Mark Knittel reported on the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. It is a nonfiction book by the American journalist Isabel Wilkerson which was initially published in August, 2020 by Random House. Wilkerson describes racism in the United States as being part of a caste system, which she defines as a society-wide system of social stratification, characterized by notions such as hierarchy, inclusion and exclusion, and purity. She compares aspects of the experience of American people of color to the experience of the people on the lower levels of the actual caste systems of India and Nazi Germany. She explores the impact of caste systems on societies shaped by them, and their people. She ends with recommendations on how we can break free of the caste system in this country.
Opening Welcome:
Future RCOB President and current Program Chairman Paul Grey called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:35 PM and welcomed members and guests. There were 47 Zoom participants.
Club and Committee Announcements
The Classification Committee and the RCOB Board of Directors have approved the membership application for Dr. Michael Mallory proposed by James Pyles and ScottWilson to fill the classification of "Medicine-OB/GYN. He will be eligible for membership June 7th unless a written letter of objection is received on or before June 5th by Executive Secretary Sandra Lindhout, 2200 Vining St., Bellingham, Wa. 98229
Future President Paul reminded us that there will be no meeting next Monday, May 31, due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Teri Treat reported on the previous Saturday’s Sunnyland Memorial Park clean up. Good camaraderie was shared by the following volunteers: Teri, Tom Grinstad, Roland Trenouth, Dick Tucker, Scott Wallace, Margie Laidlaw (Scott’s wife), John Dunne and Mike Plenkovich. Thank you to the volunteers!
Steve Ban reminded us about the continuing need for blood or plasma donations. A person can donate once every eight weeks.
Shauna Naf reported that Aramis, our recent exchange student from Peru, was grieving the death of six relatives, and the illness of at least that many, from Covid. Please keep him in your thoughts.
Mike Plenkovich, incoming chairman of the Invocation Committee, stated that the Committee could use more members and asked for volunteers.
Mark Knittel informed us that five additional schools in Kenya have adopted his software program for classroom learning. This brings the total to over seventy schools.
Upcoming Rotary Whale Watching Cruise June 21, 2021:
A year ago it was necessary to cancel the 2020 annual cruise due to the Covid 19 outbreak. It was to be our first whale watching cruise with San Juan Cruises. We have rescheduled the same whale watching cruise on June 21, 2021, for members and their family and friends, with the requirement that all attendees (except children less than 12 years of age) be fully vaccinated (i.e., at least 2 weeks past their last shot) against Covid by that date.
San Juan Cruises will be using their largest vessel, Victoria Star, and operate at 50% capacity, which is 70 passengers; our group should be smaller. Lunch is included, with choices of lasagna with meat and a vegetarian option. When you register, please indicate your lunch preference.
This will be a welcome activity for those members who are comfortable spending time with other Covid-vaccinated people. What a great opportunity to get together after a year! And remember, Marty has guaranteed perfect weather for the cruise!
Sign-up now and mail the $90/person payment (special rate) to Sandra Lindhout, 2200 Vining St., Bellingham, WA 98229. Make a check out to Rotary Club of Bellingham. You can also pay through VENMO, and PayPal as a last resort, due to processing fees. If you choose PayPal, please add $2.00 to cover processing fees. You can also go to bellinghamrotary.org home page and pay through the Major Project Donation and indicate "Cruise" or use the link sent each Monday.
For any questions, please contact Marty Haines, Chairman, at: mghaines3@gmail.com or cell phone: 360-739-0204. Here is a link to view some photos of previous cruises:
https://whales.com/whale-watching/
Peter Theison announced that the Service Fund Committee is still taking applications for the grants of up to $1,000 to be awarded.
John Dunne announced that Major Projects applications may continue to be submitted
through the end of June.
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.
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.
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
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:
Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.
Guests:
Shauna Naf introduced Christina Murray, Banner Bank branch manager at Barkley.
Dale Rings joined us from Arizona.
Paul Grey introduced our Program Speaker, Marty Pease.
Program:
Paul Grey introduced Marty Pease, a member of the LaConner Rotary Club and Marketing Director for IPA – the International Project Alliance.
The IPA is a large collaborative group of Rotary clubs, organizations and individuals in Northwest Washington State, who have made a long-term commitment to helping the people of the Copán Ruinas region of western Honduras.Marty provided an update of current projects there. The IPA has been active in this region since 2014 and an alliance of Rotary clubs in our area has adopted eleven Mayan villages in the region. RCOB just announced the adoption of a village.
Marty and various members of her team make quarterly visits to the region. One of the IPA’s goals is to improve education as a means of eliminating poverty. Other projects are the building of schools, water projects and health care. For example, to help repair the destruction caused by two recent hurricanes in the area, the IPA is rebuilding a Kindergarten building and a heavily used bridge. The Adopt-a-Dream program benefits 500 students, from Middle School to University, with financial support.
IPA’s website is: www.ipafoundation.org
Covid Report: Although President Gary was in South Dakota he checked the hospital and Sandee reported that there were 15 patients in St. Joseph Hospital, 2 were to be discharged Monday and 2 in ICU level of care.
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:
