Northwind June 5, 2014

President Norm Vigre presided and led our Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation was by Gary Tomsic.

Returning Rotarians: Bill Grace – Bill went by train to Longview to visit Chris’s sisters. Marlene traveled to California to accompany a friend to a child’s graduation, and also visited the wine country while there. Tim Villhauer was in San Diego visiting friends and family. He also took in some ball games while there.

VISITING ROTARIANS: George Tsakumis – North Vancouver.

GUESTS: None today.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES: None today.

ANNOUNCMENTS: 1. The June 12th meeting will be at Northwood Hall. 2. The installation dinner will be held on June 19th at Northwood Hall from 5:30 to 8:30. Please RSVP to Ken. 3. The Family Fun Festival will be on June 21st from 10 to 2, which festival will include the adoption fair. 4. The funeral for Jim LaRose will be on June 14th. 5. This is a reminder that the Duck Race will be held in August, and Tim Villhauer has arranged for the prizes to include a chance to win $1 million. So you need to buy and sell lots of tickets to get your fair shot at winning these big smackers. 6. Gary announced that Mel Hollinger’s 98th birthday is on June 11th. Happy Birthday Mel. This is a tremendous milestone for Mel.

HAPPY BUCKS:   Norm had a sad buck for needing 15 Norms to herald last Thursday meeting at Bob’s Burger & Brew at Birch Bay Square. Bill Grace was $5 happy for the trip to see his sisters-in-law. Maureen was happy about the great weather, and for her upcoming vacation. Dale was happy that his 77 year old dad was able to travel to his grandmother’s 103th birthday. Max was $80 happy; $40 for his college graduation 40 years ago and $40 for his 40th wedding anniversary with Loren. Scott Wallace was $5 happy for being able to take his granddaughter fishing and watch her catch her first fish.  George Tsakumis was $10 happy that 48 years ago he became a father upon the occasion of his first son’s birth. Jake was $5 happy about Jim LaRose and $5 happy that his granddaughter was elected as student body president of her high school. Ken was $5 happy for all the great hog riding weather and also threw in $20 to cover Norm’s Norms. Marlene was happy for her trip to California and also happy that she first became a mom 34 years ago today. Rollo was $84 happy; $30 for his wedding anniversary and $54 for his birthday. Jim Blaney was $2 grateful for the Navy being a big part of WWII as a complement to Stan who was in the Navy. Gary Tomsic was $1 IOU happy for stuff on Sharon’s facebook page. Sharon followed up with some happy bucks being grateful for the help spreading bark. Tim Villhuer was happy to cover Gary’s IOU and also $5 happy for his trip to San Diego. Laurie threw in $1 sad buck regarding the passing of Dennis Archer, and some happy bucks for the Mariners’ winning streak as well as thanks to the veterans. Bill Grace also threw in some WWII remembrance bucks. Stan gave a friendly disclaimer in response to Jim Blaney’s appreciate buck.

FINEMASTER today was Tim Villhauer. Tim asked the Richardson family table to define “strategic,” and Ken’s table was able to do so. Tim then asked Max’s table to define “tactical,” and again the definition was given. Gary Tomsic then asked when Tim when he was going to levy the first fine, as a friendly nudge of course. Tim hit Scott Wallace for $1. Gary was fined $1 for so rudely dinging the finemaster in the execution of his duties. $1 was levied for all non-vets. $1 was levied on anyone not having a Rotary emblem on their person (badges didn’t count). $1 was levied for anyone missing last week’s meeting. $1 was levied for anyone who didn’t recruit anyone to come to them to the last meeting at Bob’s. Tim had made an earlier comment in the meeting about someone traveling so much he wondered how they got any work done. Norm reminded Tim of his travels to Africa and recently to San Diego to see if the shoe fit. Tim fined Norm for even thinking that Tim didn’t work hard enough (even though he seems to be traveling a fair bit). Tim also fined Norm $2 for Norm’s constant comments building up his favorite San Francisco Giants. Tim mused weather the Giants were as good as the 49ers, and whether the Mariners would wind up beating the Giants in the World Series (or something to that effect).

BANNERS: Ken was pretty much right on for the three panels of banners displayed by Stan. Each banner contained a reminder of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. The first banner represented the American landing on Omaha and Utah beaches. The second banner represented the Canadians landing on Juneau beach. The third banner represented the British landings on Gold and Sword beaches. Thanks for this Stan and for reminding us to honor those who were thrust into the breach of a terrible situation to stem the horrors that evil men such as Hitler create.

DRAW: Greg Iwasaki won the first draw for a pair of scissors I believe. Dale drew for the 50/50 draw, but was unsuccessful. 29 left in the deck.

PROGRAM: Norm led the program today to again present information and rationale to those who might have missed earlier discussions regarding location and meeting time changes that will soon be occurring in the club. Last Thursday the club met at 4:30 at Bob’s Burger and Brew in Birch Bay Square. The club currently meets at Northwood Hall in Bellingham on Thursday at noon. Due to the decreasing club membership, to continue meeting at Northwood and to meet operating cost needs of the club, dues would need to be increased to $1,000 annually. The average annual dues for other club in the area are about $700. A coffee service arrangement was explored but this would decrease the dues to about $600 annually. The use of Bob’s facility for meetings would decrease annual dues to about $300. Then for those who wanted a meal, they could order off the menu at Bob’s. This club was originally in Ferndale and was set up to serve the north part of the county. Many years ago the club needed to change its meeting location and eventually wandered to Northwood Hall in Bellingham. The current thinking is to move the meeting location north again to serve the north county and to attract business owners and other potential members in the Ferndale/Blaine area where business in increasing. 4:30pm is being selected as the starting time, and the meeting will be divided into two distinct sections. The first section of about 45 minutes would include many of the non-meal elements of our current meetings, such as greetings, announcements, happy bucks and fines, and the program. The second section of time would be for a meal or fellowship for those who wanted to stay. This will allow members more options to plan out their Rotary time and fit it into their work/life schedules. The change will be occurring soon although an official transition date has not been determined. Some details still need to be worked out with Northwood Hall to close out our relationship there.