Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - AUGUST 14, 2023
Satpal Sidhu - Whatcom County Executive
"Critical Issues Facing Whatcom County - Housing and Behavioral/Mental Health Services Options"
Opening Welcome:
The meeting was brought to order by President Doug Cole at 12:30. He asked if any of the new members knew when the club was founded (1917) and how many meetings the club has had over those years (4091). President Doug, thinking about all those years, noted what has become a cultural truism, “It is not the strongest or smartest who survive but the most responsive to change.”
Guess Who: The answer is embedded in the Tattler!
Guests:
Shauna Naf introduced Tana Hope
Doug Cole introduced his wife Margie, EV Bethke and future member Bill Day.
Doug also introduced Mike Bates, Assistant District Governor of area G.
Brad Burdick brought his wife Sheri
Members on Zoom: Steve Hager, Nathan Twining and Roland Trenouth
Club Events and Committee Announcements
There will be a Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, August 17 at 4:30 at Doug Cole’s home. Contact Sandee if you would like to attend.
President's Picnic
August 19 - THE PRESIDENT'S PICNIC is open to our spouses/partners, and current, former, and potential future members of the Rotary Club of Bellingham. We ask you to register yourself and your guests, using our regular meeting sign-up form, and indicate what type of potluck dish you'll bring (salad, hot dish, dessert, or bread) so we have a good variety. President Doug will be at the grill with the salmon.
October 14 - GUESS WHO IS COMING TO DINNER - This dinner will happen on October 14. This potluck-style event has been a favorite in years past. Presently we are looking for one more host who can seat up to 8 people. Talk to Brad Burdick at 360-303-3485 or at bcburdick1963@gmail.com. In September Brad will share additional information about this fun event.
Brad Burdick gave an entertaining talk about riding the 2023 STP (Seattle to Portland), a total distance of 207 miles, in two days. The ride was challenging because it was so hot. However, it was great fun to have a family sag wagon with his grandchildren making fun signs to encourage him.
Minister of Fun
Ken Marzocco was the Minister of Fun. He “outed” Steve Ban and a friend for wearing pink to see the Barbie movie. Steve explained that this was a parody of two others who had worn similar outfits to the movie.
Ken also asked if Paul Gray had been fishing this year and how big the fish were. Paul noted that they did catch their limit but that none of the fish were particularly large.
Paula McCandlis countered that she had caught a much bigger fish.
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.
"Critical Issues Facing Whatcom County - Housing and Behavioral/Mental Health Services Options"
John Moffat introduced today’s speaker, Satpal Sidhu, who had his first travel experience with a Rotary fellowship to Vancouver. Mr. Sidhu has had wide-ranging experiences from his education in engineering and MBA to varied business enterprises. For a few years, he headed up the vocational training programs at BTC, before his election to the position of Whatcom County’s chief executive. Mr. Sidhu shared his general philosophy about the essential linkage of personal freedom and responsibility in civic life, with the latter being the more important, but too often neglected in our robust discussions about needs for personal freedom. His philosophy guides his approach to governing. He also spoke at length about the need for a new county jail and the difficulties with the public hearings, which have been under-attended and too often dominated by people with extreme views. He encouraged everyone to become more involved in the public process. After his talk, he noted that the county is developing a 20-year plan, to be updated every 10 years, which, among other things, identifies the need for more single-family homes up to 4000 sq. ft.
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.
