BOOK REPORT
Catherine Riordan on Breaking Through, My Life in Science, by Katalin Kariko. This is an autobiography by a Hungarian woman who grew up in poverty, excelled in school, especially in science, and grew up to be a world-famous scientist. In Hungary, she started her research on messenger-RNA (mRNA) technology. When research funds ran out, she moved to the United States, where, despite her stature as an accomplished scientist in Hungary, she was treated like a lowly student and, in Catherine's opinion, exploited. Dr. Kariko never complained and doggedly pursued her research which, after many years, led to the development of the COVID-19 vaccines. She received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2023 for her work. This is a truly inspiring story of Dr. Kariko's professional and personal life.
YAIL (Youth Adventures In Leadership) PRESENTATIONS
Roland Trenouth introduced two high school students who were sponsored by RCOB to attend a recent YAIL program.
Dawn Lynn Chadwick reported that she learned a lot about herself and leadership through leadership games, which also showed that everyone has unique leadership skills. Cultural Night taught her about a number of different cultures.
Payton Huntley (Roland's granddaughter) learned new leadership skills, learned about the Big 5 Personality Traits and the Rotary Four-Way Test. She also learned communication skills which can help groups work through human frustrations.
Major Project Update
Dave Blair reported that this year's project has received donations from 95% of Club members, which adds up to 100% of the dollar goal for this Rotary year. Congrats to co-chairs Dave Blair and Dennis Williams and all participating Club members!
Social Committee
Catherine Riordan reminded us of the upcoming play at the Mt. Baker Theater titled All Things Equal - The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It is this Saturday, April 20, at 7:30 PM. This is a Club social outing and all are encouraged to attend. Tickets are still available online or at the theater.
There will be a brass concert at the Whatcom Museum this coming Sunday evening the concert will start at 7 PM The concert is free, and will involve both prospective member Peter Kirkman and George Halsell.There will be a brass concert at the Whatcom Museum this coming Sunday evening the concert will start at 7 PM The concert is free, and will involve both prospective member Peter Kirkman and George Halsell.
There will be a brass concert at the Whatcom Museum this coming Sunday evening the concert will start at 7 PM The concert is free, and will involve both prospective member Peter Kirkman and members George Halsell and Del Vandekerk
Meal Packing May 4 (Volunteers and Donors sign up now)
District Conference occurs on 4 May, coincidentally the day of our food packing day. Marty Haines assured us that we selected the date before the District. And he hinted that maybe it should be an event of the social committee – it is so much fun. So they can confirm how many supplies we'll need on May 4, Marty asked for volunteers to sign up and to donate for the meal packing day now. Roland Trenouth announced that volunteers are needed to set up the afternoon before, May 3, after 5PM. Event will occur at Assumption School gym. Last year, we packed 37,000 meals with 106 volunteers, including Rotaract members and other clubs’ volunteers.
DONATE: https://www.cotni.org/campaigns/bellingham-rotary-meal-packing-event-2024
District Conference - May 4, 2024
The format for the Conference is family inclusive and the same day as our Meal Packing Event. President Doug is looking for members to register to go down with him later in the day, after the Meal Packing Event. Other options to participate include Friday, May 3rd for Bowling and a meet and greet and Sunday May 5th for a service project at Camp Korey.
Memorial Day Parade May 25
Prexy Doug put in a plug for the Memorial Day Parade, encouraging all members to get out there and march. We have a Rotary float, which we escort over the mile-long parade. If you start conditioning now, you will be in shape to even run laps around the float as it careens down the route.
April 11, 2024 Board Briefs
Sadly, we received a resignation from Sara Maloney, and it was approved with great regret. She has taken a job with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club back on Olympic Peninsula, a position she held before coming to Bellingham.
It was determined that we will walk in the Memorial Day Parade, Saturday May 25th. President Doug visited the Bellingham Bay and Sunrise Rotary Clubs to invite them to join us. Interact and Rotaract students are also signed up.
The Board also approved the donation of $1,000 to the Whatcom Memorial Day Parade from the miscellaneous funds in RCOB Foundation budget already approved by the Foundation.
We continued our discussion on a fund-raising event for the club and will be announced to the membership soon. Stay tuned.
We discussed the Rotary Friendship Exchange Opportunity with District 1911 in Hungary. A limit of 8 people will arrive here August 25 to September 8, 2024. They spend half of their trip in Canada. Steve Ban has volunteered to head this.
We are still looking for several hosts needed for 2-3 nights. The teams pay their own way: food, entrance to activities, etc. When they are home, hosted breakfast is included.
We also discussed activities while they are here, so if you have suggestions, please contact Steve Ban.
We changed the May 9th Board meeting to Tuesday, May 7th at 4:30 on Zoom.
Mystery Photo: Marty Haines painted by his mother
Rotary Memorial for Paul Hanson
