Northwind March 4, 2010

Posted by Max Legg 
 

Whatcom North Rotary

Northwind

 

 

 

MEETING TO ORDER:  Chuck Tullcalled the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Tony Cubelis gave the invocation.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS: George Tsakumis, Peter Self, and Shannon Terrell

 

GUESTS: Jerry Landcastle's guest was Tyler Randall, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

 

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:  March 1 - Gary Snyder; March 3 - Ray George

 

RETURNING ROTARIANS: None

 

ANNOUNCMENTS: (a) Keep bringing in unused cell phones to Tony Cubelis. (b) Bring in children's books for our speakers to sign so we can give them to the elementary school. (c) Career Day is April 1st. Need help setting up and breaking down. Should be there to help at 8 a.m. (d) Youth Service Awards will be on May 12th. The committee will meet this next Thursday (March 11) at 11:30 before the noon meeting. (e) The Dinner Auction will be this Friday night March 12th at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club. (f) Dick D needs tickets and names for the auction asap. (g) Tim - 120 people committed to attend the auction - lots of auction items - get info to Tim asap so bid cards can be completed, and get reservations in. The whole auction committee is to meet on March 11th. (h) Ray - There are 84-85 auction items - 22 live items and the rest are silent auction items. (i) President Chuck - Meals will be $150/qtr and those paying periodically will be paying $15 per week when attending.

 

FOUNDATION MOMENT: Tyler Randall spoke about finishing his application to attend a university in Barcelona, Spain next fall. He will be studying in the area of helping at risk youth. Tyler is a graduate of FerndaleHigh School.

 

HAPPY BUCKS:   (Main Theme - kids) Chuck Tull - Happy about his daughter's blog about their granddaughter - clever tidbits and pictures; Marlene - Happy about her grandson and pets; Jerry  - Happy that Tyler was selected as an Ambassadorial Scholar; Julie - Sold some tickets to today's speaker; Randy - something about the Wallace Rule and $3 happy about Ray George and his wonderful participation in Club matters; Brian - Had a great time during the Olympics in Whistler; Dan - $5 happy about those putting in so much time on the auction; Scott - Sad buck that Marge is sick and so the grandson won't be able to come by as usual; Pete - Happy about raffle bucks; Tim - Happy about their 2 grandkids and 4 grandchildren; Stan - Happy he could top all of the others with his great, great granddaughter who is doing just fine; Leah - Willow just turned 2; Laurie - $1 for her grandkid; Jim Bliss - $2 happy; Jake - Happy about who knows what; Dick - Happy about trip to Phoenix and San Fran and his visit with 4 and 5 month olds; Dan Baker - $2 happy that midnight March 12th is rapidly approaching and the auction will be over; Sharon - Happy about her 2 step grandkids.

 

FINEMASTER:     Ken Richardson was today's finemaster. Chuck $2; Scott Wallace for his $5 rule; Ray George - nominated Small Business of the Year (congratulations Ray); Max for employees being recognized in the press for donations; Randy - $2; Brian F - too much Whistler information; Jake - $2 for not being late from last week's meeting or early for next week's meeting, i.e. he was on time this week; Laurie - front desk confusion this week; Gary T - $2 for getting the DOT to agree to Blaine roundabout; Auction committee members - $1; $1 for those that can't go to the auction; $1 for not bringing in auction wine; $1 if not all tickets sold; Dan $2

 

BANNERS: U.S. Olympic Gold Medal count - good one Stan.

 

PROGRAM:          Dr. Bridgette Cantrell (assistant Kelly Bachman in attendance) spoke today about her work in the area of veteran's affairs through the program Hearts Toward Home International. She became interested because her dad was a combat veteran. She was concerned about the way Vietnam vets were treated and wanted the outcome for them and others to be different and more positive. She's written 3 books for the troops. Both returning troops and families are suffering from war related psychological impacts, especially depression. And most of these folks are young. The suicide rate in 2009 was the highest it's been in 30 years. She reminded us to look around and see who in our midst might be related to a military situation that might need help. Short troop rotations are commonplace where this didn't used to be the norm. Dr. Cantrell works with those that are returning as well as those redeploying on quick turnarounds. The number of women in the military has increased, and she's seeing an increase in issues with women. There are dual deployed families where children are affected. The Veterans Administration is taxed. She encourages communities to get involved. Dr. Cantrell's efforts are in the areas of prevention as well as "normalizing" veteran's situation. Dr. Cantrell is clearly passionate and committed to working in the area. We appreciate her coming to speak to us and the difficult work that she is doing.

 

DRAWINGS:         Laurie - $10 gift certificate to a coffee shop; Sharon - CD of Mariner's Classic Commercials; Tim - Queen of Clubs - no luck