Northwind February 9, 2012

Pledge of Alligence:  President Gary lead us
Innvocation:  He then followed up with a few thoughts and statements about what Service means.
The Four Way Test:  Jeannie McGee then lead us in the reciting of montra. 
Returning Rotarians:  He hasn't returned yet but should have some interesting skiing stories about a close encounter with former Club member Larry Pollett.
Mel was returning to us from last week's meeting, which was the case for most of us.
Guests of Rotarians.  Alina Coonc was the Guest of Ray George who was not present however Derek Thorton was happy again to fill in for Ray.  Chuck Hoover was the Gues of Tim Villhauer.
Birthdays:  Ray George on the  14th of February.
Announcements:  Timmy V had a nice presentation of a bottle of wine to Shannon, Owner of the Northwood Hall, for enabling us to distribute the wine purchases from our fund raiser.
Members of the Career Fair committee reminded all members the next Career Fair is Thursday March 29th at Whatcom Community College.  All members can assist in recruiting speakers for the day.
The Trash Pickup Project is scheduled for Saturday March 24th.  Call Dan Parsons for further details.
The Mel Lot Clean Up Project is looking for Ring Leader who would have access to a pickup truck with a trailer for hauling debris from the Lot.  See President Gary if you have any ideas.
Before Happy Bucks President Gary facilitated an interesting conversation about the State of Our Club as reflected by the poor attendance for todays meeting.  The discussion centered around how we could improve attendance and participation in our club by all members.  Suggestions included calling missing members who have become more frequently absent.  Contacting any missing members you individually may have sponsored and discuss their attendance level.  We are dangerously averaging maybe 50% attendance.  Call a buddy member and ask them to join you next week.  Gary is interested in other suggestions for improving attendence.
 The Sargenant At Arms committee needs to review it's monthly assignments to insure the front desk is properly staffed each week.
Happy Bucks:  
Mel started us off with a happy $5 for a great meeting of District Govenors (past and present).  Tim V.  $5 for a good discussion on Club Attendance.  Tyler $5 gale to be back.  Greg T was happy for fishing with Norm last week in a fishing derby.  Norm was $5 happy about the trip and concerned about Brian's lack of attention about the Debry's Rules & Regulations.  Ken Richardson had a $1 for Bill Grace and $5 for a Brian stature remark.  Jim Blaney was happy to have his wife up walking again.  Julie was $5 happy about her visitors heading for their own homes.  Sharon Robinson was happy abouat the closing on her new house.  Derek was happy about Duke beating UNC in a great game. President Gary was $100 happy to kick off Every Rotary Every Year.  Tim had a sad buck about having to haul home the wine that was not picked by absent members.  He didn't know how he was going to get Marlene's two pallets of wine in his little truck.    

Fine Master Greg Thulin began his duties by getting present members to pay past IOUs, Dale $1 and Sharon $3.  The Wallace Rule was put into affect.  After the fishing stories by Greg and Norm, the Fine Master decided that if you hadn't been fishing in the last two weeks, you needed to pay $2.  After all the Super Bowl festivities, it was determined that If you went to or had a Super Bowl Party, you paid a buck.  If you sat home and watched it by your self, you paid $2.  If you won more than $20 on your Super Bowl bets, you paid $2.  If you hadn't already made arrangements for a Valentines Day (2/14) celebration, you paid a dollar.  If you didn't know Valentine's Day was next week, you paid $2.  Everyone who picked up wine today had to pay a dollar and if you had to bring a special vehicle to haul your wine purchase home, you paid two bucks, you're welcome chuck.
The Banners:  Norm Nailed it.  They all had an Island in their name or where located on an Island.

President Gary then introduced our Program:  Norm Vigre on how our club could earn the Presidential Citation.
There are 4 Requirements to earn the PC:
      1)  Net increase of 1 member
      2)  85% Retention Rate  
      3)  Increase Membership by 2%  
      4)  Every Rotary, Every Year contribution
Rotary is such a great organization but it must continue to grow.  Norm was telling about his conversation with Mel who certainly has seen Rotary grow over his years in the rotary.  Mel was at the International Rotary Conference when they announced the  Polio Plus Campaign and look how close we are now in achieving that goal.  Women in Rotary has helped increase our membership.  Norm's Mom is the incoming President for her Rotary Club on Fidalgo Island.
For more information on how you can contribute to the Rotary Foundation and help achieve the Every Rotarian, Every Year goal, you can go to http://www.rotary.org/en/contribute/funds/annualprogramsfund/pages/ridefault.aspx .
To make your contribution to The Rotary Foundation, you can go online to www.rotary.org/contribute

Drawing:  4 of diamonds by some lucky (unlucky soul).  Missed who it was.
Editor:  Rick Staeb