Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - AUGUST 21, 2023
Annette Bagley &
Mary Vermillion - Whatcom Reads
Opening Welcome:
President Doug welcomed us, ran the bell calling us to order, and made sure we recognized his new “uniform” (an extremely bright but super cute necktie).
Accolades for Tim and Leslie Farris who hosted last weekend's President's Picnic at their home kicked off the meeting. Many mentioned their appreciation for the event, particularly the food and the company. Everyone was thinking about, but failed to articulate, how wonderful the salmon was, expertly grilled by President Doug.
President Doug asked if anyone remembered our assignments for this year. Fortunately, Tom Grinstad, with his steel-trap memory easily recalled them:
(1) Bring guests to the meeting,
(2) Suggest a service project,
(3) Nominate someone for membership.
Invocation
After a review of historical events and an expression of hope for those suffering on Maui, Paula McCandlis turned in earnest to a prayer authored by Kenny Rogers:
“You've got to know when to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em Know when to walk away And know when to run”
Rotary Moment
Sandy McIntire, former RCOB president and life-long world traveler and international manager, told of a time he attended a Rotary meeting on Maui at the Lahaina Club. They seated him at a table by himself, which quickly filled up with visiting Rotarians from the PNW. So much for meeting the locals.
Sandy challenged us to donate through the Lahaina Rotary Club to victims of the disaster in Maui. The Lahaina Rotary Club has joined the Hawaii District 5000 Foundation to raise funds. You can donate through our Venmo account, cash or check to the RCOB and give to Sandee. We will be extending the fundraising into next week. Click here for a direct link to donate
Guests:
President Doug introduced our speakers Annette Bagley & Mary Vermillion
Visiting Rotarian Bill Kirby from Carson City
Members on Zoom: Steve Hager and Monty McAllister
Chuck Snyder from Arizona
Club Events and Committee Announcements
Bill Day Induction
Today was the induction for proposed new member Bill Day, who was nominated by Doug Cole and Tim Farris to fill the classification of “Airline Pilot-Retired.”
Doug thinks Bill has talked with most of us already and that we might have heard already about his many hobbies, avocations, etc. (e.g., ham radio operator, cultural and language educator, astronomer, Kiwanian) and the time he spent early and mid-life around Indiana and Minnesota. Bill will talk to us next week about when he was a missile launch officer.
Tim Farris noted a parallel between the careers of Tim and Doug Cole. Over their flying careers, taken together, Tim estimates they had had over 2 million lives in their hands and brought every one of them home. Remarkable safety record guys!
Tim as past president charged Bill to engage with RCOB, noting the value that he reaps from the meetings and the friends he has made therein. He was confident Bill would develop a similar appreciation.
Paul Harris +1 Presentation:
Paula McCandlis was awarded her second Paul Harris Award, followed by a standing ovation.
Board Briefs for August 17, 2023
The Board of Directors approved with regret the resignation of Peter Theisen who is leaving due to family obligations.
This year’s Golfun has been canceled until hopefully later in the fall. The Board approved the budgeted $2,000 to Polio Plus - RI donation from the Foundation to be paid now.
Due to the reluctance of some new members to do the new member talks, they will become Optional going forward.
Steve Gray reported that People’s Bank has donation opportunities for grants for $25,000 and $10,000. 9/15 is the application deadline. It must be for Community Projects. Steve will send the information to board members for possible suggestions. The link to the Peoples Bank 2023 Impact Grant page: https://www.peoplesbank-wa.com/landing-pages/impact-grant/
Doug shared his recent membership survey with the board. Looks like we are on the right track. Friendship and Service projects seemed to be the highest priority.
Roland Trenouth has scheduled the food packing event on April 6, 2024 at the Assumption Gym. The site at St. Joseph is not available. The International Committee budgeted $4,000.
Doug reported that there were 6 members who participated in the Base Camp clean-up and more work can be done.
It looks like the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement will be having upcoming projects.
Ward Naf is planning another food drive for the WCC Food Pantry, possibly on September 11th. Stay tuned.
The planning of a fund-raising event and the Major Project selection continued.
The next Board meeting is September 14, 2024
Mystery Photo: Guess Who - Find the answer in the Tattler!
John Dunne, gave two book reports, not just one, both within the five-minute limit (give or take).
The first book, The Personal Librarian, co-authored by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, tells the story of Bella Lacosta Greene, who spent her life passing as a white person and later in her life was a vocal advocate for equal rights. She became very well known as the curator for JP Morgan's world-class collection of antiquities and books. She was an influential collector of antiquities and traveled broadly, an amazing feat for an American woman of that time. The theme of concealment ran through this book, a book John found to be a quick and worthwhile read.
The second book, Last Hope Island, by Lynne Olson, is a story of the roles expats played in England during the Blitz, as well as the very effective work of the Polish pilots. The book also addressed the many ways resistance fighters were supported, including notably by the BBC. John feels these components of WWII haven't received much attention, making this a worthwhile read for those interested in the history of this period.
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.
Annette and Mary, and their library organizations, have received many awards for their work and services offered on behalf of Whatcom County residents. They joined us to talk about the Whatcom Reads program, which encourages residents of Whatcom County, of all ages, and from all walks of life, to read and then join activities centered on a book selected by their board, following nominations by the community.
Nancy Pearl, the well-known former Seattle Public Library librarian, initiated a program upon which Whatcom Reads is based. A grant received 15 years ago by local librarians Linda Lambert and Joan Airoldi allowed them to start the program for Whatcom County. Whatcom Reads is now supported totally by local grants.
Whatcom Reads's purposes are to be a premier literary series in the county, to foster thoughtful discussion, to build community, and to include a wealth of perspectives and generations.
Annually one book is selected based on nominations from the community and then read by all board members. This year's deadline for nominations for the 2024-25 book is October 15. To be selected, the book must tie in with our local culture, history, or issues. It must be available in multiple formats (e.g., text, audio) and be a book that will stimulate great interaction opportunities. The author must be open to and affordable to bring in for community presentations in the spring.
Whatcom Reads includes author presentations and other activities throughout the year, including an art show, a writing series, and programs with K12/college/university. students Examples of community activities in the past included things as varied as forest bathing and a vaudeville and vice tour by the Goodtime Girls.
This year the author's visit will occur March 14-16. The book is Red Paint, the Ancestoral Biography of a Coast Salish Punk, bySasha taqwšeblu LaPointe.
Our speakers recommended the audiobook instead of or as a supplement to the hard copy. It is read by the author who also provides a playlist of associated punk music for those not able to create their own playlist of this genre of music. (This would be us! ;) ) Local libraries have a book club kit for local clubs, which includes 10 copies of the annual selection and some other materials.
Guess Who Answer: Paul Grey was pictured with a couple of farm animals: A mean pony and a midget herford.
Closing
President Doug closed the meeting by thanking all in attendance and those who helped to stage the meeting today as well as the service event and the picnic. Are we having fun yet?
Rotary Brass: Doug Cole, John Dunne and Del VandeKerk
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.
Book Review: The Personal Librarian and 
