Soundings (5/3/16)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot 
on May 03, 2016
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Jill Reid
 
Visiting Rotarians: Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown (Monday club)
 
Guests: John Purdy (Mt Baker Theatre), Patrick Drum (Saturna)
 
Announcements
 
BBRC Board Meeting next Thursday May 12th 4:30pm at Talbot/Barkley office (2200 Rimland Drive, 2nd floor).
 
President Bill awarded Curtis Smith with his second Paul Harris award!
 
Bill then recognized Doug Wight for his success in bringing in new members.
 
Business Bucket
Anna Williams announced a new fundraiser event for our club called Bellingham Beer Camp: Working jointly with the VFW (with whom we will split the proceeds), Anna will be putting on a beer garden on Saturday evening May 28th, (6-11pm) during Ski to Sea weekend at the downtown Depot Market Square.  She needs a few volunteers from our club.  Four breweries, twelve beers, two bands.
 
Addie Brown announced her company, Chicago Title, will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo open house (4-7pm, Thursday May 5) at her business, located across the street from the Barkley Cinema, everyone is welcome!
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Bryant Engebretson proud of his daughter, Autumn, who scored 35 out of 36 points on the ACT test!
  • Tim Krell went to last week's B&G Club auction, lots of Rotarians there, great event at Silver Reef, AND he won the golden ticket;
  • Bob Moles attended the District Conference last week, some impressive dignitaries came and spoke;
  • Bill Gorman was inspired by the speakers and attendees at the District Conference;
  • Erik Dyrland talked about the successful Boys&Girls Club fundraiser last week (he is on their board), special thanks to the many Rotarians who contributed and attended including emcee Christine Palmerston, as well as Mimi Ferlin, Mike Hammes, Tim McEvoy, Sarah Rotherbuhler, Jill Reid, and many others from our club etc;
  • Jill Reid missed meetings, thanks for all who came and participating in the dinner auction! She is heading to New Orleans next week!
  • Karen Burke attended son’s college graduation in BC last week;
  • Addie Brown just back from Hawaii setting up the new condo there that she just purchased;
  • Curtis Dye enjoyed the District Conference and the inspirational speakers; 
  • Chuck Smith just back Panama City, FL for a wedding;
  • Paul Twedt went to see Sounders with son last week;
  • Stan Dyer $100 for the Foundation and had a very dirty joke.
Sergeant at Arms by Eddie
Fines for those who didn’t attend the Bellwether wine tasting event last week, Lance Calloway has suggested fellowship gathering to watch the soccer match this Friday at Civic field (let’s meet 7pm at front gate of Civic Field), also Eddie will be petitioning the City for some long-overdue infrastructure improvements at Bloedel Donovan Park (a float and diving boards, among other improvements that are solely needed) stay tuned on that!
 
Program
Tresha Dutton quizzed the club about Whatcom Community College:
  • WCC costs are 50% cheaper than average 4-year school;
  • WCC has smaller class size (20:1 ratio)
  • WCC has over 30 student-run clubs on campus;
  • 3,800 hours of serve provided by students last year!
  • WCC grad earns $41K (versus $25K for average Whatcom County resident);
Tresha introduced WCC’s president, Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown. She is the fourth president of Whatcom Community College, started in 2007.  The college serves 11,000 annually, employs 400 people, and operates with an annual state budget of approximately $20 million.  WCC indirectly contributes over $31M to the local economy, and spent over $27M in major capital projects.
 
  • 62% of students are pursuing degrees or certificates;
  • 350 international students are here from 30+ countries;
  • 900+ “Running Start” students;
  • 942 degrees and 84 certificates were awarded in 2015;
  • WCC offers transfer degrees;
  • WCC offers “New Beginnings Pathway” (for those pursuing GED, ESL, adult basic education, etc.)
  • WCC offers many professional-technical degrees and certificates;
  • WCC’s “Cyber Security Program” has garnered much acclaim;
On May 14th, WCC is hosting a fundraiser evening called “Magic of Whatcom” (Saturday, May 14, 5:30-9pm, Hotel Bellwether Ballroom) LINK IS HERE (http://www.whatcom.ctc.edu/about-the-college/foundation/magic-of-whatcom-a-benefit-for-wcc-foundation).
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot
 
Carlye wins the raffle!