Northwind 5/22/08

WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUB

NORTHWIND

May 22, 2008

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Gregcalled the meeting to order at 12:30.       Rick Staeb gave the invocation.

GUESTS:  Ken's wife, Sue Richardson ,

VISITING ROTARIANS: Lynn Masland from Sunrise Club, Matt Rose from BellinghamBay, and Bob Morse, our current ADG.

BIRTHDAYS:  Ed Brown's Birthday is this week.

ANNOUNCMENTS:  (1) ADG Bob Morse announced that this would be his last official visit with us as ADG.  After three years he has the great pleasure of announcing that our own Larry Pollett will follow in his footsteps, and become the next Assistant District Governor.   Congratulations to Larry!

(2)  Brian announced that the auction grossed more than $27,000.  As soon as they can get the credit card receipts tallied they will have an exact number, but the net is around $21,000.  Way to go!

(3) ***IF YOU GAVE BRIAN A PHOTO OR YEARBOOK, PLEASE CONTACT HIM TO GET IT BACK.   THE POTENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS KILLING HIM!!!***

(4)  Dick Donahue gave two announcements - 1.  He took Mel to the District Conference, and heard Past RI President Cliff Dockerman speak, which was very inspiring.  He also noted that our club was the only one in WhatcomCounty not to get a Presidential citation.  Pres. Greg noted that this was because we were down by five members, rather than being up by one, which is required for the citation. - 2.  Dick' announced a summary of where we stand with the Bay 2 Bay bike ride.  Registration forms and information were passed out to the tables.  Sponsors are still needed.  The ride will begin and end in Fairhaven - at the Village Green.  Secure parking will be available in the Haskell lot on Harris St.  Dan Baker is working on food - he will need people in the kitchen - these people will need food handling permits.  Larry Pollett and Tim (Carpenter?) are working on organizing man (person) power for security, organization, checkpoints, etc.  They will need 20-30 Rotarians to be involved.  Laurie is working on housing and Jerry on permits .  The next organizational meeting will be Monday, June 2, 5:30 at Dick's office.

HAPPY BUCKS:  Scott Wallace for a fishing trip to Barkley sound.  Bill Grace took care of Marge while Scott was gone. Bill was happy to explain that she needed some furniture worked on.. it was all downhill from there. Also- don't forget the car show at BoulevardPark on Sunday.  Tim V. thanked Bob Morse for his service, and Larry for his upcoming role.  Doug Thomas, ditto.  Max was happy for a 5-day trip to the Okanagan, and for Matt Rose representing the NavalAcademy better than he (Max) ever could.  Dick Donahue was happy for the success of the auction and Tim Carpenter's success in completing the District Matching Grant.  Brian Finnegan was happy that he came back from Vegas with as much money as he started.  Also happy that he might not have to do the canoe leg on Sunday, if the river is too high.

FINEMASTER:  The honorable Jack Curnow presiding:  Scott Wallace was fined $5 for being the namesake of the Wallace Rule.  Greg I. was fined for criticizing Jack's pepper use.  Chuck for being unsuccessful in the giving of crap.  Ken R. for not telling Sue that she was in Jerry's seat.  Larry P. for being a glutton for punishment.  Josh for reckless driving, almost hitting Jack in the parking lot.  Bill Grace for the story about Marge. Max for not representing the USNA well. Finnegan was asked to donate the money he did not loose in Vegas.  Stan was fined retroactively because of Jack's lack of skill in the reading of Ye Olde English.

Banners: Three groups - three themes - bouquets of spring flowers, Ski-to-Sea, and concern for Ted Kennedy.  These were fairly easily deciphered.

PROGRAM:  Pam Whalley was our program.  She is director of the Washington Council on Economic Education.  This non-profit organization has as its mission "to ensure that every student in Washington graduates with the basic economic and financial knowledge necessary to make informed decisions as a consumer, saver, investor, worker and citizen."  Pam assured us that even though she is an economist, we would not find her talk boring.  She was definitely right!  She led us in a lively game that involved competitively answering True/False statements including several misconceptions about millionaires.   It is True that more drive Fords than luxury cars, but false that more are single than married.   While the competition was lighthearted, the very important message was appreciated by all.  Contact Pam at Pam.Whalley@wwu.edu or see more about the national Council at www.ncee.net.

DRAWING:  Although Dan Baker was not here, his ticket was drawn.  Again!?!  No winner!

Editor this week:   Sharon Robinson