Soundings (7/28/09)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 

Flag Salute and Invocation by Rod Bring

Visiting Rotarians: Ray George (signs) and Jeanie McGee

Guests: John Jones, Rita Spitzer, Justin Palmerton

Announcements

Doug Wight announced the Hospice Pro-Am golf tournament fundraiser Sept 16-17.

Eddie reminded us crab feed this Thursday night 4-7pm, on Eddie's boat, right next to Bellingham Yacht Club.

Steve B said our Brewers event went AWESOME, special thanks to all the volunteer organizers!  Sarah, Donna, Dennis, Stowe, Zach, Patti, Mike Hammas and many others donated their services.  Zach still needs all those who haven't yet paid for their tix to PAY UP!

Tonja said please everyone sign up for at least one Committee Assignment (or else you will BE assigned a committee).  Sign up sheets are on the tables.  DO NOT send your preferences to Stowe; he has nothing to do with committee assignments, he just helped Tonja send her message.  Also, the Soundings and Website Committees are actually combined into one committee for those interested to help Stowe with that.  (And, on a different note:  Please everyone learn how to send Emails from the Website instead of asking Stowe to do it - it is actually VERY SIMPLE, just take a deep breath and give it a try.  If you get stuck, then give Stowe a call and he'll walk you through it).

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Tonja said the Brewers event went great, encouraged everyone to attend one of the three Shakespeare events she is involved with;
  • Bill Gorman gave bucks for Brewers, and also attended the opening dinner last week for new Whatcom Museum, also Bill serves on Bellingham's Parking Commission;
  • Tim Krell enjoyed serving beer at the event;
  • Denise worked at the grill with Frank - wow it was hot! And she help bust a fence-jumper!
  • Lance enjoyed pouring beer, sharing techniques with Scott Walker;
  • Harte enjoyed the Brewers event, also he just got back from climbing trip in the Alps;
  • Lynn Templeton loved the Brewers event, his son appreciated the opportunity to play music with his band there;
  • Anna thanked her fellow cooks at Brewers;
  • Sue Sharp had a check for our Rotary Foundation, husband had birthday on Sunday (Denise's husband's has a birthday then too);
  • Bryant E spent the week on Galliano Island in Canada and barely made it down to Brewers in time.  Although usually a wine-drinker, Bryant found a favorite beer (the Great White by the Lost Brewery);
  • Scott Walker said he pours beer better than Bill Gorman, also happy to be done with his business location move and excited about his big new showroom on Hannegan and Bakerview;

Sergeant at Arms by Barry Kramer
Fines for Scott Walker, Mike and Anna for not paying for Brewers tee-shirts (at least not immediately), Doug Wight, tie-wearers, women who don't sit at the front tables, Steve Brummel for being the only Rotarian not wearing the Brewers tee on Sunday, and fines for non-volunteers at Brewers.

Program
Anna introduced Mark Young, the Public Information Officer from the Bellingham Police Department, who is a grad of Indiana State U (classmate of Larry Bird and famous gymnast Curt Thomas), and has received a Medal of Honor for saving a life.

Mark talked about the police and the sometimes sticky relationship with the media.  Centralized PIO (Public Information Officer) is the best way to get the info, the correct and factual information, to the media.  Sometimes this is resented by the media who want direct access to the victims, witnesses, suspects and criminals.  But often the media will get in the way of securing the crime scene and the investigation. 

Words of wisdom for the PIO in dealing with the press:
-Never lie to the press and never say "no comment" (but you can say for example "we are not at liberty to discuss this now because of the ongoing investigation");
-Keep it simple in your message, just the facts;
-Know your subject and audience (which media source);
-Never withhold information without good reason;
-Remember your message;
-Keep your language simple;
-Keep the humor to a minimum (remain professional);
-Rehearse and practice.

Mark said the most challenging cases are when there is a death in family.  Mark said it has been great working with (our very own) Todd Ramsay as the chief (the Rotary audience was in stunned disbelief), and has enjoyed watch Todd's leadership skills grow over the years.

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot