Brad Burdick Reviewed Backyard Giants by Susan Warren, an interesting book that gives you some ideas on what to do during a pandemic when you are stuck at home with nothing to do – especially of you have a big back yard.
Opening Welcome:
President Gary Goldfogel called the 4689th in person and 45th virtual of the Rotary Club of Bellingham to order at 12:30.
Minister of Fun by Rich Bowers: Wonderful photo's by Rich (Click Here)
Club and Committee Announcements
April 8, 2021 Board Briefs:
Resignations were received from Kathie Hardy and Michael Meggyesy and regretfully approved.
Cathy Buckley, Sandee and Shauna Naf are actively working on getting current quotes from potential future meeting locations.
Major Awards:
Major Awards nominations are being accepted through the month of April, by the Executive Committee for the: Will J. Griswold Club Service Award; the David C. Morse Sr. Community Service Award; the Michael K. Mischaikow International Service Award and the Karen W. Morse Vocational Service Award. These awards will be presented at the June 28th Changing of the Guard meeting. Submit nominations to Executive Committee members President Goldfogel, Past President Cathy Buckley, President-Elect Peter Theisen and VP Paul Grey. Sandee has emailed the criteria and list of former winners. The winners are honored with a $1,000 donation to the RCOB Foundation. Criteria and Former Winners (Click Here)
Rotary Cruise
Marty Haines again reviewed the details of the planned Whale Watching Cruise, scheduled for June 21, and urged all members to reply to the email invite. Family members and friends are encouraged to attend. Ahoy! Special price is $90 a person and the date is Monday, June 21st. You can sign-up by using the email that was sent out or go to the bellinghamrotary.org website under events and register. Marty guarantees great weather for the whale watching boat.
Ongoing Announcements:
Blood Drive:
Steve Ban reminds us that when we donate blood, they are still testing for and informing us whether or not you have Covid antibodies. He also reported that our blood drive will be open for the entire Rotary year, until June 30, 2021. We are participating, along with the other clubs in our Area G, in a District 5050 challenge against the other District Areas. He is encouraging friends and relatives to join in. Those who can't donate blood can donate plasma. Currently, the W. Bakerview office is the only donation location open in Whatcom County. Click Here for additional information.The minimum age for donating blood is 16 and those 16 and 17 would need parent’s permission to participate. Rumor has it that you can score a Bloodworks pair of socks for donating! You may schedule your donation appointment on the flyer in the above link or you can make an appointment by phone. In either case, when you are donating, please tell them that you are donating on behalf of RCOB.
YAIL
This year's District YAIL (Youth Adventures In Leadership) program will look different, like so many other activities. It is available for all High School students this year for FREE with a limited number of registrations at 30. It will be over 5 separate sessions. Click Here for information
Meeting Virtually
All Rotary meetings will be held Virtually on Zoom until further notice due to Covid-19 social distancing. You can look for an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting (you can start logging in at 12:00 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy protected meeting. If you have not done so, please download the Zoom app on your computer (you need a camera and microphone on it), iPad or phone. There is no cost to you. If you do not have either, you can also call in. On the invitation, there are US phone numbers you can call and enter the meeting ID number also indicated on the invitation.
RCOB has now set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Happy Bucks, Minister of Fun, Dues or donations to the club. Our account is @RCOB-Bellingham. If you do not have a Venmo account you can set up an account with your computer then download the app. on your phone (just Google "Venmo" and you will find all the information you need) You then attach it to a debit or credit card (a fee on your end) or attach to your checking account at no cost. Payment will be sent directly to the RCOB checking account. When you use it for the first time it may ask you the last 4 digits of the RCOB phone number which is 0282. Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532
Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) In order to login you need to know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Yourfirstname.Lastname.264 unless you have changed it. Example: Sandra.Lindhout.264 The password is initially set by Clubrunner at 264 unless you have changed it. Sandee can see your Username from my computer but not the password. She can also change your password for you from her computer at your request if you run into problems.
Once you have originally created your User Name and Password you can download the ClubRunner Mobile app on your phone:
Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.
Guests:
Dale Rings joined us again. Love having you join us!!
Paul Grey introduced our speaker Rachel Myers with The Whatcom Community Foundation
Presentation: Paul Landgren by Steve Hager
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Landgren on April 2, 2021. He was a member of the RCOB for 25 years and involved in the Environment and International Service Committees. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow.
Paul had just celebrated his 85th birthday. He spent the last two days of his life at Hospice House on Bellingham’s south side. They have been open ten years and I recall that the RCOB were instrumental in their founding. Thank you.
Paul was born March 24, 1936 in the Andersonville area of Chicago, a Swedish neighborhood. He and his two sisters, Alice and Marcia, went to school nearby until the family moved to Wheaton, IL where he spent the last two years of high school. Paul obtained an EE degree an MBA from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.
Paul was an ensign in the US Navy after college. He was subsequently hired by the public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen in the consulting Division. He became a partner in the firm within ten years and lived in Chicago, Tokyo and Melbourne, Australia. He left the firm to pursue his own investments.
With his Canadian wife, Moiree, they moved to Bellingham in 1983.
Throughout life Paul volunteered with many organizations. In Bellingham he belonged to Navy League, the Rotary Club of Bellingham and worked on several improvement projects in Bellingham. He enjoyed boating, watching sports, baroque and bluegrass music.
Program:
Paul Grey introduced our speaker, Rachel Myers, Philanthropic Services & Programs Director of the Whatcom Community Foundation.
Rachel was joined by President and CEO, Mauri Ingram.
Community foundations exist because of the community, with investments from the community and as members of the community.
The Swiss Army Knife is a helpful analogy. Community Foundations are a composite of many versatile tools and people that make it possible for the community foundation to adapt to the evolving opportunities and needs in Whatcom County. Sometimes that tool is money, sometimes it looks like connecting people to organizations or causes, and other times we play a different role based on what the community needs.
The WCF vision is simple. Everyone who lives here thrives. And, giving here matters. The mission of the Foundation is to amplify the force of philanthropy – by connecting people, ideas and resources – so that communities flourish.
Rachel discussed several projects that are top-of-mind currently –
The Millworks Project - The Foundation is working with local partners, including Mercy Housing and RMC Architects, to develop this community benefit project at Laurel Street and Cornwall Avenue, the gateway to the new Waterfront District. Plans include:
a food hub to increase access to fresh, local foods and support regional farms.
a commercial kitchen and business incubation to facilitate local-food entrepreneurship.
food truck & cart arcade activating a community gathering space and sales venue for food businesses.
workforce training for high school students and adults in transition. event space that showcases the local food scene.
Co-working space creating affordable officing for food and ag businesses.
Rachel and Mauri also discussed the success of the Resilience Fund which was formed to provide relief to people in the community directly impacted by the Covid pandemic. Thanks to the generosity of the community, WCF has disbursed more than $2.5 million to the community.
Rachel closed her presentation and answered questions from the group.
Covid Report:
President Gary told us vaccines are more plentiful and many more folks up here in the NW corner are getting jabbed. The hospital is well below capacity.
Program Recordings: We are now recording the speaker portion of our meetings:
Missed a meeting? Remember a great speaker but want to revisit the content? You can catch the recording on our Rotary Club of Bellingham YouTube page:
