Soundings (6/21/05)
Posted by Stowe Talbot
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Past President Denise Bosman led the meeting.
Patti Imhof was Sergeant at Arms.
Program was Linda Ballasy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington.
Denise Bosman led the meeting.
Flag salute and invocation by John Sleeth
Guests: Tom Grinstad, Bud Teff, Al Pemberton, Tim Carpenter, Ann Caldwell, Lydia Stone, Ken Logge, Drew Bosman.
Announcements:
Some members have not yet paid their IOU's from the Pure Water Support Brunch. Please make checks to Bellingham Bay Rotary.
Please log into the Website and update your "member profile" if you have not already done so. If you forget your name and password, you can hit a button that will send them to your Email address. Or, just call Stowe at 733-1640.
Orphalee would like to request ideas from the club for speakers and programs.
Grape & Gourmet needs volunteers; every member should pitch in and help with this event. Sign up sheets located near the door.
Bucks in the Bay
John Templeton - Kauai for 10 days;
Dan Moore - Maui for 10 days;
Chuck Walters - North Carolina to see US Open and brother;
Jerry Simmons - For missed meetings, and last kid now out of High School!
Julie Guy - back surgery went well at St Josephs;
Art Runestrand - 30 grandkids;
Lance Calloway - Baker Blast soccer tournament this coming weekend;
Stan Dyer - Joel Hile will be resigning from club due to wife's illness, Stan will temporarily take membership responsibility - meet next week;
John Sleeth - Thanks to Brook Manufacturing for tour last week;
Robin Schmidt - successes at Boys and Girls Club;
Ed Hanley - Thanks Bob Moles for Support Brunch, and for Interact successes (Timmy's poem);
Tonja Myers - Please come to the Strawberry Shortcake Festival Thursday 3-6pm to benefit St. Francis Extended Care - will have free local strawberry shortcakes, lots of giveaways, live music, and fun activities for the kids.
Brent Walker - Thanks for the tour at Brooks;
Curt Smith - over 5K signatures for fluoridation campaign, will be on ballot;
Mimi - Can leave $ on table as thanks for lunch, will go to Foundation;
Jim Wells - for Art's ability to remember all 30 of his grandkids' names.
Sergeant at Arms: Patti Imhof
Fathers Day fines, those who have ridden a Harley, short pants, Mimi's Costa Rica trip, Mike Kirkland, Frank Zurline, Ed Zech, John Barron, friends of Fred Haskell.
Program: Barry Kramer introduced Linda Ballasy (Director) and Pat Mahony (volunteer) of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Whatcom County. Linda first thanked the club for all our past support and for inviting her to talk to the club. She told the story of Angela, a girl who she mentored for several years (the kids are called "littles" and the adult mentors are called "bigs"). BBBS is an organization that organizes mentoring relationships for children who need and want them. Today, BBBS serves over 200,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in 5,000 communities across all 50 states. Research has demonstrated that BBBS mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face:
-46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs;
-27% less likely to begin using alcohol;
-52% less likely to skip school;
---37% less likely to skip class;
-More confident in their schoolwork performance;
-Able to get along better with their families;
-Able to see a side of life they would never otherwise see (going to their mentor's work, going camping, etc.).
Whatcom County has up to 6,000 youth that could benefit from the services of BBBS, and there are currently 100 kids (mostly boys) who are on the waiting list. Besides the regular program, there is a more limited program called "School Buddies" where mentors meet their "littles" for only one hour per week.
Pat Mahony talked about his experience as a mentor. He is a retired hospital administrator, a father of 4 grown kids and a grandfather. He talked his decision to start volunteering for BBBS, the rigorous application process, home inspection, psychological test, etc. He told the story of being assigned a little brother (Derek) who had a history of male abandonment, with no male role model. Derek slowly opens up to Pat, and allows Pat to help him through some of the tougher situations in his life. Very touching story. Ultimately very rewarding for both sides; Pat recommends everyone to consider mentoring a young person.
Next week: Changing of the guard - Ron to Bill.
Respectfully Submitted, Stowe Talbot
Flag salute and invocation by John Sleeth
Guests: Tom Grinstad, Bud Teff, Al Pemberton, Tim Carpenter, Ann Caldwell, Lydia Stone, Ken Logge, Drew Bosman.
Announcements:
Some members have not yet paid their IOU's from the Pure Water Support Brunch. Please make checks to Bellingham Bay Rotary.
Please log into the Website and update your "member profile" if you have not already done so. If you forget your name and password, you can hit a button that will send them to your Email address. Or, just call Stowe at 733-1640.
Orphalee would like to request ideas from the club for speakers and programs.
Grape & Gourmet needs volunteers; every member should pitch in and help with this event. Sign up sheets located near the door.
Bucks in the Bay
John Templeton - Kauai for 10 days;
Dan Moore - Maui for 10 days;
Chuck Walters - North Carolina to see US Open and brother;
Jerry Simmons - For missed meetings, and last kid now out of High School!
Julie Guy - back surgery went well at St Josephs;
Art Runestrand - 30 grandkids;
Lance Calloway - Baker Blast soccer tournament this coming weekend;
Stan Dyer - Joel Hile will be resigning from club due to wife's illness, Stan will temporarily take membership responsibility - meet next week;
John Sleeth - Thanks to Brook Manufacturing for tour last week;
Robin Schmidt - successes at Boys and Girls Club;
Ed Hanley - Thanks Bob Moles for Support Brunch, and for Interact successes (Timmy's poem);
Tonja Myers - Please come to the Strawberry Shortcake Festival Thursday 3-6pm to benefit St. Francis Extended Care - will have free local strawberry shortcakes, lots of giveaways, live music, and fun activities for the kids.
Brent Walker - Thanks for the tour at Brooks;
Curt Smith - over 5K signatures for fluoridation campaign, will be on ballot;
Mimi - Can leave $ on table as thanks for lunch, will go to Foundation;
Jim Wells - for Art's ability to remember all 30 of his grandkids' names.
Sergeant at Arms: Patti Imhof
Fathers Day fines, those who have ridden a Harley, short pants, Mimi's Costa Rica trip, Mike Kirkland, Frank Zurline, Ed Zech, John Barron, friends of Fred Haskell.
Program: Barry Kramer introduced Linda Ballasy (Director) and Pat Mahony (volunteer) of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Whatcom County. Linda first thanked the club for all our past support and for inviting her to talk to the club. She told the story of Angela, a girl who she mentored for several years (the kids are called "littles" and the adult mentors are called "bigs"). BBBS is an organization that organizes mentoring relationships for children who need and want them. Today, BBBS serves over 200,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in 5,000 communities across all 50 states. Research has demonstrated that BBBS mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face:
-46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs;
-27% less likely to begin using alcohol;
-52% less likely to skip school;
---37% less likely to skip class;
-More confident in their schoolwork performance;
-Able to get along better with their families;
-Able to see a side of life they would never otherwise see (going to their mentor's work, going camping, etc.).
Whatcom County has up to 6,000 youth that could benefit from the services of BBBS, and there are currently 100 kids (mostly boys) who are on the waiting list. Besides the regular program, there is a more limited program called "School Buddies" where mentors meet their "littles" for only one hour per week.
Pat Mahony talked about his experience as a mentor. He is a retired hospital administrator, a father of 4 grown kids and a grandfather. He talked his decision to start volunteering for BBBS, the rigorous application process, home inspection, psychological test, etc. He told the story of being assigned a little brother (Derek) who had a history of male abandonment, with no male role model. Derek slowly opens up to Pat, and allows Pat to help him through some of the tougher situations in his life. Very touching story. Ultimately very rewarding for both sides; Pat recommends everyone to consider mentoring a young person.
Next week: Changing of the guard - Ron to Bill.
Respectfully Submitted, Stowe Talbot