Soundings (9/16/14)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot 
on Sep 17, 2014
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Barry Kramer
 
Visiting Rotarians: None
 
Guests:  Byant’s daughter Autumn, Tonja’s guests heidi Bugby (Director of childcare at St Francis) and Trish Lewis (???), Mimi’s guest Mike Bozak.
 
Fellowship events update by Eddie.
 
See committee assignments, we’ll have a club assembly late in September.
 
Tonja says 6 spots still available for the fellowship event January 20th at MBT:  Rain (live tribute Beatles tribute band).  Six spots available.
 
We are canceling three (3) winter meetings:  No meeting the week of Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas, and the week of New Years.
 
This Saturday is Rotary Leadership Institute classes in Mount Vernon, 8am - 3pm.  Various topics to choose from throughout the day, call Bill Geyer if you are interested.
 
Short program:
Bill Gorman talked about Rotary Leadership Institutes. Details see www.rotary5050.org 
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Dean Fulton set goals to lose 20 lbs, and run the 15K in under 7 minute miles: Done and done!
  • Tonja wants us all come see her at Sound of Music production (http://www.clairevgtheatre.com)
  • Mimi Ferlin is fighting the Chuckanut Parks District;
  • Glenn Groenig, a home refinance, 48th wedding anniversary (three magic words “let’s eat out!”), and a birthday;
  • Jill Reid missed meetings;
  • Rod Bring missed meetings, bought rental house in Denver for daughter and son in law, business changes;
  • Steve Kimberly planning to GAIN 20 lbs in France;
  • Bill Boyd 55th birthday, daughter accepted in “study abroad” program in Italy and needs money!
  • Art Runestrand with inspirational words;
  • Bill Geyer granddaughter first birthday;
 
Sergeant at Arms by Barry Kramer
Fines for requests for $, Clubrunner non-users, Mike Bates first class airfare, Eddie Hansen, this date in history:  1940 the draft started, 1974 amnesty for draft dodgers, 1893 OK land rush, 1630 Shamut is now called Boston, 1987 Montreal protocol.
 
Program
Bill Geyer introduced our own Bill Gorman, past-pres, chairman of our BBRC Foundation AND District 5050 Assistant Governor.  Bill talked about the Youth Engagement in Service (YES) program.
 
The YES program was established by the Rotary Club of Burlington in 2007 to provide unique leadership and service opportunities to 11th grade students.  YES now offers the the program for students in the District 5050 region.  YES provides students with an opportunity to participate in an international, hands-on service project, as well as engages students with volunteer and humanitarian service locally.  Participants are required to complete a minimum of 80 hours of local community service to be able to take part in the international project.  For those students already very involved in school, church and community groups, that counts towards their volunteer hours.  Currently, the international projects are in Guatemala.
 
Bill recounted his YES trip to Guatemala (with six students and one other chaperone) this past June, which took place at Casa Opalo near Lake Atitlan.  Casa Opalo started by Dr. Will and Diane Boegel in 2007.  The property is 59 acres with a school, chapel, and new avocado tree grove.  Like other YES groups, Bill’s group provided school supplies, delivered water filters (28), poured the foundation for a refuge house, planted avocado trees and installed water irrigation pipes.  Visited a Montessori school and several homes.  They finished with an historical tour in the town of Antigua.
 
See more info and application at yes5050.org.  The other Whatcom clubs may apply for a few spots for the next trip in June  2015. 
 
Stan wins the raffle!
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot