Bellingham Kiwanis News Letter

President Jim opened the meeting with Lyla T leading us in God Bless America and The Pledge. She also provided the inspirational thought for the day.

Guests:

Perennial guest Bill Audley; also Rhonda Shaffer with the Boys and Girls Club and Debbie Gnewutch who heard about us from the business expo.

Committee Reports and Announcements:

Dr. Bob Gregory and Layne Johnson received their permanent name badges. Congratulations!!

Fundraising-Ralph announced that the admin fund will be raising money by selling business card advertising for our on line bulletin as in the past. It is $100 for the year.

They are also raising money with a Baby Raffle. Guess when Nancy Leavitt will have her Baby. According to Nancy she hopes it is "soon".

Also a new fundraiser is the "secret handshaker" . If you don't shake hands with the secret handshaker each week, you will be fined a quarter. This is a way to get to know each other better ( or spread the H1N1 virus around).

Nancy announced a membership committee meeting Friday 7:30AM at Denny's Bar on Meridian. Nancy promised free drinks to all prospective members who attend!!

Rich E announced an executive committee meeting for our Foundation, Thursday, 3:00PM at United Way office on Cornwall.

Bruce J announced that eleven hungry people showed up to the dinner put on by the Boys and Girls Club. He said many great ideas were brought up for next year's Bike Rodeo.

YCPO-Alyson has asked everyone to sign up to provide the invocation/thought for the day at one or two meetings during the year.

Perfect Attendance Pins awarded:

Congratulations to the following members - 2 Yr-Jim C, 4 yr-Rich E, Bruce J and Dick Z, 7 yr--John W, 9 yr-Barbara A, 10 yr-Ralph G, 11 yr-Emily C and Jan A, 15 yr-Elizabeth B, Vaughn H, and Lyla T, 21 yr-Nancy L-K, and 42 yr-John Howe (wow)!

Happy Bucks $

Vaughn-complaint dollar for being listed in the new roster on the same page as John Howe. Said John should have his own page, because after 40 years in Kiwanis his bio looks like a who's who in Kiwanis. About the only office he hasn't held is International President!

Emily-Glad Jim stepped up as membership chair but would like to see someone else take over since Jim has his hands full as Prez.

Chelsea R-Happy to be going to sunny Hawaii for a week.. Send us a post card Chelsea.

Nancy L-K-Happy her new kitchen remodel is finally complete and happy that a relative will be visiting from San Diego who will be surprised to see his long lost cousin living near Nancy.

Ralph G-Happy to have his project almost finished also. Not a new kitchen for Joyce but a new Septic system. Yahoo!

Lyla-Visited Sardis Kiwanis to present her slide show on her trip to Africa to dedicate the new sign center.

John H-Attended the tri K meeting in Portland over the weekend. And happy to being sharing the roster page with Vaughn.

Barb-Also happy to have attended the Tri K convention in Portland and happy that her dog and John H's dog got along while they were gone.

Dr. Bob Olson-Happy his "little brother" who he has been a "big brother" to for nine years is speaking at the upcoming Big Brothers fundraiser banquet.

Ticket Drawing - Al Dale won but couldn't find the Joker. The pot is up to $480 (000), or so, but must be present to win! !

Program:

Donna Amoon and Laura Witt, Designated Mental Health Counselors who work for Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic spoke about the County's Behavioral Health Triage Center. There are many individuals with mental health problems who are being helped by this agency. This Crisis Respite center is a 7 bed, 24 hour, community based program available to those with mental health problems. Their goal is to provide intensive support in the least restrictive environment.