It was a balmy Tuesday for a Rotary Zoom meeting as President Mack called the meeting to order. Visiting Rotarians and guests were introduced and The Pledge of Allegiance recited. Kathy Bussell pinched hit for our Gratitude and Reflection today and expressed her ongoing gratitude for being able to serve as our administrator and for the support she receives from the members. Thank you for all you do for our club Kathy!!
Announcements:
Marsha Smith introduced a new Rotarian today Kristi Haik. Kristi holds a Ph.D. in Applied Experimental Psychology with a Neuroscience Concentration from Central Michigan University. After an extensive career in academia, Kristi joined the nonprofit sector in 2020. She now serves as the Director of Fund Development for the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Council. Kristi and her husband, Steve Durst, enjoy walking, cycling and spending time with family. Welcome, Kristi! We are excited to have you join us in service!
Greg Luyt presented a Rotary Charities update which reads:
Rotary Charities is currently undergoing a timely strategic planning process that aligns with the hiring of our new CEO. Input from the board, staff, and community and nonprofit feedback will inform and update elements of our mission, vision, and strategic objectives and tactics. These items will be finalized by the end of June and will be shared with the Club.
One of our strategies will be to promote engagement and connection between Rotary Charities, Camps & Services, and the Club. One of the ways we currently do that is to have a board liaison present at each of the Rotary Charities and Camps and Services boards. The Liaison’s role is primarily to be an observer and communicator back to their own elected board. The responsibilities of the Liaison also include reviewing the board packets, attending monthly board meetings, and disclosing any conflict of interest at the beginning of the meeting. They may report back to their elected board if so desired by the Chairperson. The Liaison will be included in the annual board orientation for the board which they serve as the Liaison. This relationship between Charities and Camps & Services is reflective of our strategy of “Connecting”.
At this time, we would like to thank Marlene Bevans for her service as the liaison and welcome Lorraine Beers as the new Rotary Charities liaison to Rotary Camps & Services.
On Thursday, the Board approved the Fiscal Year 21-22 Budget, which includes a $25,000 grant to the Traverse City Noon Rotary Club to be designated as it so chooses. The Club board reviews opportunities and has funded World Community Service and the JJ Beckett Access-ability fund in the past.
These are just a few ways that Rotary Charities, Camps and Services, and the Club are connected to each other.
President Mack stated that the board is working on a start date for in-person meetings. The Park Place Hotel and other venues are being considered as meeting options. Our meeting on Tuesday, July 6 will be at 5 pm at the Beverage Pavilion (aka the beer tent) at the National Cherry Festival.
Miriam Oswley announced an opportunity to wish Becky Ewing well as she retires from Rotary Charities. If you would like to leave a video message, you may do so at:
https://share.vidday.com/r-8krb08
Warren Call introduced our speakers today: Brenda McLellan, Director of Investor Engagement from Traverse Connect and Brett Sinclair from Raven and Lotus Consulting here in Traverse City. The topic of conversation was Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
Brenda opened the program with a quote from our very own Peg Jonkhoff from a 2011 Leadership Grand Traverse event: “If you wish to live in a better place, better the place in which you live.” That set the tone for delving into today’s presentation.
Diversity is the measure of how one’s personal characteristics differ from those of the normative majority of an organization. They can include: personality, internal and external dimensions and organizational dimensions. Some of these aspects change over time while others remain the same such as race and ethicity.
Equity is a measure of fairness that ensures that people’s access to opportunities within an organization are not negatively impacted as a result of their personal characteristics. This should not be confused with equality. The example is given to understand equality is giving everyone the same size bike regardless of appropriate size or physical limitations for all riders. Equity is providing all kinds of bikes that fit the various needs of all. With Equity, everyone can participate.
Inclusion is the act of ensuring that people’s experiences are not impacted negatively as a result of their personal characteristics.
Belonging is a feeling of security and support for a person based on the acceptance of that person’s personal characteristics within a certain group or in a certain place.
Brett shared the Evolution of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Understanding where Others are in the Journey. It is a graph that depicts how one can go from being unaware in which they do not value diversity and then over time move through the stages of: awareness, general understanding, understanding and willing to accpet/valuing, buy-in/managing and then diversity/inclusive change agent.
As individuals, we are each able to grow and expand into a greater understanding and philosophy of helping others. While we all fall into different stages of this journey at different times, our own experiences help us develop dynamic and changing relationships with others.
Brett went on to share that this is not about the work we do as individuals, it is about conversations and questions we ask and our ability to listen to and with others. When we increase inner connectedness, we increase our ability to participate in building community.
As humans, we have a strong need to be social and thrive, to have rich and impactful relationships by knowing more people and listening to their stories.
As Brett concluded, he offered up a resource for books on diversity. They can be found at:
https://libguides.ala.org/c.php?g=488238&p=3530814
With that, Warren presented the Wheels of Hope certificate to Brenda and Brett in recognition of their presentation today.
President Mack adjourned the meeting. We’ll see all y’all back here next Tuesday for another edition of TC Rotary Zoom!