WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUB

NORTHWIND

June 12, 2008

 

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Greg Thulincalled the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Gary Tomsic gave the invocation.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS:  George Tsakumis from the Vancouver Club, Tom Eckert from the Bellingham Club and Patty Imhof from BellinghamBay Rotary Club.

 

GUESTS:  Jake Smith introduced his guest Bob Bergs and Marlene Sexton introduced her daughter Audra.

 

RETURNING ROTARIANS:   No one claimed to be returning today but Mel Hollinger shared his recent visit to the White Rock Rotary Club. 

 

BIRTHDAYS:  Jake Smith on June 13th and Gary Tomsic on June 15th.  Happy Birthday Jake and Gary!

 

ANNOUNCMENTS: 

 

(1) The noon meeting on June 26th will be the new officers and directors' induction ceremony.

(2) There will be no meeting on July 3, 2008.  The Board Meeting for that day is moved to July 10, 2008.

(3) President Elect Tim Villhauer is passing around a printout of proposed committees for the next Rotary year and he is asking everyone to sign up for at least three.  Also, there is information at the back of the room for anyone interested in participating in a golf tournament to benefit orphanages in Africa.

(4) Jerry Landcastle announced he is sending around a signup sheet for 2-hour stints at providing security the night of Bay2Bay.

(5) Josh Wilund announced the upcoming Boy's and Girl's Club Auction to be held on June 28th at PioneerPark in Ferndale.

(6) Marlene Sexton announced the Rotary Youth Program will be upon us soon and asked that we check out www.district5050.org for more information.

(7) Dick Donahue announced that Dan Baker secured a $2,000 donation from North Fork Construction for Bay2Bay so we now have enough pledged to cover our direct costs.

 

HAPPY BUCKS:  There were lots of happy bucks today.  Greg Thulin for Tim Villhauer covering last week.  The reason he wasn't in attendance is because he was standing on top of Mt.Hood.  Phil Bratt for something about Baker and sad for the Lynden building that was destroyed by fire.  Scott Wallace for fishing lures and a warning to check for Red Tide before digging for clams.  Max Legg for his 34th wedding anniversary.  Mel Hollinger for the Northwind and Nexus card to cross the Canadian border.  Marlene Sexton for her daughter attending today's meeting.  Bill Grace for Diehl Ford's 100-year celebration and his Model T winning for its class.  George Tsakumis for his family and Father's Day.  Ken Richardson for letting his mom believe that one of her friend's had passed away.  Dick Donahue for Bay2Bay going so well.  Rich Jacobson for something about a Drive-In.  Larry Pollett for Jake Locker and two granddaughters graduating.  Laurie Lloyd for her son's graduation.  Ray George for a conference he attended in Denver and winning 3rd place.  Stan Brunner for his grandchild graduating from High School. 

 

FINEMASTER:  Max Legg was Finemaster today.  He fined Eric Nelson for telling a drive-through story.  Ken Richardson for a jacket advertising Margaritaville.  All Hulk Hogan fans for his ex-wife dating a 19 year old.  All non sleepers.  All Bud Light drinkers - I saw one hand go up.  Dan Baker for the new Cell Phone law going into effect July 1st.  Gary Tomsic because it's Junuary.  The Red Toyota owner for taking up two spaces - I didn't' see anyone own up to this.  Chad Chambers for his tan.  Josh Wilund for giving Max a "Shirley Temple". 

 

Banners:  Sharon Robinson guessed correctly that the banner's represented Flag Day.  Thanks Stan Brunner.

 

PROGRAM:  Greg Thulin introduced today's speaker Rachel Myers, Executive Director of the Whatcom Literacy Council.  Literacy is a widespread problem with one out of six people in the United States functionally illiterate.  The Whatcom Literacy Council helps adults achieve literacy.  The two primary motivators for someone contacting the Literacy Council are to seek employment and parenting.  In 2007 the Whatcom Literacy Council helped 62 learners meet parenting goals and 43 learners meet employment related goals.  How is this accomplished?  With volunteer tutors.  The Whatcom Literacy Council trains the tutors (over 100 were trained last year) who in turn help the adults learn to read.  If you are interested in becoming a tutor, you can attend a Learn More about Literacy Tutoring orientation the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at the Bellingham Public Library, Grand and Central.  For more information about the Literacy Council visit their website at www.whatcomliteracy.org. 

 

DRAWING:  No winner again!

 

Editor this week:   David Engels