President Sandy opened the meeting wearing another funny hat. Fortunately, his clues made it obvious as to the country where this hat is worn. Bob Morse, who was first to shout out the correct answer (Mexico) earned a reprieve from club fines for the day.
Rick Kaiser led us in the singing of God Bless America. Well, actually Kate Smith led us in a sing-along version of the 1918 Irving Berlin tune written in honor of our troops going off to war. While Kate sounded amazing on the video, our club members sounded a bit monotone (though proud) for the second time in two weeks.
Announcements:
HELP: It is time to sign-up to be a website sponsor for 1 year at a cost of $300.00 for a rotating ad on our home page. Your link takes people to your personal business website easily. There are 2 spots remaining. Contact Sandee Lindhout for more information.
Rotary Club seeking Major Project Proposals
The Rotary Club of Bellingham is seeking proposals for Major Projects for the coming year. The club has created a lasting impact in the community through major projects over the years, including Bellingham Food Bank, YWCA, Hospice House, BTC Fisheries Facility, Pickford Theater, Boys & Girls Club Kitchen, RCOB Foundation Scholarships, Lydia Place and many others. Over $1.2 million has been awarded to major projects in the last 10 years alone.
Club members are asked to provide Major Project Proposals now through August 17 for review by the Selection Committee. The basic criteria for Major Projects include:
Tax Exempt Organization
Capital Projects and Programing
Benefits Whatcom County (priority Bellingham)
Preference for Human Benefit, Youth-Focus
Hands-on Opportunities for Rotary Members
Public Recognition for Rotary
Ann Jones had a great thought, Could we do something about homelessness?
The 2nd Annual Rotary Rally will be held on Sunday August 19th. Carhappy members will again join in a fun afternoon of driving through the country side, with driver and navigator and we presume giddy passengers-all ending up at a restaurant somewhere in the county for a fun get together and dinner. Sign up sheet cites, Bentleys and Corvettes, but Fords are welcome too. Contact Jack Westford (In a note to this reporter, Joe Coons says, "Road rallies are a lot of fun. We compete in our plain everyday SUV. Nothing special is required except a car with an odometer and a watch. There is a great introduction on liner at http://www.mossmotoring.com/tsd-road-rallies-arrive-on-time/.")
Golfun on August 17th. There are still spaces for 5 more teams. Come on golfers, sign up. Contact Del VandeKerk
Guests of Rotarians:
Lynda Hinton brought Sara Maloney with the Boy's & Girls Club and her daughter Kristin Hunt
Andy Day introduced David Tim McMurry and Kathryn Hanowell
Joe Coons introduced Josselyn Winslow with Alzeimer of Washington
Gary Goldfogel brought his wife Nancy, Micki Jackson and April Montiel with the Northwest Medical Society
Presentations
Minister of Fun Larry Halgren let everyone know that smart people would easily get his fruity trivia questions correct. By the number of $5 bills he collected it seems he out smarted most of us!
Lynda Hinton introduced the club’s newest member, Sarah Maloney, filling the classification of Community Service-Boy’s and Girl’s Club. Sarah immigrated to the United States in 1997 and while working at Microsoft discovered the Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Sequim. While there, she also found the Sequim Rotary Club where she was a member for 12 years and two-times Past President. Bob Morse gave Sarah the "Charge of Membership" but rightfully reflected that Sarah could be easily giving the talk herself. Sarah is the Chief Development Officer for the Whatcom Boy’s and Girl’s Club. Welcome Sarah!
Program:
Important request: Our "Contemplating End of Life" series continues thru October and guests are invited. If you are planning on bringing a guest, please inform Sandee Lindhout by the Wednesday prior to the Monday meeting at 12:00 to aid Northwood Hall in preparation of food.
Gary Goldfogel introduced the first speaker in our series on Advanced Care Planning, Heather Flaherty. Heather’s presentation, A Burden of Choice, gave us all a chance to reflect on the unpredictability of having to make end of life decisions. Having grown up in a family struggling with addiction and family violence, Heather's parents got a divorce and she lived with her mother who continued to struggle with alcoholism. Heather found her way and enrolled at WWU and later became the first member of her family to graduate from college. But it wasn’t easy. In her junior year of college, her mother was hospitalized with complications from her alcoholism. This was the first time Heather was called upon to make a medical decision for her mom, a decision she was not prepared for. Her mom got better and then a year later Heather received a second call which forced her, at the age of 22, to make the most difficult decision one could imagine. Her mom was on life support again and Heather made the choice to give her comfort care instead of extraordinary measures. She will always wonder if she made the right choice. Guilt and uncertainty is now a part of her life. Heather offered us these reflections: The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It is community. Death comes unexpectedly and so does the responsibility of making a life and death decision for someone. Share your end of life wishes now before it is too late. Be courageous by speaking all of your heart with honesty and openness. Tell your stories because when one dies their stories do also. Grief is the midwife of your capacity to be immensely grateful for life. Our club was immensely grateful for Heather and her courage to share her story.
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