Soundings (9/20/05)
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Announcements:
*Grape & Gourmet: Tomorrow (Wednesday) all committee chairs meet (at Bellwether at 5:30 PM). Barry reports that 15 wineries signed up so far. Jack Grant reports that 13 restaurants signed up, but we need 40! Scotty reports that 275 ticket still unsold.
*Tournament for the Children (This Thursday, Sept. 22, 11:30AM registration, 1pm start, $100 fee), we still need people to sign up to play! See sign up sheet on Website (homepage, lower right side) or call Todd.
*Guest Randy Carr announced upcoming fishing derby 7AM October 8th, proceeds to benefit LAW advocates.
*All club members should be signed up for at least one committee. Stowe needs volunteers to take notes for the Soundings, for example.
*Art Runestrand reported on the "Hands-On" Committee: He is considering a regular, monthly opportunity for us to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. It would be the last Saturday every month, 8:30AM - 4:40 PM. Deming this weekend.
Bellingham Club: Drew Schmidt, Bob Truner and Nancy Bitting.
Whatcom North: Mel Hollinger, Jack Curnon and Randy Carr.
Also, Phil Gibbons and Justin Palmerton.
Flag Salute and Invocation by Barry Kramer.
Bucks in the Bay
Orphalee - 2 clients passed away, but had received wonderful treatment from St. Francis Extended Care and Hospice;
Ron Hardesty - Viking night, son on the board of Dispute Resolution Center - fundraiser tomorrow at WWU Arneson Hall, $12, featuring slam poet and Jack McCarthy;
Curt Smith - travels in Southwest, birth of 9th grandchild, a boy;
Patti - Hilltop Cafe, daughter Ashley's jewelry line for sale at Gary's;
Brad Cornwell - thankful bucks for someone's kidney operation (?);
Steve Kimberly - no traveling (?);
Steve Brummel - $140,000 raised at Viking Night;
Gordon Plume - NYC weekend with relatives for a birthday, daughter announced engagement;
Mike Kirkland - a sailor but not a fisherman;
Dick Stark - daughter's wedding at Sudden Valley, great music by the Wire Cutters; Gerald Baron - daughter is the model on Gary's postcard/mailer;
Steve Snodgrass - missed meetings and walk for ALS;
Marjorie Brown - bad golfer, go Ducks;
Sarah Rothenbuhler - Thursday will be Birch Equip's open house;
Bill Unrein - lipstick for Gerald.
SAA by Frank Chmelik
Barry, John Templeton, dentists Curt and Steve, Steve Brummel and Barry again, Randy/Ron/Bob Tull, Bryant, Lance, and Byron.
Program
Orphalee introduced Ken Oplinger of the Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber was established in 1911, membership now has 750 businesses and orgs, 21 board members (directors) and 5 employees. Each month they handle over 2,000 calls, 1,000 mailers and relocation packs. It is a 501c3 not-for-profit business corporation. Historically, Chambers of Commerce were typically "town boosters", although in recent years its role has expanded to include broader economic issues, as an advocate for economic development. Also networking opportunities (monthly breakfasts), promoting the community (conjunction conjuntion with John Cooper's "Tourism Bureau"), and an advocate of business with the government. How is it financed? Membership covers 40-50%, also earn money from workshops, seminars, sale of publications, fundraisers, Ski-to-Sea, and other events. Dues? Typically these are based on size on member business/organization, but the Chamber has gone to a new system based on 5 levels of service depending on what the member wants. Individuals pay $150/yr. Health coverage used to be offered but no more. Olympics 2010: John Cooper is the lead, but Chamber will help with issues like helping locate businesses here, pushing to ease border crossing hassles, urging the US to complete the new Blaine crossing in time. Chamber's biggest success this year has been in marketing itself - awareness - to the greater Bellingham community.
Respectfully submitted, Stowe Talbot