President Del welcomed us to today's meeting, noting that Rotary International is celebrating Polio Day today. He also asked if any of us might recall what the #1 Novel was 50 years ago today (though we might not want to admit to reaching it)?..."Valley of the Dolls" was the #1 bestseller, on this day in 1966.
On a much more serious note, Julie Foster, a long-time member, passed away suddenly over the weekend; he will pass along any details he receives.
Announcements:
Important reminder: The Club Bylaws prohibit the use of our club roster and database information for any non-rotary solicitations.
Please help with Donations! The Stop Hunger Now meal-packaging project will occur on November 19, 2016 at the St. Luke’s Community Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, beginning at 9:00. The goal is to pack 100,000 meals. Members may donate or volunteer by going to http://events.stophungernow.org/BellinghamNov2016.Please contact Lisa Saar with any questions at lisa.saar@lsaarlaw.com.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing Saturday, December 17th report from Jim Vos:
We have begun setting out requests for volunteers, on the table at all weekly meeting for the next 5 weeks. We are in need of 40 people to stand in pairs for a two-hour shift between the hours of 9-5, on Saturday December 17th. As in the past we have four locations: Haggen stores at Meridian and Barkley Village, Kmart, and Fred Meyer on Lakeway.
Ever wonder if our efforts are worth it? People walking into these businesses recognize us as leaders in the community and, as such, we have noticed that they don’t just give, but seem to be extra generous.
Last year we collected; $502.00 @ Haggen Meridian, $1,540.00 @ Haggen Barkley Village, $1,323.00 @ Fred Meyer and a winning $1,632 @ Kmart.
That’s a whopping total of $4,997 for a committee with $0.00 dollars in their budget AND IT ALL STAYS IN THE COMMUNITY.
Members are reminded that the Club is seeking Major Project proposals for next year. Proposals are due by November 15th this year and the committee will conduct interviews with the applicants in January. Since this is the Club’s centennial year, we are seeking projects that will make a significant impact in our community. Major Project criteria and application procedures are available on the website and at the meetings or Click Here If members have questions, contact Peter Theisen, John Griggs, or Sandee Lindhout.
For this year's Major Project, supporting Lydia Place, President Del reminded us all to get our pledges in. Currently, we have 41% of Club members committed to a donation.
Rotation Day Chairperson Lori Leavitt reports that if anyone who wants to participate in Rotation Day from 12pm to 1:30pm on Nov 21 and has not let her know, they can look for her last email sent Oct 11 or email her directly (She's in the Directory: lori@lorimicheleleavitt.com) or text 360 303 4617 or call that # or her office 360 734 5580 and leave a message.
District 5050 Foundation Dinner is November 12th in Mount Vernon, at McIntyre Hall. Go to the District website, from our own website, for additional details and registration. PLEASE NOTIFY PRESIDENT DEL IF YOU HAVE REGISTERED AS HE WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE ONE TABLE.
Membership Reminder: President Del asked members to fill out forms on the table and name 3-to-5 people you know who would make great Rotarians. Additional forms are available from Sandee or you can email Dominique Zervas with names.
Guests of Rotarians:
President Del introduced Lindagene Coyle Rotarian from White Rock Peninsula Rotary Club and 2017-2018 District Governor Elect.
Monty McAllister brought Michelle Kuss Cybula, Principal of Sehome High School
Ron Jepson introduced Ron Janicki
Presentations:
Paul Harris Awards:
President Del was proud to announce the following recipients of the Paul Harris Award:
1st: Lisa Saar
Plus 1: Rud Browne and John Macpherson
Plus 3: Bob Diehl
Social Media Day - presented by Yvonne Cartwright and Robin Halliday
All Rotarians were encouraged to get their smart phones out for a primer on using Social Media to further the current year’s Major Project for Lydia’s House. We were walked through the steps to” like” and “share” the RCOB Facebook page. Success! Quickly, the "shares" reached 22. If each of those who shared had 150 friends, we reached 3300 people in the few moments spent during the meeting.
INTERNET CONNECTION & FACEBOOK INSTRUCTIONS
1.Connect to Wi-Fi: ability to do so is in the phones' "settings", which is not an application, but a utility.
2. When you find your Wi-Fi setting, select it. You will now be connected to the internet.
3. Open your Facebook page app on your phone (and skip 4. below). If you do not have Facebook, find the App Store icon on your screen, and open it. Search for the application "Facebook". Download it.
4. Create a FB page of your own. This requires a username (can use your own name) and a password (something easy for you to remember).
5. When you log into your FB account, find the "search" bar at the top of the screen. Type in "Rotary Club of Bellingham".
6. When you get to the Club's page, "like" it (Thumbs up icon). You now will receive all Club FB posts on your own FB page.
7. Log onto your FB page every week. When you see Club posts, "like" them, and "share" them.
Program:
Erin Uloth, the Chief US District Forest Ranger for our area, was introduced by Sandy McIntire. With an undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin - Madison, and a graduate degree in Ecology and Resource Management from the University of Michigan, Erin gave us insight into the inner workings of the Forest Service, which is celebrating 100 years of service. In 1916, the idea of Public Land was a radical concept. Pushed forward by Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt, the Forest Service's mission is “To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations”.. . In short their motto is “for the greatest good.”
The four big ideas that encapsulate this philosophy are:
Nature Matters: Nature is at the heart of this place we call home.
Nature Provides: 25% of the land in the Pacific Northwest is protected: land which provides recreation, clean air and water, fish, timber, jobs, and cultural connection to the land.
Being in Community: The Forest Service does its best work in collaboration with communities and the public, and the land benefits. Sustainable roads, outfitters and guides, trail work and, extensive youth engagement, and wild and scenic rivers programs are administered through various partnerships
Find the Greatest Good: This is the main driver behind all that the Forest Service does, and this goal is constantly being re-evaluated and questioned. The question of what this really means is elusive and it varies through time and space. There is a quote by Socrates that seems fitting: "there is no solution; seek it lovingly.”
Erin gave a wonderful account of the Forest Service's Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, consisting of 524,179 acres, 36% designated Wilderness, 8,700 acres in the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area, 158 miles of designated National Wild Scenic River, 822 miles of roads, hosting 2 million visitors each year. We are lucky to have such a knowledgeable, passionate and professional leader of this great organization.
Closing:
President Del thanked all who participated in the running of the meeting and reminded us to fill out our pledges, and complete the list of potential Rotarians. Meeting was adjourned at 1:30.
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