“A pessimist complains about the wind, an optimist expects it to change, a leader adjusts the sails” is a quote of John C. Maxwell was the final opening quote recited by outgoing president Doug Cole. This came after a smooth swing (reminiscent of Ken Griffey Jr.) of the gavel to ring the opening bell.
Guests:
President Doug introduced his wife Margie
Felicity Dye introduced our Exchange Student from Brazil, JV and husband Curtis visited us as a surprise to Felicity
Members on Zoom: Loch Trimingham and John Pedlow
Club Events and Committee Announcements
It is time to sign-up to be a website sponsor for 1 year at a cost of $350 for a rotating ad on our website home page. Your link takes people to your personal business website easily. Notify Sandee if interested.
A sparkling recruiting announcement for the Tattler committee followed immediately, once this reporter got his sandwich down his throat. I all but promised that the brave who take up the mantle of reporter will become the next Ernest Hemingway. (I may have stretched one of the Rotary 4-way test items.)
Another committee recruitment from Ken Marzocco, Chairman of the Minister of Fun. He really needs a couple members to join the team. Contact him or Sandee if you can help.
Congratulations Catharine Riordan for your 2nd Paul Harris Fellow! Catherine is instrumental in reinspiring the social committee.
Light House Mission Major Project Check Presentation for 1st phase of fundraising for the Medical Center
Loran Zenonian, Chief Advancement Officer with the Light House Mission, accepted the oversize check for the Club’s first installment of its promissory pledge to fund the medical center in the new Lighthouse facility.
Weekly Payment Reminder
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Teri Treat awarded the Karen W. Morse Vocational Service Award to Kathi Hiyane-Brown. Kathi has stewarded the Whatcom Community College through growth pains in both the campus and programs. She has been recognized as an outstanding woman educator by the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation. As recognition of her commitment to staff and program development, she received a College Presidents’ Award. Another award she received was for CEO of the year by the Washington Trustees Association of Community and Technical College.
The Michael K Mischaikow International Service Award was presented by Paul Grey to Felicity Dye. He was going to be coy and list the qualities making us to guess who. But he called her up to the podium so we all could gawk at her as he read his polished prose. She was inspired, by attending the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta in 2016, to re-invigorate the International Youth Exchange Program in our club. She helped the committee survive the Covid mess and re-ignited the program post-Covid. She designed and conducted many youth training camps as well as hosting international students at her home. She is now the District 5050 leader for the youth exchange program. She called JV (the exchange student from Brazil) up to be included.
Last and (definitely not-Editor note) least, the David C. Morse Community Service Award announced by Doug went to a less than deserving reporter (me). He recited some reasons and gave me the award.
(Editor note: Despite his modest words to the contrary, Tom's impressive record of community service made him very deserving of this award.)
Tom Grinstad joined the Rotary Club of Bellingham in 1995. A native of Spokane, he has been a taxi cab driver, an elementary school teacher, a draftsman and through intense self-study, earned his license in architecture and ran his own successful architectural firm. He’s a four-year Army veteran and served in Viet Nam. He’s been secretary/treasurer of the local Viet Nam Veterans group for the past five years and spends lots of time simply helping vets. This takes the form of solving housing needs, obtaining medical equipment, obtaining wheel chairs and building access ramps, funding and awarding BTC scholarships and helping to organize the annual car show – it’s July 21st this year - which helps to fund these various things.
Tom has been an ESL tutor for six years which takes up two evenings a week, working with both Russian and Spanish native speakers.
He served a term on the Bellingham City Planning Commission and a term on the Mount Baker Theater board. He’s served on the Parks Department clean up crew and every RCOB Memorial Park cleanup detail.
He’s the Tattler Chairman and Editor and according to Sandee, “Whenever I ask for his help at meetings he always the first to raise his hand.” He’s received six Paul Harris Fellowships and in 2017-18 received the Will J. Griswold Club Service Award. Over the years he has given nearly 200 pints of blood.
Doug then ran through the Year in Review. He started off with listing the work parties that the Club has participated in. He mixed in some of the social events. In no particular order Meal Packing, the parade (which the Club has participated in since 1917), Ralph Rinne’s 100th birthday and student scholarships to the tune of $98 k. Doug was proud of the member moments that were presented, and hopes that it may continue. We then went through many of the mystery members. Will this continue?
Doug then reiterated that the Club has made Rotary relevant. He cited the scholarships, exchange students, the major project – Lighthouse Mission, social gatherings and more. This reporter wasn’t fast enough to catch everything. “Relevant – I think so.” He ended lauding how the Club has come through the Covid era. And Doug ragged on us to carry out the assignments for the year – invite someone to a meeting, make a service project suggestion and propose a new member.
He named the incoming officers. And urged us to fully support incoming President Steve Ban. Doug gave small tokens of appreciation to the Board members. And finally recognized Sandee as Club secretary for 57 years working with the club.
Paul Grey, past president, inducted Steve Ban into the office of president. Paul then conducted a vote considering admitting Doug into the Past Presidents’ Club (very exclusive). A rigorous oral exam was conducted on Doug prior to the counting of votes. It appeared that Doug received all “thumbs up”. He received his past presidents’ pin. At the conclusion of this vote, new President Steve Ban spoke.
Steve promised to give a Rotary Moment about his experience in Singapore at the International Convention. A major theme there was that Rotary is made up of people of action, and that we should have an action plan. RI has such a plan consisting of four priorities: 1. Increasing our Impact, for which we can cite the Starfish Weekend Food Program that we support. 2. Expanding our reach - partnering with neighboring clubs and/or organizations like the Lighthouse Mission project or the Community Boating Center project. 3. Enhancing engagement – this will be a special emphasis during Steve’s reign. He wants to get all members involved in Club activities. He says we are a good check – writing club, but not so hot on a diverse number of members participating in Club activities. He wants to see each member working on at least two service projects this coming year. 4. Increasing our ability to adapt – keep our Club relevant. An example would be digital adaptation (be more like Shauna and Mark). Steve noted the Learning Center on the Rotary.org website.
Another Rotary resource is the Rotary Cadre, which yours truly had never heard of. This is composed of Rotarians around the world with expertise that can provide clubs with advice on projects, from community assessment all the way to final project evaluation. They help ensure that projects align with Rotary guidelines and best practices.
Steve has four goals for the coming year. They are: 1. Each member works two service projects. 2. Each member will attend at least two social activities. 3. Each member will contribute to the Rotary Foundation. 4. Each member propose / sponsor a new member to the Club. We should be proactive in asking acquaintances to join.
Closing:
President Steve showed he paid attention to the gavel swing, resulting in a loud peal and we were free.
Felicity Dye & Paul Grey
Michael K. Mischaikow International Service Award
Kathi Hiyane-Brown & Teri Treat
Karen W. Morse Vocational Service Award
Tom Grinstad & Doug Cole
David C. Morse Sr. Community Service Award
Captain Doug, Verna Karmala from Finland, JV and Felicity
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.
Light House Mission Major Project Check Presentation for 1st phase of fundraising for the Medical Center
