Author and Rotarian, Kathie Hardy, discussed her book, “Migraine Relief with Hypnosis”. It’s because hypnosis helped Kathie with her migraines in such a big way that she decided to write a book on the subject. Migraines are considered a significant disability by the WHO. Kathie had experienced 2,060 hours of debilitating migraines in a year. After doing self-hypnosis, she’s had a migraine only once in the last three months. A number of other factors have also helped: improved diet, stress management, good sleep, managing emotions, no Chinese food (MSG), etc. The book reveals all her secrets. Anyone from the Rotary Club is welcome to request a free electronic copy from Kathie at info@salishseahypnosis.com. She encourages anyone to consider writing a book. Write about something that you want to know better, or a topic about which you’re an expert, or a memoir, etc. It is a difficult process but very satisfying, and there are always plenty of people willing to help. Anyone can do it!
Opening Welcome
President Gary called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM. He welcomed everyone and thanked those members who contributed to the meeting.
Club Announcements
Mark Knittel regarding Tattler distribution: Check your spam folders regarding the Tattler. If yours is going to spam, feel free to contact Mark Knittel to walk you through undoing that function: MarkK@mjkservices.net.
URGENT: We are looking for Website/Tattler sponsors for the next Rotary year starting July 1st. It is a great opportunity to advertise your business and support Rotary. $350.00 for the year. Please check out the current sponsors on our website by going to www.bellinghamrotary.org on the home page. If you "click" on a sponsor it will take you to their website. It also shows up in the tattler. Contact Sandee if interested. We have 4 spots remaining.
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 12:15 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 Goggle "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 5532. Give Sandee a call if you need help.
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:
Former member, Dale Rings joined us again
Monty McAllister introduced Melinda Cool, mother of scheduled outgoing exchange student Owen Cool now postponed until 2022.
Felicity Dye introduced Rianna Stiller, former exchange student from Canada and current Rotaract President of Chilliwack and Reece Carpenter, current Bellingham Rotaract President
Program:
Program Chairperson Paul Grey introduced RCOB member Felicity Dye, who gave a presentation about the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Felicity is the chairperson of District 5050's Youth Exchange Program and a member of our Club's Youth Exchange Committee. She emphasized that one of the important goals of the Program is to "plant the seeds" for participating students to become future Rotarians. When the students return home, this goal is "fertilized" by having them share their experiences at Club meetings and joining Rotaract, the ancillary Rotary organization for young adults. The "harvest" occurs when the students, hopefully, become active Rotarians.
Presently, exchanges have been cancelled or deferred due to the pandemic. Our District is tentatively planning to send a couple of students out in January, but that will depend on the
state of the pandemic at that time.
The typical Youth Exchange involves sending a student from our District to live with host families and study for one school year in a foreign country, while hosting a foreign student in our District. Last year, our District sent 24 students abroad and hosted an equal number of foreign students. A shorter 6-week Family Foreign Student Exchange is available for students who don't wish to or can't (because of extra-curricular activities) be away from home for an entire year. In this Program, unlike the year-long Exhange, there is a direct exchange of students between two families. Rotary matches the families and then the families work out the details.
Felicity’s goal is to make a presentation, via Zoom, about the Youth Exchange Program
to every Rotary Club in the District; 23 are currently scheduled.
Felicity then introduced Rianna Stiller, former exchange student from Canada and current Rotaract President of Chilliwack, who shared about her year-long exchange experience with District 1650 in Lorient, France. It changed her life, by making her more independent, giving her more self-confidence (especially with public speaking), increasing her curiosity about the world, and giving her new friends and experiences.
You can learn more about the Program at youthexchange5050.org.
COVID-19 Report – President Gary
During the past week, the health effects of COVID-19 in Whatcom County have not changed significantly. There were a maximum of eight people at any one time being treated for COVID-19 at St. Joseph Hospital and none died. There was one patient remaining in the hospital as of yesterday.
There are rising concerns related to the impact of the pandemic on individuals’ behavioral health. The Washington State Health Department notes that upwards of 3 million Washingtonians will likely experience clinically significant behavioral health illnesses within the next 3 to 6 months, with depression, anxiety, acute stress, and PTSD topping the list. This is a much higher incidence than before the pandemic. Substance use is also on the rise. Roughly 50% of those with behavioral health needs will likely develop a substance related disorder. May, 2020 marijuana sales were up 44% and liquor sales were up 31% over last year. Domestic violence was also up 17% over last year.
