Photographer: Del VandeKerk, Aaron Booker & Sandee Lindhout
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
&
ANNUAL MAJOR AWARDS
Opening Welcome:
Some how that infernal bell followed us to the Holiday Inn at the airport as Steve Ban rang in his last meeting as president. The Rotary Brass in a special request played “Hail to the Chief”. And not a note missed. What was missing was the requester’s name…
The quote of the week, “Service above self is the key to a fulfilling life.” Steve elaborated on this thought, which boils down to look beyond yourself for a full life.
Guests:
Felicity Dye introduced our returning Exchange Student from Monterrey, Mexico Dawnlynn Chadwick, Keisuke Yamegishi from Nonoichi Ishikawa,Japan who leaves July 7th and Haset McKuria from Bishoftu, Ethiopia on Zoom. She leaves July 1st. Also attending was Bellingham Bay Exchange Student, Ambre Gillett from outside Lyon, France. Felicity also introduced Debbie Klein, Youth Exchange Officer for Bellingham Bay
Other guests included over 20 spouses. (Isn't that speece?)
Club Events and Committee Announcements
We are looking for Website sponsors for the next Rotary year starting July 1st. It is a great opportunity to advertise your business and support Rotary - $350 for the year. Check out the current sponsors on our table tents and website by going to bellinghamrotary.org. Contact Sandee if interested.
Felicity Dye and Mike Mallory have made this India Tours and highly recommend it and asked that this be published:
We’re thrilled to share some exciting updates about our 2025–26 Incredible India Tours. These handcrafted journeys are lovingly curated by your fellow Rotarians — Rtn. Bhanu and Rtn. Divya — with a heartfelt mission: to showcase India not just as a destination, but as a deeply personal experience.
These are not typical travel agency packages. Our tours are designed to offer you the warmth, authenticity, and richness of India through the eyes of locals — your Rotary friends. With immersive cultural experiences, insightful interactions, and thoughtful attention to every detail, we ensure you explore India’s vibrant lifestyle, traditions, and philosophy with care, comfort, and connection.
We welcome you as friends and family — and treat you just the same.
If India has always been on your bucket list and you’ve dreamed of exploring it with a warm, like-minded group while enjoying the spirit of Rotary fellowship, then this is your moment.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to discover India in the most authentic, heartfelt, and unforgettable way!
July 7th - Holiday NO MEETING TODAY! If you show up you'll be all alone. Not even Ward will be there.
July 14 meeting will be at our regular room in the Phyllis & Charles Self Learning Center BUT WE WILL BE BRINGING IN SANDWICH, PICKEL AND COOKIE FROM GREAT HARVEST AT A COST OF $16.00. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
July 28th noon meeting is cancelled and we will be holding a noon general meeting Thursday July 31st at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club. We will be served a buffet for $29 so again stay tuned for online signups.This will be another opportunity to try a potential venue for meetings, although we would have to change our meeting days to Thursday as it is not available on Mondays. After trying all the locations, we will put it to a vote to the membership. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Social's planned:
We have received an invitation from Whatcom Center for Early Learning to thank us for our previous support that has allowed the Blue House at 2001 H Street to be enhanced to better serve our families and children. They would like to invite our members to attend a garden party that will honor our support and show off the results of our gift on July 24th between 5:00pm and 7:00pm
This was our Major Project in 2022-2023 in which we raised $84,217 and have helped on a couple work parties.
Monday Evening - August 25th Potluck at Bookers', 2612 Park St., B'ham 98225 from 5:30-8:00. Aaron & Kelly will provide pulled pork from Aaron's smoker as well as grilled chicken. Everything else is potluck.
We are planning to have some live music from Bellingham High School Musicians and some BHS Show Stopper choir members.
We had an opportunity to say goodbye to our Exchange Students Keisuke Yamegishi from Nonoichi Ishikawa, Japan and Haset McKuria from Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Also attending was Bellingham Bay Exchange Student, Ambre Gillett from outside Lyon, France. Safe travels..
Our Out bound student to Mexico this year, Dawnlynn Chadwick also joined us.
Welcome back!
MAIN PROGRAM:
Changing of the Guard &
Annual Major Awards
Larry Halgren - Will J. Griswold Club Service Award
Aaron Booker - Karen W. Morse Vocational Service Award
Scott Herman - Michael K. Mischaikow International Service Award
Major Awards Presentations:
Will J Griswold Club Service Award was presented to Larry Halgren by Doug Cole – both past presidents. Doug related some of Larry’s work history – Uniflite and marinas. But that is not the reason he deserves the award. Larry has never given up on Bellingham Rotary – he wants to see it succeed. He was a leader in the club’s Bravo events, served on too many committees to mention, he now runs the Minister of Fun committee.
For the Michael K. Mischaikow International Service Award, Felicity Dye called the three exchange students to the front to help explain the rationale to give the award. Dr. Mischaikow dedicated his life to building a more connected and compassionate world. Scott Herman, who exemplifies the ideals of international understanding received the award. He has a global perspectives and global heart to all he does.
Jan Marchbanks presented the Karen W. Morse Vocational Service Award to Aaron Booker for a 30-year history in the field of technology working with and supporting a variety of firms and educational institutions. He provides business and video solutions through technology. He helps students and teachers to better manage tech to communicate, work and learn.
The awardee of the David C. Morse Sr. Community Service Award will be presented at a later date.
Outgoing President Steve then gave a short recounting of his term in office. He noted that at the start of his office he set some goals, and some were accomplished. Among them were: increasing membership participation which was encouraged by the VIP checklist developed by Shauna Naf. There were eight community service projects in which a number of members were active. Social functions included the president’s picnic, new member meet & greet, and the dinner at Lombardi’s in May. We held two successful fund-raising projects in the past year: the major project for the Lighthouse Mission, and the Mountain Film Festival in the fall. There were seven $1,000 service fund grants to various entities. And the club gained three new members.
The member survey brought up several areas of concern. Among them: the venue (lack of adjacent parking, lunch menu) and we are investigating some alternatives.
Existing Board members:
John Moffat - President Elect
Doug Cole – Past President
Nathan Twining - Vice President & Program Chair (not attending)
Steve Gray – Treasurer (not attending)
Rick Kaiser – Director
Catherine Riordan – Director
Bob Kuenzel – Director
Fred Kaiser - Director
Sandee Lindhout - Exec Sec
KICK THE OLD OUT, BRING IN THE NEW
Steve Ban Introduce new 2025-2026 Board
John Moffat – President
Nathan Twining – President-Elect (not attending)
George Halsell– Vice-President & Program Chairman
Tom Grinstad – Treasurer
Steve Ban – Past President
Rick Kaiser – Director
Catherine Riordan – Director
Bob Kuenzel – Director
Fred Kaiser – Director
Sandee Lindhout – Exec. Sec.
Steve then helped John Moffat recite his oath of office as the new Rotary Club of Bellingham President. It ends with “I will do all these things with a true spirit of service above self.” Way to go John!!!
Doug Cole then presented Steve with his second Paul Harris Award. And then gave Steve a questionnaire prior to being inducted into the Past President’s Club. Three out of four is 75%. Nice batting average.
New President John gave a few remarks. He cited that the club is at a crossroads and mentioned that we need to increase membership. But we have to want to grow and change. One in four adults want to become involved in community service, but don’t know how. We cand give them a path. He listed five possible changes.
Change up the venue and meals. He suggests once a month meet in the late afternoon or evening for a meal at a restaurant.
Make public relations a real priority. Appeal to younger folks, perhaps by using social media. Get them to know about us.
Make the club welcoming to members and guests. Sit down with a guest or new members in conversation. Need to encourage new ideas. We must connect more firmly with the Rotaract Club. Encourage them to participate in our service activities.
We need to attract younger and female members. And once in the club, mentor and engage with them to keep them active. When a member has a chance to become active, they are more likely to stay. We need to get members who better represent the community we serve: in professions, age, gender and ethnicity.
Beef up membership committees. Everyone should be involved in membership. Perhaps lower barriers. Possibly reduce membership fees for younger members. Keep membership a top priority. John’s goal is ten new members this year. He’d love to get twenty. Can we do that? Maybe compile a prospect pool. Do great things that will make people want to join.
John quoted Paul Harris who said that, “friendship is the foundation rock on which Rotary was build. And tolerance is the element which holds it together.” So, John’s watch words for the coming year are Service, Friendship and Tolerance.
Closing:
The bell was rung, everyone cheered, got up and mingled with the exchange students and drifted out into the sunset.
REMEMBER - NO MEETING NEXT WEEK!!!
The official Oath written by Paul Grey
Past President's Roast of Past President Steve Ban Steve is your phone on!
Congratulations!!
Pete Kirkman, Del VandeKerk, John Dunne & Doug Cole played Hail to the Chief
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.
