Assistant district Governor Mike Bates introduced the present District Governor Isabell, who was raised on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. She is a realty broker in the greater Vancouver area. And she was one of the first female members of Rotary in B.C.
The D. G. started off by mentioning several members active leaders in the district. She also talked briefly of the R.I. President, mentioning his emphasis on humility, humanity and heart. He asked us to build bridges to young people, to gain other perspectives and goals for Rotary. This can be the future of Rotary.
D.G. Hayer went on to recount some of the accomplishments of our club’s history. Beginning in 1917, a time that only a few of us can remember, the Rotary Club of Bellingham has worked to improve the community. She noted that the Rotary Foundation began in 1917 with a donation of $26.5 (over $500 in today’s dollars). It distributes $379 million now.
In 1919 the first Rotary international assembly was held in Chicago. In 1920 our club hosted ex-President William Howard Taft. Even then the world knew about our club… 1921 The international convention happened in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1930 our club helped renovate the Bellingham Theater Guild. And just a few years ago, we helped put an elevator in the building to make it more fully accessible.
1942 was the year Rotary placed emphasis on education and cultural exchanges that gave birth to UNESCO, a world-changing organization. The Four-Way Test was adopted in 1943, a great guideline for the world. After Paul Harris died in 1947 and in lieu of flowers, Rotarians were asked to donate to the foundation for scholarships. Over $1 million was received (about $15,000,000 in today’s money).
Locally, in 1956 we helped erect Civic Stadium, still in use today. We helped sponsor other local Rotary clubs, we supported the construction of the food bank, the construction of the Whatcom Boating Center, Whatcom Hospice house, Brigid Collins House, and many others. We are more than a check-writing club. But we have that ability. We have contributed more than $2.3 million over the years.
Internationally, we have helped to bring water to villages in Uganda, Honduras and Guatemala.
In 1981 Polio Plus was launched. The disease is down to a handful of cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary had a great impact. There is a major push to get the last few areas polio free. Our club has donated over $71,000 to the effort.
D.G. Hayer emphasized the role of Rotary in peace efforts. We now have eight Rotary Peace Centers around the world, educating people to be come leaders in peace. These peace fellows work in the affected areas at ground-level projects to better the lives of residents. This is much better than simply throwing money at the problem.
