Soundings (10/1/13)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot 
on Oct 01, 2013
 

Flag Salute & Invocation by Glen Groenig

Visiting Rotarians:  None

Guests:  None

 

Announcements

Chuck Luttrell said G&G pre-event wine order list will be ready Friday.

Tresha said October is Vocational Service Month, she will do a presentation about it on  October 22!

October 15 will be the District Governor, please attend!

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Phil Flotation Hageman to Mariners game by train, never seen such rain!
  • Tim Krell hockey bucks, went to pre-season game in Vancouver!
  • Tonja returning to Rotary bucks, excited about theater season, daughter’s 10th birthday party, son was in The Producers at hBam High, and Tonja herself was selected to sing with the Whatcom Chamber Chorale this season;
  • Curt got wet just watching the Huskies game on TV, and his wife is recovering well, becoming more mobile every day;
  • Terry, like Tonja, is proud of her nephew the thespian, and proud that Highland Care Center was the only nursing home facility in Whatcom County to receive 5-stars from  medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/ !
  • John Sleeth said there are 16,000 Masons in Washington state, and he was one of 10 that received their highest award!
  • Jane Carten missed meeting bucks, traveling a lot, bet successfully against dad on team Oracle victory at America's Cup!
  • Bill Geyer happy bucks:  permit approval for a new building next to the Fairhaven Village Inn;
  • Kendall honored that she found out about Rotary through Stan Dyer at a G&G event a few years ago;
  • Glen Groenig went to high school reunion Eastern WA, probably should've stayed home!
  • Scotty recognized Mark Turner for his steady support with the Student of Month project.
 

Sergeant at Arms by Mark Turner

Fines for not sitting at front tables, owners of new iPhone 5s, and trivia on Whatcom County.

 

Program

Bill Geyer introduced Adoline (Addie) Brown, who has been in Bellingham since 1992 and is the regional manager at Chicago Title.
  • What is title insurance?   It is a form of indemnity which insures against financial loss from defects in title and real property and from the invalidity of mortgage liens.  The premium is paid only once, and only covers real financial loss.  
  • Historically, written titles and deeds only came into practice in 17th - 18th century.  1874 was the first title insurance.
  • Title companies also provide "escrow services".  What happens in escrow?  It is when an independent trusted third party receives and disburses money or documents for the transacting parties, the timing of which depends on the fulfillment of contractually agreed conditions.
  • Title companies are becoming more and more digital, less reliant on paper.
  • National lenders are making new demands for a standardized national rates schedule.
  • National lenders rely more on the credit-worthiness of the borrower, and less on the value of the property (particularly for refinances).
  • We are seeing a stricter regulatory environment for the title business, more scrutiny.
  • Consumer expectations are higher every year.
  • Title companies need more use of technology to survive.

Stan wins the raffle!

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Stowe Talbot