Northwind 11/16/06

Whatcom County North Rotary

Northwind

November 16, 2006

The Whatcom North Rotary Foundation dinner was held this evening and the regular noon meeting was cancelled.

MEETING TO ORDER:  Ken Richardson called the meeting to order at 6:30 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Rick Staeb gave the invocation.

VISITING ROTARIANS:  Bob Morse was visiting from Bellingham Rotary.

GUESTS:  Diane Cordrey, Margaret Brunner, Patty Bliss, Chris Grace, Lynne Carpenter, Fontene Donahue, Susan Richardson, Jill Iwasaki, Mark Sexton, Tone Piper, Jacqueline Zervas, Minnie Pollett, Debbie Staeb, Greg (Sharon Robinson's SO), Bob Moles, Marge Laidlaw, and District Governor Rod Thomson and his wife Cathy.

BIRTHDAYS:  None

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  Tim Villhauer returned from a business/pleasure trip to New York City where he enjoyed good food and toured the New York Stock Exchange.

ANNOUNCMENTS:

1.  President Ken announced that in response to several inquiries about our recent program on the Dunga Project in Kenya, Africa, our Rotary Foundation will accept donations from individual members and forward them to Sarah O'Brien.  He also asked for a "show of hands" from those who would support release of the Katrina Funds to the Dunga Project.  Julie Johansen reported there is $573 in the Katrina Fund.  There was unanimous support for this proposal and the $573 will be sent to the Dunga Project on behalf of the Whatcom North Rotary Foundation.

2.  Tim Carpenter announced that he and his wife Lynne were so moved by Sarah O'Brien's Dunga Project they have sponsored one child in the orphanage for $60 per month.  Tim hoped others might follow his lead and also donate to the Dunga Project.

HAPPY BUCKS:  Ken Richardson was $2 happy that District Governor Rod Thomson and his wife Cathy were attending this dinner.  Bill Grace, who is usually always happy about something, was not happy about losing power in the recent wind storm, but understood why his 33 years at Puget Sound Energy had not provided him preferential treatment in getting his power turned back on after 29 & ½ hours in the dark.  Seems PSE had mistakenly passed by their neighborhood (Bill, are you sure you left in good standing?).  Tim Villhauer was happy about his recent trip to New York City and a party he attended at the NYSE, where he got to visit the trading floor.  Tim Carpenter was happy for the nice turnout and the District Governor's attendance.  Marlene Sexton was happy to be here despite no electricity and ferry issues.  Scott Wallace was happy to be here but had to leave early to turn on his generator.  Gary Tomsic was happy he never lost power.  Bob Morse (Assistant District Governor) was happy the District Governor had made our meeting after the third try.  Bob was also happy that his club (Bellingham Rotary) was the first one visited by the District Governor, to which the District Governor announced that Bob's penance was up.  Julie Johansen was happy for the District Governor's attendance this evening and Sharon Robinson was happy for the asparagus and attendance by the District Governor.

FINEMASTER:  Our Finemaster today was Scott Wallace, originator of the $5 rule, which he immediately implemented.  He started off by fining Ken Richardson $2 for "insulting" him about the $5 rule and then fined Mel Hollinger for "questioning" the legitimacy of the $5 rule.  Guests are not "usually" fined but all were fined this evening for not standing up when introduced.  If you didn't lose power you were fined $2.  Bill Grace, who acquired property for Puget Sound Energy before he retired, was fined $2 for not buying his residence in the right place.  All Tie wearers were fined $2.  Rich Jacobson was asked how much of a fine he should pay for not announcing his recent travel to New York City, to which he replied $25.  Gary Cordrey and Tim Villhauer were also fined $2 just because they're stock brokers.  Rick Staeb was fined for filling the airwaves with all of the recent political ads.  Marlene Sexton was fined $2 for not having a generator.  Sharon Robinson and Jim Zervas were each fined $2 for blocking his walking trail with signage.  Ken Richardson was fined again for forgetting to recognize our Assistant District Governor Bob Morse.  Julie Johansen and Bob Moles were fined $5 for having the last moorage spot and just in case their boat didn't survive the wind storm.  Greg Iwasaki was fined $5 for a recent article and picture in the paper.  Tim Carpenter was fined $5 for playing golf during the recent wind storm and then being kicked off the golf course because it was too dangerous to play.  Jim Bliss was fined $2 for an old story about his house catching fire.  All bankers (Jacobson, Engels and Brunner) were fined for not speaking out about the travesty of Credit Unions not having to pay taxes.  Larry Pollett was fined for not having skied yet.  Everyone who lives in Bellingham was fined $2 because of all the controversy over the new City of Bellingham Logo.  Finally, a mention was made about the upcoming Apple Cup but no one was fined.

PROGRAM:  Ken Richardson introduced our speaker this evening, District Governor Rod Thomson and his wife Cathy.  Rod joined the Rotary Club of Coquitlam in 1984.  He reviewed his history in Rotary, which includes service on a number of District committees and considerable experience in Rotary International.  Rod talked about the importance of membership and service in Rotary and the leadership abilities of all Rotarians.  He also talked about membership attendance and that attending meetings 60% of the time is not enough.  We, as leaders, need to lead by example.  Rotary is an institution that is trending toward a movement.  To support this belief, Rod mentioned there are e-clubs that have been established where they only meet on-line and he mentioned that some clubs are allowing attendance by either spouse.  Rotary is a gift of gratitude so we should invite someone we know and admire.  Rod also recognized all of those in our club who are Paul Harris Fellows and major donors.  He also mentioned the many benefits of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards to our "future leaders".  Finally, he promoted the upcoming District Conference, which has been moved to Harrison Hot Springs.  There is a "price drop" because of the change in location and he encouraged all who can to attend.

Following District Governor Rod Thomson's presentation, Tim Carpenter passed out the Paul Harris Awards.  Our club has awarded 110 Paul Harris Fellows since our inception.  He also noted that two-thirds of our members are Paul Harris Fellows.  Tonight, there are three people to award but only one was present.  A Paul Harris Fellows was awarded to Tim Villhauer for his tireless work as Director of Club Service and his Chairmanship of the Membership Committee.  Congratulations Tim!

Tim also acknowledged and recognized two new members to the Bequest Society (those who have bequeathed $10,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation): Gary & Diane Cordrey and Tim & Lynne Carpenter.

Editor this week:  David Engels