The District 5050 Conference will be held at Harrison Hot Springs, May 1-3, 2026. Members were urged to consider attending. This link will take you to additional information:
RYLA 2026 will be held May 28th-May 31st, 2026 at Stillwood Camp & Conference, Lindell Beach, B. C. Registration ends April 30th. The RCOB Foundation has funds to send 1 person age 18-30. Unlock your leadership potential. Contact Sandee Lindhout at rcob@comcast.net if you are interested.
Committee Announcements
Exchange Student needs help:
Our Exchange Student from Hungary, Janka, 2 other exchange students and 2 Rotex (former Rotary Exchange Students) want to go to the Olympic Peninsula for a camping trip from May 15-19 but need an adult chaperone to come with them.
This is approved by our Exchange Committee if they find a volunteer. The volunteer would need to be a approved RYE volunteer who has passed a background check so time is of the essence.
Community Boating Center Ward again encouraged our participation in the April 25th Community Boating Center Work Party for duty between 9:30AM and 1:00PM. (0930-1300). We will help refinish outdoor furniture. Contact Ward Naf if you can participate at wardnaf@gmail.com or 360-303-6671
Memorial Park Community Work Party Teri Treat announced our annual work party to clean up the park for Memorial Day, May 9th, 2026 from 9am to 12pm. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER WITH THE CITY
Nominations for RCOB Major Awards: The Executive Committee is asking for nominations for the RCOB Major Awards from the membership, selected by the Club Exec. Committee of Steve Ban, John Moffat, Nathan Twining and George Halsell. The awards are presented at the Changing of the Guard on June 29th. Click here for information and award history. Please send any nominations to Sandee at rcob@comcast.net.
Rotary Board Briefs April 16, 2026
New Membership Proposal: Steve Woods – proposed by John Moffat and Fred Kaiser to fill the classification Medicine-Gastroenterologist (retired) was approved by the Classification Committee and the Board of Directors. He will be eligible for membership May 4th unless a letter of objection is received by Executive Secretary, Sandra Lindhout, on or before May 2nd at 2200 Vining St., Bellingham, Wa. 98229
Members are reminded to send in Nominations for the RCOB Major Awards selected by the Club Exec. Committee of Steve Ban, John Moffat, Nathan Twining and George Halsell through the month. The awards are presented at the Changing of the Guard June 29
th at our evening event. Please send nominations to Sandee at
rcob@comcast.net.
Meeting location changes:
- May 11th meeting location changed to Syre Center Room 107/108 – District Governor Visit.
- June 1st Student Awards meeting will be held in the Syre Theater at noon – RCOB Foundation organizing
- June 22nd Meeting – WCC campus is closed and the board approved holding it at the Holiday Inn at the Airport on the 22nd at noon
- June 29th Changing of the Guard at the Holiday Inn at the Airport at 5:30pm
The Board approved to participate in the Memorial Day Parade May 23rd at Noon. We also approved a $500 donation to help sponsor the parade from the RCOB Foundation. The board felt it shows Rotary is part of the community. Steve Ban will talk to Assistant District Governor Mike Bates to get other clubs involved. Sandee will contact the Interact and Rotaract students.
Sandee reported that the Major Project, Skookum Kids has received pledges of $70,784.81 and a check will be presented May 4th at our meeting.
Save the Date: We received an inquiry from Owen Bolinger officer of the WWU Ecological Restoration Club for a tabling event at WWU Ecological Restoration Club's Arboretum Day work party May 30th with 2 tabling times; 9am-12pm and 12pm-3pm. They are holding a restoration work party with the City of Bellingham in the Arboretum from 9am-12pm which is open to all. After the work party, there will be live music from Western’s Americana Music Group, activities, and a chance for the community to meet and chat with service organizations. The Board approved to participate, and Catherine has volunteered to do the tabling portion. Ward has been emailed regarding the Volunteer aspect of the event. Stay tuned for further information.
The next Board Meeting will be May 14th changed from May 21st.
Book Review 
