Club and Committee Announcements:
In an attempt to get back to live music at our meetings, the Music Committee, chaired by John Dunne would like to know if anyone has suggestions and is a closet piano player.....
(this editor wonders who plays piano in a closet)
Board Briefs April 14, 2022
A Resignation was sadly accepted from Steve Adelstein due to his busy retirement life.
Membership Enhancement and Retention discussion Continues – it was determined that we will hold a separate meeting May 2nd to continue discussing this at Shauna Naf’s suggestion.
She also mentioned a Hands-On Service project proposal and due to no financial commitment is involved will be encouraged to proceed. The Lighthouse Mission/Basecamp would like our help at Basecamp, probably on June 16th (or maybe the 9th), with improving the planting containers on Cornwall. They would provide the mulch, replacement plants, etc. It would be a couple of hours. They are working on finalizing the date.
Meeting location discussion – A contract has been extended at Four Points till the end of June and the board felt we have a few more important issues to currently tackle.
The following Service Fund Grants (each $1,000) were approved, and grants will be requested from the RCOB Foundation.
- Boys and Girls Club – Sponsor Linda Hinton
- Homes Now – Sponsor Doug Cole
- Whatcom Center for Early Learning – Sponsor Felicity Dye
- Bellingham Food Bank – Sponsor John Pedlow
Paul Grey was concerned about the timekeeping at our regular meetings following going over into the District Governor’s time. Every attempt is made to stay on track, but we can do better.
The Bellingham Food Bank has a volunteer opportunity for members to deliver meals in their personal cars in Whatcom County. The meals are delivered on Fridays. Paul will make an announcement to the membership.
Paul also reported that he will be attending the upcoming District Conference at Semiahmoo, along with Catherine Riordan. They will work with the IPA. Felicity Dye is also attending representing the Student Exchange Program. President Peter is unable to attend. Paul will also be attending the RI Convention in Houston, Texas
Felicity Dye reported that former Exchange Student, Emma Starke, from Germany visited Bellingham staying with Felicity and Curtis. Her trip was cut short when an exchange student due to Covid and this time her brother was in an automobile accident, and she has to leave again. He is doing better.
YAIL applications are still being taken and the club has 3 students budgeted. Additional information is below.
Next Board meeting is May 12, 2022 at 4:30
Registration is open for Youth Adventures in Leadership (YAIL) 2022. YAIL is a youth leadership program for 15-17 year olds, and is put on by Rotary District 5050, which spans from the Tri-Cities east to Hope in British Columbia and down south all the way to Everett in Washington.
The YAIL Program works to help participants become well-rounded individuals with increased perspective and enthusiasm for growth, who can make informed decisions through their leadership journey.
This is event is sponsored by the local Rotary Clubs in your area, so participants can join for free. This year’s program will be in person from June 17-19, 2022, and will be held at Alexandra Neighbourhood House (2916 McBride Ave, Surrey, BC V4A 3G2) in Canada.
Important Date Announcements:
May 5th Cinco de Mayo Social – The Social Committee is working on a Cinco de Mayo social gathering. – Stay tuned for details.
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. (who will be coordinating it ???).
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.
