Whatcom County North Rotary
Northwind
January 11, 2007
MEETING TO ORDER: President Ken called the meeting to order at 12:35 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rick Staeb gave the invocation.
VISITING ROTARIANS: None.
GUESTS: None again.
RETURNING ROTARIANS: None for the third time.
BIRTHDAYS: Dan Baker is celebrating his birthday today and Brad Peterson celebrates his on the 12th. Happy Birthday Dan and Brad!
ANNOUNCMENTS:
Doug Thomas announced that there will be a short strategy meeting on the Dick Metcalf Memorial Project.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Gary Cordrey had $5 unhappy dollars because he missed this morning's Board Meeting. Bill Grace was $2 happy to be here and because he helped a friend out of a snow drift on the Hemmi Road. Scott Wallace was $2 happy for WSU being ranked in the "Top 25" in basketball and he wore a WSU sweatshirt to prove it. Jerry Landcastle was $2 happy for the Ferndale Boy's and Girl's Club finding a semi-permanent location (the Whatcom New Life Church) to carry on after the fire that recently destroyed their former building. He also said they have upped their time frame for building a new facility and hope to have it completed within two years. Winton Smith had two happy bucks for his guest Tim, from Circuit City and his son. Rome Sarwas was $2 happy for his basketball team (I didn't get the name). Paul Cooley was $2 happy because he has a wood stove and because he went to Victoria to see a very well known rock band (I think) called "Tragically Hip".
FINEMASTER: Today's Finemaster was supposed to be Dick Langabeer, but since he didn't show up today, President Ken decided to fine him $5 for not arranging for a substitute. He then went on to fine Winton Smith $5 for being late and asked for members to volunteer their own fines today. Tim Carpenter immediately fined Brian Finnegan for having his hand in his pocket during the Pledge of Allegiance to which Brian issued a complete denial but willingly paid a $20 fine. The only other member who stepped up was Phil Bratt who fined himself $2 for getting a new tractor, which came in very handy with all the bad weather.
BANNERS: There were no banners today.
PROGRAM: Rome Sarwas introduced our speaker, Mike Frelone, who is a Senior Tour Accountant with a company called CTI out of Toronto, Canada. The company sets up concert tours around the World, making arrangements for everything you don't' see at a music concert, like food for the artists and production people, logistics, set-up etc. He most recently made all the arrangements for a Barbara Streisand concert, and he has done the same for the Rolling Stones and Madonna. He made a brief introduction then opened it up for questions. This is like Jeopardy where you get to guess the question. The Production Manager is ultimately responsible for setting up everything at a concert. No performers stand out in Mike's mind because he deals primarily with financial accounting. Any major problems with outdoor concerts are covered by insurance. There is one union called the IATSE Union (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees). There are no "groupies" for accountants. He sets up about 115 shows a year and is currently working on setting up concerts for the summer of 2008. The chance of getting Jimmy Buffet to perform in Bellingham is based on that old show business motto "show me the money". All in all it was a very interesting subject.
DRAWING: Our guest speaker had the winning ticket but he drew the three of clubs. So the pot grows.
Editor this week: David Engels