Tattler Newsletter December 10, 2018 (Dec 10, 2018)

December 10, 2018

Opening

President Sandy welcomed us with his usual flare!! He wore two hats, representing El Classico, which is the great soccer match that's played annually in today's featured country, by two of the world's greatest soccer (football) clubs.

In fact, this country's national football team is probably the best in the world in this century so far, having won the European Cup in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010. What country is? It's the Kingdom of Spain, whose current king is King Felippe the 6th. It is also the home of our inbound exchange student, Carla.

We were reminded that next Monday, December 17th, will be our opportunity to thank the staff at Northwood Hall for all their service thru the year with tips.

Nathan Conant, our pianist for the day created our own "The Rotary Song" and was sung by the membership - Great job Nathan!!

Announcements:

Election results for the 2019-2020 Rotary Year:

President: Cathy Buckley

President-Elect: Gary Goldfogel

Vice-President/Program Chairman: Peter Theisen

Treasurer: Steve Gray

Board of Directors: Bruce Clawson and Lisa Saar joining Mike Diehl and Roland Trenouth.

Jim Wakefield reminded members about Bell Ringing this Saturday, December 15th. If you have any questions please contact Jim Wakefield at jwakefie@anvilcorp.com. Salvation Army Schedule (click here).

Here are the numbers for the upcoming holiday games: Alamo Bowl - WSU vs Iowa State 12/28/18; Rose Bowl - Washington Huskies vs Ohio State 1/1/2019

Scott Wallace announced that he is putting in a new order in for out collared Rotary shirts at a cost of $40.00. There is also a new Rotary @ Work T Shirt at a cost of $15.00 Check them out http://www.bestclubsupplies.com/Safety-Green-Rotarian-At-Work-T-Shirt/productinfo/RTEE6M/ Contact him at scott.wallace@broadstripe.net asap

President Sandy announced that the previously scheduled February 23, 2019 Rise Again Hunger meal packing event has been changed to April 27, 2019 in conjunction with the District Rotary @ Work Day.

Scott Hume and Peter Theisen reminded members to submit their donations for the major project (Galbraith Mt. parking-remember?). 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, by the end of the month, and he would be on the phone soon to remind people. That's a polite way of saying that he will be nagging soon. Click here to watch a video of our project https://vimeo.com/297997121

James Pyles 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 was also accepting silent auction items and encouraged members to donate items.

Guests of Rotarians:

Monty McAllister introduced his wife, Donna and current inbound Exchange Students Rumbi Machiridza and Carla Serrat from Badalona, Spain

Steve Ban brought his wife, Janis

Dave Blair introduced his wife, Cheryl who are future hosts

Jen Moehl introduced future hosts Rachel Greenwood, daughter Hillary and outgoing student Cole Drinkwater and his mother, Lisa

Del VandeKerk brought former member Mike Bradburn

Marty Haines introduced his wife Gail

John Inglis introduced Zach Von Schneidan

Program:

Our program was presented by our lovely inboard Exchange Students, Carla Serrat Anaya from Badalona, Spain and Rumbidzayi "Rumbi" Machiridza from Harare, Zimbabwe. They both presented President Sandy with flags from their home counties.

Chairman, Monty McAllister introduced them showing an example of a blue blazer that represents what the Rotary Youth Exchange program is all about, loaded with buttons. A life changing experience for a young person - the acquisition of new friends from all over the world and an ambassadorship for our club and country.

Monty introduced their host parents Steve and Janice Ban, Shauna and Ward Naf, Dave and Cheryl Blair, Rachel Greenwood, and Cole Drinkwater, our outboard student for 2019/2020 and his mother Lisa, Hillary Greenwood who will be Rumbi's host sister and a potential outbound exchange student. In Japan, representing our club and country is Ivy Burt. Unable to join us today, due to exams, is Isabelle Cybula, daughter of one of our Rotarians recently returned from Germany. She was able to travel all over Europe with her host families and with Rotary sponsored trips.

Dick and Orphalee Smith ran this club's youth exchange program for many years. The program lapsed after 9/11 in 2001. With your support, the club reactivated the program in 2014.

Rumbi spoke first. She is 17 years old and last born of 5, attended the Dominican Convent High School and her interests are Hockey, Tennis and loves Music.

Harare, Zimbabwe is a small land locked country in Southern Africa, bordered by 4 countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia & Botswana.

The Economy is mainly agro-based Tobacco and Maize (corn); mining diamonds, platinum and very rich in natural minerals.

It has 16 official languages, 3 major ones: Shona, English and Ndebele

Carla followed speaking about Badalona, Spain. from the Rotary Club of Lloret De Mar

She attended the Cultural High School

The country is famous for Olive Oil and has 5 million olive crops

Points of interest are Sagrada Familia, Arc Del Triomf and Barcelona Beach

Her favorite foods are Spanish Omelet and Croquetes

Her goals while here are to Improve the language; meet other cultures and new people; help people know more about Spain.