The New Website of the Rotarian Magazine, and It's Stories About Rotarians Helping in Detroit

In introducing our speaker, Jim Bertucci reflected on how great it is to see our kids and their friends mature.  Sallyann Price is writer and editor for the Rotarian Magazine, haven spoken to us about two years ago.  Here topic today was about Rotarians investing in Detroit’s entrepreneurs.  She told of what Rotary is doing in Detroit in the wake of the default, noting there are 700,000 people left there, about one half of whom are in poverty.  See the September Issue of the Rotarian Magazine for the complete story; click the link for an exciting on-line experience, and to find the September issue and story – www.therotarianmagazine.com ).  Her piece was developed with a photographer who has taken photos throughout the world for Rotary.  She said the pictures are a study in contrasts, documenting both decay and beauty.  Kevin Boyle wrote an essay, “Back to Business”, putting the current situation in perspective (http://therotarianmagazine.com/back-to-business/ ).

The efforts of Michigan Rotarians were part of the Launch Detroit project, an overall effort which included loans, business education, networking, and mentorship.  It is an effort to see if programs, such as micro lending which worked in other parts of the world, would work here. 

She was pleased with her story in part because it was an opportunity to interview both Rotarians and recipients.  She said the efforts of local Rotarians “have taken on a life of their own now.  Entrepreneurs who received help have gotten a taste of Rotary.  Many who have been helped have seen Rotary values and hope to give back to the community.” 

 

She said it was a strategy to help grow businesses, not bail them out.  In response to questions, she said this approach could be tried in Chicago.  Many who have moved out of the city have come back.  There’s ongoing discussion about whether this is an overall solution or one-on-one, one-by-one steps.  Most of the effort has been by nearby Michigan Rotary clubs, up to now not Rotary International.

She also told us about the revised Rotary Magazine website, saying the publication had decided to have a site of its own rather than be a part of Rotary’s.  She felt part of the attractiveness of the site was that one doesn’t have to log in.  Try it at www.therotarianmagazine.com

 

Sallyann Price can be reached at price.sallyann@gmail.com or Sallyann.Price@Rotary.org, call/text to 248-520-7308

 

 

 

 

 

 

An abandoned building in Detroit in counterpoint to a contemporary mural.  It's hoped that the building will redeveloped soon.  See the September Issue of the Rotarian Magazine for more photos.