President Snyder opened the meeting noting the tragic shooting over the weekend resulting in lost lives and multiple injuries. He noted how challenged we all were with how to stop this type of violence and the multiple ways the media, politicians and others offered to stop this type of activity. He shared that he though of Rotary and its role of good works and good will locally, nationally, and internationally and that these works did have an impact of preventing some of this hatred and tragedy. We are all part of a solution.
The Invocation by Scott Hume also reference the weekend tragedy offering words of solace, thoughts and prayer for the victims.
The Minister of Fun,Rud Browne, offered a game of identify the local bird. This game inspired by those who were retired and had time to enjoy their coffee and watch the birds provided eight photos of local birds. Each table was supposed to identify, by full name a Spotted Sandpiper, Anna Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Stellar Jay, American Crow, Spotted Towhee, and Junco. President and Judge Chuck Snyder ruled on any disputes using a North American bird book as the authority. It was a fun if somewhat expensive activity.
Announcements:
There will be no meeting next week due to that annual boat cruise.
If you are interested in the cruise, you can get your name on the waitlist by contacting Marty Haines, as of right now the boats are full. This years cruise destination is DickTucker's cabin on Eliza Island. Those going should have been contacted by your skipper by now. If not let Sandee know and she will connect you with your skipper. Please send payment of $13 to Sandee at 2200 Vining St., Bellingham, Wa 98229 or bring the day of the event and give to Sandee.
Remember that the next meeting will include the changing of the guard on the 27th and spouses or significant others are invited to the celebration.
June 14, 2016 Board of Directors Briefs:
President Chuck reported that he just heard that a Rotoract Club has been formed in Whatcom County and further details will be forthcoming.
We also just received final approval of the Buffujja 1 International Service Project and are now able to proceed with Buffujja 2.
The 2016-2017 Budget Proposal was presented and approved as submitted.
Website Sponsorships: We are entering a new Rotary year and looking for website sponsors at www.bellinghamrotary.org for 1 year at a cost of $250.00. This helps defray the website costs. Go to the website and check out the current rotating sponsors. When you click on their business card it will take you to their personal business websites.
Membership: New Membership Proposal approved by the Classification Committee 6/6: Patrick Hughes proposed by Nathan Twining and Yvonne Cartwright to fill the classification “Non-Profit Consulting”. He was approved and if a letter of objection is not received by Sandra Lindhout, Exec. Sec., 2200 Vining St., Bellingham, Wa. 98229 on or before June 25, 2016 he will be eligible for membership.
Resignations from Bob Brunkow (transferring to Friday Harbor Rotary where he lives), Gregor Hodgson (moving to Seattle) and Dale Rings (moving to Arizona) were approved with great regret.
Leave of Absences approved:
Due to continued family illness his LOA John Harris’s leave has been extended until August 1, 2016
2. Doug Cole will be on another adventure from now until the end of September
Del VandeKerk: Service Fund Committee – The following requests for grants have been approved by the committee and request grants from the RCOB Foundation. They were approved by the Board.
South Whatcom Fire Authority - $1,000 for 2 KW 4 cycle generator – Sponsor Dale Rings. These funds will be used to purchase a generator for the mobile CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trailer with supplies and radios manned by CERT volunteers and ham radio operators to assist local services in emergencies in the area.
LAW Advocates - $1,000 for Kinship Custody Clinic which helps children remain with their extended family rather then enter into foster care. – Sponsor Dominique Zervas
Guest of Rotarians:
Dominique Zervas brought Bob Pritchett with Faithlife
Pam Kiesner introduced Katherine Freimand with Literacy Council
John Inglis brought Ted Atkins
Teri Treat introduced our speaker, Rob McCormack, COO - Erin Bakers' Wholesome Baked Goods
Out of town Rotarians:
Wendy Hiester, classification Oil & Gas from Houston Rotary Club
Program:
Teri Treat introduced Rob McCormack COO of Erin Baker’ s Wholesome Baked Goods. This local company was founded in 1994. Rob, originally from Bellingham, shared his career route through broadcast communications and a few notable food companies (Jones Soda and 5 hour Energy) to the best breakfast cookie and granola maker in the country right here in Bellingham. This company started when natural healthy foods were trendy; now they are a standard. Erin Baker’s company is dedicated to consistent, tasty food made with the finest ingredients. The company carefully selects only those suppliers who grow natural foods and adhere to sustainable practices. They give back to the community, giving away more than 10,000 breakfast cookies a month across Washington to Boys and Girls Clubs. And they value their employees feeling that “happy employees make great granola and breakfast cookies”. Their granola is Non-GMO project verified and they expect by the end of the summer that their cookies will be Non-GMO project verified. Their distribution areas are the Northwest, Midwest and Southwest. The shelf life of the cookies is five months and the granola is one year. None of the products contain a preservative but the prune ingredient provides the sugar content and acts as a natural preservative. Some statistics of Erin Baker’s Wholesome Bakes goods include that they produce 60,000 cookies a day, operate in a 30,000 square foot facility, and estimate that they make enough chocolate annual to form a true-to-size space needle. At their Ohio Street plant they also operate a retail store which was attested as a great place for coffee, scones, cookies and granola by Bob Diehl. This reporter stopped by after the meeting and was the second Rotarian there buying yummy products.
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