Rachel Vasak. Exec. Dir. Dorie Belisle, Board Vice President
January 11, 2021 34th VIRTUAL MEETING
Pre-Meeting Social Time
Book Review:
So great to hear a thoughtful and heartfelt book review by one of the students of Explorations Academy, Sophie North.
Sophie reviewed the Alphabet Versus the Goddess, by Leonard Shlain. The author comes from a career in neuroscience. He talks in depth about the left brain (masculine, abstract, linear) versus the right brain (feminine, nurturing and holistic), and the delicate balance between them that existed in prehistoric times. He also talks in depth about the gradual lean towards left brain dominance in Western society as the alphabet and linear scripts took hold. According to Sophie, the book is a walkthrough history collecting evidence for Shlain's thesis: ever since the phonetic alphabet spread around the globe, society has become increasingly patriarchal resulting in myriad negative consequences. Sophie was not convinced by the scientific references behind the book, but felt it was an interest premise and well supported by the author’s logic. She was intrigued and gave it a strong recommendation, especially for our times.
Opening Welcome:
President Gary welcomed us the 4,768th meeting of the RCOB and the 34th (!) virtual meeting since the Pandemic. When we hit the 52nd (actually sooner due to Monday holidays), this author will lose a bet…
Speaking of holidays, no meeting next week in honor of MLK Day. There is, however, a Board of Director’s meeting this Thursday, via Zoom of course, at 4:30PM.
In the spring of 1863, America stood on the brink of collapse as the Civil War turned the country into a house divided. At the height of this tragedy, Abraham Lincoln issued an appeal for national repentance, fasting, and prayer. Today, more than 150 years later, the 16th president’s heartfelt plea for divine healing and restoration still resounds with power, relevance and truth. (Clink here for link)
Club and Committee Announcements
FOOBALL POOL
The collegiate big school championship will be played tonight, so the football pool winners will not be known for two weeks. NO MEETING NEXT WEEK REMEMBER!
2020-2021 Max Higbee Major Project special announcement: To spur us to reach our goal of $100,000 for the Max Higbee Center's building fund, three anonymous Rotarian angels are offering to match 50 percent of every new donation up to $30,000, which would carry us to our goal. Take advantage of this way to stretch the value of your donation!
The Max Higbee Center started as grassroots effort led by educators, families and people with developmental disabilities who wanted quality recreation and social opportunities. Today, the Center serves over 400 individuals in Whatcom County through its welcoming social and recreation programs. Jen Moehl and John Dunne are leading the fundraising of this project. Members can donate from their tax-deferred accounts directly to RCOB without incurring a tax liability. Click Here for Donation Form
These programs also provide vital respite support to families. The stress and financial responsibility as a family caregiver can be extraordinary and lifelong. The services that Max Higbee Center staff provide are essential in supporting families to work, rest, and fulfill obligations while maintaining a safe and enriching environment for their family member with a disability. Their new facility at 1400 N. State Street, currently under construction, will allow the Center to expand its program capacity to meet an urgent community need. Our contribution to the project will be funding the new recreation room, the largest and most actively used room in the new facility, which is to be named the Rotary Room. Click here for further information.
Other Announcements
Blood Drive - January is Blood Donation Month -Steve Ban reported that our blood drive will be open for the entire Rotary year, until June 30, 2021. We are participating, along with the other clubs in our Area G, in a District 5050 challenge against the other District Areas. He is encouraging friends and relatives to join in. Those who can't donate blood can donate plasma. Currently, the W. Bakerview office is the only donation location open in Whatcom County. Click Here for additional information. You must schedule your donation appointment on the eflyer in this link to make sure your donation is counted. If you have already given blood and didn’t follow these procedures, please contact Steve and he will make sure that your donation is counted.
The minimum age for donating blood is 16 and those 16 and 17 would need parent’s permission to participate.
All Rotary meetings will be held Virtually on Zoom until at least January 31, 2021 due to Covid-19 social distancing. You can look for an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting (you can start logging in at 12:15 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy protected meeting. If you have not done so, please download the Zoom app on your computer (you need a camera and microphone on it), iPad or phone. There is no cost to you. If you do not have either, you can also call in. On the invitation, there are US phone numbers you can call and enter the meeting ID number also indicated on the invitation.
RCOB has now set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Happy Bucks, Minister of Fun, Dues or donations to the club. Our account is @RCOB-Bellingham. If you do not have a Venmo account you can set up an account with your computer then download the app. on your phone (just Google "Venmo" and you will find all the information you need) You then attach it to a debit or credit card (a fee on your end) or attach to your checking account at no cost. Payment will be sent directly to the RCOB checking account. When you use it for the first time it may ask you the last 4 digits of the RCOB phone number which is 0282. Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532
Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) In order to login you need to know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Yourfirstname.Lastname.264 unless you have changed it. Example: Sandra.Lindhout.264 The password is initially set by Clubrunner at 264 unless you have changed it. Sandee can see your Username from my computer but not the password. She can also change your password for you from her computer at your request if you run into problems.
Once you have originally created your User Name and Password you can download the ClubRunner Mobile app on your phone:
Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.
no meeting next week - remember??
Guests:
Paul Grey introduced our speakers, Rachel Vasak and Dorie Belisle representing Nooksack Salmon Enhancement "www.n-sea.org"
Dale Rings joined us again today...
Susie Thomson introduced Mike Tausen with Northstar Tax & Accounting. Susie gave $500 happy bucks to the RCOB Foundation in honor of Northstar purchasing her business. She will be working with them for a smooth transition from home. Congratulations Susie!! Susie, and her father Tommy, have donated their time to prepare the club taxes for over 20 years and promises to continue that generosity.
Presentation:
Captain Ruairi Ward of the Salvation Army noted the Service Fund Grant the club awarded to the Army. He related the use of the funds to give $20 gift certificates to the families the Army helped with Christmas dinner. The families were greatly appreciative.
Program:
Dorie Belisle, founder and former owner of Bellwood Acres, and now a board member of Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) gave the introduction to Executive Director, Rachel Vasak. Dorie also took the time to share what she has learned as an agricultural property owner in Whatcom County working in partnership with NSEA and why she became a board member. She appreciates their focus on community and grass roots approach to problem solving, rather than solely a top down agency driven approach. She said NSEA’s fundamental belief is that there is a solution to be had, and that NSEA had proven to be great listeners as well as problem solvers. She shared that it is her experience that property owners want to know and understand the science, the why behind the issues. And that NSEA, being apolitical, can listen, educate, and follow up over time, which leads to good outcomes.
Rachel Vasak shared a powerpont overview of NSEA – history, what they do as one of 14 such organizations in Washington, how they work, and the wonderful examples of projects and success. NSEA works through creek and stream restoration projects, working with volunteers and in coordination with property owners, governmental and tribal entities and regulators. They also run Educational programs consistent with the mission of NSEA. One great example is the Future Leaders of Whatcom Waters (FLOW, get it?) and Nooksack River Stewards Program. Stewardship of their projects is the final part of their mission. That includes regular work parties for volunteers, part of their Stream Stewards program.
Among their successes are High Creek barrier removal with a bridge that works for salmon migration, a complete restoration of previously overgrown and choked out Kendall Creek. The transformations of impacted watershed areas to living, sustainable and enjoyable flowing creeks and streams is amazing. Yes, it’s about Salmon and water quality, but also about wildlife and people.
Local Covid Update:
President Gary gave a short report saying the hospital has the greatest number of Covid patients now. There are still pandemic beds available, and room in the ICU, if needed. The county has the highest count of new infections it has had, probably due to Christmas gatherings. So, the virus is raging. Protect yourself. Use common sense, wash your hands frequently, use masks and maintain social distancing.
For those who may have missed it, NO MEETING NEXT WEEK (MLK Day). President Gary threatened a fine for those who forget. Scout's, I mean Rotary honor...
Program Recordings: We are now recording the speaker portion of our meetings:
Missed a meeting? Remember a great speaker but want to revisit the content? You can catch the recording on our Rotary Club of Bellingham YouTube page:
