Posted by G. Stowe Talbot on Feb 27, 2018
Flag Salute & Invocation by Christine Palmerton
 
Visiting Rotarians: None
 
Guests: John Bosch, Bill Ziels
 
Announcements
 
President Curtis with birthdays and Rotary anniversaries.  
 
RYLA (end of May, 60 spaces for young people 18-23 years), registration is open. www.ryla5050.org
 
BBRC Networking Lunch (Third Thursday on March 15th at noon at Hearthfire).
 
Luck of the Irish Game Night (fundraiser for Youth Engaged in Service - YES - meet the outgoing student participants and raise money for the team’s projects in La Laguna, Honduras) $50 ticket, March 3, 6-9pm at Burlington Community Center. Contact Suzanne Radenkovic for tickets (360-755-1424).
 
Monday Rotary Club’s fundraiser “Vegas Night”, Friday night March 2nd 6-10pm, $100/ticket, at Mount Baker Theatre.
 
Our March 27th meeting will be a tour of the renovated Carver Gym! Please let Brad know if you are coming so we can order enough box lunches! (brad.c@rmcarchitects.com)
 
Our March 6th lunch meeting will be a follow-up to the discussion on BBRC strategic planning and fundraisers.
 
Volunteer opportunity for NSEA on Saturday March 3 (9am-12pm). NSEA is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to improve salmon habitat along Baker Creek. Join us as we remove invasive vegetation and plant native trees and shrubs. All ages welcome! We'll provide the tools and gloves. Parking available at Unity Church of Bellingham (1095 Telegraph Rd.). http://www.n-sea.org/work-parties 
 
Fellowship event on March 10th dinner (venue TBD) and show at Mt Baker Theatre (“Gobsmacked”, see http://gobsmackedtheshow.com), please let Eric Chambers know if you would like to join the group for dinner.
 
Student of the Month for February is McKayla Buckley, a senior at Squalicum.  McKayla is an outstanding student who has taken many AP and honor-level classes, is the founder of the school’s Environmental Club, a lead mentor in the Mentor Program, the current President of the Interact Club, is a drum major, and participates in many sports and volunteer projects such as Habitat for Humanity, NSEA, and Animals as Natural Therapy.  Gabe Meyer is her Advisor and Councilor at Squalicum HS. 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Doug Wight proud of his artist son, who is just back from FL with a big commission there;
  • John Purdie went to Monday club yesterday where daughter Marina was student of the month!
  • Jim Logghe friends from Chehelis (high school) were up here for a basketball game against Lynden;
  • Steve Swan was in Charlotteville, VI to see Virginia college basketball game (#1 rated team is US) and got to hang out with their famous coach, Tony Bennett;
  • Dr. Curtis Smith turned 83 years old!
  • Mike Tilley missed meetings;
  • Tim Krell daughter on Bham HS dance team, hard work, their team won an award, and visit to Great Wolf Lodge;
  • Pete Rittmueller wedding anniversary and recollections from 45 years ago;
  • Jeff Clement late today to chase down a delinquent client;
Sergeant at Arms by Flo
Another funny Maxine story.
 
Program
Brad introduced Bill Ziels, a lifelong Bellinghamster and current Director of the Whatcom County YMCA. He attended BHS and WSU, worked at Haggen Corporate for 25 years, a few years at Brown & Cole, and is now at YMCA, almost by accident - three years now as director.  Bill’s message is that the Y is more than just a health club in downtown Bellingham.
 
The Whatcom YMCA was founded in 1890 in Bellingham, moved in 1942 into the current building.  Also has small facilities in Ferndale and Lynden, plus two early learning centers (Downtown and Barkley). 387 full and part-time staff.
Twelve volunteer board members.
Revenues of $6.6M/year, mostly coming from program fees and memberships.
The Y is focussed on meeting the needs of the underserved and financially challenged populations of Whatcom County.
14,000 members served countywide.
Volunteers are a big part of the effort.
The three big strategic initiatives:
  1. Youth development
  2. Healthy Living
  3. Social development  
The board is focussed on strategically investing in all their facilities, and may someday consider a new facility.
Elevate focus to areas outside of Bellingham proper.
Chronic Disease prevention programs.
 
The old downtown building in actually in good shape, but parking is big issue, it has some challenges being accessible to seniors, and it is simply short on space. But there is also a feeling to keep this facility for the long term.
 
 
Inga wins the raffle!
 
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot