President Teri rang the meeting to order and Don Anderson led the singing with a rousing version of the National Anthem (with everyone standing or at attention). Andy Day provided the invocation and made an appeal for World Polio Day and encouraged members to donate.
Announcements: President Teri made several announcements:
She reminded club members of the Wine Social at the Mt. Baker Theater Encore Room on October 29th from 5:00-7:00. This exciting event follows the Simon & Garfunkel performance that starts at 3 pm. Please RSVP to Debbie Ahl with the number of guests and whether you are bringing a bottle of wine or appetizer. Those attending the show prior to the Wine Tasting event can bring the appetizers early for refrigeration and they also need additional appetizers.
Also coming up is the Rise Against Hunger food packaging project at the St. Luke’s Health Education Center on November 5th from 9-4. Contact Lisa Saar if you have any questions.The goal is to package 75,000 meals. If you wish to contribute, checks made out to Rise Against Hunger may be sent to Lisa Saar. Click Here to Donate and Register to participate or go to our website home page.
Sandy McIntire is reminding members that grant proposals for the Service Fund are being accepted. Grants are typically made for $1,000. Proposals may be made by accessing the RCOB’s website home page and viewing the policy manual in About Our Club, Contact Us etc.......
A new member breakfast will be held Oct. 30 from 7:00 to 7:45 a.m. at the Bellwether Hotel. RCOB Foundation treasurer Susie Thomson will give an overview of the Foundation. Seasoned members are urged to attend, too. It counts as a makeup meeting. New members are required to attend five breakfast meetings (also known as Rotary indoctrination).
Jim Vos announced that sign-up sheets are now available for Bell Ringing on Dec. 16 and club members are encouraged to sign up early.
Guests of Rotarians:
Del VandeKerk introduced Eric Richey, Whatcom County Deputy Prosecutor
Dennis Williams brought his wife and sister of Dave Blair, Robin Williams
Dominique Zervas introduced Heather Shepard, Attorney with Shepard Abbott
Monty McAllister brought Rob Volkamer, a former Rotarian
Dewey Desler introduced Pete Kremen, a Paul Harris Fellow and former Rotarian
Yvonne Cartwright brought Whatcom County Council At Large candidate Mary Kay Robinson
Rub Browne introduced wife Sheila, Morgan Clarke and Michael Heatherly with Law Advocates and Page Henkel-Chance a volunteer.
Mauri Ingram introduced Rachel Myers and Alena Feeney
Presentations:
Rud Browne gave a presentation on the Re-Identify program to help individuals who have no stand-alone identification. Many of these individuals are homeless youth who lack the identification they need to find work, get a bank account, and carry out other normal but critical life activities. Homeless youth have trouble accessing replacement ID due to their isolation from parents, lack of money for fees, lack of any kind of records, and because it is a complex and confusing process. Approximately 200 people in Whatcom County need help getting their ID at a cost of about $150 each. Rud is hoping the Club will support the ACCESS ID program at Law Advocates with $30,000 to help up to 200 individuals obtain a stand-alone ID. Michael Heatherly, executive director of Law Advocates, reported that the ACCESS ID program has been going on since 2011. Just this past year, the program, carried out by volunteers, has helped 188 individuals obtain ID. Approximately 66% were homeless and 62% have a disability. 1,100 individuals have been served by ACCESS ID since its inception.
Program:
You knew something was happening Monday when the Northwood Hall was decorated with colorful balloons. It was the kickoff of our Major Project. And it is major!
Kathy Hughes, president of the RCOB Foundation, began the program with an overview of the foundation financials which are highlighted by net assets of approximately $1.1M with $900,000 of endowed funds. The Foundation was established in 1998 in order for members to be able to make tax deductible contributions to club sponsored projects. The Foundation funds several academic scholarship programs offered by the club each year. Rachel Meyers from the Whatcom Community Foundation spoke about the Dollars for Scholars program at the WCF. Since its inception, over 400 scholarship applications have been received and $1.2 million dollars awarded. The Rotary Club of Bellingham has supported the program since 2013 providing 50 scholarships and a total of $130,000. Rachel shared several stories reflecting the gratefulness of the recipients and their success at following their dreams through higher education. Dr. Greg Baker and Dr. DaleKinsley are heading up the Rotary Centennial goal of adding $400,000 to our scholarship fund. A minimum of $1,000 per member is the suggested donation. D.C. Morse and Tim Farris will lead the major donor outreach efforts of the campaign and will reach out to several members to consider a $50,000 contribution in order to reach the Centennial goal
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