Northwind, September 30, 2010

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Marlene Sexton called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rick Staeb gave the invocation
 
VISITING ROTARIANS: George Tsakumis [Vancouver], Graham Harris [New Zealand]
 
GUESTS:  Melanie Mohammed - guest of Scott Wallace, Brandon All - guest of Randy, and also Graham Harris' daughter
 
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:  Rick Staeb, Dick Donahue - Happy Birthday was sung to Rick and Dick by Jake Smith. What a treat!
 
RETURNING ROTARIANS:  Paul Cooley had been in Oregon, and Gary Tomsic returned from fly fishing
 
ANNOUNCMENTS: (1) The Bucks for Banos Oct 3^rd luncheon was cancelled, (2) $4,825 has been pledged for the Bucks for Banos project (Mel has a matching grant of $25,000 for this as well that we are working towards), (3) Bill Grace gave information about the blood drive and a wager we have with Graham Harris' club in New Zealand (where the only blood given freely is at rugby matches), (4) Marlene announce the Rotary Leadership Institute on Saturday and needed some help, (5) Marlene also asked for help in driving Wayne Weave around prior the upcoming meeting, [6] Marlene asked anyone to see her about being on the District Training Team, [7] October 9 will be the Rotary Garage sale at Stanellos in Fairhaven (bring your saleable items, provide sale proceeds to the club, and cart off any unsold items), and [8] Julie asked for volunteers for the October 23^rd Make a Difference Day to plant trees for the NSEA.
 
SONG BREAK: In preparation for the District Governor coming to our club this next week, Jim led the club in belting out of rousing rendition of the Canadian national anthem - O' Canada.
 
HAPPY BUCKS: Randy gave $20 as he was thankful we finished singing O' Canada and for the truly surprise birthday present from his lovely wife for a trip with friends to Dallas Texas to attend a concert given by the group Rush. His birthday isn't until February 1^st, and he told his wife that she couldn't surprise him on his birthday. Well Randy, this was one for the record books. Very creative and very original. Wonder how Randy is going to top this one. Ken Richardson gave $5 for Randy's short story and his program. Bill Grace gave $10 for having completed the roster (very nice job Bill - this is a big job) and for an upcoming car club show in Monroe. Larry Raney gave $10 for family members that came to visit and $10 for the last one that finally went home. George Tsakumis gave for the singing of O' Canada and for Bill Grace finishing the roster. Ray only gave $1 because he announced he didn't have anything to say. Maureen thanked Bill for completing the roster. Paul gave $20 for a great vacay to Oregon. Julie Johansen gave $10 for Gary Tomsic being President Elect of the club and for a totally nonrelaxing vacation trip to Nova Scotia with her hubby Bob who apparently hustled to see everything in the geographical area. Rick Staeb gave $5 for a trip to Memphis to see BB King. Scott Wallace was thankful that summer finally arrived in late September. Laurie expressed thanks to Bill Grace for completing the roster. Sharon gave a protective $20 for her piano accompaniment. Dick Donahue gave some sad bucks for the passing of Tim Carpenter's father. Marlene was glad that the roster was done and for Jim leading us in song.
 
FINEMASTER: Scott Wallace was on a roll again. We had no banners and only 3 people "officially" noticed - all others paid $1. Brian Finnegan was ratted out by Shannon Terrell for talking in his car on a cellphone. $5. Those eating more than 1 cookie paid $2. Stan volunteered to pay a $1 fine for last week for not eating 2 cookies. Gary Tomsic was $1 happy for the City of Blaine getting a clean audit report despite what the Herald said in its daily 2 page paper. Max Legg paid $5 for Scott Wallace covering for his finemaster duties last week. Anyone with stocks and bonds paid $1. Seahawk fans paid $2. Norm paid $2 for some press that his dad got. TIVO and like machine owners paid $1. Scott was jealous. Dick Donahue paid $1 for being the last one in after Julie said that she wasn't. Mariner fans for the sloppy game. Rick Staeb paid $2 for getting Jake to sing HB. And Scott recognized Ken Richardson for helping enforce the no texting and no cellphone use laws while driving. Scott also thanked Rotarians who help others to fix up their homes.
 
Banners: None today.
 
PROGRAM:  The program today was provided by Rick Staeb and Laurie Lloyd to review the inner workings of the 2010-2011 Community Projects Committee process in choosing and funding projects. The committee uses guidelines in considering and selecting projects. Projects in the county area are given priority while projects in Bellingham are also considered. Funds are not provided to organizations for operations, but for tangible projects of lasting value. Some funds are always held in reserve in case a special need comes up quickly or out of the blue. The committee currently has $10,000 available for projects. The 2009-2010 auction raised $35,000 of which 60% went in three equal parts to the Whatcom Humane Society, FFA and Whatcom Literacy Council. The committee is always looking for projects and champions of projects to shepard them through the process with the committee.
 
DRAWING: The card drawn by Julie was not a winner.
 
The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.