Book Review: Ann Jones reviewed, “A World Transformed” by Joshua Paddington. It is the story of a much different California, as seen by the early settlers prior to the 1849 California gold rush. At that time, there were some 40 different tribes living in California amidst an incredibly fertile land, inhabited by an astonishing array of wildlife that included some 60,000 antelope. The book comprises some 15 accounts by Father Juan Crespi, George Vancouver, Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Edwin Bryant and others, who were participants in the settling of California before 1849. Ann described how the Spaniards were moving north from Mexico out of religious missionary zeal (including Father Junipero Serra, who set up missions) to convert Indians, the Russians moving south from the Northwest Territories to annex more land, and the Americans moving west for the same reason. It was challenging: For example, the Spanish sent three ships along with overland parties, and about half of them died on route. By 1847, violent conflict broke out between the Americans, natives and Spanish.
It was a view of California unlike anything that exists now: Ann noted that the city of San Francisco only had some 500 inhabitants in the early days. In 1849, the discovery of gold brought some 300,000 people and the transformation of California to what it is now.
Opening Welcome:
President Gary welcomed us to our 36th virtual meeting and 4,680th meeting. The virtues of virtual was evident as he presided over another meeting from sunny and warm Tucson, Arizona, while the rest of us shivered in rainy and cold Bellingham!
Club and Committee Announcements
Sandee Announcements:
1. Whatcom North has a name change to Rotary Club of Ferndale.
2. The District Conference will be held virtually this year, May 14th and 15th, for 2 hour evening sessions.
3. The Rotary International Convention will also be virtual, June 12-16th; more information to follow.
4. Don Anderson has moved again, to Silverado, 4400 Columbine Dr., Bellingham 98226. He loves cards...(room # is not needed)
Committee Announcements:
1. John Dunne - Max Higbee update:
John provided an update on our Major Project, the new Max Higbee Center. We have received contributions of $90,606, with some additional outstanding pledges. John noted that the three anonymous members, who initially promised to match pledges up to $5,000 each, have decided to contribute the full $15,000, taking our total fundraising to over $100,000 – an admirable accomplishment in a year of Covid!
John thanked the Major Project Committee members, who partially morphed into a Fund Raising Committee, for their hard work and thanked Jen Moehl for her leadership and Sandee for great record keeping.
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 -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 and member, Rud Browne
Dale Rings joined us again today...
Program: ID’s for the Homeless
Our own Rud Browne was our program speaker. Program Chair Paul Grey introduced him: Rud is a member of the Whatcom County Council, previously owned Ryzek and now devotes his time to Rianna Capital and ID to Work – a 501 c3 he founded.
Rud reviewed the difficult and, at times, intractable problems of people who lack identification documents. A 2009 study estimated that some 21 million Americans lack any identification document, such as a birth certificate, driver’s license, social security number, passport, credit card or medical insurance card. In an 8 minute video, (you can see it online at https://youtu.be/3cj145fAF1I), he laid out the multitude of serious problems that flow from lack of identification. They include inability to get a job, obtain social security, obtain government services, buy or rent a place to live, join the military, give blood, adopt a child, claim parents' remains, and much more. They become an “underclass”.
Most states require a photo identification to obtain a birth certificate, but most in this "underclass" lack an acceptable photo identification. It is a chronic problem, especially for homeless youth, who have been rejected by their families. Northwest Youth Services in Bellingham has estimated that half of their kids don't have adequate identification. Other members of the homeless population are frequently functionally illiterate, impairing their
ability to navigate the system to get identification.
Rud began working on the problem about 3 years ago. He is seeking a technological solution through the development of software that can be used by social workers and agencies to help people obtain identification. The initial focus is on the State of Washington, but Rud plans to expand it nationwide. He described examples of success through the use of technology, such as in Florida, where 2000-3000 people a year receive help in obtaining identification, half of whom receive their identification document on the spot. Locally, Rud noted that Law Advocates, with funding from Whatcom County, has been obtaining IDs for 100 to 200 clients a year, with the goal of increasing to 400 clients a year. Rud concluded by pointing out that, aside from the significant improvement in quality of life, obtaining adequate identification documents for this "underclass" is extremely cost effective: It costs about $40,000 a year to care for each homeless person on the street but only about $250 to obtain adequate identification!
Local Covid Update:
In his weekly Covid report, President Gary reported that 28 patients are currently hospitalized for COVID-19 at St. Joseph Hospital, three of whom are in the ICU. Whatcom County has had 9 deaths in 2021 caused by COVID-19. Gary noted that the distribution and administration of the COVID vaccine (13,500 doses given so far in the County) has been frustratingly slow, but expects that it will get better in the next two weeks or so.
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
