Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - APRIL 22, 2024
Tattler Reporter: Tom Grinstad
Tattler Editor: Tom Grinstad
Photographer: Steve Gray & Sandee Lindhout
Kathi Hiyane-Brown
WCC President
"What's New at WCC"
Opening Welcome:
By Presidential Fiat, President Doug Cole moved the center of attention to the neighborhood of the screen. The better to see both at the same time we assume. His opening quote of the day had something to do with Earth Day, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
We all strapped on our imaginary cowboy boots and sang Red River Valley. The pedal steel guitar set the tone for all us buckaroos.
Doug gave a short history of today – Earth Day which came about as a public reaction to Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”. The book documented the devastating effects of humans on the natural world. The book sold more than ½ million copies. He stated that three occurrences illustrated the fragility of the planet. First was the photo “Earth Rising” taken by astronaut Bill Anders. The second, a massive oil spill in the ocean off of Santa Barbara, CA. And the third, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caught fire. The first Earth Day was on April 22nd 1970.
Guests:
Kathi Hiyane-Brown introduced Adam Beals, acting Dean for Enrollment Management.
Del VandeKerk introduced Pete Kirkman
Members on Zoom: John Pedlow & Chuck Snyder
Club Events and Committee Announcements
Steve Ban reminded all that District 5050 will have visiting Rotarians from Hungary about 25 August to 9 September. We will have the opportunity to host these folks for two or three nights. Please contact Steve if interested in having Hungarians in your house for a short stay. He said that they all speak workable English, so you don’t have to learn Hungarian (which is an impossible language to learn).
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. We are close to the total amount needed, and enough volunteers. Event will occur at Assumption School gym. Last year, we packed 37,000 meals with 106 volunteers, including Rotaract members and other clubs’ volunteers.
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.
Prexy Doug put in a plug for the Memorial Day Parade, encouraging all members to get out there and walk. Walk like you mean it. 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.
President Doug honored Tom for all he does for the Rotary Club of Bellingham and the community, mostly behind the scenes.
He has been the long time Tattler Editor and reporter, always jumping in when needed. He is also a FIVE-time Paul Harris Fellow.
Also, an active in RCOB volunteer duties and service projects, including the annual clean up of Sunnyland Memorial Park.
He is a Viet Nam veteran and active in Veteran Activities such as the annual car show.
Served 8 years City of Bellingham Planning commission.
Has given over 190 pints of blood (48 gallons).
President Doug used his powers and gave Tom a Presidential Pardon and thus officially absolved from previous and future heavy fines levied for the remainder of the Rotary Year.
Thanks, Tom, for all you do!!
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.
WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown and Adam Beals, acting Dean for Enrollment Management spoke.
Doug introduced Kathi Hiyane-Brown the president of Whatcom Community College to tell us “What’s New at WCC”. She stated that her goal was to have us all stay awake. She introduced Adam Beal as “something” to be co-presenter. She said the college started as the college without walls. The present campus is due to the foresight of those who preceded her. Notably Harold Heiner and Sam Kelley, former members of this rotary club.
A lively question period followed. A major concern brought up involved teaching how to learn rather than simply learning quickly forgotten facts. How do we fund better education? Enough there for another entire program.
Adam took the microphone started off where we are now. Population up 5% over last year. Cost is approx. $6,000 / year. I won’t bore you with lots of facts and figures. Increasing Latinx students, and a vigorous adult education program. He briefly ran through the role of the WCC Foundation.
Then came the Jeopardy game. Each table became a team to answer questions on WCC destination programs, populations the school serves and the school’s future. Each table had to keep their own score. Again, we will not repeat the questions and answers, but note that one table in particular had many answers. They got some WCC swag. This certainly held the crowd’s attention. Kathy and Adam left with some swag left in the bag.
The future is uncertain. Nearly half of the students take classes remotely. What can be done to attract students to the campus. The boomer rebound is diminishing. Student population is going down. There’s an enrollment cliff coming. Funding is less. WCC is an open admission school, providing classes to anyone. Only 40% of Washington high school student from the 2021 class is expected to earn post-secondary credit by the age of 26. 70% of all projected job openings in Washington will require education beyond high school. We are losing students; something is wrong in this state.
Kathy sees partnering as one solution to these concerns. She pointed to new the Healthcare studies building as a great example of the community partnerships that could be an answer. And she noted that as of next March she will be stepping down (retiring). So, the future will be answered by a new guy.
A lively question period followed. A major concern brought up involved teaching how to learn rather than simply learning quickly forgotten facts. How do we fund better education? Enough there for another entire program.
Closing:
The fine president Doug thanked all who helped with the meeting and adjourned.
Guess Who?
Rick Kaiser - Music
Rob Olson - Minister of Fun
Paula McCandlis - Invocation
Honoring Tom Grinstad for his contribution as a Rotarian..
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.
Rotary Commendation
