Tattler Newsletter January 7, 2019 (Jan 07, 2019)

January 7, 2019

Opening

President Sandy opened the meeting at precisely 12:30. Gail Ridenour accompanied us to My Country ‘Tis of Thee. Sandy’s hat this week hailed from Russia, where the first Rotary Club was formed in Moscow in June, 1990. Doug Cole gave the invocation after recognizing the passing of former longtime -32 years - member Terry Busch. A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at Northwood Hall on Thursday, January 17, 11:00 AM.

Announcements:

RCOB Social Hour scheduled for Tuesday, January 15 at 5:30, interested members of RCOB (and guests) will convene at the Swim Club in Fairhaven (1147 11th St)

for drinks. The Swim Club has some interesting cocktails (e.g., Naked on a Plane) and snacks (e.g., bacon fat popcorn) as well as more standard fare.

If you wish to nominate other venues for future consideration, please don't hesitate to do so. Contact Catherine Riordan at 360-383-7400 or catherine.a.riordan@gmail.com if you have questions.

President Sandy reminded members to submit their pledges and/or donations for the major project, The Galbraith Mt. parking lot revamp. Members are encouraged to make their major project pledges as soon as possible. Cash or stocks are two options for contributing. You can go to bellinghamrotary.org to make your payment or mail a check payable to The Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation, 2200 Vining St., Bellingham, Wa. 98229 and/or email your pledge amount to Scott at scott@salishwm.com He hoped to have everyone pledge, if not make their donations ASAP. Click here to watch a video of our project https://vimeo.com/297997121

Rick Kaiser reminded members that Vegas Night will be February 9 and that tickets can be bought on line at mtbakertheatre.com or call the box office at 360-734-6080 for $100 each. The lineup includes the Up Front Players, lounge singers and more! You can also fill out the attached Ticket Order Form and bring it to a Monday meeting and we will process it for you. The Vegas Night committee is still accepting silent auction items and encouraged members to donate items and looking for additional sponsors. Contact Brad Burdick if you can help.

There will be a Board of Directors meeting January 10^th at 4:30 at the Dorothy Haggen Building.

The Membership Committee, represented by Andy Day, reminded us of the need to continually be on the lookout for new and younger members. RCOB membership peaked in 2008 at 176. Membership is now 135, and near the inflection point for being effective as a service club. Andy suggested we consider spouses and/or partners as potential new members.

Guests of Rotarians:

Scott Wallace introduced his wife Marge Laidlaw

Program:

Program Chair Gary Goldfogel announced today’s program was the first in a series dealing with various aspects of the law.

Today’s program was by RCOB member Paula McCandlis. Paula has been a part time Magistrate Judge since her appointment on May 1, 2016. She is one of 24 part time Magistrates in the US and handles warrant cases on the west side of the Cascades from Snohomish county north to the Canadian border. She also holds court in Seattle two days each month and one Tuesday each month in Bellingham. Paula related how much she has learned about high intensity drug trafficking organizations, money laundering, child porn, prostitution, human trafficking and the “dark web,” which includes Tor encrypted browsers, blockchain and crypto-currency, the latter of which is untaxed and unregulated. Much of her work has to do with the granting of warrants: for search and seizure and for cell phone tracking and monitoring. Paula feels very strongly about defending Amendment IV of the Constitution and feels that the Magistrate judge is often the final authority in upholding it, which defends the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures by government agencies.