Northwind 12/21/06

Whatcom County North Rotary

Northwind

December 21, 2006

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Ken called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Pete Kremen gave the invocation.

VISITING ROTARIANS:   Lisa Martin, George Tsakumis, and Bill Purdy, all from out of town.

GUESTS:  Leah Macaleer

ANNOUNCMENTS:

1.  Thank you letter from Blue Skies for Children.

2.  Greg Thulin announced the slate of officers for next year:  Secretary Gary Cordrey, Treasurer Gary Tomsic, President-Elect Hilary Baumstarck, and board members Randy Carr, Paul Cooley, and Maureen McCarthy. 

3.  Prepaid meals will be implemented January 1, at a cost of $100 per quarter.  Rule of 85 and honorary members may prepay or pay $10.00 at the door.  Guests and Visitors will pay $10.00 at the door.  Drinks/coffee will be a $5.00 minimum.

HAPPY BUCKS:  The proceeds of Fines and Happy Bucks were given as an annual tip to Suzie and Eric.  Over $800 was collected.  Many members gave tributes to the great service we receive throughout the year.   Other reasons for happiness included:  Greg Thulin making it to the Seahawks game in time for last call, Bill Grace for the hard-working PSE and other utility workers and for being glad to be retired, Maureen McCarthy was happy to look like Marlene Sexton.  Tim Carpenter was happy to be shamed into a larger donation by Dick Donahue.  Dick was also happy for a wedding in Las Vegas.  Rick Staeb was happy that his wife is a good gambler, but declined to reveal where it is that she does this gambling.  Randy Carr was happy for the Huskies Victory and for the article Julie brought in about his grandfather.  Paul Cooley was happy to have a keynote speaker lined up for the career fair already.  Pet (?) was impressed with Bill's loyalty to his former employer.  Lex Ludtke is happy to be the uncle of "fully cooked" twins, Greg Iwasaki for his son being in the top 90^th percentile of his class, and his trip to Tanzania.  Hilary Baumstarck was happy for his daughter's 4.0 average and his son's Christmas program performance.  Nancy Harrison, Marlene Sexton and Phil Bratt were all happy for offspring coming home for the holidays. Elizabeth Barnard is celebrating the 1^st anniversary of her 29^th birthday on Christmas Day.  Adam Finfer was happy for someone (son? daughter?) completing a semester at USC, and for a cruise to Mexico.  Ken Richardson was happy to be gone last week to see his daughter get her Masters degree in nursing.  Max Legg related some Aussie humor:  You're not turning 40, just 39.95 plus shipping and handling. 

FINEMASTER:  In the spirit of the season, Tim Carpenter was easy on us.  All fines were voluntary, but we were fined for being under 30, for not eating cookies, for less than perfect attendance, and for thinking that Eric and/or Suzie are cute.

BANNERS:   The banners spelled out "WINTER SOLSTICE."   Good one Stan!

PROGRAM: Lisa Martin spoke about the Netza Project.   After a visit to Zihuatanejo, she was inspired to begin working on improving access to schooling for indigenous children.   The project has grown to include micro lending, school buildings, school supplies, and a dormitory for street kids.  They now have graduates of the K-6 program going on to higher education, and the older children have started their own club to support younger kids.    In Mexico schooling is not free, and the lack of ability to speak Spanish often limits indigenous children's access to education.   More information about the project is available at WWW.netzaproject.org.

DRAWING:  Gary Snyder had the winning ticket, but did not draw the Ace.  A second ticket was drawn for recipient of a necklace donated by Lisa.