President Teri opened the meeting with a “Bang” or was it a “Boom”? Determined to be heard, she had the sound system turned up a bit. After moderating the volume a bit she very capably welcomed eight guests of our members and was surprised that there were no visiting Rotarians.
Announcements:
Pres Teri reported with regret the recent death of our Rotary International President elect Sam Owori who was a member of the Kampala, Uganda Rotary Club and with that sad news was inspired to give us a little description of Uganda.
Teri reminded us that a new member breakfast will happen next Monday, July 31 at the Bellwether. It begins at 7:00. Don’t be late because the breakfast ends at 7:45 so you won’t miss work (if that applies). If you don’t have to go the work, just hang out and drink coffee with your friends. Phil Gubbins will speak about community service and Tim Fisher will talk about our environmental programs. You don’t have to be a new member to attend. Everyone is invited to a fun breakfast on the waterfront. By the way, your attendance is good for a make-up.
She also told us that there are only two spots remaining available for our website sponsorships. For $300 bucks you can link folks to your business website and advertise your business. Contact Sandee if you want to sign up.
Ongoing announcements:
The first Rotary Rally will be on Saturday, August 12 beginning at 4:00 PM a the Sehome Village parking lot. This will be a fun event, requiring a driver and a navigator and will end with a mystery social gathering about an hour later. You don’t need a sports car to participate. Nathan Twining is coordinating this event.
Golfun, the District 5050 fundraiser for the Foundation, is on Friday, August 18 at the Homestead Golf & Country Club. Contact Del VandeKerk for more information.
Save the Date for the Rotary Club of Bellingham Centennial Celebration Dinner - September 23, 2017 (click here for additional information) President Teri announced the exciting news that Howard Behar, former President of Starbucks International will be the keynote speaker at our RCOB 100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on September 23 at the Four Points by Sheraton, a not to be missed opportunity. Please save the date and join fellow Rotarians and friends in the celebration.
Guests of Rotarians:
Monty McAllister introduced Felicity Dye and his son visiting from Minneapolis, Sumner
Mike Plenkovich brought Joshua Pierson, our first Frank C. Brooks Take a Vet to Lunch
Jen Moehl introduced her parents Peggy & Dennis Moehl
Steve Ban brought Nathan Tefft
Rogan Jones introduced Peter Gigante
Mike Diehl brought his son Gus
Arlie Norman introduced David Patrick from WWU
Presentations:
Jack Westford and Mike Plenkovich teamed up to give us a good understanding of the new RCOB project Frank C. Brooks Take a Vet to Lunch. What a creative and worthwhile project, helping veterans get ahead in their lives. If you knew Frank C. “Jim” Brooks you know he would have been very pleased with this project.
Mike introduced the first Vet. to be featured, an impressive young man, Joshua M. Pierson, that hopefully we can help find the opportunity in business that he desires. Lets see if we can help. Click here for his resume
Paul Harris Fellowships were presented to Monty McAllister and Ken Marzocco, The first for Monty and the second for Ken. The membership rose to applaud in respect and gratitude for their generosity.
FIVE GENERATIONS of the Diehl family have now appeared at a RCOB meeting. Young Gus Diehl, a high school junior very capably told us about the youth leadership conference he recently attended. Gus’s appearance has been preceded by that of great great Grandfather Hugh Diehl, great grandfather Robert Diehl, grandfather Bob Diehl, and father Mike. That’s five Diehl’s - you can count on it.
Program:
NEW MEMBER TALKS
Phil Gubbins introduced the program; Three new members, and Phil challenged us to find ninety-seven more new members for our centennial year. If Paul Harris could do it in a year why not us? He’s a positive guy but I bet Phil would be delighted with twenty-five new members this year. The three new members introduced are a most impressive beginning for this one hundredth year.
Jen Moehl: With her birth date astride the line between Generation X and the Millennials Jen claims to take a bit of influence from each group. Raised on video games and digital influence, but confessing to want the instant gratification of the next generation, Jen is making a major impact on the operations and future of Zervas Architects and surely will do so on our club and our community. A bright and capable addition to our club
Isaac Burrous, a product of a tiny town in Arizona, fascinated us with his story of growing up in a pioneering way of life. Thirty minutes of rough road from the “trap town” of Ashbrook, a member of a high school graduating class of 12, and a shop teacher who gave him a car on condition he use it to get out of town. That teacher evidently saw that Isaac had something to give to the world, and so do we. Now married with a son and a growing landscaping business, Isaac is a great addition to the Rotary Club of Bellingham.
Rachel Long;
Rachel has a world of experience in several businesses that she brought to the property management business she and her husband David now run. She also stunned us with the story of her brother, a missionary for 25 years in Africa who was kidnapped by Mali terrorists in Niger and has not been heard from for a year. The FBI is appealing on a world stage for information of his whereabouts. A sobering story to end an excellent program of new member talks.
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