Soundings (11/27/12)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot 
on Nov 27, 2012
 
 

Flag Salute & Invocation by Tim McEvoy 

Visiting Rotarians: None 

Guests: Remy Talbot, Mike Cohen (Bellingham Food Bank) 

Student of the Month: Emily Head (parents Gregory & Dawn). Steve Wiley, student counselor at Squalicum HS, said Emily came to Squalicum her sophomore year from Chicago. This year, 4 out of 6 of her classes are AP level, and she is also the editor of the school yearbook. Some of her volunteering has involved coaching and tutoring younger kids. Her volunteering has heightened her awareness of community needs. She said she may go into biz school or entrepreneurship of some kind. Emily thanked our club for recognizing her and the other SOM winners. 

Mike Cohen from the Bellingham Food Bank thanked us for the enormous gift of turkeys that we gave to the food bank during Thanksgiving. 4200 people benefitted from the food bank during Thanksgiving. 

Announcements: 

Dennis announced the proposed 2013-14 slate of board officers/directors (currently these are nominees only): 

  • President elect nominee: Bob Moles 
  • VP / Program Chair: Bill Geyer 
  • Secretary: Stowe Talbot 
  • Treasurer: Orphalee Smith 
  • Director for two years: Dannon Traxler. 

Also, Dennis is proposing an amendment to the bylaws (Article 3), which we will vote on in two weeks at the Annual Meeting. See separate Email sent earlier today. 

 

Bucks in the Bay 

  • Terry Brown for successful Cougar football season;  
  • Phil X for Thanksgiving on Orcas Island "off the grid"; 
  • Steve Spitzer spent Thanksgiving on Lopez Island, will miss Rotary in December lots of travel, 36th wedding anniversary; 
  • Barry back from 4 missed meetings while in AZ; 
  • Scotty with bucks for retirement from Northwestern Mutual, enjoyed his career but looking forward to retirement;  
  • Donna Edquist exhausted working at Hospice auction, which raised $240K! Lots of Rotarians there;  
  • Lisa Schork for missed meetings, doing a lot of patient advocacy, went to West Palm Beach FL VA Hospital for father and was just amazed at the quality of service there; 
  • Mike Kirkland with kudos for Steve Wiley and his work at Squalicum HS; 
  • Steve for Apple Cup; 
  • Tim Krell played a good hockey game, and so far this season has actually skied more than Bryant E;  
  • Dr. Curt Smith just moved into his new house, boxes everywhere, issues with the new house, an awful sports weekend;  
  • Kendall Pickerill (Hotel Bellwether) for food bank, was an interact program chair in HS (Bainbridge Island), went to RYLA; 
  • Eddie Hansen took family to Sun Peaks for Thanksgiving. 

Sergeant at Arms by Eddie Hansen 

Program Steve Swan introduced Bruce Shepard, president of WWU. Steve said he is really proud to work under Bruce, who is a great leader. 

Bruce said an important part of the job success as a college president is to step outside comfort. Colleges have gone from being considered "a place for teaching" to "a place for learning" (i.e. focus on the student). Problems with state support for education (50% less funding in last four years) 

One of the things that worries him and many educators: The US is unusual in that among the developed and developed countries of the world, we are the only country with a projected decline in the level of education and standard of living - unless American's aspirations change. Over the past decade, there has been a great focus on keeping costs down at universities. 

Steve B wins the raffle. 

Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot