Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - NOVEMBER 20, 2023
Tattler Reporter Tom Grinstad
Tattler Editor Steve Ban
Photographer: Mike Diehl
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Men’s Low Intensity Residential
(Recovery House)
1 Year Anniversary
Opening Welcome:
The wise words of wisdom from President Doug Cole this morning involved thanksgiving (of course). “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.” Henry Van Dyke
He also announced that the RCOB piano has found a new home and is no longer in storage. A family with twin girls is excited to be the new owners.
Prexy Doug then announced the first and so far, only social event in December – a new member social honoring those who wear the red badge of courage. It will happen Friday, 1 December, from 5 – 7 pm. All are in in to attend at Catherine & Phil Riordan’s abode. Address: 1117 St. Paul St. Speaking of new members, Scott Herman got rid of his red badge and now wears the blue badge of full member!!!
Rotary Peace Fellowships
From President Doug
Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of seven peace centers. At the Rotary Foundation event on November 18, Rotary Peace Alumni April Klassen, a past scholarship awardee from District 5050, highlighted her experience with the program. I’m hoping we can have her give a presentation to our club.
Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,700 fellows who now work in over 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments; NGOs; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 for certificate studies at premier universities.
Guests:
John Moffat introduced speakers, Greg Winter, Jennifer Logan and Andrea Brooks
Doug Cole introduced George Halsell, Rotarian from Twin Falls, Idaho and future member
Members on Zoom: Steve Hager, Loch Trimingham and Jack Westford
Guest: Chuck Snyder from Arizona
Club Events and Committee Announcements
BREAKING NEWS: We are now meeting at the Phyllis & Charles Self Learning Center, Room 160.
You are able to purchase hot & cold sandwich's made with Avenue Bread, soup, salads, cookies, and beverages at the full coffee shop in The Cove, down the hall from the meeting room.
THERE WILL BE NO NEED TO SIGN-UP FOR MEALS BUT AN EMAIL WILL GO OUT WEEKLY ASKING YOU TO SIGN UP FOR ATTENDANCE SO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF THE NUMBER ATTENDING TO ENSURE ENOUGH SEATING.
New Membership Proposal: A membership proposal has been approved by the membership/Classification Committee and the Board of Directors for George Halsell, proposed by Doug Cole and Del VandeKerk. He has already agreed to join the Rotary Brass and is a wonderful addition to the club. He is a Rotarian from Twin Falls, Idaho. He will be eligible for membership unless a letter of objection is received on or before December 2, 2023.
Dave Blair reminded members to get their Major Project Pledge in soon for the Light House Mission Medical Center. Click here for the form.
EVENTS:
December 1st Meet and Greet with new members.
Catherine Riordan and Phil's home, 1117 St. Paul St., B'ham 98229 5-7pm
There will be an informal gathering to get to know new RCOB members. All Rotarians and their partners are invited.
It will be a wine and cheese-type event, including some wine from Dunham Cellars!
Other drinks and snacks will be provided. Attendees are welcome to bring a bottle or treat if they wish, but this is not required.
There is plenty of street parking (emergency brakes are recommended).
We're asking that people RSVP inside Club Runner.in Events
Shauna Naf announced we are sponsoring Future Bellingham, a City of Bellingham Comprehensive Plan Listening Session, hosted by the Rotary Clubs in Bellingham and Whatcom Community College.
December 4th from 4:00-600pm
in the Syre Theater.
Please sign up through Clubrunner.
Every 10 years, Bellingham creates a Comprehensive Plan – a vision for what the city should strive for over the next two decades. The 2025 plan is being formed now and your voice is needed! What should we be working towards in terms of housing, neighborhood makeup, parks, transportation, diversity and inclusion, public health and safety, and the economy? The City of Bellingham Comprehensive Plan team will be onsite and actively collecting your thoughts and ideas to weave into future plans for the city.
Dick Tucker announced that our annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing will be Saturday, December 9th. You can sign-up on Clubrunner, by sign-up at the meeting or call Dick or Sandee
John Harris gave a short review of the book “The Book of Charlie” by David von Drehle. His take on the book is: how to stay happy without a boat. The author moved into a house across the street from an elderly gent with wavy white hair and no shirt polishing a beautiful purple Chrysler. After talking to the next-door neighbor, he discovered that guy was Doc who is 102 years old and that’s his girlfriend’s car. The author decided to write about this guy – how he stayed so happy over such a long life. Basically, it comes down to “you can’t control what happens in life, but you can control how you react to it.” Make a lot of friends and keep your friends, enjoy your family and live in the moment.”
Weekly Payment Reminder
VENMO:
@RCOB- Bellingham.
Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532.
CASH / CHECK:
Yes, we still take these and saving on fees is appreciated.
John Moffat then introduced Greg Winter (the Opportunity Council, Jennifer Logan and Andrea Brooks from Lifeline Connections) the program being an update to the Recovery House – our major project of four years ago. Greg spoke first essentially giving a big thank you to the club for our portion of the creation of the Recovery House. What started as an older residential property with two buildings is now the residential treatment facility. He then turned it over to Jennifer and Andrea.
Jennifer started off with telling who Lifeline Connections is and what it is. They are a behavioral and mental health concern based in Vancouver, WA. They have 11 facilities in Washington where they work. Lifeline Connections works to inspire people with mental health and / or addiction problems to rejoin society. They are met at the lowest point of their life and help them to a way forward. Lifeline offers crisis triage, men’s residential, women’s recovery center (residential and pregnant & caretaking program), as well as a low-intensity long-term care program.
A focus is at affordable treatment centers offering inpatient and outpatient services. In Washington the locations are Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Vancouver and East Vancouver. A roadmap of recovery was described. Patients are encouraged to have jobs while in treatment, find stable housing all while doing treatment. The housing and treatment (?) are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s a good program. Residents not only live there, but engage with the community. They have a structured environment and accountability. They can be residents for up to six months while in treatment. After they return to the community.
This is a voluntary program, and as such has difficulties. A sample weekly schedule was shared. It seemed that every minute in the facility was accounted for. The patients are kept busy. There are three phases of the treatment and depending on the phase, the amount of flexibility in the community. Routine helps patients establish their life stability.
Jennifer also shared some statistics. I won’t inflict them on you (can’t write fast enough). The main takeaway is that patients stay in the program for several months, not the mere 30 days of other programs. So, it seems that this has a greater success rate. She shared success stories.
Several questions were raised: dealing with staffing challenges, financial difficulties, patient origination and backlog at entry. Basically, there is a shortfall in financing, Medicaid does not fully fund the program costs, so Lifeline is always trying to close that gap. They do coordinate and cooperate with AA and private business. Patients generally come from the court system.
Closing:
Doug closed the meeting thanking various members who helped with the meeting. There were at least four Mikes who helped. Way to go guys. And a bunch of folks helped with the cleanup.
Mystery Photo - Who is it?
New storage area for Rotary garb!!
John Moffat
Minister of Fun
Fun and games
2007 Rotary Brass with Doug, Brad, Del and Don Anderson
RCOB apparel, including polo shirts, dress shirts, vests and hats is now available. These are items that every Club member simply must have in his/her wardrobe! Besides looking great, Club members will be contributing to branding for the RCOB as well as supporting our Club's Foundation, which will receive part of the proceeds.
Click on the button below for the the clothing catalogue, with the Order Form on the last page. Fill out the order form, turn it into Vinson Latimore at a meeting or email a scanned copy to embroidery@choicesscrubs.com.
Book Review
