Northwind February 19, 2009

Posted by Marlene Sexton 
 

Whatcom County North Rotary

Northwind

February 19, 2009  

MEETING TO ORDER:   President Tim called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the flag salute.  Pete Kremen led us in a reflective moment to contemplate our many blessings.

VISITING ROTARIANS:  George T. from Vancouver and Susan Sharp from Bellingham Bay joined us today.  Welcome!

GUESTS:    Brian F. introduced his guests (and speakers), Greg Martineau, Roy Schick and Jason Stiles.  Ray G. was very anxious to introduce his guest, Loren VanderYacht.  Eric N. introduced his guest, Jim Sands.  Dick D. introduced his friend Bob Rehpohl.  Again, welcome! 

BIRTHDAYS:  Happy Birthday to Greg I. (19th) and Roger L.  (23rd).   Both were apparently out celebrating.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Tim V. announced the Literacy Training on March 21st at Hampton Inn.  (Sharon and Marlene will both be attending, but it is still open to other members who would like to go.)  Tim also announced that Brad P. was spotted at Costco and is doing better.  We are all glad to hear that!  Marlene didn't announce, but should have; RYLA is accepting applications for their training in early summer.  See Marlene for details.  Brian F. announced that the Cinco de Mayo Auction will be held on either May 1 or 2.  He will confirm this next week, but in the meantime, each member is asked to bring their significant other and one other couple.  The four of you will share a table with four others.  We should have enough people to fill 25 tables. (I am resisting writing anything about Brian's "new math", but see "Finemaster" section.) He would also like members to begin thinking about what they can get for donations. Eric N. announced that next week we will have the Club Assembly and he will discuss "Club in a Club."  Everyone is asked to gather names of potential members and get their contact information.  These are names of responsible, respected community members.  Eric will do the follow-up.  Rome had a reminder of donating instruments to Meridian Middle School Band.  Pete R. had an update on the Career Fair and circulated a list for names of people who would make good presenters.  Again, get him the names and he will do letters and follow-up.  Scott W. had received a letter from Brad P. who confirmed he was in town for about 4 days.  Brad is doing pretty well and went back to Seattle for more chemotherapy.  He should be there 5-6 weeks.  We all wish Brad well and look forward to the day he returns healthy!

Happy Bucks:  Greg T. gave $ and thanks for the card sent after his skiing injury.  He has found that 222s and beer go a long way in helping with the pain of his broken leg.  Tim C. (who reminded us he is also injured), had $5 for his hero, Pete K. and his common sense and courage for making decisions.  Scott W. also had $ for Pete's common sense AND for a new "Cougar" (his new grandchild!) Congratulations Marge and Scott.  George T. was happy because the U.S. is Canada's biggest partner in trade.  He was also happy to see Greg T. up and around.  Jerry L. gave $ in support of Pete, calling his decision a great one.  Maureen was happy to have a visit with her sister in Philadelphia and also glad to see Susan Sharp.  Maureen was also happy for increased ridership (WTA) and a favorable article in the newspaper.  Dick D. had $ in support of Pete's Terraquarium decision and happy that his friend, Bob could join him today.  Brian F. was happy about a huge basketball game coming up as well as today's speakers.  Tim V.  was also so happy for Pete's decision that he confused Maureen for Marlene.  Ray G. gave $ because his daughter has moved into her own apartment and assisted Ray and Glorene in "downsizing" by relieving them of many pots and pans.  Ray also had some Obama dimes to stimulate the economy.  Lex hasn't been happy for awhile, but he is happy now because he believes Pete is looking taller after having made his decision.  Bob B. was also happy for Pete's decision and noted that Pete is actually an "admitted Democrat."  Laurie L. was happy that Ken Griffey Jr. is back!

FINEMASTER: Greg T. played finemaster today and began by fining Brian F. for his math skills.  Dan B. was fined because his cell phone went off; Maureen was fined because WTA is raising its rates.  Anyone that didn't do anything for Valentine's Day was fined $1, while anyone that knew last Sat. was Valentine's Day and didn't do anything was fined $2.  Skiers were fined out of Greg's envy because his ski season ended abruptly.  Randy will owe $2 when he returns from Hawaii because he invited Greg to go skiing last Friday (after Greg's injury.)  Lex was fined for the $6 million dollars of pot that crossed the border in a cattle truck.  Mariner fans that didn't give $ for K. Griffey Jr's. return, were fined.  Tyler was fined because his competition is cutting garbage costs.  (Tyler claims Haggen's is way ahead of the curve on this one.) Pete K. was fined for the county employee who got canned for "just pulling a knife on a neighbor at a party."(At this rate, "Lummi Island Socials" will be outlawed!)  Gary T. was fined (in absentia) for the Chiropractor in Blaine that was on black-tar heroin.  Tim C. took over from Greg at this point and ratted Ray G. out for making his guest, Loren wait over 10 minutes for Ray to show up AND then Ray made Loren buy his own lunch.  Looks like Ray had to empty his wallet for that!

BANNERS:  The all-white banners represented Stan "drawing a blank."

PROGRAM: Today's program was about reinstating football at WWU.  The informative program was presented by Roy Schick and Jason Stiles.  Roy reported that Students, Community, and Alumni support are needed to bring football back to Western.  He believes it can and will be done.  What began as a "grass roots" movement now has over $575,000 in firm pledges, demonstrating a commitment to bringing this program back.  Jason stated it is a duty and responsibility to push forth to save WWU football.  He spoke eloquently about it being so much more than a game, illustrating that for many players it is the chance for higher education.  He also spoke of the many benefits to the student body, to the community, and to the state.  Both speakers encouraged us to think of solutions to save the program rather than thinking about eliminating it.  Jason encourages a "3 Prong" approach: (1) Improve budget management. (2)  Revise marketing and outreach and (3) Fundraising.  They highly stressed, it is not too late andit CAN be done.  People need to write letters to the Athletic Director as well as the President.  Also, money (and ideas) can be donated on the internet at savewwufootball.com   A look at the "meeting notes" (revealed through the "Freedom of Information Act") suggests the program was cut unfairly and unnecessarily and they encourage the community to not accept this decision as final.  

DRAWING:  Lex drew the nine of diamonds.  The pot continues to grow!

EDITOR: Marlene Sexton