Breaking News: We have just learned that our beloved Honorary Member, Bob Gibb, passed away Monday July 16, 2018 with family by his side. Bob was President in the 1972-1973 Rotary Year and member since 1954. He became an Honorary Member in 2013. More information will follow.
Opening
The meeting was cheerily opened by President Sandy in his internationalist mode. A greeting in French, a dashing blue beret and the announcement that his regime will emphasize the world wide reach of Rotary. We saw just the first of what we can expect to be a frequent display of Sandy’s hat collection. Your reporter would not be surprised at a sombrero, surely some Russian headgear, Sandy is a hat man.
Announcements:
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 3 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?
A New Membership Proposal for Sara Maloney, proposed by Lynda Hinton and Dominque Zervas to fill the Classification “Community Service-Boys & Girls Club”, was approved by the Classification Committee and the Board of Directors. She will be eligible for membership on August 6th unless a letter of objection is received by Sandra Lindhout, Exec. Sec, 2200 Vining St., Bellingham, Wa. 98229 on or before July 29th.
The Theme for this 2018-2019 Rotary Year is "Be the Inspiration"
We discussed planning for the following:
Visioning Process we plan to do in October
District Golfun event August 17th at Homestead Golf Course in Lynden. Del VandeKerk is putting a team together
Las Vegas Night scheduled for February 9, 2019
Major Project Selection process
New Membership Training. John Inglis and Andy Day are an energized new member committee that will be working on retention, etc.
Social Announcements:
Jack Westford announced the 2nd Annual Rotary Rally. On Sunday August 19th car happy 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. Jack’s sign up sheet cites, Bentleys and Corvettes, but Fords are welcome too.
Brewers By the Bay; A representative of the Bellingham Bay Club announced their big fundraiser scheduled for July 29th at Depot Market Square.The beer brewers of Bellingham put on a huge show and you can taste all their beers.$30.00 pre-sold tickets, $35.00 at the gate.You might want to bring a designated driver.
Past President Del announced Golfun on August 17th. There are still spaces for 5 more teams. Come on golfers, sign up.
Guests of Rotarians:
D. C. Morse and Jan Marchbanks introduced former member Dennis Fox and Jason Pass, Patent Attorney
Bob Diehl introduced our guest Vet Terry Holmes
Scott Wallace brought Dave Bradley
Major Kelli Linville introduced our new Police Chief David Doll
Presentations:
Bob Diehl introduced a veteran looking for a job. Terry Holmes spoke about his considerable experience in security and criminal justice fields and declared himself “firm but fair” Terry Holmes Resume (click here)
Program:
Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville; Homeless Crisis in Bellingham
Our own Mayor Kelli spoke on the Homeless Situation in Bellingham. She, like John Louws last week, recited all of the organizations in the county addressing the problem. The City is administering 4.9 million dollars of City, State and Federal funds committed to homeless and income distressed people. Last week the County Executive reported their budget for the same problem to be 4.7 million.
Apparently our local governments are spending 9.6 million annually to address homelessness.
She informed us that there are currently 722 homeless people in our county and the 7 out of 10 of them are not newcomers, but last had a home somewhere in Whatcom County.
She left us with a better understanding of the complexity of the problem.
Next week we will get a further perspective on the challenges before us when the Prosecuting Attorney David McEachran will speak to us.
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