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April 25, 2022

Opening Welcome:
 
With a mighty whang on the bell, President Peter opened the meeting at 12:31. The mighty peal awakened us to our very toes. This was RCOB meeting #4734, the 90th virtual and 36th in person post COVID.   Rick Kaiser presented a unique acapella version of Grand Old Flag and Steve Ban gave a heartfelt invocation addressing the war in Ukraine. 
 
Steve related the passing of 53-year RCOB Honorary member Ken Jernberg on April 17 at home with his family by his side at age 95.  He was made an Honorary Member in 2020.  He held the classifcation "Medicine-Pediatrics"
 
Also former member, RCOB 1988-1989 Past President Dan Brown on April 23 in Twin Falls, ID past away after a short illness.  He joined the club in 1981 with the classification "Medicine - Cardiologist"  Here is a link to his Obituary.  (Click Here)
 
 
Book Review by Dennis William - "The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero" by Timothy Egan
 
 
Timothy Egan has long been one of my favorite authors.  He was born in Seattle in 1954 and raised in Spokane in a family of nine.  He went to Gonzaga Prep, then the University of Washington and makes Seattle his home. He is the author of nine books, including The Big Burn, A Pilgrimage to Eternity, The Worst Hard Time and Breaking Blue.  He serves as national correspondent and opinion columnist for the New York Times and he contributes columns to the Seattle Times.
 
A year or so prior to the pandemic, he appeared in front of a full house at the Mt Baker Theater to discuss his most recent book, A Pilgrimage to Eternity. Did any of you happen to attend?  He has received honorary degrees from Whitman College, Willamette University, Lewis and Clark College and Western Washington University.
 
The subject of this biography is Thomas Meagher, who was born in Ireland in 1823 into a family of substantial means.  His father served as major of Waterford and had considerable political power.  Meagher was able to attend exclusive schools, but became caught up with the struggle of the Irish against their English oppressors.  At the age of 26, Meagher narrowly escaped a death sentence for sedition and was exiled instead to Tasmania, a dumping ground (along with Australia) for those the English deemed criminal or undesirable.
 
With the help of some other Irish patriots, Meagher was able to escape Tasmania and landed in New York.  Hailed as a hero by the Irish in the U.S., he was still a wanted fugitive by the English and unable to return to Ireland.  In the 1850’s he turned his considerable talents at oratory to being a leader and symbol of Irish nationalism with the hope of leading a return to Ireland to eject the English.
 
As the U.S. descended into civil war, Meagher, given his experience with English oppression in Ireland, strongly supported Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. He recruited Irish Americans into the highly-regarded Irish Brigade to fight for the Union and he served as its commander.  The Irish Brigade was generally employed by the Union generals as a sacrificial battering ram because of their dependability and willingness to march directly into the firestorm.
 
After the size of his brigade shrank to a mere 500 men and the Union army suffered humiliation at the Battle of Fredericksburg in May, 1863, Meagher had had enough.  He tendered his resignation, although it was not accepted.  Instead, he received an assignment in Tennessee, the backwaters of the conflict.
 
After peace was restored in 1865, Meagher was appointed Secretary of the Montana Territory with the expectation of becoming governor.  He and his wife endured an arduous trip to from New York to Virginia City, the territorial capital.
 
Meagher arrived to find a well-established vigilante group comprised of local businessman, which enforced its own version of law and order by executing anyone they viewed as obstinate or distasteful.  He quickly incurred their opposition as he attempted to establish the rule of law and expand opportunities for the growing population that came west in search of a better life.
 
Meager died under mysterious circumstances by drowning in the Missouri River, either by a drunken accident, suicide or murder.  His body was never recovered.   As recounted by the author, the mystery of his death is still unresolved,  Based on newspaper accounts and contemporary diaries and statements, he presents a logically consistent  conclusion  that the Vigilantes were involved in Meagher’s murder, but it is not evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.  Meagher was eventually honored by the State of Montana with an equestrian statue in front of the capitol in Helena.
 
This is an easy read that will hold the reader’s interest.  It is thoroughly researched, which is typical of a Timothy Egan book.  He is a National Book Club winner, so his writing style will definitely hold your attention.  In fact, I would recommend any of the nine books written by Timothy Egan.
 
The Immortal Irishman is a riveting story of the Irish oppression by the English and the subsequent mass immigration to the U.S., the carnage of the Civil War, the Vigilante brand of justice in Montana and a man who was one of those larger than life figures who easily packed more than most into one lifetime.
 
Support Rotary in Ukraine
 
Message from our District Governor for District 5050, Bev Harrington:
 
My Fellow Rotarians:
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds in Ukraine, we ask "what can we do from so far away?"  Here is the most comprehensive information I have received to date. 
Financial contributions are easily made online to The Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund.  A link to view the projects that are already in place is also provided below.  
You and I and Rotarians from around the world can make a difference.  
 
All donations made online at Disaster Response Fund | My Rotary, including the use of available district designated funds (DDF), need to be received by April 30, 2022. Grant applications to take advantage of the funds will be available now through June 30, 2022. This will be the main avenue for Rotary Foundation support, but Rotary and Rotaract clubs are also encouraged to create their own responses to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
 
In addition to the support provided through the Disaster Response Fund, the Foundation is coordinating with partners and regional leaders, exploring effective solutions to the increased humanitarian needs. You will find a comprehensive list of projects at this linkwith the contact details and websites.
Thank you for all that you do to promote peace
 
Club and Committee Announcements:
 
International Committee Announcement
On behalf of the committee, Catherine Riordan reminded us that RCOB has been a member of the International Partnership Alliance (IPA) for three years.  Peter Martin, its president and member of the Fidalgo Rotary Club, has received Rotary’s International Service Above Self Award, one of the highest honors in Rotary, awarded annually to no more than 150 Rotarians worldwide.  District Governor Bev Harrington made the award to Peter at the Fidalgo Club’s meeting and had this to say about Peter and the IPA:
 
“Under Peter’s tireless volunteer leadership, the IPA now includes 11 U.S. Rotary Clubs and a foundation which is a registered tax-exempt organization.  The annual budget is over $300,000 for direct project expenses in Honduras. Projects, involving all Rotary’s areas of focus, are overseen by the Copán Ruinas Rotary Club members, paid local contractors, several technical experts, many volunteers in the IPA member clubs and –most of all – by Peter himself. ‘
 
“Projects are based in 38 small indigenous Mayan villages in the Copán area.  Projects are small, such as purchasing classroom furniture for a school of 38 children, or supplying seeds for five home gardens. Some projects are larger, as was the one that brought electric power to a village, and another that is building a footbridge over an unpassable stream that had isolated the school in the rainy season.  Collaboration with the local Rotary club in Copán is essential in every project.”
 
Our committee is very proud of Peter and thankful for the IPA which helps clubs like ours conduct effective international projects that have significant impacts and are sustainable.
 
Important Date Announcements: 
 
May 5th Cinco de Mayo Social – On behalf of the Social Committee, Lynda Hinton reported an upcoming Cinco de Mayo gathering at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.  The date, of course, is May 5, 5:30 PM.  Contact Lynda at lynda@lyndahinton.com  The Taco Bar will be generously hosted by Lynda with a no host bar.  Donations will be accepted for RCOB Charities.
 
May 21 - Clean Up at Memorial Park.  Teri Treat said the clean-up at Memorial Park will happen 21 May. More info coming soon.
 
May 28th – Whatcom Memorial Day Parade – The Club will be participating in the Memorial Day Parade, hopefully with walkers/marchers and a float.  This is the 100th anniversary of the parade.  Sign-up to march on the website at bellinghamrotary.org.  
 
May 29 -  Ski to Sea Parade – The Club will be a sponsor of the 2022 Ski to Sea Parade. We will also be staffing a Rotary booth in Fairhaven on race day.
 
June 20th - Changing of the Guard
 
June 27th Rotary Cruise to Eliza Island
Marty Haines reported that this year’s cruise will return to Dick Tucker’s home on Eliza Island. Marty is recruiting members’ boats for the cruise.
 
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Weekly Meeting instructions:

You will still receive an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting if you are unable to attend in person (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 ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS.

Four Points is now requiring a Contract thru March 2022. We will continue to evaluate other locations for a permanent location.   Lunch will be $22 for a sit-down meal. We must notify them by Wednesday at 4:00 pm each week prior to the Monday meeting as to the number of members attending.  We are sending out meeting “Invite's” weekly and members are asked to sign-up ASAP. You can also sign-up by going to the event section of our website at bellinghamrotary.org.  If you sign up for a meal at the meeting, you will need to pay the $22 even if you don't wind up attending the meeting after numbers are turned in.  If you plan to attend but not eat, PLEASE indicate that on your sign-up so we don't overorder meals and still make sure there is enough seating. 

Four Points also will not collect the payment weekly, so the Club will collect payments prior to the meeting or at the door.

We urge members of the RCOB to set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Meeting lunches, 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

Other payment options are to bring a check in the correct amount to the meeting made out to RCOB or cash in the exact amount to speed up the payment process.  There is also the PayPal option as usual and we are set to take payments at the meeting.  We have a QR Code that you can simply click on to pay thru paypal also.

 
Website and Phone App instructions:
Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time.  (Click here)  Go to bellinghamrotary.org first.  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 her 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                                                                            
Here is a link for you to take a look at the app:

Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.
 
Guests
Dale Rings joined us on Zoom from Arizona.  
 
Members attending on Zoom:  John Moffat, Vinson Latimore, Dick Tucker, Robin Halliday, John Pedlow, Steve Hager, Jack Mulhern, John Dunne, Bob Morse, and Loch Trimingham

Presentation:

Lynda Hinton presented a Service Fund check to Sara Maloney, Chief Development Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Whatcom County.  Sara mentioned these funds will be used to promote academic success through the use of books, games and puzzles.
 
Major Project chairman John Dunne reported we have reached our fund-raising goal of $75,000 for the Community Boating Center.  Hooray!
 
Program
 
Doug Cole introduced RCOB member Mark Knittel who provided an update on the ARES project, African Ruggedized Education System, a system he and several other Rotarians and Rotary clubs are developing in Kenya.  Mark has made a number of trips to Kenya working on this project, the most recent in January.  (Travel time is around 30 hours each way.). ARES is basically a “Classroom in a Box” which helps provide a high-quality educational opportunity to Eastern African students in areas that lack quality education, content internet and (often), electricity.  The server device provides media to individual schools and classrooms which can be viewed on either tablets, laptops or small battery powered projectors.  Content is delivered in both English and Swahili.  Several of the better-known programs are Khan Academy, Wikipedia, TED Educational videos, World Atlas, PhET interactive physics, Seavuria science and WikiSpecies.  There are also adult programs dealing with agriculture, environment, health and general technology.    
 
In January, 9 new schools were completed and there were training sessions for 40 teachers.  Coquitlam Rotary sponsored 7 schools, Burlington Rotary sponsored 10 systems, and two schools in Laikipia were sponsored, one by our own Jan and DC!  ARES is now recognized - but not funded – as an accepted Kenyan school system by the Ministry of Education.  There are now systems in 75+ schools with 25,000 – 30,000 students impacted.   Thank you, Mark! (Especially as he filled the role of pinch hitter, moving his presentation up the calendar a few weeks from originally scheduled.)
 
Final Announcement:
 
Go out and be the best Rotarian you can be.
 
 
 
 
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April Rotary Anniversaries - Thank you! 
 
 
 
 
 
Ken Jernberg
Member Since 1969
 
Brad Burdick
Member Since 1998
 
Mauri Ingram
Member Since 1999
 
 
 
Rogan Jones
Member Since 2004
Dominique Zervas
Member Since 2008
Nancy Jordan
Member Since 2009
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April Birthdays - Happy Birthday and Enjoy!

 
  • Rogan Jones
  • Bob Morse
  • Steve Ban
  • Sandy McIntire
  • Nathan Twining
  • Larry Halgren
  • Hans Erchinger-Davis
Speakers
May 30, 2022
Holiday - Memorial Day
Jun 06, 2022
Jun 13, 2022
Rachel Vasak - NSEA
Jun 20, 2022
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Whatcom Memorial Day Parade 2022 Participation
May 28, 2022
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
 
RCOB In-Person Meeting June 6, 2022
Four Points by Sheraton
Jun 06, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
 
RCOB In-Person Meeting June 13, 2022
Four Points by Sheraton
Jun 13, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
 
Base Camp Grounds Cleanup & Dinner Service Project
Base Camp | Lighthouse Mission
Jun 16, 2022
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Annual Rotary Cruise
Jun 27, 2022 10:00 AM
 
View entire list
Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Executive Secretary
 
Vice President/Program Chair
 
Past President
 
Director/Vocational Service & Membership
 
Director/Community Service
 
Director/International & Youth Service
 
Director/Club Service & Meetings
 
Website Administer
 
THIS WEEK'S TEAM:
 
Editor:  Tom Grinstad
 
Reporter:   Doug Cole
 
Invocation:  Steve Ban
 
Greeters: Sara Maloney & Dominique Zervas
 
Raffle Sales:  Lynda Hinton
 
Av:  Ward Naf & Jodi Borrelli
 
Music: Rick Kaiser
 
Photographer: Mike Diehl
 
Book Review:  Dennis Williams