Opening Bell

BBRC president Jenny Andrews opened the meeting by welcoming “our distinguished and fun-loving District Governor, Jesse Tam, and Jesse’s partner in life and in Rotary, his talented and hard-working wife, Lilly Tam.”

Bob Bowen gave the invocation and led the members in the Pledge, and David Bolson introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.

Membership Goal Hijinx: Otis is Back

In recognition of Rotary’s goal of increasing membership by 10 percent net in each club, a number of potential members were in the audience.

First off, there was an S&M practitioner in a black leather outfit, sporting a whip.

Next was a frumpy woman who seemed most interested in having members comment on her dress.

Third was a Russian babe. Her comments — all in Russian — seemed interesting to members when they heard the word “vodka,” but less so when they heard her mention “the Gulag.”

A Mafia Mom was next on the agenda. She noted that she would be able to help the club raise money, first by sending out her nephew to ask nicely. If that didn’t work, Uncle Guido would be more persuasive.

A fitness fanatic was eager to “pump up the club” and just about everyone there.

Finally, what only could be described as a bum — namely, Otis — came to the podium, saying he had always wanted to become a Rotarian, but for some reason no one had ever asked him.

Seeing these prospective members seemed to make Rotarians eager to bring in others instead.

Bob Crosby Gets His Blue Badge

President Jenny awarded Bob Crosby his Blue Badge after he fulfilled the requirements. Congratulations, Bob!

Good Programs Stir New Member Interest

Chris Monger reminded members that the Program Committee typically works 6 to 8 meetings in advance lining up speakers, and members can check the BBRC calendar to see a list of upcoming programs.

"A good program can be an excellent time to invite a prospective member to a meeting," Monger said.

Spray Play Park Update

Norm Johnson and Pam Fehrman gave an update on the Spray Play Park, saying that the facility is getting high use, with 80 to 120 kids using it at a time.

Exchange Student Hosts Needed

Mike Ralph reminded Rotarians about the coming stay of Rotary Exchange Student Cristobal Zanetti. One family has signed up to serve as host, but two others are still needed to cover the December-February timeframe and the March-early June timeframe. Cristobal is from Santiago, Chile, and he arrives August 19.

Host families do not need to be Rotarians, but they should live in the Bellevue High School attendance area.

Annual Golf Tournament Update

The upcoming golf tournament, set for July 28, already as secured $44,000 in sponsorships and the golf cards are full. The field is currently full, but if you are interested in playing, contact Ted Edererer to be added to the wait list.

Friday Program
Official Visit by District Governor Jesse Tam

Steve Lingenbrink introduced District Governor Jesse Tam for his official visit to the BBRC.

Jesse has been in Rotary for 24 years, is in banking, and has founded three banks. He has achieved Paul Harris fellow multiple times.

Jesse noted that there are 55 clubs in District 5030 and that the BBRC is well known among them for its energy. He also mentioned that BBRC member Wayne McCaulley is the Chair of the 2009 District Conference that will be held in Victoria, B.C., from May 1-3.

There are big challenges facing Rotary this year, Jesse said, among them growing each club’s membership by a net gain of 10 percent. Also, he noted that Rotary International President D.K. Lee wants Rotarians to help reduce childhood death around the world.

Jesse wants to see Rotary clubs become more energetic and make meetings more entertaining. He also wants to start Rotary social activities where members for all clubs can get together with other Rotarians. The first such get-together will be in held August 28.

The District has brought back the printed District directory, but will also keep the electronic version, Jesse said.

Jesse also reminded members that next year’s International Convention will be in Birmingham, UK. For those who go, Jesse hopes to have an event there for District 5030 members.

In recognition of his talk to the club, a donation was made in Jesse’s name to RotaCare.

Web Fun

Secrets from the Flim-Flam Man
Gleaned from an interview with Frank Abagnale in US News & World Report, June 23-30, 2008

Ex-con artist Frank Abagnale gave some advice on how to keep from getting scammed. You might recall that Frank Abagnale was the subject of a 2002 movie called Catch Me if You Can, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, where he traveled the world posing as a doctor, an airline pilot, an attorney and a college professor, writing millions of dollars in bad checks. He was eventually caught and served five years in prison, but was released on the condition that he would work for the government, helping to fight the types of crimes that he, himself, had committed. It's been more than 30 years since he started working for the government, and he is considered a leading source on secure documents and how to combat embezzlement and forgery.

Among other tips, Frank said: "Write checks sparingly." He said he personally writes very few checks and gives these reasons:

When you right a check at Wahlgreens, for example, you leave the check behind with the clerk. On that check is your name, address and phone number, and also your bank's name and address, your bank account number, routing number and your signature.

The store clerk asks to see your driver's license and proceeds to copy down your driver's license number on the check, sometimes copying your birth date as well. In nine state, a person's driver's license number is also his/her Social Security number. You don't know what happens to that check when it leaves your possession. You don't know where it goes, where it's stored, if it's eventually destroyed, or if it sits in a box on somebody's desk.

What you do know is that your check had all the information on it that anyone would need to draft on your bank account.

So, write checks sparingly and treat your checkbook like cash. Lock up your extra checks in a safe place.

• • •

Quotes From Kids About the Ocean

This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. (Kelly, age 6)

Oysters' balls are called pearls. (Jerry, age 6)

If you are surrounded by ocean, you are an island. If you don't have ocean all round you, you are incontinent. (Wayne, age 7)

Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily Richardson. She's not my friend any more. (Kylie, age 6)

My uncle goes out in his boat with two other men and a woman and pots and comes back with crabs. (Millie, age 6)

When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes when the wind didn't blow the sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans. (William, age 7)

Mermaids live in the ocean. I like mermaids. They are beautiful and I like their shiny tails, but how on earth do mermaids get pregnant? Like, really? (Helen, age 6)

I'm not going to write about the ocean. My baby brother is always crying, my Dad keeps yelling at my Mom, and my big sister has just got pregnant, so I can't think what to write. (Amy, age 6)

Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting. Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves into chargers. (Christopher, age 7)

The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don't drown I don't know. (Bobby, age 6)

My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean. What he doesn't know is why he quit being a sailor and married my mom. (James, age 7)