Soundings (2/21/12)
Posted by G. Stowe Talbot
on Feb 21, 2012
/tn_tn_tn_bulletin.jpg)
Flag Salute & Invocation by Stephanie Sadler
Visiting Rotarians: Dean Fulton and Ray George
Guests: Mike Bates, Nick Caples
New member induction: Lesa Boxx introduced her good friend and our newest member, Susie Betts, from Solutions Electric. Bill Gorman did the official honors, demonstrated our "secret Rotary handshake", bestowed her Rotary pin, and issued the all-important first invoice.
Announements
Friendship team from Germany still looking for home stays!
Glendine Barkley says the RYLA application deadline is March 20th. RYLA is a 3-day camp in April for young people age 18-25. Cost is $375, but our club pays it. To be held here in Whatcom County.
Mark Turner announcement for volunteer service project at Boy Scout Camp Black Mountain: The new date is Saturday March 10th. Camp Ranger Jeremy "Ox" Casados has asked for our assistance to install approximately 1/4 mile of wire fence along the north property line. The camp recently had a land swap with a neighbor. The fence runs near the new High COPE course and will help keep Scouts from wandering off onto the neighbor's property as well as discouraging outsiders from wandering in. Most of the fenceposts are already in place, but a couple dozen may need to be installed. Mostly we'll be stringing wire and attaching it to the metal T-posts. Tools and equipment will be provided by the camp. Volunteers should bring work gloves, lunch, and water. Dress for the weather. The area along the fence line is uneven, on a hill, and a bit brushy. We'll have to walk a little to the work site. We need a crew of at least 6 people and expect the job will take 4-5 hours. Meet at 8 am Saturday, March 10 at the southeast corner of Sunset Square to carpool from Bellingham to Black Mountain. Sign up by sending an e-mail to Mark Turner or on the signup sheet at tomorrow's meeting. Questions? Give Mark a call at 360-671-6851.
Visiting Rotarians: Dean Fulton and Ray George
Guests: Mike Bates, Nick Caples
New member induction: Lesa Boxx introduced her good friend and our newest member, Susie Betts, from Solutions Electric. Bill Gorman did the official honors, demonstrated our "secret Rotary handshake", bestowed her Rotary pin, and issued the all-important first invoice.
Announements
Friendship team from Germany still looking for home stays!
Glendine Barkley says the RYLA application deadline is March 20th. RYLA is a 3-day camp in April for young people age 18-25. Cost is $375, but our club pays it. To be held here in Whatcom County.
Mark Turner announcement for volunteer service project at Boy Scout Camp Black Mountain: The new date is Saturday March 10th. Camp Ranger Jeremy "Ox" Casados has asked for our assistance to install approximately 1/4 mile of wire fence along the north property line. The camp recently had a land swap with a neighbor. The fence runs near the new High COPE course and will help keep Scouts from wandering off onto the neighbor's property as well as discouraging outsiders from wandering in. Most of the fenceposts are already in place, but a couple dozen may need to be installed. Mostly we'll be stringing wire and attaching it to the metal T-posts. Tools and equipment will be provided by the camp. Volunteers should bring work gloves, lunch, and water. Dress for the weather. The area along the fence line is uneven, on a hill, and a bit brushy. We'll have to walk a little to the work site. We need a crew of at least 6 people and expect the job will take 4-5 hours. Meet at 8 am Saturday, March 10 at the southeast corner of Sunset Square to carpool from Bellingham to Black Mountain. Sign up by sending an e-mail to Mark Turner
Bucks in the Bay
Some funny anecdotes, fines for Stowe, Tim Krell, Bryant Engebretson, Curt Smith, long-time Bellinghamsters, travelers, some trivia.
Program
Christine Palmerton introduced Diane Kamionka, interim director of the Innovation Resource Center. Diane talked about the IRC and the talent pool of entrepreneurial spirit in Whatcom County...
Several years ago it was realized that many young people were taking their start-up enterprise ideas to King County, where there were more resources available. So the IRC was set up to target and help this pool of people.
Currently working with over 30 young entrepreneurs and inventors.
<p>The Innovation Resource Center (IRC) was established by the Northwest Economic Council to connect innovative start-up businesses to resources that will help them to grow and thrive in Whatcom County. The IRC goes beyond the role traditionally assigned to business development organizations in that it develops innovative business climates and identifies entrepreneurs who will thrive in that climate.
IRC's "Accelerators" provide valuable resources for start-ups:
◦ Network of business leaders and specialists to provide assistance and support;
Respecfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot
- Aaron Lemperes had to spend 8 hours stuck in the car driving to Portland with his little kids (thanks to Obama's visit to Seattle)
- Curt Smith's birthday;
- Bryant was at Big White, something about a Canadian speeding ticket?
- Flo got rear ended in I-5 by a teenage texter;
- Mimi had to babysit all six grandkids this week, heading to Mexico this weekend!
- Gordon Plume talked about status of his shop;
- Dennis survived the weekend babysitting his wild grandson!
Some funny anecdotes, fines for Stowe, Tim Krell, Bryant Engebretson, Curt Smith, long-time Bellinghamsters, travelers, some trivia.
Program
Christine Palmerton introduced Diane Kamionka, interim director of the Innovation Resource Center. Diane talked about the IRC and the talent pool of entrepreneurial spirit in Whatcom County...
Several years ago it was realized that many young people were taking their start-up enterprise ideas to King County, where there were more resources available. So the IRC was set up to target and help this pool of people.
Currently working with over 30 young entrepreneurs and inventors.
<p>The Innovation Resource Center (IRC) was established by the Northwest Economic Council to connect innovative start-up businesses to resources that will help them to grow and thrive in Whatcom County. The IRC goes beyond the role traditionally assigned to business development organizations in that it develops innovative business climates and identifies entrepreneurs who will thrive in that climate.
IRC's "Accelerators" provide valuable resources for start-ups:
◦ Network of business leaders and specialists to provide assistance and support;
◦ Direct start-ups to appropriate business services through area service organizations and government;
◦ Partnering with educational institutions to provide training and internship support
The IRC has been particularly focussing on two areas of growth:
1) renewable energy, and
2) over 55 population.
The IRC often receives grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work with the Whatcom Opportunities Regional Center, Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College in assisting innovative entrepreneurs in creating businesses in support of the growing active adult living communities. Startups in such areas as technology assistance, home management, health care applications will be part of a virtual accelerator for our area.
Website: http://www.nwecon.org/resources/innovation-resource-centerRespecfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot