President PaulGrey opened the meeting at 12:31. A video of the US Air Force Anthem was played and Sara Maloney gave the invocation, which focused on Rotary’s involvement with polio eradication. Guests Jose Letzman from Raymond James and speaker Adrian Mitz were introduced.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE ABOUT 15 PARKING SPOTS RESERVED WEEKLY AT THE BACK OF THE SYRE STUDENT CENTER BACKING UP TO ORCA LANE. PLEASE UTILIZE SO WE DON'T LOSE THEM.
FOOTBALL POOL DATES AND GRID:
10/30/2022 Seahawks vs New York Giants (Click Here)
Andy Day announced that pledge forms for our major project would be mailed soon and a “Circle of Giving” program was being formed to improve the impact of our giving.
Monty McAllister reported that after a several-year hiatus, three outbound students amongst our local Rotary clubs will be selected for August/September 2023. Destination countries have yet to be determined and inbound and outbound student exchanges are matched. He’s also looking for host families for next year.
Upcoming Luncheon Menu
10/31 Beef Chili, Cornbread, Baked Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit Platter and Iced Tea
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 3RD 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 will be $22 for a buffet meal. We must notify them by Monday 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 for a meal at the meeting, you will need to pay the $22 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.
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 di ctly 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 PayPal option as usual and we are set to take payments at the meeting. We have a QR Code that you scan and simply click to pay thru paypal also.
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
Steve Ban introduced speaker Adrian Mintz
Ward Naf introduced Heidi Farani and Dakshigyini Kasinathan with the Whatcom Community College Food Pantry
Roland Trenouth introduced Jose Ledesma with Edward Jones
Members attending on Zoom: Marty Haines, John Moffat and Bob Morse
Presentation:
Jack Westford read his winning essay dealing with homelessness. He told of a time just after being discharged from the Army and being in New York City, knowing nobody and with few resources. Fortunately, he found employment and adequate shelter but looked back at those several days with gratitude that he was able to move ahead with his life.
Jack Westford Homeless Letter:
I spent three years and six months in the U.S. Army. They fed me three meals daily. They gave me clothes at no cost. They gave me free housing. They gave me a paycheck monthly. When discharged I was in Frankfurt, Germany. They gave me a plane ticket home. They shipped my car too at no charge.
Upon discharge, I felt like a baby eagle being pushed out of my nest to either soar like a bird or splat on the ground.
As I landed in New York that point I was homeless or closest to it I’d ever been in my life. Let’s say for me in my life I could have been homeless. I had a room at the YMCA. I didn’t have a job. I had only $10 in my pocket. I decided no to ask for help from family in Bellingham. I applied for a job at a parking garage and got the job only by persistence. Knowing I was broke and nearly homeless, another fellow job applicant generously offered me a place to stay in the Bronx with his family- I gladly accepted.
Yes, I was one of the lucky ones. I now had a job and shelter. I could have been mixed up on alcohol and drugs, instead I resisted and persisted. When my long awaited car arrived in New York after being shipped from Germany I was more than ready to return home to Bellingham. I drove across country ready to be home.
When I arrived at my parents’ home “Welcome Home Jack” banner was placed across the door. I was so overcome with tears of joy and gratitude for finally being home. I drove around the block to regain my composure and reflect on the thankfulness for a place to come home to.
Jack Westford
WCC FOOD DRIVE ANNOUNCEMENT
Heidi, WCC director of Student Life and Dax, WCC Health and Wellness student coordinator, shared information about WCC’s food pantry which is available to students. RCOB will be helping to stock this food pantry with Rotary food drive. 7 November is the date. We’re encouraged to bring canned protein items such as tuna, peanut butter and a student favorite, SPAM. Cash would also be accepted.
Program:
Program Chairman Steve Ban introduced the program: “Emergency Reporting from Start to Finish.” Our speaker, Adrian Mitz, told how he, his wife Sarah and Dave Adams started the business here in Bellingham in 2003. Adrian had been involved in fire, rescue and EMS since he was 19 and Dave was involved with WebFX.
Emergency Reporting created a subscription web-based fire and EMS data tracking program which gathers and provides post-event information. They were the first SaaS – Software as a Service – in the fire industry. Initially the data was used to create maps for call, response and hydrant locations.
Being web-based with a central server, access became available from multiple locations. Prior to this there was very poor connectivity with little data sharing. The company was acquired by ESO of Austin, TX in 2021. At last count they served 8,000 fire departments worldwide, including about 30% of the fire departments in the US.
Closing:
One of the most mentioned items from the club assembly was more programs about local business. This program certainly fit the bill...
