President Del VandeKerk advised us this is the 4,508th meeting of our Club, and closing in on our 100th anniversary. He also mentioned that on this day, in 1853, Olympia became the capital of the Washington Territory.
Announcements:
Hurry, Hurry! For this year's Major Project, supporting Lydia Place, President Del reminded us all to get our pledges in. Currently, we have 73% of Club members committed to a donation. The drawing for pledges in by December 5th will be next Monday.
Stop Hunger Now:
President Del reported that 54,000 meals were packed in about 3 hours with 104 workers, of which at least a third were our Club members. He thanked our members and Lisa Saar for heading up this very successful project.
Salvation Army Bell-Ringing is December 17th and Click Here for the schedule
Rotary Las Vegas Night is February 11, 2017 at the Mt. Baker Theatre. Nathan Twining reviewed the planning of the event and asked for members’ firms to sponsor various aspects of the evening’s activities. This event will fund our new International Student Exchange and contribute to the Service Fund. The event is described on the Club’s web site and the committee is meeting to finalize additional details which he will present soon. Save the date of February 11, 2017 to attend at the Mount Baker Theatre. You can now go to our website at bellinghamrotary.org home page to get more information. The committee distributed Sponsorship Forms for anyone interested in being a Sponsor. Click here to view.
Mauri Ingram and Katherine Deets, Co-Chairpersons of the New Generations & Youth Committee are asking members to take the survey below. Your input will help us create opportunities that best fit Club members' preferences in supporting the children and youth in our community.
Past President Chuck Snyder, Chairman of the Nominating Committee announced the following slate of officers for the 2017-2018 elections on December 12th. There were no nominations from the floor.
President: Teri Treat
President-Elect: Sandy McIntire
Vice President/Program Chair: Cathy Buckley
Treasurer: John Holtzheimer
Board of Directors: (vote for 2) Monty McAllister
Paula McCandlis
John Moffat
Bob Trunek
Guests of Rotarians:
Greg Grant introduced Hans Erchinger-Davis, new Exec. Dir. of Light House Mission
Jan Marchbanks and D. C. Morse brought Rachel Long, owner, Access Property Management
Students of the Month in Visual Arts:
Jan Marchbanksintroduced Rose Haskell from Bellingham High School
Megan Stanfield introduced Jesse Selch from Sehome High School, her mother Sheryl Selch and brother Eli Selch.
Dennis Williams introduced Curt Peila from Squalicum High School and his parents Steve and Karen Peila.
Presentations:
The honored "Students of the Month" were for achievements in the Visual Arts
Bellingham High School:
Autumn Rose Haskell was presented by host Jan Marchbanks. Rose reviewed her beginnings as a self taught artist and is now studying abstract painting at Bellingham High School with an art and faith emphasis.
Sehome High School:
Jesse Selch was introduced by host Megan Stanfield. His work is in various media including painting, sculpture, carving, and wood-burning, all of which he displayed.
Squalicum High School:
Curt Peila was presented by Dennis Williams. Curt's work ranges from photography and ceramics to robotics. He displayed his work.
Program:
Assistant District Governor Bill Gorman reviewed the Rotary International Foundation.
The Foundation was established in 1917 with an initial contribution of $28.56 at the Rotary Convention in Atlanta. The first grant was awarded to the Crippled Childrens Society in 1930. It has grown over the years to become one of the major foundations in the world with grants awarded all over the world. The Foundation has donated three billion dollars to date.
An excellent example of the Foundation’s work is the Polio Plus project undertaken as partners with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 1985 to eradicate polio worldwide. This year, there were only 32 new cases of polio and they expect no new cases in the world by 2018, an outstanding outcome for world health. We can all be proud of our Club’s participation over the years.
Bill reviewed various donation opportunities in 2017, the 100th anniversary of the Foundation. He encouraged us to attend the Foundation’s Centennial Banquet, the "Million Dollar Dinner" for District 5050 & 5040, on January 9, 2017 at Tsawwassen Springs in Delta, B.C.. Rotary International President John Germ will be the speaker, honoring those who have made contributions of $10,000 or more to the Foundation.
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