Soundings (6/7/11)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
on Jun 7, 2011
 
 

Flag Salute & Invocation by Steve Beringer


Visting Rotarians:  Ray George


Guests of Rotarians:  None


Announcements


Bill Gorman says Thursday July 7th at 6pm will be our club's 30-year anniversary celebration (and change of leadership), at the Bellingham Golf Club.  Stay tuned for more details.  Incoming District Governor Jane Helton will be a guest.  Also, two days later on July 9th, also at the BGCC, incoming DG Jane Helton will have her own "installation party".


Our club received Rotary a "President's Citation Award", as did the other 4 Whatcom County clubs.


Bob Moles successfully applied for and received a District Rotary matching grant for $4,000 to help us with our Honduras project!


Brewers by the Bay (July 24th!) tickets now on sale.  Steve Brummel will be selling them at Rotary lunches.  Each member obligated to sell $250 tickets (or opt out for $250).  Bill says we will end our financial year in July at beak even.  The Brewers event will allow us to build up the coffers again.

 

Board meeting this Thursday morning at Barkley/ Talbot offices, 7:30am!


Bill Geyer encouraged everyone to submit applications for new members.


Current applications for membership:  The membership committee recommends the following four applicants for membership.  

  • John R. Barry - Sponsored by Ken Oplinger - Publisher/Editor at Logos Bible Software. President of the Board of Directors of Lighthouse Mission Ministries. Also community service for Agape House, the Bellingham Food Bank, Relay for Life, Homeless ministry, and local effort for Water for India Drive in Bellingham.
  • Henry Leroy Klos - Sponsored by Tim McEvoy - Business Development Manager at The FaQtory in Lynden, a company providing strategic planning, brand development, advertising and graphic design services. Community service includes three years as Chairman of the Board for a private school and serving on board of Economic Development Council.
  • Charles E. Luttrell - Sponsored by Frank Chmelik - Retired US Navy Captain, extensive volunteer service activities, been in Bellingham four years, now embarking on a management career here.
  • Timothy Goering - Sponsored by Patti Imhof - Managing Principal at the local office of Waddell and Reed, a securities and investment management firm. A past board member of the Bellingham Athletic Club and Boys and Girls Club.

Comments or concerns can be sent to Bill Geyer (chair) or Bill Gorman.  

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Bill Gorman says past couple weeks have been challenging, juggling responsibilities of the presidency of Rotary, the B&G club, and work!  Also a busy month with birthdays and anniversaries.
  • Phil Xavier Hageman bucks for wonderful wife!
  • Mark Turner missed meetings while in CA, good to be home;
  • Dr. Curt Smith for Husky's NCAA rowing champions;
  • Dick Stark for three weeks in France and Holland, beaches of Normandy, etc.
  • Gordon Plume had family in town, and had some good fishing!
  • Catherine Reis-ElBara's daughter gave her a powerpoint presentation on clothes she wants mom to buy her, also it's National Nursing Assistant Day this Thursday!
  • Eddie had a wonderful sunny weekend with kids;
  • Bryant congratulated Mimi and John for awards at SJH event last weekend, he donated 30 cases of wine to the event!
  • Christine Palmerton proud to have just opened a new Nauti Girl retail store at Bellwether!
  • Dennis D'Amelio donated bucks for his wedding anniversary, and for June being the busy month for student graduations!

Sergeant at Arms

Fines for Bill Unrein - his house featured in "Bellingham Alive" magazine, Bill Gorman for some Comcast controversy, Curt Smith's brothels book, some no-shows at the Squalicum scholarship ceremony, Henry Lee for something, and Eddie.


Program  

Dennis introduced Dennis D'Amelio, executive director with "Communities in Schools", an organization helping kids get control of their lives and finish high school so that they can succeed in life.  CIS is in over 200 communities in 27 states; they work closely with schools, social services, businesses and volunteers to get young people the things they need to learn and grow: after-school help and family services to stabilize the home.  Without these basic supports, kids in need or at-risk are far less likely to succeed and grow into productive adults.  CIS provides school-resource coordinators who respond quickly, on a case-by-case basis to get kids what they need — when they need it. Mentoring, tutoring, etc.  Help can be as simple as providing eyeglasses to a child in need or as intensive as after-school tutoring.  CIS is one of the only dropout prevention program in the nation proven to increase graduation rates.


Most Bellingham kids have good families and strong foundations, but many many kids do not have the family stability and support structure to support their education.  One in three kids don't even graduate from school.  CIS uses existing resources (WWU, Big Brother Big Sisters, etc.) to help kids gain those educational advantages.  The cost of dropping out is very high; drop outs face a life of shortages, poorer health with less health care, not paying much in taxes - it's a downward spiral.  

Causes? 

1) Poverty and related  deficiencies - lack of parental supervision, etc. 

2) A lack of academic success, which leads to frustration with school, more failures, and over time the student becomes disengaged from school.  


See their Website here.  Learn about them and consider giving.


Respectfully submitted,  

Stowe Talbot