President Steve Ban opened the meeting by greeting everyone and saying how wonderful it is to have “spring” with us (if 50 degrees qualifies as spring). He said the meeting would have a slightly different format today due to the club’s celebrating Ralph Rinne’s 101st birthday.
Following Paul Grey’s invocation, Roland Trenouth gave a tribute to Ralph Rinne. Rick Kaiser introduced a muppet clip of a chef performing “Happy Birthday to You,” following which the club sang that number to Ralph. Ralph then expressed his thanks to the club and we all enjoyed Ralph’s birthday cake.
The Paul Harris quote of the day is: “Charity begins at home, but it doesn’t end there.” By this, Paul Harris reminds us that true charity knows no boundaries. It exists and can be applied in all walks of life
Guests:
Roland Trenouth introduced visitor Mike Montazeri, Engineer.
Members on Zoom: Mike Bradburn
Club Events and Committee Announcements
Dennis Williams recently spent 11 days in the hospital after a broken arm and other complications. He is now at Avalon Healthcare (formerly St. Francis), 3121 Squalicum Pkwy, Room 235 hoping to leave Monday and up to visitors. Hurry back Dennis!
Mike Plenkovich passed away on February 17, 2025 at the age of 89. Mike was a dedicated member of the RCOB for 38 years and a Paul Harris Fellow +1His service will be on March 11, 2025, at 1:00 at Spring Creek Bible Church, 567 E. Kellogg Rd. Here is the link for the obituary:
Steve announced that the District 5050 Assembly will be in Surrey on April 5, the same day as our Meal Packing event. Since the club is charged for 5 people to attend the event, Steve hopes that five people will choose to go. He offered to drive folks up after the Meal Packing event is over.
Roland Trenouth announced that people should sign up for the April 5 meal packing event. There is a link in the Tattler. So far, there are only 72 people signed up and we need at least 100. We also are behind on our donations. We need another $8000 to meet our $12,000 goal.
Shauna Naf presented President Steve with a shirt for reaching the 150-point goal in the V.I.P. Challenge. Steve donned the shirt and wore it for the rest of the meeting. Congratulations, Steve!
Board Briefs for February 27, 2025
New Membership proposal for Pierce Roberts to fill the classification “Airline Pilot” proposed by Doug Cole and Tom Grinstad was approved by the Classification Committee and the Board of Directors. He will be eligible for membership March 17, 2025 unless a letter of objection is received by Sandra Lindhout, Exec. Sec on or before March 15th. Send objections to RCOB, 2200 Vining St., Bellingham 98229
Sandee was approached by the Hotel Leo regarding RCOB considering meeting at their location on Cornwall Ave. in October. Steve Ban, John Moffat and Sandee went to tour the location. We would meet on the second floor in a room that was certainly adequate. After that meeting, we didn’t hear from them until mid-January. The proposal was for $25 for a buffet meal with a base of 20 members minimum, plus 20% gratuity and 9% tax. There was also a $250 per week charge for room set-up. After a discussion it was determined that the costs are just too high for our membership.
The recent Membership Survey showed interest in finding a different location and a committee will be formed to investigate the options. If you have any suggestions please let us know.
Sandee reported that Aaron Booker recently looked at the club computer to make sure it is secure and running smoothly. Thank you, Aaron.
The Board of Directors voted to walk in the Memorial Day Parade again this year and attempt to get more participation.
Additionally, the board approved a $500 donation to support the parade.
The Board also approved a donation of $500.00. to Lee Harman’s Miss Vicky Polio Plus campaign. He is speaking to the club April 14th.
Steve received an inquiry from Assistant District Governor, Mike Bates, about our club being involved in an Epic Day of Service March 17th. He is looking for suggestions from clubs.
Membership satisfaction survey results and discussion:
The Board reviewed the results of the survey, and it was determined we will hold a meeting dedicated to discussing 3 or 4 topics; i.e. Location, Community Involvement and Membership Involvement. We will hold it March 10th. Catherine Riordan has volunteered to help organize it.
John Moffat reported that The Service Fund Grant Committee is still hoping to receive a couple more applicants for the remaining $3,000 available. Contact John if you have an applicant idea.
Committee Announcements:
Meal Packing
Roland Trenouth announced that people should sign up to help with the food packing event 5 April in the Assumption Gymnasium, scheduled 9:15 - noon. We hope to pack 35,000 meals, which translates to $12,000 cash to raise.
About 10 members are needed to show up early at 8:00 am to help set up. Contact Roland if you can help with set-up at 360-201-1090 or rstrenouth@comcast.net
February 23rd, 1954. 71 years ago today, Dr. Jonas Salk hosted the first polio vaccination clinic in Pittsburgh, PA. The effort ultimately became Rotary’s 40 year trek to eradicate polio worldwide. Imagine: ten billion vaccinations to three billion children in just the last ten years. Imagine: just three cases of Wild Polio Virus year-to-date in 2025. But when the Taliban stopped its Afghanistan 2024 vaccination program, wild polio virus jumped to 95 cases. Clearly, without vaccination programs, the virus can and will return with a vengeance.
Miss Vicky Rides Again! Locked inside our 1931 Model A Ford is a pledge to contribute $25,000.00 to PolioPlus WHEN ROTARIANS RAISE A MATCHING $25,000. Simple as that. Mr. Gates further matches each dollar with two of his own. $25 thousand becomes $50k which becomes $150,000, thanks to you, an anonymous PolioPlus donor and the Gates Foundation. Your gift to this "challenge grant" is fully tax deductible, moves you toward Major Donor status and comes with matching TRF points to use as you desire. Rise to the challenge! Contribute generously to the 2025 Miss Vicky Challenge for PolioPlus.
Ian Schmitt works at Western Solar, which has been in Whatcom County for 23 years. It has 30 employees and serves Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties and northern Snohomish County. It provides both residential and commercial service.
Solar energy has grown by 26% per year over the last decade. Part of the reason for that is that the price of a kilowatt of solar power declined rapidly over that period. That decrease is attributable in large part to the increase in the cost of energy. PSE’s rates have gone up 16%, leading people to move to solar. On-shoring the production of solar energy facilitates energy independence.
There are also tax benefits to solar energy. Residential installations generate a 40% tax credit on the cost of the installation and 40% for businesses converting to solar. There is also no sales tax charged on those installations.
Ian emphasized that PSE’s rates are going up all the time, so this trend will continue. This is due to their transmission costs increasing and their generation sources dwindling in Washington.
There are also storage incentives for solar. The Flex battery program, which began in September 2024, encourages storage of solar energy.
The efficiency of storage panels has improved over the years. Where ten years ago panels could store 350 watts, now they can store 420-450 watts. The panels can last for 25 years.
Thank you, Ian, for an interesting and informative presentation.
Closing:
Steve thanked everyone who contributed to the meeting and rang the bell adjourning the meeting at 1:32.
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.
