Tattler Newsletter June 7, 2021 (Jun 07, 2021)

WEEKLY TATTLER PHOTOS

Bellingham Rotaract President Reece Carpenter and contact information

June 7, 2021 52nd VIRTUAL MEETING

Pre-Meeting Social Time:

Prior to the formal start of the meeting, Reece Carpenter gave a 10-minute presentation about Rotaract, geared toward the invited scholarship students.

The Squalicum Jazz Band shared a digital recording of their musical arrangement and 9-foot-socially-distanced performance of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Opening Welcome:

Same old same old welcome by President Gary.

Club and Committee Announcements

President Goldfogel noted that the board meeting will begin at 3pm on Thursday instead of previously scheduled time.

John Dunne met the president of the Rotary Club of Nome, Drew McCann, while he was there on a birding trip. Drew gave him an RCOB banner and John has mailed him one of our banners.

Mike Plenkovich, chair of the Invocation Committee, requested 3-4 volunteers to join the Invocation Committee.

2021-2022 Rotary Year Planning

Peter Theisen is working on planning his 2021-2022 Rotary Year as President. Regarding committee planning, he has announced that he will keep all chairpersons and committee members in place for next year, unless a member requests a change. Contact Peter or Sandee if you would like to be added to additional committees or want to make a change.

John Dunne announced that Major Projects applications may continue to be submitted though the end of June.

Ongoing Announcements:

Blood Drive:

Steve Ban reminds us that when we donate blood, they are still testing for and informing the donor whether or not he/she has Covid antibodies. He also reported that our blood drive will be open for the entire Rotary year, until June 30, 2021. We are participating, along with the other clubs in our Area G, in a District 5050 challenge against the other District Areas. He is encouraging friends and relatives to join in. Those who can't donate blood can donate plasma. Currently, the W. Bakerview office is the only donation location open in Whatcom County. Click Here for additional information. The minimum age for donating blood is 16 and those 16 and 17 would need parent’s permission to participate. Rumor has it that you can score a Bloodworks pair of socks for donating! You may schedule your donation appointment on the flyer in the above link or you can make an appointment by phone. In either case, when you are donating, please tell them that you are donating on behalf of RCOB.

Meeting Virtually

All Rotary meetings will be held Virtually on Zoom until further notice due to Covid-19 social distancing. You can look for an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting (you can start logging in at 12:00 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy protected meeting. If you have not done so, please download the Zoom app on your computer (you need a camera and microphone on it), iPad or phone. There is no cost to you. If you do not have either, you can also call in. On the invitation, there are US phone numbers you can call and enter the meeting ID number also indicated on the invitation.

HERE ARE NEW ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS

RCOB has now set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Happy Bucks, Minister of Fun, Dues or donations to the club. Our account is @RCOB-Bellingham. If you do not have a Venmo account you can set up an account with your computer then download the app. on your phone (just Google "Venmo" and you will find all the information you need) You then attach it to a debit or credit card (a fee on your end) or attach to your checking account at no cost. Payment will be sent directly to the RCOB checking account. When you use it for the first time it may ask you the last 4 digits of the RCOB phone number which is 0282. Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532

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Website and Phone App instructions:

Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) In order to login you need to know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Yourfirstname.Lastname.264 unless you have changed it. Example: Sandra.Lindhout.264 The password is initially set by Clubrunner at 264 unless you have changed it. Sandee can see your Username from my computer but not the password. She can also change your password for you from her computer at your request if you run into problems.

Once you have originally created your User Name and Password you can download the ClubRunner Mobile app on your phone:

iphones https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/clubrunner/id434696377?mt=8

Androids https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.doxess.clubrunnermobile

Here is a link for you to take a look at the app:

https://www.clubrunnersupport.com/article/1399-video-clubrunner-mobile-app-for-clubs-district

Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.

Guests:

Dale Rings and Chuck Snyder joined us from Arizona

Jodi Borrelli and Michael Mallory also joined us.

Mauri Ingram introduced Rachel Myers, Whatcom Community Foundation Philanthropic Service & Program Director

Felicity Dye introduced Reece Carpenter, President of the Bellingham Rotaract chapter.

Student Scholarship recipients' guests are listed in the program information.

In addition to the scholarship students and their parents, we were joined by former exchange students Carla Serrat from Spain, Rumbi Machiridza from Zimbabwe, and Emma Starke from Germany. An outgoing exchange student, Ivy Burt, attended the meeting and talked about her current adventures. Thanks to Jennifer Moehl who provided introductions for all these students.

Program:

RCOB Foundation:

As a prelude to the scholarship awards, Susie Thomson gave an overview of the various scholarships we provide through the RCOB Foundation. She also recognized Foundation Board members, Teri Treat and Dennis Williams (President) for their efforts on the foundation board.

About the Foundation:

•The Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation (the Foundation) was established in 1998 as an approved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.

•The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a secure, permanent fund into which the Rotary Club of Bellingham, it’s members, and others can contribute funds on a tax-deductible basis for service in the community, nation, and/or world.

•Founding Board Members: J. Bruce Smith, Ken Culver, Charles Self, Cleary Cone, David C. Morse, and Tommy Thomson.

•Current Board Members: Dennis Williams, DC Morse, Jr., David Blair, Mauri Ingram, Chuck Snyder, Teri Treat, and Susie Thomson.

Fund Balances as of March 31, 2021

•Scholarship Endowment Fund $ 1,019,453

•Named Scholarship Funds 667,086

•General Endowment Fund 2,920

•General Operating Fund 13,773

•Undesignated 5,001

•Designated Club Dues 44,019

Total Fund Balances $ 1,752,252

Ways you can give to the Foundation:

•Write a check!

•Designate your Happy Bucks

•Designate your IRA Required Minimum Distribution

•Create a Named Fund

•Leave a Legacy- Beneficiary of your life insurance, or estate

Scholarship Awards

Some funds given by RCOB are held in institutional foundations and administered by those foundations. (generally, $1,500 each)

Administered by WWU

This is an RCOB Endowment supporting a WWU Scholarship. This scholarship was given this year to Nichole Adams who was unable to attend today.

Administered by WCC

This is an RCOB Endowment supporting a WCC Scholarship. This year’s recipient, Kate McNutt, was unable to attend this meeting but sent a letter expressing her gratitude for the scholarship. She noted that she has been in the Running Start program, working toward a transfer degree, with hopes for a career in pediatric physical therapy.

Other Scholarship funds are held in the Foundation and administered by the schools and RCOB Scholarship Committee:

Students Attending Bellingham Technical College

RCOB Endowment

The recipient is Ryan Chapman, an older returning student with a family. He is working toward a career in business management and is very grateful for the scholarship support.

Billee & Herb Ershig Scholarship

There were four recipients of this $7,500 scholarship: Jacob Barton, Kathryn Martin, Ricky Hamilton, and Holly Oroma. Holly alone was able to attend. She will soon graduate from the BTC surgery technician program and already has a job as a surgery tech at St. Joe’s. As an older returning student, she is very grateful for the support.

David C. Morse Memorial Scholarship

These $1500 scholarships were given this year to Everett Simpson, Alexander Martina, and Nikolas Budden, all of whom were unable to attend today’s meeting, and Patric Neeval, who attended and is in his first year at BTC in the machinery program. Patric noted his appreciation for his aunt’s support and his aspiration to work in the construction industry.

Douglas Blair Memorial Scholarship – $2,500

This $2500 scholarship was given to Callistra Johnson who was unable to attend today’s meeting.

Funds contributed by RCOB and administered in part by Whatcom Community Foundation/Dollars for Scholars:

Phil Millard Memorial Athletic Scholarship

This $4,000 scholarship will be given to each of these students:

Sage Jacobs from Bellingham High School will be attending UW. He expressed his gratitude for the scholarship. Dad, Jeff Jacobs, joined us also.
Keller Morrison from Sehome High School will be attending Brown University, hoping to major in engineering and sailing, presumably with equal passion. Mom Sonya Morison also joined us.
Riley Knies from Bellingham High School will be attending Gonzaga University, majoring in electrical engineering. His Dad, John Knies, joined us also.
Abigail Sorensen of Bellingham High School joined us but had to leave before we interviewed her.

Also receiving the scholarship but unable to attend the meeting today were:

Jenny Choi of Squalicum High School
Naomi Wallin of Sehome High School had to work

Michael Mischaikow Scholarship

Jasjot Sanghera of Ferndale High School will be receiving this $2000 scholarship but was unable to attend today’s meeting.

Specific RCOB Foundation Onetime Awards of $2,500 were given as follows:

Most Improved Student awards went to:

Matthew Cochran of Blaine High School. He expressed his gratitude for the scholarship support
Liam Hanenburg of Lynden High School who will be attending NW Nazarene College, majoring in engineering, and continuing to play basketball. Mom, Debra Hanenburg also joined us.
Hailey Wilson of Blaine High School who was unable to attend today’s meeting

Awards for Vocational Excellence were given.

Present to be recognized today were:

Jake Hawkins of Ferndale High School who will be attending BTC in the automotive repair technician program.
Joseph Andrukhov of Ferndale High School. Joseph has been attending the Running Start program and will enroll in the ventilation control program at BTC. He hopes to remain in Whatcom County and perhaps work at the refinery.
Not able to attend today was Ashlyn Pixley of Blaine High School.

Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards went to:

Claire Skaggs of Meridian High School who will be attending St. Martin’s College in Olympia, studying engineering. Her Mom, Becky, also joined us.
Christopher Laan of Squalicum High School noted that both of his grandfathers have been active in Rotary. He will be attending Stanford University and is considering an engineering major. He noted that his older brother, who is currently enrolled at Stanford, and his mother, who is a musician, have been major influences in his life.

The Best Overall Student Awards were given to:

Phoebe McNair-Luxon of Bellingham High School has been an avid learner and is very interested in nature. She will be attending University of British Columbia, majoring in biology. She was also joined by Mom Fiona McNutt and Dad Matt Luxon.
Tyrel Duckworth of Ferndale High School expressed his gratitude for the scholarship. He will be attending UW, possibly majoring in pre-law and/or Spanish. He is interested in studying abroad in an immersion program. Tyler was joined by his Mom, Roxanne Rose and grandparents Linda and Ken Rose. Ken is a former Rotarian and President of his club.

Congratulations to all these recipients!

(Needless to say, but I will anyway, these young people deserve recognition and support. They will be the change-makers in our future.)

Covid Report:

Dr. Gary Goldfogel gave a discouraging Covid 19 report. There are currently 30 patients in the hospital with Covid 19 infections: 10 in the ICU and 2 of those in very serious condition. No recent deaths from the virus have occurred in the hospital. None of these patients had been previously vaccinated as was erroneously reported to Gary earlier.

Program Recordings: We are now recording the speaker portion of our meetings:

Missed a meeting? Remember a great speaker but want to revisit the content? You can catch the recording on our Rotary Club of Bellingham YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkSRi4SDEqCP7o8U0-5V_Tw/featured

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June Rotary Anniversaries - Thank you!

Bob Diehl Member Since 1965	Mike Plenkovich Member Since 1986	Fred Kaiser Member Since 1987	Bob Sytsma Member Since 1988
Tim Farris Member Since 1998	Ken Marzocco Member Since 1999	Rob Westford Member Since 2005	Steve Gray Member Since 2014
Rick Kaiser Member Since 2014	Chris Lyddan Member Since 2015	Jen Moehl Member Since 2017