Northwind September 22, 2011
September 22, 2011
WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUB
NORTHWIND
MEETING TO ORDER: President Gary called the meeting to order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Jim B. led us in the Invocation, followed by the recitation of the 4-Way Test of the things we Think, Say and Do.
GUESTS: None
VISITING ROTARIANS: Peter Mitchell from Vancouver, David Banther from Tarpon Springs, FL, and George Tsakumis from Vancouver.
RETURNING ROTARIANS: Tim V., from Iowa
BIRTHDAYS: Brian
ANNOUNCEMENTS: George, who has been a wonderful friend to our club and to Rotary, was presented with a PHF pin with four stones; the program committee was to meet directly after the meeting; Rick announced that the Community Projects Committee was cleaning up the process for applications for donations. October 6th is the deadline for applications, on the 13th the committee would meet to prioritize, on the 18th the committee’s recommendations go to the board, and on November 1st the recipients are to be notified; two members have resigned for personal reasons – Jon Hutchings and Dale Holt; the board has decided that all new members would be sent to the first level of the Rotary Leadership Institute to receive an intensive course on Rotary, at the club’s expense; Ken asked the membership to email to him nominations for Paul Harris Fellowships, members and nonmembers; the Fundraising Committee was to meet September 25th to discuss the specifics of fundraising ideas; Whatcom North T-shirts are available for sale.
TESTING: This week’s scribe is curious about whether club members actually read the Northwind. So, when he stands up at the next meeting and says “Northwind,” please rise to your feet. Do not mention this to your tablemates or friends so we can get an accurate impression. This will help the committee if the Northwind is not generating interest. Of course, suggestions for making the Northwind more interesting or appealing are always welcomed.
HAPPY BUCKS: Greg T. for a child’s successful minor surgery and son Carter making the varsity tennis team, and the opportunity to host his auction-sold BBQ; Randy for Greg’s BBQ; Ray for his dad’s return home after a heart attack and his wife’s 21st birthday; Greg I. for Ray’s tractor’s job on his blackberry bushes; Bill for George and the M’s; Marlene for George and Ray’s dad, her NASA expert; Jake for overindulging at Bliss’s house; Tim V. for George and getting home; Winton about a sandbar; Tim C. for George; Jerry for George and Jake; Mel for George.
FINEMASTER: Norm asked us to pause to reflect on our membership and our commitment to Rotary; Julie for promoting fines; Laurie for being an Oregon fan and that state’s increased minimum wage; Marlene for Maureen, and September turning crappy; inquiry to Derek about his child’s birthing status; Huskies back-up quarterback; Gary for making him fill-in Finemaster and back-up program; all those with crab cards who had not reported in their catches; Rollo for his ad; Tim V. for his Facebook vacation photos; Sharon for getting married; Rocky for being in back; Bill for neglecting to remind him of blood draw timing; Jim S. for his scary cat; Tim C. trying to think and talk at the same time while being retired; several members for doing nothing to incite being fined.
TESTING: This week’s scribe is curious about whether club members actually read the Northwind. So, when he stands up at the next meeting and says “Northwind,” please rise to your feet. Do not mention this to your tablemates or friends so we can get an accurate impression. This will help the committee if the Northwind is not generating interest. Of course, suggestions for making the Northwind more interesting or appealing are always welcomed.
PROGRAM: We watched a video of President Kalyan Banerjee’s speech to the International Conference. Kalyan is a chemical engineer and chair of a large agrichemical manufacturing company in India. He joined Rotary in 1972. He served on the international PolioPlus board. His wife, Binota, is a social worker. He related that being the president of Rotary International, with so many nations represented, was a humbling experience. His granddaughter was under the impression that he was president of the world.
He said that we hear so much about what is wrong in the world, rather than what is right. There in New Orleans, at the convention, he was able to report that Rotary was doing good in the world, making a difference, by looking at what is right in the world. Rotary is about change – not accepting things as they are. He urged us to focus on what we can do, rather than thinking that goals are impossible or too complex. Those issues just take a little longer to resolve. Rotary is a worldwide network that is changing lives. President Kalyan enjoys reflecting on the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi, who said that each of us must be the change that we want to see.
The search for change begins within. We should ask: Why am I here? For fulfillment we must look to our inside dimension as well as the outside dimension. We must set targets, discover ourselves, and then go forth to embrace humanity. Hence the theme: Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.
The journey starts with family. As the family goes, so goes the country and world.
Then follows Continuity – building on those things we do well. What are we doing now; what can we do in the future? We must be the instrument of change. He related the story of the woodcutter who handed down his axe to his son, telling his son that it was the same axe as handed down from the great grandfather, except that the haft had been replace twelve times and the blade eight times.
We must stay with our core values, but look forward to changing times utilizing the new technological Rotary network. Contrary to popular impression, the younger generations are dedicated to service, and have a healthy work/life balance. The passion to do well is still there. Our fondest wish should be that we become at least a small line in history, but better if we write a paragraph or a chapter.
Now is the time to tell your club you are ready to meet the challenges we face and work for peace.
BANNERS: Purple and Gold. The University of Washington was founded in 1861, 150 years ago.
DRAWING: OOPS! Norm drew the Ace of Spades worth $448.50. Now we start over again.
TESTING: This week’s scribe is curious about whether club members actually read the Northwind. So, when he stands up at the next meeting and says “Northwind,” please rise to your feet. Do not mention this to your tablemates or friends so we can get an accurate impression. This will help the committee if the Northwind is not generating interest. Of course, suggestions for making the Northwind more interesting or appealing are always welcomed.
Scribe this week: Tim Carpenter.