Northwind October 29, 2009

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Chuck called the meeting to order.

INVOCATION: Gary Thomsic gave the invocation.

VISITING ROTARIANS:  George Tsakumis, Jeanne McGee, and Ruth Richardson (Sedro Wooley).

FOUNDATION THOUGHT :  Given by Dick Donahue - on literacy projects.

GUESTS: Randy's guest Norm Viggary, Brian's guest Ben.

BIRTHDAYS :  None

ANNOUNCEMENTS:    1.  Laurie Lloyd made a special presentation of a check for $5,367 to Laura Clark of the Whatcom Humane Society.

2.  Board meeting and Foundation Board meeting next week at Zervas Group,  7:30. 

3.  Foundation Dinner Nov. 12.  5:30.  $40/person.  Please be there to support our Paul Harris Recipients.

4.  11/21 Rotary Leadership Institute in Langley.  Tony went to this and highly recommends it.

5.  District Foundation dinner is also coming up, 11/14 in White Rock.  Contact Tim C. or Larry if you would like to carpool.

6.  12/19 Bell ringing.  Ferndale Haggen.  Contact President Chuck.

7.  11/13  JA volunteers needed.  Contact Leah.

8.  12/3  Club Visioning Event.  Evening meeting.  No Noon Meeting.

9.  Tim C. announced some of the Paul Harris recipients and encouraged members to come to the dinner and support them.

10.  Ray requested that the Membership committee meet right after the meeting.

HAPPY BUCKS:  George T. - the official end of the recession - happy.  His car was hit today - sad.  Brian F. sad for Boeing relocation.  Bill happy that neighbors cottonwoods are gone.  Jeanne attended photo awards in New York.  Randy - although he did not catch salmon, just trout,  was happy to go fishing last week with Ray.  Also for a U2 concert last night.  Lex was happy for breakfast with the fundraising committee.  Jack apology buck for missing his finemaster stint.  

Doug wanted to move the club to St. Kit's where it is 50 degrees warmer.  Dan Parsons helped someone (?) break their lease.  Ray happy to be over the salmon flu.  He gave some awards including a Honey Bucket hat for Randy to wear until his Husky's are worthy of support.   Also an Animal House trivia game for Laverne, who seems to be an RV although this was all one big inside joke that I couldn't quite follow.

Tony was sad for George's accident.  Dick Donahue announced one new grandson has arrived and another is due next week.  Cuck sympathized with having one's car crunched.  Maureen announced she will be joining an International Trasit Research Team on a trip to South America - at no cost to WTA. 

FINEMASTER: Max Legg:  Ray for giving a program during Happy Bucks.  Anyone with short sleeves in this cold weather.  Gary T. for apparently not paying the Northwood Hall heating bill.  Anyone who's lunch bill remains unpaid.  Dick (which one??) for being last in.  Tim V. for sitting in Stan's chair.  Mell and Tim for eruditely studying the banners.  Laurie for hanging onto the Humane Society's money since June.  Jake for something during the fundraising meeting and Doug for something his employees did or didn't do.

Huskies fans, Yankee fans, Philly fans.  Lex for seeing gargoyles in Barkley. really?   

BANNERS:   The presentation included a list of the club's founding members on October 4, 1973, and the banners that those members brought back to the club that year.  Banners from charter members number over 250, and make up about one-third of our total collection.

PROGRAM :  The program was given by Bruce Tadeyseke, a safari guide and taxidermy specialist.  He showed a DVD and spoke about the positive effects including employment that tourism has brought to the native people in South Africa.  His website is www.WildlifeArtTaxidermy.com and the tour operator he represents is Chamanzi Zulu Safaris:  www.chamanzi.co.za  

I was not able to stay for the presentation, but you can learn more from the websites, or Ray George can provide more information.