President Sue called today’s meeting to order at the Lansing Center on a beautiful Silver Bells day. Missy Lilje presented our invocation about the blessings of work in recognition of today’s speaker which was followed by the singing of America by John Dale Smith.
Missy Lilje made an announcement about the need for substitute teachers in the Lansing School District. Due to the teacher shortage, she encourages everyone to give a thought to being a substitute teacher which is now offering $400 per day.
There were no guests attending today so Monique Foster Field’s microphone duty was easy this meeting! Rotarians recited the 4-Way Test and Diane Sanborn reported the health of the Club was good as long as we don’t gain too much weight at Thanksgiving.
John Person was the November birthday chair and has collected $750 with 90% participation. Those with November birthdays were asked to share their favorite inspirational quote.
Tim Adams shared that while probably not inspirational, he finds humor and hope in: “Whoever has my voodoo doll, please take some stuffing out.”
Ron Seely, Brigadier General, Retired - "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more..." The "breach" is reference to a void area in a front line of combat where reinforcement is required to prevent a fatal penetration resulting in defeat & death. Piloting military aircraft for over 35 years, there were countless times this phrase crossed my lips performing my duty. For whatever reasons, these words helped me resist hesitation and move forward to accomplish a difficult or hazardous task. Thus far, each time I've entered the "breach" I have survived, and I thank the Lord for his mercy.
Megan Martin - "Life is brutal, but it’s also beautiful. Life is Brutiful." ~Glennon Doyle. This is a good reminder that life isn't always happy, but it isn't always sad. It's not always good and it's not always bad. Remembering that, when you are in both the ups and downs that there will be a swing in the other direction reminds me not to dwell, but to keep moving.
John Pence - “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” ~Henry Ford
John Person - “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” ~Helen Keller - Rotarians partner with the Gates Foundation to eradicate polio and it is both our small contributions and Gates large matching contribution which makes progress possible. Whether your Birthday contribution, Christmas contribution or Paul Harris contribution is the mighty shove of a hero or the tiny push of an honest worker, your contributions matter and make a difference.
Meghan Martin made her new member presentation via her grocery list…
1. Tortillas – reminds her of her 8-year-old daughter Evie who loves mom’s tacos
2. Bourbon – reminds her of her husband Ken and their travels to Kentucky for Maker’s Mark. Meghan and Ken have been together since they were teenagers.
3. Kale – represents cooking healthy with her sister and brother. Her tight knit family speaks every day.
4. Cash – As Executive Director of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Meghan always needs to have some cash to spend at the local arts events she attends and promotes.
5. Ice – Something she always forgets so it’s good to have on hand.
Meghan was presented her Rotary pin and blue badge. Julie Pingston announced that Meghan and the Arts Council just received a National Endowment for the Arts grant for this community of $250,000 to be distributed within our local arts community through grants. Well done and thank you Meghan!
President Sue announced the Social Gathering for the Club on Friday, December 10 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Country Club of Lansing. Please RSVP to Cathy if you would like to attend.
On a disappointing note, the children from Gardner School will not be able to join the Holiday Party this year due to covid restrictions. A holiday themed program is still being planned for all to enjoy.
Today’s special music performers are no strangers to Lansing Rotary…our own Lisa Smith with Mike Skory celebrating over twenty-five years of performing together. They performed Falling in Love Again by Joni Mitchell and Danny’s All-Star Joint by Rickie Lee Jones. Rotarians were snapping and tapping toes with the great music from these two amazing performers.
Thanks to Rich Howard for serving as Chair of the Month and Chair of the Day! Rich introduced Carrie Rosingana, the Executive Director of Capital Area Michigan Works!
Carrie gave a background of her path the CAMW which culminated in her being selected as the CEO in July 2020. CAMW serves employers and career seekers and their mission is to connect with business by strengthening the workforce.
CAMW is a partner of the statewide Michigan Works! network and operates three offices locally on Cedar Street in Lansing, Charlotte and St. Johns. Their customers are our local employers.
Programs offered include business service teams for IT, Health and Manufacturing, a Business Resource Network to work on talent retention, and Career Seeker Services.
A priority for the organization is veteran services and a new Americans navigator to help with job placement but also addressing other needs of those resettling to the community.
In 2020, CAMW took 25,000 calls, 600 phone appointments, 2,845 enrolled in programs, 29.000 participants in FB Live events and 1500 services provided remotely.
Thanks to Carrie for providing such amazing services to our community!
It was announced that there will be no meeting next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Our next meeting will be the Holiday Party on December 3 at the Lansing Center. See you then!
Julie Pingston's email is: jpingston@lansing.org