The meeting was preceded by a book report from Rob Westford. The Finnish Way was written by Katja Pantzer, who moved to Helsinki as an adult. The book describes how simple Nordic practices such as cold water swimming, sauna, bicycle commuting and time spent in
nature can help one develop courage, wellness and happiness through the power of Sisu (see-su), a unique form of Finnish resilience, which helps to make Finland one of the “happiest countries in the world”.
Opening Welcome:
President Gary, on remote location in Tucson, opened the RCOB's 37 th consecutiveZoom
meeting at 12:30 PM. There were 55 members in attendance. We were reminded that there would not be a meeting next week, February 15, due to the Presidents’ Day holiday.
In keeping with the theme of Black History Month, Rick Kaiser presented a musical rendition performed by the Blind Boys of Alabama: Click Here
The invocation by Mike Plenkovich was preceded by a story of the evolution of the Rotary Four-Way Test as an ethical yardstick.
Club and Committee Announcements
Remember there will be NO meeting Monday, February 15th for President's Day Holiday!
Rotary Youth Exchange Committee:Monty McAllister reported that our Rotary Youth Exchange Program will resume this coming fall or winter, depending on Covid status in our community. Our prospective outbound student this past year, Owen Cool, could not go because of Covid, but is eager to participate in the coming year. He lives in Ferndale, and Ferndale High School is willing to host a foreign student in exchange.
Annual Sunnyland Veteran’s Memorial Cleanup will take place on Saturday, May 22, per Teri Treat and Chuck Snyder.
Football Winners for the Year, Congratulations!! (click here)
Other Announcements
Blood Drive -Steve Ban reported that when you donate blood, they are still testing for and informing you whether or not you have Covid antibodies. He also 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.
The minimum age for donating blood is 16 and those 16 and 17 would need parent’s permission to participate. Rumor has it that you can score a Bloodworks pair of socks for donating!
You may schedule your donation appointment on the flyer in the above link or you can make an appointment by phone. In either case, when you are donating, please tell them that you are donating on behalf of RCOB.
All Rotary meetings will be held Virtually on Zoom until further notice 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 12:00 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.
Guests:
Paul Grey introduced our speaker Reece Carpenter, President of Bellingham Rotaract Club, Justin Nash, Sec. and member Alison Mason
Dale Rings joined us again today...
Program:
In keeping with one of Rotary’s Areas of Emphasis, “Youth is our Future”, Program Chairman Paul Grey introduced representatives of the local Rotaract club: President Reece Carpenter, secretary Justin Nash and member Alison Mason. They presented an excellent overview of their organization.
Rotaract is a group of students and young professionals, age 18 and older, who cultivate relationships and leadership skills through serving their local and global communities. Rotaract started in North Carolina in 1968. There are now 10,698 Rotaract clubs in 180 countries with 203,298 members. The first Rotaract club in District 5050 started in Abbotsford/Matsqui in 1987. There are currently 9 chartered Rotaract clubs in District 5050, 6 in Canada (50 members) and 3 in Washington (30 members), which are sponsored by 26 Rotary clubs. Many Rotaractors are past Rotary Exchange students (such as Reece), Interacters (high school aged, Rotary affiliated groups), YAIL (Youth Adventures In Leadership) and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) attendees and, most importantly, future Rotarians!
The Big West Rotaract started in 2009 and provides training, education and resources for all Rotaract clubs on the US and Canadian west coast. The Rotaract Club of Bellingham, chartered in 2015, is a university club which currently has 8 members and 1 advisor. It is sponsored by all five Whatcom County Rotary Clubs and Burlington Rotary. It has participated in a number of fund-raising projects as well as community work projects and is currently involved in a winter clothing drive.
President Gary reported that there has been no significant change in the rates of positive Covid tests or the slow pace of vaccinations in Whatcom County since last week. The local hospital has adequate capacity for Covid patients.
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:
Ron Jepson
Marty Haines
Sandy McIntire
