Northwind September 6, 2012
WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUB
NORTHWIND
Let’s Get Started!: President Laurie called the meeting to order and led us in the flag salute. Gary gave the invocation and Dale led us in the recitation of the 4-Way Test of the Things we say, think and do.
They came to visit us from other clubs: George T. from Vancouver; Jeanne from Mexico; Shannon Terrell from B’ham Bay; and Hillary Baumstarck from somewhere south of here.
Coming back was: Pete from his summer sojourn to the north.
Celebrating the anniversary of their births: The Maurlenes, as usual, both on September 10th; and Max on the 9th – the big six-O.
And you need to know: 1. The district music festival for Polio Plus is this Saturday at McIntyre Hall in Mt. Vernon. Julie and Roll will be representing our club. 2. Orphalee’s tenure as assistant district governor will expire at the end of this Rotary year. If interested in the position, contact the incoming DG, Denis Boyd. 3. Tim V. announced that the wine-tasting will be held on October 23rd at Sound Beverage. 4. The fundraising committee will be meeting Monday morning, September 10th, 7:00a.m., at Arlis’ Restaurant. 5. Thank you card from Caleb for our support for his swine project. Ray announced that Jake had ponied up $300 that was disbursed among the kids for their projects.
Pay to spout off: Tim C. for wearing his pin; Jake for Marlene acting on his behalf as Greeter last week, but Marlene was to be the Greeter this week and didn’t show up (that might not all be accurate); Sharon for being discombobulated in ways to verbose to repeat; Bill - $45 twice, to TRF and the Whatcom Count Rotary Foundation, in celebration of his and Kris’s 45 years of marriage; Max for a clumsy brother-in-law who insulted the Canadian border patrol; George for having to call on his daughter, Sandra, to make hotel room reservations for him and Frosso in Victoria. Seems there was room for Americans, but not Canadians; Gary for the city finally moving into its new digs after a hundred year; Stan for a mouse in his kitchen, the existence of which he should not have mentioned to Margaret, but did; Tim V. for something about Blaine; Rome’s dog ate his hearing aid; Norm gave blood, which probably explains his attempt to discuss the creation of a Facebook page having to do with Canadian hotels, or something; Scott for $26 years of marriage; and Laurie for Gary bailing us out with a program.
And the Meany is: Max, who received a warm hand upon his ascension to the microphone: Gary, for falling leaves and falling microphones; stockbrokers for a big gain in the markets; Dale, for not knowing about the big St. Sophia food festival this week-end; Bill, for not knowing that Neil Armstrong will be buried at sea, per his request as an old Navy guy; today is the anniversary of William McKinley being shot – no word on his condition; Tim – correctly knowing the new basketball coach at Western; long sleeves; tables without women; hello to Rome; Seahawks fans – they play Dallas week after next; Mariners for matching their win total of all last year; Shannon and Jake correctly named the Huskies and Cougars opponents for this week-end.
Our world-view was expanded this week by: Michael McQueen, via videotape introduced by Gary. (Something about Brian and Greg T. not coming up with a program?)
The program was given by M r. McQueen at the international convention last year, and focused on Generation Y and the new avenue of service – New Generations. That avenue of service encompasses RYLA, youth exchange; Rotaract and Interact, among other programs directed at youth, including the movement to increase membership of younger people in Rotary. Two percent of Rotarians are under the age of 30, 11 percent under 40.
The speaker debunked some of the myths about this younger generation, mainly that they are self-absorbed and shiftless. He outlines seven keys to attracting young people to Rotary, the primary tool being communicating the Rotary message. Rotarians stereotypically are retired, wealthy men who meet once a week to eat bad food. They have little idea about Rotary’s role.
There are a multitude of potential Rotarians out there, we need to find them – and ask them to join. These young people are actually interested in making changes in the world. Governments, the U.N., multi-national corporations and philanthropists can’t affect that change, but Rotary can.
Stan’s Banners: may have been the best ever. No one could figure it out. The theme was paired opposites, such big and small, wide and narrow, long and short, fish and fowl…
No Money Winner, but Julie’s ticket was called and she drew the three of spades.
Scribe this week: Tim the Elder.