IN THIS ISSUE

Vol. 13, No. 37, April 2, 2001

 Planning Gets A Big Shot At Port Ludlow

BBRC Plans Another Fine Year Stewart Martin Sung to tune of “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” Lyrics by Stewart Martin, with apologies to Oscar Hammerstein) There’s a bright morning haze at Port Ludlow, There’s a bright morning haze at Port Ludlow, The BBRC is a-gatherin’ there … To plan out the best gol’ darn Rotary year! <CHORUS> Oh what a beautiful mornin’ Oh what a beautiful day. I got a beautiful feelin’, Everything’s goin’ our way. Steven Goldfarb is President next year and his cabinet is nearly all here. Stewart Martin has come to regale them in song, and now he’s requesting they all sing along <REPEAT CHORUS> Mike H taught Ro-ma-nians dent-istry While we finally made 15 years hist-ry Will our projects be modified by us next year? Or traditions with us become ever more clear? <REPEAT CHORUS> 50 fine Rot’rians will give us their views And links with Sam High students will renew Cary K can’t wait until he’s done doing tricks. And no one can top ol’ St. Nick by John Mix ! ! <REPEAT CHORUS> Tom Smith broke high ground seeking new funding. How much will Raffle bring in, we’re wond’ring? Will the Club even survive this year without PETS? Posh!  Our best year yet on with planning we gets <REPEAT CHORUS>

A thorough discussion of priorities for the next Rotary year led members of the BBRC to conclude that this past weekend’s annual Planning Retreat was a success. Under a new format devised by President-Elect Steve Goldfarb, all of the 44 attendees got in on the complete agenda, making the final report a more sweeping tale of how the retreat reach agreement on top issues.

Former BBRC member Stewart Martin got the Saturday session off tunefully with his rendition of “BBRC Plans Another Fine Year” sung to the tune of “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning.” Stewart was a star in his community’s presentation of “Oklahoma,” hence his appropriate selection.

Kim Shrader

Kim Shrader rose to outline the basics behind this year’s coming raffle exercise. He introduced Howard Johnson, who has agreed to be the Raffle Committee Chairperson.

The three breakout sessions were managed by Tim Moriarty, John Martinka, and Brian Evison . Recorders at the three sessions were Steve Lingenbrink, Terry Peterson, and Bob Holert.

At the end of the 1-1/2 hour round of breakout sessions, the entire crew returned to hear the results of their deliberations. Steve Lingenbrink reported that there was general agreement the BBRC should spearhead a joint meeting of the four Bellevue Rotary Clubs once a year. The group thought that we should participate in other clubs’ fundraisers so they will participate in ours (Golf Outing, Raffle) when they come around. The retreaters decided that our programs need to always have balance in the fields of Art, Education, Government, Ethics, and Non-Profits. An annual report from our major gift recipient should be made, and there should be better reporting of committee activity to the whole club. On Fellowship, the emphasis was on events where spouses could join in comfortably. Finally, the topic was “Continuity.” The Retreat group thought that a vice-chair system would help in transition and that each committee chairperson should keep a notebook outlining the current year’s activities. Talk was heard of renting a storage facility to keep all of the Club’s memorabilia and reports.

Bob Holert reported on his breakout group’s conclusions. The Club’s Youth Exchange Program was considered. Members were reminded that a lead time of over a year is necessary for the program to work. Generally, the first host family determines which school the student will attend. Suggestions were made to share the program with other nearby clubs and share hosting duties. The topic of hands-on projects was discussed. The members reached consensus on local, short-term projects as Club activities, while some international projects may have to have a member with a certain “passion” for that work, i.e., the Romanian project. This breakout group spent much of its time discussing how to best develop and follow the annual budget. “The continuity factor, where the process works over time, will provide feedback, as well as historical data for the Club,” capsulized Holert. “We are looking to solve the issue of long-term commitments versus short-term needs. We need to make the process more inclusive and transparent and do a better job of informing the membership.”

Terry Peterson reported for John Martinka’s breakout session, which focused on membership and fundraising. On the topic of membership retention, Peterson said there were two divided camps about how we should proceed: ”Follow RI attendance rules or make our own waves.” The groups felt that rules regarding attendance and other Rotary requirements should be published at least quarterly, with active follow-up. Creating a system with members’ sponsors as back-up was favored. The topic of “scooters” was discussed. There was a suggestion that everyone who plans to scoot should introduce themselves to the speaker, expressing disappointment in not being able to stay and hear the program. Others felt the scooter’s badge needed enforcement, that a scooter’s table be set up so they don’t make such a splash at 8:00 a.m. and that they should have good reasons to scoot!

Finally, the breakout gathered all kinds of ideas for additional money-making schemes tied to the raffle. Members favored the $2.00 ticket, discussed a million-dollar prize for a hole in one, cool the drafting of “players,” see about shortening the raffle season, celebrate our previous success, and look for new, fresh venues such as a pro-am golf tourney. Lastly, the President announced that a team of past presidents has been asked to explore publishing a club operations manual.

Goldfarb brought the Club back together for the recap, thanked his committee of John DeWater, Tim Moriarty, Wayne McCaulley, Jenny Andrews, and Steve Lingenbrink for their hard work. In his closing remarks, he cautioned retreat members, “It’s one thing to say we’re the world’s best Rotary Club – it’s another when others say it.” (Boy, howdy, ain’t that the truth?)

The team of [L to R] Norm Johnson, Steve Waltar, and Chris Murck won Low Gross.
Doug Engberg [L] copped the Straightest Drive trophy; Tom Smith [R] had the Longest Putt; and Dale Hemphill [C] roared into the annuls of history with his Shortest Drive.
Wally Mahoney [the happy guy] was closest to the pin and won the pot of $50. Tim Moriarty [L] did his usual excellent job of overseeing the Golf Outing.

The Retail Therapy Group, led by Jenny Andrews, attacked Poulsbo in the late morning and afternoon on Friday. The most anyone could get out of the shoppers was, “We went back to the bakery three times!” Kelly Dykstra won Rookie Shopper of the Year; Madeline Gauthier, Jane Kuechle, and Susan Harrison won the Outstanding Shopping Collaboration Award; and the Sharon Edberg Memorial Retail Therapy Award went to Carlene Buty. She received a beautiful trophy, called the “Eddie.”

Retail Therapy Group [L to R]: Kelly Dykstra, Susan Harrison, Jenny Andrews, Carlene Buty, Jane Kuechle, Lynne Gauthier.

The retreat attendance list included Steve Goldfarb, Kim Shrader, Cary Kopczynski, Carlene Buty, Margie Burnett, Lynne Gauthier, Dennis Newell, Terry Peterson, Steve Lingenbrink, Kelly Dykstra, Tim Moriarty, Jenny Andrews, Chuck Barnes, Bob Holert, Brian Evison, Wally Mahoney, Norm Johnson, Chris Monger, Dale Hemphill, Mary Truesdell, John DeWater, Craig Groshart, Tom Smith, Bruce Walker, Mark Esteb, Wayne McCaulley, Tony Banks, Paul Martin, Bob McKorkle, Megan Sweeters, Frank Stillo, Susan Harrison, Alex Rule, Doug Engberg, Jane Kuechle, Tom Helbling, Rourke O’Brien, John Martinka, Jim Owens, Don Chandler, Steve Waltar, Howard Johnson, Brian Heimbigner, and John Mix. Special guests included former BBRC member Stewart Martin of the Seaside, OR, Rotary Club and Chris Murck, brother-in-law of Norm Johnson, visiting from Beijing, China.

Mixing Work & Play