President Teri Treat gonged the meeting to order at 12:30 PM midst a somewhat off-tone but powerful trumpet flourish by Past-President Del VandeKerk. This meeting marking the Changing of the Guard between old and new presidents and board members, President Teri announced that the theme would be British, in honor of the much less celebrated Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, as well as the surprising success of England in the current World Cup. She also mentioned something about a baby naming ceremony today for a newborn named Louie, who reportedly was born with a dozen silver spoons in his mouth.
Announcements:
1. It is time to sign-up to be a website sponsor for 1 year at a cost of $300.00 for a rotating ad on our home page. Your link takes people to your personal business website easily. There are 6 spots remaining. Contact Sandee Lindhout for more information.
2. There will be a Board of Directors meeting this Thursday, July 12th at 4:30 at the Dorothy Haggen Bldg, 3 rd floor.
Guests of Rotarians:
Dominique Zervas broughtSara Maloney, Chief Development Officer with the Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County
Kathi Hiyane-Brown introduced Cynthia Hoskins, Assistant to VP for Administrative Services of Whatcom Community College
Paula McCandlis brought Matt Conner with Brett McCandlis Brown and Conner PLLC
John Moffat introduced his wife Karen Lerner and Philip Olsen
Jamie Vos brought Tom McKellar with Security Solutions
Tim Farris introduced former members of our club, Joe and Karen Morse
Marty Haines brought his wife Gail
Mike Plenkovich introduced his wife Rochelle
Presentations:
Rotary Club seeking Major Project Proposals
The Rotary Club of Bellingham is seeking proposals for Major Projects for the coming year. The club has created a lasting impact in the community through major projects over the years, including Bellingham Food Bank, YWCA, Hospice House, BTC Fisheries Facility, Pickford Theater, Boys & Girls Club Kitchen, RCOB Foundation Scholarships, Lydia Place and many others. Over $1.2 million has been awarded to major projects in the last 10 years alone.
Club members are asked to provide Major Project Proposals now through August 17 for review by the Selection Committee. The basic criteria for Major Projects include:
For more information or to submit a proposal contact Selection Committee Co-Chairs, Peter Theisen or Jim Wakefield. (Sandee can you hyperlink our email addresses or just insert?)
1. Outgoing President Teri thanked all RCOB members for a terrific Centennial Year. She listed as highlights:
the Centennial Celebration meeting and dinner
the Major Project, which raised over $470,000 for the Rotary Foundation's Scholarship Endowment Fund, bringing the total endowment to over $1 million
receiving the Rotary International President's Citation an enjoyable and financially successful Vegas Night
Rise Against Hunger project
various improvements in the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve
enthusiastic member response to the proposed (but, regrettably, unfeasible) Salmon Estuary Project
the boat-less but delightful RCOB picnic graciously hosted by Ann Jones
President Teri then presented all board members with thank you gifts.
2. Past-President Del presided over the Changing of the Guard:
introduced the new Board
administered the oath of office to the new President and Board
assessed Ex-President Teri's qualifications for joining the exclusive RCOB's Past President Club by asking her a number of very simple questions about Rotary's history. Shockingly, Ex-President Teri went 0 for 3 correct answers. Fortunately for her, all of the Past Presidents in attendance were kind enough to overlook this glaring deficiency and voted her in anyway.
3. Incoming President Sandy McIntire's Comments
a) He thanked Past-President Teri for her hard work and effective leadership this past year. He also thanked Bob Nicholl and Charlie Self, his sponsors when he joined RCOB almost 10 years ago, for their support.
b) He outlined some of his plans for the coming year:
continuation of successful programs such as the Major Project, Vegas Night, Rise Against Hunger, and the International Rotary Youth Exchange Program
in the fall, conduct Rotary Visioning, a process for the RCOB to reassess its vision, which hasn't been done for 7 years
programming for the weekly meetings will be a series of in depth examinations of various issues affecting our community and society. For example, this week begins a series of presentations on Homelessness in Whatcom County.
c) President Sandy then introduced our guest speaker, Whatcom County Executive Jack Louws
Program:
Mr. Louws first reported that Whatcom County is currently doing well financially. The goal of Whatcom County Government is to end homelessness in the county. There are presently about 3300 homeless people in the county and another 1000 or so who are at high risk of becoming homeless without help.
The county spends about $4.7 million annually on this problem, 60% of which is local money, the rest coming from state and federal funds. 58% of the money goes to case management, 10% for shelters, and 35% for rental assistance. Jack listed the multiple housing services that the County supports, including supporting specialized shelters, such as Sun House and Interfaith Coalition, which help the homeless to transition to permanent housing. He commented that a major contributing problem is the lack of affordable housing in the area; the lower the vacancy rate, the more people are homeless.
Jack talked about the need for a new Drop-in or Low Barrier Shelter in Bellingham for the homeless. He listed the criteria being considered for the Shelter's location and expressed support for a site next to the current Shelter, very close to the Lighthouse Mission. Apparently, we will hear next week from Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville reasons why the Shelter should be located in the current County Health Department building on Girard St.
Jack emphasized that the County focuses on ending homelessness and does not support those who wish to remain homeless, including those in unregulated homeless camps. Because many of the latter have mental health and substance abuse problems, the County supported the construction of a new, 32-bed mental health facility in the Irongate area. Because most of the homeless in Whatcom County live in Bellingham, the County coordinates its efforts closely with the City of Bellingham.
Finally, Jack listed his ideas for ending homelessness in Whatcom County:
Increase density from urban centers outward
Annex Urban Growth Areas
Develop sliding scale development fees that encourage small affordable housing options
Allow the Mission to expand in current location
Expand case management
Provide short-term “housing” on undeveloped urban industrial/commercial properties
Firmly and compassionately guide homeless to services and shelter, not allowing unregulated homeless camps.
FINAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Sandy reported that recent Rotary International World Convention he attended was very inspiring and educational and included guest speakers former First Lady Laura Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He encouraged Club members to attend future conclaves.
Finally, President Sandy announced that copies of the new RCOB Membership Roster were available at the meeting and thanked Joe Coons for updating it. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM
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