Northwind October 25, 2012
President Laurie called the meeting to order:
Our Greeter. Tim V.
Invocation. Rick.
Guests of Rotarians. Gary T’s guest was our speaker, Steve Price.
Visiting Rotarians. None today.
Announcments. President Laurie heard her first “Rotary Minute” on KAFE as she was driving to our meeting. Also mentioned the Bellingham Herald ran a story regarding Rotary’s role in helping the homeless in Whatcom County. Dale announced that our club donated the equivalent of 31 pounds of food to the Community Food Drive. Taken together, Whatcom County Clubs donated the equivalent of more than 10,000 pounds of food. Tim V. said a great time was had by all at the wine tasting. Next week (November 1) is the last week to order and pay for wine. Ken reminded everyone that he needs your RSVP for the Foundation Dinner. KEN NEEDS YOUR RSVP for THE FOUNDATION DINNER! Food will be extra special, and he must give NW Hall a head count. President Laurie reminded us that new details regarding the New Zealand trip were up on the website. After a Roster Committee meeting with himself, Bill Grace is making a new option available. If you would like to include a photo of yourself with your spouse, please send it to Rick for inclusion in the roster.
Happy Bucks. President Laurie was sad to miss the wine tasting. Brian has missed us. Jody’s mother suffered a stroke and while it’s been difficult of course, he’s happy to report she is making a strong recovery. Tyler was glad to be back, and glad to be nearly through the process of selling one house and buying another. Ken was happy to see some faces we haven’t seen in a while. Bill was happy to report Chris was feeling better, after troubles with her back. Tim C reported he and Lynn postponed their trip to Arizona in order to attend the foundation dinner. He was also happy he had no duties during the meeting for a change. Dale was happy for club participation in the food drive, as well as the community-wide accomplishment of reaching their goal: 300,000 pounds of food. Sharon was happy for the simple RSVP function in Ken’s email (for the foundation dinner). Julie was happy for the wine tasting, happy for Dale’s work on the food drive and for his representing us well at the other clubs. She was also happy for her lunch with current Rotary President Tanaka and for a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert at MBT. Gary T was thankful for Tim V’s putting the wine tasting event together.
Fine Master. Max Legg exacted the following fines from the following people: Tyler and Maureen for wearing their outdoor coats during lunch. Dale for saying he was happy about the weather. Julie for praising President Tanaka for being such a GENTLE Man (as if making a statement about present company). Tom was issued a “Welcome to the Club” fine. Ken and Tim V, for sitting away from their “usual” tables. Rick, for not wearing socks. (Apparently, this is known as a Huckleberry Finn.) Gary for claiming he helped our speaker to figure out his technical audio/visual needs. Jim S and Jim B, for not being able to name the impending hurricane. Ray, for arriving during the Fine Master’s presentation. Anyone who flew into Bellingham Airport on Sunday (Brian). Anyone who hadn’t yet voted. Anyone sitting at a table with fewer than two women. Hockey fans were fined because of the strike. Anyone not wearing their pin was fined. And Tim C. was fined for being a little unstable today.
Program. Our speaker today was Steve Price. Steve introduced an organization called New Friends/Nuevos Amigos. The goal of New Friends/Nuevos Amigos is to promote learning and understanding between schoolchildren in the US and Mexico. Founded by educators and a community developer in the US and Mexico, New Friends focuses on the following:
· Cultural exchange, and opportunities for students in both countries to learn about each other.
· Tools for learning, including improved facilities and access to materials in Mexican schools.
· Scholarships, and helping to keep Mexican children in school.
Activities include an adopt-a-student program and fundraising campaigns. Funds raised are for books, supplies, computers, and building facilities such as bathrooms, toilets, roofs, etc.
The New Friends program is especially relevant to Rotary due to its emphasis on literacy. It’s also especially relevant to Whatcom County North; its target area is near the club attended by our own Jeannie McGee.
Drawing. Tyler held the winning number, but did not draw the winning card.