Soundings (3/4/14)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot 
on Mar 04, 2014
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Tonja Myers
Visiting Rotarians:  None
Guests:  Bill’s coworker Greg
 
New Member Applications:  Three member-applicants were recently interviewed, and approved by the membership committee and the board:  Eric Dyrland (Farmers Insurance agency owner), Jim Haupt (Bellwether Hotel manager), Teresa Flinn (Peoples Bank, business services).  Please see President Christine or membership chair Phil X Hageman if you have comments or concerns.

Announcements
  • Tresha announced that there will soon be a local (District 5050) Website where Rotarians can market to one another, stay tuned for more details;
  • Tresha will also soon be soliciting Rotarians to be a vocational resource to WCC students;
  • Brad Cornwell announced that his committee (Charitable Giving) chose eight organizations to receive small donations (under $2500) from our club, info on the tables;
  • Dannon said she is still soliciting applicants to go to this year’s RYLA on 10-13 April, 2014, for young people ages 18-30 years old.  Only one applicant received so far, ideally we’d like 4 or 5 applicants to be sponsored through our club.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Christine missed meeting, endured mother-in-law last week;
  • John Templeton held an open house for old client on Sunday, then the client sadly passed away the next, never take life for granted;
  • Rod Bring lots of missed meetings scheduling conflicts;
  • Bill Gorman said next year there may be opportunity to take Interact kids on trip to Honduras. Also recommends the Website that Tresha mentioned.  On personal note, he and wife soon embarking on an epic drive through CA and the Southeast in their RV;
  • Tonja Myers had great time Saturday night at the Tao drumming with other Rotarians, son Ian will be in Oklahoma HS production, Tonja herself performing with Whatcom Chorale;
  • Tim Krell missed meetings, and “Mario Andretti on Mt Baker Hwy” bucks;
  • Terry Myers missed meeting, fun at Tao last Saturday;
  • Mark Turner news re. son;
  • Kendall Olson unsuccessful first trip up skiing on Saturday, 6 month anniversary, news on Shark Tank competition, and her one-year Rotary anniversary!
  • Steve Kimberly for a new grandson!
  • Debbie Kiene closing in on 60 (like Donna and Frank!), and a plug for upcoming Boys&Girls Club auction April 25th “Come Sail Away” $65/person:
Sergeant at Arms by Eddie Hansen
Architecture trivia, NO FINES for Tao attendees and fellowship attendees, but fines for Christine and Donna, Tim, Fat Tuesday today, Ash Wednesday! Mark Turner.  Eddie has a proposal for a Rotary fellowship event idea for BTC culinary school - stay tuned!
 
Program
Bob Moles introduced Dr. Ronald Pinson: An Anacortes native, Ron studied at Oregon dental school grad, practiced dental surgery for many years, now retired, but last year he volunteered his skills for five weeks on the M/V Africa Mercy.  Ron said the Africa Mercy ship travels around West Africa, from port to port, delivering all kinds of medical care.  Website: https://www.mercyships.org/home/ .  75% of the population in West Africa lives within 100 miles of a port city, so the ship provides a platform to provide medical services not available in those countries:  
 
◦ Maxillofacial surgery
◦ Plastic reconstructive surgery
◦ Orthopedic surgery
◦ Women’s Health
◦ Eye Care
◦ Oral Health
◦ Mental Health
◦ Palliative Care
◦ Capacity Building (training programs for local professionals).
 
A ship is the most efficient platform to deliver a state-of-the-art hospital to those port cities.  Many nations lack basic infrastructure services such as a clean water supply, reliable delivery of electricity, and medical facilities and personnel.  The ship is a controlled, safe and clean environment ideally suited for serving patients and crew.
Volunteers and patients thrive onboard the Africa Mercy where their basic needs are met.  All procedures are provided free of charge.
 
Ron was there when the ship was serving Congo and New Guinea. The Africa Mercy is the world’s largest non-governmental medical ship.  The ship was featured on “60-Minutes”.  International crew from all over.  70 kids on ship - children of the long-term crew.
Before the vessel arrives in port, the word is advertised that ship will call, and thousands of people show up to be considered / screened;
The vessel has a fleet of land-cruisers to get people around;
Local day workers are hired for translation etc.
There is a waiting/holding area, a full lab, radiography, and well equipped operating rooms;
There is a recovery room for patients to spend a few days after surgery, then…
There is a “Hope Center” on land where patients can recover for over a week before traveling home (outpatients);
 
Ron showed slides of the various facial surgeries that he performed (to treat tumors, cleft pallets, goiters, etc).
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot