New President Doug Cole welcomed us with some upbeat comments, fueled by what apparently was an inspiring Rotary International Convention. He was interrupted by some very important calls from big wig Rotary leaders (at least that’s what he told us). President Doug talked of the theme he’s chosen for his term as president, something new presidents are encouraged to do. He showed us the themes he’d discarded: still here after all these years; get an idea and send dollars; and 106 years of giving. He then shared the theme he’s chosen: Rotary Club of Bellingham: More Relevant Than Ever!
President Doug also previewed some other changes he’s instituting: Return of the Book Report! The third Monday of each month, Jack Westford will coordinate a member giving a book report at our meetings. The report will be UP TO FIVE MINUTES in length. No longer. Absolutely no longer. Doug will have a hook and makes no commitment to avoid injury to speakers droning on past the FIVE MINUTE LIMIT. Jack Westford and other former Toast Masters in the group are making themselves available to coach members on how to keep remarks brief, i.e., FIVE MINUTES).
This coaching also could be helpful to members wanting to be part of the monthly Member Moments Doug will institute during his term as president. In these Member Moments we as members will have the opportunity to share something about ourselves, tell other tall tales, give a movie or podcast recommendation, etc. Topics are wide open as long as they are in good taste, (or taste good?) at least somewhat interesting, and don’t go over FIVE MINUTES.
Club and Committee Announcements
1. Rotary Club of Bellingham’s generous donation to the students of Squalicum Musical Theatre Institute is about to take the stage! Legally Blonde runs this weekend! July 13-16! Tickets are $15 online or cash/card at the door. Details can found here: https://www.squalicummusicaltheatre.org
2. It is time to sign up to be a website sponsor for 1 year at a cost of $350.00 for a rotating ad on our home page. Contact Sandee if you are interested.
Your link takes people to your personal business website easily.
3. Committee Announcements included only the reminder of today’s meeting of the Social/Fellowship committee immediately after the meeting. [Update: Save the Date for a President’s Picnic August 19, beginning at 5pm.]
Gear Up
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. Here is the clothing catalog, with the Order Form on the last page:(Click Here) Fill out the order form, turn it into Vinson Latimore at a meeting or email a scanned copy to embroidery@choicesscrubs.com.
WE MOVED TO THE SYRE STUDENT CENTER - SYRE THEATER AT WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE. HERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS.
The buildings address is 235 W Kellogg Rd. But this is not where you park. There is no parking off of Kellogg Road. You must enter parking off either Eliza Ave or Cordata Parkway. You are looking for the YELLOW lot (look on light poles for Y2 or Y3).
Enter from Eliza Ave: the driveway between Kellogg Rd and Westerly Rd has a driveway into the campus, follow that about 200 yards until it slopes down, park in the area between the three buildings.
Enter from Cordata Parkway: Just north of the WTA station and Cruisin Coffee before the round about is Orca Lane, take Orca Lane around the first two buildings until you find a large parking lot between three buildings.
You will still receive an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting if you are unable to attend in person (you can start logging in at 12:00 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy-protected meeting. If you have n 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 cannot do 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.
Lunch is $17.00 for soup, salad and bread buffet. We must notify them by Wednesday at NOON the week prior to the Monday meeting as to the number of members attending. We are sending out meeting "Invites" weekly and members are asked to sign-up ASAP. You can also sign-up by going to the event section of our website at bellinghamrotary.org. If you sign up to have a meal at the meeting, you will need to pay the $17 even if you don't wind up attending the meeting after the numbers are turned in. If you plan to attend but not eat, PLEASE indicate that on your sign-up so we don't overorder meals and still make sure there is enough seating.
The Club will collect payments prior to the meeting or at the door by Venmo, check or cash.
We urge members of the RCOB to set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Meeting lunches, 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
Other payment options are to bring a check in the correct amount to the meeting made out to RCOB or cash in the exact amount to speed up the payment process. There is also the option to pay by PayPal. We have a QR Code that you scan and simply click to pay thru paypal.
Website and Phone App instructions:
Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) Go to belling mrotary.org first. In order to login you need t know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Your first name.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 her 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:
Doug Cole introduced Captain Bill Day
Felicity Dye introduced our newest member, Scott Herman and his wife Jennifer Bowden
Paul Grey introduced Aaron Booker
Del VandeKerk introduced Con Ringas
John Moffat introduced our speaker Mark Kostash
Members on Zoom: Steve Hager, Shauna Naf and Nathan Twining
Presentations:
Our newest member, Scott Herman, and his wife Jennifer Bowden, were announced with a bugle call, thanks to Del Vanderkirk and his trumpet. Scott already is active within the club, helping with setup and take down every week, and attending most functions. He attended UC Santa Barbara for his MS in Geological Science. In 1993, he was a Rotary Youth Exchange student! Since then, as a professional, he has worked on 25 geothermal projects in 10 countries. He and Jennifer now have a geothermal consulting company, Volcan Geoscience, and are active volunteers in the community. Can’t wait to hear his new member presentation.
Program:
John Moffat introduced our Speaker, Dr. Mark Kostash, who has been a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières MSF) since 2006, including since his retirement in 2020 from a career in anesthesiology. He is the current president of the Rotary Club in Grand Forks, BC and came to us via Zoom from there.
About halfway through his medical career, Mark started looking to get involved in activities that would have an even broader impact than the work he was doing. He landed on MSF, as an occasional volunteer, attracted by its mission to ‘go where no one else goes, and do what others wouldn’t do.’ The stories and photos he shared of his assignments in Somali, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Yemen, inflatable operating rooms, and lifesaving surgery survivors brought that mission to life for us. Amazing. Inspiring.
Mark endorsed an active retirement, including the kinds of volunteering he is doing with MSF. He said on the front lines there is need for both genders and many demographics because of the desire to provide culturally sensitive medical care.
In closing he encouraged us to “do one brave thing each day.” An inspiring talk and an inspiring idea. Thank you Dr. Kostash.
President Cole concluded the meeting. Didn’t notice whether he rang a bell or not. Oh well. Off to think of a brave thing to do today.
