President Chuck opened the meeting with a small recap of the Super Bowl party held at Bruce McCormick’s house. Bruce was thanked for hosting the party for the 11th straight year. It was a good time had by all.
As Don Anderson was preparing to play the Star Spangled Banner for us, we learned that Lady Gaga was actually born with a different name - Stefani Germanotta. Miss Germanotta did a great job with the Anthem at the Super Bowl. In turn, Don did a great job with the Anthem at Rotary.
Announcements:
There is No Meeting next week, Presidents Day, see you on the 22nd.
Board Briefs for February 9, 2016 Meeting
President Chuck is concerned about a recent attendance report reflecting many members below 50%. After a discussion it was decided he will send letter to those members encouraging them to attend and participate.
New business:
A leave of absence request from Doug Cole was approved for March and April – he will be in a small boat crossing the Atlantic from Cape Town to Trinidad.
A letter of resignation from Pete Foti was accepted with regret due to business pressures.
Service Fund Grants:
Service Fund Committee, chaired by Del VandeKerk, met February 8, 2016 and approved the following requests. The Board of Directors also approved the requests and a letter will be sent to the RCOB Foundation to approve the Grant request:
Mt. Baker Theatre - $500 – Sponsored by Rick Kaiser. Rick is requesting funds to repair a safety hazard in the Tower, which is a Bellingham community landmark. The total cost of the project is $1,000 with Rick, matching the funds.
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) - $1,000 – Sponsored by Catherine Riordan. The WDRC is assuming the responsibility for the County’s supervised visitation program from Catholic Community Services. This would provide a much needed make-over to the space where the visits happen, in a small portable building on Faith Lutheran Church grounds, and leased to the program.
Rebound of Whatcom County - $1,000 – Sponsored by Scott Hume. They offer a seven-week Summer Day Camp Program for kids age 5-12 with emotional, behavioral and/or economic challenges. The is called Ray of Hope and is held at Windward High School on Northwest Ave. from end of June to mid-August. In order to be licensed to hold the program there, fencing around the property is required. The funds will go toward leasing the fencing, set-up and taken down.
The Hub Community Bike Shop - $1,000 – Sponsored by Doug Cole. They are focusing on recruiting the youth who live in the section 8 housing near their shop at 903 ½ N. State Street. They plan to host 10 Saturday morning rides beginning in June. The funds will help with building loaner bikes for participants and afford an after ride snack. The total cost of the program is estimated to be $2,000 and our approved funds are contingent on them securing the other $1,000 prior to our distribution of the funds.
Tom Beaumont & Scott Hume: Major Project Fundraising
Tom reported that we still have 15 members who have not responded in any way to donating. We have received a total of $91,900 total paid and pledges. Unpaid pledges are $5,800. Average donation is $741.13
Major Project Selection- Peter Theisen & John Griggs
Peter and John announced last week that the selection process for the 2016 major project is underway. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2016 and the selected project will be announced May 10, 2016. Members are encouraged to suggest worthy projects, based on the following criteria:
1.The recipient organization must have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2.The project must be a capital project.
3.Preference is given to projects benefiting Whatcom County and more specifically, Bellingham and the greater Bellingham area.
4.Public recognition of RCOB is a significant factor.
5.Preference will be given to projects that offer the opportunity for members to participate in construction and fundraising.
Wine Tasting Social Event- Debbie Ahl
Debbie Ahl reminded us of the Wine Tasting and Social to be held on Thursday, February 18, 2016 in the Encore Room of the Mount Baker Theatre. Following the social hour, attendees may stay for the comedy play, “The Nerd.” Discounted tickets for the play may be obtained at the box office (734-6080) or online at http://www.mountbakertheatre.com/shows/the-nerd-mbt-repertory-theatre. The code word is “rotary” for a 20% discount. Members are encouraged to bring guests and may, but are not required to, bring wine to taste or an appetizer.
Stop Hunger Now - Lisa Saar
Lisa reminded us of the Stop Hunger Now event to be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center beginning at 9:00 a.m. At the event, participants will package food for distribution to the world’s most vulnerable people on a world-wide basis. Members are directed to the website – stophungernow.org – where they can register for the event and/or donate to the program. Only $0.29 cents is needed for each meal we package. Members who attend are encouraged to bring family members, neighbors and friends to participate in the packing process.
Guest of Rotarians:
Teri Treat introduced Andy and Lisa Enfield with Enfield Farms, our speakers.
Presentations:
New Member induction - Steve Ban. New member, Steve Ban was inducted into Rotary under the classification “Medicine-Pediatric Physician”. Steve was proposed by Tim Farris & Del Vandekerk. Steve was born in Hungary came to St Louis as a kid with his family. Steve Received his MD in 1973 in Chicago. After his residency, he moved to Seattle with his wife Jan where he worked at a public health hospital. In 1977 he joined NW Pediatrics in Bellingham. He practiced there for 38 years and retired last April. Steve and Jan now have several diverse interests, as well as three incredible daughters.
Program:
Andy grew up on the farm and went to WSU where he graduated with a business degree. After college, Andy returned to the farm in 2001. Andy’s role today includes operations and sales, and he is also a co-owner along with several of his family members. Whatcom County has an ideal climate for growing raspberries with outstanding sandy loam soil. The farm was originally started by his family in the late 70’s with 80 acres of raspberries and some strawberries. In 1984 they took a risk and added 5 acres of blueberries at a time when few locally were farming blueberries. They now have over 500 acres of raspberries and 260 acres blueberries.
As the business grew they found it necessary to build their own packing and freezing operations. Most raspberries and blueberries produced by Enfield farms are known as IQF, or Individual Quick Frozen. Most frozen raspberries in the United States come from Washington State, and over 95% of raspberries in Washington were produced in Whatcom County. In 2014 Washington State produced over 72 million pounds of raspberries alone.
The farm has between 80-100 full-time employees. During the harvest, the employee count rises up to about 500. Enfield farms uses the latest technology and techniques to produce the best possible product. Food safety and quality is also of great importance, as evidence by their high 3rd party testing standards. They believe in sustainability and take great care of their environment to ensure many years of productive harvests.
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