Tattler Newsletter August 8, 2016 (Aug 08, 2016)

Announcements:

President VandeKerk reminded everyone that August is membership month, and generously offered a presidential pardon (from fines) for anyone who invited a guest to a meeting. He also mentioned that one thing we’ve learned from this year’s election process is that young people want to get involved and give back. Whether it’s reaching out to someone in our social groups, church, etc., or if we’re retired and have more time, we all know someone. He encouraged everyone to invite someone we know to a meeting.

Del introduced our Assistant District Governor, Bill Gorman, who announced there will be a District 5050 RLI Educational Seminar on September 24, 2016 in Mt. Vernon from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. These are a great way to become better informed about Rotary and are recommended for our Board Members and other leaders in our Club.

Paula McCandlis with the Membership Committee remind us to wear our Rotary Pins EVERYWHERE and talk about our club. Also, buy one of our new shirts and WEAR it. She mentioned her committee would like to help each of us to recruit new members, just provide them with prospect names and they will take it from there.

Arlie Norman reviewed changes to the New Member Orientation program. They will have a meeting for new members once a month on Monday at noon when we have the regular meeting at another location to make it easier for the new members to attend. He also said the committee prepared a new Rotary Club of Bellingham Manual, copies available from Sandee.

Board of Directors Meeting Briefs - August 9, 2016

President Del announced that there are opportunities for members to attend a RLI training session September 24^th in Mt. Vernon, three PR Boot Camps September 10, 2016, October 15, 2016 and November 5, 2016. The club will reimburse anyone who wants to register.

We also received an announcement about an upcoming trip to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, West Africa in October 2016 to participate in a polio immunization exercise, attend the 11^th Annual West Africa Project Fair, and engage in a hands-on work project.

Trip Dates:                       October 18 – 26, 2016
Travel to:                          Port Harcourt, Nigeria, West Africa
Per Person Price:              $1,629, double occupancy

Program includes: Hotel accommodations, transfers, most meals, polio immunization exercise, hands-on community service field work, West Africa Project Fair registration, special Rotary and fellowship events, sightseeing, etc.

Contact Paul Grey or Bob Trunek for additional information

100^th Year Celebration: Teri Treat

The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to discussion and planning of Teri Treat’s Rotary Year 2017-2018 to celebrate our 100^th Anniversary in September, 2017. We are working with all of the Whatcom County Rotaries to make our celebration an extra special event. Details will be forthcoming.

Dominque Zervas: Membership

Catherine Riordan – Social Committee

The social committee met a couple of times last month. We continue to seek the 1-2 social events per month now that we will be doing the happy hour on a regular basis, likely the second Tuesday of the month, at the Country Club for now. Once fall fully arrives we may go to member's home for a wine tasting happy hour.

Upcoming, probably in Sept, will be a “peddling party” between breweries. We're hoping this will help our image as a club where people with an active lifestyle can have some fun. Stay tuned on exact date.

In October we will likely head to a local restaurant, possibly in Ferndale.

In November we have identified leadership for the Rotation Day, and will help to promote Lisa's hunger program.

In December we will get together at the country club on a Monday night to see the Seahawks. The civic theatre may also want to do something for us once the elevator is operational so maybe in conjunction with their holiday production

Phil Gubbins – New Member Mentorship: Arlie Norman has had the new Bellingham Members Manual printed up and is available to the membership and on our website

Arlie Norman: International/Youth

Paul Grey -International Service: They are working on the proposal for the next project and should have it completed in a month or so.

Cathy Buckley - Scholarships and Awards: The monthly students of the month will begin October 17^th

Monty McAllister -Student Exchange: The committee is in the process of recruiting 6 potential host families for the exchange that will take place in 2017.

Sandy McIntire: VP & Program Chairman

Marty Haines - History Committee

The committee is meeting to plan the committee’s involvement in the Club’s 100th anniversary.

They agreed to present five minute talks outlining various aspects of our history, including our committee members own contributions to Rotary Club of Bellingham history. These will be presented monthly before the regular programs starting in November.

The first will be on September 12, 2016 in which they will be the first half of the regular program.