President John launched our meeting precisely to the second at 12:30 PM. His warm welcome was laced with short announcements.
President John recalled an earlier District gathering at Harrison Hot Springs where the subject of discussion was climate change. Our visiting Rotarian from Ferndale, Brian Hennessey, was present at that meeting and joined in reflecting on what we know about climate change and the impact on the human body.
Guests:
President John Moffat introduced guest Charlie Platt with Mt. Baker Medical, and former member Scott Wallace. Great to see you again, Scott!
George Halsell introduced our speaker, Mike Hogan, with the Port of Bellingham.
Visiting Rotarian: Bryan Hennessey from Ferndale Rotary Club
Club Events and Committee Announcements
Website Sponsors needed:
We are looking for Website sponsors for the next Rotary year starting July 1st. It is a great opportunity to advertise your business and support Rotary - $350 for the year. Check out the current sponsors on our table tents and website by going to bellinghamrotary.org. Contact Sandee if interested.
June 8, 2026 Rotary Board Briefs
This was the last Board meeting for Steve Ban,Rick Kaiser and Catherine Riordan. Thank you for your service to the Rotary Club of Bellingham
The May 31, 2026, Financial reports were approved as submitted and the 2026-2027 Budget for the Club was approved.
Vinson Latimore furnished our exchange student Janka’s Rotary T-Shirt birthday gift at no charge and also a couple extra Rotary work vests. Thanks, Vinson.
2026-2027 planning:
The Board of Directors meetings will continue the 3rd Thursday of each month at 4:30 on Zoom.
July, Aug and Sept evening meeting locations were discussed and tabled until a social date is selected.
We will continue Book Reviews thru July, August and September. President-Elect Nathan Twining is planning to survey the club to see what changes they would like to see in our meetings.
George inquired about our club starting another Rotaract Club in Bellingham which would be free standing. George will look into what would be involved.
The next Board meeting will be on July 16th at 4:30 on Zoom
Justin presented a thorough summation of a book on changing order in our world. The authors introduce us to the concept of a BANI world. BANI is a term inclusive of the descriptors: Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear and Incomprehensible. Such simple past assumptions as cause and effect can no longer be assumed to be the rule. Brittle takes on Dependable, Non-Linear rethinks Neo-Flexible, and Incomprehensible in readdressing past Inter-connectiveness. All these are inclusive of the Human Impact of Change.
These are brief examples of how individuals connect across disciplines. Today’s world would have been incomprehensible a few decades ago. In summary, this book is future oriented. It is a tool to help connect across generations.
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.
Program Chairman George Halsell introduced our speaker.
Michael Hogan – Port of Bellingham
Michael Hogan has been a Public Affairs (P/A) Administrator for the Port of Bellingham since 2004. He takes pride in a government agency that functions like a business by straddling both worlds. He introduced the topic citing tibits of history that is new knowledge for many of us. One example is the transfer of waterfront control from Railroads to a Public Agency.
There are currently three port commissioners. The number of commissioners will shortly be increased to five. A new district was created after the Port expansion in 2025
The sub-components of the Port Commission after the new designations in 2025 are:
Airport/ Squalicum Harbor and Blaine Harbor
Real estate contracts
Cruise Terminal (1986)
Fairhaven Station
Shipping Terminal
The Port Commission has deliberately increased its emphasis on economic development:
A wide-ranging emphasis on workforce development
Developing industrial property
Functional needs; sewers, transport, utilities, etc.
Budgeting and Revenue Sources:
The Port commission currently has 150 employees. While some perceive the Port to be heavily tax funded, only 1.5% of our property tax goes to the Port Commission. Of the Port operating revenues 15% comes from property taxes.
Goals: a major goal of the Port Commission is Marine Trades. Instead of focusing on residential and commercial buildings, the Port is putting a greater emphasis on Marine job creation. There is a strong desire to construct our local ferries here in our own local plants rather than importing them from manufacturers in the southern states.
To launch Whatcom’s Maritime future, the following major cleanup and modernization projects need completion:
Blaine Westman Maine Cleanup and Redevelopment
I & J Waterway Bulkhead, Dock, and Float Cleanup
ASB Lagoon – cleanup and redevelopment including cleanup of a wastewater treatment lagoon. This includes approximately 15 acres of Maritime Trench Land.
Bellingham Shipping Terminal Modernization. This is a large project and is intended to be a good source of family wage jobs.
Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park
Fairhaven Shipyard and Marine Industrial Park (FMIP)
Our speaker talked about Whatcom’s Maritime future. This included an emphasis on port cleanups at both Blaine and Bellingham. The obvious focus is a massive post Georgia Pacific cleanup and the funding required. Thereafter followed a discussion of one of our country’s largest commercial contamination cleanup projects. Six states list cleanup sites on this scale. A discussion followed about waterfront redevelopment. It is important for residents to be aware that some of the parks and art projects readily seen at the former Georgia Pacific plant are simply interim projects within a greater 30-year industrial redevelopment and cleanup project. The long-term emphasis is on community energy sources, developing industry for sources of sustainable employment income, improving our port docks, high density housing and permanent parks.
During the question-and-answer session that followed, a questionnaire addressed the subject of Georgia Pacific’s responsibility for the cost of environmental cleanup versus the millions of dollars already laid out by the Port Authority. Unfortunately, we were time limited and the meeting concluded without answering the question. To his credit, Michael Hogan did answer the Rotary member’s question in a private discussion after the meeting.
In summary the Port Authority is shifting emphasis away from private ownership and toward more public ownership of Port lands.
Closing
President John rang the meeting to adjournment at 1:30 PM after thanking all those who contributed to the meeting.
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.
