Soundings (6/28/11)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 
Flag Salute & Invocation: Rod Bring

Visiting Rotarians: None today

Guests: Oscar Lebidres (Art's son in law), Greg Head (MB Harley Davidson), Jim Leffel (Leffel Consulting), 

Announcements:

Anna: NO MEETING NEXT WEEK. 

Lesa:  Next Thursday July 7th we have our 30th anniversary celebration for Bellingham Bay Rotary.  It will take place at the BGCC and it is $30 per person for dinner, includes drink ticket.

Anna says July 9th is the installation of incoming DG Jane Helton, also at the BGCC. 

Brewers by the Bay - Sunday July 24th - update by Steve:  We expect to have about 35 breweries this year. Please buy tickets and sign up for duties!
 
New member induction:
Tim McEvoy introduced Henry Klos, wife and 4 kids, biz development manager for a Winnipeg PR and branding firm called "the Faqtory".
Frank Chmelick introduced Chuck Luttrell, wife and three kids, military background, both gulf wars, now full time in Bellingham doing business consulting.
Past President Tonja did the explanations and formalities.
 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Tim McEvoy for brand new grandson!
  • Phil exhausted, went camping with grandkids near Leavenworth, reminder the 30th is the 3rd anniversary of Food Bank, 32 year anniversary with Pearson Construction;
  • Doug Wight grandaughter wants to go cruising on his boat, Hospice House golf fundraiser provides about 20% of the operating funds for HH (25 & 26th of August) be there!
  • Lynn Templeton BD bucks, great fundraiser for Ferndale club raised over $200K! 
  • Art Runestrandt has lots of grandkids, four HS graduations alone this year, thanks to Lance and all his efforts for soccer in the community;
  • Bryant E last week in Phoenix (114 degrees), his firm awarded "top 401K advisor";
  • Bill Geyer lots of anniversaries and milestones ($100 bucks worth)!
  • Dr. Curt DDS also thanked Lance for employing his son, and for ordering and receiving a margarita at Rotary!
  • Tonja is a great aunt (again) as of last Sunday;
  • Dennis says Ellen ran a personal record in a half marathon this past weekend in Seattle!

Sergeant at Arms by Pete Rittmueller

Fines for new members, Tim and Lesa for using cellphones, Curt Smith, July 4 trivia.

Program

Dennis introduced Debra Akre and Jeana King, who talked about poverty in Africa and their work there.  Their venture, Tembo Trading Company (TTC), is a social entrepreneurial business dedicated to creating hope and self reliance through domestic economic development.  All of TTC’s products are made in Kenya and bought through direct trade.  TTC donates 100% of it’s net profits towards the education of children in Kenya.  Tembo Trading buys women's hand bags, direct from the women manufacturers, for sale in the US. With their profits, Debra and Jeana adopted a rural school and implemented a program there.

Our media presents a very negative image of Africa (poverty, war, AIDS, etc.).  The reality is more mixed and complex.  We in the West often give money to Africa poverty efforts.  Throwing money at the problem is not the answer, in fact it is demeaning and promotes long-term dependence.  How should humanitarian assistance be delivered?  Education is the key, but inorder to get there they first need to be healthy, fed, stable family structure.

Respectfully submitted,

Stowe Talbot