Ron Noble - Third Quarter Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           John Mailliard offered “a few bucks” to celebrate the date for Medal of Honor recipients.  John personally knows two honorees.

 

          Steve Boharski, Lenore Romney and Melinda Keberle were happy for Zag teams’ successes.

 

          Dave Hayward was $5 happy when his grandson provided front-row tickets for the Velocity soccer game.

 

          Nancy Hanson donated pot-winning dollars “in honor of the Cougs.”

 

          Steve Bergman was $5 happy for the Zags and for a visit to San Antonio, Texas, for  family he had not previously seen in person.

 

          Ron Noble remarked, politely, how much four female family members carried on an amazing conversation during a gathering.

 

 

          Laura Zahn, who coordinated the club’s dinner for those at the Ronald McDonald House, said volunteers are needed 9-Noon, this Saturday, March 30, to help with a fund drive at the McDonald House.

 

      

           As the third quarter ends for the Rotary year, President Ron Noble and board members Bill Simer and Lenore Romney shared the results at the club’s March 25 luncheon.

 

          Simer, who heads the club’s charitable fund, said, “We are covered for the fiscal year.”

 

          But, he adds that the club does not have enough money to start summer projects, like next fall’s Holmes Elementary supply closet needs and the scholarship(s).

 

          So the challenge in the next few months is to raise adequate funds.  “Our goal is to reach 100 percent of the membership.  We need everyone to pitch in.”  Donors receive small red hearts on their club badges.

       

  Treasurer Lenore Romney said, “The club is basically on tract for the rest of the Rotary year,” which ends June 30.

 

          She said one cost eliminated was the system for on-line payment.  Since Feb. 1, she said, members can pay electronically by scanning a Q-R code.  Previously, it had cost the club as much as $30 a month to process dues payments, “even if no one used it,” Lenore said.

 

          As Ron Noble concluded as quarterly club president,  he talked about his 49 years of Rotary, starting in his hometown, Grandview, Wash.

 

          Ron recalled how a local newspaper publisher was club president when Ron attended his first Rotary meeting.  Ron helped demolition when the press building burned down.

 

          At his first Rotary meeting, Ron, then 26, said, “great food and I was hungry.”

 

          He operated an electronics business in a three-county area.

 

          Following a severe drought in the Yakima Valley area in 1977, Ron moved to Colville where he worked and taught at the high school, adding, “I always tried to work with youngsters.”  He helped with the track program at the school for many years.

 

          Of his years in education, Ron said, “It shows how adaptable kids are in bad situations.”  He recalled how one young man found “three suitcases on the front steps” when his family suggested moving elsewhere.  Rather than asking a buddy, the youngster called Ron, allowing the late-night visitor to stay the night.  “What are you going to do?” Ron said.

 

           In Colville, Ron worked with Donna Hanson and Tri-County Catholic Charities projects.

 

           Ron talked about his own challenges in 2003 when he learned he had breast cancer.  Fortunate for the early detection, but following an arduous recovery, he said he has been cancer-free since.

 

           At the club luncheon, Ron recalled the top-quality of speakers and programs, especially the field trips to Fairwood Village and Heritage cemeteries.

 

           In addition to the funding challenge, Ron said the other challenge is recruiting new members to the club.

 

          “I wanted to increase membership, but now we are down one,” he said.  But Lenore added, “We do have some prospects.”

 

          Bill Simer is club president for the fourth quarter.