Northwind October 13, 2011
Call to Order: President Gary called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the Pledge.
Invocation: Gary Snyder provided the Invocation.
Returning Rotarians: Maureen returned from 4 days in New Orleans and Rick returned from 1 week in Eastern Idaho.
Visiting Rotarians: The one and only George T. from Vancouver, B.C.
Guests: None
Birthdays: Today we tried to celebrate Jim Sands' birthday, but he was not here, so we celebrated Rocky's birthday instead. (Both today, Oct. 13th). George T. will celebrate his birthday on Oct. 15th . Happy Birthday All!
Announcements: Tim C. announced there would be an International Projects committee meeting following today's lunch. Also, he still has tee-shirts to sell. You can email him with sizes/quantity and he will bring them to the next meeting. Ken announced that Nov. 11, 2011 (11-11-11) is Veteran's Day and at MBT there will be the 7th annual Musical Salute honoring 6 local vets from each branch. The show starts at 8:00 and you can get the tickets from MBT box office. Gary T. had a reminder about the Rotary Foundation Luncheon to be held on Nov. 17th. We want a good turn-out, so please be here, bring a guest, and remember this is when we award the Paul Harris honors. Also, November 19th is the Rotary Leadership Institute at Mt. Vernon. All 3 levels will be offered as well as the "grad program." The Club will pay for new members to go to the 1st training. Let Gary know if you will be attending and we will arrange carpooling. Oct. 24th is World Polio Day. Rotary International and the District encourage everyone to remember pledges count toward Every Rotarian Every Year. (It would be interesting to have a program re: this.)
Happy Bucks: Scott W. had happy $ for the Oktoberfest and Randy's "elf" costume. Max gave $ for a 132 mile "ride" through N. Cascades with his Father-in -Law. Julie J. had 5 happy $s for WTA saving her from a large deductable when an accident inevitably happens on Forest and State Intersection. (WTA is refusing to use that route as it is too dangerous.) Maureen was happy for this beautiful time of year and also she is off to see her little nephew. George T. was thankful for the birthday wishes and gave $79 B-day bucks plus $21 dollars for each year he has been coming to WCNR for "make-ups." It sounded like a unanimous vote to have George join our club and do his make-ups in Vancouver!) George was also happy to see Gary Snyder return. Bill was happy for last weekend's swap meet and no trouble with a leaky RV. (Bill also agreed that 46 people would be happy to sponsor George T. to the club!) Randy was happy for the fun times at his Oktober Fest and had Scooter Bucks as well. (Always prepared, he left a bit in reserve for the finemaster.) Rome was happy for a Seahawks win as well as the Badgers and Packers. Tim V. was sad to have missed the Oktober fest, but explained that Pati had a "better idea" for him. Chuck was happy he gets to babysit his granddaughter when his daughter goes to Boston. (However, he has to go to San Francisco for the honors.) Marlene was thrilled to have gone to Randy's Oktoberfest and offered to "therapize" Randy's staff who were understandably upset at Randy's lederhosen and elf hat. Rick brought up his 60th birthday (again) and not only gave $60 for that, but added another $34 for his anniversary (on Sat) for a grand total of $94 happy $$. Tim C. paid for a diatribe regarding Maureen's job and how to get one like it. It seems that Maureen has replaced Doug Thomas in "traveling as if retired." Somehow during this discourse, Tim managed to offend the Norse, Icelanders, Swedes, Irish, Columbus Day, Italians, men, women, Leif Erikson, and Maureen AND Marlene, (by once again confusing the two in his defense that his "sensitivity training" had not been completed yet by Marlene.when it really is Maureen who has this onerous task!) Tim also gave us a lesson in sex vs. gender, but I was too busy listing the offended to catch the difference! Ray also had happy $ for the Oktoberfest as well as $ for Jake's late arrival, making Ray "look good." Jake had happy $ declaring that Tim "was born offended." Gary T. had $ and was glad to see Gary S. return. Gary also filled us in on Mel's progress and we are all hoping he will be back next week!
Finemaster: Ken R. began by fining Tim C. for being "offensive" not "offended" (like Jake claimed) and for good measure, fined him because all the women sat at only 2 tables. Rocky was fined because it was Jim's b-day, too. Anyone who had been in the club for two or more years and had not sat on the board was fined $2. You were fined if you had a family business that one two awards for Whatcom in Bloom. (Julie). You were fined if you are not helping to elect someone for this election. Norm was fined for doubting Ken. Gary T was fined, (despite Ken's hesitation to fine the Prez.) for having Julie lead the 4 way test. Marlene was fined for creating a vision of Randy in lederhosen and hat. Jake was fined for being super early for next week's meeting. Ray was fined for gloating about Jake's arrival time. Tim V. was fined for ratting out both Jake and Ray. Anyone who did not know why there would be major traffic problems downtown tomorrow. (Occupy B'ham), which led to a "great discussion" with Tim C. regarding the "right to be stupid" and more on sensitivity training. Max was fined because he guessed the banners to be about the "deficit" rather than Columbus day and the Vikings. And Tim C. was fined once again for defaming Ken's Italian heritage. (Randy offered to pay this fine for reasons unknown.)
Banners: Years that Columbus left Spain and arrived in the New World. Years that the Vikings arrived in the New World.
Program: Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. Rachel Vasak gave us a very interesting update on the projects of NSEA with thanks for the help our club has offered. We also learned the 5 types of salmon, (which has always eluded me until the "finger" version.) We learned why restoration is so important as well as the Education Programs that NSEA offers. This was a great presentation encouraging all to Protect, Restore, and Work Together. We will have the chance to do just that at a work party on Oct. 22 at Landingstrip Creek Restoration Project. (See website for more details.)
Drawing: Rick S. drew 10 of diamonds. The pot grows!
Adjourned: 1:30 pm