Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
Tattler Reporter: Hans Erchinger-Davis
Tattler Editor: Sandee Lindhout
Photographer: Mike Diehl
Whatcom County Health and Community Services
Opening Welcome:
President' Steve's quote of the week: “Success is not measured by wealth, but by the positive impact you have on others.” Paul P. Harris
Guests:
Catherine Riordan introduced guest Sammy Jolly
Scott Herman introduced his wife Jen celebrating their 12th anniversary.
John Moffat introduced our speakers Ann Beck, Amanda Burnett and Sarah Simpson
Zoom Rotarians: John Dunne
Club Events and Committee Announcements
We want to thank President Steve and Janis for hosting the wonderful President's picnic, Saturday September 28th. Please see the photos below. Also someone left a Delco knife at the event and Sandee has it, give her a call.
Catherine Riordan is announcing that the October 15th Meet & Greet is from 5-7PM and the location has changed to Monty & Donna McAllister's home at 4421 Lakeway Drive. Please register on Clubrunner Events and see more details.
November 2nd is Guess who’s coming to dinner! RSVP to Brad Burdick asap. (See information below)
District Governor, Dave Duskin, promised to send material regarding the District PolioPlus Society at our club's board meeting when he visited last month. Here is the description from our district website (it’s under Foundation):
This Society is a District 5050 program to promote individual giving to the PolioPlus Fund. (matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
To belong, you commit to donating $100 USD or more per year and pledge to do so until polio is completely eradicated. It is as simple as that!
For your pledge, you will receive a District 5050 PolioPlus Society pin, and an exclusive, much revered, collectable, frameable certificate. Your membership pin and certificate will be mailed to your Club President for presentation at a club meeting. We want to make sure you are recognized for your commitment to polio eradication.
We cannot express how important it is to keep funding the polio eradication program. It has been a long battle, but we need to finish the job. In 1985 we promised the children of the world that we would eradicate this devastating disease of Polio from the face of the earth. Rotarians are people of integrity and we keep our promises.
Of course, all donations will receive a 2 to 1 match by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation making this an even better opportunity, as well as receiving Paul Harris recognition points for your donation. Plus, you will receive a tax-deductible receipt direct from The Rotary Foundation.
As a member of the Society, you pledge to donate a minimum of $100 USD each year until the world is certified polio free by the World Health Organization.
To become a member, go online at www.rotary.org/donate under featured causes, select the Polio Fund. Click on recurring donation and make it annually for $100 USD or more.
Let me know if you or your members have any questions
Regards,
Dave Duskin, Governor
Rotary District 5050
It’s up to us! We create the magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member.
Shauna Naf provided additional information and Rick Kaiser announced that Dave Mauro will MC the Mountain Film On Tour Movie November 16th at 7:15pm at WCC Syre Theater. Your email inbox should have an invite that you can forward to friends and family.
What is it about? Documentary films compete in film festivals. From this competition, the best are selected and they go on tour. That tour is coming to Bellingham. Mountainfilm “inspires audiences to create a better world.” Our club is going to sponsor the local event as a fundraiser. It is to be held in the Syre Theater on November 16th at 7:15 pm. Doors open at 6 pm. It lasts for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Tickets are $25. It will be a fundraiser to support our Club. Food and beverages (and a raffle) are available for purchase. Shauna encouraged members to sign up their household, volunteer to work at the event, indicate you plan to attend on Facebook, invite friends, help sponsor the event (or find sponsors) put up a flyer, help bake goods for the event and more. Here is the link for information and ticket purchases or contact Shauna for more information.
Upcoming Event announcements:
(ReminderRotary social events are providing participation points for the V.I.P Challenge)
October 15, 2024 Meet & Greet: 5-7pm at Monty and Donna McAllister's home at 4421 Lakeway Drive.
There will be an informal gathering to get to know new RCOB members.
All Rotarians, family members are welcome and encouraged as are friends. All new and newish members and partners are especially encouraged to come.
Monty and Donna will have some appetizers, wine and nonalcoholic beverages. Guests could also bring the beverage of their choice.
November 2, 2024 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Brad Burdick announced that our “Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner” is scheduled for November 2nd. The hosts are in place. We have openings for 27 guests. As a reminder, members and guests sign up for a dinner at the host’s home. The host has no idea of who is coming. Always a fun event. Call or text Brad Burdick at 360-303-3485 for more details or to sign-up.
Great food and conversation! Everyone brings something! Once you register, you'll receive an email with your secret location and instructions on what to bring. Options are either a salad, bread and hot side, or main dish or Dessert. But keep what you bring, and where you go a secret until you get to the host's door with your dish! That's part of the fun!
Singles and guests are welcome. Please check your calendar and contact Brad to sign up. You will get a confirmation email that will provide directions and food assignments. Let Brad know if you or your guest have mobility or dietary concerns and we will do our best to accommodate if possible.
Text or call Brad Burdick to sign-up at 360-303-3485 Today!
Tickets to Mountainfilm On Tour, our Fundraiser are ON SALE!
Mountainfilm is not only a collection of short films on nature, recreation, overcoming obstacles, and celebrating LIFE! – but it is also the Rotary Club of Bellingham’s fundraiser and we need ALL Rotarians to help spread the word! Here are a number of resources to help you do just that:
EVENT DETAILS: The evening will consist of the films, a raffle (tickets are $5 each, more info to come, we need donations of items to raffle), baked goods, beer and wine sales, tables with sponsors, and a celebration of Rotary!
Here is what we need you to do THIS WEEK!:
Buy tickets for your household OR volunteer to work the event
Invite your friends by clicking on the “Invite” button (see circles below for what to look for)
Personally invite 4 other people – Call people, send an email with a link, print out a flyer and give it to someone, etc (resources linked below). Let’s get those ticket sales up!
BONUS: We also need some additional help with:
Getting sponsors and donations for the raffle
Putting up flyers and posters around town and
We do need a few other bakers to provide cookies, brownies, and muffins to sell.
MARKETING RESOURCES: If the links don't work for you, copy the address and paste into a new tab on your browser.
Photo Above of Speakers: Amanda Burnett, Ann Beck and Sarah Simpson
Program Introduced – John Moffat
Whatcom County Health Department, among the many initiatives that they’re responsible for, presents here on their Children’s, Veteran’s, and people with Developmental Disabilities initiatives.
Our presenters:
Amanda Burnett is a seasoned Human Services professional with a robust background in program development, staff supervision, fiscal management, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. Amanda holds a Master of Social Work from Portland State University and a B.A. Honors in Political Science from Western Washington University. In her current role she oversees the work of the Veterans, Developmental Disabilities and Youth Substance Use Prevention Programs.
Ann Beck is the Community Health & Human Services Manager at Whatcom County Health and Community Services. She has worked for the department since 2018, and in the larger Whatcom community since 2008. She has been a social worker for 23 years, 10 of those with her LICSW license. She supports her team as the Manager of her division of nearly 30 people providing services and support to all of Whatcom County.
Sarah Simpson is the Child and Families Programs supervisor at Whatcom County Health and Community Services. Sarah is deeply connected to her working-class roots and started off her educational career at the local community college where she grew up, she has since earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Portland State University and her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington. Her career has been spent planning, implementing and leading programming that supports youth, teens and their families.
The WCHD’s Healthy Children’s Fund supports early learning & care as well as vulnerable children by making it affordable, accessible, and professional. They are also expanding mental health services, reducing homelessness and supporting caregivers.
Currently funded is:
ARPA childcare expansion, family support, and stabilization programs ($13M)
Doulas for Medicaid families ($300k)
Resources for families at risk of losing housing ($2.8M)
Single Entry Access Services for families with children with disabilities and/or complex medical needs ($300k)
0-5 and Perinatal Mental Health Expansion ($1.4m)
Drop-in childcare ($250k)
Innovation Fund for Early Learning and Care-Increasing Affordability, Quality and Accessibility ($1.5M)
Coming soon is:
Childcare facility expansion ($1M)
Professional development hub with BTC ($1.5M)
Embedded and community based social workers for pregnant and parenting families ($250k)
Down the Road will be:
Addressing the gap between what childcare providers need and what families can afford (ex: subsidies for ALICE families, covering the “cost of quality care” ($4M)
Planning grants for more services in every school district ($500k)
The WCHD’s Veteran’s Assistance initiatives aim to improve health and wellness outcomes for Whatcom County Veterans by connecting them to local, state, and federal benefits; and linking them to resources such as medical, mental health, social and employment services
We do it through:
Veterans Service Officers
Direct Financial Assistance
Community Collaboration
WCHD began providing Veterans Service Officer services in 2018, added a second position in 2023. We Help Veterans navigate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) systems to file benefits claims and access healthcare
Short-term direct financial assistance is available as a bridge to indigent veterans as they wait for their VA claims to be adjudicated
We Pay for things like rent, mortgage, utilities, medical and dental care
See our stats here:
WCHD Developmental Disability Program initiatives are increasing access to information and support for individuals with DD and their families. We are supporting advocacy efforts from individuals with DD and their families and increasing employment access and self-sufficiency for individuals with DD
We do it by offering:
Child development services for infants and toddlers
School to Work Program
Pathways to Employment and Community Inclusion Services
See our stats here:
Adult services have:
School to Work, which Connects students with adult supported employment providers while still in school to ensure a timely and effective transition from school to work and adult life
Supported Employment services help adults with DD find and keep a job that fits their goals, skills, and interests.
If you’d like to know more and/or make your own impact, sign up for the WCPC newsletter or join a task force or committee.
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.
