Northwind 4/13/06

Whatcom County North Rotary Club

North wind

April 13, 2006

Meeting To Order:

President Scott Piper called the meeting to order at 12:35 pm and greeted the club in the native language of Denmark.  President Scott then led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Tony Cubilis gave the invocation for this pre-Easter meeting.

Visiting Rotarians:

Dan Baker introduced today's visiting Rotarians including Robin Schmidt from the Bellingham Bay Club and Honorary Club member George Tsakumis.

Guests of Rotarians:

Doug Thomas introduced an entire table of guests who were in attendance for today's program including Honorary Club member Shirley Metcalf and her family members Cheryl, Alex, Sandy, and Scott.  As part of today's program, Josh Wilund the director of the Ferndale Boys and Girls Club was also introduced.  Scott Wallace introduced his wife Marge Laidlaw.

Returning Rotarians:

Paul Cooley was back from a Palm Springs business conference.

Birthdays:

Mary Kanikeberg was celebrating a birthday on the 14^th.

Rotary Foundation Minute:

President Scott gave us a Foundation Minute regarding the recent success of Rotary's Polio Plus efforts, which have reduced the number of infected countries from 6 down to 4.  But Rotary's efforts still must go on until the terrible disease is eradicated.

Announcements:

President Scott asked Gary Tomsic to auction off 4 tickets to an upcoming Mariner game to the highest bidder.  Jack Curnow had the winning bid of $75 with the proceeds going to the Dick Metcalf Teen Center Project.  The tickets were donated by Dick Donahue.

Maureen reminded the club of the April 15^th Fun Run and Walk at Bloedel Donavan Park and that she still needed volunteers from the club to assist the Blue Skies for Children volunteers who would help with race day registration, course monitors and various activities.

Lex Ludtke reminded everyone of the Fund Raising Committee meeting today as well as Phil Bratt's Youth Service Awards Meeting.

Happy Bucks:

Tina Louden was happy to be back to the club after some very busy weeks.  Paul was $10 happy about his trip and thankful about all the help to make the Career Fair successful.  Shirley Metcalf was happy about being at today's meeting along with her family members.  Doug was happy about an upcoming trip that included a Turf Management Seminar.  Maureen was happy about her participation in the Career Fair.  Bill Grace was happy about his bench project and that Char Hart was visiting the club today.  George Tsakumis was happy about his trip to Portland.  Brian had a few disappointed bucks since Char had stood him up at his table.  Scott Wallace was happy to be sitting between two lovely ladies, Marge and Char.  Randy was $5 happy about his vacation time.   Jake Smith was a $1000 happy about today's program and his contribution to the Dick Metcalf Teen Center.   Tim Carpenter was sorry he missed last week's meeting since he was attending the Boy Scouts Appreciation Luncheon for Dick Metcalf and Dick Smith.  Lex Ludtke also had a sizable check for the Dick Metcalf project.  Bob Bowman was happy to see so many lovely ladies at today's meeting.  .

Fine Master:

Tim Carpenter was Volunteer Fine Master today after having left the committee for fear that some of the newer club members would only have perceived him as being rude, mean spirited and sarcastic.  After a few brief moments at the podium he had the entire club convinced.   Tim immediately fined the Fine Master Committee members $2 for not missing him and $4 if you were glad he was back.  No fines for CPAs today who in were in attendance so close to Tax Day.  Randy Carr was fined $1 for not realizing that if he won the Blue Skies for Children race on Saturday, he could still perform his volunteer duties at the finish line.  Tim fined Jim McKellar a welcome back buck.  Char was charge $2 for being the last one in.  Brian agreed to pay it but said he was a little short and was out of money too.  Career Fair non-participates were fined a dollar.  Bill Grace was fined   $2 for his consecutive happy bucks.  All those wearing suspenders were fined a dollar.  If you had taken a winter break to a sunny place you were fined.  Your editor was fined for making derogatory comments by referring to Paul and Greg as Poncho and Lefty.   Phil Bratt was fined $2 for his notoriety in the Bellingham Herald.   

Stan's Banner Theme for this week was Easter and Passover.

Program:

Doug Thomas introduced today's program about the Dick Metcalf Teen Center at the Ferndale Boys and Girls Club. Doug gave us an up to date total of $81,639 towards our goal of $250,000.  The program was presented by Robin Schmidt of The Whatcom County Boys and Girls Clubs and Josh Wilund the director of the Ferndale Club. 

Both Robin and Josh did an excellent job in showing why a Teen Center is such a necessary part of any Boys and Girls Club and how it will fit so well into the new Ferndale Club.  The Ferndale City Council recently voted unanimously for the club to either remodel or rebuild in their existing location at Pioneer Park.  The Teen Center will give Teens a place to go from 3-8pm throughout the school year.  It will be a place where the teens have comfortable surroundings but a space they can control themselves.  This facility will match with the core values of Boys and Girls Club:

a.       Provide a place for emotional and physical well-being.

b.      Provide positive self-identity.

c.       Enhance social competency

d.      Provide positive Values

e.       Provide a commitment to learning.

The new facility will be approximately 11,000 square feet at the site of the existing "roller rink" club.  The next step to the project will be a feasibility study by Boys and Girls Club of America to determine the design of the club within the existing footprint and available funding.  Estimates are between 1.5 and 3 million dollars.  Funds will come from Whatcom North Rotary but CTED Grants as well as the Seattle Sonics.  The project will take 2-3 years to complete.

Your Editor:  Rick Staeb