President Sandy McIntire rang to order the meeting bedecked with a fancy chapeau obviously borrowed from the Ministry of Funny Hats. This was a lead in to his query on the 2nd largest country in Europe (behind only Russia). No one but your erstwhile reporter was able to identify Ukraine (without the “the”). Although I have to admit I had edge on the competition having seen the prez with the aforementioned hat feverously dancing a stirring rendition of hopak. All absolutely (not) true.
Announcements:
Important request: Our "Contemplating End of Life" series starts next Monday, August 6th and guests are invited. If you are planning on bringing a guest, please inform Sandee Lindhout by the Wednesday at 12:00 prior to the meeting to aid Northwood Hall in preparation of food.
It is time to sign-up to be a website sponsor for 1 year at a cost of $300.00 for a rotating ad on our home page. Your link takes people to your personal business website easily. There are 2 spots remaining. Contact Sandee Lindhout for more information.
Rotary Club seeking Major Project Proposals
The Rotary Club of Bellingham is seeking proposals for Major Projects for the coming year. The club has created a lasting impact in the community through major projects over the years, including Bellingham Food Bank, YWCA, Hospice House, BTC Fisheries Facility, Pickford Theater, Boys & Girls Club Kitchen, RCOB Foundation Scholarships, Lydia Place and many others. Over $1.2 million has been awarded to major projects in the last 10 years alone.
Club members are asked to provide Major Project Proposals now through August 17 for review by the Selection Committee. The basic criteria for Major Projects include:
Tax Exempt Organization
Capital Projects and Programing
Benefits Whatcom County (priority Bellingham)
Preference for Human Benefit, Youth-Focus
Hands-on Opportunities for Rotary Members
Public Recognition for Rotary
Ann Jones had a great thought, Could we do something about homelessness?
Jack Westford announced the 2nd Annual Rotary Rally. On Sunday August 19th car happy members will again join in a fun afternoon of driving through the country side, with driver and navigator and we presume giddy passengers-all ending up at a restaurant somewhere in the county for a fun get together and dinner. Sign up sheet cites, Bentleys and Corvettes, but Fords are welcome too. Contact Jack Westford (In a note to this reporter, Joe Coons says, "Road rallies are a lot of fun. We compete in our plain everyday SUV. Nothing special is required except a car with an odometer and a watch. There is a great introduction on liner at http://www.mossmotoring.com/tsd-road-rallies-arrive-on-time/.")
Golfun on August 17th. There are still spaces for 5 more teams. Come on golfers, sign up. Contact Del VandeKerk
Brad Burdick announced a Vegas Night committee meeting immediately after the 6 August meeting. Those interested in being on the committee are asked to join.
Monty McAllister is looking for two host families to take the Rotary Exchange students for the spring 2019 term. One student is from Spain and the other from Zimbabwe.
Andy Day is holding a membership meeting in the morning, this coming Saturday, 4 August.
Guests of Rotarians:
Paula McCandlis brought David Brown
Susie Thomson introduced Pika Stratton
Lynda Hinton brought Sara Maloney with the Boy's & Girls Club
John Dunne brought his wife Joy and daughter Rebecca
Presentations:
Gail Ridenour gave her new member talk aided and abetted by a PowerPoint presentation that focused on a very cute young girl. Gail was reared in the Okanogan Valley, spending much time at her grandparent’s ranch. At a tender age, her grandfather sat her down for a talk about the facts of life. No – not those kind – the kind with compounding interest (financial). Gail is obviously educated; she listed a bunch of places where she went to school. Which begs the question, why rely on eHarmony to find a soul mate? And the other question begging is, “why the oboe and not the bagpipes?”
But it all worked out when Kevin asked her his opening question, “who would win an arm-wrestling bout, Mahler or Wagner?” Two self-described music nerds found each other. And with Kevin landing a dream job at WWU teaching jazz, the family moved here. Gail is the executive director of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra – soon to be the Bellingham Symphony.
At the end of her talk, Pres. Sandy presented Gail with her blue badge of honor. Well done Gail.
Program:
Important request: Our "Contemplating End of Life" series starts next Monday, August 6th and guests are invited. If you are planning on bringing a guest, please inform Sandee Lindhout by Wednesday at 12:00 to aid Northwood Hall in preparation of food.
Police Chief David Doll started his career as an explorer cadet in the police department in 1980. He worked his way up through the ranks serving in many different roles until he as at last appointed chief starting January 2018 by our own Mayor Kelli.
He started off his talk with a tired joke about a German shepherd who walked into a bar to ask who shot his paw. And from there Chief Doll was off to a fast start. Homelessness he explained has three aspects: it is a national problem; it is a local problem and has become a police problem. He unfortunately does not have a magic answer. The force is impacted in many ways. They are most often the 1st point of contact, they must try to defuse the situation, they attempt outreach and they enforce. The police work with the mission and the drop-in-center to make the situation(s) safer. Sometimes the contact does not want assistance. Chief Doll iterated that some folks, a small minority, choose homelessness. But regardless, the police role is to do outreach, to find assistance and to move folks along, to a place with less impact to the general public.
When asked what property owners can do, he replied: make sure your property has no squatters, and don’t give beggars money, there are services available. He shared that in 2013 his department had +/- 400 mental health contacts. In the first half of 2018 that number has risen to over 1,220.
The Bellingham police force is trained to handle their contacts. Their interpersonal skill sets are sharpened with Crisis Intervention Training. The use of body cameras is a real asset to the police. The use of force by the Bellingham Police Department is in the neighborhood of 0.3%. That is a pretty good neighborhood, demonstrating professionalism.
Chief Doll ended his talk with an anecdote from early in his career when a dog (another German shepherd) with a cast on his leg strolled into David’s office. He was going to solve the problem by calling the dog pound. The then assistant chief suggested that since the dog had a cast, maybe the appropriate action would be to call the local veterinarians. Sure enough the first call and the lady on the other end asked “with a cast on his leg?” and the situation resolved.
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