President Mark Eckhoff kicked off his first full meeting as club president at the Great Wolf Lodge.
A moment of silence was offered up for the passing of past Club President Tom Gartland and Al and Pat Bishop. Tom served as club president from 1999-2000. Al and Pat Bishop are Kathy Bussell’s parents. They both went into hospice last month within two hours of each other and then peacefully transitioned home within less than ten hours of each other on July 4 and July 5 CLICK HERE to view the Obituary. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gartland and Bishop families.
The Pledge of Alliance was recited, Bob Stow led us in God Bless America and Jen Casey shared a moment of Gratitude and Reflection. President Mark introduced Rotarians and guests.
Announcements:
Jen Casey shared that the 9/11 Honor Run will take place on Saturday, September 11. A short ceremony will take place before the race kicks off at 8:46 am. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States. You may sign up at: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/911HonorRun
The run has a few options: a 5K in-person run, a 5K virtual run and an 11-mile run. Please see Jen for volunteer opportunities as well!!
Pat Parker offered up that the proceeds from the 9/11 Honor Run support our local first responders with emotional wellness through the Grand Traverse Region Alliance.
Benjamin Marentette gave a Rotary Charities update. The strategic plan has accepted a new mission statement that provides the ongoing commitment to support local leaders while helping to address complex challenges in our community.
Matt McDonough presented a Rotary Camps and Services announcement:
“Last Wednesday, Rotary Camps and Services was served with a Summons and Complaint – in other words, a lawsuit – by an attorney representing an organization called “Protect Rennie Lake, Inc.”. Protect Rennie Lake Inc. is a recently formed organization representing landowners on Rennie Lake that are objecting to our proposed uses planned at GO-REC. Rotary Camps and Services held a special meeting this morning and we are working with our attorney, Jeff Jocks, at Sondee, Racine and Doren, to evaluate the lawsuit and begin our work defending Rotary Camps and Services.
About two years ago, GO-REC staff and leadership started communicating our intended plans to the area landowners. In September of last year, GO-REC and Rotary staff and leadership starting having conversations and met with lakefront property owners to explain our plans and attempt to alleviate their concerns. The landowners were apparently not satisfied and have instead chosen to try to stop the GOREC project through litigation.
If you have any questions, I ask that they be directed to Mark Newhouse, Rotary Camps and Services Board Chair. However, please know that his ability to answer questions will be limited due to the litigation.”
Alexis Juett announced that IM Rotary has taken a small hiatus and will be back with a revamped program in August. New members who joined in 2020 -2021 will still have access to the 500 Paul Harris points for completing IM Rotary.
Tom Petzold won $57 in the 50/50.
Program:
Katy McCain introduced our program speaker Jean Derenzy. Jean not only is a great Rotarian, she also serves as the CEO of the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority.
The DDA is currently moving forward with a strategic vision that looks at where we are, where do we want to be and what is the strategy to get there. Downtown consists of 195 acres and makes up 3.5% of the city’s landmass.
Lessons from the pandemic helped drive innovation and creativity by assisting downtown businesses.
This includes:
- Buy local, give local fund
- Giving Thanks Through Giving Meals
- Downtown Relief Fund
- Creation of additional outdoor dining and platform cafes.
Public outreach included:
- Neighborhood Celebration Month
- Neighborhood Association Presentations
- Civic Organization presentations
- Addition of a student liaison to the DDA Board
- Projects and Visioning include:
- Lower Boardman River Unified Plan - use and protect the available resources
- Sara Hardy Farmers Market - every Saturday and Wednesday through October
- East Front Street - reimagined as it needs attention
- West End Parking Garage - space is better utilized when cars are stacked!
- Future Plans - economic, environmental and social projects and looked at from a best practices perspective.
- Accomplishing these goals include:
- Forming partnerships
- Know the vision for downtown
- Dare to be different
- Be self-sufficient
And after 25 years we will have Rotary Square as part of the downtown landscape!
Katy presented Jean with the Wheels of Hope certificate in honor of her presentation.
President Mark reminded the membership that we are continuing to work with the hybrid meeting format and we are meeting every other week currently. He also pleaded to “bear with us” as we navigate through unchartered meeting territory.
President Mark asked everyone to join him in reciting the Four-Way Test to end the meeting and with that were adjourned.
See all y’all back here on Tuesday, July 27 and Tuesday 7/20/21 on Zoom!
