Club Information
Bellingham Bay

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Bellingham Golf & Country Club
3729 Meridian Street
Bellingham , WA 98225
United States of America
Home Page Stories
Presented by Bellingham Bay Rotary
Saturday, September 19th, 2026
 at the Hotel Bellwether
 
Join us for a relaxing waterfront evening at the beautiful Hotel Bellwether, set along the scenic Bellingham Bay harbor. For over 20 years, this premier event has brought together the region's finest wineries and restaurants for an unforgettable night of community impact.

Sip, Savor & Support
  • Diverse Wineries: Pouring exceptional premium tastes.
  • Local Appetizers: Expertly prepared by top Whatcom County restaurants.
  • Wine Purchases: Buy your favorite bottles directly through the event.
 
Featured Charity
Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Blue Skies for Children. Your ticket directly funds enrichment programs and basic essentials for homeless, low-income, and foster children across Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

Choose Your Ticket Tier
VIP Admission — $125.00
  • Early Access: Doors open at 4:00 PM (Event: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM).
  • Exclusive Vibe: Limited to only 100 tickets for an intimate, small-venue atmosphere.
  • Perks: Substantive conversations with winemakers and chefs before the crowds arrive.
 General Admission — $75.00
  • Entry Time: Doors open at 5:00 PM (Event: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM).
  • Perks: Full access to all wine tastings, gourmet appetizers, and community mingling.
 Designated Driver / Non-Drinking — $30.00
  • Perks: Full access to the venue and all restaurant appetizer pairings without the wine tasting.

Ready to Join Us?
  • Get Tickets: Secure your spot today on Ticket Candy or scan the QR code
  • Can't Attend? You can make a directed donation to Blue Skies for Children through our ticketing site.

Bellingham Bay Rotary Club funded renovation of a school in Togo. The school is known as a “General Education College” and it is located in Djékotoé Togo, 70 miles from the Togo capital of Lomé. The scope of the project included adding a roof, floor, wall partitions, and doors to an existing school building, as well as providing a well with a solar pump, a water storage tower, and a bathroom. An opening ceremony on August 15 included several representatives from the Lomé Horizon Rotary Club, and contributions from Bellingham Bay Rotary Club were recognized. The President of the “Rotary is a large family of women and men who, throughout the world, have made a conviction their motto: “Service Above Self.” Serving not from afar, but
as close as possible to the real needs of communities.” Thanks to club member Mike Hammes for making this project happen, and thanks also to club members who contributed funds for this project!

 

Below you can find an article and a video about the project (both in French, but the article is easily translated to English in your web browser) as well as a few photos of the project.
https://belcotv.com/togo-le-rotary-club-lome-horizon-receptionne-la-renovation-du-ceg-djekotoe-salles-de-classe-latrines-et-forage-entierement-r
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvL55Xhb6go

Visit by District 5050 Governor Kathleen Olson. Assistant Governor Steve Ban (left). Bellingham Bay Rotary President John Bosche (right) 
Clark Roberts giving a presentation on living a life that matters. Using the power of IMPACT to recognize how our actions can leavea lasting legacy.
 
Ryan Greigg (center) and club members. Ryan discussed his climb of the world's tallest free standing mountain twice in one week and lessons learned about pursuing goals.
 
(L-R)  John Purdie, President, BBRC;  Louisa Chard, YAIL and Outbound Short Term Exchange student to France; Janka Eszik, Inbound Long Term Exchange student from Hungary, Felicity Dye, District 5050 Youth Services Director and Host mom; Debbie Kiene, BBRC Youth Exchange Officer and District 5050 STEP Co-Coordinator.
Club members helping build a new coop at  Animals as Natural Therapy
Representative(s) from the following came to accept their Bellingham Bay Rotary Club small grant funds and talk about their upcoming project:
Animals for Natural Therapy
Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center
Bellingham Queer Collective
Bellingham Technical College Food Pantry
Blue Skies for Children
Maple Alley Inn
Skookum Kids
WWU Whole Food Pantry
Whatcom Community College Foundation / Orca Food Pantry
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
Whatcom Dream
Whatcom Family YMCA
Don Hunger with Northwest Straits Foundation peaking about costal restoration work in Whatcom County and Northwest Washington
Kena Greer Brashear presentation about local housing issues from a relator's perspective.
 
 
Club member Mike Hammes presenting to the Club.
 
 
Squalicum high school Students of the Month along with President Purdie and Youth Services director John Steach 
 
Isabelle Martinez Hayer,  Rotary District 5050 Governor (2025 - 2026) speaks to the club and new member, Todd Luther, is inducted.
 
 
Commander Pratt talks about leadership and his current role directing the Navy’s LEGACY program, which mentors and develops emerging leaders across Naval Aviation. 
 
 
L to R: Paria (Bellingham RYE) Sofia, (Verona, Italy RYE) John Purdie, (Club President) Debbie Kiene (Club YEO)
 
Bellingham Bay Rotary club welcomed our Rotary Youth Exchange Short Term Exchange Program (RYE STEP) student, Paria, home from Italy and her Exchange sister from Italy, Sofia, to Bellingham during our club luncheon today.  Paria shared highlights of her time in Italy as well as answered questions from members - as did Sofia. Very impressive young women!
In this picture, club president John P. presents Sofia with our club flag.
Kevin talked about the upcoming SeaFeast in September and the new Community Net Project. As we become a community hub to our maritime and fishing communities, we will talk about how to get involved year-round as we go into our 10th Anniversary year for 2026!
Jack discussed what homeowners and businesses should consider when investing in solar and the potential impacts of changes to tax credits and net metering.
Upcoming Events

August 2026

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Speakers
Dana Rozier, Nova Consulting AI
Sep 08, 2026
AI use in business
Sammy Jolly, Wild Whatcom
Sep 22, 2026
Community Youth Programs
TBD
Oct 27, 2026
David Neubeck, Elder Law
Nov 03, 2026
Estate Planning, Elder Care
TBD
Nov 17, 2026
TBD
Nov 24, 2026
Marty Pease, Bernadette Halliday, & Stowe Talbot
Dec 08, 2026
IPA and Honduras project
Club Executives & Directors
President
President Elect
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director
Director
Director
Director
RSS
‘One simple word’
‘One simple word’
Leaders highlight the power of gratitude at The Rotary Foundation Donor Summit
Talking reading and Rotary with Dolly Parton
Talking reading and Rotary with Dolly Parton
The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.
A safe transition beyond the wire
A safe transition beyond the wire
A Rotary club in Kansas helps women break the cycle of incarceration and elude dangers on the outside
Rotary projects around the globe – August 2026
Rotary projects around the globe – August 2026
Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.
Food as medicine for TB recovery
Food as medicine for TB recovery
Rediscovering a weapon against the deadliest infectious disease, TB advocates look to better nutrition