Northwind September 15, 2011
September 15, 2011
WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUB
NORTHWIND
MEETING TO ORDER: President Gary called the meeting to order and led the flag salute. Tim C. provided a very lengthy invocation. Chuck led us in the recitation of the 4-Way Test of the things we say, think and do.
GUESTS: Sue Richardson, wife of Ken Same-last-name.
VISITING ROTARIANS: George Tsakumis from the northern Vancouver; Jeanne McGee from Costalegre, Melaque, Mexico; and Shannon Terrill, second generation Rotarian, from Bellingham Bay. Also, DG Jane Helton from South Whidbey and AG Orphalee Smith from B’ham Bay.
RETURNING ROTARIANS: Bill, from Lincoln City and environs, visiting friends and family in celebration of the 44th anniversary of his marriage to Kris Same-last-name; Paul from SOCAL after performing more death-defying feats in the air. I promise to be impressed when he can do it without a parachute.
BIRTHDAYS AND ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES: To Gary’s chagrin, there were none.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: District 5050 picnic cancelled; Committees are to meet if they haven’t already done so, report to the responsible board member, and be prepared to give a report at an October club assembly; Board meeting Tuesday, September 20th, 4:00p.m. at Julie’s office. All are welcome, particularly new members; October is Vocational Service Month. Gary intends to have at least one meeting per month focusing on that month’s Rotary theme; Maureen discussed the meeting held Tuesday, September 13th, of the ad hoc committee exploring means of enhancing Goodwill and Better Friendships by breaking down cultural, age-based, gender, race and orientation barriers; and the hope that our club can become a leader in this area, promoting guests and new members; There was a Remembering 9/11 ceremony in Mt. Vernon last Sunday. By the accounts of all who were there, it was extraordinarily well done and very inspirational. WCN was one of two clubs in the county, with Bellingham Bay, that made a major contribution to the ceremony.
HAPPY BUCKS: Pete for the DG and false anthrax threat; Scott for 25 years of marriage to Marge Laidlaw; Julie for the Remembrance; Bill for his trip; Ken for aspirin (?) and 9/11; Winton for a salmon outing; Maureen for Sue and an auction; Jeanne for 9/11; Derek, apologizing for leaving early (FYI to all – the price for early leavers is $5); Paul happy to be back from jumping on 9/11; Tim C. for McIntyre Hall; Chuck for the Huskies; Laurie for 9/11 and a salmon fishing trip that resulted instead in a nice crab catch; Mel for Jane; Norm for Sue’s mom working with his dad; Ray for too much alcohol at a Ducks Unlimited meeting that resulted in his acquisition of two puppies who are a nuisance, and Randy’s failure to babysit him; Orphalee for her trip to Tuscany, where she had occasion to sit next to a man from Iran who proceeded to ask her if America was better than Iran. Quick on her feet, she replied that the countries were just different.
FINEMASTER: Paul presided. No one was able to name RI”s president’s wife name (Binota – SLN); Time Magazine cover color (who cares); American men do one-half the family housework (Huh?); Dry Falls used to be twice as high and five times as wide as Niagara, until dammed; it takes 110 people to get 104 people in a free fall formation – four pilots, a photographer and someone else; what falls faster, a ton of feathers or a ton of rock. Answer: it depends on a bunch of physics stuff; North Dakota being the only state to increase its oil output; Russell Stover candy for the Dawgs and Cougs; Norm looks like a Killer Clown from Outer Space; people without mustaches; people with a Lummi Island home were fined $200,000. Exercising presidential prerogative, Gary fined Paul for his spread in Whatcom Magazine
PROGRAM: Orphalee introduced Jane Helton, our District Governor for 2011-12. Jane is a Graduate Gemologist. She joined the South Whidbey Rotary Club in 2000, was club president in 2005-06, and AG from 2007-09. She eats snakes while climbing the Great Wall of China (or something to that effect). Jane thanked us for our patience while she recovered from health issues she suffered in August.
This year’s Rotary Theme of President Kalyan Banerjee is “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity. We are to step back and contemplate the world’s need for health, food, water, sanitation and shelter, things we take for granted, but from the lack of which much of the world suffers. Our president makes this challenge to all, so we can reach out to the world. Rotarians are apt to consider having, rather than being.
In our businesses and professions we probably have a code of ethics. In terms of our vocational service, we should always act above reproach. We sometimes end up building our lives subject to various distractions, when we should be striving to be our best by doing our best.
Jane asked us about our first day as a Rotarian. How did you feel; were you welcomed; did you want to come back? Jane related that at her first meeting she felt special and welcomed when each member shook her hand (that she later learned the club members would be fined if they did not shake her hand did not seem to diminish the sense of welcoming).
Why did we join Rotary? Was it for fellowship or to promote our business? Had we heard about a community project the club had undertaken and we wanted an opportunity for service? A Rotarian can help someone who needs a hand up; there is an opportunity to give back to the community. While we can’t directly help those who are the victims of an earthquake or tsunami, we can help through the Rotary Foundation. Jane congratulated us on some of our local and international projects.
Jane told us about Rotary’s history with Easter Seals, which was founded by Rotarians who made some of the initial major donations to provide for crippled children and their families.
Jane then related a very moving anecdote involving a couple who could not have children, but who adopted a child. Since both of them were still in college, they alternated going to school while the other worked. The child they adopted turned out to have cerebral palsy, and required extensive medical care. The parents did not have health insurance, and could not afford the care the child required. Easter Seals stepped in and provided for them and their child. The mother was Jane. Rotarians can reach within, and be the change you want to see.
Jane also provided us with a short video of Semiahmoo, where the District Conference will be held June 1through 3, with the golf tournament the day before. Jane would like to see five couples from each club. The theme is “Set Sail at Semiahmoo.” For those who sign up early the cost is $295, and can be paid in installments.
Jane, thank you for your inspiration and service.
BANNERS: Agriculture and harvests. Thanks again, Stan.
DRAWING: Laurie, Jack of Spades.
Scribe this week: Tim Carpenter