Flag Salute and Invocation by Tim Krell
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Marissa DeRousse (Sterling Real Estate Group), Carlye Gillespie (Archer Halliday), 
 
Announcements:
  • Board Meeting next Thursday Feb 12 4:30pm at Talbot/Barkley office, all are welcome!
  • Rotoract Club by Kendall: Our Rotaract organizational meetings are now weekly on Wednesdays at the Hotel Bellwether 6pm, with light appetizers.
  • District 5050 Membership Seminar Feb 28th 8:30-3pm.
Vocational Bucket (Funds go to our Bellingham Technical College scholarship): Mimi paid $20 to recall how she was going through old family correspondence letters between her father (in the 1940's away at war) and her grandmother, and one of the letters discussed how Archibald Talbot (Stowe's grandfather) had been considering purchase of Brooks Manufacturing!
 
Short Program  Anna Williams discussed Paul Harris Fellowships.  When $1000 is contributed to The Rotary Foundation, a request can be made for an individual to be recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow; that person can be a Rotarian or a member of the community who is not a Rotarian. When a person is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, they are presented with a Certificate signed by the Rotary International President and the Chairman of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, and a lapel pin and medallion. The contribution to The Rotary Foundation can be made in one sum or by cumulative giving over a number of years. Individuals can make a personal contribution or the contribution can be from a club, a company or business.
Several of our members have now reached a level to receive a Paul Harris Fellowship, including Sue Sharpe and Chuck Walters. A list of Paul Harris contributions per member will be send in a separate Email.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Eddie Hansen went to Phoenix with intent to buy SB tickets last minute but the prices became too exorbitant;
  • Curt Smith: Give the ball to Marshawn!
  • Steve Swan Greenbay fan but made exception for Hawks this year;
  • Michael Boczek recent homestay visit by friend who is an Italian chef!
  • Stan $100 IOU, plus $50 to rant a bit more on attendance!
  • Terry Myers missed meetings, mom recovering well from recent stroke;
  • Curtis Dye recent birthday, then this past weekend suprise BD for his wife - that was lots of work!
  • Kendall missed meetings, won the sales award for $300K in sales, given a free trip to Europe!  Alos, starting the Interact club and will be leaving our club to assume presidency of this new club when it starts in June, still looking for more young members. Good work Kendall!
  • Tim Krell with football experience, daughter's birthday;
  • Bill Gorman recollection about Curtis Dye, and thoughts about the Superbowl;
Sergeant at Arms by Flo Simon
Fines for Eddie and for the SB loss.
 
Program
Bill Gorman discussed the Membership Engagement Survey from last spring. It was District-wide, 1310 surveys were taken which is about a 50% response rate. Anonymous.  Almost all clubs were represented, so the response rate was high enough to warrant a "high confidence" of accuracy.  In our club, 56% participated.  Some takeaways:
Attrition of members is a continuing challenge: (7% drop in District membership last year).
  • Our club picked these top 3 challenges: lack of young members, lack of hands-on projects, declining attendance.
  • Our club picked these top 3 attributes: successful fellowship, successful fundraising events, successful community service.
Bill's suggestions: Increase membership awareness of our strategic mission. We are doing a much better job in new member mentorship and orientation and involvement.  Maybe idea for a fundraiser event that gets all 5 local clubs to participate? Or for the new interact club?  Maybe a hands-on project that could involve kids (so we can bring our kids)?  Need more younger members.  Need encouragement for attendance.  
 
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot