Northwind, October 7, 2010

MEETING TO ORDER: Marlene Sexton called the meeting to order at 12:30 and had Jim lead us in the singing of The Star Spangled Banner and O' Canada accompanied on the piano by Laurie. Gary Snyder gave the invocation.
 
VISITING ROTARIANS:  George Tsakumis from Vancouver, Will from Carson City
 
GUESTS: Mel's son-in-law, Denny Thibault from Houston Texas
 
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:  Paul Cooley, Rocky Richardson, and Jim Sands
 
RETURNING ROTARIANS:  None noted.
 
ANNOUNCMENTS: (1) Our blood draw contest with Graham Harris' Rotary Club in New Zealand will take place during the month of November. Even family members can participate. (2) October 23rd is Make A Difference Day, and Club members are encouraged to help plant trees for the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. (3) The October 9th Membership Seminar was cancelled. (4) Julie and Marlene attended the Rotary Leadership Institute training and had a great time. They said that through leadership Rotary is reframing itself and encouraged others to think of attending when it comes around next time. (5) Tim Villhauer reminded everyone about the Garage Sale on Saturday October 9th at Stanello's parking lot. (6) Dan Parsons announced plans for another litter pickup day either the 6th or 13th of November. Dan will have more on this later. (7) Ken Richardson reminded folks of the Foundation Dinner on November 11th. So mark your calendars please. 
 
HAPPY BUCKS: Marlene gave $5 to welcome District Governor Wayne Wiebe, his wife and Orphalee Smith. Tim Carpenter gave $60 to celebrate 29 years of sobriety, 28 years of marriage and $3 dollars to top things off. Congratulations Tim!!! Leah gave $2 for a trip to Sante Fe and to announce her 2^nd pregnancy. Congratulations to you too Leah and especially for getting through your difficult initial weeks of your pregnancy. Brian Finnegan gave $5 for past fines and $5 for Jodie's birthday. Tim Villhauer was happy to be able to visit his mother (back in the Midwest I believe) and a Rotary club nearby her. He also went to a local restaurant and talked to the owner who wasn't all that thrilled about Canada when he visited this area because he thought it was too foggy. Go figure. Maureen had some sad dollars for the sad news this past week of the loss of the child near Assumption Church. Larry Raney announced his companies' award in Best in the Northwest as the most creative company. Congratulations Larry to you and your company. Keep it up. Mel Hollinger was happy to have his son-in-law Denny Tibo with him. Although Denny is not a Rotarian, Mel said that together they've most likely attended more clubs than many Rotarians. Denny was happy to be with Mel and for Mel buying his lunch. Jon was happy that his daughter's granddad helped her pass her driver's test. (I hope I have this right.) Sharon Robinson was happy that Best in the Northwest named Zervas Group Architects as the best architects. Congratulations Sharon to you and the rest of the folks at Zervas. Julie gave some happy bucks for hopefully the last grandchild which now stands at 15. Dan Parsons gave $20 for attending the Sounder's game and for watching the Huskies win. Finally. Ken Richardson gave some skins for the Phillies win in the playoff opener. Laurie was happy that the season ended for the Mariners. Apparently even misery comes to the end of its season from time to time. Orphalee Smith gave some happy bucks saying that the Sunrise Club believes that it has more fun than the Whatcom North Club. Scott Wallace gave some happy bucks for Marge who wanted to announce that Winton Smith was appointed to an advisory board for higher education. Jake Smith gave $5 for the really good meat that Ray helped him purchase through the FFA auction.
 
FINEMASTER: Leah was the finemistress today. She brought a gentler touch to extracting money from members' pockets. Husky fans paid $2 each. All but 3 in the Club who didn't respond to Marlene's plea for help paid $1. Leah noted for Maureen that at her church 23 seniors needed rides who used to take the WTA on Sundays. Jake paid $2 for being the last in. Ray was fined $2 for not being able to properly pronounce George Tsakumis' last name. Leah fined Pete Ruese $2 for something about harassing the finemistress through the chow line. Leah then fined Scott Wallace for outing Pete Ruese.
 
BANNERS: Stan gave us 3 banners today. The first was for the reuniting of the two Germanys 20 years ago. The second was esoteric noting the maple leaf and an eagle. The third banner was related to an item that reminded us that Tokyo Rose was put in prison for 10 years after WWII for her participation.
 
PROGRAM: District Governor Wayne Wiebe from Langley gave our program today. His theme for the year is "Be Your Best." His theme went through several iterations having started with a country song entitled "Do What You Do, Do Well." DG Wayne talked about club membership and is asking all clubs to increase theirs by a "net" up 1 for the year. He announced that the District Conference will be May 5-8, 2011 at Harrison Hot Springs and Spa up in Canada. Jennifer Jones and Steven Point will both be speakers at the event. DG Wayne has five goals for the year - (1) Increase membership by a net 1 or more in each club, (2) Increase membership on district committees, (3) Restore the annual giving amount to the Annual Programs Fund, (4) Have every club President be "thrilled," and encouraged everyone in our club to help Marlene, and (5) Publically recognize achievement. He designed and made up "Be Your Best" pins and presented them to three club members - Mel Hollinger, Stan Brunner and Ray George. Congratulations all. Thanks for coming DG Wayne.
 
DRAWINGS: Scott Wallace had the winner number this week but didn't draw that lucky card to win.