Meeting Brought to Order

The meeting was brought to order at 7:30 AM by ex-President (past prez? recently deposed prez?) Chris.  President Marsh was unable to attend due to family matters (let's see.... Rotary or wife?  Rotary or wife?... decisions, decisions). Daryl led the flag salute followed by an invocation from Bill Schink.  Terry Jarvis led a rousing version of Happy Birthday.  Something about his birthday coming soon.

Susan announced our three guests:  Chad Courtney, Don Macintosh and Norm Noble. 

Today's Presentation

Today's program: Sierra Leone and the Art of Healing a Nation was given by Chad Courtney.

Chad, his wife and three children presently live in Chile but will be moving to Sierra Leone in January.  Sierra Leone is recovering from a 10-year civil war and Chad is working with the Willamette Medical Team to develop a number of health and welfare projects related to malaria, nutrition, poor water quality, and lack of health care.  Chad described several projects that he and the team will be working on including:

-  repair of an existing dam system and construction of cisterns.

-  expanding rice cultivation

-  development of a sustainable fishing capacity through the rental of boats

-  rebuilding and rehabilitation of a hospital that was destroyed in the war

The Hospital project has been funded partly by donations from the EU.  At present there is nothing in the building - no equipment, beds or staff.  They are making agreements with the local primary employer, the Rutile Mine, to provide clinic and medical services to the mine employees.  Additional agreements are planned with other local businesses.

Exchange Student Report

Rory Dunbar announced that he took Francia to the airport this morning at 5AM for her 7AM flight back to Bolivia.  After numerous packing and repacking sessions (where most everything she brought with her last summer was left behind), they were able to get everything in suitcases - although one did weigh over 90 pounds!  Francia wished everyone in the club all the best and sent a goodbye letter which Rorry passed around the meeting.

Announcements

1)  Bill Schink announced the upcoming Rotary Family Picnic to be held at 21 Acres on August 22nd.  Members are urged to sign up noting numbers of children and teenagers attending.

2)  The club has been invited to the Court of Honor for Daniel Soloff's Eagle scout program on Monday evening July 27, 7PM at DeLille Cellars.  Please RSVP to Jay Soloff.

3)  Evan asked members to consider contacting their congressmen to ensure that the full tax deduction for donations to Rotary projects remain in force.

4)  John Hughes introduced the newest Woodinville Rotary member, Todd Banks, and gave him his red badge.  Todd is General Manager for Kenmore Air.

Todd Banks revealed he, too, is an Oregon Duck

Sergeant at Arms

Erv concocted a less-than-convincing story about a camping trip with the new Rotary International president and his wife and the need to improve club finances by creative fining.  Fines were collected using a new "Group Fining Activity (GFA)" scheme.  John Creason paid $20 "in advance" although why was not explained.  Jorge was fined $5 for expressing (in confidence, we are told) his desire to become a Czar in a future Erv DeSmet regime.

Happy Dollars

1)  John Hughes welcomed another scribe (sucker?) - that would be me... - to his stable of meeting minutes takers.  He is still looking for one more.

2)  Alex expressed relief that all the fire trucks next to his house were fighting someone else's fire.  Fortunately no one was injured.  He also noted that Roger Stark was seen on TV recently.  Clearly a subject to be investigated and a "Celebrity Tax" assigned at a future date.

3)  Ex-Prez (surrogate prez?) expressed thanks to Daryl for organizing an excellent Induction Dinner last week.

4)  Charles Russell is just happy to be back after a long absence.

5)  John Hughes was thankful that the sound was off when Roger was talking on TV (see #2 above)

6)  Rorry Dunbar thanked Chad Courtney for his presentation and noted that Chad is soliciting sponsorships for his work in Sierra Leone

7)  Gary Whitsell offered $5 to recognize Ryan General Contractors for their support of the Willamette Medical Team.  Both Rorry and guest Don Macintosh are principals with Ryan.

8)  Bob Rosso encouraged a vote on whether Erv should be fined.  Some unsubstantiated claim regarding the presence of a magnetic Obama sticker on the back of Bob's truck.

Auction Update

Bill and Rorry gave a brief update on the status of acquisitions for the auction.  In spite of the fact that we are well ahead of last year at this time, we are still only at about 40% of target .... "We need more stuff!!"  The existing donations may be viewed at the Maestroweb site through a link on the Woodinville Rotary weekly newsletter.  Gary Whistell encouraged members to use e-mail or other communication means to create synergy in matching auction items and produce a value greater than the sum of the parts.

Raffle

Max, Alex, Rorry and Evan all purchased the correct raffle tickets.  The $29 marble remains unclaimed.

The meeting was closed at approximately 8:25AM.

minutes scribbled down by