Flag Salute & Invocation by Dannon Traxler
 
Visiting Rotarians:  John Harris, Frank King
 
Guests:  Inge? (civil engineer from Tony Freelands offices), Mimi’s granddaughter Annabelle Mitchell.
 
Announcements
  • G&G tickets: lots of VIP available.
  • G&G volunteering:  Chuck Luttrell reminded everyone to please sign up for a volunteer position for the event - lots of positions still to fill!  
  • Shuttle bus will run back and forth btw/ Lakeway, Hampton Inn Airport and Silver Reef.  
Shuttle Pick-ups: 4:30 at Lakeway BW, 4:45 Hampton Inn
6:00 Lakeway BW, 6:15 Hampton Inn
Shuttle Departures: 7:30 and 9:00 from Silver Reef Events Center
  • Eddie update on Food Banks’ Thanksgiving turkey drive. Please consider a cash donation (checks make out to “Bellingham Bay Rotary”), checks can go through Mike Werner or Eddie Hansen.
  • Christine awarded Bob Becker with the “August Member of the Month” for all his work with membership committee.  
  • Christine read some thank-you letters from some of the organizations we support.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Barry Kramer said please give him $25 if you haven’t yet donated a bottle of wine for our G&G raffle prize;
  • Scotty said our former SOM Hanna Truon was on the Katie “Couric show yesterday;
  • Jill Reid invite the B&G afternoon, also breakfast next Thursday morning ;
  • Phil X 57th birthday, took train to Portland;
  • Mark Turner purchased new property converting to home and studio;
  • George Bowan nice to be back, announced merger of Whidbey Island Bank with ??? George will remain as commercial banker their;
  • Debbie Kiene trip to Orlando, FL attended interesting auction there;
  • Kendall Olson finished moving this past weekend, and will be helping parents move out to AZ next week;
  • Dick Stark daughter Leslie got hired at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation;
  • Mimi missed meetings while on cruise in New England, speakers on the cruise by Young Republicans, Husky game last Saturday honored Don James;
  • Dannon Traxler family hike with babies to Artists Point for picnic!
  • Bob Becker $250 to BBRC Foundation, turned 65, 40th wedding anniversary, trip to East Coast and New England;
  • Bill Geyer said longtime real estate businessman Bob Miller passed away;
  • Eddie four days in Hawaii without kids!
Sergeant at Arms by Eddie
Fines for not bringing wine yet, G&G ticket related, power tools for pumpkin carving, Tony Freeland, horrible Seahawks game, ties, G&G volunteers, thanks to George Bowen, turkey drive special thanks to Mike Hammes & Frank Chmelik - think about donating to the turkey drive!
 
Program 
Bill Geyer introduced Aaron Newcomb from Engedi Refuge Ministries, which is helping women recover from sexual exploitation.  In addition to a safe house, they offer holitic restoration and education.  Aaron explained human trafficking (for both labor and sex) and its prevelence even in the US.  The average age of entry to prostitution is 12, average age of prostitute is 14.  90% of them experienced childhood sexual exploitation.   SeaTac has highest rate of prostitution in any airport area in the country, and Bellingham has a serious problem as well.  
There is very little work going on with victim care.  
The Engedi project offers comprehensive care for women.
Phase 1 stabilizing
Phase 2 education
Phase 3 christian disciple program
The Engeti House is a safe house, and there is also Engeti Learning Center which is separate location.
They have a good relationship with Sheriff Elfo, Homeland Security, and partner organizations like NWYS and DVSAS.
Aaron says he would like to partner with BBRC to help them with their mission.  Looking for volunteers and funding.  Not affiliated with a church.
 
Raffle won by one of our visiting Rotarians.
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot