In President Brad's opening welcome, he announced there would be Service Fund Grant and Wacky Wickets committee meetings after the general meeting. He reminded the club that nominations for the major awards are due at the end of this week. Further information is provided below.
Announcements:
URGENT ATTENTION: The Executive Committee consisting of Past President Gregor Hodgson (Chair), President Brad Burdick, President-Elect Chuck Snyder, and Vice President Del VandeKerk are asking for nominations for our RCOB Major Awards which will be presented at our last meeting of the year, June 29. CLICK HERE to see details and a list of previous winners. Please contact anyone on the Executive Committee as soon as possible with your nominations.
Board of Directors Meeting Briefs – May 14, 2015
President Brad reported that John Moon is proceeding with a June 20, 2015 date for our annual Family Fest. It will be held at the Boys and Girls Club.
He also reported that we received notice from Rotary International that we achieved the over $100 per capita donation by our members, based on a total of 140 members donating $15,143 ($103.03 per capita).
Brad also reported that there are a few members that continue to be upset by the use of membership information for solicitations. Members are reminded that The Club Bylaws prohibits the use of the roster for any non-rotary solicitation.
New Business:
Sandee Lindhout, Executive Secretary, is updating the Key Bank signature cards; the Board approved the removal of Bob Sytsma, John Macpherson and Gregor Hodgson and the addition of Del VandeKerk, John Holtzheimer and Teri Treat. Sandra Lindhout and Chuck Snyder are to remain on the card.
Next year’s Board of Directors meetings will be held at 4:45 instead of 4:30 on the second Tuesday of each month at the Dorothy Haggen Building.
The International Service Committee is requesting that the club donate $1,000 to the Nepal Rotary Club, District 3292, and it was approved by the Board. A transfer will be made 5/15/15 at Key Bank.
Sandee also reported that it is time to prepare the roster for the Rotary year 2015-2016. Members are reminded to update their information and photos soon. Contact Sandee if you need help with ClubRunner.
The following leaves of absence were approved: Bob Brunkow from 5/15-8/15 because he is at sea in Alaska; Colleen Baldwin for 6 months until 11/30/15 as she continues to be ill. Colleen, hurry back to us.
Dominique Zervas spoke about the Rotary International donations & solicitations. Many club members are interested in international projects and participating in the international committee. The money goes to good international causes such as drinking water, community health, sanitation and the eradication of polio. She requested that everyone consider increasing their voluntary donation to the international fund.
Byron Manering explained “Family Fest” to the club. Family Fest is an event put on by The Rotary Club of Bellingham at the Whatcom County Boys & Girls Club on Saturday June 20. It provides an opportunity for around 25 foster children to meet prospective parents. This is the third year we have held the event and have had an average of 15 children adopted each year. It is also an opportunity for Rotary members to volunteer a few hours of their time to help with sign-up and to supervise games. Contact John Moon or Byron Manering to sign-up to help.
Chuck Snyder briefly asked the club members to sign up for committees. He would like to know what committees the members would like to participate in so that they can be assigned. Now is the time to sign up. Contact Chuck as soon as possible if you have not spoken with someone previously regarding your preferences.
Guests of Rotarians
Mauri Ingram introduced Rachel Myers with Whatcom Community Foundation
Paula McCandlis brought Scott Kirk, Rule 9 intern from Seattle University School of Law
Teri Treat introduced Reed da Silva with da Silva by Design
Byron Manering brought Naomi Ellingson with Brigid Collins. She is the Development & Outreach Assistant.
Mark Knittel introduced Robert Regier.
Students of the Year introductions:
Cathy Buckley introduced Dr. Ron and Alice Millard.
Cathy also introduced recipients of the Phil Millard Memorial Scholarship Awards:
Bellingham High School recipient: Connor Pritchett and his mom Lynn Pritchett
Sehome High School recipient: Leif Anderson and parents Bob Anderson and Kim Loop
Squalicum High School recipient: Tyler Ho and parents Tracey and Benny Ho
Sallye Quinn introduced Eleanor Mischaikow, wife of former member, Mike Mischaikow; she then introduced the first recipient of the Michael K. Mischaikow Memorial Scholarship, Randy Nguyen from Squalicum High School. He received $1,500.
Sally also introduced Wendy Rice, Counselor with Ferndale School District,and student Luis Morin, Vocational Excellence Award recipient.
Katherine Deets introduced Dillon Rinauro, recipient of Best Overall Student Award from Squalicum High School, and his parents Jennifer and Joe Rinauro. Tiffany Abbott, recipient of the Most Improved Student Award from Options High School, with family and supporters Jade Aeschliman, Chad Abbott and Tiffany Abbott.
She also introduced Akashdeep Malhi from Squalicum High School, recipient of the Most Improved Student Award, and Gabrielle VanDiest from Ferndale High School, recipient of the Vocational Excellence Award.
Nathan Twining introduced Eden Semu from Ferndale High School, recipient of the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, and his parents Serina and Dylan Semu.
He also introduced Corbin Puhan from Ferndale High School, recipient of the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, and Brittani Nordby from Ferndale High School recipient of the Vocational Excellence Award.
Margaret Curtis introduced Danika Nogel, the 2014-2015 recipient of the Whatcom Community College RCOB Endowment Scholarship.
Introduction to Awards presentation:
Don Anderson, President of The Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation, introduced the Annual Student Awards Program:
"The Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation was established in 1999 with the intent of forming a 501(c)3 charitable, tax-exempt entity. Over the years, through fund raising and charitable giving, the assets of the Foundation and its Scholarship Endowment Fund grew to the extent that it was possible to award scholarships on an annual basis. In 2013 the Fund made its first awards with awardees being selected by Whatcom Dollars for Scholars. Today we honor scholars from four funding sources:
First, there is one scholarship each from pooled funds residing at the foundations of WWU, WCC and BTC. Annual awardees are chosen by the university and college foundations for use at those schools.
Then, there are ten new awards and three second year repeat awards from the Rotary Club of Bellingham Scholarship Endowment Fund. As mentioned, Whatcom Dollars for Scholars selects these awardees based on criteria established by the Foundation. Awardees choose where they will use their scholarships.
New this year is the Michael K. Mischaikow Memorial Scholarship with the awardee being selected by Whatcom Dollars for Scholars.
And now, securely continuing into the future, are the three Phil Millard Scholarships awarded to one student each from Bellingham, Sehome and Squalicum High Schools. School counselors select these awardees, who may use their awards at any school of their choosing.
Generosity has certainly promoted more generosity, such that this year a total of twenty significant scholarship awards can be made. The Mischaikow family made significant new donations in agreeing to change the former Mischaikow Freedom Fund into a Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation scholarship. It is to be awarded for the first time this year. And the Millard family has so generously assured that the three scholarships in Phil’s honor will now continue in perpetuity.
We want to thank all of the Rotary Club members, the Millards, and the Mischaikows for their donations. We recognize particularly D.C. Morse, Jan Marchbanks and Cathy Buckley for their roles in this synergy."
Awards Presentation:
Cathy Buckley introduced the Phil Millard Memorial Athletic Scholarship and the recipients. Each is an award of $2,000.
History:
The Phil Millard Memorial Athletic Scholarship was instituted in November of 1982 by the Rotary Club of Bellingham to honor the memory of Rotarian son, Phil Millard, who died on October 31, 1982, after suffering injuries in the traditional football game between Sehome and Bellingham High School.
Guidelines:
The scholarship is to be administered according to the following guidelines:
The scholarship will be awarded annually to a senior boy or girl from each of the Bellingham High Schools.
The individual must be a full-time student.
The recipient should throughout his or her career exemplify the best in desire, sportsmanship, dedication and ability in both athletics and academics.
The individual, presumably, would plan to participate in organized intramural or intercollegiate athletics at the college level.
Need shall be a factor in selection but not a determinative factor.
A committee at each high school shall select the recipient from their school and forward the name to the Bellingham Rotary Club’s Scholarship and Awards Committee Chair.
The selection process shall be completed approximately three (3) weeks before the end of the school year to allow for spring seasons to be adequately considered.
Phil Millard Memorial Athletic Scholarship recipients for this year:
Bellingham High School: Connor Pritchett
Sehome High School: Leif Anderson
Squalicum High School: Tyler Ho
Margaret Curtis then made the following presentations:
Michael K. Mischaikow Memorial Scholarship recipient, Randy Nguyen, Squalicum High School: $1,500
RCOB Foundation Dollars for Scholars Scholarship recipients: $2,000 each
Vocational Excellence: criteria includes vocational aptitude, financial and extra activities
Gabrielle Van Diest, Ferndale High School
Brittani Nordby, Ferndale High School
Luis Morin, Ferndale High School
Most Improved Student: criteria includes improvement ingrades, financial and mitigating circumstances
Akashdeep Malhi, Squalicum High School
Tiffany Abbott, Options High School
Christopher Paz, Squalicum High School (not present)
Outstanding Academic Achievement: criteria includes grades/academic achievement, financial and extra activities
Corbin Puhan, Ferndale High School
Eden Semu, Ferndale High School
Best Overall Student: criteria includes grades/academic achievement,financial, and extra activities
Dillon Rinauro, Squalicum High School
Casey Grosso, Sehome High School (not present)
Additional Scholarships:
Whatcom Community College established the Rotary Club of Bellingham Scholarship in the Rotary year 1997-1998 with $15,000 matched by WCC. Scholarships are granted to graduating seniors from Bellingham schools. This year's recipient is Danika Nogle, introduced by Margaret Curtis.
Bellingham Technical College (BTC) Foundation Rotary Club of Bellingham Scholarship established February, 2002. The Club contributed $15,000 with a match by BTC. These funds are used to provide scholarships. This year's recipient is Katherine Chapman. She was unable to attend.
Western Washington University established the Rotary Club of Bellingham Scholarship Endowment in the Rotary year 1997-1998 with $15,000 matched by WWU. Scholarships are granted to graduating seniors from Bellingham schools. This year's recipient is Kerry Robert-Nygren and was also unable to attend.
In closing, President Brad addressed the student scholarship recipients telling them that Rotary stands behind them, and hopefully, Rotary is in their future. He encouraged them to join Rotary groups in college, which will help them continue on their paths of community support.
