President John opened today’s meeting at 12:30. Rick Kaiser selected “In the Good Old Summertime” for the music but was not present to lead us. Your reporter notes this is the second consecutive week the opening music had a “summertime” theme. Is there a message here? In contrast, for the invocation, Rob Olson read a poem which was a plea for rain. It seems the rain plea has been more effective.
Minister of Fun Jim Lemerond also chose “Summertime” as a theme for this week’s challenge.
President John noted that June is Rotary Fellowship Month, which celebrates and encourages diversity and connection amongst Rotarians.
Guests:
Aaron Booker introduced Service Grant recipients from C4PIN Ken Ballweg, Nick Zaborowski and Troy Brunette
Brad Burdick introduced Nick Fortner with the Boy Scouts of America Mount Baker Council
George Halsell introduced our speaker, Andrea Krook with Children of the Nation
Sue Parsons introduced our Exchange Student, Janka Eszik from Hungary and outgoing Exchange Student Linnea Magee leaving for Brazil
John Moffat introduced Allie Rock and Kellie Goodman with Heart of Play
Visiting Rotarian: Bryan Hennessey from Ferndale Rotary Club
Members on Zoom: Roland Trenouth, Steve Ban, Shauna Naf, Doug Cole and Rob Olson
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.
Good-bye presentation by Exchange Student, Janka Eszip from Hungary.
Prior to her departure, our 2025-25 incoming exchange student from Hungary, Janka, took a few minutes to share highlights of her time in Bellingham.
These included meeting other District 5050 exchange students, several visits to Seattle, including a trip up the Space Needle, homecoming, Halloween, a visit to Chilliwack, taking in a Kraken game, Valentine’s Day, the District Conference, a concert in Vancouver and a visit to the Olympic peninsula. She thanked all who made her visit a memorable one.
She and Steve Ban exchanged farewells in Hungarian and Steve added he and Jan will visit Janka and her family in Hungary in August.
Steve Ban received a Paul Harris +3 award, which he accepted remotely via Zoom from Brunswick, Maine, where he and Jan were visiting grandchildren. Tom Grinstad received a Paul Harris +7 award. Both were honored with a standing ovation.
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SERVICE FUND GRANT PRESENTATION
by Sponsor, Aaron Booker
Aaron Booker introduced representatives from Computers for People In Need (C4PIN) our last $1,000 Service Grant for this Rotary year. Several club members have had their computers recycled there. We also gave them an old Rotary computer to dispose of. The website: https://c4pin.org/
Their entire budget is $50k. Zero costs go to overhead or salaries at this point. Hardware sales generously donates the warehouse they use in the alley behind Dairy Queen
Their mission:
We believe it is critical for individuals to have access to a personal computer that can reliably and securely provide a connection to needed services and information, the internet, and the rest of society. Unfortunately, many people are unable to access a computer, and cannot afford to purchase one.
We are committed to providing these people with the computers they need to function effectively in today’s increasingly digital world. Our refurbished computers are distributed to local low-income families or individuals, students, the disabled, veterans, the elderly, and the non-profit agencies that serve them.
All computers are diagnosed, cleaned, repaired, and imaged with a genuine copy of Chrome Flex, Linux Mint, or Microsoft Windows 11 Professional. The result is reliable products for our clients, and digital access for those who need it.
Program Chairman George Halsell introduced our speaker, Andrea Krook who provided background on Children of the Nation, the organization which manages and benefits from our annual meal packing event. It was founded in 1995, initially to benefit Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world, and now has expanded into five countries: Malawi, Uganda, Dominican Republic and Haiti. The mission is to provide holistic care to orphaned children, enabling them to create positive and lasting change in their nations. We saw where our packed meals actually went and learned these meals were consumed for lunch on a near daily basis. We met a number of students who had gone through a local education program, one becoming a health worker and the other a lawyer. We saw the outcomes of a solar project which provided regular electricity and access to the internet, both of which increased education opportunities and economic productivity. For more information: cotni.org
Since 2023 the Rotary Club of Bellingham has packed 153,392 meals. Along with other Rotary clubs, WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Closing
President John rang the meeting to adjournment at 1:30 PM, after thanking all who helped produce 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.
