Northwind 1/25/07

Whatcom County North Rotary

Northwind

January 25, 2007

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Ken called the meeting to order at 12:35 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Gary Snyder gave the invocation.

VISITING ROTARIANS:   Pete Ruese from the Sedro Woolley Club and George Tsakumis from the Vancouver Club.

GUESTS:  Scott Wallace introduced his guest Leah Macaleer, Director of Junior Achievement and Randy Carr introduced his guest Irene Morgan.

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  None

BIRTHDAYS:  Dan Parsons celebrates his birthday on the 28^th and Chuck Tull celebrates his birthday on the 30^th.

ANNOUNCMENTS:

President Ken announced that a short Board Meeting will be held immediately following today's regular meeting.

President Ken also announced that Career Day is scheduled for March 30^th. 

HAPPY BUCKS: 

Tim Carpenter had a couple of happy bucks because there was no disturbance coming from the "noisy table".  Jerry Landcastle joined in with $2 for the same reason pointing to Phil Bratt, who happened to be sitting quietly at my table.  Bill Grace was $2 happy for the sun being out and being able to purchase potting soil so early in the year.  George Tsakumis had $5 happy bucks for his brother's recent visit from Greece and he told a short story about how he drinks olive oil mixed with water, which he calls the "grand nectar" and which he believes heals everything (George, I apologize if I got the story wrong, but I was sitting at the "new" noisy table).  Sharon had a couple of happy bucks for a recent article in the Northwest Business Journal, pointing to Scott Wallace, but I didn't hear what the article was about.  Bob Bowman had $2 happy bucks because he didn't have to sit next to Mel and then Marlene Sexton had two happy bucks because she gets to sit next to Mel, which made her think she needs to make sure she keeps her "license".  Randy Carr was very happy today and wanted to share with all of us that his daughter celebrated her 10^th birthday, his mother celebrated her 60^th birthday (after being diagnosed with cancer at 34) his wife celebrated a birthday and the really big news HE'S GOING TO HAVE A BABY! (Congratulations Randy) in March.  Dick Donahue had a couple of happy bucks because the Huskies are not happy.  Rich Jacobson was happy to be able to present a check for $1,000 to the Dick Metcalf Memorial Project from one of his Bank's Directors, Fred Miller.  Julie Johansen was happy to announce that our own Deb Wiggs became a Fellow American College of Medical Practice Executive.  She completed her requirements by submitting a paper titled, "Considerations for the Use of Patient Education in a Primary Care Practice to Influence Patient Satisfaction and Compliance".  Congratulations Deb!  Stan Brunner had a couple of happy bucks for his first move in 52-years, which he said was one hell of a job that he doesn't ever want to do again.  Tim Carpenter had another happy buck because he will be going to Honduras in another month on behalf of Rotary and a couple of people had to back out of the trip at the last minute so if anyone is interested and has the time they should let him know.  I should be a lot of fun. 

FINEMASTER:  Today's exalted Finemaster was Jack Curnow.  Everyone whose mother didn't celebrate her 84^th birthday today was fined a dollar and everyone whose divorce wasn't finalized today was fined a dollar.  I think he got everybody.  Tim Carpenter was fined a dollar for talking over Scott Wallace's guest introduction; to which Tim responded that he just hadn't met her yet; so Leah Macaleer immediately walked over to Tim to formally introduce herself; but Tim was fined another dollar for not making the overture first.  Jerry Landcastle was fined a buck for making disparaging remarks to Phil Bratt during Happy Bucks, to which Phil responded "Hear! Hear!"  George Tsakumis was fined $2 because Julie Johansen didn't understand a word he said (it was just the noisy table).  Randy Carr was fined $2 for missing Jack's birthday?  Finally, Mel was fined a buck for not knowing the Banner theme.

BANNERS:   The Banners reflected the unifying theme of Rotary.  Guessed correctly by Sharon Robinson. 

PROGRAM: Before introducing today's speaker Randy Carr asked for help from the membership in getting good guest speakers.  If any of us know of someone who would be a good guest speaker let him know.  Today's speaker, Irene Morgan, is a therapist/counselor who works with former prisoner's to help them transition back into society.  She talked about The Society for Return to Honor, which is a nonprofit organization started in 1989 by Don Kirchner, whom she has worked with for the past four months.  The purpose of the organization is to facilitate the re-integration of qualified, pre-selected former convicted felons into their communities.  If you are interested in finding more out about this subject, Don Kirchner has written a book titled A Matter of Time, or you can go to their website, www.amatteroftime.com for more information.

DRAWING:  Dan Baker had the winning ticket but he drew the six of diamonds, so the pot grows.