Northwind July 14, 2011
WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUB
NORTHWIND
July 14, 2011
MEETING TO ORDER: President Gary called the meeting to order and also provide the invocation.
GUESTS: Marlene introduced her guests: her daughter Audra and her son-in-law Mike.
VISITING ROTARIANS: Our visiting Rotarian was George Tsakumis from Vancouver, B.C.
RETURNING ROTARIANS: None
BIRTHDAYS: None
ANNOUNCMENTS:
Bill Grace requested that we provide pictures of our spouses and significant others for inclusion in the Club Roster. Send pictures to Bill in JPEG format. If you want to update your photo or that of a spouse or your betrothed, your doing so as soon as possible is welcomed.
Norm announced that Bill Grace received his pin for 24 years of perfect attendance.
Gary noted that our meeting next week, Thursday, July 21, will be a Club Assembly. All are asked to review the “Summary Report -- Whatcom North Strategic Planning Retreat – April 28, 2011” that was passed out at the meeting. Be prepared next week to participate in the Club Assembly and to help determine the Club’s priorities for the coming year.
Dues and meals statements were handed out to those in attendance. All are encouraged to add a donation to the Rotary Foundation to help our Club reach 100% participation in the Every Rotarian Every Year campaign. Just add some dollars to your remittance amount and the amount over the dues and meals costs will be a donation to the Rotary Foundation or as you otherwise specify.
NEW MEMBER:
Bill Grace inducted our newest member, Nick Furnari, sponsored by Marlene. Nick is Relationships Manager for Banner Bank on Cornwall in Bellingham. Welcome Nick.
HAPPY BUCKS: Various sums were donated as Happy Bucks or other reasons…
Rocky—Welcome to Audra and Mike.
Norm—Welcome to new member Nick; a new boat almost; and that there were no Huskies at his table (must have meant sad bucks).
Jim Blaney—for the 14 dedicated members who determinedly tried to meet July 7 even though the Club meeting had been canceled weeks in advance.
Mel—For the installation dinner June 30 and the District Governor Dinner.
Stan—For his grandson receiving recognition form the East Seattle Rotary Club.
Marlene—For Audra and Mike visiting; Nick’s induction to the Club; and that Gary is now in control.
Jerry – For Tyler Randall having finished school and now working for the U.S. government in D.C.
George T. —Congratulations to Gary for his new term as Club President and George's visiting daughter who lives in Arizona swapping heat for rain.
Bill Grace—Welcome to Nick; Blood donation and an enticing offer to get a cookbook for only two blood draws this summer; and for his shrinking finger (not enough blood?) and the loss of his wedding band he worn for 44 years.
Jim Sands—Scooter bucks and for his bowling team beating Rocky’s team even though Rocky evidently rolls a mighty bowing ball.
Randy – For 17 years of marriage; gaining 23 pounds in the form a sport fish; and some happy healthy weight loss.
Sharon—To encourage Every Rotarian Every Year donations to the Foundation; and for her plans to marry Greg!
Laurie—Scooter bucks.
FINEMASTER: The Right Honorable Fine Master Max Legg Fine mastered….
Nick—A welcome to the Club fine… which fine Jake promptly covered with something extra.
Ken—For Beeper Beeps.
All 4th of July firework users for being felons of some sort of scofflaws.
All non-users of 4th of July fireworks for not being patriotic.
If you have or use plastic bags, you pay now.
Bill—For missing spouses’ pictures. Bill said “missing spouses pictures” when he meant, “missing pictures of spouses” …every slip is worth a fine at Whatcom County North.
Rick – Advertising on his shirt.
Randy—An old Fine Master IOU was doubled.
Marlene-- An old Fine Master IOU was doubled.
Rocky—For being booted off the Family Island (the table where all his relatives was sitting) and having to sit as a castaway with other just regular Club members.
The 14 who showed up for the non-meeting July 7th.
Pete R. —For remodeling talk of toilets during lunch; and for a guilty act of turning off his cell phone when some one else’s phone rang.
Gary T. – For being right leaning at the podium.
Banners: The banners were all those gathered during Marlene’s term as Club President. Thanks, Stan.
PROGRAM:
President Gary introduced Debra Akre and Jeana King. They addressed the Club some time ago and presented an update and provided information regarding their Tembo Trading Co. and related educational and business projects primarily in Kenya. They described their Project Education, Inc, describing their goals of transforming the hopes and dreams of impoverished children and their communities. It seems our speakers have been trying to work themselves out of a job by doing that job very well. They explained a bit about the East African Community (EAC) and the value of what is basically self reliance that they believe will serve the citizens of the EAC better than hand outs.
Learn more about the work of Jeana and Debra at http://www.tembotrading.com/about_us.html
A variety of beautiful bags and a few other products of the Tembo Trading Co. were on display and are also on sale at Haggen stores.
An interesting and encouraging program.
DRAWING: Rocky had the wining ticket, but drew a losing card…the pot grows…. It has to be up around $300.00 or so!
Editor this week: C. Tull