalf of companies that want to grow their local business or locate here. Most locals feel the business climate in Bellingham/Whatcom County is not very good, and compared unfavorably with that of Skagit County. 

Examples are that WA State stopped referring companies to Whatcom County because of the perceived difficulty in getting permits. 

Another example was Tacoma Glass Company that was looking to locate a facility in Ferndale, but eventually located in Skagit County where they were received much more enthusiatically. Local farmers are having difficulty getting more acreage planted (permits, money and time). 

Marverick Boats wanted to expand in Bellingham, but just could not get permitted - so they moved to Anacortes. 

Tony wants WBA to be a venue for local business owners and leaders to be able to express their desires and concerns. There is often a fear of retribution. We as a community need to engage business leaders. WBA provides "strength in numbers" to influence policy in a positive way. Whatcom Business Alliance: 1) No public contributions / it's all private; 2) Non-partisan (but still needs to be political). They have 21 board members from industries all across the economic spectrum. 150 members now. It's easy to get involved. Base membership $250/year. Building a leadership network. How the WBA will communicate out to the community: 

  1. Business Pulse Magazine; 
  2. Magazine Website (Technology); 
  3. Events and industry tours. 

Foster business success and community prosperity - one helps the other. WBA will be scoring elected officials. Currently WBA does not recruit new companies for relocation. So, currently there is no organization that is recruiting and helping companies relocate here.

Respectfully submitted, 

Stowe Talbot