Northwind 12/28/06

Whatcom County North Rotary

Northwind

December 28, 2006

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Ken called the meeting to order at 12:35 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mel Hollinger gave thanks for the past year, and expressed hopes for the coming one in his invocation.

VISITING ROTARIANS:   Lynn Masland from the Sunrise Club and Dewey Dessler from the Bellingham Club.

GUESTS:  Donald Brunner, Stan's son, and Donald Barnard, Elisabeth's father.

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  Gary Tomsic returned from Texas.

BIRTHDAYS:  12/30: Lynn Seelye

ANNOUNCMENTS: Larry Pollett will fill out the board term of Lori Pobuta.

Anyone who missed the last meeting but still wishes to give a tip to Susie and Eric can still do so.

The pre-paid meal policy goes into effect January 4, our first meeting of 2007.  Members must pay $100 for the third quarter by that time. This covers lunches for January, February and March.  Payment must be by check or cash.  We cannot use the charge card system at the hall for the prepayments.    Guests, visitors and Rule-of-85'ers may still pay $10 at the door, or $5 if not eating a lunch.  Rule-of-85'ers may also choose to participate in the $100 prepayment system.

Report from the Nominating Committee: The following slate of officers and board members has been nominated to serve starting in the new Rotary Year, July 2007:  Hilary Baumstarck, President-elect; Secretary, Gary Cordrey; Treasurer, Gary Tomsic; Board members: Randy Carr, Paul Cooley and Maureen McCarthy.  There were not enough members present to form a quorum, so the slate was not voted on today.

HAPPY BUCKS:

Bill Grace:  Eric taught him how to cook prime rib.

Rome Sarwas: The Wisconsin Badgers are doing well in both football and basketball.

George Tsakumis: Happy to be with us for the last meeting of the year.

Roger Lehnert:  A belated tip to our servers.

Hilary Baumstarck:  The best meal in the world, at some place in Portland.  Couldn't hear what it actually was.

Tim Villhauer:  Trips to St. Louis and Iowa over the holidays.

Jake Smith:  For the first time in his life, a motorcycle cop actually passed him, and pulled over someone else.  There's a first time for everything!

Max Legg:  A glowing speech in support of our sheriff, Bill Elfo. 

FINEMASTER:  Randy Carr did not know he was Finemaster, but made a feeble attempt to rise to the occasion, starting with some sort of muddled explanation of the banners being from Hawaii.

Hilary Baumstarck was fined for failing to be happy about Hawaii and the U2 concert.

Everyone working this week (or was it everyone NOT working?) was fined.

Everyone with a team in a bowl game was fined.

Randy suffered several abusive comments about his lack of preparedness before slinking away.

BANNERS:   It made much more sense when Stan explained it:  ALOHA!  2007!

PROGRAM: There was no guest speaker, as it was our social meeting.  We had a very Happy Hour.   Beverages were had by some, and good fellowship by all present. 

DRAWING:  No winner.