2023 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North President's Night was held on Thursday evening, June 29, 2023 at the Carlyle Grill on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor. President Bob Specht summarized the Club's achechments which included:
Donations to many local organizations
Items for special occasions to Community Action Network:
School Supplies in September
Diapers
Gifts for Children at Christmas.
Working with District 6380 to promote Plant Based Diets and Gardening for the needy with Willow Run Acres.
After the Past Presidents passed the Gavel, PE Gail talked about the year starting in July.
Gail said obtaining new members will still be important. She is going to have a quarterly social event and club assemblies to plan how to make the club better.
Meet Rotary’s six extraordinary Champions of Inclusion. They show us what’s possible when People of Action come together to amplify the power of marginalized populations in our clubs, in our communities, and around the world.
Champions of Inclusion gala was held on 4 April 2023, featuring the inspiring stories of our six honorees and other DEI thought leaders. Hosted by Rotary and the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa, the event also featured performances by some of Cape Town’s most exciting up-and-coming entertainers.
Celebrate with us as we learn to create communities that foster a sense of belonging, honesty, openness, and respect for all people. Watch and share this incredible event with Rotary members and others who value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Program Features:
Sivuyile “Siv” Ngesi, Celebrity Host and Actor
Jennifer Jones, President, Rotary International 2022-2023
Janet Jobson, CEO, Desmond & Leah Tutu Foundation
Kneo Mokgopa, Nelson Mandela Foundation
John Hewko, General Secretary and CEO, Rotary International
And the 2023 Champions of Inclusion Honorees:
Anderson Zerwes - Rotary Club De Encruzilhada Do Sul Rio Grande Do Sol, Brazil
Cam Stewart – Mikostahpinukum (Red Morning)Rotary Club of Calgary East Alberta, Canada
İclal Kardiçali- Rotary E-Club of District 2440 İsmir, Turkey
Rosemary Nambooze- Rotary Club of Wakiso Wakiso, Uganda
Sarita Shukla- Rotary Club of Global Action, District 5150 Delhi, India
André Hadley Marria- Rotary Club of Thomasville Georgia, United States
Jan Turosky, a Lighthouse Keeper from the Grand Traverse Lighthouse talked to the club on June 08, 2023, about The Grand Traverse Lighthouse.
Jan described in making their way between the Manitou Passage and the Straits of Mackinac, vessel masters made a turn off the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. Also serving as a marker for vessels turning into Grand Traverse Bay, the point thus served as an important navigational marker, and 1849 saw the first recommendation to erect a light on Cat’s Head Point in 1849.
Congress responded with an appropriation of $4,000 for building the new lighthouse on September 28, 1850. Construction began in the spring of 1852, and was completed late that year. Built on low ground close to the water’s edge. David Moon was appointed as the station’s first keeper, and with his name appearing on district payroll records for the first time on September 7, it is likely that he exhibited the new light for the first time soon thereafter. However, it would appear that Moon was ill-suited for the rigors of lighthouse keeping, as he resigned from lighthouse service before his second season at the light, to be replaced by the indomitable Philo Beers on April 15, 1853.
Beer’s previous service as a US Deputy appears to have come in handy, as the lighthouse was reportedly raided on a number of occasions by Mormon Pirates. Followers of James Jesse Strang, the self-proclaimed King of Beaver Island, these pirates were reputed to consider themselves above common law, and as such felt free to avail themselves of anything they needed by raiding from area “Gentiles,” as non-believers were known. On one occasion, it is reported that Beers managed to drive off a group of Mormons who attempted to remove the station’s Fresnel lens for installation on Beaver Island.
The old tower and dwelling were demolished in 1858, and work on a new structure began on higher ground on the point.
Life at the Grand Traverse Light station settled into a routine, with no mention of any repairs appearing in official documents until 1869.
With increasing numbers of vessels rounding the point on their journey to and from the Straits, mariners became increasingly dependent on the Grand Traverse Light to mark the turn. With thick fog frequently blanketing the area, the Lighthouse Board recommended that an appropriation of $5,500 be made to cover the costs of such an installation in its 1895 annual report, and Congress responded with the necessary appropriation on July 1, 1898. Plans and specifications for the structure were finalized over the winter, and contracts awarded for the construction materials and signal machinery on January 10, 1899. A work crew and materials were delivered at the station late that summer, and by November the brick building was complete and work turned to the installation of the fog signal plant. The boilers and machinery were moved into the building and plumbed to the ten-inch locomotive whistle which protruded from the lakeward end wall of the building. Work continued through the end of the year, with the signal officially placed into service on December 20.
With the establishment of the fog signal, it was determined that the workload at Grand Traverse would be more than a single keeper could handle, and the decision was made to add a First Assistant Keeper at the station. However, with the main lighthouse building being designed for a single family, additional accommodations were needed. Thus, in 1901 the dwelling was significantly enlarged and remodeled to convert the dwelling into a duplex with accommodations for two families.
The boilers and whistle in the fog signal were removed in 1933, and replaced by a Type “F” diaphone fog signal, its air compressor powered by diesel engines. The diesel engines were in turn replaced by a 440-volt Worthington air compressor in 1953. Coast Guard crews continued to maintain the station until 1972, when the tower light was replaced by an automated beacon mounted on a steel skeletal tower.
The Lighthouse and Fog Signal Building stood vacant after closing, until 1985 when a local group organized the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation (that’s us!) with a goal of preserving the historic buildings and creating an interesting and educational “living lighthouse” for the public to enjoy. After two years of renovation, the Lighthouse Foundation reopened the station as a museum on Memorial Day in 1987.
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on May 25, 2023, Jeff Lichty talked at the Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) taps into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money and expertise into priorities that align with our seven areas of focus andFoundation grants empower Rotarians to approach problems such as disease, poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.
The Rotary Foundation is organized as a public charity operated exclusively for charitable purposes and governed by a Board of Trustees. The operations of Rotary International, a member organization, are overseen by its Board of Directors.
The headquarters of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation are in Evanston, Illinois, USA. We have associate foundations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom.
The Mission of The Rotary Foundations is that The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
The Rotary Foundation is known throughout the world for its exceptional financial management and for the efficient use of its donations. Every year since 2008, TRF has received the top four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted charity evaluator. This rating is a standard achieved by only one percent of charities for judicious care of donors’ money.
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International’s sixth president, Arch Klumph. It was established as an endowment fund to provide an ongoing and sustainable income for Rotary to allow us to ‘do good in the world’. It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City to more than US$1 billion. It provides grants of over $1 million per day to support projects led by Rotarians. Today, TRF has one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world.
Since it was founded, it has spent more than US$4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. TRF’s mission is to enable Rotarians ‘to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty’.
The Rotary Foundation has special qualities because it is an enabling Foundation. It is a not-for-profit organization that is supported solely by donations from its members and friends. TRF asks us to donate, just like other charities, but it also asks us to get involved and utilize the funds. Our Foundation is able to achieve its mission through the generous contributions and the active participation of its members.
A major recipient of donations to TRF is the Annual Fund. When we donate, half our contributions are directed to the District Fund and the other half to the World Fund. Both help support and enable Rotary projects to become a reality through global and district grants.
The Types of Grants given from The Rotary Foundation:
District grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad.
Global grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary's areas of focus.
Disaster response grants support relief and recovery efforts in areas that have been affected by natural disaster.
Programs of scale grants fund intentional effort by Rotary members, in partnership with others, to expand proven program models within our areas of focus in order to benefit more people and in more places and foster lasting change.
Gail Scott lastly reminded The Club that President's Night is June 29th at Carlyle Restaurant 3600 Jackson Road Ann Arbor MI 48103.
Steve said, "melanoma is a common but serious skin cancer which, if not removed early while it is thin, spreads internally and is usually fatal. It is often ignored until too late because, in the early stages, it may look harmless and cause no discomfort. Many people don't realize that something small on their skin can kill them if not treated promptly."
Although it is uncommon in children under 10, melanoma occurs in every age group after puberty. It is the most common type of cancer in the 25 to 29 age group and second only to breast cancer in women ages 20 to 39.
Overall, melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in males and sixth in females. The US incidence of melanoma is nearly triple that of new HIV infections and is increasing at an epidemic rate; 196,060 new cases were predicted for 2020.
Most new melanoma patients have no family history of the disease; it can strike anyone regardless of health, physical condition, or skin complexion. On the average, there is a melanoma death in the US every 56 minutes.
The good news is that melanoma is easy to detect yourself at an early stage while it is thin and is curable by simple, painless removal in an office setting. All it takes is a ten minute monthly skin check. This site shows you how to check your skin, what to look for, and how to decrease your risk of melanoma.
The first step in learning about melanoma is to learn about moles, common pigmented skin lesions that can be flat or raised.
There are two types of moles: ordinary and atypical (the medical term for atypical moles is dysplastic nevi). 10 to 15 percent of the white population have atypical moles.
Ordinary Moles have all of these features:
Round or oval shape
Sharp, even borders with skin
Uniform color (usually brown)
Less than 1/4 inch wide
Atypical Moles often have one or more of these features:
Irregular shape
Uneven and/or fuzzy borders with skin
Two or more shades of brown or pink
1/4 inch wide or more
Cauliflower or smooth surface
Flat edges with "fried egg" center if mole is raised
In most cases, melanoma is easy to self-detect at an early stage while it is curable by simple surgical excision. Although the visual appearance of a skin lesion (a growth or mark) is often an indication of melanoma, you cannot always rely on this alone. You should also be aware of the history of your skin lesions—any changes that occur in them, as well the onset of any new ones. The only way to develop this awareness is by regular self-examination of your skin.
Warning signs of Melanoma are any of these should prompt an immediate visit to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon:
Any change in a mole, blemish, freckle, birthmark, or pigmented area
A new mole or freckle that appears out of the blue or is growing rapidly, especially if you don't have many moles, or the new mole or freckle looks different from those you do have
A change in surface texture or in the way a mole feels to the touch
A new "freckle" that is dark, dry, or scaly
A pigmented area or splotch that is new or that you don't remember seeing before
A new spot that is black, even if very small
A mole or other spot that looks or behaves differently than those around it, even if it seems otherwise normal
A mole or other spot that itches and/or bleeds
Redness, other color, or shadow extending into the surrounding skin
There are two types of melanoma: radial and nodular. Radial melanomas are easier to self-detect because they grow in diameter near the skin surface before growing downward through the skin. Radial melanomas usually have two or more of the ABCD properties.
About 20 percent of melanomas begin the dangerous vertical growth phase with little or no radial growth first. For these nodular melanomas the ABCD properties do not apply; instead they have three combined EFG properties.
E = ELEVATED- Early elevation above the skin surface
F = FIRM- Firm to the touch, not flabby
G = GROWING- Continues growing more than two to three weeks
Any of the following warning signs may indicate a nodular melanoma:
The start of a new bump in a mole, freckle, blemish, or birthmark.
The start of a thickness increase in a previously flat or slightly raised mole.
In otherwise clear skin, the beginning of a bump that looks like a blood blister, bubble, or pimple that continues to grow after two to three weeks, especially if you don't ordinarily have pimples and haven't injured yourself at the site of the blood blister.
Although a nodular melanoma can arise in a pre-existing mole, it is more common for one to develop spontaneously from normal skin, as in the four photos above. All of these were fatal. The colors of nodular melanomas are usually black, blue-black, dark brown, or brown-red. However, occasionally they are red (third photo from left), pink, grey, flesh-tone, or light to medium brown (far right photo, from the ankle of a 12-year-old boy). Nodular melanomas are typically dome-shaped and lacking in the ABCD properties, making visual diagnosis more difficult than with radial melanomas.
How Much Time Do You Have to Act?
Nodular melanomas can spread internally in as little as three months.
Most radial melanomas can spread internally within 6 to 18 months from the first noticeable change of a pre-existing mole or appearance of a new mole.
Radial melanomas that develop from age or liver spots (which typically occur in people 70 or older) can take as long as 10 to 15 years to spread internally.
Steve described to the club "how to find Melanoma."
What you'll need:
Flashlight
Two small chairs or stools
Hand mirror with a long handle
Hairbrush or blow dryer for checking your scalp
Large wall mirror, preferably full-length, in a well-lighted area
How to check:
Facing the wall mirror, examine your face including lips, ears, and eyes. Use a flashlight to check inside your mouth, nostrils, and ears. Check your neck, shoulders, and upper chest. Women should also check under breasts.
Using both mirrors, check behind your ears, neck, and upper back. While parting your hair with the blow dryer or brush, use both mirrors to check your scalp—front, back, and sides. Or have a partner or family member help.
Check your abdomen, front and sides. Use the hand mirror to check your mid- to lower back carefully. (The back is the most common site of melanomas in males.) Use the hand mirror or both mirrors to check all areas of your buttocks and genitals, including hidden parts.
Raise both of your arms and check all sides of your arms and hands, including between fingers and under fingernails. Then check under your arms and the sides of your upper body.
Sitting on a small chair or stool, prop each leg in turn on the other chair or stool. Check all sides of your legs from ankles to thighs. Check your feet, including the tops, heels, soles, between toes, and under toenails. (Legs are the most common sites of melanomas in females.)
Today, April 27, 2023 the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had the pleasure of listening to John Barrie speak about the Mayan Power and Light Program. John is a member of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and is also the Executive Director of the Appropriate Technology Collaborative. ATC is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The organization works with engineering professionals and university students to design appropriate solutions to common development challenges.
One of the projects they are supporting is the Mayan Power and Light Program in Guatemala. This program was funded by a Rotary Global Grant and is now 100% self-sustaining. The program focuses on Mayan women. The women are taught how to build, maintain and utilize solar power to meet some basic standard-of-living and health needs.
By learning how to build and maintain solar power units, Mayan communities that are far off the power grid are able to have access to lighting, water filtration and clean cook stoves. Without this solar option, communities essentially shut down at dusk. Children are not able to do school work and women are not able to do the weaving that helps sustain their families. Reliance on candle light, wood cookstoves and un-filtered drinking water pose significant health risks, especially to children. These health risks are reduced or eliminated through the access to solar power.
Thank you, John, for a very informative presentation!
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on April 13, 2023, Walter Hughes talked about a project he is involved in called The Ghana WASH Project.
Walter said, "25% of the world’s population don't have clean water, and 45% of the world’s population have no functioning toilet."
The Ghana WASH Project works to improve rural and peri-urban communities in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene by linking up with communities, local NGOs, government agencies, as well as international organizations working in the sector. Through a multi-level approach, the project worked to build the capacity of local communities and organizations, and not only improve water, sanitation and hygiene, but also empowered these actors to continue promoting development well after the project has reached completion.
The Project has educated the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club of the needs and benefits of local communities. So far the Project has provided clean water and sanitation to over 830,000 people in Africa, as well as assisting to build 10 schools in Ghana. Hughes partners with 184 clubs in 51 districts in eight countries.
When new wells and micro-flush toilets it is up to the communities to maintain them. No longer is charity offered to the communities where a new well is dug and then everyone leaves, leaving the well to be unmaintained and break or go dry. The Ghana WASH Project has found to be highly effective in their efforts, they must obtain assistance from the local leaders and educate local laborers with training and the knowledge necessary to maintain their own access to clean water. The locals fund the project, construct the project and maintain the project. It creates a change of empowerment, as well as creating a huge difference in sustainability and stewardship in the project.
Hughes traveled to South Sudan in 2013 and again during the civil war in 2015 to inspect Rotary’s clean water project. Rotary is close to eradicating the Guinea worm disease and polio.
The Ghana WASH project's new grant will result in the additional 50 new boreholes, 217 micro-flush household toilets and 265 micro-credit loans. It has a total cost of 200,000 and will impact more than 41,000 lives.
There are 3 Rotary Clubs involved in Rotary Global Grant (#22-38088):
The Rotary Club of Obuasi- Host.
The Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach- Project lead Walter Hughes.
The Rotary Club of Montreal (Canada)- Fundraising.
The grant will be submitted in September to TRF and fundraising will occur from Sept. 2022-Feb. 2023.
More information on clean water in Ghana by Rotary:
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on March 23, 2023, Kevin Lill from The Peace Neighborhood Center was the speaker.
Peace Neighborhood Center has programs for children, families, and individuals to promote self-sufficiency and positive community involvement. They are proud to report that since 1971, they have provided critical services and opportunities to more than 16,000 people in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. Through a wide range of comprehensive programs, Peace helps people discover options, enhance skills, and make choices that promote education, health, well-being, and fiscal independence.
Peace Neighborhood Center services include: advocacy, emergency assistance, after-school programs, summer day camps, college and career preparation, individual and family counseling, and family enrichment.
Peace is most known for is their Youth Services:
Youth Service- Helping Youth Find Their Way To Success:
REACH After School Program: Peace has always had a focus on elementary youth and its REACH after school program is the cornerstone of all the Youth Services the organization provides. REACH offers an enriching and educational after school environment to nearly 100 children every school year.
Alternatives for Youth After School Program: The Alternatives for Youth (AFY) after school program mentors our middle school students in grades 6th-8th while offering them support through academic tutoring. AFY cultivates the development of leadership skills while helping to build self-esteem and self-sufficiency in participants.
Ninth Grade Academy: The Ninth Grade Academy is designed to aid with the difficult transition between middle school and high school in order to make sure the young people we work with don’t get sidetracked on their way to success. The program offers special tutoring assistance provided by a partnership with the University of Michigan’s Telluride House.
College & Career Prep Club: The College & Career Prep Club (CCPC) offers the support necessary for high school students to prepare for college or career training. This includes the guidance needed to take the proper courses in high school, maintain a good grade point average, and complete the proper paperwork for admission to a college or university.
Summer Day Camp: Summer Day Camp is the elementary-age component of Peace’s Summer Youth Services (SYS) that provides a six-week program of quality activities for over 100 young people throughout Washtenaw County each summer. Campers participate in structured recreational activities and enrichment groups focused on topics such as science, drama and music.
Leadership Development Camp: Leadership Development Camp (LDC) is the middle school component of Peace’s Summer Youth Services. Each summer, LDC provides around 50 youth with a well rounded, structured experience including organized educational and recreational activities designed to teach them the tools necessary to be positive role models to their younger peers and siblings.
Family Services: Discovering Options And Enhancing Skills: Peace Neighborhood Center’s Family Services are comprised of a number of programs that work together with Peace’s mission to help individuals discover options, enhance skills, and make choices that lead to self-sufficiency and positive community involvement. The support structures these services provide are capable of breaking cycles of poverty and leading individuals toward stronger, healthier and more productive lives.
Family Enrichment Program: The Family Enrichment Program (FEP) includes family events and outings as well as adult-only workshops. FEP is mandatory for parents who have children attending youth programs. On average, over 80 families each year participate in weekly workshops that address a variety of topics chosen to help strengthen and expand a parent’s knowledge and skills. The goal of the workshops is to help adults improve their parenting and management of their household.
Case Management: Case Management Services work one-on-one with families and individuals throughout the community who find themselves in situations requiring help. This program offers everything from financial to emotional support. Whether it was preventing a family’s heat from being shut off, advocating on their behalf with another agency or offering help with toys and food during the holidays, the Peace staff provides assistance to over 400 households in Washtenaw County each year.
Peace House Transitional Housing: The Peace House Transitional Housing Center provides temporary housing for families as they work to get back on their feet. While staying at Peace House, families meet regularly with Peace staff members to come up with an action plan to address their issues and attain self-sufficiency. Youth in the household have access to Peace’s Youth Services and adults have access to the Family Enrichment Program
Peace Neighborhood Center has an ongoing need for volunteers in many capacities, they would like to work with you to find a good fit with their existing programs. Click here to get involved.
Click read more for Peace Neighborhood Center Wellness video.
D6380 in partnership with the United States Department of State is organizing a meet and greet for United States Ambassador to NATO located in Brussels. Ambassador Smith has asked Rotary invite as many high school students in addition to business and civic leaders. She will be excited to talk to the high schoolers to explore careers in the US Foreign Service.
When: Monday, March 27, 2023 at 6 PM
Where: Ann Arbor SPARK 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 ( MAP )
You must register to attend as light refreshments will be served and we want to have adequate food for this event. You can also use your mobile device camera to capture the QR code in the flyer below.
Event Parking:
The best place to park is in the Library Lane Underground Garage. It is right next door to the Ann Arbor Spark office building.
More useful parking options:
There is plenty of parking, just a short distance from SPARK Central:
Fourth and E. William (surface lot and parking structure)
Fifth and E. Liberty (underground parking structure)
Imagine a District Conference that will feel and look like an International Convention!. Thats what the upcoming May 5-May 7th D6380+D6400 Joint District Conference will feel like! Pre - Conference water walk, Whiskey tour, Conference Great International Speakers Attendees from many districts, great fellowship and fun!
JENNIFER JONES - President of Rotary International.
ALBERTO CECCHINI - Rotary Director 2022-24
MITCH ALBOM - an internationally renowned and best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician.
MITTY CHANG - Passionate Rotarian and The Creative Director and Founder of Candeavor, a digital marketing and design agency
KIRK LANGFORD - Proud Rotarian and General Manager of Front Line Leadership
TAYLOR HUIE - a young energetic Rotoractor on President Jennifer Jones Membership growth committee will be the Emcee for our Imagine Collaboration District Conference.
As this is a collaboration between D6380 and D6400, Registration link is on D6400 website and you will need to Choose guest to start your registration.
Communication tips and examples for effective messaging, inspired by Rotary’s Action Plan.
Whether you’re posting on social media, inviting community members to volunteer with you, or speaking at an event, you’ll get more people to take action by using precise words and clear examples. Our Communication Guide, inspired by Rotary’s Action Plan, offers advice for clear and effective messaging, such as:
Be specific: Inviting community members to “serve meals to hungry children” is more accurate and compelling than asking them to “defeat hunger.”
Be inclusive: It’s easier for people to imagine themselves getting involved with Rotary when you refer to “members and participants” rather than to “Rotarians.”
For additional guidance and more concrete examples of powerful communications, read our Communication Guide and be inspired!
On March 9, 2023, Jerry Robbins was the speaker at The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon. He talked about Community Bands in the Ann Arbor Area.
Jerry's passion is in the field of music--singing and conducting church choirs; playing in bands, orchestras, and any other ensemble that needed a trombone player; and conducting adult bands. He is perhaps best known locally as the conductor of what was the Ypsilanti Community Band--since 2010 the Washtenaw Community Concert Band--from 1998 to 2011. He continues to play in that organization, and occasionally guest conduct, as well as play with the Dexter Community Band, and, in the summers, with the Ann Arbor Civic Band. He founded and continues to conduct the 21-piece "Town Band" vintage ensemble. He is the historian and on the Board of Directors of the Dexter Community Band, as well as on the Board of Directors of the Ann Arbor Civic Band.
In his retirement years, he has researched and written the history of several local-area organizations, including the "town bands" of the Washtenaw County area, the history of the Ypsilanti Community Band, and the history of the Dexter Community Band. He is currently working on the 90-year history of the Ann Arbor Civic Band.
At our Luncheon Jerry talked about community bands that perform in the Ann Arbor Area.
Washtenaw Community Band:The Ypsilanti Community Band (YCB) and Washtenaw Community College (WCC) entered into a formal partnership effective June 1, 2010, to create the performing group Washtenaw Community Concert Band (WCCB). The band consists of community players from in and around Washtenaw County.
There were 59 players for the first YCB concert in 1979. Recent membership of the WCCB has grown to 80 or more players ranging in age from teens to octogenarians . Some are or have been professional musicians or have music degrees; most are people from a wide variety of walks of life who played in high school and/or college and who enjoy making music with other adults.
The concert season features performances in October, December, February or March, May, and two or three summer concerts in June and July— all in Towsley Auditorium or the adjacent lobby in the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. Past summers have included performances on Memorial Day at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run, patriotic concerts at Ypsilanti-area parks in July, and open-air performances in Milan and at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival in August. The WCCB has also appeared at the Red Cedar Festival of Community Bands in Okemos, in Ypsilanti's Depot Town, in downtown Ypsilanti, and at Selfridge Air Guard Base in Macomb County, among other venues in recent years.
Concerts coming up soon:
Around the Would in 80 Minutes, Free concert Thursday, March 9, 2023, 7:00 PM at Towsley Auditorium Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor Concert Band:The Ann Arbor Concert Band – founded in 1978 as the Ann Arbor Symphony Band by Victor Bordo and David Juillet – has served as an ensemble for amateur musicians desiring to perform wind band literature. The band has its roots in the Ann Arbor School System's music program and continues a close relationship with it today.
The band is a non-profit ensemble of musicians from the community. While it maintains an amateur status, the standards of performance and organization are strictly professional.
Concerts are usually presented four times during the concert season between September and May, typically at the Michigan Theater and Hill Auditorium.
The ensemble has premiered several new works for concert bands, including the award-winning composition "Heroes Lost and Fallen" by Dr. David Gillingham, Professor of Composition at Central Michigan University.
Dexter Community Band: The Dexter Community Band was originally conceived in 1982 by Chris Wall, Director of Dexter's Community Education Programs. Dave Angus, a professor of education at the University of Michigan, was the conductor.
The beginning was modest, but through word of mouth and exposure at a few concerts, the band began to grow. By 1984 the band had nearly doubled in size and performed three or four concerts a year. It took another six years for the band to again double in size and have a fairly well rounded instrumentation. In 1998, William Gourley began conducting the band and brought it to the high level it is today. The band averages 85 members with a full complement of instruments.
The band rehearses on Thursday evenings and performs four concerts per season. As part of the band's community outreach mission, members form smaller ensembles and perform at senior centers throughout Washtenaw County during their Evening of Ensembles concerts in January and February.
The band is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all the members are volunteers from the local area. The band is supported by dues paid by all its members as well as by the generous donations from many organizations and individuals.
Saline New Horizon Band:The band is affiliated with the New Horizons International Music Association with over 200 bands in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.
Dr. Roy Ernst was a professor of music education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY when he conceived the idea that there should be more opportunities in music for adults. He didn’t agree with the prevailing wisdom that seniors would not be able to learn new things like making music in a group setting. In 1991, Dr. Ernst established three bands - one each in Rochester, NY, Madison, WI, and Iowa City, IA - not knowing if they would be successful or not. The response was phenomenal and the concept has proved to be valid. There are now over 200 active music groups in North America, Ireland, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand.
Since 1991, the New Horizons Music program has helped musical groups form to give seniors an opportunity to learn (or re-learn) how to play an instrument or become active in other musical endeavors. There are opportunities in band, orchestra, choral, and small ensembles,
The New Horizons International Music Association (NHIMA) was founded as an international non-profit organization committed to the New Horizons philosophy of music making and undertakes initiatives designed to support the development and growth of New Horizons music organizations.
The Saline New Horizons Band has concerts at the Saline First United Methodist Church in Saline.
Town Band: In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, before radio, movies, and television were popular, every community of any size just had to have at least one "town band." These were often sponsored by governmental units, business/industry, social/civic/fraternal organizations, and the like. Size and instrumentation varied depending on the availability of players. The town bands performed often for "concerts in the park," social and church gatherings, and ceremonial events.
The Town Band re-creates the sounds and atmosphere of the popular town band concerts of the World War I era. Programs include marches, popular songs of the day, light classical music, familiar melodies, hymns, soloists, and period-appropriate commentary. The instrumentation is intended to be typical of town bands of the time and includes flute/piccolo, B-flat clarinets, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, cornets, alto horns, tenor horn, baritone horn, trombones, tuba, and drums.
The Town Band was founded in 2009 by Jerry Robbins, then-conductor of the Ypsilanti Community Band/Washtenaw Community Concert Band, who serves as conductor of the Town Band ensemble. This ensemble has performed in Washtenaw and surrounding counties for historical events, at church gatherings, for an artisan's market, for retirement homes, and as part of several concert series. The Town Band provides all of its own equipment (with the possible exception of chairs) for each performance.
In 2011, the Town Band was selected in national competition to perform at the national convention of the Association of Concert Bands.
In 2018, the Town Band was selected and performed as the featured guest band at the Upper Peninsula Community Band Festival in Marquette, Michigan.
Concerts coming up soon:
Town Band, Free, April 23, 2023 at 2:00 PM, Lobby of the Morris Lawrence Building Washtenaw Community College.
All Community Bands are non-profit and survives on donations. If you world like to donate go to concert or visit their website.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on February 9, 2023, Rachal Carson talked about The Boy Scouts of America.
Rachal explained, The Boy Scouts America was created by W.D. Boyce. W.D. was an American Businessman and was traveling London. He was aided by an unknown Scout guiding him to his destination and refused a tip as he was merely doing his "Good turn Daily" W.D. meet with General Robert Baden Powell, head of The Boy Scout Association of England. On February 8, 1910, W.D. applied for the Congressional Charter and the Boy Scouts of America was created.
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
The Scout Law is that A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
The Scout Oath is On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
The Scout Vision is The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
Huron Trails district hosted a successful Hooked on Scouting joining event at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor on a beautiful October day. Prospective Scouts from the Ann Arbor Area were invited to spend a few hours with Current Scouts fishing and learning about local parks.
Rachal talked about how Rotary has been connected to The Boy Scouts of America:
In 1918 Rotary was the first Service Club to adopt Scouting.
Paul Harris and James E West (First Chief Scout Executive) traveled the country together to set up local Boy Scout Councils.
One of the first interactions between the two was to help provide camps. There is Camp Rotary in Clair, Michigan.
The values of the Rotary motto and the Four Way Test parallel those expressed in the Scouts Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan.
Rotary Clubs in the US charter over 1,400 Units. This provides service to over 45,000 youth.
The Cliff Dochterman Award is bestowed on a Rotarian who has displayed distinguished service and outstanding dedication to the programs of Scouting.
Rachal told us, "Thank You for the clubs support to the Boy Scouts."
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 26, 2023, the club talked about Toastmasters International in place of the absent speaker.
Before talking about Toastmasters, Scott Nelson talked about the District 6380 Work Day on Earth Day in April. Scott is going to be on a call with DG Bala today to plan the day. There will be food packing with RI President Jennifer Jones.
Also PDG Henry Dotson talked about the good possibility that we will be starting an Interact Club at Skyline High School. He told the club that there is a very enthusiastic student that wants to bring it to Skyline. He has a Teacher Adviser and some students that want to join.
Then we talked about Toastmasters. Since the speaker from Toastmasters did not show, Tammy Broderick filled in. Tammy and Husband, Don have been in Toastmasters for many years. She explained when she started Toastmasters the club made her feel warm and welcome, so she could talk in-front of them. It is the reason why she can talk in front of groups today.
Also she talks about the alliance between Rotary and Toastmasters. In May 2019, Toastmasters International and Rotary International, formed a unique strategic alliance, drawing from the strength of their many similarities and complementary differences. The opportunity for Toastmasters members is primarily to establish fellowship and make new connections, contribute more to communities, and potentially elevate clubs. Rotary members have the opportunity to develop new skills and may ask to visit Toastmasters clubs or receive evaluations. Toastmasters also developed eight educational courses for Rotarians and Rotaractors, available on Rotary International’s Learning Center, which can be accessed by their members in nine languages.
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 12, 2023, Rev. SeiFu Anil Singh-Morares from Spiritual Directors International (SDI) talked about the connection between spirituality and Rotary.
Rev. SeiFu is the Executive Director of SDI and an ordained Zen Buddhist priest, as well as a practicing spiritual director/companion and motivational speaker. He has a Master’s in Theological Studies from Harvard University.
Spiritual Directors International (SDI) is a global educational nonprofit. They are committed to supporting and growing access to spiritual direction, spiritual companionship and the deep listening, open questions and compassion our healing modality offers. In short, we are an invitation to be your true self.
Rev. SeiFu listened online before his talk to the club's projects we are performing and said he was very impressed with what we are doing in serving others.
He said Rotary and our Club is very committed to the slog-in for Rotary, "Service before Self". We are committed to giving, serving, helping people, God and love.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on December 08, 2022, Dr. Steven Modell talked about the "Flint and Detroit Middle Schools Diabetes and Substance Use Education Project".
Steven started out with his talk with some projects on the projects.
Background:
Oct 2014 - May 2019, MSU and U of M, under an NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA), engaged 1,271 6th through 8th grade students from Flint, MI in the “Health in Our Hands” genetics educational program, with piloting in Flint and Detroit.
Enactment schools in Flint (54% African American; 39% European American; 5% multiracial; 4.5% Latino).
Flint median income $17,086; Detroit median income $18,621.
Curriculum designed along with education, health, and community-based partners.
Driving questions:
“What controls my health?” (diabetes curriculum for 6th graders;
“How can looking for thrills make me miserable?” (addiction curriculum for 7th and 8th graders).
Next Steven talked about the study
Curriculum
In Unit 1. What Controls My Health? Students meet Monique, a girl diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, by video. Students explore the biology of diabetes and investigate how lifestyle options for healthy foods and exercise can help prevent the condition.
Unit 2. How Can Looking for Thrills Make Me Miserable? starts with a video of teens’ testimonials about addiction to vaping (e-cigarettes). Students investigate the brain’s reward system from an evolutionary perspective, and examine its role in addictive behavior.
The curriculum closely adhered to Next Generation Science Standards.
Phenomena – why they occur - e.g.,
A. diabetes – explaining how a young person, Monique, found out she had it;
B. vaping in high school students – explaining how the brain’s reward system evolved and addictive substances and behaviors operate.
Performance expectations - e.g., Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
Coherence - Fit of knowledge and skills together throughout the course.
In class activities they did the following:
Simulated glucose tolerance testing (“Science Take-Out” hands-on learning kit) to figure out how glucose levels indicate the presence of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
A sand-rat simulation to model diabetes under different food conditions and genotypes.
Monkeyflower experiments to observe the effect of saline environments on plant growth.
A lab to examine how a new drug, “Floratryp,” can hijack the brain’s reward pathway and lead to addictive behavior in mice and humans.
Methods the study used:
Project impact measured with student and teacher pre/post classroom surveys.
Presentation event student and adult participant event questionnaires.
Adult participant (family and community member) interviews.
Quantitative methods (social sciences statistical package) were used to analyze pre and post classroom surveys.
Mixed qualitative/quantitative methods were used to analyze event questionnaire and interview data.
Results: Pilot and Field Test
Occurred in both Detroit and Flint schools.
Showed that many students and their parents could relate to the diabetes examples used.
Student teacher: “You can’t see your genes, but now the students are able to see how they form their lifestyles and compare to what they’re learning.”
Led to simplifying language used in the questionnaires.
Showed that more effort would be needed to get students to share what they learned with friends and family. As a result, project organizers made revisions to the curriculum, reinforced these in teacher professional learning, and asked partners for feedback on ways to improve connections with families.
The spring 2018 substance use (SUD) curriculum pilot was instrumental in highlighting the need for further effort to make presentation event participants aware of future career choices. A parent suggestion that “[project] judges should talk about their own profession” was subsequently incorporated.
Results: Adult Findings
Spring 2017 diabetes presentation event questionnaires displayed a gradation of adult attendee responses:
64% strongly and 27% somewhat agreeing with a statement on curricular awareness.
9/11 parents/family members and 5/9 community members (school employees, project volunteers, Food Corps) having talked with a student about diabetes.
10/11 parents/family members affirming having subsequently discussed food changes within their family.
Spring 2018 substance use presentation event questionnaires, adult attendee responses:
6/11 adults attending the spring 2018 event affirmed discussing the addiction community action research project with a student.
Majority of adult event participants and half the parents marked “Some” as to whether they discussed making healthy lifestyle decisions with a student.
Results: Means of Informing Adults
Fall 2018 adult attendees on how they found out about the new science curriculum (9 respondents):
1 heard about the new curriculum from their student.
1 recalled receiving a notifying letter from the school.
7 indicated they heard about it via an e-mail from the curriculum organizers.
Only 2/3 spring adult attendees, and 4/10 adult attendees had visited the program Facebook and Instagram web pages.
Models in learning:
2 major modes of learning – formal (in-classroom) and informal (outside the classroom). Formal learning can be didactic or lesson-based, and participatory. Community action projects took place in informal settings.
Students demonstrated improvements in self-perceived learning as depicted in the Student Survey results. Factors: complexity of the phenomena discussed, student ability to identify with the models used.
We learned this lesson in a previous high school genetics curriculum we developed and enacted. Students had trouble coping with the transition between DNA transcription to translation of the messenger RNA code into protein. This is why using Monique as an example for middle school students was so helpful, as were the community projects that represented concrete, active hands-on examples of what the students were learning.
One parent remarked: “My son didn’t discuss the diabetes, but the food part with Monique. That kids can get diabetes. Monique is his age.” (Spring 2017 Event Participant 6 – Parent, female, Age 39”.
In the student interviews and event questionnaires, one student found the sand-rat simulations to be a fresh experience, and learned from them. Another “did not like” the flexibility of the simulations.
During the last year of enactment, students voiced appreciation of each others’ help in presenting models of the brain (in-class projects).
Teachers (65% to 80%) in both the diabetes and addiction curricula marked “Very true” to the Teacher Survey statement “The community activities outside the classroom are of value to my students.” Students liked conducting the projects and viewing others’. Parents participated in the community action projects, though tallies showed more parents could have gotten involved.
Conclusion
Multiple related approaches – didactic lessons, modeling, and community research projects – can successfully be used to teach genes and the environment within middle school science classes in underserved communities.
Involvement of community members is helpful in the educational process; further efforts are needed to engage parents.
Chronic disease and behavioral conditions can serve as useful biological phenomena anchoring middle school genetics education.
Lastly a note of club information, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Holiday Party is December 22, 2022, Weber's at 3050 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. RSVP to Diane Sheffrey by December 16th with yourself and your guests. See flyer click following link: Holiday Event Flyer.
On Saturday, November 5, the three Rotary Clubs in Ann Arbor and Kids Coalition Against Hunger (KCAH) combined to conduct an area-wide service project. The effort was to assemble packets of ingredients to make hot, nutritious, and filling "one-pot" meals. Each meal is comprised of rice, soy, dried vegetables, vitamins, and flavoring.
The children at Green Baxter Court in Ann Arbor enjoyed their Halloween Party on October 27th.
Members of RCAAN donated a hefty load of sweet treats to help them celebrate. Thank you to all members who donated the special food items needed to ensure that the children celebrated in style.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on November 10th, Patti Lee from Toronto West Rotary talked about the water problems in Cambodia.
Patti talked about her work that she is doing with the Troy Rotary Club. This includes building toilets, wells, and handwashing stations at local government schools and building family toilets for impoverished village people, some of whom are landmine affected victims. Over the years, Patti and partners have initiated many outreach programs including total financial support to 4 schools with over 500 students as well as needed wells, toilets and hand washing stations.
Similar to our club in India, Patti and her partners build toilets for Village Families in Cambodia. Some issues in which building the toilets is:
Preventing sanitation issues and major health issues.
Protection of families against abuse.
Patti talked about sanitation in schools:
All schools have toilets, wells, and a hand washing station.
Teachers teach all students the proper method to hand washing.
Students must wash hands after using toilets and before going into the library to read.
Give privacy/dignity for women.
Patti ended her talk with a brief summary on fundraising for her project. She described how Troy Rotary has helped her.
Speaker at November 11, 2022, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting at noon will be Patti Lee, from Toronto West Rotary and she will be introduced by Eileen Heasley from Troy Rotary and Director of A Vision for Clean Water.
Imagine going to a doctor or health center and see them use water straight from a pond!
It happens in Cambodia! Toronto West Rotarian Patti Lee will talk to Rotarians and guests about Cambodia and the work that she is doing in conjunction with Troy Rotary. This includes building toilets, wells, and handwashing stations at local government schools and building family toilets for impoverished village people, some of whom are landmine affected victims. These are the challenges in Cambodia. And the rewards are smiles and a quiet thank you … so wonderful!
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on October 27, 2022, Jessie Hitt from The Humane Society of Huron Valley was our speaker.
Jessie said, "For more than 125 years, the Humane Society of Huron Valley has been serving the community, saving animals and helping people." HSHV is the only animal shelter in Washtenaw County, taking in all types of unwanted, injured, lost, stray, abandoned, and abused animals. Today, they help over 24,000 animals and their people through our array of services every year.
While HSHV is known for cats and dogs, the HSHV started out 125 years ago with Horses. And children! With the mission of “prevention, by all proper means, of cruelty to animals and children and the prevention of all cruelty by humane education”.
HSHV has the highest “save rate” among all similar animal shelters in Michigan. And that we’re classified as a “no-kill” shelter, as defined by Maddie’s Fund, a leader in the no-kill movement. Michigan Pet Fund Alliance consistently recognizes HSHV for our save rate.
Huron Society of Huron Valley gets dog's, cat's, and even rabbits you are able to adopt.
How does the animals get to HSHV:
Stray: If an animal is presumed to truly not have an owner or family, then “stray” helps to clarify that they need help finding a safe place to go.
Surrendered: Animal owner relinquishes all rights of the pet to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. This means that HSHV then assumes the new role as the owner of that animal.
Seized: a dog is running loose in violation of local leash laws. officers suspect a dog is being abused or neglected. a dog has bitten or injured someone, or. the owner has violated the conditions for keeping a dangerous dog.
Transfer: To move animals to one place to HSHV.
HSHV’s Veterinary Clinic can provide high quality, affordable services for just about everything you need to keep your animals healthy and happy. And the money you spend on treatment goes right back into helping animals in the shelter!
Jessie told the club that they participate in "Love Trail". HSHV transport animals — often puppies! — from struggling rescues and shelters with high euthanasia rates to HSHV. Every other Wednesday the Van comes to their Washtenaw County location with the animals and they have mostly been adopted by the end of the weekend.
Humane Society of Huron Valley is located just down the street from our meeting location at 3100 Cherry Hill Road Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Jessie brought this dog with her. So cute! She is up for adoption.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on Oct 13th, at our new meeting location Dixboro United Church, District Governor Bala Murthy was our speaker.
Bala talked to the club with an inspirational talk about service. He told the club a quote by Mahatna Gandhi, "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
Bala mentioned the Operation Pollination event that happens in September, the Youth Exchange which Bryan Schindel's Daughter is in Germany this year, and many other things that are going on in the District.
Bala continued with some District 6380 events that you can participate in to lose yourself in service
Rotary at Detroit Free Press Marathon: Have fun by being part of this most unique International Marathon. Volunteers will be assigned various tasks by the event Rotary coordinator.
"Send Hunger Packing" with the Clubs of Ann Arbor: This service project is being hosted by the three Rotary Clubs in town; Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor West and Ann Arbor North. It will be an area-wide event that will use an assembly-line process to produce packets of ingredients for “one-pot” meals that will be distributed both locally and internationally with some stored for emergencies. The event will be held in the cafeteria at Ann Arbor Pioneer High on the morning of Saturday, November 5. Click here to register and more information
Foundation Gala: A Rotary Foundation event that will be held at the Suburban Collection in Novi. There will be a strolling Dinner, Entertainment, a Silent Auction and Cash bar.
DG Bala Murthy stuck around a little after the meeting to hear about the club's new Strategic Plan.
On Thursday September 22nd the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had our last club meeting at the University Living in Ann Arbor. Starting the next club meeting we are going back to the North Side of Ann Arbor to Dixboro United Methodist Church at 5221 Church Road, Ann Arbor of Plymouth Road.
At the meeting we started with the Pledge, Four Way Test, Invocation Birthdays and many Happy Dollars. A Happy Dollar was given for the launch of the 60,000 Tree Challenge to Help Save the Monarch Butterfly on September 10th. It was a beautiful launch event concluded with a release of newly hatched Monarch butterflies, and a signing by several Rotary districts of the Pollinator Pledge organized by Scott R Nelson and Chris Stein of US National Park Service. Four representatives of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, plus District Governor Bala Murthy of Rotary District 6380, PDG Jane McManus, Mike McManus of Brighton and the DGs of Rotary District 6400, and Rotary District 6360 working together on this important cause to protect the Monarch.
Another Happy Dollar was given by Manish on an approved Grant for the club, which is connected to solar energy.
An announcement was given by Pres Bob about the Tote Bag Membership Project. Bob and other club members are going to the following Farmers Markets to promote Rotary:
Sept 24th: Dexter Farmers Market
Sept 25th: Sunday Artisan Market
Lastly we had a talk from Dr. Brent Lufgen about climate change in the Great Lakes basin.
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on September 8, 2022 our speaker was Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.
Christopher Taylor is an attorney who has served as the mayor of Ann Arbor, since 2014.
Mayor Taylor did not have a presentation, he wanted to take our questions about the City of Ann Arbor. He answered questions about road construction, economic development (new business in Ann Arbor) and many more.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on August 25, 2022, Scott Nelson filled in for Pres Bob Specht who was under the weather.
The presentation at the meeting was given by Chris Stein, who talked about Operation Pollination.
About Operation Pollination:
Operation Pollination is a group that recognizes the importance of pollinator habitat both restored and maintained on public and private lands. Through collaboration and outreach with partners, an interconnected mosaic of pollinator habitat (with core public areas) will be developed to stabilize and/or increase populations of pollinator species throughout project areas.
Given the breadth, severity and persistence of pollinator loss, it is critical to expand efforts to reverse these losses and help restore pollinator populations to healthy levels. Our Chris said the goal of Operation Pollination is to collaboratively and strategically protect and enhance pollinator species and their habitat on public and private lands by:
Increase and Improve Pollinator Habitat: Work to develop a network of Pollinator friendly habitat on public and private lands;
Public-Private Partnerships: Develop strategic partnerships to improve or create habitat for pollinators as well as provide educational opportunities within the scope of the resolution
Education: Encourage voluntary, collaborative and locally led conservation that has proven to be effective in maintaining and enhancing working landscapes.
Rotary Involvement:
In June of 2020 the Rotary International Board of Directors and the The Rotary Foundation Trustees added “supporting the environment” as the 7th Area of Focus. The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) provided both the documentation and the leadership in this effort, and is a partner in Operation Pollination, embracing the effort as an ESRAG Project.
Getting Involved?
Chris talked about how The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North can get involved. There is 3 easy steps in becoming involved with Operation Pollination:
Develop your own pollinator resolution.
Enlist partners to sign a pollinator pledge.
Partners can be large or small, for profit or not-for-profit, government or non-government.
Put partner names on the back of your resolution.
Obtain Widespread Media Attention about your Operation Pollination Project.
Operation Pollination Event in Windsor CA.
On September 10, 2022 Bala Murthy (and our own Scott Nelson) is going to sign an Operation Pollination Pledge for District 6380. The event is to celebrate the launch of the "Monarch Butterfly 60,000 Tree Challenge".
To watch Operation Pollination presentation given on August 25, 2022:
At August 11, 2022 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting at Ann Arbor's Pittsfield Branch Library due to a Covid-19 outbreak at University Living, our speaker was Kel Keller who is an author of history on slavery.
Kel's subject of his talk was about the relationship of the United States 3rd President Thomas Jefferson and his relationship with a slave names Sally Hemings.
Like countless enslaved women, Sally Hemings bore children fathered by her owner. Female slaves had no legal right to refuse unwanted sexual advances. Sally Hemings was the child of an enslaved woman and her owner, as were five of her siblings.
Sally was the half Sister of Martha Jefferson. They shared the same father, little is documented about them, both are industrious, and both had at least 6 children and lost children at infancy.
When Sally Hemings was 14, she was chosen by Jefferson’s sister-in-law to accompany his daughter Maria to Paris, France, as a domestic servant and maid in Jefferson’s household. In France Sally was legally free. Sally was reunited with her older brother James, whom Jefferson had brought with him two years earlier to study French cooking. They lived at Jefferson's residence, the Hôtel de Langeac. Maria (Polly) and Martha (Patsy), Jefferson’s older daughter who was already in Paris, lived primarily at the Abbaye Royale de Panthemont, where they were boarding students.
Shortly after her arrival, Jefferson’s records indicate that Sally was inoculated against smallpox, a common and deadly disease during that time.
Sally received training—especially in needlework and the care of clothing—to suit her for her position as lady's maid to Jefferson's daughters and was occasionally paid a monthly wage of twelve livres (the equivalent of two dollars).
Sally was transported from the plantations of Virginia to what Jefferson described as “the vaunted scene of Europe!” Unlike countless enslaved women, Sally Hemings was able to negotiate with her owner. At 16-year-old agreed to return to enslavement at Monticello in exchange for “extraordinary privileges” for herself and freedom for her unborn children. Over the next 32 years Hemings raised four children
Sally Hemings had at least six children fathered by Thomas Jefferson. Four survived to adulthood. Decades after their negotiation, Jefferson freed all of Sally Hemings’s children – Beverly and Harriet left Monticello in the early 1820s; Madison and Eston were freed in his will and left Monticello in 1826.
Also at the August 11th meeting Lee Halsted visited the meeting to drop off our Peace Pole that we are going to put into the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden at Gallup Park.
Kel Keller talking about Thomas Jefferson and Sally Heming's relationship.
Lee Halsted gives the Peace Pole to Ann Arbor North.
At the July 28, 2022 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on July 28th, Dr. Ursula Jakob's talk about aging research. Ursula is a professor of Biological Chemistry at the University of Michigan.
Ursula started out telling the club that life expectancy in the United States is 79.05 years.
How do we study aging? Gerontology is the study of the physical aspects of aging, as well as the mental, social and societal implications of aging.
We study aging because from a public health perspective, aging is also the critical risk factor for a variety of human pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, many forms of cancer and metabolic disease/type II diabetes, which have become much more prevalent in the elderly.
Aging Scientist's study aging by using yeast, worms, fish, mice etc...
Ursula talked about anti-aging inventions that extend life expectancy:
Calorie Restriction: A dietary intervention that is low in calories but maintains proper nutrition, is the only intervention known to date that consistently decreases the biological rate of aging and increases both average and maximal lifespan.
Rapamycin: Rapamycin treatment late in life can increase lifespan and reverse the age-related decline in cardiac function, vascular dysfunction, and cognition in mice.
Metformin: Metformin works by helping to restore the body's response to insulin. It decreases the amount of blood sugar that the liver produces and that the intestines or stomach absorb. Preliminary studies suggest that metformin may actually slow aging and increase life expectancy by improving the body's responsiveness to insulin, antioxidant effects, and improving blood vessel health.
Exercise: physical activity and exercise are well-established countermeasures against muscle aging, and have been shown to attenuate age-related decreases in muscle mass, strength, and regenerative capacity, and slow or prevent impairments in muscle metabolism.
Hormesis: Hormesis is a phenomenon in which adaptive responses to low doses of otherwise harmful factors (also called mild stressors) make cells and organisms more robust.
Also at the meeting Gail Scott showed us the Rotary Reusable Bags that we are giving out at the Farmer Market this year. The first one is coming up in a few weeks.
At July 14, 2022, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, which was totally virtual because of an COVID-19 outbreak at University Living.
Pres. Bob made may announcements at the meeting:
Bob Greenough's memorial service is July 24th from 1-4 at his home (More information click here)
Meet The Governor is July 21st at Kensington Metro Park (More information click here)
Bags Membership Project: Bags are coming soon. Gail described more about the project and the volunteer scheduling.
Lastly Scott talked about operation pollination. Scott talked to DG Balla M. about a District Project that works on helping plants pollinate. Scott described at the Oyamel Fir Tree for saving the Monarch Butterfly. Click here for more information.
At July 14th, Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting Pres. Bob Had An Assembly.
There was a great turnout of members and spouses at the Club’s President's Night festivities held on June 23, 2022, at Weber's Inn to celebrate President Tammy Broderick’s amazing year as our leader. The passing of the gavel to Incoming 2022-23 Club President Robert Specht didn’t go as planned as he missed joining us in-person for the nights installation event while returning to Ann Arbor from an out-of-town trip.
On June 9, 2022 at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, two workers from Ele's Place talked to the club.
In 1991, a group of committed community volunteers in Lansing, MI, came together to support children in the area who had experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or someone else close to them. Named for Helen Louise Snow Stover, nicknamed Ele, who had died at just 11 months old, initial programming at Ele's Place served many children in the Lansing area, including Ele's three oldest siblings.
Ele's Place is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children and their families.
Ele's Places core values are:
They believe in creating and bolstering strong relationships; among our team members, between our team and the stakeholders we serve and with the families we serve. Additionally, they seek collaboration within the nonprofit, private sector, bereavement and children’s supportive services space.
They believe in fostering well-being and health; for the children and teens we serve, as well as for our own team, and our communities as a whole.
They believe in providing service with the utmost integrity and accountability; both through the ethical standards we uphold, and through keeping each other responsible to these standards.
They believe in excellence and innovation; while providing a program with fidelity to and quality of proven practices, they also allow ourselves the opportunity to grow, learn and improve upon all we do.
They believe in honoring and promoting diversity; by respecting all races, ethnicities, gender expressions, sexual orientation, socio-economic backgrounds, religions and abilities. We strive to reflect our communities in the families we serve and the members of our team.
This was the last Lunch Meeting for Pres. Tammy so thank you to Tammy for being President this year. Next Rotary year, starting in July, Bob S. will be President. Good Luck Bob.
At the May 26, 2022, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, Trinity Schindel (Daughter of Rotarian Bryan Schindel) talked about her upcoming Rotary Youth Exchange year of studies in Germany
This past week Trinity, just got back from Ontario Canada, in which she had a Rotary Youth Exchange training. At the exchange she learned a lot about the exchange and how to handle culture shock which happens when you go to a different Country.
Rotary Youth Exchange is where students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Trinity is sponsored by Ann Arbor North and is going to Germany. Germany was not Trinity's first choice, but she is very happy to go. She has already met with her first Exchange Family in Germany and they speak English. Her German is not very good but Rotary does have training in Germany for her when she arrives.
Trinity will be going to Germany in August and will stay a full academic year, she will attend a local school and live with multiple host families.
Trinity said she is very appreciative to Tammy and the rest of our club for giving her this opportunity of studying abroad.
At the April 13, 2022 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting at our new meeting location University Living of Ann Arbor we had Manish Mehta talk about his Humanitarian Award from The Ann Arbor Rotary Club.
Manish Mehta received the Robert S Northrup Humanitarian Award from the Ann Arbor Club earlier in the month for his work in international projects.
He started the meeting with a brief biography of his early life and then went on to the project he has been involved with:
Before joining Rotary he worked on a Polio vaccine giving event in India.
Nepal Sanitation and Irrigation Revitalization Project (To make available sanitary toilets in 4 Public Schools, in and around Bungamati)
and more
Manish's last remark was to thank the Club of Ann Arbor North for all our participation and tell us how much he appreciated what we have done.
Also at the meeting Bob Specht talked more about the Tote Bag Project starting up in June.
Dexter and Chelsea will participate in this project
Chelsea Rotary has a project involving selling handmade, free trade African baskets, and Motown Soup at the Chelsea Farmers’ Market.
RCAAN is now considering the alternative of completely combining the efforts of our club, with those of the Chelsea Club, and possibly even with the Dexter Club.
Bob is now looking into the possibility of reserving and/or renting a table at the Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market where we would be able to sell the baskets and the soup, either give away or seek a small donation (e.g. $1.00) for each tote bag, and provide shopper’s with the opportunity to sign up for our club’s e-newsletter and/or to make a donation to Rotary’s international efforts to eradicate polio in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
All plans for this project are tentative. Planning is still in progress.
On April 23, 2022, the Rotary District 6380 celebrated Earth Day by having an Environmental Workday at Vestergaard Farms located at 4408 S. Wagner Rd. Ann Arbor.
Scott Nelson talked about Rotary's new seventh Area of Focus Environmental and a project he participates in called Plant Based Diet.
Max Vestergaard talked about the Vestergaard Farm. It is a family run farm which practices pasture-based farming with rotational grazing, prioritizing the well-being of our livestock. Their animals are raised humanely, sustainably and processed locally.
T.C. Collins then talked about Willow Run Acres and how he started his organization. Willow Run Acres offers educational/gardening classes for all skills/age levels, garden safety classes, yearly Potato Day Programs, food distribution, service the community with weekly/monthly clean-up sessions, gardening wellness sites, role modeling/mentor opportunities, and other community engagements.
After the three talked the group went out to T.C. 's gardening beds and we wedded, mulched and moved beds.
The day ended with a lunch with Jimmy Jone's Sandwich's, chips and cookies.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on April 14, 2022, Bob Specht talked about a new RCAAN project that will start in June.
The project will hopefully get a District Grant and involve other Rotary Clubs. Bob described, clubs will be going to Farmer Markets in the area, using a display table we will give out free Rotary Bags to customers to use while they shop the Market. In the bags will have Rotary Club and Rotary information telling customers about Rotary.
Manish Mehta also presented a plaque from a Rotary Project Micro Bank in Africa that started Matt Copeland's year as President and Steve Lessens continued the project last year.
Lastly at the meeting Norma Sarkar announced that Dr. Manish Mehta will receive the Robert Northrup Award given out by Rotary Club of Ann Arbor. The formal presentation will be on April 27th at a meeting of the Downtown Ann Arbor rotary club meeting.
If you are planning to attend either in person or via zoom please Make sure to email your reservation by Monday April 18th at 1:00 PM to nsarkar@umich.edu.
Starting May 2nd we will have a new permanent meeting location. Tanum Ollila have graciously offered a room for our meeting. The new meeting location will be at University Living at 2865 South Main Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103.
Bob Specht describing new project.
Manish, Pres Tammy & Steve showing off the plaque from a Rotary Project Micro Bank in Africa.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on March 24, 2022, Michelle Phalen from the Alzheimer's Association talked about Alzheimer's.
Michelle said "Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks."
There are 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Memory loss that disrupts daily life: One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
Challenges in planning or solving problems: Some people living with dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks: People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
Confusion with time or place: People living with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.
New problems with words in speaking or writing: People living with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: A person living with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
Decreased or poor judgment: Individuals may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
Withdrawal from work or social activities: A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.
Changes in mood and personality: Individuals living with Alzheimer’s may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.
On March 10, 2022, The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had it's first in person meeting since mid December at Pastor Bryan's Church called Cross and Resurrection Church of Ypsilanti.
Ann Arbor North inducted two more Rotarian's to Rotary at the meeting. Tannum Olila and Josh Cumil were inducted to the club and pinned with their Rotary pins.
Rotary International Statement on Ukraine and Russia Crisis:
It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.
At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.
In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence.
Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.
Click Here to read more on Rotary International's effort in Ukraine.
Jan Hack, was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Zoom Lunch Meeting on February 24th. Jak is the owner of Make Your Move LLC.
Jan is the owner and operator of Make Your Move LLC out of Ann Arbor, a board member at the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop, and a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO). She was previously a property appraiser with Art & Antique Appraisals LLC.
Many people feel overwhelmed with the thought of going through the items that they have accumulated over the years. Jan helps clients organize, sort, and downsize—whether it be for a move, spring cleaning, senior transitions, and more. To make sure her clients’ items are analyzed correctly she does research to check the value or will find its new home by either donation, sale, or recycling.
It can be very stressful for a senior and their family on the transition to an assisted living facility. Not only does Jan help organize/declutter, but she also interviews, schedules, and oversees movers acting as a trusted agent for out-of-town family members. She develops comprehensive age-in-place plans which ease the transition into assisted living arrangements.
Join us for this District 6380 celebration of all clubs and all members!
Registration is Closed.
Our CEEO “Chief Encouragement and Engagement Officer” Governor BrendaK "WooWoo" Tipton has planned a fun-filled Friday evening at Paradise Park Amusement Center in Novi for all Rotarians, family, and friends.
On Saturday, we’re at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The day will be packed with awards, celebrations, and club presentations.
You won’t want to miss this conference as it promises to be a fun-filled two days celebrating all that we do as we "Serve to Change Lives".
For conference packages and hotel details, click flyer above.
Be prepared to Excite, Engage and have Fun! WooWoo!!
"Imagine a world that deserves our best, where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference."
President-elect Jennifer Jones revealed the 2022-23 presidential theme, Imagine Rotary, today. She's urging Rotary members to dream big. Imagine… what dreams will you help realize?
The Four-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943, but it had been around since 1932 when it was coined by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.
This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the Club Aluminum company is credited to this simple philosophy. After it was adopted by Rotary, the Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways.
Click here for the Story Behind the Four-Way Test, in Taylor’s own words.
On January 13, 2022, Scott Nelson gave a presentation called "Taking Climate Action & Protecting The Environment With Plant-Rich Diets".
Before Scott's presentation Pres. Tammy announced the RCAAN will have a Youth Exchange Student this year. Trinity Schindel will be studying in Germany this year.
After this special announcement Scott began his presentation. Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns focus on foods primarily from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn’t mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy. Rather, you are proportionately choosing more of your foods from plant sources.
Scott said, emissions from animal Agriculture are a major source of destroying the earth. The sources of emissions from animal agriculture is:
Methane: Animals
Burps: At least one thing is true for cows around the world: They all burp. All the time. This incessant belching expels an impressive volume of greenhouse gases—mostly methane and carbon dioxide. Added up, burps from cows account for 26 percent of the United States' total methane emissions.
Manure Logons: Manure is the decomposed form of dead plants and animals.
Nitrous Oxide: Feed Crops
Nitrogen Fertilizer
Manure as Fertilizer
CO2: Land Use & Other
Land Use Change (Deforestation)
Fertilizer and Pesticide Manufacture
Transporting and Processing Animal Feed
Plant-Rich Diets would also reduce water pollution. It can get rid of fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus), pesticides, herbicides, manure, other animal waste, hormones, viruses, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, chemical additives, cleaning agents, heavy metals, silage leachate, etc..
Animal Agriculture emits 53 percent of the global total of emissions. Fewer livestock animals mean less need for food and less nitrogen and manure use.
What farmers can do to help is to grow oats, hemp, fava beans, vegetables, mushrooms, peas, nuts, bamboo, etc.. They can also set aside land for carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, water restoration, etc..
A Plant-Rich Diet also lowers the risk of Chronic Diseases like:
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, Rotary Club of Detroit and Rotary Club of Pune Metro‘s, partners again in a Global Grant project titled “ICU Upgradation”, which was inaugurated Dec 18, 2021 by D3131 Governor Rashmi Kulkarni at Sane Guruji Hospital in Hadapsar, Pune (India).
The project has helped this community hospital serving many rural poor of Maharashtra with significantly enhanced new medical treatment facilities.
The ever-energetic Past President Rotarian Makarand Phadke was instrumental in organizing this needed project, which got completed in record time, in anticipation of COVID’s Third Wave…
Houston, which calls itself “the city with no limits,” reflects the limitless impact of our work in Rotary. Create change within yourself, your community, and the world. Join your family, friends, and fellow Rotary members and explore what’s possible at the Rotary International Convention.
No matter who you are or where you’re from, you’re bound to find inspiration throughout the convention. It’s an experience unlike any other Rotary event, and it will renew your commitment to service and leadership. Make new friends and connect with old ones while exploring the diverse city of Houston or the House of Friendship. Make global connections that ignite local action at all the convention events.
Don’t miss your chance to Discover New Horizons and join us in Houston, Texas, USA, 4-8 June 2022.
At the December 9th Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting the speaker was former leader of RCAAN Chris Juillet introduced us to his friend Eric Limquist who is an Frank Lloyd Wright expert.
Eric first described the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator.
He designed more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. Most structures were built after he was 60. Wright believed in designing in harmony with humanity and the environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture. Wright-designed interior elements (including leaded glass windows, floors, furniture and even tableware) were integrated into these structures.
He also designed original and innovative offices, churches, schools, skyscrapers, hotels, museums, and other commercial projects.
Besides his famous house in Mill Run Pennsylvania (built in 1936-1939), Frank built the Palmer House in Ann Arbor. Frank Lloyd Wright's Palmer House, built for Bill and Mary Palmer in Ann Arbor during the early 1950's,
The 2,000 square-foot home with its collection of Wright-designed furniture, the Teahouse, and the two-acre beautiful sylvan setting is Ann Arbor's most architecturally significant residence.
The strong organic aspects of the house are manifested in its hillside orientation, exquisite red cypress and brickwork, and the treed views from every room. Complementing the natural elements is the triangular geometry of the home: its signature cantilevered overhang, the play of angles (there are no 90 degree corners), and Wright's creation of intimate and open spaces.
William "Billy" Palmer grew up in Imlay City, Michigan. William studied economics at the University of Michigan, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1929, and his master's degree in 1930. After graduation he became a professor of economics at the University of Michigan.
Mary Warton Shuford, originally from North Carolina, enrolled in Michigan's School of Music in 1935, majoring in music theory. In June of 1937, Mary graduated and married Billy.
Billy and Mary purchased the property in 1949 because they felt it was "the most beautiful place in the city." They considered many architects, including George Brigham and Alden Dow. Eventually, after becoming familiar with the FLW Affleck house in Bloomfield Hills, they selected Frank Lloyd Wright. They lived in the house for more than five decades. Mary used the house as a beautiful backdrop for parties, concerts, and fundraising events for the community.
In March 2009, Jeffrey and Kathryn Schox purchased the Palmer House. Jeffrey Schox was born and raised in Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan. After earning a law degree, he returned to Ann Arbor to start his career in patent law. Around the same time his wife Kathryn completed her teaching degree at the University of Michigan and began teaching at the Ann Arbor Girls School.
In July 2004, Jeffrey moved his law practice to San Francisco, but returns to Ann Arbor every six weeks to visit his startup clients and to teach a course on patent law at the University of Michigan. When not staying at the Palmer House, Jeffrey and Kathryn have made the house available for vacations, business, and special events.
At the end of the meeting Pres Tammy announced that the RCAAN Christmas Party will be at Weber's on December 14th at 6:00 PM. Wear your Christmas Sweater, you may win.
Frank Lloyd Wright Palmer House, 227 Orchard Hills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
At the RCAAN Lunch Meeting Pres. Elect Bob Specht took Pres. Tammy's place in leading the meeting and the speaker was our own Brianna Seymour. Brianna gave a presentation on Medicare and Long Term Care.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD).
Brianna said there are different parts of Medicare:
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
Medicare Part C (Medical Advantage)
Offers standardized benefits to help fill in the gaps in original Medicare.
Provided by a private insurance company.
Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage.
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines).
With Medicare, you have options in how you get your coverage. Once you enroll, you’ll need to decide how you’ll get your Medicare coverage. There are 2 main ways:
Original Medicare:
Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): You pay for services as you get them as out-of-pocket-costs (see presentation for 2022 out of -pocket-costs). If you want drug coverage, you can add a separate drug plan (Part D).Original Medicare does not cover all costs for covered health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap or Part C) policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs. Some Medigap policies also cover services that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like emergency medical care when you travel outside the U.S.
Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D): Provided by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
Brianna also talked about Long Term Care.
Long Term Care is needed when a someone:
Needs assistance in independent living.
Can not perform normal Activities of Daily Living (ADL's).
Has a Cognitive Impairment.
Terminal Ill.
Breanna described how Long Term Insurance can cover Long Term Care.
Have a GREAT THANKSGIVING, and remember there is not going to be any meeting next Thursday due to Thanksgiving.
At November 11, 2021 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting which was only on Zoom our speaker was Monique Hammond. She talked about her hearing loss.
Monique Hammond is a hearing loss expert. Monique is a registered pharmacist. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, with high distinction. She has worked in health care in Europe, the United States, and Australia.
Monique has always been committed to patient education and safety. She has done extensive public speaking on health issues and has published newspaper and magazine articles both at home and overseas.
Monique entered the world of hearing loss in fall 2005 when—in a matter of four hours—she went deaf in her left ear. That’s when she found out that there is a lot more to hearing loss than not hearing well. Eventually, communication challenges contributed to the end of her hospital pharmacy career. However, this life-changing episode also put her on track to research issues regarding ear and hearing disorders. She ended up writing her book “What Did You Say? An Unexpected Journey into the World of Hearing Loss,” now in its second edition.
She warned against loud and problematic spaces like sports bars, large indoor events and music concerts. Though for many, hearing loss comes with aging, awareness of what can happen to inner ear functions should begin much earlier in life, she believes.
Alternating her presentation between specific issues like tinnitus (ringing ear) and how cochlea cells operate, Monique brought her own experiences to her listeners. One result for her was social isolation.
"It's very difficult when you feel you are left out." She also dealt with disbelief, anger and grief. One in five of people age 12 and over have hearing challenges--a number which Monique called a "silent epidemic," one that "affects the quality of life at any age."
Salk polio vaccine, May 1955 Stone School students after receiving
People were so desperate to save their children from the dreaded disease of polio, that when the first vaccines were sent to Ann Arbor in 1955, they were stored at the police department in a refrigerator, locked with a chain around it. Just three weeks previously, on April 12, Dr. Thomas Francis of the U-M’s School of Public Health had made the momentous announcement that the vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, which used killed polio viruses to give immunity, was “safe, effective and potent.”
“Vaccine will end polio as a major health threat,” was the headline in the April 12, 1955 Ann Arbor News, shortly after Francis gave his report at Rackham Auditorium. The announcement was made in Ann Arbor because of the key role the University of Michigan had played in the vaccine’s development. Francis, who had earlier developed a flu vaccine, joined U-M’s Public Health Department in 1941, followed the next year by Salk, who Francis had mentored at New York University. Salk left in 1947 for a job at the University of Pittsburgh, where he developed the polio vaccine using tools he had learned from Francis.
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on October 28, 2021 we had a visit from BrendaK "Woo Woo" Tipton. Before our speaker talked, Brenda presented the club with Ann Arbor North's banner in which we will show off at the District Conference May 20th to May 22nd when we present what the club did this year.
Then Lori Gosselin coming to us virtually gave her presentation. Lori said, "that a true community is rare". "Community building is relationship building; it forges authentic connections among the members of the group."
She described that, "Every Community is also a team, but very few teams are Communities".
A Community is:
Clubs
Villages/towns/cities
Places of worship
Provinces, States, Countries
Neighbourhoods, Schools
Global Communities
Families
Lori talked about we build communities everywhere
Clubs
Villages/towns/cities
Places of worship
Provinces, States, Countries
Neighbourhoods, Schools
Global Communities
Families
Plus at work
What a community needs.
Commitment
Inclusivity
Authenticity
Support
Shared
Collaboration
Camaraderie
The outcomes of Community Building are
Happy organization
Support of mental health
Better communication
High level of engagement
Empowerment of members
More wholistic solutions
Transformation
To end the club meeting Brenda talked a little about what is coming up in the District. She said, "she wants every club member to come to the District Conference this year".
Foundation and Membership Celebration Gala is November 9, 2021.
Lets celebrate our Foundation and Membership teams from District 6380 and District 6400.
Your hosts, Governor BrendaK "WooWoo" Tipton (6380) and Governor Aruna Kousik (6400), are planning a fun evening with auctions, 50/50, awards and much much more!
Keynote speakers are Jennifer Jones, Rotary International President 2022-2023 and Michael McGovern, Rotary International Chair of Polio Plus Committee.
Please Join Us Virtually, for a conversation with noted FDR author, James Tobin, on October 20 at 7:00pm.
Admission to this virtual event is available by a donation of any amount, and all donations will go directly to Rotary's End Polio Now initiative. Additionally, tickets bundled with a set donation amount and a copy of either The Man He Became or Master of His Fate (a wholly new version of the story of FDR and polio for young readers) are available and the price includes a donation of all proceeds after the price of the book. Please read ticket descriptions carefully for information on order fulfillment.
James Tobin is an award-winning biographer. He won the National Book Critics Circle Award in biography for Ernie Pyle’s War and the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award for To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight. He teaches narrative nonfiction in the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film at Miami University in Oxford, OH.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch Meeting on October 14, 2021 we have club time. Unfortunately the speakers did not show up to the meeting so we pivoted to club time.
President Tammy did all of the club business like the "Pledge of Allegiance", "Four Way Test", and announcements.
Lastly She asked club members for special things that are going on in their lives. There special things going on from Rick, Scott, Vern, and Bob S..
The next meeting on Oct 28th we will be having District Governor Brenda Woo! Woo! Tipton. Should be a BLAST!!!
Club Time At Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting On October 14th.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on September 23, 2021, Dr, Tanyss Murro talked about her Society called the Amarok Society.
The Amarok Society was founded with one family: Dr. Tanyss Munro, Gem Munro and their four children. Tanyss uses a distinctive and bold statement for her Society, "We stand for the freedom of children." "We stand for their freedom from poverty, from violence, from oppression. For the freedom to direct their own lives, exploring and contributing their full potential to the world."
When there are too many marginalizing factors between a child and their education, a school can’t reach them anymore. But their mother still can.
The Amarok Society open schools for mothers who live in the slums of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Each mother then goes home and teaches her children and her neighbours’ children everything she’s learned.
The inclusive curriculum, combined with the dedication and courage of the mothers they teach, can overcome the obstacles that poverty, religion, gender, and disability put in the way of global education.
Lockdowns due to Covid meant that the schools for the mothers had to close and changes had to be made to who the mothers taught in order to avoid the spread of the virus. But, the mothers have continued to teach and the schools are looking to reopen.
In many places, the "Amarok mothers' have become champions and leaders in their communities, supporting others, preventing arranged marriages of underage girls, and encouraging women to become entrepreneurs and help support their families financially.
Tanyss explained, "When we educate mothers, they not only directly import education into the families, they establish a culture of education in their children and entrench the practice of learning." "When we educate, say, a slum-dwelling teen-aged boy, he will, understandably, seek to use his educational advantage to escape his circumstance." "How could we ever expect or counsel otherwise? Mothers, however, tend to stay where they are, applying their learning to their existent circumstance, even when the education has led to a woman’s entrepreneurship."
"The higher the educational level she achieves, the higher the expectations she has of herself and her children, and the more determinedly she will work to reach them."
World Trade Center, Manhattan, New York, U.S.; Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.; Field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Ypsilanti District Library Director, Lisa Hoenig, presented a program on the new library branch now under construction in Superior Township. The new library is located at The new facility will be located on North Harris Road, between Geddes and MacArthur Boulevard. It will be built on two and a half acres of a 12-acre lot, purchased by Superior Township.
Ypsilanti Library:
At the beginning of Lisa's presentation she talked a little about the Ypsilanti Library on Michigan Ave. Built in 1915 as a Carnegie Post Office, the building was designed in the classical revival style typical of early 20th century government buildings.
The post office moved to its current location in 1962. The building was sold to the City of Ypsilanti for $1, and the City renovated the building and opened the library there the following year.
New Library:
With the November 2018 passage of a new operating millage, the new library will benefit all of the YDL district, it will most notably impact the socio-economic and health inequities in the struggling MacArthur Boulevard neighborhood in Ypsilanti, which is within easy walking distance to the new library. This neighborhood is the highest density, lowest income housing block in Washtenaw County. The new branch will also serve the Willow Run area.
Though closed now, the current tiny 1,000 sq.-ft. branch was a lifeline for the families and children in this particular community. Because so many residents near the library live in subsidized housing, where many of the households are led by a single female parent, there are many latchkey children. Parents rely on the library as a safe place for their children to gather when there are no adults at home. The kids build strong relationships with library staff. It is a haven for them.
There is great understanding within Washtenaw County of the need for a space that can serve as a community center and resource in Superior Township - an area with both great wealth and great poverty. The new library is poised to serve as this hub which is sure to transform the community well into the future.
The 7,500 square foot building will be a full-service library, with hours and staffing similar to the Michigan Avenue location. The facility will offer:
A youth area with flexible space that can be adapted to a range of learning activities and programs for different ages
A dedicated teen/tween area
Two group study rooms
Comfortable seating for reading and studying
A community meeting room for Library programs and meetings of community groups
20 computer workstations (compared to seven at the current library)
Triple the current number of books, magazines, and DVDs
More parking spaces
An outdoor reading area and programming space, if the budget allows
A drive-up book return available 24 hours seven days a week, if the budget allows
The library has taken on a larger purpose since closing due to COVID. It is clear it will play a huge role in helping the MacArthur Boulevard area of Ypsilanti recover from the effects of the pandemic both economically and in terms of health equity. It will be a center for community activity not only for educational and growth opportunities, but for local organizations and social service agencies to reach residents with vital services.
With construction now underway, we look forward to our grand opening in late summer of 2022. The neighborhood is over the moon with excitement. Lisa invites you to learn more about the project and the April 7th groundbreaking ceremony at https://www.ypsilibrary.org/engage/our-new-library.
Club Members and Lisa Hoenig in Earhart Manor Ballroom at Concordia University.
What a beautiful rustic setting of Camp Talahi in Howell, MI for installing our new District Governor for 2021-22 Brenda ‘WooWoo’ Tipton, who took over on July 22nd from Governor Karen Gabrys. District Rotarians & PDGs from Michigan turned out in good numbers for our D6380’s first in-person gathering.
In the following photos are RCAAN members that attended the event.
At today's RCAAN Lunch Meeting it was one of those days. We started meeting and when it was time for the speaker we lost Zooms audio and then video, due to our inexperience in hybrid meetings.
Sorry, to those that were on Zoom that the meeting ended abruptly, we will get it worked out.
Meanwhile we still had some good in-person fellowship as Manish Mehta's photo shows.
It Was One Of Those Days at August 12th, Lunch Meetings.
Did you know that August is Rotary Membership month?
I am so excited to let you know that we will be hosting the D6380 Members Summit on August 17th starting 6:30pm - 8:00pm via Zoom.
Why should you plan to be at the Members Summit?
You will learn how to be successful in your membership recruitment
You will have a better understanding of how to better engage your members
You will be able to share successes and challenges with your Rotary colleagues from around the District
You will better be able to understand how to have a more connected club
The Summit is for ALL Rotarians who are interested in helping their clubs to grow and reach out to potential new members in the communities who have a passion to serve.
Register and attend the Free Members Summit and AVOID any FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)!
What a beautiful rustic setting of Camp Talahi in Howell, MI for installing our new District Governor for 2021-22 Brenda ‘WooWoo’ Tipton, who took over on July 22nd from Governor Karen Gabrys. District Rotarians & PDGs from Michigan turned out in good numbers for our D6380’s first in-person gathering.
Eric, Steve, Sherry, Gail, Diane, Joyce, Manish, Tammy and Don all attended the celebration from the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North.
At our first In-Person Rotary Lunch Meeting, since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the club had Allison Platt from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Allison said, "MADD's mission to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking."
Drunk Driving Statistics:
Every 2 minutes someone is injured in a drunk driving crash.
Every 51 minutes someone is killed.
2 out of 3 people will be impacted by a drunk driving accident in their life.
Drunk driving is still the #1 cause of death on our roadways.
Under Age Drinking:
Alcohol use by those under the age 21 isn't a rite of passage.
It’s dangerous. It’s deadly. And it sets kids up for a lifetime of negative consequences.
4300 people are killed each year due to teen alcohol use- more then all other drug use combination.
Youth who start drinking before age 15 are 6 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse later in life.
In 2015, MADD expanded its mission to include fighting drug-impaired driving. MADD created a Drugged Driving Task Force with key law enforcement, traffic safety and research experts to study the potential effects of marijuana legalization, the national opioid crisis and the prevalence of prescription drugs could have on impaired driving.
What they learned:
Proven tools to combat drunk driving, such as high-visibility law enforcement, will detect and stop drugged driving too.
More research, more data and better testing are needed to fully understand the impact of marijuana legalization and other drugs on traffic safety and the under 21 population.
Alcohol is a drug that took years of research to understand and establish methods for measuring its impairing effects. The same cannot be said for measuring impairment caused by other drugs, but that doesn’t diminish the seriousness of drug-impaired driving.
Allison explained how individuals can become involved. MADD has a wide variety of opportunities to match your interests and expertise. Some options include:
Advocate for Change: Work to strengthen existing laws and pass new ones.
Lend a Shoulder: Become a trained volunteer
Victim Advocate or a Help Line volunteer and provide emotional support to victims and survivors.
Advise a Board: Consider a community leadership role by serving on a local advisory board.
Take Steps to Raise Funds: Sign up for Walk Like MADD in your community or as a virtual walker online to help raise mission funds to end drunk driving.
Speak Out: Join the Speakers Bureau program and speak at schools, civic groups, clubs and other organizations.
Spread the Word: Distribute MADD’s Tie One On For Safety red ribbons to encourage people not to drink and drive. Tie a ribbon on your vehicle to show your commitment.
Monitor the Courts: Ensure that justice is being served by monitoring DUI cases.
Help Victims Be Heard: Coordinate a Victim Impact Panel where victims share their story to drunk and drugged driving offenders.
Flex Some Power: Inspire youth, train parents or mobilize community activities to prevent underage drinking and reduces alcohol access to youth.
Honor Heroes: Recognize law enforcement and first responders at shift briefings or sobriety checkpoints to say thanks for keeping our roads safe.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Help set up events, run an information booth or attend community fairs.
Mail Some Help: Research local drunk and drugged driving crashes, then mail “We Care” cards to the victims of these tragic events.
Give a Hand: Answer phones, make copies or perform other office support duties.
It was a great first back to in-person meetings, everyone enjoyed seeing each other.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Zoom Meeting on June 10, 2021, we had the RCAAN Foundation Assemble.
Foundation President Eric Tindall presented the year in review for the Foundation.
Eric said, "their were three sources of funds for this years donations."
Watershed III profits
Cruising 50's Party
Carry-over from 2019-2020
Donations given out for 2020-2021
Ronald McDonald House: Donation for meals during COVID-19
Community Action Network: Donation for School Supplies; Enrichment Programs
Michigan Works! Southeast: Donation for Summer Jobs Programs for Teens/Young Adults
Community Action Network: Donation of Masks for Green Baxter Court
American Heritage Girls: Strips Award Project
Green Baxter Court: Holiday Support through COVID-19
Purple Crocuses for Polio, Farmington Hill Rotary
Green Baxter Court: Gift Cards for Adopt A Family
Avalon House: Donation for COVID-19 needs
SOS Community Services: Donation for COVID-19 needs
Alpha House: Donation for COVID-19 needs
Fisher House Michigan: Donation Match
Waterford Rotary: Donation for Pakistan Masks for Polio Project
Food Gatherers: Donation for 2021 Spring Food Drive
Rotary Rose Bowl Parade Float Committee: For Rose Bowl Float
Habitat for Humanity: Donation for Mortgage Relief Program due to continuing Covid-19 needs
Boys Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council: Donation for troop needs
Michigan Works: For Youth Summer Program
Global Grant for Pune India: ICU upgrade
Pune India Oxygenation Center: Covid-19 Relief Project
Potential Projects for funding in future
Willow Acres: Potential District Grant RCANN is leading
Proposed Global Grant for Calcutta India: Water and Sanitation Project (2021-2022)
Proposed District Grant for Mayan Guatemala Project (2021-2022)
After Eric's Foundation presentation Manish Mehta told the club that Rotary International Convention is June 12th-16th. He presented a presentation of the House of Friendship which will be at the RI Convention.
Lastly during the meeting, Pres. Steve Lessens gave a special announcement about in-person meetings. Steve said, "starting July 8th we will be going to in-person with virtual meetings, from our new meeting location Concordia University 4090 Geddes Road Ann Arbor, MI." The meeting will be held in the historic Earhart Manor (nickname: Old Manson). Meeting room is on the third floor, a elevator is available.
The first week of the month we will have a Monday Board Meeting on Zoom at 7:00 PM. Then on the 2nd and 4th weeks during the month we will hold a In-Person/Virtual Lunch Meeting.
It was a very busy last RCAAN Lunch Meeting for the Rotary year.
Here's a fun opportunity to celebrate our incoming District 6380 Governor BrendaK "WooWoo" Tipton as she begins her year! This family-oriented event will offer all sorts of games, great food, friendship, fundraisers and more. We'll gather outside at Camp Talahi near the Brighton Recreation Area in Brighton, Michigan. Very casual attire is requested and come to have fun!!
The 2021 Virtual Convention will be better than ever, opening more innovative opportunities to learn and to engage with the family of Rotary, near and far. You’ll be able to network in virtual lounges, meet new partners in service, and join fun activities with Rotary members from around the world. Register today, the convention is June 12-16.
At the May 13, 2021, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting we had Jordan Greene a Research Specialist for Poverty Solutions, and Zoë Erb responsible for implementing the activities and policies of the Washtenaw Summer Youth Employment Program, presented on implicit bias.
Zoë Erb gave the club a definition of implicit bias, “Implicit biases are negative associations that people unknowingly hold. They are expressed automatically, without conscious awareness… Implicit biases affect individuals’ attitudes and actions, thus creating real-world implications. Exposure to structural and cultural racism has enabled stereotypes and biases to penetrate deep into our psyches. Implicit bias is one part of the system of inequity that serves to justify racist policies, practices and behaviors that persist in mainstream culture and narratives.” (Racial Equity Tools)
Jordan talked about intersectionality, The concept of Intersectionality was introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw in an article in 1989. It refers to the overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination.
It is simply the idea that multiple identities intersect to create a whole that is different from the component identities. These identities that can intersect include gender, race, social class, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, mental illness, and physical illness as well as other forms of identity. Click here to read more on Intersectionality.
Everyone has implicit biases, they seep into virtually every aspect of our lives. Biases stem from the messages, attitudes, social cues, and stereotypes we’ve picked up from the culture, structures, policies around us.
Implicit biases are pervasive and determine behaviors. They often have explicit outcomes and sometimes can result in microaggressions. They’re connected to…
Hiring practices & performance evaluations
Housing discrimination
Perceptions of neighborhood crime
Healthcare
Criminal justice & policing
To recap, Jordan's and Zoë's presentation:
Our brains are association-making machines
Everyone has biases
Implicit bias often has explicit consequences
Implicit bias is linked to systems and structures that produce & reinforce inequity
There are real-world implications; we should think about the impacts in the context of intersectionality.
Manish described the project, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is leading a group of 13 Rotary Clubs from India, Uganda and SE Michigan on a Rotary International Foundation-matched Global Grant (GG #2014854) award titled “Pandemic Relief for Detroit Project.”
Donation From
Ann Arbor North- Project Host Club
Pune Metro- International Sponsor Club
Bangalore Brigades
Detroit
Pune Central
Pune South
Pune Pristine
Pune Inspire
Ann Arbor
Novi
Troy
Lakes Area (Commerce, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, Wixom
Ann Arbor West
Our project provided PPE donations to Metro Detroit hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes working with the aged and under served populations, and cash assistance to nine food banks serving the hardest-hit areas in Detroit and neighbouring communities in Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Novi and Ann Arbor.
Area Rotarians and volunteers from Palav delivered purchased critical PPE to Veterans Administration Hospital in Detroit, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic, Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services, Say Detroit Community Outreach Services, UMRC
Porter Hill Nursing Home and Presbyterian Village Nursing Homes. In aggregate, these PPE supplies include nearly 10,000 specialty face masks and face shields, 75,000 surgical, nitrile and latex gloves, 250 gowns, dozens of sanitization stations, thermometers and safety signage.
The rest of the Organization received a donation of a predetermined amount, to help them through COVID-19.
Donation Location (Zoom Celebration Date & Time, To Date)
Henry Ford Hospital
Veterans Hospital (VA) Detroit
UMRC Porter Hill Nursing Home (2 Locations)
Presbyterian Village Nursing Home (10 Locations)
Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic
Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services
Say Detroit Community Outreach Services
Gleaners: Providing Food to Detroit Residents
Cereal Drive for School Children at Detroit Children's Hospital
Meals on Wheels of Detroit
Cass Community Social Services
Homeless Veterans Centers (8 Locations in Metro Det.)
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on March 11, 2021, John Barrie talked about a Rotary Global Grant called Mayan Power and Light he is supporting.
Mayan Power and Light is a self-sustaining social venture business incubator that helps Guatemalan women start small scale businesses to serve rural populations. Mayan Power and Light businesses sell affordable solar power, water filters and clean cooking stoves.
The program addresses eight of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals according to sustain, a program of the United Nations Compact for Sustainable Development.
Mayan Power and Light is a collaborative venture between The Appropriate Technology Collaborative, regional governments, Guatemalan Technical schools, Guatemalan women’s rights activists and rural community leaders. Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala the program creates jobs, provides power, improves health and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Mayan Power and Light projects interconnect to create long-term, sustainable solutions with empowered communities.
Demonstration Projects:
Community buildings offer improved services while demonstrating the benefits of solar power, water filters and clean cookstoves.
Solar powered computer labs improve quality of education.
Cellphone charging stations allow kids to charge their family cellphone while at school.
Social Entrepreneurship:
Practical coaching sessions support small businesses and encourage them to integrate social and environmental impacts into their business models.
Rural women develop business plans and skills to serve her community, benefit the environment and earn her own income.
Generation of Change:
Hands-on, STEM-rich trainings at schools, universities and community centers increase awareness about appropriate technologies that address poverty and the environment.
Specializing in solar power, workshops help people make educated investments in home solar power solutions. Students learn to calculate their power needs, where to set solar panels, and solar components.
Community Empowerment
Sessions with community leaders build their capacity to plan and lead sustainable projects independently.
This process encourages community-directed initiatives from planning to fundraising and maintenance.
For more information on Mayan Power and Light take a look at his power-point presentation.
Charles Madenjian, from the Great Lakes Science Center, talked about fish sustainability in the Great Lakes on Feb. 11, 2020, at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Zoom Lunch Meeting.
Charles explained, "the Lake Trout population in the Great Lakes was starting to get wiped out in 1956 due to over fishing and the sea lamprey invasion". Sea Lamprey feed on blood of Lake Trout; a sufficiently amount of blood consumption results in death of the Lake Trout.
The steps to restore the Lake Trout to the great lakes is:
Sea Lamprey control
Stocking Lake Trout.
Controlling the Sea Lamprey has been very effective. To see more information on his talk, take a look at the photos of his power point that follows.
Andrea Wotan was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch Meeting on January 14, 2021. Andrea's topic was, plant-rich diets are key to saving our planet and ourselves.
Andrea is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) specializing in whole food plant-based nutrition. She received a Master of Public Health degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and then completed her training to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
“Saving our planet needs to be the world’s top priority right now, because nothing else matters if we and our children are living on a dead planet, and we’re already witnessing the devastation of climate change,” she said.
“Individuals must cut down on meat and dairy if we are serious about doing our part to save the planet. No matter what other steps we take, we’ll likely still lose this planet if we don’t rein in our collective demand for meat and dairy starting immediately.”
Animal agriculture is the leading source of methane emissions in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA estimated the entire agricultural sector was responsible for only 9% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2017.
The livestock industry is “catastrophic for the planet,” Wotan said, because the two primary gases produced are methane and nitrous oxide, which trap more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
“It is urgent that we immediately cut these gases, because they’re doing monumentally more harm to the planet right now than carbon dioxide,” Andrea said. The National Resources Defense Council estimated Americans reduced beef consumption 19% between 2005 and 2014, the emissions equivalent of taking 39 million cars off the road. If every American cut one hamburger a week from their diet, it would amount to taking 10 million cars off the road, according to NRDC.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch Meeting on December 17, 2020, we had a special check distribution from the Pandemic Relief for Detroit Global Grant and T.C. Collins talked about Willow Run Acres in Ypsilanti.
Manish Mehta started the meeting by describing the Pandemic Relief Global Grant. The Global Grant will provide PPE donations to Metro Detroit hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes working with the aged and underserved populations, and cash assistance to nine food banks serving the hardest-hit areas in Detroit and neighbouring communities in Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Novi and Ann Arbor.
Area Rotarians and volunteers from Palav will deliver purchased critical PPE to Veterans Administration Hospital in Detroit, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic, Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services, Say Detroit Community Outreach Services, UMRC
Porter Hill Nursing Home and Presbyterian Village Nursing Homes. In aggregate, these PPE supplies include nearly 10,000 specialty face masks and face shields, 75,000 surgical, nitrile and latex gloves, 250 gowns, dozens of sanitization stations, thermometers and safety signage.
The rest of the Organization will be getting a donation of a predetermined amount to help them through COVID-19.
The 2 organizations we celebrated at this meeting was Food Gatherers and Ypsilanti Meal on Wheels. First Helen Starman talked about Food Gatherers, "we are a food bank serving Washtenaw County". Food Gatherers serves 170 non-profit agencies and programs providing direct food assistance in the form of hot meals, nutritious snacks or emergency groceries to low-income adults, seniors and children in Washtenaw County.
Food Gatherers partners with:
Mostly free (70%) and low cost food
Capacity building grants
Training to register eligible clients for federal and state benefit programs
Customized food safety training by licensed food safety professionals on our staff
Food Gatherers provides direct service through our Community Kitchen and Job Training Program located in the Robert J. Delonis Center in downtown Ann Arbor:
1,600 volunteers prepare and serve nearly 75,000 plates of food to people in need each year at the Community Kitchen.
Students of the Job Training and Internship programs are chosen from at-risk youth (ages 16-20). They gain basic training in the culinary arts and work to develop work ethics and life skills.
Helen told the club that the $2500.00, had bought a electric pallet jack. Because of COVID-19 they can not use volunteers so the staff is doing all of the work, which have increased a lot. the new electric pallet jack has made the staffs work much easier. The staff is very appreciative and thanks us.
Then Kelly Schwartz from Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels talked about their service. Meals on Wheels distributes meals to if an individual that are
generally homebound, able to leave the home only for medical appointments and occasional outings.
unable to obtain or prepare complete, nutritious meals due to health or disability.
without a spouse or caregiver who is willing or able to provide meals.
need meals for at least three weeks. (At the discretion of the Director, meals may be delivered for a shorter period of time.)
able to feed yourself.
unable to participate in congregate meals, such as those offered at local senior centers.
Your dietary needs can be appropriately met by the Meals on Wheels program without jeopardizing your health.
You are the spouse or unpaid caregiver of a Meals on Wheels client.
Kelly told the club, that the donation of $2,500.00 will go to buying items to be given out to individuals they serve.
Items that are needed during this time of COVID-19.
masks
thermometers
magazines, with games that will keep the individuals busy, as they need to be alone.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting T.C. Collins from Willow Run Acres of Ypsilanti was our speaker. T.C. Collins is the founder of Willow Run Acres. T.C. started gardening and farming at 2-3 years old with his great great grandparents. As a descendant of former slaves, the legacy of farming and gardening has been preserved in his family along with other often lost traditions. His Southern roots gave him an appreciation for green space and he has been living "organically" since before it was popular. TC manages Many gardens and farms through out Michigan and Ohio.
T.C. told the club, that Willow Run Acres is a nonprofit organization located in Ypsilanti, Michigan who educates the community and other local surrounding counties with hands-on gardening experiences, gardening classes, gardening education, annual Potato Day, wellness ventures, and sustainability in a holistic & healthy approach within the community starting at toddlers through seniors.
Willow Run Acres offers educational/gardening classes for all skills/age levels, garden safety classes, yearly Potato Day Programs, food distribution, service the community with weekly/monthly clean-up sessions, gardening wellness sites, role modeling/mentor opportunities, and other community engagements.
T.C. is preparing raised garden beds in which he and volunteers plant vegetables, that when grown, he gives to the needy.
Update June 15, 2021:
The project is rapidly developing and progressing. We are scaling back to $5000 total with a grant due date of June 15:
TC Collins is amazing an impressive array of partners.
The partnership between Vestergaard and Willow Run Acres is flourishing
The City of Ann Arbor has funded the construction of the first 50 raised beds. They are constructed withing a budget that was being stretched by rising prices.
Another 50 beds are planned when prices come down once more.
Willow Run Acres has a grant request in to the US Department of Agriculture for a hoop house. We could help fund that next year.
On December 16, 2020 Kickoff festivities for the 11th year of our joint Rotary Foundation Global Grant Project known as “Ososa Micro-Credit Scheme” - this is a $36,000 micro-loan and mentoring project with Rotary Club of Gbagada (Nigeria) to empower 200 entrepreneurs in the Ogun community.
The Gbagada Club President Rotn(Hon) Isola Ogunsola and members of Rotary Club of Gbagada D9110 already on ground at Ososa today 16th December, 2020 for training and distribution of cheques to 200 beneficiaries of 13.5million Niaras upgraded Global Grant microcredit scheme jointly sponsored by RC Gbagada D9110 Nigeria, and RC Ann Arbor North D6380 USA. This fund is being managed on behalf of Gbagada Club by Star Microfinance Bank, Ososa, Ogun State.
Rotary is touching lives and Opening Opportunities!
A celebration of the Micro Credit Program in Nigeria will be held by Zoom on December 16, 2020, 7:30 AM, Ann Arbor, MI, time.
RCAAN is pleased to be a partner with RC Gbagada since 2008, in co-funding a Micro-finance Loan Project in Nigeria which was initiated by Rotn Ayotunde Onafuwa (a past member of RCAAN who retired and moved to his native Nigeria). The micro-loan project is in its 10th year and funds about $9,000 in low-interest loans (~ $50-100/recipient) to benefit small business entrepreneurs in the Gbagada community (such as bakers, seamstresses, handymen, tailors, convenience storekeepers, etc). The borrowers are mentored by Gbagada Rotarians to manage their cash flows, inventories and profits, and loan-repayment is nearly 100%.”
The Zoom invite follows:
Rotary Club of Gbagada is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Rotary Club of Gbagada, D9110 & Ann Arbor North, D6380 Ososa Global Grant Cheques Distribution To Beneficiaries.
Time: Dec 16, 2020, 07:30 AM Ann Arbor, MI, 01:30 PM West Central Africa
Community Action Network (CAN) partners with children, youth, and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County (Michigan) neighborhoods to create better futures for themselves, and improve the communities in which they live.
Community Action Network strives to:
Prepare youth to fulfill their academic potential and become successful, self-sufficient adults.
Assist families in meeting their basic needs and create better futures for themselves.
Create and maintain clean, safe and supportive neighborhoods where families can thrive.
The above CAN goals pair nicely with our Rotary goals and objectives. Rotary Club Ann Arbor North has a long history of supporting Community Action Network especially through our involvement with the Green Baxter Court community.
While our involvement has changed somewhat during the Covid-19 crisis, our commitment to this organization and community has continued. RCAAN requested both adult and child face masks for Community Action Network from the Rotary 100K mask challenge project. In all, 310 adult masks and 300 child masks were donated to CAN at the request of Rotary Club Ann Arbor North.
We had to forgo our typical fall trip to the apple orchard this year. Instead, RCAAN covered the cost of a harvest party at the Green Baxter Court community house. The party was planned and carried out by the CAN staff and paid for by our club. One of our club members was able to participate in the outdoor event. The caramel apples with extra toppings were tasty and the carved pumpkins were interesting!
December holidays will be more difficult for the CAN families this year because of Covid-19. Loss of work hours, less access to food support, and other stressors may mean that parents have to limit holiday gift purchases for their children. Rotary Club Ann Arbor North has typically sponsored several children through the CAN holiday gift program. This year, the club increased the support for this program by sponsoring 5 children.
Rotary Club Ann Arbor North looks forward to continued involvement with Community Action Network and Green Baxter Court.
To learn more about Community Action Network or to support this worthy organization, go to www.canwashtenaw.org.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is leading a group of 13 Rotary Clubs from India, Uganda and SE Michigan on a Rotary International Foundation-matched Global Grant (GG #2014854) award titled “Pandemic Relief for Detroit Project.”
Donation From
Ann Arbor North- Project Host Club
Pune Metro- International Sponsor Club
Bangalore Brigades
Detroit
Pune Central
Pune South
Pune Pristine
Pune Inspire
Ann Arbor
Novi
Troy
Lakes Area (Commerce, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, Wixom
Ann Arbor West
District Designated Fund (DDF)
6380- 46 Clubs in Michigan and 6 Clubs in Ontario, Canada
9211- 178 Clubs in Tanzania and Uganda
3190- 147 Clubs in South India
We are pleased to inform you, the Rotary Foundation Grant is received and we are ready for the implementation of this Grant.
Our project will provide PPE donations to Metro Detroit hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes working with the aged and underserved populations, and cash assistance to nine food banks serving the hardest-hit areas in Detroit and neighboring communities in Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Novi and Ann Arbor.
Area Rotarians and volunteers from Palav will deliver purchased critical PPE to Veterans Administration Hospital in Detroit, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic, Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services, Say Detroit Community Outreach Services, UMRC, Porter Hill Nursing Home and Presbyterian Village Nursing Homes. In aggregate, these PPE supplies include nearly 10,000 specialty face masks and face shields, 75,000 surgical, nitrile and latex gloves, 250 gowns, dozens of sanitization stations, thermometers and safety signage.
The rest of the Organization will be getting a donation of a predetermined amount, to help them through COVID-19.
Kickoff event announces a major donation to Gleaners Community Food Bank (see banner for Kickoff Event on Tuesday 12/15/20 at 10:00-10:45 a.m), where Keynote remarks will be delivered by Rotary International President Nominee (2022-23) and Member of Windsor-Roseland Club in Canada - Ms Jennifer Jones.
The Grant was granted with an amount totaling $72,069.00.
Donation Location (Zoom Celebration Date & Time, To Date)
Henry Ford Hospital
Veterans Hospital (VA) Detroit
UMRC Porter Hill Nursing Home (2 Locations)
Presbyterian Village Nursing Home (10 Locations)
Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic
Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services
Say Detroit Community Outreach Services
Gleaners: Providing Food to Detroit Residents
Cereal Drive for School Children at Detroit Children's Hospital (Money went to Gleaners, due to the length of time to get Grant)
Meals on Wheels of Detroit
Cass Community Social Services
Homeless Veterans Centers (8 Locations in Metro Det.)
Hope Warming Homeless Center- Pontiac
Meals on Wheels- Ypsilanti
Novi Public School Summer Food Drive
Food Gatherers- Ann Arbor
The Following segment aired on December 15th on ABC News WXYZ TV, about the kick-off event with Gleaners.
The first delivery of PPE items (3000 pieces N95 face masks) was made at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit by about a dozen members of Rotary Club of Detroit, Ann Arbor North and volunteers from collaborating NGO partner Palav.
A grateful Dr Marcus Zervos offered his Thanks to our Rotary project.
The second delivery of PPE items (3000 pieces surgical masks, 500 N95 masks, 10 sanitizing stations and 200 boxes of nitrile gloves) was made at Presbyterian Village Center of Michigan for distribution across their 10 facilities which house ~10,000 aged and vulnerable patients in Metro Detroit by 3 members of Rotary Club of Detroit and Ann Arbor North and 7 volunteers from collaborating NGO partner Palav.
A grateful President/CEO Roger Myers offered his Thanks to our Rotary project. Another video of this delivery operation to bring the PPE cartons from my vehicle to the 3rd floor office for storage in their “Covid-19 War Room!”
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on November 12, 2020, Arlene Golembiewski, talked about Bumpeh Chiefdom, in Sierra Leone. Arlene Golembiewski, is founder of Sherbro Foundation Sierra Leone (SFSL), and a former Peace Corps science teacher in Rotifunk, Bumpeh Chiefdom, Sierra Leone.
Arlene talked about the programs they are doing in the Bumpeh Chiefdom
Education:
Girls Scholarships:
Girls go to secondary school onscholarshipfor a full year for $20.
Over 600 girls have received 1250 school fee scholarships, some for two and three years.
Themost vulnerable girlsare selected – orphans or with single parents and those who must leave their small village homes to pursue secondary school education in a larger town.
From learningABC’s to GED style study, classes teach reading, writing and small business skills to market women and farmers.
More advanced students prepare to move on to further vocational training, like primary school teacher and nursing aide training.
Tutoring for National Exams:
9th and 12th grad students receiveevening tutoringto prepare for national junior high and senior high completion exams.
These are the gateway exams for entering senior high and college or vocational schools. Local qualified teachers are used to fill in curriculum gaps schools can’t cover and provide systemic review before exams.
The program will reduce the high rate of senior high drop-out’s, especially among girls.
Computer Training & Printing Service:
Tutoring program students and adults receivecomputer trainingwhere they learn the basics of Windows, Word for Windows and Excel.
Computer training provides wage-paying job skills, prepares students for college classes and give adults tools to better manage their work.
CCET-SL introduced the first IT technology in the chiefdom. Any student can return to CCET-SL’s Center to use computers for their own applications. CCET-SL offers the only publicly available printing service in a district of 300,000 people. Customers avoid a costly, usually overnight trip to the capital for printing, and get cheaper, fast service. CCET-SL earns income for day-to-day operations. A win-win for all.
Economic Empowerment:
Vegetable Growing:
Started as a post-Ebola relief effort, this program helps women farmers grow peanuts and vegetables as cash crops that double their incomes vs. traditional rice farming.
Women receive peanut seed, a drying tarpaulin to improve their yields and 100 lb. of rice to feed their families before their harvest. With added income, they avoid taking out high interest loans to pay their children’s school fees. They donate seed back to help start the next group of women.
Baby Orchards:
Orchards are planted with fruit trees grown from seed of local fruit. In 4 -5 years, orchards will produce ten of thousands of dollars for children’s education.
The goal is to fund education savings accounts opened for newborns, which parents can continue grow with their own savings. By the age of twelve, a child will have money for their secondary school education.
While fruit trees mature, orchards are inter-planted with annuals crops of rice, couscous, corn and vegetables for short term operating income.
The project’stree nursery raises 20,000 fruit tree seedlings annually, started from seed collected from locally purchased fruit. One or two year old seedling are planted in the orchards. Some are given to parents of newborns to grow. Sale of other seedlings to private farmers helps fund nursery operations.
Newborn Program:
The chiefdom records births of newborns and prepares affidavits to exchange for government birth certificates. Government birth registration doesn’t reach this inaccessible rural area. CCET-SL facilitates securing legal birth certificates for these babies.
Newborn parents receive three fruit trees to grow for income for their child’s welfare and education. They’re encouraged to save money in CCET-SL coordinated education savings accounts.
Arlene, thanked Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North and all of the supporters of Bumpeh Chiefdom, she was happy to be able to talk to the club.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North could not attend this years Green Baxter Courts Fall Outing, but the club donated funds for the children to have a fun outing.
On November 3rd the children had a beautiful sunny fall day and played basketball, carved pumpkins and had donates, cider and candy.
The the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on October 15, 2020, Peg Windsor introduced the club to members of the MI Works Summer Youth Program.
Peg introduced the club to:
Dallas: Youth Advisor
Zoe Erb: Program Coordinator (Summer Works)
Amy Cell: Job Search Coordinator
Jack Lyons: Student
Dora James: Student
SummerWorks is the Washtenaw County Summer Youth Employment Program, a 10-week summer employment and mentorship program that pairs local employers with young adults. It connects youth to resources for building professional networks, exploring career opportunities, and developing essential job and leadership skills.
Peg introduced the individuals from the Summer Works Program and she asked the participants to talk about themselves and tell how the Summer Program is different this year because of COVID-19.
Dora a student said, everything is online now, instead of in person events last year. Jack explained to the club, he liked the in-person events more then this year everything being on-line, but it was still good. He is just a in-person kind of person.
Everyone in the Summer Works Program had a great experience this year and will continue next year.
Judge Karen Valvo was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Zoom Lunch Meeting on Sept 7th. Joyce talked about how COVID-19 is affecting the court system.
Karen Valvo is a judge on the Fifteenth Judicial District Court in Michigan. She was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder (R) on January 5, 2016, to succeed Judge Christopher S. Easthope, who resigned in December 2015. Valvo ran for election to the seat in November 2016 in order to serve for the remainder of Easthope's term. She will have to run for re-election in 2020. Joyce presides over criminal and traffic cases and the specialized Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Court dockets.
Joyce started by telling the club, like most things, Ann Arbor Courts closed down when COVID-19 closed everything down. After a few weeks the courts went to Zoom. All the Judges in the Ann Arbor Court was already licensed in Zoom. The courts work spaces were reconfigured for social distancing and everyone was wearing masks.
Since the courts were always open to the public, which became unsafe during a virus, they started putting the dockets on youtube.
When Jury Trials stated back up in District Courts they practiced the 6 ft. rule and used face coverings. Only 10 people could be in the courtroom at any given time so many waited in the hallway staying 6 ft. apart.
They Judges tried not to give jail time to individual where ever it was possible.
In cases that Joyce presided on pertaining evictions the landlords seemed more lenient on payment then before COVID-19.
Joyce said. "that some of the practiced during COVID-19 will be continued after COVID-19."
Rotarian Jim Kozteva, talked about Anti-Gerrymanderin at the August 13th, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Virtual Meeting.
Jim said, "On November 6, 2018, 61% of Michigan voters from across the state passed Proposal 2, which ended gerrymandering by creating an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The amendment created a fair, impartial, and transparent process where voters - not politicians - will draw Michigan's state Senate, state House, and Congressional election district maps."
Redistricting is, every 10 years, the US Census is conducted to measure how population shifts throughout the country. When this data is collected, states are required to redraw their voting district maps - a process called redistricting - to ensure equal population.
The term "gerrymandering" is used to describe the practice of drawing election district boundaries to favor one political party, incumbent, or candidate. Instead of drawing lines to represent the voters' interests, politicians meet behind closed doors with highly paid consultants and big data to carve and skew communities based on past voting patterns.
Michigan voters exercised their right of direct democracy and put a constitutional amendment on the 2018 general election ballot, known as Proposal 2. Proposal 2 put the power to draw election district maps in the hands of voters and created a fair, impartial, and transparent process.
The redistricting reform amendment created an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission that would be tasked to draw Michigan’s state Senate, state House, and Congressional election district maps every 10 years using Census data.
The amendment requires that the Commission be made up of 4 Democrat voters, 4 Republican voters, and 5 voters who affiliate with neither of those parties. Commissioners in each of these buckets must agree to adopt the final maps.
What the Redistricting Reform Amendment means for Michigan?
Now, Michigan citizens have the power to draw the lines! As a Michigan citizen, you have a chance to become a part of history and creating fair, impartial and transparent election district lines that represent the voters of Michigan.
Did you know that YOUR Rotary District 6380 has formed a COVID-19 Disaster District Mask Initiative to help our health care workers since back in April 2020?
We started this by applying and receiving a a $25,000.00 Rotary International Disaster Grant, as well as the District has put up an additional $20,000.00. With this seed money we have been purchasing FDA approved masks to be distributed to front line workers through out our district.
We have set up a special COVID-19 Disaster Fund donation link (http://rotary100k.org/) where individual clubs and members can assist in providing much needed personal protection equipment to our front line workers by clicking on the donate button.
Our goal is to get 100,000 masks donated throughout Rotary District 6380. Every donation, gets us closer to our goal!
Also we have recently expanded this initiative to also be a District Wide Fundraiser partnering with GLOW a women's empowerment organization in India to have masks made for sale and distribution with the Rotary logo.
At the first Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting for the year the speaker was John Huber the Principle of the Emerson School in Ann Arbor. John talked about the issues with reopening the schools in the fall with COVID-19 pandemic.
John said, "Emerson School, 300 students for academically talented and gifted, young 5’s to 8th grade."
Emerson is an independent school, which allows for more flexibility than public schools. One of the first things they recognized is the need for technology expertise to help staff and parents. Parents aren’t always comfortable with experimentation.
John, presented the 5 Realities of Teaching and School:
Children learn best in small groups with face-to-face instruction.
Instruction needs to be broken into units and segments, not in long stretches.
Children are also learning socialization skills, difficult to do virtually.
Experienced teachers have a large “toolbox” on ways to work with children and respond to challenges; 5) school serves as child care so parents can work.
Emerson’s plan was to create daily lessons that require 2-way communication and interaction.
Mondays are Community Day for socialization, enrichments, physical/social/emotional/mental health. This is good for students and faculty. It also allows for planning and scheduling time for teachers.
Tuesday-Friday are Instructional Days. To feel normal, the routine for distance learning mirrored what they would be doing in school.
During the 3 month of COVID-19, John and the teachers learned a lot, the following are what they learned:
Technology needs to be simplified for student independence.
Content time is king.
Focus in the morning best, can’t be on Zoom all day.
Advisories and homeroom check-ins very important.
There’s never enough communication.
There are many unknowns on reopening schools. John and the leaders of Emerson are working on different scenarios to open in the fall. He feels all kid's will be able to come back and still be safe because Emerson School is so large and can social distance.
John, recognized Emerson has advantages that give them more resources to respond to students’ needs and is unsure how public schools will be adapting.
At the end of the meeting John took question on Emerson's School opening in the fall with COVID-19.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on June 25, 2020, the speaker was Shamar Herron, from Michigan Works!
Shamar talked about the program called Summer Works! Formerly known as Summer17, Summer18, and Summer19, SummerWorks is the Washtenaw County Summer Youth Employment Program, a 10-week summer employment and mentorship program that pairs local employers with young adults. It connects youth to resources for building professional networks, exploring career opportunities, and developing essential job and leadership skills.
Shamar said, because of COVID-19, "is reinventing themselves." This years program is going to be mostly virtual. The approved youth will work 10 weeks, 20 hours a week from June 15th through August 21st. Shamar said, "they have 10 individuals that are working virtually."
In the program the youth will also attend 10 professional development sessions to improve your "Soft Skills" such as resume writing, interviewing, and more.
Lastly, the program will develop a mentoring and supportive relationships with Summer Works staff and employers.
In this job program the youth gets a paid summer internship (10/hr for high school; 12/hr for college). They will get skills in key areas such as money management and workplace etiquette. The youth will receive networking with local professionals, and will be able to explore potential career paths.
Shamar told the club, "I am always happy and honored to talk to Ann Arbor North, whenever asked to speak, I will always be there."
Mary Garton, from the Citizens' Climate Lobby, was the speaker at RCAAN Lunch Meeting on June 18, 2020.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change.
Mary talked about the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which the lobby supports.
Mary said, "A viable climate change solution needs to be big and lasting — which means bipartisan legislation. We fully support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. This policy will drive down America’s carbon pollution while unleashing American technology innovation and ingenuity." The Citizens' Climate Lobby support it because it’s:
Effective
This policy will reduce America’s emissions by at least 40% in the first 12 years.
Good for People
This policy will improve health and save lives. Additionally, the carbon dividend puts money directly into people’s pockets every month to spend as they see fit, helping low and middle income Americans.
Bipartisan:
Republicans and Democrats are both on board, cosponsoring this bill together. The majority of Americans support Congress taking action on climate change, including more than half of Republicans. Solving climate change is too urgent to get caught up in partisan politics.
Revenue Neutral:
The fees collected on carbon emissions will be allocated to all Americans to spend any way they choose. The government will not keep any of the fees collected.
This is how it works:
Carbon Fee
This policy puts a fee on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. It starts low, and grows over time. It will drive down carbon pollution because energy companies, industries, and consumers will move toward cleaner, cheaper options.
Carbon Dividend
The money collected from the carbon fee is allocated in equal shares every month to the American people to spend as they see fit. Program costs are paid from the fees collected. The government does not keep any of the money from the carbon fee.
Border Carbon Adjustment
To protect U.S. manufacturers and jobs, imported goods will be assessed a border carbon adjustment, and goods exported from the United States will receive a refund under this policy.
Regulatory Adjustment
This policy preserves effective current regulations, like auto mileage standards, but pauses the EPA authority to regulate the CO2 and equivalent emissions covered by the fee, for the first 10 years after the policy is enacted. If emission targets are not being met after 10 years, Congress gives clear direction to the EPA to regulate those emissions to meet those targets. The pause does not impact EPA regulations related to water quality, air quality, health or other issues. This policy’s price on pollution will lower carbon emissions far more than existing and pending EPA regulations.
Mary said, "the key to getting this bill past is education so she will be excited to come to any club like RCAAN and give her talk."
Former Member of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North John Hammond passed away at Glacier Hills on June 11, 2019. John was a long time visitor and became member after coming to Ann Arbor from St Joseph.
John passed away on June 11 at Glacier Hills. He and fellow Rotarian Betsy Hammond were members of the Lakeshore Rotary Club in St. Joseph MI when they moved to Ann Arbor fifteen years ago. Betsy joined Rotary Club of Ann Arbor in 2006 while John maintained his membership in the Lakeshore club before joining Ann Arbor North in 2015 and then transferring to Rotary Club Ann Arbor in 2016. Until recently, John was a regular attendee at luncheon meetings and was always generous to The Rotary Foundation. Eventually, he and Betsy achieved Major Donor status. John was 87. A service in St. Joseph will be held at a future date. Those of us in the club knew John as a kind and gentle man. He most certainly used those traits along with the Four Way Test in his career as a judge.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on June 11, 2020, our speaker was Debbie Vance. Debbie is the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Ucluelet. Debbie recently retired from the Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), 2 years ago, after 21 years of service and is now following her passion for Social Media and Graphic Design.
Debbie, is a Paul Harris Fellow + 7 and a Foundation Benefactor currently working on her RLI Graduate Levels. Her graphic designing skills enable herself to promote Rotary via Social Media avenues.
Debbie, is on the New Club Development Team. She said, "She creates the Rotary Graphics to promote our amazing organization and encourage membership."
Debbie is a proud Rotarian for 8 years. She told the club, "she does the graphics because she would have wished she had joined Rotary earlier, and maybe her graphics will be seen by young individuals and they will join Rotary." "A picture is worth a thousand words"
Debbie would like Rotarians to share her graphics on their social media accounts and other places to spread Rotary and she would also create a graphic for you.
Come together during general sessions to witness the power of Rotary connections. Learn new skills, explore thought-provoking topics, and discover inventive ways to engage and adapt at our breakout sessions.
Visit the convention’s event page on Facebook to connect with other members. And use the hashtag #Rotary20 in your social media posts to share what you’re looking forward to at this year’s convention. Don’t forget to invite a friend from your club or share the convention with your Rotary family.
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on June 4, 2020 the club's speaker was Rosalys Peel, the Author of "Mike and Me".
June 2011 her beloved husband of 45 years, Michael, died of Alzheimer’s. Three years later, Peel returned once again to face Alzheimer’s this time with journal notes and pen in hand. Over the next three years, she wrote the story of their life as husband wife who hoped beyond hope that they could continue to live together at home throughout the course of Mike’s illness.
Rosalys Peel said, "Every two minutes someone in America is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Most will face this discouraging illness with their wife, husband or partner at their side. And yet the typical “Alzheimer’s couple” has no idea how to make the most of what lies ahead.
This is the predicament Rosalys loving husband Michael and her found themselves in when they discovered that Mike had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Over 35-plus years of marriage they had always dealt with problems together. But now they were advised to start preparing themselves for the day when Mike would surely be moved from our home to an outside care facility. They simply weren’t ready to accept that.
“I don’t want to leave you and our home,” Mike told Rosalys—so Mike & Roslys made a deal. Despite all the scary stories they were hearing about this disease they decided to stand up to Alzheimer’s and defy the statistics as long as possible. Together they would go right on pursuing the hopes and dreams as husband and wife, confronting the disease together in their own home, and living the fullest life possible…for as long as possible.
Rosalys started writing a journal during Mike's illness. The journal was a safe place where she could give words to her worries, concerns and fears. It’s where she logged the frustrations and setbacks that Mike and Rosalys encountered, but also where she recorded and celebrated their many victories, large and small. Day by day, her journal chronicled the astonishing power of mutual love, patience, compassion and stay-at-home care. Over time Rosalys became convinced that other couples and caregivers might be able to benefit from some of the new approaches Mike and she were learning.
With the journal she created which at first was to document Mike's health for his doctor's she created a book called "Mike & Me: An Inspiring Guide For Couples Who Choose To Face Alzheimer's Together At Home".
There were many unknowns for Mike and Rosalys during their 9 ½ year journey with Alzheimer’s. "Mike & Me" is designed to be bridge that gap for couples who are now in that chapter of their life. Peel tenderly guides the reader with stories, journal notes, and insights as she shares what happened when and how they dealt with each unknown along the way.
Using her knowledge as a wife of a husband who died of Alzheimer’s and renowned educator who understands child development and couple relationships Peel steps forward to now be a new voice in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Want to learn more about "Mike & Me", take a look at the following links.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, the speaker was Bo Bunnell, talking about The Great Lakes.His topic was called "Changes in Lake Michigan Fish and Fisheries.
Bo talked about Lake Michigan's timeline. Their are 4 time periods in the Great Lakes, pre-1930, 1930-1966 the "Lamprey/alewife" era, 1966-1994 "Salmon" era and 1994-present "Mussel era.
He decribed the major drives during each era and what the Fish communities were.
Era
Major Drives
Fish Community
Pre-1930
Beginning late 1800's:
Habitat destruction;
Over-fishing
Lake Trout (LT)
8 native whitefish & 2 sculpins
1930-1966
"Lamprey/Alewife" Era
Sea Lamprey, Alewife,
Over-fishing
No top predator
(Extinction of 5 whitefish), alewife, rainbow smelt, 3 whitefish, sculpins
On April 14, 2020, Edward Roseman, a Research Fishery Biologist at the USGS Great Lakes Science Center, talked at The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting. Ed talked about the river channels of the Great Lakes.
There are five river channels that connect the Great Lakes they are:
Come together duringgeneral sessions to witness the power of Rotary connections. Learn new skills, explore thought-provoking topics, and discover inventive ways to engage and adapt at ourbreakout sessions.
Visit the convention’sevent page on Facebook to connect with other members. And use the hashtag #Rotary20 in your social media posts to share what you’re looking forward to at this year’s convention. Don’t forget to invite a friend from your club or share the convention with your Rotary family.
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting the speaker was René Pothetes, Rotarian and Past President of Troy Rotary.
René Pothetes said, "a strong healthy body, and resilient mindset, canbe forged with sustainable, and sane habits. My purpose is to help you implement strategies so you can achieve things you never thought possible that impact every area of your life."
Her business is Eat, Evolve, Inspire! which helps individuals to stay healthy by eating healthy food.
René Pothetes, explained that there is 4 pillars of healthy living. She talked about two during her talk:
1. Sleep:
Every human body process is involved in sleep (they shot down so when you wake up, they are ready to work).
Sleeping is one way that your body recovers from damage and protects itself against illness.
Adequate amounts of sleep are necessary for healthy bone marrow.
To properly execute a difficult project at work, for example, your brain needs seven to eight hours of sleep. Your brain also needs that much rest to most efficiently carry out “automatic” tasks like hormone secretion.
Sleep deprivation can send the body’s sympathetic nervous system into overdrive, causing the release of greater amounts of the hormone adrenaline. This tells the body’s tissues to be prepared to take immediate action. It makes the heart work harder. People who are sleep-deprived are at greater risk for developing hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. So do your heart a favor and get to bed early tonight.
2. Nutrition:
Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy.
Helpful hint: the food that is in the outer rimes of the store is healthier, then in the isles. Food in the isles are processed foods and are not healthy.
Buy nutricius food. A lot of food is crap, and your body does not know what to do with crap.
Eat Grass fed meats
To keep your food cost lower their are ways you can learn to eat cheaper. An example is Avocados, since you peal off the top layer you do not need to buy organic.
During this time of the coronavirus eating healthy is needed to stay healthy.
Also on April 22, 2020, Swaroop, gave a shot out to Ann Arbor North on Food Gatherers Facebook Page, "a big thank you, goes to Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, the Kumon, the AMMA Center, and the many individuals whose financial support helps fund these much needed and delicious meals on behalf of our Community Kitchen meal guests!"
"You are all heroes in the fight against hunger and all of us at Food Gatherers are so grateful for all you are doing!"
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch Meeting on April 30, 2020, the club had the first speaker on Zoom during the COVID-19 crisis.
Our lunch speaker was Christina Eisenberg, an Ambassador of the Guatemala Literacy Project. The Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) is one of the largest grassroots, multi-club, multi-district projects in Rotary. More than 600 clubs and 80 districts have been working together since 1997 to improve education for underserved students in Guatemala. In that time, nearly 225,500 students have been served through four sustainable programs that are tested and proven to work. In 2017, RI President Ian Riseley called the GLP “the gold standard of Rotary projects” for its sustainability and impact.
Christina said, "the GLP partners with impoverished communities to implement four complementary programs.":
Reading:Trains teachers in effective reading instruction and provides them with quality children’s literature.
Textbooks: Provides textbooks to middle schools and trains teachers to use them effectively in the classroom.
Computers:Teaches students to use technology to solve real-world problems so they can secure better jobs.
Youth Development:Transforms young lives through youth development, social support, and scholarships.
Lastly Christina told us how we can get involved in the Project.
On April 23, 2020 the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North meeting was once again on Zoom. Their was 15 individuals at the meeting including Diana Edwards, Rotary International membership Chair, and Mike and Immediate Past District Governor Jane McManus.
Immediate Past President Joyce Williams sent President Eric an update to the PPE Project, which follows:
The Mask Challenge is going well. We gave 1000 masks to Ascension Hospital in Rochester and we have several smaller hospitals including Chelsea Hospital where we will be delivering masks as soon as they come in.
We are also raising quite a bit of money from clubs in the district.
Rotary got a shout out in Gretchen Whitmer’s April 20th address, where she thanked the Rotary in Washtenaw, Macomb and Oakland Counties for our mask donation.
Mike McManus invited the club to Webinars from Zone 30 and 31, of Rotary International Leaders that are doing talks about Rotary. The next webinar is Tuesday, April 28th, of Past Rotary International President Barry Rassin. For Past Webinars and future talks, click here.
Diana Edwards talked about some events going on, even during the stay home stay safe order. Both Diana, Mike and Jane asked us to join them, for a COVID-19 #RotaryResponds one-hour global Telethon to raise critical funds for disaster response grants. The goal is to raise more than $1 million dollars. This Facebook Live event will be simulcast on Rotary International's Facebook page and will be simulcast in 8 languages. REGISTER at facebook.com/rotary today. Click here for Facebook events page.
Diana also memtioned that since the Rotary International Convention was canceled, in late June there will be a Webinar Convention where their will be individuals talking about Rotary, projects and much more. Stay tuned for more information later.
Due to the Coronavirus The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Meeting was received by Zoom, once again, on April 16, 2020.
In Immediate Past President Joyce Williams, absents President Eric read a statement from her that follows:
Lisa is sending $1000 to district as our donation for mask project.
Rotarians are asked to sign up on the website rotary100k.org to donate personally or volunteer to deliver masks.
Vineet Katial from AA West and Joyce are coordinating the deliveries. The deliveries are considered an essential service and you will just be dropping them off, getting a signature from the recipient and taking/have someone take a quick photo of yourself with the donation. The state has asked for the photos. Please wear Rotary clothes when delivering.
Then we had Swaroop, of the Hut-K Fusion to talked about his feeding the homeless at the Delonis Center. Swaroop requested our help in funding meals for first responders, like St Joseph, U of M Hospitals and others.
Lastly during the meeting, Pres. Eric, showed a video of John Hewko, which he gave at The Rotary International Conference in 2019. John is General Secretary, of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation (RC of Kyiv, Ukraine). His talk is as timely today as it was last year in June.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had the second virtual meeting on April 09, 2020. There was 16 attendees including Mike and PDG Jane McManus.
Joyce Williams, who is leading Ann Arbor North's participation, talked about the PPE project, Vineet Katial from Ann Arbor West ordered 3,000 -3 Ply general purpose disposable masks at $1 each; and 1,000 FDA approved N95 masks at $3 each from a supplier. This order has been received and has been distributed to U of M Medicine and St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North has approved a $1000.00 donation for future masks going toward the following District 6380 Program:
A District COVID-19 Disaster Committee has been formed and they have been actively working on a plan, where we can help our health care workers. We have applied for and received a $25,000.00 Rotary International Disaster Grant, the District has put up an additional $20,000.00. With this seed money we will be purchasing N95 masks to be distributed to hospitals through out our district. Joyce Williams Ann Arbor North has been selected the point person who will prioritize delivery based on recommendations from the Michigan Community Service Commission. The following is a list of hospitals that we are focusing on to start.
Henry Ford
Beaumont
St Joseph Hospital
U of M Medicine
Chatham Kent Health Alliance
The last part of the meeting we went around to each member and they described what they have been doing during this lock down. Everyone seemed fine.
Make sure your attend next weeks Zoom virtual meeting on Thursday, April 16th at 12:00 PM.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, first all Zoom Virtual Meeting was April 2, 2020. It was great being able to see Ann Arbor North members and guests again.
We had a total of 12 people attend the meeting, with four guests. John from Rotary Club of Ann Arbor joined the meeting, and added some usefully information. Katherine, Christina and Karen visited, to take a look at our club. Thank you for the visit to the three of you.
The individuals' attending the Zoom Meeting talked about what they were doing during this COVID-19 crisis.
Please, attend the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Meeting next Thursday, April 9, 2020. Check your email, Pres. Eric will be sending out meeting information early next week.
If you are asking, how Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North members can help?
Here is how:
Copy the PDF Flyer of "Here to Support My Community:I Can Help." Put on an individuals door that may not be able to get out for food or anything they really need for themselves.
Support local restaurants that are doing pick up service.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North meeting is coming to where you are. On April 02, 2020, Pres Eric will host the first all virtual meeting from his desk.
Make sure you sign up free for Zoom, athttps://zoom.us/ to join us. Remember your username and password so you can continue using your Zoom account for our next meeting.
Washtenaw Optimal Wellness (WOW), is a community organization of individuals committed to the health and longevity of the citizens of Washtenaw County. WOW are business people, medical professionals, city and county government leaders, as well as school and university educators that are passionate about making our community healthy.
The table will be at health fairs to give out information on healthy living.
Dear Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Members and Friends:
For the health of our members and friends, in this National Emergency, due to the Corona virus, I have decided to cancel all the remaining of the March lunch meetings, and we will not have the Habitat for Humanity Service Project on April 4th.
The Board and I, will revisit the situation, in a couple of weeks, to make a decision on April lunch meetings.
Thank you for your patients during this difficult time, and have the best of health.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's speaker on March 12, 2020 was Doug Campbell from Hope Clinic.
Doug said, "Hopes mission is, we partner with people in need, to make lives better through holistic care; providing free Medical, Dental, Food, and Care + Prayer In Jesus’ Name."
At Hope’s Medical Clinics, you can get free primary care, even if you are uninsured or under-insured. Hope workers, will work with you to get access to public insurance, if you are eligible. If you need a specialist, Hope will do the best to refer you to one through our network of specialty care providers. Hope can always refer you to an area hospital for lab and radiology services at no cost.
Doug explained, "since 1982, Hope has given attention to the forgotten corners of our community, bringing light to the beauty that exists there, and investing in hope for the future." "We've empowered people who felt overwhelmed by the immensity of the problem, and guided them to find small things they could do with great love, and over time that has made a big difference." "Last year, for example, we met over 40,000 requests for help. All those small things have made a big difference in thousands of lives here in southeast Michigan."
On Thursday, February 27, 2020. members of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, cooked dinner for the residents at the Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor. Following is an e-mail we received from the House to thank us.
We can't thank you enough...
Meals at RMHC Ann Arbor are so important; meals mean so much more than just nutrition. Families have told us a hot meal is time to connect with other families, to have something predictable in their day, and to take a break from the stress of the hospital. We appreciate your group making a dinner at our House. Providing more than a meal is possible because of people like you.
On February 5, 2020 at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon, our speaker was Sr Seth Hubbard from Journey Chiropractic. He talked about the benefits of seeing a Chiropractor.
Seth said, "Chiropractic care is a holistic form of healthcare that focuses on your total health and allows your body heal naturally." "It is centered around finding and correcting the root cause of a problem rather than just the management of symptoms." "Chiropractors do this by working with your nervous system, which runs through your spine, connecting and controlling your body and its systems. A properly functioning nervous system allows our bodies to function at their highest ability and adapt better to the world around us!"
Seth, told the club, "most people do to a dentist, why don't they go to a Chiropractor?" Seeing a Chiropractor on a regular bases, helps prevent future injuries, improves your posture, and improves your overall well being."
CANCELED For April 19, 2020: DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS
It may be rescheduled later in the Summer.
As February turns into March, it is time to start thinking about preparing the Butterfly Garden in Gallup Park for Spring and Summer.
Today Scott Nelson, our Garden Expert, received a notification for Melissa from Adopt-a-Park and Give/360 about the upcoming event Earth Day Festival on Sunday April 19th from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM.
The following is what Melissa wrote: Typically the festival is hosted at the Leslie Science and Nature Center but after unfavorable soil testing last June, all of their programming has been operating off-site since. It was decided by the Earth Day Festival committee that the festival will take place at Gallup park in 2020. The festival is an awesome community event that celebrates Earth Day and our community. Every year it attracts 2,000-3,000 visitors and features 50 nature-based exhibitors. The event festivities will be more or less placed surrounding the butterfly garden and no doubt the garden will also be an attraction at the event. There will be nature walks available for visitors and looking at the map, it seems like they will begin at the butterfly garden. CLICK HERE for map to see where the festival activities will be placed during the event.
Also, I think having a workday prior to the festival would be great to get it cleaned up a bit. We can pull weeds that have sprouted, add whatever mulch is needed, assess the poison ivy situation, and cut back any overgrowth obstructing the paths. We have a few groups on our calendar for April which will need to be assigned locations. I don’t have details on which groups and the date/time that might work for this project so I will keep you up to date on those options.
Scott will be planning workdays, working with Melissa to get the Butterfly Garden into tip top shape for the Earth Day Festival, in which he will get a table for us for volunteers. Please help out as much as you can to this RCAAN Service Project that has been around since 1991.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on February 20, 2020 Elizabeth Spring Nichols, Program Administrator for Youth and Family Services, for Washtenaw County, atPIER Training Institute, talked about maintaining mental health.
Elizabeth said,"Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Mental Health, Like Physical Health Roots in Interactions Between an Individuals:
Biological factors, such as genes, brain chemistry, neurodevelopment
Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, loss grief
Family history of mental health /physical health problems
Environmental factors,
social support (protective factor)
stress, adversity, genetics (risk factors)
For prevention of bad mental health, become aware of symptoms of stress before they become severe, and establish clear yet realistic stress management goals. The challenge is to find the optimal level of stress each of us requires to thrive.
There are 4 primary sources of stress:
The Environment - examples include noise, pollution, traffic and crowding, and the weather.
Physiological - examples include illness, injuries, hormonal fluctuations, chronic pain and inadequate sleep or nutrition.
Your Thoughts - the way you think affects how you respond. Negative self-talk, catastrophizing, and perfectionism all contribute to increased stress.
Social Stressors - examples include financial problems, work demands, social events, losing a loved one, feeling unsafe physically and emotionally.
The warning signs and symptoms of bad mental health are:
Eating or sleeping too much or too little
Pulling away from people and usual activities
Having low or no energy
Feeling numb or like nothing matters
Having unexplained aches and pains
Feeling helpless or hopeless
Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
To have good mental health practice good Emotional Hygiene.
Make time for friends and family
Make time for yourself
Nourish your body with healthy food
Get enough sleep
Move your body, exercise, yoga
Help others
Manage your stress, deep breathing
Manage other medical or physical problems
Ask for help
Laughter helps strike out stress! Helps breathing, massages the heart. stimulates circulation. improves digestion, aids blood pressure problems, prolongs life, turns off tension
Sorry to announce that from Rotary International President Mark Maloney and District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard, both the 2020 Rotary International Convention in Honolulu Hawaii and the 2020 Rotary District 6380 Conference in Chatham Ontario, has been canceled due to the Covonavirus (COVID- 19).
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North came together on February 15, 2020, for the Second Chance, St. Valentine's Party and Social at the newly remodeled DoubleTree by Hilton.
We had drinks and some good appetizers to mingle and talk.
Peg Windsor, asked 8 trivia questions that club was able to answer most of them.
Then we went around the tables and the members introduced themselves to our guests. It was a great time.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Meeting on February 13, 2020, we had Rotary 6380 District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard as the speaker.
"Sparky" told the club, "at the start of his Governor's term Rotary International encouraged him to change the traditional role of the district governor.
He said, "normally he would have a formal governor’s meeting with all of the clubs in the district to get out the messages from Rotary International, but the 13 assistant governors will have that responsibility instead."
he will instead visit the clubs when those members feel he can best “spread the word of Rotary throughout the community."
“What I want to try and focus on is to get to community events where I can talk about Rotary and be loud and proud about the things we do in our communities so that others will take interest and join our organization as well.”
"Sparky" also talked about why he joined Rotary. Sparky said, "he was asked by a friend to join his Rotary Club and during a visit the club was planning a mission trip to Cozumel Mexico. Being young and not traveling at all, he asked how can he go on trip?" The Rotarian said, "when the presenter asks for raise of hands that wants to go, raise your hand." Sparky did and he went.
On the trip, he meet a family, that family, has become his friends for life. So that friendship is the reason he joined Rotary.
Sparky said, "in trying to get new Rotary Member's, describe your reason in joining Rotary." it is effective.
Lastly Sparky, during his year he wants to recognize past District Governors for they're contribution to today's Rotary. He presented an award to PDG Gail Scott.
On February 6, 2020, Ginger Ford a local polio survivor talked about her life living with Polio at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon.
Ginger Visel contracted polio in the winter of 1950, when she was not yet five years old. Her life would never be the same. By the time the virus was through with her, she had a withered leg, weak muscles, and hip trouble that required multiple surgeries.
The University of Michigan Hospital became a second home, the March of Dimes a reliable support system, and leg braces an everyday part of her wardrobe. In the era before ramps and automatic doors, Ginger had to learn to adapt to a world not built for her.
Surrounded by ten siblings and guided by an unstoppable mother, she met every challenge with determination and an unshakable faith in God. With equal parts cheerful humor and honest vulnerability, Ginger recalls desperately trying to fit in at school, the terror of learning to drive a hand-controlled car, the near-impossibility of finding an accessible college, and the worry that she’d never get married and have a family of her own.
Ginger brought her book called Ginger Stands Her Ground: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Polio for the club to look at and purchase.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 30, 2020, the speaker was Jeff Tritten from Washtenaw Blue Zones Project.
Jeff said, "A blue zone is characterized as an area of the world with a high concentration of centenarians, overall longevity, and little chronic diseases (lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes, and cardio vascular disease)."
National Geographic and the National Institute of Health set out to locate these areas with verifiable birth data. The official Blue Zones are:
Sardinia, Italy
Okanawa, Japan
Loma Linda, California, United States
Ikaria, Greece
Nicoya, Coast Rica
Jeff Described the Power of 9, After completion of finding the ‘blue zones’, National Geographic Fellow – Mr. Dan Buettner, set out to create Blue Zones® Projects in other U.S. communities by implementing the Power 9 ® concepts which are as follows:
Move naturally: De-convenience your home, take the stairs, park farther away from the entrance and grow gardens. Have an errand not far away…walk! Walking is one of the best activities for longevity.
Know your purpose: Know why you wake up each day! This alone can add seven years to your life. Be able to articulate your values, passions, gifts and talents.
Down shift: Stress leads to chronic inflammation which is associated with every major age-related disease. Find your de-stressor: meditate, nap, pray, or enjoy happy hour with friends.
The 80% rule: Cut 20% of your calories with evidence based practices: eat a big breakfast, eat with your family, use 10 inch plates, and stop when you feel 80% full.
Plant slant: Eat a primarily plant-based diet that’s heavy on the beans, nuts and green plants.
Wine at 5: Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. The trick is to drink 2 or maybe 3 drinks per day and not a drop more. This is also a wind down time with friends.
Family first: Living in a loving and thriving family can add six years to your ticker! Invest time in your kids, nurture a monogamous relationship and keep aging parents near by.
Belong: It doesn’t matter if you’re Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or some other religion that meets as a community. Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy.
Right tribe: Take stock in who your friends are and extend your social circle to include healthy-minded, supportive people.
Washtenaw Optimal Wellness (WOW) is working diligently to implement a Blue Zone Project. Blue Zone® Projects help citizens make the healthy choice, the easy choice™.
As a citizen of Washtenaw County, WOW encourage you to take small steps to better health and to get involved in our efforts. WOW will soon have purpose workshops, walking groups, nutrition education, and easy healthy eating options for you and your family.
On Monday February 3rd at 6:30 pm, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, is going to Buffalo Wild Wings in Ypsilanti to have dinner to support Homeless Student's.
Homelessness significantly impacts the learning ability of public school children. Surprisingly, we had 361 such students in Washtenaw County during the 2019-2020 school year, 129 of which were identified in Ann Arbor Public Schools.
This Dine and Donate is in participation for the Homeless Student Count Week. Come eat with us on Monday Feb 3, and 20% of your bill will be donated to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s Education Project for Homeless Youth (EPHY)!
Bring your flyer or tell the waitress about the fundraiser. Please come join us, everyone is welcome.
At the Luncheon of The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North on January 16, 2020, the speaker was Larry Kestenbaum, Washtenaw County Clerk and Register of Deeds. Larry has been in this position since 2005.
As Clerk / Register, Larry is the county’s chief election official, and is custodian of a vast array of public records, from birth certificates to mortgages. He also serves as co-chair of the Legislative Committee for the Michigan Association of County Clerks, and has testified before House and Senate committees on a variety of issues.
In his presentation he discussed the security of the 2016 and the upcoming 2020 elections. Larry talked about the recount of Michigan election paper ballots in the 2016 election, which was not finish because it was cancelled, although what they did count can close to the original totals.
Larry said, "that the corrupt politicians are the big problem for fraudulent results in elections. The politician is looking out for themselves to win an election."
Larry explained, "that every voter in Michigan uses a paper ballet, all ballets can be recounted later". This is a big advantage in getting correct results in an election. There is always a paper copy of individuals votes.
To start the new year for the RCAAN Luncheons we had Alex Teska the Director of Philanthropy at Eversight. The Headquerters is located at 3985 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Alex Teska said, "Eversight restores sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research".
The Eversight network is responsible for:
Recovering, evaluating and providing human eye tissue for transplantation;
Supporting research into the causes and cures of blinding eye conditions;
Promoting donation awareness through public and professional education; and
Providing humanitarian aid to people around the world in need of corneal transplantation.
Eversight's values are service, drive and trust. The values guide them every day, in every way. Together, Eversight work to build and sustain a positive organizational culture dedicated to restoring sight and preventing blindness.
John Hewko is coming to Ann Arbor, for Rotary Club of Ann Arbor. He will be at the Michigan Union Ballroom for a special dinner, on Wednesday February 5, 2020 at 6:00 PM.
John Hewko is the general secretary and chief executive officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. The executive staff manages operations at RI World Headquarters, including member services and programs, finances, technology, development, strategy, legal services, with international offices in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Zurich, New Delhi, Seoul, Tokyo, and Parramatta (Sydney). From 2004 to 2009, Hewko was vice president for operations and compact development for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency established in 2004 to deliver foreign assistance to the world’s poorest countries.
Donna Murphy was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on December 19, 2019. Donna, is a licensed master of social work at the Rogel Cancer Center (University of Michigan Hospital). She works with the patients through the Family Support Services Program at the Hospital.
Donna said, "The patient family support services is a group of providers, therapists, people trained in the psychosocial part of dealing with health and healing. In this case with cancer."
She continues, "The resources are really designed to help a patient connect the mind, the spiritual part of healing with the physical part." "So, for example, we have
"We have a specialist who manages the needs of the parents who are ill, who have concerns about their children. We also have a chaplain. We have individuals specifically that'll deal with anxiety, and depression, and if necessary find medications that will help with that. We have a patient education program. We also manage the volunteers in the cancer center. And so, that makes up other range of people that provide resources, sometimes written, sometimes in talk, sometimes in the actual doing of activities to help heal."
Support is available throughout the course of your treatment.
I have a unique and wonderful Rotary experience opportunity available for your club members:
I dearly appreciated your club’s financial help last year with the Rotary eye mission I led to the Casa Colibrí medical clinic in Nuevo Edén, a small village in remote Guatemala. I hope you are very proud of your club’s support as many people now see better because of that support. I am now deep into the detailing of our 2nd eye clinic mission back into remote Guatemala.
At this point I am not asking for financial support, at least not yet :). What I am seeking is additional volunteers to go on the mission trip.
Would you please share this with your club members, giving them each the opportunity to participate? If there is any interest, please have them contact me (contact info below). I will be glad to provide them more detailed information.
Volunteers need not know anything about optometry or need to know Spanish. We already have eye professionals and language translators on the team. However, to make this a successful mission trip, we DO HAVE NEED for lay people on the team. There are many valuable tasks a lay person can perform to make this a successful mission.
Dates:
Friday, May 8 through Saturday, May 16 (some of us are doing additional fun activities in Guatemala and staying as late as Monday, May 18).
Authentic experience:
Even though this is in a remote area, this will be an amazing, authentic and rewarding experience. Our Casa Colibrí clinic in Guatemala was first developed by Dr. Jay and Linda Eastman of the Rochester Rotary Club. In November 2014, I had the privilege of helping install our telemedicine system at the clinic. Within a matter of hours there, I fell in love with the area and the wonderful indigenous peoples that live there. I have been back 7 times now and am always willing to go again. Our Casa Colibrí health clinic is based out of Nuevo Edén, a small village outside of Barillas in the Guatemala state Huehuetenango. You can locate the Casa Colibrí medical clinic by typing "N 15 59.552 W 91 16.795" into Google Maps and switch to satellite view to see the clini
On Thursday December 05, 2019, Amy Lesemann, visited Ann Arbor North's Lunch, as Bob Specht's guest. She announced her nonprofit that makes a coat that turns into a nap-sake for the homeless.
Read about her fundraiser she mentioned below:
Come to our fundraiser, Warm the People! We are raising money to buy homeless people winter gear! Saturday, January 11, from 3-6 pm at the Riverside Arts Center. 76 N Huron St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
How will this work? For your donation at the door, you get four tokens to pick four different mini cups of coffee and tea – try something you’ve never tried before, and vote (with your tokens) on your favorite brew! At the end of the day, the tokens will be counted: are we a coffee city? an urban hot spot of intelligentsia and even…revolution! Or a tea town? a land of quiet good taste and sophistication! Your donation goes toward buying long underwear, hats, gloves, wool blend socks, and …best of all… EMPOWER coats that turn into sleeping bags! Some of you may have heard of these inventions. These are coats made by formerly homeless people working with a Detroit nonprofit. 60% of their time at EMPOWER is spent making the coat, and the other 40% of their time goes toward furthering their education and job skills, as well as any other social services they may need. See their website for more information:https://www.empowermentplan.org/
What else?There will be delicious snacks for sale! (want to donate some more? emaililf@umich.edu or amy.lesemann@gmail.com) There will also be a silent auction! The most amazing things have already been donated.
How can you help? Besides attending our event, you can help out in other ways! We need help soliciting additional businesses for donations for our silent auction. This entails contacting us ahead of time with a business you think might want to donate something (so that we don't call the same place twice), calling the business in question, and arranging a pick-up from the business. We can always use more baked goods (especially vegan and gluten-free options). Finally, we'll need help during the event itself! If you are available anytime from 1-8 pm that day to help set up, take down, register attendees, and/or staff the event, please let us know.
A special report prepared for Rotary International by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies estimated the value of Rotary member volunteer hours at $850 million a year. <read more>
That Rotary members log a lot of volunteer hours should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the organization. But a new report just released by Johns Hopkins University provides a powerful look at the impact of all those volunteer hours.
The special report prepared for Rotary International by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies found that Rotary members had volunteered a total of 5.8 million hours within a four-week survey period. Extrapolating those results over an entire year, the report gave a conservative estimate of nearly 47 million hours of volunteer effort generated by Rotary members in a typical year.
The report then analyzed the economic impact of all those hours and estimated the value conservatively at $850 million a year, if communities had to pay for the services that Rotary volunteers provide.
Rotary, with the help of Johns Hopkins University, is the first global service organization to conduct an empirical analysis of its volunteer’s impact using an internationally sanctioned definition of volunteer work. The authors of the report noted in their conclusion that at each stop, the analysis had chosen the most conservative estimates.
“The lesson from this report is clear: volunteer service is not only a feel-good calling – it may provide one of the more powerful, and one of the more fulfilling, avenues through which to reach the ambitious United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” said Lester M. Salamon, director of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Civil Studies.
Rotary CEO and General Secretary John Hewko said “this is just the beginning of using the most innovative tools of measurement to capture and enhance our impact. As we better understand the vast contributions of volunteer work, we can mobilize this remarkable, but often undervalued, resource to better the world and thrive in the years to come.”
Lindsay said, "A visit to the hospital can be a stressful experience for children and families. Fortunately, there are many things we can do to reduce anxiety and help you and your child feel more comfortable during your healthcare journey."
The Child and Family Life team at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is made up of trained professionals with expertise in helping reduce the stress and anxiety associated with hospitalization and illness.
The Child and Family Life team members work together with doctors, nurses, social workers and others throughout the hospital to meet the emotional, developmental and cultural needs of children and their families. Some of the special services we offer for patients and families include:
Procedure preparation, medical play and support: Child Life specialists provide developmentally appropriate education customized to each individual child to help them prepare for a hospital experience through:
Preparation books/pictures and medical equipment
Collaboration with patient, family, and providers to establish coping techniques
Rehearsal of procedure utilizing coping strategy/tools
Distraction/coping support before, during, and after procedure
Activity centers:
Each activity center is staffed by Child and Family Life professionals trained in child development. They offer numerous arts and crafts, make believe items, medical play tools, board games, toys, and video games for all ages.
Hospital school program:
Child and Family Life at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital provides a Hospital School Program for children and adolescents. The program offers certified teachers who are on staff to assist children in keeping up with their class work and remain engaged in their schools. With family’s permission, the hospital teacher partners with the child’s school and coordinates educational efforts with school staff.
Art therapy:
At C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, the board-certified art therapists provide art therapy to patients and families. Art Therapy can be performed bedside or in small groups. Each art activity is designed to focus on our patients’ strengths and interests. Activities are personally tailored to provide meaningful and memorable experiences for each patient.
Music therapy
The Board-Certified Music Therapists provide music therapy services upon referral to patients and families during their hospitalization. Music therapy services are tailored to each child and family’s needs. The music therapist collaborates directly with the patient’s care team to provide quality and appropriate music therapy services throughout the patient’s hospitalization.
Animal Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy is known to have many positive effects on patients of all ages. Research shows that animal therapy can lower stress and anxiety levels, improve blood pressure, increase patient mobility, and provide an alternative focus from pain.
During the Luncheon we also presented Peg Windsor with her Paul Harris +3, Congratulations Peg.
Lastly at the Luncheon, President Eric Tindall announced a challenge. Pres Eric said, "since we have not had very many guests, that could become RCAAN Rotarians at the luncheons since the beginning of July, I am going to put up a challenge, for our members."
The RCAAN member that brings the most guests, that has potential to become a new member will receive a prize (prize to be announced soon). The challenge will last till the end of June.
The reason for the most guests attending the lunches or events is because, to get a new member they must be guests first, see what our club does, and then if happy, they will become members.
So "GET YOUR ASK ON", like PDG Jane McManus would say and lets find our newest members to help us spread Rotary causes.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch on November 21, 2019, Sarah Teare (Community Development Director), talked aboutHabitat for Humanity or Huron Valley.
Sarah said, "that the Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley works to enrich Washtenaw County through a legacy of affordable home ownership for families of low-income."
In Sarah's talk she described their Community Development Program. Sarah said, "Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley is committed to serving more families by responding to community aspirations with an expanded array of products, services and partnerships with the mission of empowering residents to revive their neighbourhoods and enhance their quality of life."
Habitat for Humanity neighborhood revitalization efforts are focused in the Gault Village, West Willow and Sugarbrook neighbourhoods of Ypsilanti Township. Using the Quality of Life Framework as a guide, they work alongside residents, neighborhood groups and associations to guide a long-term participatory neighborhood planning process. Residents are engaged through door-to-door surveying, community-wide meetings and events.
Activities are direct results of input from neighborhood residents and include neighborhood picnics, neighborhood clean-ups, plant sales, park improvements, safety initiatives, Little Free Libraries, community center upgrades, fence replacement and senior-focused programming.
Home Building: Tasks may include various stages of renovation or building, ranging from demolition to installing cabinets and doors.
ReStore: The Habitat ReStore is located in West Ann Arbor off of Jackson Ave..
Neighborhood Beatification and External Projects: 10+ volunteers/project to help with neighborhood beautification projects or exterior home improvement projects for existing homeowners in the neighbourhoods.
As we enter Foundation Month, we would like to thank each and every one of you who did so much to make World Polio Day such an enormous success.
For the first time, we broadcast our Global Update on 24 October in multiple time zones around the world, reaching more people, and raising more awareness than ever before. More than 5,600 World Polio Day events have been registered on EndPolio.org in more than 125 countries, from New Zealand to Egypt, and from Sweden to Japan.
Inspired by this show of support across the globe, our work to eradicate polio continues. On 21 August, Nigeria marked three years without a case of wild poliovirus, and the World Health Organization African region could potentially be certified wild poliovirus-free next year. Rotary has contributed US$268 million to fight polio in Nigeria, and Rotarians throughout Nigeria and Africa are committed to ensuring that every child is protected from polio. When the African region is finally certified as wild poliovirus-free, it will be a tremendous achievement, as the continent once suffered three quarters of all polio cases in the world.
It is these amazing turnarounds which we must keep in mind when confronting the challenges in eradicating polio. And we must tell stories about our successes in places like India and Nigeria to let the world know what Rotarians, empowered by our Foundation, are doing around the world. As the entrepreneur and educator Michael Margolis once said: “The stories we tell literally make the world.” So if we want to make the world in the image of Rotary’s highest ideals, then we must share our stories as People of Action.
Of course, it is easier to find compelling stories when we have taken part in transformative projects. So remember to use your District Designated Funds for a cause you are passionate about, whether that is PolioPlus, the Disaster Response Fund, the Rotary Peace Centers, or something in your community that could benefit from the support of a district or global grant. If you are struggling for inspiration, just read about the impact of a DDF contribution on the youth of Yonkers, New York, in the Rotarian magazine’s cover story ‘A slam-dunk project in Yonkers.’
The cover stories of tomorrow are already being written, as the Foundation continues to support projects to improve communities across the world. This year, our Foundation has already approved 261 district grants, with US$22.4 million in total funding, and 460 global grants, with US$33.9 million in total funding.
You can end Foundation Month on a charitable note by participating in Giving Tuesday on 3 December. Rotary will be joining thousands of other organizations worldwide for a global day of giving, and it is a prime opportunity to advance our mission. It is now easier than ever to give to the Foundation online, and you can easily notify someone of a gift made in their honor via email or by printing and delivering a customized notification yourself.
So as we enter the second half of the Rotary year, please keep up your efforts to eradicate polio, tell our story, and channel District Designated Funds into more sustainable and scalable projects with significant positive impact. With your words and your actions, Rotary Connects the World.
Yours in Rotary,
Mark Daniel Maloney
President, Rotary International 2019-20
Gary C.K. Huang
Trustee Chair, The Rotary Foundation 2019-20
Recipient list: District governors, assistant governors, club presidents, regional leaders (RPICs, RRFCs, E/MGAs, and RCs), and the board of directors
Holiday Inn Near the University of Michigan 3600 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Drinks & Fellowship- 6:00 PM Dinner- 7:00 PM
Festivities- 8:00 PM
Menu
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
London Broil
Vegetarian Wellington
Cost
$35.00
Please RSVP by December 6th to pegwindsor55@aol, with your menu items and how many will attend.
This year we are inviting alumni to celebrate the holidays, please join us. Wear your favorite fun Holiday Sweater. Bring a gift for the White Elephant Exchange!
Also bring you can bring an undergarment for the Empowered Man Ministries.
Women's bras - all sizes from the smallest to the very largest,
Kate Melcher, Executive Director of Fisher House Michigan was Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon speaker on October 31, 2019.
Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veterans families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. Kate said, "84 of Fisher Houses are located at military and VA medical centers around the world, however, there are currently NONE in Michigan. Supporting the national Fisher House Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fisher House Michigan (FHM) aims to change that. Eighteen months after a Fisher House was approved for the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, a second house for Michigan was approved for the Detroit VAMC.
Fisher Houses are first-class facilities, beautifully designed and well built. Kate described a story that in California, their was an earthquake and all that happened was that things fell off the shelves.
Kate told us a story about her Grandfather, toward the end of his life. She went to a VA Hospital and he wanted to tell about her, to his friends. He took her into a room, she was still wearing her Army wear, and he told them that this is my Grandson, and I am so proud of her.
Kate invited all to a Stories of Service Concert. She said, "our veterans serve our country selflessly, often in the face of great sacrifice and suffering. We seek to honour that service at this concert. Please join us at 7:00 PM, November 6th for an engaging evening of story-telling and music at Michigan Theater.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on October 31, 2019, Past District Governor Jane McManus with Assistant Governor Collyer Smith, presented the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North the Rotary (formally Presidential) Citation for 2018-2019.
In Past Presidents' Joyce Williams absents President Eric Tindall, accepted the citation for her and the club.
On October 26, 2019, a total of ten Children, four Parent's, four Ann Arbor North Member's and Harrison Metzler, Director of Green Baxter Court Center went to Three Cedars Farm for some fall fun. The Children enjoyed, a hay ride, walking the corn maze, petting animals in the petting farm, and had delicious apple cider and donuts.
The excitement was bubbling as Rotarians, Visiting Rotarians and dozens of guests crowded Weber’s Ballroom to hear Ann Lee Hussey tell her personal story of a life with polio. President Rosemarie gaveled the celebration to order, we sang The Star Spangled Banner and O Canada. Karen Driggs told the story of Jonas Salk and French painter Francoise Gilot who had a very happy 25 year unconventional second marriage. Karen reminded us that happiness can be found late in life if we remain open to change and compromise.
President Rosemarie dispensed with much of the business part of our meeting. She greeted Rotarians and guests, then talked about all the things Rotary does busseyoth locally and around the world, emphasizing our theme of Helping Kids Succeed.
Notes from the Program:
Joanne Pierson introduced our speaker, Ann Lee Hussey. Ann Lee is a member of the Portland Sunrise Club in Berwick, Maine. She and her husband, both Rotarians, recently sold their veterinary clinic. In addition to her many polio activities and working as a veterinary tech, Ann Lee has been very active in Rotary, serving a District Governor in 2010 and 2011.
There was total silence as Ann Lee told her story of life with polio. She contracted the disease just three short months after the Salk vaccine was declared safe and effective. She was one of 28,585 people who contracted the disease in 1955, and she was seventeen months old. After she returned from the hospital her mother massaged and exercised her legs, every three hours, around the clock, while also caring for her four older siblings. Her childhood was marked by her difference – the teasing, the being left out of activities, the struggle to get around. Her name and story were reported in her local paper. A stranger, Mrs. Woodbury, living in another town, sent her mother a note of encouragement, and thus began a lifelong friendship. When she was old enough, she began writing Mrs. Woodbury, who never failed to send notes and cards to commemorate so many life events, always enclosing two dollars. The friendship endured until Mrs. Woodbury died at age 80. She taught Ann Lee the meaning of giving, and the art of receiving. Every day she remembers that small kindnesses mean very much to other people.
After more surgeries and therapy sessions than one can count, Ann Lee walks with a limp. But that has not stopped her from traveling the world to help eradicate this crippling disease. She went on her first National Immunization Day trip in 2001 in India. She has now done more than thirty trips in ten countries in Asia and Africa. Her praise goes to the thousands of health care workers who educate and prepare villagers for the immunization days. These people, 80% of whom are women, go to each household to explain the disease, how it spreads, and how the immunizations protect people from polio. This is often a dangerous job, not only to get to remote villages and towns but also to overcome suspicion and hostility to outsiders. Ann Lee was able to bring to life for us the experience of people surging forward to greet the immunization team, eager and grateful to have the opportunity to protect their children.
Ann Lee urged us all to tell the Rotary story, even though our audiences will be much smaller than hers. The effort to eradicate polio has enlisted 200 nations and has five major participants: Rotary International, the World Health Organization, CDC, UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Though most of us will not experience the personal rewards that come when we see healthy, happy, excited faces of children receiving this life changing vaccine, we can all do something, even if just contributing money, to eradicate polio.
There had not been a sound since Ann Lee began speaking, but the silence split by thunderous applause, and more than a few sniffles.
District Governor Sparky Leonard bounded up to the podium, thanking Ann Lee for her so moving and personal story. He greeted Rotarians and guests with his usual enthusiasm. He then got to the purpose of his visit – auctioning off Paulie the Polio Bear. Competition was hot and fierce, but Collyer Smith was the winner with his very generous $2000.00 bid.
President Rosemarie closed the meeting with more thanks to Ann Lee and urged all of us to heed Ann Lee’s wish – that we all do something to eradicate polio.
On Saturday, October 19, 2019, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had our Annual Dinner Fundraiser.
The fundraiser was a 50's theme. The menu was hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, waffle fries, and milk shakes all created in the 50's.
People danced to a DJ, and with the live band called Jeff and the Deck Chairs. The songs were all from the 50's.
Outside the Holiday Inn there was a Chevrolet from the 50's.
Paulie the Purple Polio Bear was in attendance. He took photos all around the party, with famous entertainers, with the Chevrolet, with the shelter box, and learned how to dance from instructors from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio.
At October 17, 2019 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon we had Sarah Paspal-Jasinski, the Director of Development of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.
The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County provides temporary shelter and connections to services in a safe and caring environment and works with the community to allocate the necessary resources to meet the needs of people who are experiencing homelessness.
The Shelter Association serves nearly 1500 adults experiencing homelessness each year. They are housed at the Robert J. Delonis Center on the edge of downtown Ann Arbor and operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The program and services of Shelter Association:
Residential: Our Residential Program offers those experiencing homelessness temporary shelter, intensive case management, and help to find income and save for affordable housing. Case managers conduct a comprehensive assessment with each Residential client to identify their obstacles to finding housing; then help them create a plan to address their obstacles. During a stay in the Residential Program, we work with our clients to help them increase income, and obtain affordable housing, while also addressing physical, mental and substance health related issues. Each Residential client has access to all services offered by the Shelter.
Non-Residential/Shelter Diversion: For individuals experiencing homelessness who are not in our Residential Program, the Shelter Association provides an array of services for both immediate assistance and to encourage long-term change.
Winter Programs: From mid-November through March the Shelter offers Winter Programs that include a Warming Center at the Delonis Center, the Rotating Shelter hosted by faith-based congregations, and assists with the coordination the Daytime Warming Program provided by the community-based advocacy organization MISSION.
Critical Time Intervention: An addition to our Non-Residential Program is Critical Time Intervention (CTI). CTI provides short term case management to clients who have recently ended their homeless experience. This program is designed to help the most vulnerable individuals increase their quality of life and reduce recidivism. By strengthening ties to ongoing support services, friends and family the program provides emotional and practical support; and advocacy during the critical transition from homelessness to stable housing.
Shelter Health Clinic:The Shelter Clinic is operated by Packard Health. This clinic serves the community’s most vulnerable population. The clinic is available to anyone in need in the community as a primary care site as well! The Packard Health Medical Director oversees the clinic, and the Shelter Association's medical case manager assists clients and interfaces with Packard Health.
Community Kitchen: The Community Kitchen, operated by Food Gatherers offers meals to anyone in Washtenaw County in need 364 days a year. Anyone in need is welcome to come for a meal; Lunch is served Monday-Friday 12-1pm and dinner is 5:30-6:30pm. On the weekends and holidays, from 3:00-4:00pm there is one community meal. They have served over 1.5 million meals to date!
Basic Needs: The Shelter offers a wide array of services to meet the basic needs of those experiencing homelessness. At their core, these services focus on granting those we serve the basic human dignity that they deserve. These services include showers, a mailbox, laundry, phone access, and storage for their belongings. Anyone in the community experiencing homelessness is able to access these services.
Recuperative Care: The Shelter now offers a Recuperative Care program. We are one of three centers in Michigan, alone with no place to heal, infection, injury and worsening health lead to expensive re-hospitalization. Hope of securing income and housing are delayed or abandoned. Recuperative Care breaks this cycle. By being discharged to our Medical Recuperative Care Program, a client receives shelter, time to recover, medical supervision, case management and a bridge to permanent housing. Housed and healed, clients live longer, happier lives.
Pathways: The Pathways program provides temporary shelter, safety and security to clients prior to and/or exiting from a residential or outpatient substance abuse detoxification program.
Sarah gave the club a few service opportunities that we may pursue.
We will meet the children from Green Baxter Court at Three Cedars Farm at 11:50 AM, on October 26th, and we will go on hay rides, walk a corn maze and have cider and donuts.
Anyone wanting to join in please fill free to come out.
Julaine LeDuc, the Director of Development at The Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor was the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North speaker on October 10, 2019.
Julaine said, "The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor has two Houses that provide a supportive home away from home for families of children 21 years of age and younger receiving treatment at a local area health facility. Located within walking distance of the University of Michigan Medical Centers, the Main House opened its doors in 1985 and serves over 1,200 families a year. The Mott House opened in December 2011 and provides a short-term respite for families of the most medically fragile patients."
Julaine then provided the club with some volunteer opportunities which follow:
Wish List Group Collection: Groups can look on RMH website for the Wish List Items currently in need at the House. Groups often work together in the collection of the items and drop them off at the House.
Cook a dinner at the House: Bring the club at 6-7 pm and cook or bring dinner for residents at the house to eat.
Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor are always looking for people to get involved and will be happy to see you.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North partnered on a Global Grant in Pune, India. This worthwhile Rotary Foundation Co-sponsored Global Grant project in 2017 with RCAA (lead club), Novi and Detroit Rotary Clubs and two Rotary Clubs in Pune (India). RCAAN contributed $2000 for this highly leveraged $90k project, which is now making a huge difference to saving infant lives at a rural hospital in Central India.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North was thanked for being a community partner by Community Action Network (CAN), in their newsletter. Ann Arbor North donated school supplies for the students of Green Baxter Court.
At the Lunch Meeting on October 03, 2019, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North inducted Dr. Daniel Anbe. Daniel is a retired Doctor, which he practiced Cardiology.
He was a Rotarian from the Genesee Valley Rotary up until 2018. He move to Ann Arbor last year where he decided to join Ann Arbor North as a member.
Also at our meeting Collyer Smith talked about Mental Health. Collyer's Son named Cam Smith passed away in his sleep on January 12, 2018 in Ann Arbor at the age of 23. He was suffering from depression/anxiety which led to a drug addiction for many years. Cam went through several rehab programs, and was now at a half-way house getting ready to go back to school. Collyer and his wife, Annie, wanted Cam to spend Christmas with them as a family, and for a short visit. Since holidays are filled with stress and anxiety, and relapses occur frequently, Cam's therapists recommended that it would be much better having Cam home for a short visit in mid January.
Cam visited several trusted friends while he was home. On Jan. 12th Collyer Smith, came into his son's room in the morning to ensure Cam was ready for some basketball at a sports facility. At first, Collyer thought Cam was sleeping, but soon learned he Cam had passed away. After discussing with the lead Detective, and confirmed through the autopsy, the cause of deathe was inhalation of heroin laced with fentanyl.
Collyer. filled with grief and despair, kept Cam's death cause quiet until his cousin said, "you are doing all this Rotary causes and talking about J.E.T. (Join Leaders,Exchange Ideas, Take Action), what are you going to about it (regarding his son's death)."
Collyer started talking about it, in the effort to educate other parents.
Sponsor Steve (Doc) Lessens, Newest Member Daniel Anbe & President Eric Tindall.
I would like to personally invite you, your family and friends to join us in a wonderful celebration of Rotary. This year we will be recognizing all new members that have joined our great organization since July 1st, as well as current Rotarians who have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows, all new level Major Donors, Bequests Society and Arch Klumph members.
Jennifer Jones, Trustee of our Rotary Foundation and Past Vice President of Rotary International, will share with us the reasons and the value of The Rotary Foundation. She will personally thank and recognize all Rotarians for our outstanding work with the foundation. Jennifer will greet and re-induct all the new members to Rotary in a very special way.
Be a part of the celebrations at Fox Hills Golf Course November 2nd @ 6pm.
This is is the one event you do not want to miss !
On October 25th and 26th Diana Edwards, Rotary International Membership Director visited the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, to help improve the club and to obtaining new members.
On October 25th Diana, Bala & Roma Murthy from Troy Rotary and representingRotary District 6380, RCAAN Board and Membership Committee went to Applebees to discuss the Membership Satisfaction Survey, which each member of the club filled out a few weeks ago.
Then on October 26th Diana, Brenda Tipton (District 6380 Membership Chair), Collyer Smith, Anne Nauts, and Lauren Heinonen (President ofRotary Ann Arbor Satellite Club) visited the club. At this meeting we introduced Diana Edwards and she talked about the Club Membership Support Program in which Ann Arbor North is participating in.
President Eric Tindall then took over and went over the results from the Membership Satisfaction Surveys and had a discussion on the results.
Diana lastly, talked about what the next step will be for her to help the club.
Tim Petik, from Stefforia, Petik & Associates talked about the Field of Accounting at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch on September 19, 2019.
Tim said, "like Rotary, Certified Public Accountants helps people." They want to give a high standard of service to their client's to ensure all of their accounting needs are being addressed.
Tim finished his talk with questions and answers about finance from some members of our club.
The Wayne State University Center for Peace & Conflict Studies and the Rotary Clubs of Detroit, Ann Arbor, & Windsor 1918 invite you to Peace in the Streets on Oct. 25-26, 2019.
This Cross Border Rotary Peace Symposium will take place in Detroit on Friday Oct 25th and in Windsor on Saturday Oct 26, with both days filled withengaging speakers on conflict and peace.
We are also looking for financial support for this conference. Pleaseclick here if you would like to learn more about donating to our peace-building efforts.
On September 12, 2019, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North went to MCity for a look at the Automated Vehicle Test Track located on the University of Michigan Campus at 2905 Baxter Rd Ann Arbor.
Mcity is the world’s first purpose-build facility for testing connected and automated vehicles and technologies under controlled, realistic conditions before trying them out in real traffic.
Dr. Huei Peng, director of the Mobility Transformation Center (MTC) at the University of Michigan, gave the club a tour of the test track in the MCity Driverless Shuttle. The Mcity Driverless Shuttle is a 11-seat, all-electric shuttle manufactured by French firm NAVYA.
During the tour of the test track we went past building facades up to two stories high line the streets of Mcity’s urban downtown area. The tour took us past urban and suburban streets, plus road signs, pedestrian crossings and other features to simulate real-world urban and suburban driving conditions. Lastly we went under a highway overpass that blocks vehicles from wireless and satellite signals.
This was an email from Frankie Moore and Community Action Network.
Hello Eric & Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North,
Thank you so much for your donations of school supplies to CAN! This year we distributed over 400+ backpacks (more to come as well!) which is over 100 more than we typically do. Over 400 CAN students get to start the school year feeling confident that they have the physical supplies they need to be successful. We could not have been able to handle this growth without your support this year!
Attached is a flyer with some pictures of the kids with their new backpacks and a short explanation of how CAN programs help students accomplish their academic goals.
Please let me know if you have any questions! Again, thank you so much.
To give everyone a long time to plan, because of the remodeling of the Holiday Inn we will not be able to meet there on October 10th.
Instead we have been able to get a room at Residence Inn by Marriot at 3535 Green Ct, Ann Arbor, MI. We are in the process of determining a lunch for those days.
More information will be given later at meetings, newsletters, andRCAAN website.
Lexy Craig, from The Holley Institute talked on September 5th, at the RCAAN Luncheon. Lexy is deaf and is the Senior Program Director at The Holley Institute.
Lexy said, "The Holley Institute owns and operates The Carls Family Village at De Sales Center which has offered educational and recreational programs for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard of hearing since 1996."
The Carls Family Village was Co-founded by Ardis Gardela (President) and William Rice (Medical Director). The Institute has two paid employees, who are Lexy the Senior Program Director, and Debbie Mitri-Smith the Development Officer.
During the summer months and other times throughout the year, The Holley Institute offers quality programs for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard of hearing people and their families.
The services that the Holley Institute provides are:
Newborn Screening
Education and Screening
Mentoring
Patient Advocacy
Workshops
Summer Programs
American Sign Language Classes
Community Health Literacy
Community Outreach Activities
Lexy, described, "The Institutes new program called the Community Health Literacy Program. The Mission of the program is Families in Michigan with at least one family member who is Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, including those who use listening assistance-technology devices, will communicate and participate in literacy activities together through American Sign Language and English at home with the guidance of trained mentors."
The Community Health Literacy is a home-based program that runs during the academic year, where trained mentors go to their assigned families’ home once a week for two hours. The research- and evidence-based curriculum will be used in this program. This program provides educational access to:
Reading and writing literacy
Language acquisition
Incidental learning environments
American Sign Language
Deaf Culture
Need-based resources
Community events
Lexy invited individuals of the club to The Holley Institutes Bowling Event at Woodland Lanes from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. For more information CLICK HERE.
Member's of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North are going to the 2019 Amy Fedel Memorial Benefit concert, that will be taking place on Saturday, September 21st at 7:30 pm. The location of the concert is Green Wood Church at 1001 Green Road Ann Arbor, MI. Everyone are welcome to attend.
Music will be provided by several Ann Arbor based bands and performers, including The Bonfire Poets ( acoustic and electric favorites), Five Miles More (jazz and standards), Patti Jarosz, and Rotarian Jeff Crause and his band called Jeff and the Deck Chairs.
As always there will be audience participation with the Singalong Jukebox.
Tim Makinen, from the Gift of Life Michigan was the speaker at RCAAN Luncheon on August 29th.
Joyce Williams who works at the Kidney Foundation that works heavily with Tim introduced him at the Luncheon.
Gift of Life Michigan, headquartered in Ann Arbor, is the state's only federally designated organ and tissue recovery program, providing all services necessary for organ donation to occur in Michigan.
Gift of Life was incorporated in 1971 by Michigan transplant surgeons to provide a network for sharing kidneys. Today, Gift of Life recovers more than 900 organs every year for transplantation from 300 or more donors, saving hundreds of lives. Bone, skin and other tissue also is recovered, helping to significantly improve the lives of thousands of seriously injured and sick recipients.
In addition, Tim said, "Gift of Life maintains and grows the Michigan Organ Donor Registry in partnership with the Michigan Secretary of State. The registry is a confidential database of people who have expressed their desire to someday help others by becoming an organ, eye and tissue donor."
Some questions Tim addressed during his talk was
Will doctors work as hard to save my life if they know I’m a donor? Yes, absolutely. When a patient arrives at the hospital, the number one priority is to save his or her life. Doctors and other medical personnel have both a moral and legal obligation to give their patients the best care possible. Organ donation is not considered or even discussed until every effort to save the patient’s life has been tried and, unfortunately, failed.
I have health problems. Can I still be a donor? Yes, anyone is a potential organ donor despite medical conditions, so please don't rule yourself out! Medical criteria for organ donation changes as medical advances occur, and a physician evaluates all potential donors at the time of death to determine what can be used to help others. We therefore encourage anyone, regardless of their medical history.
Am I too old to sign up? No, there are no age limits to register. There have been many successful transplants from donors over the age of 50. According toorgandonor.gov, one of the oldest organ donors in the U.S. was 92, and his donated liver saved the life of a 69-year-old woman! Don’t rule yourself out because of age.
Will I still be able to have an open casket at the funeral? Yes, donors are afforded the utmost respect and care, and neither organ nor tissue donation interfere with open casket viewings.
Why is it important to register as a donor? Your gift will be used to help others through transplantation, therapy, research and education.
One person can donate up to eight life-saving organs, as well as tissues and corneas. Donated tissue can help up to 75 people, and be used to repair wounds, burns, and joints. Donated corneas can restore vision, or relieve painful swelling.Organs and tissue that cannot be transplanted are valuable to research and education, allowing surgical teams to practice their transplant skills or contribute to research projects. For example, islet cells recovered from a donated pancreas could help researchers trying to find a cure for diabetes. Registering as a donor is therefore an important step for anyone who wishes to help others through the gift of organ and tissue donation. If you register to become a donor, you relieve your grieving family of having to make a decision when you die. Having your wishes documented also ensures that your decision to donate will be carried out, if medically possible.
Why should I donate? More than 3,000 people are on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant in Michigan, with more than 113,000 on the national waiting list. People die waiting every single day because the number in need of transplants greatly outpaces the number of organs available. There is an especially critical need for hearts, livers and kidneys.
After the Luncheon our special guest today District Governor Don (Sparky) Leonard took the club out side to show off "Spark Plug".
On September 12, 2019, instead of having our regular lunch meeting at the Holiday Inn we will be meeting atMCity, located at2905 Baxter Road Ann Arbor MI, 28109. Members and guests will assemble at MCIty by noon. There is adequate parking in a lot just behind the UM Highway Safety Building. ClickMCity Map From Parking Lot showing a map how to get to the parking lot.
There will be no lunch or formal meeting at the Holiday Inn that day.
The actual tour will take about 35 minutes and with questions we should be away by 1:00.
wearing sun screen and perhaps a hat.
we will be standing all the time and he will be speaking as we move about.
Moderate amount of walking
Mcity is a 32-acre (13 ha) mock city and proving ground built for the testing of wirelessly connected and driver-less cars located on the University of Michigan North Campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The project, which officially opened on July 20, 2015, is built on land purchased by the university from a former Pfizer facility. It cost US$10 million and will be collaboratively managed by Mcity (formerly the Mobility Transformation Center - MTC).
Mcity is the world's first controlled environment specifically designed to test the potential of connected and automated vehicle technologies that are expected to lead the way to mass-market driver-less cars. Students and faculty in the University of Michigan College of Engineering utilize Mcity to work on projects and to collaborate with automakers and suppliers who will test vehicle technology at the course.
The site includes 4.25 lane miles of roadway that include several familiar features of urban driving, including signalized intersections, a railroad crossing, a roundabout, a traffic circle, brick and gravel roads, and parking spaces. Building facades can be moved and fake pedestrians can be altered for different kinds of tests. There are two simulated highway entrance ramps with ramp metering. Two features - a metal bridge and a tunnel - are a special challenge for wireless signals and radar sensors to get through.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is feeding the hungry at the Food Gatherers Service Project in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Jaycees, on Saturday August 10, 2019.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North and Ann Arbor Jaycees members sorted out good and bad produce, putting good produce in boxes to go out to the needy and throwing away bad produce.
This year's One Rotary Summit event features guest speaker and Past District Governor, Michael Caruso, who will help us develop powerful signature stories.
Stories, as you know, are a fantastic way to grow your club, raise more money and get attention for Rotary. Stories can make any presentation better, so if you or your spouse/partner do talks for work, you don't want to miss this valuable session.
One Rotary Summit is Saturday, September 14 at Concordia University in Ann Arbor from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm and includes a picnic-style BBQ lunch.
The ability to tell a story is perhaps one life’s most useful skills. Stories are certainly a great way to retain members and gain new Rotarians.
Smart leaders use stories to motivate team members and inspire high performance. Savvy salespeople tell stories to encourage prospects to become customers. Parents use stories to inspire good behavior from their children.
Yet, most people don’t really know how to tell a story.
The creation of a powerful narrative cannot be ad-libbed, but it can be shaped and sculpted, especially if you are familiar with the narrative essentials.
International author and speaker (and our D6380 Governor in 2016-17), Michael Angelo Caruso, will show us how to use the power of narrative in Rotary, at work and at home. Watch a short video of Michael's storytelling style at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zHpgCtx5m0
At this unique One Rotary Summit event, you'll have tons of fun as you sharpen your story-telling skills and learn how to:
Stage and frame the story
Learn to pick up signals that people are ready for your story
Grow your Rotary club
Develop a flair for storytelling
Establish (and deliver) positive expectations
Master the two-minute "signature story"
Customize your story for each of the four main personality styles
Raise more money
Read your audience better
Stay on message
Get people to act on your story such as attend an event or join your club
Increase fundraising
Get a promotion at work
Get the power of story on Saturday morning, September 14 in Ann Arbor.
$20 gets you breakfast beverages and a barbecue meal after the program!
In order to grow our club, make it more enjoyable, and to grow the impact we are giving to the community, the new Rotary International initiative, called the Club Membership Support Program wants every Ann Arbor North member to fill out a Membership Satisfaction Survey.
The survey will be due August 29, 2019, and Pres. Eric Tindall, will have printed copies of the survey to be filled out at the August 15th meeting.
After we receive all the survey's and look at the results of them, Diane Edwards from RI membership, will be attending a lunch meeting to discuss procedures to improve the way we obtain new member's and to retain the one's we already have.
Please, we need you to register to keep the cost low and to give the most to Ending Polio, email Norma from Ann Arbor Rotary with the email below. Thank you.
Ann Lee Hussey is from South Berwick, Maine, will speak on “Polio Eradication: the Last Mile.”
Anne has made the eradication of polio and the alleviation of suffering by polio survivors her life’s work. The story she tells is personal; she puts a human face on the subject of polio eradication.
Over the past several years, she has actively participated in 29 volunteer National Immunization Days teams. 26 of those teams she organized and lead herself! She took her teams to where the need is greatest — such as Chad, Mali, Bangladesh, Niger, Nigeria, Madagascar, as well as less “touristy” destinations in Egypt and India — places that do not often see Westerners. The publicity and goodwill that these trips consequently generated, in and of themselves, help communicate the need for eradication. That is almost as critical as new immunizations when we focus on highlighting how close the world is to realizing that objective.
Anne’s work has earned her the International Service Award for a Polio-Free World and the Rotary Service Above Self Award. She has been honored as a White House Champion of Change for her humanitarianism and contributions to public service. In March of 2017, Rotary and The World Bank jointly recognized her as a Woman of Action as the International Day of Women was celebrated. In her home state of Maine, Maine Magazine recognized Anne as one of the “50 Mainers of 2017” who have changed our world, improved our lives, and broadened our horizons.
Anne has deep Rotary roots. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Portland (Maine) Sunrise and has served District 7780 there in many capacities, including as Governor in 2010-2011. She currently serves as Adviser to Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee and as Rotary’s representative on the Global Polio Eradication Transition Management Group. She is CEO of the Polio Survivors Rotarian Action Group and Chair of the its Chair Council for 2016-2018.
Doors open at 11:30am and program begins at 12:30pm.
Admittance is $20/person and includes lunch. RSVP to Norma Sarkar at njsarkar@comcast.net.
On August 1, 2019, at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, Emily Canosa and Deb Lentztalk about the Hoop House. RCAAN helped with the Hoop House by getting a District Grant and helping with volunteers.The Agrarian Adventure is the steward of the hoop house erected in 2008 at Tappan Middle School.
The Agrarian Adventure partners with K-12 schools to enrich students’ connection between the foods they eat, their personal health, and the health of their communities and the environment. They believe that fostering a deeper connection to the way our food is produced can help empower students to make healthier choices for life.
This Hoop House is utilized as a winter garden for students, a hub for seedling production and distribution, and as a growing site for students at Tappan (with particular leadership from those in the after school Food & Garden Club).
Over the ten years since it was built, produce from the Hoop House has found its way to classroom and outdoor tastings, school cafeterias, student-prepared meals, the homes of Tappan families and garden volunteers, fundraiser events, local businesses, the Backdoor Food Pantry, and Food Gatherers.
Emily talked about how our help provided the plastic for the Hoop House. Click hereto see the photos, she presented to the club of the April 13th's workday.
Deb Lentz, Vice President of Agrarian Adventure, RCAAN President Eric Tindall andEmily Canosa, Secretary of Agrarian Adventure
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on July 25, 2019, the speaker was our Assistant District Governor Collyer Smith talking about "Rotary Connects The World".
Before Collyer's talk, we had the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor's President Rosemarie Rowney, accept a $200.00 donation from Ann Arbor North for the Polio Luncheon on October 23rd. At this Polio Luncheon, where all Ann Arbor North Members are encouraged to attend because we are not having our normal lunch on Oct. 24th, District Governor Don Sparky Leonard and Polio Survivor Ann Lee Hussey will be speaking. Proceeds from the lunch will go toward the Rotary Polio Plus program.
After lunch Collyer started his talk, about the theme for District Governor Sparky Leonard's year which is "Rotary Connects the World". Sparky, having great insight, realized by the time he got around to the other 52 Clubs in his District, to share the new year to them, he would be well into the next DG's year. So,,, he had all of the Assistant Governors share their stories for: "Rotary Connects the World." (There are 13 Assistant Governors that work with 4 clubs--(one AG has 5).
Assistant Governor Collyer Smith, shared how "Rotary Connects the World", first starts within our individual clubs. He surprised many with his "happenstance" entry into The Rotary World when he played tennis with the City Administrator. After beating the City Administrator resoundingly- Collyer thought his defeated tennis partner would rave on the fantastic tennis skills displayed. Instead, the City Administrator stared right into Collyer's eyes, pointed right at him, and stated: "You have way too much time on your hands- you are joining Rotary"!
Collyer then proceeded with delight in telling his Rotary journey, tutoring a challenging boy in math. In the process of trying to get the student to grade level math, this young boy did something even more powerful-he ended up changing Collyer's life. And Collyer's life would not have changed, nor would the young boy achieve 5th grade level math, if a series of connects did not occur:
The City Administrator inviting (ok, demanding) Collyer to join Rotary.
The City Administrator making time to connect and coordinate, with the Chair of Rotary Tutors committee, at the very next lunch meeting.
The Chair of Rotary Tutors following up, and connecting, with the 5th grade counselor and teacher that very afternoon.
As Collyer stated: "If the above 3 connects did not occur, or broke down at any given point- Collyer would not have had the life changing experience that so moved, and compelled him.
President Eric then opened up the floor for members to share their most impactful and proud experiences--and more inspirational stories flourished. And that, is why we are in Rotary!
By openly sharing our stories- potential members can't help but join, so that they too, can catch the fever!
Rotary Ann Arbor North President Eric Tindall, presents Rotary Ann Arbor President Rosemarie Rowney a donation for the Polio Luncheon on October 23, 2019, at Weber's.
Assistant District Governor Collyer Smith, Talked About Rotary Connect The World, On July 25th.
Eric Tindall
2019-07-25 04:00:00Z
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"Rotary Connects The World",Assistant Governor Collyer Smith,Polio Plus,President Eric Tindall,President Rosemairie Rowney,Rotary Club of Ann Arbor,Rotary International President Mark Maloney,Rotary International Theme 2019-2020
On August 19, 2019, Rotary District 6380 hosted a night at Comerica Park. Game started at 7:10 PM with the home team Detroit Tiger's versus Toronto Blue Jay's.
Starting at 6:45 PM we had dinner with fellow Rotarian's, which included hot dogs, hamburgers, lay's potato chips, cole slaw, and beans.
Shortly before the game started, Dave Rozama, a 1984 World Series Championship Pitcher, joined in with the fellowship, autographed his photo, and took photos with Rotary Member's.
Detroit Tiger's lost 12-1, but all Rotarian's had fun, and of course the Canadian Rotarian's enjoyed the game more.
You will be able to bring your Green Baxter Court school supplies donation at this event. Last day for the donation is August 15th.
On Saturday, August 10, 2019 we are having a special service project at Food Gatherers Warehouse.
The Food Gatherers collect food donations from local grocery stores and other sources. Donated food much be sorted and expired items discarded, before donation can be passed along to local food pantries and community kitchens. To accomplish this Food Gatherers rely extensively on volunteers.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North members will be able to sign-up for this service project at the next few lunch meetings, orclick here to go to Ann Arbor Jaycees spreed sheet to sign-up or contact President Eric Tindall.
All volunteers must fill out a consent form. Please fill out and hand in at upcoming lunch meetings or bring it on August 10th.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on August 18, 2019, Tiffany Fitzpatrick talked about Human Trafficking in Michigan.
Tiffany is a fellow Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club in Saline. Last year she joined Love Runs, which is a non-profit organization based out of Northridge Church that focuses on fighting human trafficking in southeast Michigan.
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age.
Sex trafficking is the recruitment, or soliciting of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age.
Sex Trafficking has been found in a wide variety of venues within the sex industry, including residential brothels, escort services, fake massage businesses, strip clubs, and street prostitution.
Labor trafficking is the recruitment of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
Labor trafficking has been found in diverse labor settings including, domestic work, small businesses, large farms, and factories.
Michigan ranks among the worst in the nation for sex slavery and human trafficking.
If you can come to these gatherings for the new Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Satellite Club, please give them your support.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor now offers an alternative meeting time through the new RCAA Satellite. Join us for a more informal meeting every other Tuesday evening, 6-7:30 pm, at an Ann Arbor restaurant or pub! Feel free to come and have a drink, an appetizer, or dinner. This group is new, and we will tailor the RCAA Satellite experience based on what you want.
Satellite meetings are open to current RCAA members and anyone who may be looking to be part of Rotary. These meetings are perfect for young professionals, recent graduates, and others in the community who want to be part of a large service-based organization, but cannot regularly attend the regular RCAA Wednesday luncheon meetings or who may prefer a more informal, service project-based community.
JULY 2019 SATELLITE MEETING INFORMATION
WHEN: Tuesday, July 16 and July 30
WHERE: Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
WHAT: This month, learn about what Rotary is, what the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor is up to, and how you can have an impact on our community through RCAA Satellite
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting we had the honor of having the District 6380 Membership Lead, Brenda K Tipton & Anne Nauts a District Membership Committee Member, both from the GROW ROTARY 2020 Team attend the first lunch meeting on July 11, 2019.
At the lunch meeting President Eric Tindall presented Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North goals and the Rotary Club Citation requirements.
DEADLINE IS AT THIS WEEKS RCAAN LUNCH MEETING, AUGUST 15TH.
It is that time again to get school supplies
for the children at Green Baxter Court.
Frankie Moore said, "we have about 20-25 students expected to register for GBC programs this fall (elementary & teens). We could use help with any school supplies! but really any backpacks/supplies are welcome."
RCAAN members can start bringing the supplies for the children for July 18th lunch meeting. Please bring supplies to the lunch meetings by August 15th.
If you do not feel like shopping or just would like to help with the project, with a donation, money will be welcomed. Community Action Network will use it when they go shopping. Money can be given to Diane by August 15th.
Items we have enough of, so do not need to buy:
Composition Notebooks
Thank you in advance for you supplies for the children.
For those Rotarian.s that said they were able to help, please come to Diane Sheffrey's on August 3rd at 10:00 AM to sort out supplies and documents.
We are in a need of a few Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Members, for a couple of hours to organize our documents and supplies.
Over the years we have accumulated many documents, supplies and Rotary gifts that now that the Holiday Inn is remodeling, we need to organize and eliminate much of it.
If you are willing to spend a few hours in helping us go through the boxes we have, please contactPresident Eric and we will set up a time to organize it.
In the morning of the 4th of July, many Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North members walked in the annual Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade.
The walk started at the corner of State and Liberty, head north to Washington, head west on Washington to Main, head south on Main to Liberty, head east back to State.
We celebrated America's independence with District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard and Spark Plug. Walking in the parade for Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North was President Eric Tindall and Bob Specht.
Click HERE for more photo's of the Fourth of July Parade.
A new Rotary year is upon us, and let us say one final thank you to former President Barry Rassin for his outstanding leadership. Barry, we will miss you, but we know and appreciate that you will continue to lead Rotary in important ways for years to come.
I have spoken for several months about how Rotary Connects the World, and the time has now arrived to put our words into action. We have an exciting year ahead of us, a year when we begin to implement the new Strategic Plan, what I call the Rotary Action Plan and when we will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter.
That anniversary will underscore the ties we have and goals we share with the United Nations. We will host five special events—UN Day in New York, three presidential conferences in Paris, Santiago, and Rome, and a final celebration just before the Convention in Honolulu. This will help us achieve the first Action Plan goal of increasing our impact by demonstrating that Rotary’s influence in the world has only just begun.
The second Action Plan goal is expanding our reach. To achieve that, we need to grow Rotary – reaching out to new members, engaging current members, and creating more alternatives for membership for the next generation of Rotarians.
The third goal is enhanced participant engagement, making sure that Rotarians have experiences that are personally and professionally relevant and fulfilling. This is why I believe so strongly in building a more family-friendly Rotary -- one that welcomes children to our activities and that is considerate of families in our scheduling. Let us recommit to putting the needs, expectations, and growth of our participants at the center of all we do.
The final priority of our new Action Plan is increasing our ability to adapt. New approaches to our organizing principles do not threaten our sense of who we are. That is why I believe that Rotary must respect professional commitments and not require Rotary leadership to be a full-time job. We need to respect the time and responsibilities of young people who are building careers.
Together, we will harness the power of connection just as our organization has been doing for more than 114 years. We have a long, proud heritage. And we will continue to thrive because we are not afraid of change.
I look forward to leading you in this important journey, as Rotary Connects the World!
Yours in Rotary, Mark Daniel Maloney President, Rotary International 2019-2020
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Presidents Night was June 17, 2019, at The Quarter Bistro in Ann Arbor.
Tammy Broderick was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow Award From the Club for all her hard work.
We had a talk by our outgoing District Governor, Jane McManus and a short story from Kevin Kelly, Major Gifts Officer at Rotary International. AG Collyer Smith was also here to enjoy the night
At Tappan Middle School, The Agrarian Adventure put up a thank you for participating in the Hoop House.
This finalized the District Grant we received from Rotary District 6380. If you are driving by Tappan, stop and take a look at the Hoop House in back of Tappan Middle School.
All of the funding for the Rotary International Global Grant ($142,030) is now in the account of the Freetown Rotary Club.
A site visit has been conducted by Rotarian Theodora Wilkinson of the Freetown Rotary Club and transfers are being made to the implementing organization, the Center for Community Empowerment.
The dream of Chief Charles Caulker to develop his chiefdom using its own agricultural traditions is now being realized. He wanted to grow fruit trees in his verdant tropical chiefdom that would produce income for community development in the years to come.
Click HERE to see newsletter with more information.
Rotarian's Photo: Board Member FHM Kathy Hays, Don Deatrick, RCAA Pres. Elect Rosemarie Rowney, Ashish Sarkar, Norma Sarkar, Paul Schissler, Anne Nauts, RCAAN Pres. Elect Eric Tindall, RCAA Pres.Greg Stejskal, Pat Pooley FHM Board Member Karen Diane Kerry, and Pres. FHM Brad Chick at VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
On June 14th at 10:00 AM, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North President Elect Eric Tindall and many Ann Arbor Area Rotarian's Celebrated the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the firstFisher House to be built in Michigan.
The Fisher House Ann Arbor was a project inspired by Rotary Clubs of Ann Arbor North, Ann Arbor Downtown, Chelsea and Dexter that we have been working on for the past three years.
Once built, the Fisher House will provide free, temporary lodging to military and Veteran families and caregivers while their loved one is hospitalized at our medical center.
The program started with Master of Ceremonies with Paula Tutman, Broadcast Journalist from WDIV Local 4, we had the Presentation of Colors from U of M ROTC, the Pledge of Allegiance from Randy Ritter a Board Member of FHM, and them Invocation by Chaplain Marcus Bell, VA Ann Arbor Health System Lead Chaplain.
Dr. Ginny L. Creasman, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Director/CEO, presented opening remarks. Followed by remarks from the following Distinguished Guests:
Shella Stovall, Acting VISN 10 Network Director
CPT (R) Kate Melcher, Executive Director Fisher House Michigan
Danial Patrick, Fisher House Guest and Advocate
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Congressman Tim Walberg
Congresswomen Debbie Dingell
For Closing Remarks David Coker, President of Fisher House Michigan gave some words.
Them Paula Tutman sent everyone outside the tent for the ground breaking of the house.
Ribbon- cutting is anticipated by next Memorial Day on the sixteen family suite home in the VA Ann Arbor campus. We are all very excited to see our first military family feel the warmth, love and comfort as they walk through the door!
For more Photo's of the Ground Breaking Click Here
Click HERE for WDIV segment on the day of the Fisher House Ground Breaking.
For Ann Arbor North's weekly luncheon on Thursday June 13, 2019, we replaced the normal lunch and meeting at Holiday Inn and we took a field trip to NSA International at 789 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI.
NSF was founded in 1944, with a mission to protect and improve global human health. Manufacturers, regulators and consumers look to them to facilitate the development of public health standards and certifications that help protect food, water, consumer products and the environment. As an independent, accredited organization, they test, audit and certify products and systems as well as provide education and risk management.
In the field trip we saw some labs that test products, as tour guide describes how the product is tested. We saw the water testing lab that is very prevalent to Rotary with our Area of Focus of Water and Sanitation.
Due to time we were not able to see the lower level of the facility, so looking forward for August to continue the tour.
Join other Rotarians from Rotary District 6380 for Rotary Family Day at Comerica Park on July 19h and enjoy a spectacular night at the ballpark.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Detroit Tigers Registration fee includes:
All you can eat ballpark food for 2 hours.
Private viewing dining area in right field. Cash bar and prizes!
Register today and be entered into a draw on a Alan Tammell autographed jersey. Stay after the game and enjoy the breathtaking fireworks this event is shaping up to be the event of the summer.
Click here to see Sparky's video for Rotary Family Day at Comerica Park
Manish Mehta welcomed special guests, Rotarian Vikraman Panicker from Mumbai-Andheri Club (Mumbai India) and our friends from Nigerian Gbagada (Lagos Nigeria), Rotarians Ayotunde Onafuwa and Bisi who are here for their annual summer vacation.
Ayotunde from Rotary Club of Gbagada presented RCAAN with gifts. They where a thank you for being in a partnership with them in a Microfinance Project, which rotates $10,000 while mentoring over 50 entrepreneurs in this sub-urban community outside Lagos.
Rotarian Vikraman Panicker from Mumbai-Andheri Rotary Club
The Agrarian Adventure needs volunteers for a community hoop house restoration at Tappan Middle School (2251 E. Stadium Blvd.)! Please join us on Saturday, April 13th between 12:00 pm-3:30 pm for a day of action to revitalize the structure.
We will be stretching new plastic on the hoop.
Please join Agrarian Adventure team, Tappan Students and us to place the plastic over the metal posts. If it is windy many people will be needed to hold the plastic down or it will fly away.
Photos from Hoop House Workday on April 13th. Click Here to see more.
Shamar explained, 4 years ago, the program was started when in Detroit and in West Willow in Ypsilanti there was 2 murders. A Sheriff asked him to get the kid's jobs. Since everyone knows he is the jobs person. This was the start of the Youth Summer Employment Program.
Shamar said, "the Youth Employment Program Builds Life-Long Networks & Careers." The ten-week summer employment and mentorship program, pairs local businesses with Washtenaw County youth (ages 16-24) to provide on-the-job training that sets the stage for life-long careers, opens doors to new industries, and provides mentorship critical to building professional networks.
Last year, almost 100 youth completed the program. This equated to more than 20,000 work experience hours and more than $220,000 invested in our youths’ future success.
"This year will be our fourth year running the program, and we’re looking to place 150 youth in jobs throughout the county,” said Shamar Herron, “Every year we’ve been able to grow the program, and we’re proud to see the ongoing development of our young people each year.”
Shamar, thanked the Club for our donation to the program this year. He said,"their are kid's that come in with no socks, not alone having some professional clothing for a job. The money went to giving them the tools to get a job. From buying them clothe and showing them how to shake a managers hand and looking them in the eyes at a job interview.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on May 23, 2019 our speaker was Washtenaw County Commissioner Andy LaBarre.
A county commission (also known as a board of county commissioners) is a group of elected officials charged with administering the county government in some states of the United States.
The commission acts as the executive of the local government, levies local taxes, administers county governmental services such as prisons, courts, public health oversight, property registration, building code enforcement, and public works such as road maintenance.
Andy was elected to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners on January 1, 2013. He was elected to his third term on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in 2016. Andy represents District 7, located in the eastern half of the City of Ann Arbor. For 2017 he served as Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners.
At the RCAAN Luncheon Andy talked about some topics that are being worked on right now in Washtenaw County:
Gelman Sciences (now Pall Corp., a division of Danaher Corp.) polluted groundwater in parts of Washtenaw County, including parts of the City as well as Ann Arbor and Scio Townships, when it improperly disposed of industrial solvents containing 1,4-dioxane between 1966 and 1986. That pollution has since spread through the aquifer. The City is engaged with neighbouring communities and the state to, among other things, push Gelman to delineate, contain and clean up its pollution. To that end, the City has, for example, intervened in litigation in Washtenaw County Circuit Court brought by the State against Gelman.
Washtenaw County provides mental health services to adults with a severe and persistent mental illness, children with a severe emotional disturbance, and individuals with a developmental disability, residing in the county.
There's a $150 million gap between the cost of health care and what's provided to Michigan's public mental health system, according to a recent analysis released by the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHAM). Only 4 percent of the funding provided to the CMH system is available to serve Michiganders without Medicaid who need mental health services, according to the CMHAM press release.
Among the recommendations include restoring General Fund dollars to the system, setting Medicaid rates to match demands and costs, and removing the local match draw-down obligation from budget boilerplate. CMHAM sees these changes and others as ways to modernize the funding system.
"There are new demands, new crises and new conditions in every community throughout Michigan, which the original financing structure did not account for," said CMHAM CEO Robert SHEEHAN, in a statement. "These include the opioid crisis, incarceration of those with mental health needs, the recognition of the prevalence of autism, increased homelessness and more -- yet the system is still operating from a decades-old funding structure."
Andy then took some questions from Rotarian's.
Some of the question topics was:
Washtenaw County Roads
Washtenaw County Jail
Before Andy started his talk, Pres. Joyce handed out red noses forRed Nose Day which was today May 23rd.
Red Nose Day is a campaign with the mission to end child poverty by funding programs that keep children safe, healthy, and educated. Through the power of entertainment, Red Nose Day bring people together to laugh and have fun, all while raising life-changing cash for the children that need it the most. Since our debut in 2015, we have raised over $150 million and have positively impacted over 16 million children in America, and around the world.
On Saturday May 18, 2019 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had the 5th Annual Golf Invitational. 18 foursomes (72 players) teed off to support many of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North’s humanitarian and service projects in Ann Arbor and around the world such as:
Boy's and Girl's Scouts
Heritage Girl's
Fisher House Ann Arbor
Community Action Network Washtenaw County
Food Gatherers
Environmental cleanup and sanitation for girls schools in Nepal
Sanitation and vocational training for rural women in India
Medical supplies for disadvantaged communities in Brazil
Micro-finance for small entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
AShelter Boxdisplay was featured at the RCAAN Golf Outing. RCAAN members helped Rotn Derek Locke of Rotary Club of Hines Park Dearborn (D6400) and received hands-on training on erecting and deploying a tent intended for use in disaster areas around the world.
At May 16, 2019 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon because of the cancellations of our speaker we has an assembly.
In place of the speaker, we had Karen Karry in attendance to accept a donation check forFisher House Michigan. Ann Arbor North donated $2000.00 and because of the Memorial Day Match by the Masco Company it's total was $4000.00.
Karen announced, "on June 14, 2019 (Flag Day) the Fisher House Ann Arbor, will be having the ground breaking for the first Fisher House in Michigan." It will start at 10:00 AM at the Veterans' Hospital in Ann Arbor which is located at2215 Fuller Road.
Karen also announced, "that Art Holst a big supporter of Fisher House and Ann Arbor Rotarian passed away last December, on Saturday May 25th. there will be a memorial service to honor him at First United Methodist Church Ann Arbor, starting at 2:00 PM."
Karen invited, everyone to attend both the ground breaking and the memorial service.
Karen Karry receiving a check from RCAAN for Fisher House Michigan presented by President
Elect Eric Tindall.
Bob Greenhough (WWII Verteran), Karen Karry and President Elect Eric Tindall presenting
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on April 2, 2019, Gerry Jackson talked about his mission trips to Guatemala.
Gerry and a team of Rotarian's, last November went to Guatermala for a eye mission, to support clinic Casa Colibrí, a not-for-profit humanitarian organization committed to helping the Mayan people of northwest Guatemala improve their lives through programs in health, education, and infrastructure.
The team of five Rotary District 6380 members, brought 1200 pair of used glasses that were already sorted to ease the ability to find an appropriate pair of glasses for the patients. They also brought in and provided 1000 pairs of new sunglasses to help prevent cataracts, and 400 pairs of new readers.
In addition to the 10-hour difficult drive from Guatemala City to clinic Casa Colibrí through rough terrain and mountains, they unpacked and organized the clinic before 4 solid days planned to see patients ranging in age from school age children, through 80’s.
The team brought with them 1200 pair of used glasses that were already sorted to ease the ability to find an appropriate pair of glasses for the patients. They also brought in and provided 1000 pairs of new sunglasses to help prevent cataracts, and 400 pairs of new readers.
A total of 341 patients were seen and most were given prescription glasses. All were given sunglasses. Sunglasses were also given to anyone that came with the patient as well as to all the local children that came by for a visit.
Gerry Jackson said, "fitting a person with glasses, so that they can see clearly for the first time, is quite an awesome experience and really does a heart good! They have the biggest smiles on their faces"
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on April 25, 2019 our keynote speaker was Rotarian Scott Nelson. Scott talked about how to create a rain garden.
Mother earth creates the rain - but we create the runoff. When rain hits the roofs, streets, and driveways of our neighborhoods, it washes pollution into the river. A rain garden captures the rain water runoff and filters it clean.
One inch of rainfall means 600 gallons of water will be captured by a typical rain garden. Captured water won't go to municipal pipes, won't add pollution to the river, and won't contribute to flooding. This water will recharge the groundwater. Before it does, it keeps the garden looking green and lush.
A rain garden is an attractive landscaping feature planted with perennial native plants. It is a bowl-shaped or saucer-shaped garden, designed to absorb storm water run-off from impervious surfaces such as roofs and parking lots. Rain gardens can be small home-owner style gardens, large complex gardens, or anywhere in between.
Last year Scott took a"Master RAIN Gardener Class" at theWashtenaw County Water Resource Commission. Scott, earned a rain garden certificate by taking the class and building a rain garden. The class trained him to design and install rain gardens - and to serve his neighborhood as an expert.
Scott learned, about rain gardens because in front of his Church called Ann Arbor Seventh Day Adventist Church flooded with water after it rained. Scott felt if they created a rain garden the flooding would be eliminated. So in 2018 he finished the rain garden.
Scott encouraged us to come to his church and take a look at their rain garden.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on April 18, 2019, Brenda Tipton talked about membership.
Brenda was Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club's President for 2017-2018, where she grew the club by 22 new members. Brenda said, "people join Rotary if the person fells like they are getting value out of it."
She discussed some of the ways she gained those new members, they are called Tipton's Tips.
Have fun at meetings and events (Rotarian's have fun)
Her club gave discounts to family members and corporate memberships.
Use a mentoring program
Ask your friends for new members.
Brenda is the incoming District Membership Chair under Don "Sparky" Leonard for 2019-2020.
Brenda is very excited about growing Rotary District 6380 and Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's membership and is willing to help in anyway.
With Brenda "WOO WOO" Tipton, 2019-2020 Rotary District 6380 Membership Chair watching in the audience, President Joyce inducted Sara Armstrong as RCAAN newest member.
Sara said, "she is very happy to be in a service organization and loves doing service work."
Welcome to the Club, Sara.
With Gail Scott, Sara Armstrong and Pres. Joyce Williams
Dr. Irene Butter is speaking at Weber's with the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor on April 24, 2019. Irene is the winner of the 2019 Robert S. Northrup Humanitarian Award, which she will receive on the 24th.
Dr Irene Butter is the author of Shores Beyond Shores: From Holocaust to Hope My True Story.
Carena Townsend, President of theAnn Arbor Jayceestalked about the Jaycees at the April 11, 3019 Luncheon.
Carena described, "that AA Jaycees membership a year ago declined and they needed to take steps to grow membership. "They took the steps and has gained 20 members in the past year.
One way to gain membership was through "Speed Friending", it is a event like "Speed Dating". The Jaycees go to a restaurant, with guests and they have a short allowed time to talk to a Jaycee. Then after that time they move on to another Jaycee Member, that talks about a different topic of the Ann Arbor Jaycees.
Carena, also talked about other events they are doing:
4th of July Parade:The parade is an annual event that happens on the 4th of July. The parade route encircles the streets of State, Liberty, Main and William (because of the road construction on Williams this year the city approved the route to be extended a block further.)
Monthly Meeting:Starting a year ago they have a monthly meeting at their normal location and then the next month they have it at a restaurant or bowling alley so it is treated as a social event.
Summer Carnival:The Summer Carnival is the Ann Arbor Jaycees largest fundraiser. It is located at Pioneer High School at the end of June.
Please support the Ann Arbor Jaycees by going to the Parade and Summer Carnival.
A2 Jaycees President Carena Townsend and RCAAN President Elect Eric Tindall
Rajani Shrestha, 2018-19 President of Rotary Club of Chandragiri, Club 80893 delivered RCAAN an update to the Nepal Sanitation and Pond Rejuvenation Global Grant Project 1635112 that his club leads with RC Bungamati (near Kathmandu in Nepal) and RC Singapore.
The Bungamati Rotary Club has almost completed planned repairs and rebuilding of girls toilets in 3 schools damaged by the 2015 earthquake. A fourth school identified on our Grant project was beyond repair and was demolished, so the host Club has found another school in the area for upgrading sanitation amenities for girls. These are much needed for enhancing the literacy of females in a country like Nepal where trafficking of girls and women is rampant and often tragic.
Click HERE for more information on Rotary Showcase.
Frankie said, "Community Action Network partners with children, youth, and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County neighborhoods to create better futures fro themselves and improve the communities in which they live."
Community Action Network goals are:
Educating Children and Youth: Prepare youth to fulfill their academic potential and become successful, self-sufficient adults
Stabilizing Families: Assist families in meeting their basic needs and create better futures for themselves.
Building Strong Communities: Create and maintain clean, safe, and supportive neighborhoods where families can thrive.
Frankie then described the Green Baxter Court Summer Camp, "the summer camp is designed to combat summer loss or learning. With academic rotation and exploration into various educational themes, CAN's students develop academic skills while also having fun in a safe space with compassionate, caring adults."
Themes at Summer Camps are:
Math Rotation
Reading Rotation
Geography Rotation
Social-Emotional Development
STEM
Art
Meals
Summer Loss of Learning
ClickHEREfor more information for CAN's Educational Summer Camps.
Attending the Luncheon with Frankie, was Paige Ampey and Cassidy Uchman, they are from AmeriCorp VISTA.
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.
Click HERE for Frankie's Power Point Presentation.
Frankie Moore and President Elect Eric Tindall filling in for Pres Joyce absents.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on March 28, 2019, Rotarian Bob Specht talked about Federal Emissions Testing of Gas Vehicle.
Engine efficiency has been steadily improved with improved engine design, more precise ignition timing and electronic ignition, more precise fuel metering, and computerized engine management.
Advances in engine and vehicle technology continually reduce the toxicity of exhaust leaving the engine, but these alone have generally been proved insufficient to meet emissions goals. Therefore, technologies to detoxify the exhaust are an essential part of emissions control.
Air injection: One of the first-developed exhaust emission control systems is secondary air injection. Originally, this system was used to inject air into the engine's exhaust ports to provide oxygen so unburned and partially burned hydrocarbons in the exhaust would finish burning.
Air injection is now used to support the catalytic converter's oxidation reaction, and to reduce emissions when an engine is started from cold. After a cold start, an engine needs an air-fuel mixture richer than what it needs at operating temperature, and the catalytic converter does not function efficiently until it has reached its own operating temperature.
The air injected upstream of the converter supports combustion in the exhaust head-pipe, which speeds catalyst warm-up and reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbon emitted from the tailpipe.
Exhaust gas recirculation: In the United States and Canada, many engines in 1973 and newer vehicles (1972 and newer in California) have a system that routes a metered amount of exhaust into the intake tract under particular operating conditions. Exhaust neither burns nor supports combustion, so it dilutes the air/fuel charge to reduce peak combustion chamber temperatures. This, in turn, reduces the formation of NOx.
Catalytic converter: The catalytic converter is a device placed in the exhaust pipe, which converts hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and NOx into less harmful gases by using a combination of platinum, palladium and rhodium as catalysts.
There are two types of catalytic converter, a two-way and a three-way converter. Two-way converters were common until the 1980's, when three-way converters replaced them on most automobile engines.
Evaporative emissions are the result of gasoline vapors escaping from the vehicle's fuel system. Since 1971, all U.S. vehicles have had fully sealed fuel systems that do not vent directly to the atmosphere; mandates for systems of this type has appeared in other jurisdictions.
In a typical system, vapors from the fuel tank and carburetor bowl vent (on carbureted vehicles) are ducted to canisters containing activated carbon.
The vapors are adsorbed within the canister, and during certain engine operational modes fresh air is drawn through the canister, pulling the vapor into the engine, where it burns.
Information help for Bob's talk to write this story was found at
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is helping Agrarian Adventure, to restore the hoop house at Tappan Middle School! All members are invited to come out and help with and learn about this barn-raising style process on Saturday, April 13th. Shifts are 4 hours each and pizza and refreshments will be available for volunteers.
Click Here to tell Agrarian Adventure you are coming.
For the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Member's that are going to the District Assembly the following is from Gerry Jackson. We would like to encourage all Board of Directors' to attend it able. Please read and register by April 3rd.
Registration is open for the District Assembly (Club Officer Training) which will be held on Saturday morning, 8:30-11:30 a.m. April 13 at Walsh College, Troy Michigan. Please register your club's attendees no later than April 3 (Walsh College deadline). Register online at:
Note the registration cost is $10 and includes a continental breakfast at the college. There will be short opening and closing general sessions and two (2) back-to-back breakout sessions with 8 different breakouts to choose from (see attached flyer - note details are not yet finalized).
New breakout session added this year: New Member Orientation (this is for all new Rotarians that have joined our ranks during the 2018-2019 Rotary year).
New breakout session added this year: How to Start a New Club (it's not that hard).
Russ Collins, Manager of Ann Arbor's Michigan Theater talked about the history of Ann Arbor's Opera Houses and Theaters at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on March 21, 2019.
The beginning of Ann Arbor Theaters started back from the start of Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor was founded in 1824 by land speculators John Allen and Elisha Walker Rumsey. On May 25, 1824, the town plat was registered with Wayne County as "Annarbour", the earliest known use of the town's name. Allen and Rumsey decided to name it for their wives, both named Ann, and for the stands of bur oak. Ann Arbor became the seat of Washtenaw County in 1827 and was incorporated as a village in 1833
Russ talked about many of the early Opera Houses and Theaters in Ann Arbor History.
Michigan Theater opened in 1928, the theater was hailed as “a Shrine to the Arts… not built for today only, but constructed in the hopes that it might be a monument for years to come and a credit to the community…” Detroit architect Maurice Finkel designed an outstanding silent film exhibition theater appropriate for a town with a world-class university at its core.
In 1956, Butterfield made renovations to the theater’s interior and façade to update it to the tastes of “modern” audiences. The Butterfield Theater Corporation vacated the building at the conclusion of their 50 year lease in 1979.
The not-for-profit Michigan Theater Foundation (MTF) was formed in May of 1979. The theater doors opened and the programming occurred solely because of a team of dedicated community volunteers, led by film scholar and theater organist Henry Aldridge and John Briggs, who was the president of the local stagehand union.
In June 2014, the Michigan Theater Foundation bought the State Theater.
State Theater originally opened in 1942, designed by renowned architect C. Howard Crane, opened with the romantic comedy “The Fleet’s In.” In 1977 the theater was divided into a four-screen multiplex by Butterfield Theaters.
In 1987, the Stat Theater was sold to Tom Borders, who redesigned the theater’s main floor for retail and closed the second floor balcony. In 1992 the balcony reopened as a two-screen second-run film theater.
In 1997, the theater was sold to a local investor group. In 1999 Michigan Theater contracted to provide film programming and marketing services and in 2014 Michigan Theater purchased the theater.
In 2016, the State Theater closed for renovations and in 2017, the new State Theater reopened in December, featuring 4 screens, comfortable reserved seating, improved accessibility.
Russ, said "that he would like us to attend this yearsCinetopia Film Festival." The Cinetopia Film Festival is an annual, curated festival in Ann Arbor and metro and downtown Detroit, featuring more than 50 of the best feature-length dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the world’s best film festivals (Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW, Tribeca, and more).
It takes place over the span of 10 days every spring at venues throughout the region. This year the Cinetopia Film Festival is from May 10-May 19.
At Thursday's March 12th Dr. Joseph Myers, Optometrist at UM Kellogg Eye Center, presented UM’s initiative known as Common Health Plus which has developed a platform for delivery of world class healthcare using what we call an A.R.C. (Architecturally Repurposed Container) with the co-development and design inputs from many of UM’s leading colleges, such as MIchigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Architecture & Design, Engineering, etc.
CommonHealth+ at Sandy Bay Jamaica is the first in a series of prototypical modified container health clinics that aim to deliver telemedicine-based services supporting healthcare and chronic care health monitoring in remote and underserved populations globally.
It is a response to the inequality of healthcare around the globe. In believing that high quality healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. The presentation illustrated the development of low cost, high tech technologies deployed in a sustainable healthcare delivery mechanism, and expect to leverage a Rotary Foundation Global Grant for $85k to equip the rebuilt shipping containers with specialized Eye Care and dental care apparatus with telemedicine capability so that rural and disadvantaged populations in Jamaica can avail of basic healthcare.
The GG project consortium is led by Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and RCAAN has committed $1000-2000 along with three other clubs: 2 from India and one from Negril (Jamaica).
Past President Scott Nelson filling in as President gives Dr. Joseph Myers a gift for speaking.
Last year we sponsored Global Grant Scholar Madi Vorva to go to Cambridge, which is an university city and the county town of Cambridgeshire, England, on the River Cam approximately 50 miles north of London.
Madi, is studying to receive her MPhil in Environmental Policy at Cambridge University and has been active among various Rotary clubs in the area.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on March 7, 2019, W. Patrick Smith talked about North Star Reach a camp located in Pinckney Michigan.
Patrick said, "Unfortunately, each year there are many more children who are unable to attend regular summer camp due to serious medical conditions." At North Star Reach Camp A health center staffed by nurses, physicians and other medical professionals allows children with complex medical needs to come to camp, often for the first time.
The benefits of the camp to the children are:
Experience all of the fun, joy and independence that all children receive at camp and appreciate a rare sense of normalcy.
Campers leave with improved self-esteem, restored childhood.
A sense of accomplishment at attempting challenges in an environment that provides physical, emotional and medical support and supervision.
Campers, staff and volunteers are all impacted in a positive way by the camp experience.
Additionally, parents have a much-needed opportunity for respite and many report that their children return from camp with a new sense of autonomy and independence.
As a Full Member Camp of SeriousFun Children’s Network founded by Paul Newman, North Star Reach serves children with chronic and life-threatening health challenges across the Great Lakes Region, free of charge.
North Star Reach operates year round and includes a health center, dining hall, cabins to house campers and staff, arts and crafts center, two swimming pools, nature trails, athletic court, sports field, an accessible tree house, archery range, amphitheatre and waterfront docks, all designed to fit in a rustic camp environment. Camp can accommodate approximately 1,500 children and family members annually.
Also at the Luncheon we received a check from Vern Hutton from our investment from Watershed III LLC. Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North owns a small portion of the Plymouth Road Mall. This money will go toward our grants we give out to worthy organization.
W. Patrick Smithfrom North Star Reach Camp.
Vern Hutton presents a check to the club for the ownership of a small portion of the Plymouth Road Mall.
On February 28, 2019, Scott Nelson and Eric Tindall went to Tappan Middle School for the meeting about the reconstruction of their hoop house after it was vandalized two years ago.
Emily Canosa, from The Agrarian Adventurelead the meeting, starting in the cafeteria with 6 Tappan Students, and 4 gardening experts from Ann Arbor Public Schools.
Emily started meeting with some of the ideas that the students came up with at the after school session last semester which included:
Painting a mural on the shed
Info graphics about how a hoop house works/passive solar
Parts of a plant incorporated into the mural or other signs
Working with math classes on calculations of wood measurements and needs
Having choir sing at an opening/celebration event
Signs about community, spreading kindness, respect and preventing bullying
Then we went outside and took a look at the hoop house.
With the Rotary District Grant the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North received, Emily is purchasing plastic to cover the hoop house and on April 13th the RCAAN and children from Tappan will be putting the plastic on the frame.
The hoop house when finished will be utilized as a winter garden for students, a hub for seedling production and distribution, and as a growing site for students at Tappan (with particular leadership from those in the after school Food & Garden Club).
Over the ten years since it was built, produce from the hoop house has found its way to classroom and outdoor tasting, school cafeterias, student-prepared meals, the homes of Tappan families and garden volunteers, fundraiser events, local businesses, the Backdoor Food Pantry, and Food Gatherers.
Mary's talked about her mission trip and the global grant by Ann Arbor Rotary and partners, that made a difference in Sierra Leone.
With Ann Arbor Rotary Club serving as the project lead on the first Global Grant; Freetown Rotary Club serving as the international host, and participation from Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor North, Cincinnati, Dexter, Wilmington, NC and Pune Central Clubs; and with Sherbro Foundation as a cooperating partner, Mary saw the great strides that have been made with the Grant.
Two “Education Orchards" have been planted to fund education long term
Women have been given bags of peanut seed to plant as a way to support their families
Children’s births have been recorded giving them access to government services
Forest reserves were created to protect village water sources and preserve trees.
Now, with a second Global Grant, Mary hopes to continue the great progress in Sierra Leone.
Plant a third "Education Orchard" and maintain the existing orchards
Hire an experienced Agriculture Manager to manage the program and market crops
Dig two wells with pumps and storage tanks; and build a storehouse and a concrete drying floor
Expand the peanut-growing project to more eager women and help them increase their income.
Plant and manage a fourth "Orchard for Medical Care" to pay for services provided to villagers at Rotifunk Hospital (a collaboration with Wilmington NC Rotary Club)
Mary said, "thank you for Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's support in Sierra Leone." Lastly, Ashish Shikar, visiting Rotarian for the Ann Arbor Rotary Club stood up, to emphasize the importance of using Rotary Global Grants to improving the World, and to continue using them in creating partnerships.
The Rotary District 6380 Annual District Conference is your chance to come together with other district club members, friends and family to celebrate a successful year of good works that our 53 club district has achieved under the amazing Governorship of Jane McManus!!!!
This year our Governor and her committee has decided to break out of the norm and present a wonderful 2 day event with incredible speakers and an out of this world Boat Ride down the Detroit River!! Be sure to bring your boat shoes or flip flops and have fun with your fellow Rotarians across the US and Canada District!
Governor Jane is sooooo excited about this event that she is asking all clubs to have representation!!!!
She wants us all together to celebrate the conference theme of "SACRIFICIAL LEADERSHIP" and give us all info on how to further grow our clubs and ask ourselves "are you ready to succeed?"
Friday and Saturday May 3 and 4, 2019
Crown Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront
Detroit Princess Riverboat
2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
Spread the word, sign up now and let's celebrate being Rotarians and all that we do
Just in we have new attendee Packages - woo woo!!!!
Friday Conference/Sessions and Boat Cruise $135.00 (limited number 25)
Saturday Only Conference Sessions $265.00
Friday Night Boat Cruise and Saturday Conference Sessions $339.00
Full Conference Schedule will be posted soon below is a shortened overview!!
Friday May 3 Registration opens at 12:00 Conference will begin 1:30 p.m.and go to 10:00 p.m. (boat returns to the dock) Saturday All day 8:00 a.m. to dinner/awards starting at 6:00 p.m....
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on February 21st, the speakers were Annaliese and Hannah Schindel. They talked about the experience they had while volunteering at orphanages in South India withBethania Foundation.
Their trip stated with a 15 hour flight around the world on June 10, 2018 and arrived at an airport in Mumbai. After a short flight and car ride they arrived in Kodaikanal .
They arrived at Shalom Home where they were warmly welcomed with a live band and a full program including singing, dancing, and reciting of scripture.
Annaliese and Hannah taught music lessons. Hannah took pictures and taught kids how to take photo's.
On the second day of the trip, the women of Bethania’s Women Empowerment Program (WEP) had a retreat and Annaliese and Hannah were asked to talk about themselves, with them. The women are learning about Jesus as well as seamstress skills to help support their families.
Before They left Kodai they visited Bryant Park, and walked through the gardens.
At the end of the week Annaliese and Hannah, took a train from Kodai to Nagercoil. They arrived safely and settled at Grace home.
They both said that this trip to visit and volunteer at South India's orphanages was an experience of a lifetime.
On February 16th, Pres. Joyce Williams and Diane Sheffrey finished Part 3 and Graduated from theRotary Leadership Institution. Congratulations Pres. Joyce and Diane.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on February 7. 2019 Nikki Beetsch, from NSF International was the Keynote Speaker. Nikki, serves as a consultant to the World Health Organization’s Water, Sanitation Hygiene and Health group.
Founded in 1944, out of the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, NFS protects and improve global human health. Manufacturers, regulators and consumers look to NSF to facilitate the development of public health standards and certifications that help protect food, water, consumer products and the environment. As an independent, accredited organization, NSF test, audit and certify products and systems as well as provide education and risk management.
Nikki talked about the NSF Mark, she said, "The NSF certification mark on a product means that the product complies with all standard requirements. NSF conducts periodic unannounced inspections and product testing to verify that the product continues to comply with the standard."
One service NSF International provides isWater and Wastewater Sanitation. They provide an extensive range of services for the water industry to help ensure the quality and safety of products in the marketplace. NSF’s water programs test and certify products for drinking water, pools/spas, plumbing, plastics and wastewater.
Nikki talked about sustainability, she said, "There is more to sustainability than just "being green." Sustainability is about setting your business up for success by putting in place initiatives that focus on your employees and clients, the planet we live on and the bottom line."
NSF practice what they teach. Nikki said, "NSF is committed in sustainability." NSF International demonstrate this by many sustainable practices throughout their organization including:
Undergoing regular water quality assessments to verify that no harmful pollutants are discharged into waterways.
Their drinking water treatment lab, which tests residential and commercial water treatment and filtration products, recycles more than 2 million gallons of water annually.
They encourage employees to participate in the company’s sustainability initiatives. NSF's Sustainability Committee focuses on recycling and employee education, and NSF's organic garden has produced more than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce for donation to area food kitchens.
They practice regular recycling and waste reduction including purchasing recycled-content products and incorporating these practices into their policies. NSF recycle an average of 51,882 pounds of metals (copper, brass and stainless steel) annually.
NSF International has earned Silver LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council for its laboratory addition. NSF also has earned ISO 14001 environmental management system certification, which demonstrates the organization’s overall commitment to environmental stewardship.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, is looking forward to working with Nikki and NSF and hopefully getting them into Rotary as members or/and a Corporate Membership.
Since Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is putting a full court press on finding new members for the club, I received this information from Anne Nauts that has some great information from the January 5th Rotary Seminar held in Lansing Michigan.
You can get to them without link by going tohttp://www.rcaan.org, sign in if you are not, click Committee Page in the Site Page section, then click Club Service, then click Membership Development and Retention, This will give you the first link, then to see second link click on Membership Help.
Please take a look at the information I have collected and Anne's information and lets find new prospects to join us in spreading Rotary's causes.
for Anne Nauts information read the following
Hello Sector 11 and 12 clubs!
Quite a few of us were able to attend the Membership training program in Lansing on January 5th. It was a very good opportunity to meet Rotarians from 5 districts, and talk about ideas to support our clubs. To those who could not attend, the attached list of publications will be really helpful for your Membership Chairs to look through and either download from Rotary.org, or order the publications from RI. You can just click the links on the attached sheet to go right to the publications. I have a some of the publications and will bring them to my clubs at my next visit so you can take a look. I especially like the one called Rotary Club Health Check and Introducing New Members to Rotary.
Here is a short list of Take Away's on what younger members want from a club:
Mentorship
Service projects, hands on
Projects to involve their kids
Flexible club meetings (example: satellite club to meet in a school building after hours so teachers can participate)
And, good to know from research, WHY PEOPLE JOIN Rotary? #1 is Service, #2 is Fellowship. WHY DO PEOPLE LEAVE ROTARY? #1 reason is not feeling connected.
Shan Bao, filled in for Prof. Huei Peng to talk about the Automated Vehicle and Mcity.
Five years ago the University of Michigan announced plans to launch an advanced mobility research center. Today, Mcity has established itself as a leading voice in connected and automated vehicles.
Shan described the benefits of an automated vehicle, automated vehicles have the potential to:
Reduce vehicle fatalities and injuries by as much as 90 percent
Increase vehicle energy efficiency
Significantly reduce carbon emissions
Lower freight transportation costs
Reduce land use for mobility, including parking
Improve accessibility to transportation
Shan talked, about the Mcity Test Facility, which is less them a mile from our luncheon location. "The Mcity Test Facility is the first purpose-built proving ground for testing connected and automated vehicles and technologies in simulated urban and suburban driving environments." "There’s no other facility like it."
Shan also described theMcity Driverless Shuttle, "Mcity is studying how passengers react to the driverless shuttles as a way to gauge consumer acceptance of the technology." The Mcity Driverless Shuttle operates on U-M’s North Campus when the weather is better. "Exterior cameras capture the reaction and behavior of other road users, including other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Interior cameras record the reactions of riders inside the shuttle. This includes the use of video and audio recordings, and photographs from the videos." "Mcity is also monitoring ridership and usage patterns, and surveying users about their experience. The data gathered will help researchers understand user trust over time, as well as how to design safer vehicles and how to operate them more efficiently."
Shan said, "Mcity's vision is to lead the transition to a new world of connected and automated vehicles. Mcity's work goes beyond technology. Mcity’s researchers, collaborators, and partners consider all aspects of the future of transportation and mobility, such as the impact on business, infrastructure, and society."
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 17, 2019, Lana Berry talked about Therapaws of Michigan.
Therapaws of Michigan promote and provide the therapeutic effects of the human-animal bond by placing qualified therapy dog teams, certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, at:
Lana said, that Therapaws help at the following events:
Wag and Walk
Dreams and Wings
Bark for Life
And More
Lana described, "one program that they perform called Therapaws to Read." The Therapaws READ program seeks to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered pet therapy teams.
Children enjoy reading aloud to the dogs. Studies have shown the level of reading confidence improved for children involved in this program.
READ dogs visit in schools and libraries in Washtenaw County as well as surrounding counties.
To end, Lana's talk Jeff Crause (Lana's Husband) and Lana had a contest that winners won Stuffed Therapaws Dog.
Lana Berry fromTherapawsand Eric Tindall, acting President for Jan. 7th lunch
and Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North 2018-2019 President Elect
We regret to inform you that Gloria Kerry, a Rotarian from Ann Arbor Rotary and the Mother of Karen Kerry (Brad Chick) from Fisher House Michigan and Ann Arbor Rotary has passed away.
Please come celebrate Gloria's life and legacy on Saturday, January 26th at 2 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor (Directions).
Keep Gloria's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 10, 2019, our Keynote Speaker was David Cole. David, is widely considered a national expert on the automotive industry.
David said, "the old business model is broken". The new business model must be more lean and agile.
He described that the leaders must view everything through, "it is all about the team, the team, the team".
The leaders must have system thinking, never look at a detail outside of the context of the whole, and in the future market disruption and surprises are very likely and leaders must be fast to adjust.
David's final words in the presentation was "fasten your seat belts: the fun is just beginning, We live in very exciting times."
On January 5 2019, three members of Ann Arbor North and many District 6380 Rotarian's attended the Membership Seminar, held in Lansing Michigan.
At the seminar we discussed at the beginning Is Your Club Healthy? We completed a Rotary Club Health Check, and had a discussion afterwords.
We then had two Concurrent Sessions, which we chose one of two:
Practicing Flexibility and Innovation
Strategies for Attracting New Members
During a working lunch we talked about Corporate Membership strategies.
Then we had the last Concurrent Session which we chose one of two:
A different Flexibility and Innovation then in Session 1.
Best Practices for Engaging Members.
To end the day we talked aboutYour Membership Plan. When you make a long-term membership plan, you’re making a commitment to your club’s health. Create a step-by-step plan to strengthen your membership and keep your club vibrant and relevant.
The day was full of great information on membership and seeing friends from other clubs.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 3, 2019, Don Patterson was the keynote speaker. Don's topic was how automobiles work.
He talked about different type of engines and what engines can fit in different car frames. He showed the club, a small engine, a catalytic converter part and a fuel injector and taught us how they work.
Don talked about and showed a video on engine combustion. Combustion, also known as burning, is the basic chemical process of releasing energy from a fuel and air mixture. In an internal combustion engine (ICE), the ignition and combustion of the fuel occurs within the engine itself. The engine then partially converts the energy from the combustion to work. The engine consists of a fixed cylinder and a moving piston. The expanding combustion gases push the piston, which in turn rotates the crankshaft. Ultimately, through a system of gears in the power train, this motion drives the vehicle’s wheels.
The club also had two special guests at the luncheon. Take a look at they're photos below.
Don Patterson and Pres Joyce Williams
Don Patterson showing how a engine works.
Several guests attended RCAAN's January 3rd Luncheon.
Above photo, is former RCAAN Member and Past President Brent.
On December 20, 2018, Arthur Holst passed away. Arthur was a great help with Rotary's Veterans Projects and a VERY IMPORTANT and BIG HELP in bringing the Fisher House to Ann Arbor.
The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in Eastern North America. The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago.
The mountain range is mostly in the United States (U.S.) but it extends into southeastern Canada, forming a zone from 100 to 300 mi (160 to 480 km) wide.
The Appalachian Trail is a 3,500 kilometer (approx. 2,170 miles) hiking trail that runs all the way north from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, passing over or past a large part of the Appalachian system.
The trail is protected along more than 99 percent of its course by federal or state ownership of the land or by right-of-way.
Annually, more than 4,000 volunteers contribute over 175,000 hours of effort on the trail, an effort coordinated largely by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy organization.
The trail follows the ridge line of the Appalachian Mountains, crossing many of its highest peaks, and running, almost continuously through wilderness.
Ben showed us some of his amazing photos that he has taken during his hiking the trails of the Appalachian Mountains.
Ben offered that he is going to hike the mountain this summer and said anyone in the club can come with him and he will be the guide.
In addition to Linda Sproul's presentation on Concordia University, we had a few other special announcements at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon, on November 29, 2018.
Dick Rosenfeld from Rotary Club of Jackson MI, attended the lunch and announced that he just celebrated his 53rd anniversary in Rotary.
Also, children of American Heritage Girls said, thank you for the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's donation of $500.
The children filled 74 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. One item in the boxes was 24 Adidas Soccer Balls and a pump, which AA North's donation helped purchase (Click here for what else was in boxes).
Lastly at the luncheon, ADG Collyer Smith presented, Past President and RCAAN Member's, the Presidential Citation Award.
Collyer said, "the Presidential Citation Award is a very big achievement, out of the 56 clubs in Rotary District 6380 only 8 received the award for year 2017-2018."
On November 29, 2018, Linda Sproul, talked aboutConcordia University in Ann Arbor, at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon.
Linda said, "similar to Rotary, service is an integral part of the daily life and mission at Concordia University. Not only is service a core value, as we strive to service others in caring, helpful, and knowledgeable ways, but our mission is not fulfilled until our students go out into the Church and the world as servants of Christ."
Linda gave us a brief history of Concordia. On September 30, 1962, Lutherans from across Michigan gathered on the grounds of the former Earhart estate in Ann Arbor to install the cornerstone of a building that would soon become the centerpiece of a new college.
The institution was originally established as Concordia Lutheran Junior College, but underwent multiple name changes over time. The institution changed its name to Concordia College when it began offering four-year degree programs in 1976, and ultimately became Concordia University Ann Arbor in 2001.
In July 2013, a strategic partnership between CUAA and Concordia University Wisconsin became official. Within the first years after the merger, the campus underwent major renovations and enhancements, including to residence halls, the student union, athletic fields (including a new football field), and the dining hall.
In 2015, the university purchased a former law school building located just across the street form RCAAN's meeting place (Holiday Inn, Near the U of M). The “North Building” now houses the campus’ School of Nursing, which will teach the students in Concordia's newly approvedPhysician Assistant Studies Program.
Linda said, "due expanding academic programs and athletic offerings, enrollment reached an all-time high at Concordia University Ann Arbor during the 2017-18 academic year with a total of 1,081 students. Since 2013, CUAA’s enrollment has grown more than 60 percent, and in 2017 it earned a spot among the fastest-growing private universities in the Midwest."
Click Read more, to watch video about Aretha Franklin's Piano, located in Ann Arbor.
At Thursday's November 15, 2018, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Luncheon Rotarian Jeff Crause, Finance Adviser from Edward Jones talked about Finance and the Stock Market.
Jeff's, biggest point in his talk was that the stock market is cyclical. Cyclical means a business or stock income, value, or earnings fluctuate widely in the economy or a cycle of the seasons. This means in the stock market your investments will always have highs and lows.
Jeff showed the club some charts and graphs that showed how the market is cyclical. So do not always just sell off a stock because a down turn.
On Saturday, November 3, 2018 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had a fun and entertaining fundraiser called the Mad Hatter Masquerade Dinner Party.
We had terrific and funny performances by Tea and Whimsy from Metro Detroit improv, a local improvisers who participate in the community improv meetup group on a weekly basis.
Mad Hatter Mad Men performed dinner music. They are part of the Cabaret Cast of 25 which will be appearing at the Village Theater in Canton on February 6th 2018, proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
We selected the raffle winners and the best costume of the night. The performers of Tea and Whimsy judged the best costume contest, which the lady in the Cleopatra costume won.
Lastly, the band called Jeff and The Deck Chairs, performed so the audience could dance.
Thank you, to all that performed and attended the Mad Hatter Masquerade Dinner Party. Stay tuned for next years RCAAN Dinner Party. It will be just as great!
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon, on November 8, 2018, Bill Vollano introduced the speaker, John Kinzinger. John talking aboutWarriors And Caregiver United, where he is President.
Warriors And Caregivers United (wacu) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that helps Warriors and Caregivers in a non-judgmental, safe, and unassuming environment. They focus not just on helping the Veteran; equally important are the Caregivers, families and friends. They invite Caregivers and loved ones to attend the functions and events with or without their Veteran. Warriors And Caregivers United, know that families need a safe place to turn just as much as the Veteran. They offer that to them.
John said, "My desire, is to do something to address suicide among local Warriors." That is the reason he created Warriors and Caregivers United. "Among our experienced cadre of Vietnam Veteran mentors, we have a goal; if we can save one, it is worth everything we put into WACU. Our vision is to develop an organization that focuses on helping PTS Warriors and their Caregivers move forward toward lives of normalcy."
Before John's talk, Assistant District Governor Collyer Smith, presented Past President Peg and President Joyce, the End Polio Now Certificate for RCAAN's part in ending polio in 2017-2018.
At Monday's (Nov. 5th) "Stories of Service: An Evening At Hill Auditorium", in an impromptu “ceremony”, DG Jane presented a check to Rotarian Scott Nelson for $750 as the District’s match for a Simplified Grant awarded to Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North for collaboration withAgrarian Adventures (a non-profit that teaches gardening and sustainability concepts to middle school students).
The funds will be matched with Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's $1500 contribution for installation of new indoor gardening and hoop structures to train students at Ann Arbor Tappan Middle School.
At November 1, 2018 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon, Rotarian Gail Scott told us the history of the Girl Scouts. In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts of the USA.
Born Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia, “Daisy,” as she was known, descended from a long line of strong and independent women.
A meeting in 1912 with Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, inspired Juliette to establish Girl Scouts that same year. Telephoning a cousin from her home, she announced, "I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight!"
Using her innate talent for fundraising and public relations, combined with her vast network of friends and supporters, she led Girl Scouts with passion and determination—ensuring it was, and always would be, an experience that was “girl led.”
Gail, showed the club an old Girl Scout Manual and Uniform, given to her when she was Girl Scout CEO of The Huron Valley Council .
Vic Fleming from the Rotarian Magazine, was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on October 25, 2018. Vic started off his talk by telling about himself.
Vic was elected as a district judge for the City of Little Rock in 1996, and reelected in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Vic has written two books of legal humor, including Real Lawyers Do Change Their Briefs. He has published a collection of crossword puzzles entitled I Swear.
Vic explained, "his crossword puzzles have appeared in the New York Times and many other newspapers, magazines, The Rotarian, The American Lawyer; and several books, including the Simon & Schuster Mega Crossword series and Random House Casual Crosswords."
he appeared in the 2006 documentary Wordplay, which also featured a song that he wrote. The song is called "If You Don't Come Across, I Am Going To Be Down." Click here for a YouTube video, the second song in the video, Vic performed at our luncheon.
Vic said, "many of his crossword puzzles are collaborations with famous individuals. The New York Times crossword puzzle published on Friday, May 12, 2017, was collaboratively constructed by Fleming and former president Bill Clinton."
Vic talked about the history of the crossword puzzle, and that all the Rotarian Magazine Crosswords has Rotary Themes. He said, "he did a Four Way Test crossword and many Rotary International Convention location crosswords."
Before the Luncheon Vic created a crossword with the RCAAN Board. Click hereto solve it.
Bob Parent from Tri-County Sportsman's Club was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Norths Luncheon on October 18, 2018.
Tri-County Sportsman's Club is located in York Township, with 47 acres of land. The club is one of the oldest sporting club's in Washtenaw County, founded in 1939.
Bob explained, what the Sportsman's Club offers:
Ranges: TCSL offers rifle, pistol, archery, trap, and IDPA action ranges. Range fees, hours, rules, and more are available on each range’s page.
Eduction: TCSL offers a variety of training courses to educate users on firearm basics, as well as hunter safety and personal protection.
Facility Rental: TCSL has a ballroom, meeting room, full service bar, kitchen with banquet facilities, beautiful grounds, and a gazebo which can be used for outdoor weddings and other events.
Special Events: Hamburger Night, Friday Night Steak Fry, Board, Membership Meetings and more.
Karen Diane Kerry, also talked about the Stories of Service, An Evening At Hill Auditorium at the Luncheon. Karen described the concert on November 5th will give riveting stories of service, of some of our own Michigan Veterans. For more information on Stories of Service, Click Here.
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on October 11, 2018 Rodger Park was the Keynote Speaker and he described Gerrymandering in Michigan.
Rodger said, "at this time, politicians draw their own districts this creates a conflict of interest. When politicians have the power to draw voting maps, they have the power to hand-pick their voters."
"Michigan voters can end gerrymandering in Michigan before 2021 when the next election maps are redrawn." Rodger works for Voters Not Politicians which mission is to end gerrymandering by passing Proposal 2 this Election Day.
Voters Not Politicians, propose an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission of registered Michigan voters to draw voting districts using guidelines that ensure fairness to all. They believe that the voters of Michigan - not politicians - should be entrusted with this important and monumental task.
Rodger Park described that a vote yes on proposal 2 will do the following
Voters, Not Politicians: An Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) will be in charge of the redistricting process. The Commission will be made up of 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans, and 5 voters who affiliate with neither party with representation from across the state. Political insiders (politicians, consultants, lobbyists) will be banned from serving on the Commission.
Transparency: Instead of secret closed door meetings, the ICRC is required to conduct its business in public hearings that are open to input from across the state. All proposed maps and the methodology/data to create them must be submitted as public reports. Everything down to the variables used by the computers to draw the maps will be available to the public.
Fairness: The fairness of any idea to reform partisan voting maps comes down to how the maps themselves end up being drawn. The ICRC is required to follow a prioritized set of criteria and standards when drawing the maps. A minimum of 2 Democrats, 2 Republicans, and 2 voters who affiliate with neither party on the Commission must approve the final maps. This prevents one political party from controlling the process.
Before Rodger's talk, Pres. Joyce Williams presented Scott Nelson with a plaque given by Immediate Past District Governor Barry Fraser, for all of Scott's great work with Rotary District 6380 in 2017-2018.
Jenna Saldaña from El PorvenirTalked About Water Sanatation At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on Oct 4, 2018.
Jenna is Director of U.S. Operations for El Porvenir. Jenna said, "the mission of El Porvenir is Improve the standard of living of rural Nicaraguans through water, sanitation, health education, and watershed management projects."
Since 1990, El Porvenir has worked side-by-side with rural families and schools in Nicaragua to construct wells, latrines, village washing facilities, school hand-washing stations as well as support reforestation projects.
Carole Harper, a judge in California, founded El Porvenir in 1990 after serving as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Nicaragua. She started El Porvenir to address the lack of clean drinking water in rural communities and respond to the determination of local people to improve their living standards.
Jenna explained, "Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere." In a country where 37% of rural people have no safe drinking water (UNICEF)
Only 37% of rural Nicaraguans have sanitation facilities. El Porvenir's sanitation projects include household double pit latrines, community wash stations, and school hand washing stations.
Household double pit latrines: This system is sustainable as a family can cycle through the two ventilated pits. By the time one is full, the second one is safe to empty out. In certain situations, El Porvenir also partner with families to build pour flush latrines and composting latrines.
Community wash stations: Women in rural Nicaragua typically wash their family's clothes on rocks in streams -- they bathe there, too. Community wash stations are clean, concrete facilities where women can wash clothes without having to carry water or clothes long distances. They also include 2 or 3 shower stalls where people can bathe in privacy -- a true luxury for rural people. Washing clothes and bathing with clean water also reduces the incidences of skin infections.
School hand washing stations: Children who attend schools with latrines and hand washing stations are 20-30% less likely to miss school than children who attend schools without these amenities (CARE). In each schoolyard, the hand washing station is situated between classrooms and the latrines so students see it and remember the importance of washing their hands.
Before Jenna started her presentation, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North discussed two other topics, Rotary District 6380 Assistant Governor Collyer Smith stepped in for Immediate Past District Governor Barry Fraser and presented Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North a plaque for our 50 Year Anniversary.
Then Gail Scott made an announcement about our Mad Hatter Party on November 3rd with rose colored glasses.
On September 27, 2018, the speaker at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon was Bruce Friedman about street art around the World.
Bruce Friedman worked thirty-three years on the faculty in the Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School. He retired in 2006 with an interest in exploring new hobbies and skill sets in addition to traveling. In 2014 Bruce took up an interest in photography after taking a course at WCC.
In May - June 2018, thirty four of Bruce's street art photography's were displayed at Ann Arbor JCC. Fourteen of his photo's where purchased and proceeds went to the JCC.
Bruce told us three things he wanted us to take home about his talk:
"My whole professional career was based on what I "know" rather than what I "show"."
"Never occurred to me that I had any "artistic" talent; photography has elicited this from me".
"Lesson to be learned is that all of us have a unknown talent that can/should be explored."
Bruce gave us a definition of street art: "Street art is visual art created in public locations, usually unsanctioned artwork executed outside of the context of traditional art venues. Other terms for this art includes "independent public art", "post graffiti", and "non-graffiti", and is closely related with urban art and guerrilla art."
Bruce talked about how he uses a regular compact camera with a fixed lens. He showed how he photo shops the photos, and showed us some of his work.
Bruce donated 2 of his works for RCAAN's Mad Hatter Dinner Party on November 3rd. For a second look at his work and presentation click following,
He has Conducted Yoga & Meditation Workshops at RI Evanston, RI Convention (RIC) Toronto and at various Rotary Clubs, and Collaborated with Rotarians from 25 nations at the House of Friendship Booth in Toronto RIC.
The purposes of the fellowship is:
Reach out to schools to impart Yoga & Meditation practices to enhance Mindfulness & Wellness.
Create communal harmony and promote peace.
Create a community of Yoga & Meditation practitioners in each club.
Create a network of like-minded Rotarians to continue Mindfulness & Wellness education.
Create communal harmony and promote peace through Yoga and Meditation.
He wants the fellowship to connect Rotarians & families to share best practices in Mindfulness & Wellness, and train interested Rotarians & families in Yoga & Meditation.
If you missed it the first time, Shirts and Zip-Up Hoodies are available again! Buy a T-Shirt of Zip-Up Hoodie by October 31st and Feed a family this Thanksgiving! For Team Turkey 2018
Buy a shirt or hoodie and feed a family! We're getting ready for the holidays and are raising money to deliver fully cooked Thanksgiving meals to deserving families in the Oakland County area! Last year we delivered Thanksgiving meals to just over 130 families. This year, with Birmingham, Troy, West Bloomfield, and Sterling Heights clubs involved, we hope to more than double that number! In order to accomplish this great task, we need your help! You can buy a shirt, zip-up hoodie, or just donate to this great service project!
On September 15, 2018, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had a work day at the Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden in Gallup Park.
We had five High School Students from Huron Interact Club, plus Arnav from Green Hills brought by Meera Talwar . There were 4 adults from The American Heritage Girls who brought 9 children. From Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North we had Bob Specht, Joyce Williams, Eric Tindall, Scott Nelson, and Joet Reoma.
Everyone participated in pulling unwanted weeds and putting down mulch.
Presenter: Debby Bezzina, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institue (UMTRI)
Debby Bezzina holds a BS in electrical engineering, an MBA, and program management professional certification (PMP). Ms. Bezzina has over thirty years of experience in the automotive industry, and has served as a program manager for eighteen years.
1. Friendship / Fellowship / Community: In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.
2. Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross-section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.
3. Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary ensures continuing growth and education in human relations and personal development.
4. Leadership Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership is all about learning how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.
5. Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club helps develop better community citizens. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community.
6. Continuing Education: Each week at Rotary, there is a program designed to keep members informed about what is going on in the community, nation and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers on a variety of timely topics.
7. Fun: Rotary is a fun and exciting place to be.
8. Prestige: Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, the professions, art, government, sports, military, religion, and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, and professionals - people who make decisions and influence policy.
9. Citizenship in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says "Rotary International." There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of the 30,000 clubs in 194 nations and geographical regions. This encourages new friendships in both local and world communities.
10. Assistance When Traveling: Traveling Rotarians can secure medical and professional assistance as well as services and advice from fellow Rotarians throughout the world.
***SORRY MILAN FEEDING THE WORLD HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
Milan Rotary and KCAH are looking for families, individuals, community organizations, church groups, school classes, etc., to help in the packing of these valuable complete meals.
This is a family event that all can participate in, bring your children and give them the joy of helping others.
Bishop Grant Young from Man to Man Enterprise Inc. was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on September 13, 2018.
Bishop Grant described, "that Man to Man Enterprise Inc. is a community based non-profit organization that promotes healing, education and empowerment to men marriages, healthy images for son's and daughter's and serves as a support to healthy relationships with our fellow man"
With so many issues in the world, economic pressures, poverty, single parent homes, violence sicknesses and the core of these is a huge lack of men!
According to statistics because of a lack of education, no family structure, fatherless children, the result of these are overcrowding in our judicial systems and many other physiological pressures that plague our society.
A look at alarming statistics would cause anyone to awake to seeking answers that would help provide healing to fallen and most valuable asset to society is Man!
There is no question that children who grow up in a fatherless homes have a much greater risk of major challenges in life than those who grow up with a father in the home.
Consider just a few questions:
Incarceration Rates: Young man who grow up in homes without a father are twice as likely to end up in jail as those who come from traditional two parent families
Suicide: 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. (Source: What Can The Federal Government Do To Decrease Crime and Revitalize Communities? from the National Institute of Justice, 1998, Pg 11).
Behavioral Disorders: 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.
High School Dropouts: 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.
Juvenile Detention Rates: 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes.
Confused identities: Boys who grow up in father-absent homes are more likely than those in father-present homes to have trouble establishing appropriate sex roles and gender identity.
Criminal Activity: The likelihood that a young male will engage in criminal activity doubles if he is raised with out a father and triples if he lives in a neighborhood with a high concentration of single parent families. (Source: A. Ann Hill, June O'Neill, Underclass Behaviors in the United States, CUNY, Baruch College, 1993)
After looking at such staggering statistics we must have a working plan for men to revive, rehabilitate and ultimately create responsible males in our society if we are to have hope for the next generation of upcoming male fathers, husbands and mentors.
Above information was given to the club by Bishop Grant in his brochure called "Man to Man Enterprise Inc.: Men Helping Men Reach Their Destiny" "It takes a Man, To Make A Man".
Bishop Grant also talked about, their largest fundraiser which is schedules for October 12, 2018. It is a Sponsors & Supporters Banquet at The Ann Arbor Regent Hotel. Click Read more for invitation.
Before Bishop Grant's talk, President Joyce presented Diane her Paul Harris +1 Award.
Scott Nelson and Steve Lessons, is having a work day at the Butterfly Garden on Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. They are planning on having many little hands working, from the American Heritage Girls to Huron High School Interact Club.
They will be shoveling bark to the garden and pulling unwanted weeds. Please come out and help.
Arlene Golembiewski, Executive Director & President of the Sherbo Foundation of Sierra Leone was the speaker at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on September 6, 2018.
Sherbro Foundation uses all volunteers with the mission of helping rural Sierra Leone move from poverty to self-reliance through education and economic empowerment.
The Ann Arbor Rotary Club contributed $10,000 and coordinated grant contributions from six other Rotary Clubs: Ann Arbor North, Dexter and Ypsilanti in Michigan; plus Cincinnati, Wilmington, N.C. and Pune, India. Rotary District #6380 and the Rotary International Foundation provided matching funds for this two-year global grant. This grant has provided:
The goal is to fund education savings accounts opened for newborns, which parents can continue grow with their own savings. By the age of twelve, a child will have money for their secondary school education. While fruit trees mature, orchards are inter-planted with annuals crops of rice, couscous, corn and vegetables for short term operating income.
The chiefdom records births of newborns and prepares affidavits to exchange for government birth certificates. Government birth registration doesn’t reach this inaccessible rural area. CCET-SL facilitates securing legal birth certificates for these babies.
Parents of newborns will receive fruit trees to grow for income they can save for their child’s education, reviving an old tradition with a modern goal.
The grant has created seven forest preserves to protect drinking water sources, wildlife and trees to benefit of future generations. These will be the first locally organized preserves in Sierra Leone, as Bumpeh Chiefdom strives to protect its all-important natural environment and counteract climate change.
Arlene said, "Thanks to our grant this project has done all this great work."
At August 30, 2018 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon, we had the pleasure inducting two new transfer member's. President Joyce Williams inducted Meera Talwar from Rotary Club of Delhi Metro and Veteran Bill Vollano from Rotary Club of Ypsilanti.
After Joyce finished the induction ceremony, Rotary 6380 District Governor Jane McManus, presented them with this years theme pin, "Be The Inspiration".
Lindsay Way was the speaker at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon, on August 23, 2018. She is President ofThe Agrarian Adventure.
Lindsay talked about the hoop house, that was built in 2006 atTappan Middle School. This hoop house has been used as a winter garden for students at Tappan. Over ten years since the hoop house was built, produce has found its way to classroom and outdoor tastings, school cafeterias, student-prepared meals, and homes of Tappan families and garden volunteers, fundraiser events, local business, the Backdoor Food Pantry and Food Gatherers.
Lindsay described, that a few years ago individuals vandalized the plastic around the house. The plastic protected the plants and workers in the winter.
Lindsay appreciates, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's $1500 grant, that the board approved on August 6th. With our grant, and help from other community supporters, Agrarian Adventure will be able to buy plastic, to make the hoop house new again.
On August 16, 2018, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North speaker was Olivia Habart. She is the founder of, A2 Entrepreneurs Club at Washtenaw Community College.
Olivia, said, "I started A2 Entrepreneurs because when I started at WCC, I did not see many clubs at the school and I thought that was wrong." She explained, that at every meeting, she has a Business Owner talk about their businesses and entrepreneurship.
Olivia, has already started a couple clubs at Washtenaw Community College and she said she would be willing to help get more started.
We had a special guest at the lunch. Katherine Dyer the President ofWaterford Rotary attended our lunch and gave a happy dollar.
Peg Windsor made an announcement about the Mad Hatter Party. The party will be a blast. "Save the date", it is scheduled for November 3, 2018 at The Holiday Inn, Near the University of Michigan.
Date and Time: September 8 , 2018 / 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Fee: $15.00, includes club tools, light continental breakfast, and beverage service throughout the day.
Location: Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Details: This is your opportunity to learn why and how Rotary is changing lives in our community and around the world. Participate in focused discussions about the great opportunities and benefits of being a Rotarian.
This is Vern Hutton, last month he ordered Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North shirts for club members that wanted one. He said, "this is my contribution to the club since I can not do so much due to my age". Although President Joyce said after that, He does contribute and all RCAAN member's makes contribution to the club.
Diane Sheffrey, was not able to attend Presidents Brunch on July 1st. This photo is Peg Windsor presenting her with a plaque for her hard work last year as our Youth Exchange Director and being Adel's Host Mother for many months.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon, on July 26, 2018, Madison Vorva talked about her life.
When Madison was in Girl Scouts she was very involved in selling Girl Scout cookies. Then she noticed one day that one of the ingredients was Palm Oil.
She was fighting against the use of Palm Oils, since she saw a photo of a dead Orangutan, because of the deforestation to produce Palm Oil. She was successful and was honored by the United Nations as a "North America Forest Hero".
Madison's idol was Dr. Jane Goodall's. One day she had the honor to meet Jane and Madison was given the opportunity to work on the National Youth Leadership Council for Root's and Shoot's, Dr. Jane Goodall's organization for young people.
This fall, Madison will start pursuing her master’s degree in environmental policy at Cambridge University in England. Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, Rotary Club of Plymouth, District 6400, and District 6380 will fund a Rotary Global Grants Scholarship to support her studies at Cambridge.
Madison, is very appreciative of the Scholarship and wants to thank and stay in touch with all the partners, that gave her the Scholarship.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on July 26th, Steve Lessons told the club, that he finished painting the arched top of the Arbor that enters the Butterfly Garden in Gallup Park.
You will not want to miss this Thursday's Speaker at the RCAAN Luncheon. Madison Vorva, our Global Grant Scholar will be telling about herself.
Madison is a member of the Cum Laude society.
She ran varsity cross country and track her first two years of high school. Besides participation in school athletics, Madison is an intensive dancer and dance teacher.
She was honored by the United Nations as a “North American Forest Hero” for her seven year efforts to promote the need for deforestation-free and traceable palm oil in Girl Scout cookies.
Madison is an ANNPower fellow through Vital Voices, a women’s leadership program sponsored by ANN Taylor and LOFT.
She is also on the National Youth Leadership Council for Roots&Shoots, Dr. Jane Goodall’s organization for young people.
Ms. Vorva received a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship to study environmental policy at University of Cambridge, UK, starting this fall. Funders for the grant included our club, Plymouth Rotary club, Districts 6400 (Plymouth) and 6380 (our district) and matching funds from Rotary International.
John described, how they were planning to have the Memorial in Veteran's Memorial Park, but with after some problems, they decided to locate it on Huron River Drive in Ypsilanti.
On the Memorial are Vietnam Veteran's that were killed during the Vietnam War. It was built to honor and remember all Vietnam Veteran's of Washtenaw County.
The Rotary International Convention was held in Toronto Canada from June 23-June 27, 2018. Many Rotary District 6380 and eight Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North member's attended the Convention. We all will "BE THE INSPIRATION".
This is an invitation from Ayo's Village to invite any Ann Arbor North Member to the 10th Anniversary of our joint venture called the Micro Finance Project in Nigeria with Rotary Club of Gbagada.
Linda Boone & Susan talked about Huron Valley PACE at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's luncheon on June 14th.
Linda said, "Huron Valley PACE is located in Ypsilanti, MI and serves older adults age 55 or older who have ongoing healthcare needs and live within our service area."
Linda explained, "PACE provides all the care and services covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as additional care and services regarded as necessary by the interdisciplinary team. PACE provides coverage for primary and speciality care, prescription drugs, medical transportation, hospital visits, dental care, medical equipment, home care, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and other services."
You can join PACE if you meet the following conditions:
You are 55 years old or older.
You live in the service area of a PACE organization.
You are certified by the State of Michigan as meeting the need for the nursing home level of care.
You are able to live safely in the community with the help of PACE services when you join.
Huron Valley PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) provides a welcomed alternative to nursing home care for participants. The PACE model of care allows seniors aged 55+ to remain independent in their homes and communities while receiving the integrated social, wellness, and medical care services aging adults require.
The Rotary District 6380 Conference was May 4 - May 6, 2018 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti At Eagle Crest. Eight Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Member's participated in the Conference.
At Last Thursday's Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon, Joet Reoma, invited us to the PACE-MI Recital Concert. PACE-MI stands for Philippine Arts & Culture Ensemble in Michigan. For details about PACE-MI and the concert see the flyers.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on June 7, 2018, Michael Kiehne from Michigan Legal Helpwas the speaker.
Michael explained, "Michigan Legal Help Website is for people who are handling their legal problems without a lawyer. It can help you learn about your legal problems and get ready for court. There are many Do-It-Yourself tools to help you create court forms.
Michael said, "the website does not give legal advice, and it is not a substitute for having a lawyer. If you need more help, search the website for a lawyer, community services, or a Self-Help Center nearby. The website does not cover all areas of law. Instead, it focuses on making some legal information easier to understand."
There’s a New District Governor coming to town. Grab your boots, hats, jeans and mosey on over to the Lazy J Ranch. Jane McManus will be welcoming you to an evening of fun, fellowship and some good grub.
Festivities begin with a cash bar at 6:00pm on July 12, 2018. Get your appetite primed for a Pig Roast with all the fixins, (vegetarian and pasta options available). Treat yourself to ice cream from the Good Humor cart. Burn those extra calories off with some good ole barn dancing.
Joanne Jarvi, from theJewish Family Serviceswas the speaker at lunch on May 31, 2018. Joanne is the Business Development Manager at JFS.
Joanne said, "Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County is a private non-profit social services agency serving the greater Ann Arbor community since 1993. Originally established by the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County to assist the growing number of refugee families in Ann Arbor from the former Soviet Republics, JFS has since grown into an organization providing programs and services ranging from older adult care giving to immigrant resettlement and career services."
She said, "as an agency in Washtenaw County that serves a diverse, international population, the mission of Jewish Family Services is to create solutions, promote dignity and inspire humanity."
The Rotary International Convention will travel to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where there’s Inspiration Around Every Corner, June 23-27, 2018.
Toronto is a diverse city with lots to offer, including vibrant cultural, art, entertainment, and culinary scenes.
You’ll learn about new ideas, hear different perspectives, and gain new skills through engaging speakers, breakout sessions, and exhibits in the House of Friendship.
At today's Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon, Peg, boughtWalgreen's Red Noses for every Rotarian and guest at the luncheon. Walgreen's sell Red Noses, so everyone can help end poverty.
We had two guest's at our lunch, Donald Sparky Leonard, District Governor Nominee and Meera Talwar, a visiting Rotarian from Delhi Metro.
On May 20th, 2018 Rotarians Dr. Karen Kerry and Dr. Andrew Gessert took part in a fundraiser for Fisher House of Michigan. The event was a charity workout hosted by Wolverine Strength and Conditioning in Ann Arbor. The workout was named after Michael Murphy a soldier killed in action on June 28th 2005.
Murph, as he was known to those close to him, died when he left his cover position and went to a clearing away from the mountains. He exposed himself to a hail of gunfire in order to relay crucial information to headquarters requesting immediate support for his team. He was shot multiple times during the engagement but managed to finish the call. While being shot, he signed off saying –“Thank You,” then continued to fight from his exposed position.
On July 4th 2005 Murphy’s remains were found by a group of American soldiers during a combat search and rescue operation and returned him to the United States. Nine days later, on July 13th 2005, Murphy was buried with full military honors at Calverton National Cemetery.
A workout named in Michael’s honor is performed at CrossFit affiliates across the United States on or near Memorial Day. The workout is named “Murph” and consists of a 1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats and a final 1 mile run.
This workout was one of Murphy’s favorite and he called it “Body Armor.”
When the charity workout was over the members of Wolverine Strength and Conditioning and all who participated raised just over $24,000 for Fisher House!
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on Thursday, May 17th, Adela the Rotary Exchange Student we sponsored, presented her school year in a presentation with many photo's or her and her friend's.
Only a Few Days Left to Double Your Money For FHM.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on May 10th, Karen Kerry, Board Member of Fisher House Michigan and Ann Arbor Rotarian visited the club to say, "that the house has started a campaign that will DOUBLE your donation dollar."
To date Michiganders have donated more then $1.5 million toward Fisher House Michigan's construction commitment of $3.5 million for the Ann Arbor House. Because of the strong support of the community FHM has committed to breaking ground in Ann Arbor in 2019.
Karen said, "to keep things moving she wants everyone to join their 2018 Memorial Day Match Campaign."
This Memorial Day, Fisher House Michigan is asking you to honor a Service Member or Veteran in your life. Donate and double your impact between May 1 - June 30, every donor dollar will be matched by generous Michigan donors, led by a $100,000 challenge gift from Ann Arbor's American Legion Post #46.
You are invited to take a self guided tour of the trees planted on May 6, 2018. ClickHEREfor Google Earth images with a red circle show the exact locations of tree plantings at each site.
The addresses included are sufficient to guide your vehicle to each site using the Map APP on a smart phone.
There are six sites, and they are in good numeric order to circle Ypsilanti township.
Look for the District 6380 tree tags. These are 40 of the fifty trees planted in Ypsilanti Township. The 10 remaining will be planted in due time by the Township. The other 50 trees have been and will be planted in Rolling Hills County Park.
John said, "Detroit neighborhoods have been in a downward spiral defined by expanding blight since the 1960's." John Hantz, long time Detroit resident and CEO of theHantz Group, approached city government in 2008 with a proposal to revitalize neighborhoods using the skills and resources of Hantz Group employees to establish a large farm. The desired outcome was cleaner, safer neighborhoods, improved property values, a rekindled local economy, and improved schools.
The mission behind our investment is truly livable neighborhoods.
What the Hantz Group Farm Detroit (Hantz Woodlands) has done:
Removing Blight: Hantz Farms Detroit has worked with neighbors and sponsors to clear brush, weeds, and debris from more than 2,000 parcels within one square mile.
Demolishing Abandoned Structures: Abandoned structures attract illegal dumping, and are a source of danger within Detroit neighborhoods. Hantz Farms Detroit has invested more than $1 million to remove 62 dangerous structures from the landscape.
Planting Trees: Lots that were once defined by nuisance trees like mulberry and box elder have been improved with managed plantings of oak, maple, birch, and poplar. Volunteers have partnered with Hantz Farms Detroit to plant 25,000 trees in evenly spaced rows.
Entrepreneurship Training: Moving beyond neighborhood beautification, Hantz Farms Detroit is working in partnership with neighborhood schools and sponsors to help students explore entrepreneurship.
Vocational Training: Hantz Farms Detroit and Hantz Foundation works with sponsors to create hands-on learning experience in professional trades.
Educational Services: Hantz Farms Detroit is available to participate in education and consulting work that assists leaders in expanding and improving urban agriculture as a new commercial sector within urban economies.
After the Rotary District 6388 Conference Rotarians for around the District came to Rolling Hill County Park for a Tree Planting. These photo's are from Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission's Facebook page.
Jay Vincent was our speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on April 3, 2018. Jay talked about his book called "My Story: United States vs Jay Vincent" and at risk kid's.
Jay told, us he played for Michigan State University under coach, Jud Heathcote, where he teamed with Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser to win the 1979 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.
In 2010 Jay made bad decisions in his business in East Lansing and was sentenced in September 2011 to prison for 5 years and a half years.
Jay Vincent told a story about when he was in prison, he tried to act brave and climbed a slab and told the criminals how bad he was. He told them he was a third degree black belt and if anybody challenged him they’d be in trouble. Most bought the story.
One guy did not.
“You might be a third degree black belt but I am 10th degree crazy,” one guy screamed back.
Jay said, "he did not say anything about having a black belt after that."
Today Jay writes books and talks to kid's about his hard times, so others can learn from them and live better lives.
Jay told us about a young man, that was looking like he was going down the wrong path. Jay took him to a library and described his experience in prison. The man listened and is now living a productive life and has never been in jail.
Jay wants to tell his story to help anyone who needs it. He would be happy to come to any event and talk about at risk kid's.
"I wish to lift the depressed and energize & inspire the rest."
I was honored and humbled to serve as “Toilet Warrior” on March 31 and April 1 for Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North (RCAAN) and D6380, for a final site tour, inspecting and assessing the impact of two Rotary Foundation sponsored sanitation-focused Global Grants which are led by RCAAN as international sponsor since early 2016. The two host groups were D3291 Foundation (representing 39 Calcutta area Rotary clubs), and the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Midtown (RCCM).
The goals of both sanitation projects are to end open defecation and break the cycle of generational poverty by empowering rural women with safe, private sanitation facilities so that they can educate their children better, learn sustainable vocations to augment their income, and thereby regained their dignity.
Calcutta (population ~15 million) is the home of Poet Rabindranath Tagore, India’s Nobel Prize winner in Literature, and is also known as City of Joy where Mother Teresa (beatified in 2016 as St. Teresa of Calcutta) served the poor and rescued the sick and orphans off the streets. (Two past D6380 delegations to Calcutta were led by PDG Terry Youlton for Polio Eradication efforts in the late 1990s, and it is also the site of a 3H Grant co-funded by D6380 for a diabetes research hospital).
RCAAN and RCCM began Project Dignity in 2011-12 as a Simplified District Grant project for $18,000, and the successful implementation of 120 in-home toilets and lessons learned were used by RCAAN to organize these two new Rotary Foundation Global Grant projects, which have since engaged the financial support of Rotary Clubs of Ann Arbor North, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor West, Chelsea, Ferndale, Milan, Novi, Saline and Ypsilanti Rotary Clubs.
I am pleased to report that both Global Grant projects have far exceeded their original targets of rural in-home toilets awarded to below-poverty-line villagers subsisting in the Sundarbans - a lush mangrove forest with high biodiversity located in the Ganges River Delta outside Kolkata. This achievement was possible due to frugal money management by our dedicated Rotary partners and project chairs in India, who used bulk procurement of raw materials and supplies, solicited free labor and services from local toilet awardees or providers, and leveraged with Exide India Battery Corporation which augmented Global Grant funds - all of these allowed RCCM, our Project Dignity partner Club, to add 80 more toilets over the original goal of 320 toilets. Each toilet costs approximately $210/unit and comprises of 2 composting septic tanks to store solid waste while microbial action prepares it in 3-4 months to be used as fertilizer for the farms.
(1) Global Grant 1527157 ($96k) with District 3291 Foundation and ~30 Calcutta area Clubs has completed 526 toilets (original goal was 500). I was graciously hosted for the review by D3291 Foundation Chair Rotn Jayanta Chatterji on March 31, 2018. See photo.
(2) Global Grant 1526428 ($84k + investment by Exide Battery) on Project Dignity undertaken with the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Midtown (RCCM), and 7 co-sponsor Michigan Rotary Clubs has now completed 400 toilets (as of April 1) with the NGO Sri Ramakrishna Ashram Nimpith (SRAN)...The project will conclude with 420 toilets by end of May 2018. Photos show toilets are named for each sponsor Club from D6380.
On April 1 early morning, I accompanied the ever energetic Rotn Rakesh Sahni, my Project Co-Chair of RCCM and 6 of his club members - Radhika Sahni, Ruby and Matoo Sikri, Samir Prasad, Joydeep Sanyal, and Sumi Agrawal Past-President of Inner Wheel Club of Calcutta-Midtown and our chief instigator for Project Dignity in 2009 - we toured for over five hours in ~105F steamy temperatures across a 2 km area in the lush biodiversity of the Sundarbans. We toured an area occupied by both Muslim and Hindu communities co-existing harmoniously, led by the Ramkrishna Ashram’s monks and two sanitation contractors, both, on foot and by vehicle over narrow, often precarious sandy embankments to inaugurate 20 new rural toilets. These toilets will empower rural woman-run households with health, hygiene and safety to enable them to take up sustainable vocations and thus, raise their living standards.
In conclusion, I am grateful to Rotn Ashish Sarkar of RC Ann Arbor for undertaking a site visit with RCCM members to the Sundarbans on February 5, 2018, when the previous batch of 20 toilets was inaugurated. Five RCAAN members also toured with me to inaugurate the first batch of 40 toilets completed in March 2016: John Copeland, Matt Copeland, Bryan Schindel, Laura VanSteenis and Tamra Ward. The following photos don’t do sufficient justice to portraying the harsh realities of rural life in the Sundarbans, which is highly vulnerable to climate change, or to the hardships and challenges of bringing sanitation supplies and training/followup to these secluded communities. The dedication of our local Rotary and NGO partners is commendable!
RCAAN’s third sanitation focused Global Grant 1635112 ($36,000) was awarded in March 2018, and will begin in May 2018 in Bungamati, Nepal with partners RC Chandragiri (Nepal), RC Singapore and Nepal Consul General’s Office in Singapore - the goal is to improve school sanitation and community hygiene with new toilets for 4 girls schools which are being rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 2015. A site tour is planned in October 2018. Stay tuned!
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon this Thursday, May 3rd the speaker will be Jay Vincent talking about at risk kid's.
Jay Fletcher Vincent is a retired American professional basketball player. Vincent played at Michigan State University under coach, Jud Heathcote, where he teamed with Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser to win the 1979 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. Vincent won the Big Ten scoring championship in his junior and senior years.
He was then selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 1981 NBA draft (24th overall pick), and he went on to have a productive 9-year NBA career, playing for the Mavericks (1981–86), Washington Bullets (1986–87), Denver Nuggets (1987–89), San Antonio Spurs (1989), Philadelphia 76ers (1989–1990) and Los Angeles Lakers (1990). He concluded his NBA career in 1990 with 8,729 career points, 3,167 career rebounds, and 1,124 career assists.
Jay Vincent now is an author and speaker. His objectives in his books are to lift the depressed and energize & inspire the rest.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North andGIVE 365of theAnn Arbor Parks and Recreation, put gravel down in the Butterfly Garden in Gallup Park on Saturday, April 21, 2018.
At Thursday's Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon, Roo Morgan talk to us about her business calledEclipse Yoga.
Roo, talked about Corporate Yoga part of her business. She said, "Corporate Yoga benefits both employers and employees. It is the classic win-win we are always striving for. Corporate Yoga can decrease stress and increase employee engagement."
Benefits to your employees:
Reduces tension and stress
Increases energy and physical fitness
Improves focus and concentration
Helps alleviate discomfort associated with work-related injuries such as carpal tunnel, low back pain and migraines.
Benefits to your company:
Boosts work efficiency and productivity
Saves on health care costs
Reduces staff turnover and absenteeism
Creates a more enjoyable work setting
Engages employees
Roo, gave us a short yoga class, that we can use when we need to relieve some stress at work.
For more information click following link:Eclipse Yoga
Successful Site Tour on April 1 - Rotary Sanitation Grants’ Goals Far Exceeded - 1,170 Toilets Completed in Sundarbans (E. India)!
I was humbled to serve as a “toilet inspector” on March 31 and April 1, assessing progress with Kolkata Rotarians on two Rotary Foundation sponsored sanitation Global Grants led by Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North (RCAAN).
On April 1 early morning, I accompanied the ever-energetic Rotn Rakesh Sahni of RCCM and 5 of his club members - Radhika Sahni, Ruby and Matoo Sikri, Samir Prasad, Joydeep Chatterji, Probir Chatterji of Mississauga Ontario, and Sumi Agrawal of Inner Wheel Club of Calcutta-Midtown (our instigator since 2009!) - We hiked in ~105F steamy temperatures across a 2 km area in the lush greenery of the Sundarbans where these newest toilets are constructed.
We toured the area occupied by both Muslim and Hindu families together with the Ramkrishna Ashram’s monks and two sanitation contractors on foot and by vehicle over sandy, often precarious embankments for about 5 hours to inaugurate 20 new toilets. Our cars could only go so far!
These toilets will empower rural woman-run households with health, hygiene and safety to enable them to take up sustainable vocations and thus, raise their living standards.
The photos and videos I have uploaded don’t do sufficient justice to portraying the harsh realities of rural life in the Sundarbans, or can ever recognize the hardships and challenges our Rotary/Inner Wheel/Ramkrishna partners have experienced in bringing in-home sanitation to these secluded communities.
Look for photos acknowledging Rotary Clubs of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor West, Chelsea, Milan, Novi, Saline and Ypsilanti Rotary Clubs.
Both grant projects have far exceeded their original targets of rural in-home toilets awarded to villagers in the Sundarbans and areas surrounding Kolkata, thanks to frugal money management by our Rotary partners, bulk procurement of building supplies, and leverage with Exide Battery Corp.
The status of Global Grants is summarized below:
(1) Global Grant 1527157 ($96k) with District 3291 Foundation and ~30 Calcutta area Clubs has completed 526 toilets (original goal was 500). My meeting was held with Rotn Jayanta Chatterji on 3/31/18.
(2) Global Grant 1526428 ($84k + investment by Exide Battery) on Project Dignity undertaken with the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Midtown (RCCM), and 7 co-sponsor Michigan Rotary Clubs has now completed 400 toilets with the NGO Sri Ramakrishna Ashram Nimpith (SRAN)...
Add to these figures 120 toilets completed in 2011-12 under the leadership or late Rotn Paresh Rajda.
Detroit Peace in the Streets: A Peace Building Conference
April 20-21, 2018
Wayne State University Law School
2018 Detroit Peace in the Streets, is an outgrowth of the World Peace Conference 2017, in which Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North participated in last April.
This will be a dynamic youth oriented conference, so students are encouraged to attend.
Brandon Black & Monica Brancheau was our speakers at lunch on April 5, 2018 fromEle's Place.
Monica said, "Ele’s Place is a nonprofit, community-based organization with a mission to create awareness of and support for grieving children and their families."
Ele's Place is a healing center for grieving children, supporting families in the Ann Arbor region and beyond. Ongoing peer support group programs help hundreds of children and teens to cope with the death of a parent, sibling or other close family member or friend.
Ele's Place supports grieving children so they may continue their lives with hope and confidence. Staff and volunteers provide long-term, age-appropriate, weekly peer support groups at no charge, for families coping with the death of a parent, sibling, or other loved one. Ele's Place educates the community about life-threatening children's grief issues, acts as a resource and referral agency, and provides support and training for school, medical, and other professionals in contact with the bereaved.
Then Brandon described, some projects the children do, to overcome the grief of a loved one.
Face Mask: Children is given a mask, they write, draw and decorate, the out side of the mask telling how they think they look on the outside. Then turn mask around and in the inside write, draw and decorate the inside showing how you feel on the inside.
Jewlery Box: Men from Lansing MI, builds a jewlery box that the children decorates for the loved one that they lost.
Place Mate For The Holidays: During the Holidays it is hard, so the children decorates a place mate for the one that they have lost. On the place mate would be a plate of their favorite foods and special notes to them.
Before coming to Ele’s Place, many grieving children feel alone and keep their feelings inside, not wanting to burden their parents or other family members. Often, friends don’t seem to understand if they haven’t had a similar experience. But each week at Ele’s Place, hundreds of grieving children find a warm and welcoming place to meet new friends who really understand how they feel, and begin to heal after the death of a loved one.
Before Brandon's and Monica's talk, Rick Jarzembowski presented, Steve (Doc) and Sherry Lessons, theirPaul Harris for their donations of $1000 to the Rotary International Foundation.
Frankie Moore, Director of Development and Katie Lampen, Director of Volunteers & Program Management, from Community Action Network was our speakers at lunch on Thursday, March 29th.
Frankie Moore said, "Community Action Networkpartners with children, youth and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County neighborhoods to create better futures for themselves and improve the communities in which they live."
Community Action Network works under three pillars.
1. Educating Children and Youth: To prepare youth to fulfill their academic potential and become successful, self-sufficient adults.
A2 Expedition: Middle School aged youth learn how to navigate Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Public Transportation System.
After School Programs: Assist in homework, literacy, social emotional development, enrichment and more.
Can Art and Design: Aims to give children the skill sets to inquire, design, build and connect with their community.
Educational Summer Camps: Free summer camp programs are designed to prevent summer loss of learning for under-resourced children.
Youth Works: Offers interactive experiences to help teens develop the necessary skills needed in the workplace.
2. Stabilizing Families: Assisting families in meeting their basic needs and create better futures for themselves.
Food Assistance: CAN provides meals for its children and youth during the after school Programs and Summer Camps, as well as weekly food distributions and on-site emergency pantries.
Support and Advocacy: CAN offers DTE shut-off and evacuation prevention. assistance with navigating the DHHS and other service providers as needed.
At Conference 2018 we’ll do more than listen—we will demonstrate how people of action can explore an issue and work to develop actions plans for real change. We will focus our attention on key issues, hearing from experts and expand the topics with content panelists. Then we will discuss the issues at our table to develop plans of action. You will leave the conference inspired and equipped with information you can use to develop projects that can generate meaningful change in our local communities and communities across the globe.
If you can not attend the Conference, but would like to attend the Tree Planting Event, we would love to have you. Please click HEREto register .
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North donated 50 trees for our 50 year anniversary.
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
We will get our location assignments on Sunday morning and then move to the parks.
The Rotary Club of Ypsilanti will be preparing our picnic lunch - hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, chips, soft drinks and beer will be available (Cost $10.00).
The locations are still being confirmed because of the rain over the past few weeks. Washtenaw County will be digging the holes and the trees will be delivered close to the site. Our jobs will be to move the trees to the pre-dug holes, fill in the dirt, add water, mulch, and if needed a gator bag.
Please bring shovels, rakes, and buckets. Wheelbarrows and garden wagons would also be helpful.
For now we know we will be planting trees inRolling Hills Parkand 3 areas in parks around the lake in Ypsilanti Township.
As the week moves forward - plans should be finalized. You will receive complete details and location information on Sunday morning. Plan to be in the ballroom of theMarriott at Eagle Crest, Ypsilanti no later than 10 am. We'll hear from a local tree expert and get our planting assignments.
The District Training Assembly is a chance for club officers, committee chairs, and assistant governors to further develop leadership skills and refine strategies to achieve their goals.
All Rotarians who accept key club leadership roles are encouraged to attend the District Training Assembly. Attending the District Training Assembly is the best way to help your club be even more successful in 2018-19. Attendees will discover tips to take our Clubs and District to the next level.
$20 Registration Fee includes all materials, continental breakfast, and lunch
Sarah Arminiak, from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation talked at RCAAN's Luncheon on Thursday 3/22.
Sarah said, "the mission of theCrohn's & Colitis Foundation is to cureCrohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
Crohn’s disease belongs to a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). It is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s most commonly affects the end of the small bowel (the ileum) and the beginning of the colon, but it may affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon, also called the large intestine."
Sarah talked about Camp Oasis, where children with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis spend a week making life-long friends, share stories, and have the time of their lives. At Camp Oasis, there are activities for every interest: swimming, boating, fishing, archery, arts & crafts, zip lines, ropes course, campfires, talent show, and so much more!
Camp Oasis provides 24 hour medical supervision by doctors, nurses and other medical professionals with experience treating children with IBD. The camp has dedicated and understanding counselors– many of whom have IBD themselves– who are carefully screened and trained. Camp also provides an environment where campers realize they are not alone in their challenges and can just be themselves.
This year Camp Oasis Michigan is scheduled for July 8, 2018 at Camp Copneconic in Fenton, Michigan.
Received some good news from the organizers of Kroger's Community Rewards Program, once again this year they will be suspending the re-enrollment process. This means members will NOT need to re-enroll their Kroger Plus card to continue to earn money for Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation.
Two things to note
If for any reason a member does re-enroll they will just continue to earn as they were.
As always new members will be able to join the program at any time (for instructions to enroll, go to the end of thercaan.orghome page).
The Kroger Company of Michigan wants to thank everyone, for making this program such a success. Through this program they have been able to donate to animal shelters, community centers and educational groups throughout the Michigan Division. With the 4323 charities in this program Kroger's has had the pleasure of assisting local families everyday. The Michigan Kroger Community Rewards Program started in 2009, since then they have donated over 17 million dollars to they're communities.
On March 8, 2018 at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon was Tina Heusel, ofUnited Way - Washtenaw County was the speaker.
Tina said that "United Way - Washtenaw County connects people, resources and organizations together to create a thriving community for everyone. We're igniting a social movement in our community by empowering people to unite and solve complex problems that affect all of us."
The United Way, envision an equitable community where opportunity is not limited and every member reaches their full potential. By the year 2030 we aspire to live in a community where:
Your zip code no longer determines your opportunity in life
Life expectancy is the same across all populations and communities in our County
The academic achievement gap is eliminated
Everyone in our community has a home
Community members seek understanding and awareness of their own power and privilege and actively work to end poverty in our County
Poverty is not generational. If it exists, it is intermittent and brief
Everyone in our County is able to thrive and meet their needs—housing, food, transportation, education, health expenses and childcare.
Tina invited us, to their annual fundraiser called thePower Of The Purse 2018 at The Kensington Court, Ann Arbor on March 14, 2018. Your ticket includes a strolling dinner and wine, along with an opportunity to shop our silent designer purse auction and gift basket raffle. All proceeds support financial stability programs for women in Washtenaw County.
At RCAAN Luncheon on March 8th the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North (RCAAN) and the Milan Rotary Club presented a check for $ 3,090.00 to Fisher House Michigan that was raised in a recent joint club bowling event, on February 18th.
Fisher House Michigan will be building the first Michigan "Ronald McDonald House" for Veterans located in Ann Arbor and are currently fundraiser to break ground in 2019. Even though the facility will be located next to the VAMC in Ann Arbor, it will serve the over 650,000 Michigan Veterans so support from your local clubs will support your local Veterans and their families. To learn more visit:https://www.fisherhousemichigan.org
Pictured are Eric Tindall (RCAAN), Karen Diane Kerry (FHMI Board Member and PP of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor), Brad Chick (President, FHMI), Dutch Nie (Pres Milan Rotary), Michelle Nie (Milan Rotary) and Peggy Windsor(Pres RCAAN).
“This elegant photo-poster was prepared by RCAAN’s Nigerian sister Club and International service partner, the Rotary Club of Gbagada (in D9110, Gbagada is a suburb of capital city Lagos) to commemorate the 2017-18 Rotary Year where both clubs coincidentally have a woman Club President- i.e., Ms. Adefowoke Oshikoya-Williamson at RC Gbagada (right photo), and Ms. Peg Windsor of RCAAAN (left photo).
RCAAN is pleased to partner and take action with RC Gbagada since 2008 in co-funding a Micro-finance Loan Project in Nigeria which was initiated by Rotn Ayotunde Onafuwa (a past member of RCAAN who retired and moved to his native Nigeria). The micro-loan project is in its 9th year and funds about $9,000 in low-interest loans (~ $50-100/recipient) to benefit about 40 small business entrepreneurs in the Gbagada community (such as bakers, seamstresses, handymen, tailors, convenience storekeepers, etc). The borrowers are mentored by Gbagada Rotarians to manage their cash flows, inventories and profits, and loan-repayment is nearly 100%.”
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch on March 1st our speaker was Sebastian Wreford from Food Gatherers Food Bank.
Sebastian said, "Food Gatherersbelieve that in a land of plenty, no one should go hungry! As the food rescue and food bank program serving Washtenaw County, Food Gatherers exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our community."
Food Gatherers serves150 non-profit agencies and programs provide direct food assistance in the form of hot meals, nutritious snacks or emergency groceries to low-income adults, seniors and children in Washtenaw County.
Food Gatherers provides our agency partners with:
Mostly free (70%) and low cost food
Capacity building grants
Training to register eligible clients for federal and state benefit programs
Customized food safety training by licensed food safety professionals on our staff
Sabastian described, that Food Gatherers provides direct service through their Community Kitchen and Job Training Program located in the Robert J. Delonis Center in downtown Ann Arbor:
1,500 volunteers prepare and serve 100,000 meals to people in need each year
Students of the Job Training and Internship programs are chosen from at-risk youth (ages 16-20). They gain basic training in the culinary arts, and work to develop work ethics and life skills
Sabastian, encouraged Ann Arbor North as a group or as individuals to become involved as volunteers at Food Gatherers.
Last Friday was Rotaries 113th Anniversary, read this brief story on Rotary's first club.
The Rotary Club of Chicago ‑ Club No. 1 ‑ was organized on February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris and three Chicago businessmen. To Paul Harris belongs the credit for originating the "Rotary idea”. The first meetings were held alternately at different members' places of business. For the first few months, the growth in membership was slow. In the autumn of 1905, a great event took place in the history of the struggling club.
The first roster was printed! It contained the names of nineteen active and two honorary members. As the membership increased, other rosters were printed, and finally the illustrated roster below was suggested by Silvester Schiele.
Later, Harry Ruggles introduced "song" into Rotary. From a small nucleus of nineteen loyal members in 1905, Rotary grew in seventeen years to a strong, virile movement of 80,000 members with clubs in more than a thousand cities embracing twenty‑two countries of the world.
Greg Stejakal, a Retired FBI Agent talked at our RCAAN Luncheon on February 22, 2018.
Greg talked about the Detroit Mob in the time he was a FBI Agent.
Greg told the club on March 15, 1996, Jack Tocco and 16 alleged partnership members or associates were arrested. The government sought money for crimes, claiming that Tocco and four co-defendants were jointly and severally liable for $234,700 that had been collected in "street tax" extortions.
The government further claimed that Jack Tocco, Anthony Corrado, and Vito Giacalone, in addition to the $234,700 amount, were jointly and severally liable for $4.2 million in profits from the sale of two hotels in Las Vegas (the Frontier Hotel and the Edgewater Hotel), $1 million extorted from Sal Vitello, proceeds from the collection of unlawful gambling debts.
The district court concluded that the evidence presented by the government at trial did not provide, by a "preponderance of the evidence," a sufficiently quantified factual basis for assessing any forfeiture against the defendants.
The five defendants were charged, along with twelve other defendants, in a 25-count indictment relating to their alleged involvement in the Detroit branch of the national Mafia organization known as La Cosa Nostra.
Jack Tocco and Anthony Corrado were convicted on two counts of conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), one based on a pattern-of-racketeering-activity and one based upon the collection-of-unlawful-debts, and on one count of a Hobbs Act conspiracy.
Paul Corrado and Nove Tocco were convicted of the RICO pattern of racketeering activity conspiracy and the Hobbs Act conspiracy. Vito Giacalone pleaded guilty to the RICO collection of unlawful debts conspiracy.
Greg, is now retired and is a Rotarian for the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor. He is currently President Elect for his club and will be President in 2018-2019.
Mike and Jane McManus talked about their trip to San Diego, California for the Rotary International Assembly (a District Governor's training).
Jane, told use about the new theme which she said, "was a secret."
Mike said, "The trip was amazing, We met wonderful people who looked different from us, thought differently than us, prayed differently than us and had vastly different cultures. We chose to sit with new people breakfast, sessions, lunch, breakouts, dinner. We learned something worthwhile from every one!"
Mike then showed use this video from the Assembly, which Barry Rassin talks about his year coming up.
On January 25, 2018, Jennifer Evans talked about Positive Deviance.
Positive deviance is an approach to behavioral and social change based on the observation that in any community there are people whose uncommon but successful behaviors or strategies enable them to find better solutions to a problem than their peers, despite facing similar challenges and having no extra resources or knowledge than their peers. These individuals are referred to as positive deviants.
In her talk, she gave us these suggestions about being a positive deviant person
Stepping Into Positive Deviance - Suggestions
Keep a new big idea to yourself - do it quietly
Identify and minimize consequences you can't live with
Find a size and an angle that is within your sphere of influence
Don't seek emotional permission - there is a lot of fear out there!
Find an ally that supports your inclinations - even if just in theory
Make your steps baby steps - small - discern, learn and build from there
Think of your activity as an experiment - focus on process and be curious about outcome - just try it...
Recognize that feelings come with the territory - "bad" feelings don't mean it is a wrong or bad idea
Jennifer said, "Remember Positive Deviance is DEVIANT - away from the norm and even if outcome is positive, behavior is deviant. It will likely feel odd to step out there and the norm and those who protect it have a gravitational pull."
Just a reminder that our Visioning session is just around the corner, Saturday, 02/24/2018, starting at 9:00 AM for light breakfast and Gerry Jackson with his assembled team will start promptly at 9:30 AM. Look for the balloons.
At our luncheon on Thursday January 18, 2018, Manish Mehta presented a summery of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's International Project's.
Manish was glad that our Club’s Project Dignity partners in India have completed construction and handover of almost 400 rural Toilets which brings our total so far since 2012 to 1020 units, which means that at least a 1000 women are able to sustain their families with good health, and raise their living standards with new job-training, education and literacy initiatives.
On Thursday, January 11, Joyce Williams spoke about the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM). The NKFM’s mission is to prevent kidney disease and to also care for those who have it. Most of the kidney disease in the U.S.. is caused by type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes — are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes may be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
One of the NKFM’s most exciting and promising programs is the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The program is a yearlong program designed for people with prediabetes or at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, with the goal that participants will adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In April, Medicare will cover the program for its participants. It is the first prevention program that Medicare has ever funded.
Diabetes Prevention Program workshops are led by trained lifestyle coaches during weekly one-hour group sessions and eight monthly sessions that follow. Participants learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to their routine, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together, participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.
There is a DPP workshop starting in Ann Arbor on Monday,February 5. Find out your risk via the risk test or sign up for DPP atwww.nkfm.org/dpp.
Sad to announce today, that John W. Barfield passed away in his home in Ann Arbor on Tuesday. Johnny was a good friend to Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North and talked to the club many times. Our condolences go to his family and friends.
Joet, talked at our luncheon on January 4 2017, he retired from employment in 2004 to become a serial entrepreneur in the development of small businesses and volunteer community work.
Joet, works at Project Grow and Matthaei Botanical Garden. He described his work at the Matthaei Botanical Garden where he is responsible for their compost garden. Compost is a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land.
Finally Joet talked, about his work on Comfrey Gardens at Project Grow. Comfrey is a common name for plants in the genus Symphytum. Comfrey species are important herbs in organic gardening. It is used as a fertilizer and as an herbal medicine. Comfrey is a perennial herb with beautiful, bell-shaped flowers and large leaves.
Joet, became a member of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North last year and is going to be a dedicated volunteer at ourButterfly Garden in Gallup Park.
At our Luncheon on December 21st, Past District Governor Jim G. Gilmore IV presenting our club Past President Scott Nelson the Presidential Rotary Citation that we received for last year!
On Thursday December 14th at Rotary we had Past District Governor Janet McPeek share on the Rotary International Foundation. Janet braved the snow storm and told us how proud she is of our club on the projects we do and the money we donate to the Foundation.
Janet described, that our donations helped Rotary Foundation to achieve a Star Charity 4 - Charity Navigator's highest level (Summary of Rotary International On Charity Navigator). Rotary Foundation is proud that 90.8 percent of all donations go straight to supporting Rotary's service projects. Rotary's 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable humanitarian service projects. Using donations we give, Rotary has wiped out 99 percent of all polio cases. Our donations train future peacemakers, support clean water, and strengthen local economies.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's speaker on December 14th will be Janet McPeek, speaking about the Rotary Foundation.
Janet's Biography:
Janet McPeek, is a licensed psychologist who earned her doctoral degree in clinical and educational psychology from Wayne State University.
She is president emeritus of Crossroads for Youth, a non-profit agency in Oxford that provides counselling, education and support for at-risk children and youth. She also maintains a private practice working primarily with adults and older teens.
Janet has been active in local Rotary clubs since 1996 and ten years ago, Janet became a charter member of the Lake Orion Sunrise Rotary Club. Throughout, she has been involved with numerous community and international service projects. Janet has served as an Assistant Governor and was District Governor in 2010/11. She has been a member of the finance committee, and the team working to bring the vision facilitation process to clubs in the district. She is an RLI Facilitator and past District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair. She has also served as a Training Leader at international Assembly, as a trainer at the Zone level as well as lead trainer for the 2016 and 2017 Great Lakes President Elect Training Seminars (PETS). She is currently the Zone 29 Endowment Major Gifts Adviser (E/MGA) and the Zone 29 Promotion Coordinator for the 2018 Toronto International convention.
Had our Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Holiday (Christmas) Party on December 7th. Great time with White Elephant Gift exchange and great to have our District Governor, District Governor Elect present to join us!
If you would like to be a lane sponsor ($100.00 each lane, Make checks payable to Fisher House Michigan, bowling cost not included in sponsorship) emailmilanmirotary@gmail.com. Send check to P.O. Box 8 Milan, MI 48160.
Your spending and donations at this event will address an unmet need in Michigan, by supporting the 650,000 military families whose loved ones have served our country. It will provide a free place for them to stay at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, while the family member is undergoing treatment for a physical or psychological medical crisis.
The first Fisher House Michigan will be built starting in 2019 on the campus of our VA, and will be like a Ronald McDonald House for military families. Currently the need for lodging is staggering, 200-300 families PER MONTH are requesting a place to stay while their family member is receiving care.
There are 76Fisher House across the US- none in our state. Even Ohio has fourFisher Houseand currently building two more! These homes are 13.400 square feet and have sixteen family suites. They have shared living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry facilities. The Fisher House Foundation builds these homes once sites are approved by the Department of Veterans Affair (Ann Arbor's has been approved).
On November 30, 2017 Sally Freels and Christine Anderson talked to the club about the Girl Scouts.
Sally described, "that the girls participate in grade levels, where the experience is customized for their age group. the troop leaders and volunteers receive specialized training to help girls have fun and advance their leadership skills at every level."
Daisies- grades K-1
Brownies- grades 2-3
Juniors- grades 4-5
Cadettes- grades 6-8
Seniors- grades 9-10
Ambassadors- grade 11-12
Christine later gave us some great news about the Green Baxter Court Community, after many years without a troop, they will be getting one this year.
Sally Freels Talked About The Girl Scouts on November 30th.
Remember this Holiday season that we have an account to receive Kroger Community Rewards. If you are enrolled, just use your Kroger Plus Card when you purchase your groceries and the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation will receive money from your purchase.
Most participants are new online customers', so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your e-mail address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
You will then get a message to check your e-mail in-box and click on the link within the body of the e-mail.
Click on My Account and use your e-mail address and password to proceed to the next step.
Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
Update or confirm your information.
Enter NPO number (#21725) or name of organization (Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation), select organization from list and click on confirm.
To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
From 7/30/17-10/30/17 we earned $9.05, just imagine how much we could earn if you get your family and friends to enroll.
“Manish is delighted to share some wonderful news from Rotarian Rakesh Sahni, his dedicated counterpart & Project Chair from the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Midtown (RCCM) on The Rotary Foundation sponsored Project Dignity Global Grant #1526428 which was awarded in 2015 to RCAAN and RCCM. Seven D6380 co-Sponsor Rotary clubs also contributed to this project aimed at ending open defecation in the region - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor West, Chelsea, Ferndale, Milan, Novi, Saline and Ypsilanti.
Collectively, the clubs contributed $42,000 in seed funds, which were then leveraged 2:1 with The Rotary Foundation, to total $84,000.
The Project Dignity Global Grant involved close collaboration with the Sri Ramakrishna Ashram (a reputed interfaith non-profit group) in Nimpith, India, to install 320 in-home toilets for economically needy women-run households in the Sundarbans area of Eastern India. Each toilet unit costs $210, and is constructed for the benefit of women and girls, and the Grant also provides suitable vocational training in order to help them sustain their families from some of the worst ills and vulnerabilities they face. The hazards of open defecation range from constant diarrhea and dehydration of children, to wild animal attacks, to rape and to reptile or insect bites, while women lack the privacy and walk long distances from their homes to relieve themselves. Project Dignity assures the safety and well-being of families, freeing up women to learn and pursue vocations that will help raise their living standards.
Chair Rotn Rakesh Sahni in Kolkata informed that not only has the original target of 320 in-home Toilets in the Sundarbans been achieved as of November 2017, but by the frugal and sensible money management practices of RC Calcutta-Midtown and Ramakrishna Ashram in India, the project has sufficient funds left and plans to install additional 80 composting Toilets by February 2018.
Manish hopes to lead a second site visit by RCAAN members and District 6380 counterparts to Kolkata and the Sundarbans at the conclusion of the Global Grant project for a celebratory program. Six members of RCAAN toured the area for the Project Dignity kick-off held in February 2016.”
On November 2nd, we had a competition called Foundation Follies. The moderator Mike McManus, asked question about the Rotary Foundation to the panelist, Gail Scott, Virginia Nordby, Steve Lessens and John Copeland.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Lunch on November 9th, Daniel Johnson from Empowering Services, Inc. was our speaker.
Empowering Services, Inc. works with Washtenaw County to increase the services inside and outside the jail to not only further reduce the recidivism rate, but enables exiting inmates the best potential for success.
Daniel described, how his organizations help inmates by giving rides back to their homes after they are released.
He also told us that the Jail is very cold this time of year so a big service they provide is to give the inmates undergarments.
At the end of his presentation, Scott Nelson gave Daniel, a check for $200 from our club. He said, "the money will buy a lot of undergarments."
One of our last butterfly work days of the year will be this Sunday, November 5 from 2-5 PM. We are partnering with Adopt-A-Park who will bring several volunteers plus material. The primary plan is to continue improving the paths by adding crushed rock, and secondarily spreading wood mulch. Please bring gloves, wheel barrows, shovels, rakes, hoes, and most of all yourself!
Mike McManus, made an announcement at our luncheon on November 2nd, about this Euchre Tournament, Please give them your support.
Description:
Euchre Tournament: November 16, 2017
Come join us for a Progressive* Euchre Tournament (Fundraiser) to provide Emergency Hygiene Bags for Gleaners Community Food Bank-Livingston County. Enjoy an evening of fun and friendly competition, snacks, cash bar and fellowship all for a great cause.
Tickets are $25 plus $2.03 processing fee - $27.03
Seats are limited. Register now to get your spot. Each player is scored individually. You don't need a partner to play.
You can also sponsor an Emergency Hygiene Bag for $20 at the event. Our goal is to provide a years' worth of Emergency Hygiene Bags for Gleaners Community Food Bank-Livingston County (approximately 150 bags).
Check-in begins at 6pm at Ore Creek Restaurant at Mt. Brighton (Brighton, MI); Tables will be seated by 6:45 pm; 1st round play begins at 7 pm; First three rounds will be played and then an intermission; Final three games will be played and scores will be tallied. Winning prizes for top three players and lowest score player.
*Progressive Euchre - 6 Rounds; 8 deals per game (2 per player); Stick the Dealer; Successful LONERS-points for both players - calling player gets bonus points; Winning team moves up to next table and splits up; Losing team stays at same table and splits up.
Remember, this is FUN and FUNDRAISER for a great cause....
If you have questions, you can e-mail brightonsunset@rd6380.org or call 810-229-6781 and ask from Catarina or Darlene.
Former Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North President, Dan Weiss was our speaker at lunch on October 25th. He currently has a non profit health service practice, in Brazil called Clínica Carmen Lucia.
Dan said, "The mission of Clínica Carmem Lucia is to improve the quality of life of the people of Vila Velha. Our goal is to be the best health clinic in Brazil, because we believe that our patients deserve the best possible care with dignity, respect and affection".
Dan explained, "The Clinic does not charge for its services, but it charges its clients with responsibility for their health and well-being of their family and community."
Fisher House Michigan and Old National Bank present: Stories of Service: An Evening with Veterans at Hill Auditorium.
Spanning nearly a century of service from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan, Veterans share their stories on stage at Hill Auditorium, featuring live music and performances by student Veterans from U of M, EMU and W.C.C in an extraordinary collaboration produced by Fisher House Michigan, directed by Maija Garcia and hosted by Noah Galloway (Speaker: Noah Galloway) - Celebrating all veterans, their families and friends.
For FREE tickets, visit http://www.storiesofservice.org/ and help us build a community around our Veterans as we strive to build Michigan's First Fisher House.
Rotary's 5th annual World Polio Day program was presented live at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, USA. Celebrities and health experts gave an update on efforts to end polio for good. Learn more at http://www.endpolio.org.
On Tuesday, Oct. 24th, World Polio Day, the Milan Rotary Club of will be partnering with Marcos and Hungry Howies for a fundraiser – “Pizza for Polio”. Any pizza orders on this day (carry out or delivery) will see a portion of sales being donated back to Milan Rotary Club of to help eradicate polio worldwide.
The effort hopes to raise money for Rotary International, the volunteer fundraising arm of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative—a public-private partnership that also includes the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
A portion of all pizza sales on Tuesday Oct. 24th will go to Milan Rotary Club of toward the end polio now initiative --- to end polio worldwide and raise awareness
This “Pizza for Polio” fundraiser comes at an important time in the fight to eradicate polio, which would be only the second human disease to be eradicated. Case numbers of the disease have never been lower, and only two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan) have never stopped transmission of the wild poliovirus.
However, a funding gap means immunization campaigns are being cut in high-risk countries, leaving children more vulnerable to polio. If polio isn’t stopped now, the disease could stage a comeback, affecting an estimated 200,000 children every year.Rotary, a humanitarian service organization with nearly 34,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, made polio eradication its top priority in 1985. Rotary has since contributed US$1.2 billion, and its members have logged countless volunteer hours to help immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries.
Overall, remarkable progress has been achieved in the fight against polio. Since 1988, the number of polio cases has been reduced from 350,000 a year to 10 cases so far in 2017. The Americas were declared free from polio in 1994, the Western Pacific region in 2000, and Europe in 2002.
A highly infectious disease, polio still strikes children mainly under the age of five. Polio can cause paralysis and sometimes death. There is no cure for polio, but for as little as 60 cents worth of oral vaccine, a child can be protected from the disease for life.
Story written by Milan Rotary for Facebook invite.
Before there was a vaccine for polio, an Australian nurse discovered an effective new treatment for infantile paralysis, but experienced great difficulty in convincing doctors that her claims were valid.
“Sister Kenny,” starring Rosalind Russell, will be shown Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:15 p.m., at the Farmington Civic Theater, 33332 Grand River in Farmington.
The movie has local ties, in that Sister Kenny worked at the Michigan Hospital for the Crippled, which is today the Botsford Commons senior care facility.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the showing is sponsored by Farmington Rotary. Admission is $5, $3 for seniors and children.
Rotary Club Of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon, was packed with something every second. Joyce stated out giving an update on the Oktoberfest this Saturday.
Then Dutch Nie, from Milan Rotary told us about a Polio Fundraiser in Milan, on World Polio Day (October 24th). It is a Pizza for Polio event where purchases of pizza from either Marco's Pizza on Dexter St in Milan or Hungry Howies on Main St. in Milan (Pizza For Polio Fundraiser In Milan / Facebook). All proceeds will go to help the End Polio Now Campaign.
Then Kate Melcher and Daniel Patrick from Fisher House of Michigan announced a concert with Veterans' talking about their experience while in the Armed Forces. The Concert is free on November 8th at Hill Auditorium (http://www.storiesofservice.org/). Show your support to our Vet's and let's fill Hill Auditorium.
Kate Melcher, and Daniel Patrick talked about the Stories of Service Concert and Fisher House of Michigan
Rotarian's from Michigan and Canada, graduated from Parts II and lll at the Rotary Leadership Institute Great Lakes Division on October 15, 2017, in Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada. They colored a coat of arms in Team Building.
Peg Windsor, Joyce Williams and Diane Sheffrey finish Part ll or lll
FedEx- Sponsor Michigan Department of Corrections Huron Valley Ambulance Thomson Reuters Trinity Services Group VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System St. Joseph Mercy Health system Detroit Police Department Michigan State Police City of Ann Arbor Glacier Hills Senior Living Community Check out the entire employer list here on Facebook!
Spanning nearly a century of service from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan, Veterans share their stories onstage at Hill Auditorium, featuring live music and performances by student Veterans from U of M, EMU and W,C.C. in an extraordinary collaboration produced by Fisher House Michigan, directed by Maija Garcia and hosted by Noah Galloway - Celebrating all veterans, their families and friends.
Tickets are FREE and are available on a first come, first served basis. Visit http://www.storiesofservice.orgfor more information and to reserve your tickets today!
Story from Fisher House Newsletter, October 10, 2017.
At Rotary District 6380 Conference at The Grand Hotel, Past District Governor Virginia Nordby. tells about her role in one of the Rotary's defining moments in history.
Video from Rotary District 6380 and Micheal Angelo Caruso.
Dr. Melvin McInnis from the U of M Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund, was the speaker at our lunch on September 28, 2017.
Dr. Melven explained, "Bipolar disorder, is a medical condition marked by significant changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. A person's mood can alternate between the "poles" of mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days, weeks, or months and can result in significant problems in areas such as relationships, work, and finances. The turmoil of bipolar disorder is often devastating to careers and personal or social relationships, affecting the whole person and their family. Death by suicide occurs in up to 20 percent of individuals with this illness."
Common symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder:
Feelings of elation, hyper, “high”
Increase in activity & energy
Excessive irritability
Aggressive behavior
Decreased need for sleep without fatigue
Grandiose beliefs, inflated sense of powers and abilities
Pressured/rapid speech
Racing thoughts
Poor concentration, distractibility
Impulsiveness
Increased sexual drive
Spending sprees
Delusions and/or hallucinations
Common symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder:
Prolonged sadness
Pessimism, indifference
Irritability
Loss of energy
Decrease interest in typically pleasurable activities including sex
Change in appetite, unintentional weight gain/loss
Sleeping too much or too little
Restlessness or moving slowly
Anxiety
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
Poor concentration
Unexplained physical pain
Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
Dr. Marven described, despite all the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder a person with it, can be cured.
Lori Nash Byron from Famous In Your Field a Marketing Firm, was the speaker to Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North on September 21, 2017.
She talked to the club about on how you can become famous in your field.
Lori said, "you can become known as the go-to person in your business niche. And it doesn't require winning a Nobel Prize or inventing the next world-changing social app. Any entrepreneur or professional who has the desire and the know-how can become famous in their field.
"Here’s a little known secret: Experts are a lot more PR than Ph.D.. (Think about it. Is Dr. Phil really the best psychologist in America?)"
"When you become known as the expert in your industry, you eliminate any competition. You command attention and draw clients to you like a magnet. No more chasing prospects and wasting money on marketing that doesn't work."
Lori told use the following to become famous in your field:
Public speaking:
Speaking is a great way to position a business professional as an authority. Wearing a Speaker badge at a conference, industry association luncheon or other event gives you a powerful source of credibility. And it’s a strategic investment of your most limited resource – time. During a speaking engagement, you’re demonstrating expertise to an entire group of people, rather than one-on-one.
Publishing:
Publishing can take many forms in today’s world. There are magazine articles, blog posts, and e-books and good old-fashioned printed books. One of the best ways to make a name for yourself is to publish articles in professional and trade magazines.
Content marketing:
Content, whether it’s a video, an e-book, an article, blog post, webinar or podcast, is what attracts prospects to your website. It’s how you create a relationship with that prospect, and how you demonstrate your authority in industry. And content works for you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wondering where you’ll find the time to churn out all this content?
Web presence:
A strong digital footprint (all the places where someone might find you on the web) is key to being recognized as a leader in your industry. When a prospective client is looking for your specialty, you want your name to be top of mind and at the top of Goggle’s search results page. Social media, through sites like Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube gives companies and professionals free and simple tools to reach your target market and interact with them directly. With smart strategies for effective use, social media can be a powerful way to build your brand and authority.
Media outreach:
Journalists and reporters are starving for credible sources who can bring newsworthy ideas, trends and industry insights to their audience.
Also at our Luncheon on September 21st, Adel the Exchange Student Ann Arbor North sponsors, visited and gave us a banner from the Czech Republic.
Finally Lisa Hudy, received a Paul Harris +1 from Past President Scott Nelson, for her dedication as Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Foundation Treasurer.
It was a great and full Luncheon.
Lori Nash Byron From Famous In Your Field Was Our Speaker On Sept. 21st.
Join the Southfield Area Rotary Club for a fun evening of food, music and dancing while serving the Southfield youth community! A portion of profits will go to Southfield Youth Assistance, a partner of Southfield Area Rotary Club dedicated to supporting the physical, mental and emotional welfare of local youth.
What you don't want to miss: - Buffet Dinner, Drinks (Cash Bar) - Dancing to the sounds of DJ "Lightning" Rod from the Detroit Princess
Keynote Speakers: - Dr. Kenson J. Siver, Mayor of Southfield - Mr. John W. Barfield, Founder of The Bartech Group, and Author of "Starting from Scratch: The Humble Beginnings of a Two Billion-Dollar Enterprise" - Dr. Jan Cardwell, University of Phoenix Campus Vice President
Chris Kolb, shared at Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, aboutmidrinkingwater.org, to help people in Michigan be educated on drinking water quality. Chris talked about the Clean Water Checklist.
Clean Water Checklist
Identify your source of drinking water – public systems (community water system or Type III) or private well
Diane Shaffrey, received her first Paul Harris at lunch on September 7th, for her donation of $1000.00 to Rotary International Foundation. Peg thanked her for her generosity, especially because she is a new Rotarian.
Diane has also taken on this years position, as our Youth Exchange Officer.
On Saturday night, September 9, 2017, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North member's Joyce Williams, Gail Scott, Eric Tindall, Jeff Crause, Doc and Sherry Lessens attended the Amy Fedel Memorial Benefit Concert at Greenwood U.M.C.
The fundraiser was in memory of Amy Fedel, who died when their family's van was hit by a drunk driver in the summer of 1998, while they were going on vacation to Mackinaw City.
Shamar Herron, from Michigan Works! talked at the RCAAN Luncheon today.
Shamar described, since he was born in Detroit, he learned at a very young age that he had many options in his life. He could let his unfavorable surroundings dictate his future, or he could forge his own path. Shamar chose the latter and began working hard towards his success.
He played college Basketball and reached The Final Four in 1999 for The Ohio State Buckeye's.
Shamar is currently, Deputy Director of Michigan Works! Southeast, he leads teams that focus on helping people craft and achieve their goals toward a career and connecting talent to business needs.
Shamar's, background is in economic development, mentoring, and data analysis allows him to play in a variety of arenas.
Shamar, is on multiple boards from Youth development to Prisoner reentry.
For Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on August 31, 2017, we went to the University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
Mike Kost, talked to us about the garden. Mike said, "Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are two properties in different locations operating as one unit within the University of Michigan."
Matthaei Botanical Gardens is located in northeast Ann Arbor at 1800 N. Dixboro Rd.
At the Garden is the conservatory; gift shop; classroom and meeting spaces; display gardens such as the Gaffield Children’s Garden, Bonsai & Penjing Garden, Great Lakes Gardens, and others; and many trails and natural areas.
Nichols Arboretum is located at 1610 Washington Hts. on the University of Michigan’s central campus next to the U-M hospital.
The Arb is home to the Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden and several collections of historic or native plants such as the Julie Norris Post Collection of Ericaceous and Appalachian Plants, Centennial Shrub Collection, prairie, and others.
At the start of the meeting Vern Hutton announced, that Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North received a check for over $2000.00 from a Club real estate investment.
This article was in the "City of Ann Arbor, MI Weekly Digest Bulletin" on August 25, 2017, about Rotary Club of Ann Arbor's, new Centennial Playground.
Grand opening festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the playground site and guest speakers. Other activities will include live music, animals from Leslie Science & Nature Center, Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum educational activities, a fishing area for kids and more!
Thank you, City of Ann Arbor Communications
All Invited To Sept. 17th Gallup Park Universal Access Playground Grand Opening Event
Can all Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Member's, do a big favor for the Board of Director's. Can everyone check there information in ClubRunner, to make sure it is correct.
On the top of right hand side of page, click member login
Type login name, password, and hit login
You will now be logged in, now hit Member Area on the top right side of page
On the tabs, hit My ClubRunner
Then hit My Profile
Check all information, birthday, anniversary, address.....
To check Rotary Club anniversary on the profile tabs hit Rotary and check dates. You can not change your club anniversary, send me an e-mail and I will change it.
If something else is not correct you can change it by hitting edit. Change the information needed changed and hit save, If you do not want to do it yourself, e-mail me with the corrections aterictindall67@gmail.com
Can everyone do this as soon as possible, we would like to have all the ClubRunner correct.
For the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's luncheon, on August 31st (12:00 PM-2:00 PM), we will be having an off site lunch at Matthaei Garden located at 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105. We will have box lunches and our speaker will be Mike Kost, Curator of Native Plants.
About Mike Kost
Mike Kost formerly served as the lead ecologist and a senior conservation scientist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory at Michigan State University Extension.
He has coauthored more than 75 publications, including three books on the natural communities of Michigan.
Mike also managed the adult natural history education program for The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.
He has also worked as a naturalist for the University of Wisconsin-Extension and as a land steward for the Koenen Land Preserve in Milwaukee.
He earned a B.S. in Public and Environmental Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and an M.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
About Botanical Garden and Arboretum:
In 1907, the University created a Botanical Garden and Arboretum on the land between Geddes Road and the Huron River, just a few blocks from Central Campus on the site now known as Nichols Arboretum.
At the time, the property consisted of approximately 80 acres. Today, more than 100 years later, the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum manages over 700 acres of gardens, research areas, and natural preserves around the Ann Arbor area with a complex of conservatory, greenhouses, laboratory, teaching and meeting spaces at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the James D. Reader, Jr. Center for Urban Environmental Education at Nichols Arboretum.
For the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's lunch on August 31st (12:00 PM-2:00 PM) we will be having an off site lunch at Matthaei Garden located at 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105. We will have box lunches and our speaker will be Mike Kost, Curator of Native Plants
About Mike Kost
Mike Kost formerly served as the lead ecologist and a senior conservation scientist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory at Michigan State University Extension.
He has coauthored more than 75 publications, including three books on the natural communities of Michigan.
Mike also managed the adult natural history education program for The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.
He has also worked as a naturalist for the University of Wisconsin-Extension and as a land steward for the Koenen Land Preserve in Milwaukee.
He earned a B.S. in Public and Environmental Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and an M.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
About Botanical Garden and Arboretum:
In 1907, the University created a Botanical Garden and Arboretum on the land between Geddes Road and the Huron River, just a few blocks from Central Campus on the site now known as Nichols Arboretum.
At the time, the property consisted of approximately 80 acres. Today, more than 100 years later, the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum manages over 700 acres of gardens, research areas, and natural preserves around the Ann Arbor area with a complex of conservatory, greenhouses, laboratory, teaching and meeting spaces at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the James D. Reader, Jr. Center for Urban Environmental Education at Nichols Arboretum.
This is a reminder of the arrival of Adel, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Foreign Exchange Student for this year. Adel will be attending Huron High School starting this fall.
Club Member's may come to Detroit Metropolitan Airporthttp://www.metroairport.com/ to welcome her to the United States.
Arrival at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) 3:55 PM on August 23, 2017.
KLM 1352 Royal Dutch Airlines
08/23/17
Depart08:50 (8:50 AM), from PRG Prague, Czech Republic
08/23/17
Arrival10:25 (10:25 AM), NL Amsterdam Schiphol
KLM 6120 Royal Dutch Airlines
08/23/17
Depart13:20 (1:20 PM), from NL Amsterdam Schiphol
08/23/17
Arrive15:55 (3:55 PM), DTW Detroit, Michigan
Adel's, RCAAN Foreign Exchange Student Arrives On Wednesday.
A few weeks ago at our luncheon, Jeff Crause announced this Memorial Concert, that is being planned by one of his band mates. Give them your support by going to this concert.
Musicians include the Bonfire Poets (Mark Brokaw, Mike Fidel, Dan McConnell and Joe Spaly), Five Miles More (Jazz and Standards), and audience participation with the Singalong Jukebox.
The concert is a benefit for the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, and MADD of Michigan. Suggested donation: $15.00/Adults and $3.00/Kids. Checks are accepted made out to 'BIAMI' or 'MADD'. More information athttp://www.fedel.com/amyandlisa.
At Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on August 17th, Kate Conely told the club about her experience at this years RYLA.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive training program that brings together our youth, ages 14-18, to further develop character, leadership skills and to learn about Rotary.
Kate had the opportunity to participate in character building programs which focuses on leadership, effective communication, trust and cooperation. Utilizing adventure, personal commitments and shared insights, she gained an increased sense of confidence in herself and in her team.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, was mentioned twice in this months Packard Partner News.
Letter from the Executive Director
This Community
Projects like the Healthy Kids Fair never cease to amaze me with their countless moving parts and dozens, let me say, DOZENS of details. The choreography of the Healthy Kids Fair is awesome. Even beyond awesome is the community support of this event. We all want Washtenaw County to be a place where all kids can thrive.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor donated seed money to set the event in motion and keep us going. The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North gave us funds so bike helmets are free. Many other organizations and individuals have donated to the cause.
On fair day the Washtenaw Department of Health will be giving immunizations and dental checks, and Safe Kids Huron Valley will be fitting helmets. Fresh Thyme Market is bringing fresh fruit and Growing Hope is coming with their blender bike which I'm eager to see in action! The Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights will be on hand to answer Right to Know questions.
The Healthy Kids Committee has been in planning mode for months and a full corps of volunteers will be on hand the day of the event. Key Packard Health staff have been instrumental in organizing clinical services.
I hardly know where to begin with my thanks. There are so many supporters! But I do know where to end ... This community knows how to come together, how to work together on important issues, and for that my appreciation is boundless.
In good health,
Ray Rion, MD. Executive Director
For Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's, second mention go to newsletter at:
A helmet is the single most effective safety device to reduce head injury and death in bicycle accidents.Safe Kids Huron Valley will be fitting helmets at our Healthy Kids Fair on Aug. 19 in Ypsilanti. A big thank you to Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North for their support - the helmets will be free! Read about Bike Safety Tips:https://www.safekids.org/tip/bike-safety-tips
John Seto, was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon today, August 10, 2017. John Seto is the former Ann Arbor Police Chief and the current Director of Housing Security for the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security.
John, talked about the law and ethics in making decisions for Police Officers.
He talked about the issue a few years back, when homeless individuals put up tents in city park and lived there. He had a ethical issue. It was not right to just kick them out, but the city law said they could not stay there. The police put letters out saying they need to leave in 48 hours and some support to where to go. Fortunately almost all left and took the support and others got other housing.
On all ethical issues, in policing he said, "the police, has to follow the Federal Laws." If it is a Federal Law like the not being able to live in city park he has to follow it, even if it is not ethical to kick them out with no where to go.
Another topic he described, is the body camera that Police wear today. It is an issue of privacy. The reason to use body camera is for the increase officer safety and reduce department liability with decreased use of force incidents and reduced false complaints by citizens.
John Seto, is getting ready for all of the students from University of Michigan, to return to school and start living in the dorms.
John Seto, Was Our Speaker Today At The RCAAN Luncheon.
Our Speaker on Thursday August 10, 2017, will be John Seto from the University of Michigan.
John Seto, retired as the Chief of Police in 2015 after serving 25 years with the Ann Arbor Police Department.
During his tenure as Chief, he also served as the Safety Services Area Administrator with additional responsibilities for the Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management.
Upon his retirement, John was appointed Director of Housing Security for the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security.
John earned a B.S. and a Master of Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University and is a part time lecturer at E.M.U. teaching courses in Public Administration.
John Seto, Is Speaking At Rotary Club Of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon On Thursday.
Today, we had Howdy Holmes, speak at our luncheon. Howdy is Chief Executive Officer and President of "Jiffy" Mix, which headquarter's is in Chelsea Michigan.
Howdy described, that after his career in motor sports, he returned to "Jiffy", his family owned business in 1987. Because of the of the fast pace of racing, actually driving, operating his motor sports marketing company, advertising company, and being a color commentator on racing for ESPN, it was a difficult transition into the Jurassic pass of the mixes industry.
At the time (1987) "Jiffy" was hitting hard times. He said, "he was determined to save the business for his Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather."
He created a Board of Directors with some family member and some non family. "Jiffy" Mixes did not have a Board, until he returned.
Howdy with help, created a professionally managed strategic vision. It included transitioning The Chelsea Milling into the Institutional Market, selling to mass feeders such as large hotels, school, and prisons.
Today, "Jiffy" employs 320 individuals, including his son which is studying to hopefully follow him (Although Howdy said, it is not guaranteed, he would not be afraid to let a non family member run the business).
Howdy, is hoping that "Jiffy" and the Chelsea Milling Company, will continue to prosper and last another 100 years.
Written by Rhonda Panczyk, Rotary District 6380 Membership Chair
New members can feel overwhelmed trying to understand their club, the Rotary lingo, and how they fit in.
"Rotary Basics" is a comprehensive guide to all things Rotary.
It covers everything from how Rotary began to how you can optimize your membership experience. It’s great for new members to have for reference and review on their own time.
Sarah Brabbs, author and speaker, recently visited Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North and shared her talk 'It's Not Me, It's You - Changing Defensive Communication™' with us.
Sarah is the owner of Optimizing Relationships LLC and speaks around the country and our home state of Michigan about communication and relationships.
The club loved hearing from Sarah, although a fire alarm went off in the middle of her talk! We picked up where we left off outside though, and were able to go back inside fairly quickly.
Aside from speaking, Sarah does customized leadership and employee training, consulting, and coaching. More about Sarah is atwww.optimizingrelationships.com.
Rotarians and visitors are invited to send an email to optimizingrelationships@gmail.com to receive communications from Sarah - you'll get access to her private blog in which she shares compelling helpful information (the first blog is about a stalker!) and find out what she's up to.
Sarah wants you to know she rarely emails her "list" because she thinks we get too many emails, and promises to not waste your time or her's - her emails are good.
It's Not Me, It's You - Changing Defensive Communication.
Next Thursday (July 27, 2017) Sarah Brabbs, is giving a presentation titled, It's Not Me, It's You - Changing Defensive Communication. . Please join Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North to hear her talk.
Talk Description:
We all know defensiveness when someone acts defensive towards us – and when we are defensive with others. It can be hard to see past defensiveness and know how to navigate it.
Come learn all about defensive communication – why we do it, what we can do instead, and how to move ourselves and others beyond a defensive communication climate.
Workshop Presenter Bio
Sarah Brabbs, M.A. author of “So People Say You’re an Asshole: A Book for You, People Who Love You, and People Who Work with You” spends her time speaking, training, and inspiring people to proactively improve their communication skills, experience immediate impactful change, and enjoy deeper, more meaningful and productive relationships both at work and at home.
She has been referred to as a “catalyst for change.” Jody Heath, a Vice President at Manpower in Ann Arbor, says this about Sarah: "I enjoyed the presentation so much that I attended it a second time to reinforce what I learned."
Sarah is a professional speaker who works with the business community and individuals.
At RCAAN Luncheon on July 20, 2017 Christine Chessler from Recycle Ann Arbor, told us about the recycle program in Ann Arbor.
Christine told us that Recycle Ann Arbor run's the:
Reuse Center: Recycle Ann Arbor’s ReUse Center offers more than 20,000 square feet of store space, selling a huge variety of household and building materials at affordable prices. The ReUse Center also offers Urbanwood for sale.
Drop off Center: Serving residents and businesses located in Washtenaw County and beyond, the Drop-Off Station has an extensive range of services. Operated by Recycle Ann Arbor, a 501(c)3 non-profit, the Drop-Off Station receives no funding from local government and relies on fees paid by site users to maintain the services provided.
Recovery Yard (Formerly Calvert's): Recycle Ann Arbor's Recovery Yard is Michigan's only non-profit construction and demolition recycler, providing prompt and reliable service to southeast Michigan. The professional and experienced staff will work with you to meet any C&D recycling needs, whether the project is large or small. Whether you are clearing out a basement, remodeling, moving, or your project involves demolition, concrete work, or new home construction, they will make sure your debris is handled in an environmentally-responsible manner. Our goal is to recycle the maximum amount of material from each construction site.
Curbside Recycling: Recycle Ann Arbor is contracted by the City of Ann Arbor to collect recyclables weekly at the curb from City of Ann Arbor residents, in a single-stream collection system. Single-stream recycling allows all recyclables to be placed into one recycling bin without separating papers from containers. Single-stream recycling is easy and convenient, which encourages residents to recycle the most materials possible.
Also at our Luncheon Scott Nelson finished up his awards by giving Gail Scott a Hero of the Year Award for her service of taking on the treasurer position this year after no other member stepped up to fill the position. Also she had a meeting at the beginning of the year to guide him through the year, so the year would be great, like it was.
Christine Chessler From Recycle Ann Arbor Talked On July 20th.
On August 3, 2017, Howdy Holmes from"Jiffy" Mixes and retired Indy Car Driver, will be our speaker. Please come and join us, to welcome him.
HOWDY S. HOLMES
Chief Executive Officer and President
After successfully competing in the world of motor sports for 20 years, Howdy returned to the family business in November of 1987. As a race car driver, Howdy won championships, and was the “Rookie of the Year” at the Indy 500 in 1979. He competed in six Indy 500 events. When he retired in 1988, he held the best average finishing record of anyone who started more than four events.
As a businessman, Howdy operated a motor sports marketing company and an advertising company, which served the motor sports community. Holmes authored an award-winning book called, “Formula Car Technology” and was a contributing writer for magazines and newspapers about racing. He was also one of the first color commentators on racing for ESPN.
Upon returning to"Jiffy"in 1987, Mr. Holmes led a transformation of the then 100 year old family business. With the help of others, a professionally managed strategic vision was successfully introduced.
Today, known for their Quality and Value, "Jiffy" Mixes is uniquely positioned for the 21st Century."Jiffy"is the market-share leader in retail prepared baking mixes. In 2007, Chelsea Milling entered the Institutional market, selling to mass feeders such as large hotels and prisons. The Company is currently building a new mixing tower to service Institutional and Food service customers.
Rev. October 2015
Biography from Pamela Balyeat
Executive Assistant to Howdy Holmes, President & CEO
Corporate Administrator
Please, help us plan this event better, if you are a guest, click on the guests link below and tell us you will be coming.
At our luncheon on July 13th, Les Huddle from Rotary Club of Ypsilanti, came to talk about the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival. The Festival this year is August 25th, 26th, and 27th at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti.
Les told us, the Heritage Festival has been going through hard times in past years, because of the recession. He told us, about the steps he took this year, to bring the Festival back after they almost decided not to have it.
He told us, the Festival needs volunteers and described, how to sign-up on SignUpGenius.
If you attend the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival this year, you will see a lot of entertainment including live bands. You can take a Hot Air Balloon Ride or a Helicopter Ride, and can have some tasty festival food.
Work Day Sunday and Monday, July 16th and 17th at 6:30 AM, any help will be appreciated.
The photos demonstrate the joy generated by Butterfly Gardening. At Huron River Day, it was decided the first work day of the year would commence at 6:30 AMMonday (July 10th).
A catbird sang melodiously as great progress was made.
Two and 1/2 hours later, the windows of heaven opened up - in perfect timing - and thoroughly watered the garden.
The next planned work days are for this coming Sunday and Monday at 6:30 AM. July 16 and 17. Let us know (Joyce Williams,Scott Nelsonor Joet,) if another time works better for you.
On July 9, 2017, Scott Nelson, Eric Tindall, Manish Mehta, Joyce Williams, Bob Greenhough, and Joet Reoma manned the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden table at 37th Annual Huron River Days at Gallup Park.
The RCAAN Member's, tested Children's education on the Monarch Butterfly and educated their Parent's about our Butterfly Garden.
At Thursday's July 6th, Luncheon, John C. Carlson, Sr. Corporate Relations Manager from Eastern Michigan University, talked about Millennials in the work force. He presented many facts about Millennials that are different from past generations:
2 in 3 Millennials will change the current job they just started by 2020.
66% to leave a job.
27% expect to stay.
Millennials are experience hoppers-not job hoppers.
What is important when Millennials select a job.
22% Pay and financial benefits drive Millennials choice of organization more than anything else.
7% Good products-Effeciency/adaptable/moves with the times.
6% Innovation-respect.
While older generations adopt to the workplace. Millennials expect the workplace to adapt to them.
Open Communication, inclusiveness and attention to ambitions really do foster loyalty.
At Thursday's Lunch Scott, also distributed some more year ending awards and gifts, for the member's that could not attend President's Night last week.
Jeff Crause was awarded the Rotarian of the year for his work on transferring the Foundation's accounts to his business Edward Jones Financial.
Scott presented boards to Manish Mehta, Gail Scott and, Rick Jarzembowski, for being on his 2016-2017 board.
John Carlson From Eastern Michigan Univ., Talked About Leader's From The Millennial Generation.
Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.
Rotary is dedicated to six areas of focus to build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.
1.Promoting Peace
Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict.
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas.
We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. We don’t just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term.
Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
On June 29th we had our Presidents Night at Cross & Resurrection Church in Ypsilanti next to Eastern Michigan University's Campus.
In addition to many Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Members we were blessed to have District Governor Michael Angelo Curuso, partner Rene Pothetes, District Governor Elect Jane McManus, and Assistant District Governor Mike McManus.
We started out with drinks and a mingle. Followed a great dinner of chicken breast and pasta made by Angel Food Catering of Ypsilanti and served by some of Bryan Schindel's Daughter's and Friend's.
After dinner Scott Nelson gave a summary of the accomplishments we had this year. Scott presented Eric Tindall, his second Paul Harris Fellow for his work on the web site, on the board and everything he does. Then Stephanie Oliver, received her first Paul Harris Fellow for her work when she was Ann Arbor North's Treasurer.
Scott Nelson then announced Jeff Crause, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Rotarian of the Year for his work on the transfer of the Foundation's accounts. Then Scott gave Gail Scott, a special plaque for this year called the Life Saver of the Year for stepping up and saving the club by being this years Treasurer.
Scott thanked the 2016-2017 Board of Director's and gave them a board that said, "RCAAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016-2017." After that gift presentation Peg gave Scott his Former President Gavel Plaque.
Then Peg got the transfer of the Presidency by getting a Crown, because of her last name Windsor. We had the gavel passing with all the former RCAAN President's that was there.
Lastly Peg, introduced the 2017-2018 Board of Director's. Everyone had a terrific time and is looking forward to a GREAT YEAR.
After our visit to The USGS Great Lakes Science Center on June 7th some Rotarian's asked if they could get a copy of the presentation that Russ Strach gave.
Next Thursday at our President’s Night celebration (June 29 at 6 pm at Cross and Resurrection Church in Ypsi), there will be a special treat straight from our recent RI Convention in Atlanta. At the Convention, they debuted a Virtual Reality Video that was the first VR communication that Rotary has ever done.
Attendees downloaded the video on their smartphones and then watched it through special Google glasses that were passed out at the event. The video transports you to the 360-degree world of someone who receives help from Rotary’s good works.
I will have 2 pairs of Google glasses at Pres. night so everyone will have a chance to view it. It is about 4.5 minutes long.
You can prepare ahead of time by going to the following link on a computer and clicking on instructions to download the App for either Android or Apple phones. Once downloaded, you will be able to view it that night.
The video is only available until June 30 so I’m glad I can share it with you! See you next Thursday!!
Huron River Watershed Council: Experience the joy of nature at#huronriverday! Our butterfly house from Michigan Native Butterfly Farm, birds of prey from Leslie Science & Nature Center, and river critters from the Huron River Watershed Council are sure to bring out the kid in you. Hands-on learning for all.
We have a booth at Huron River Days to promote our Butterfly Garden to the Community. Volunteer opportunities are available contactScott Nelson.
Group photos of Rotary Club members from Ann Arbor North, Ayotunde Onafuwa (our Gbagada Nigerian Club partner) and Nepalese Rotary District Governor Dr Jaya Shah (in blue sari) and another Nepalese Rotary couple taken on our final day at the Convention.
The photo shows Scott proudly donning his new Nepali topi (hat), and me in my favorite Nepali Gurkha (Canadian Tilly) hat- we are all set to partner on a new Rotary Foundation Global Grant sanitation project between our Club, the Nepal Consul General of Singapore and Rotary Clubs of Singapore and Chandragiri in Nepal.
Also ran into an energetic group of Pakistani Rotarians posing for a farewell group photo with the Rotary wheel...take a close look at the pinned coat of one bespectacled Rotarian on the left kneeling.
RCAAN and Partner Clubs at Rotary Convention 2017.
Bob Van Oosterhout, shared with us the problem of being motivated by fear at our lunch on Thursday June 15th.
Bob discussed, "that fear puts us in Crisis Mode. Fear narrows our brain focus. We do not ask questions or seek to understand the large picture or relevant details."
Bob said, "The unknown is seen as a potential threat."
Bob Van Oosterhout started the project called "Bring Truth to Fear", after the U.S. election that grew out of the he found that the use of fear as a political tactic along with a lack of respect for the truth is undermining our capacity to work together to solve problems and maintain a stable and healthy democracy.
Today's weekly club meeting was held offsite at President Scott Nelson's scholastic workplace and conference room at the Great Lakes Science Center, a unique agency operated by the US Dept of Interior.
We received a fascinating presentation by Director Russ Strach.
He opened his talk by stating that the five Great Lakes should really be regarded a five additional states of the US due to their diverse ecosystems and populations.
He then covered the state of flora and fauna (i.e., fish populations) that GLSC monitors and is researching many types of threats and vulnerabilities posed by invasive species, climate change, industry and human activity. What an informative vocational event- Thanks to Rotary!
You are welcome to do a make up at theDowntown Rotary Club, see Virginia Nordby receive an award and hear her present! The meeting is Wednesday at noon, in the Anderson Room at the Michigan Union. Walk in the front door and take the first large hallway to the right.
Thursday, we are meeting at the Great Lakes Science Center less than a mile from our regular meeting place, here is themap. It is at the corner of Green and Hubbard. Park in front, in the parking lot off Hubbard, or at the Church next door on Green. We will be hearing from Center DirectorRuss Strach.
If you have not signed up for lunch - email or callScott Nelson with your order: Beef, Turkey, Veg, Ham.
Today at our Lunch, Rhonda Panczyk, District 6380 Membership Chair, talked about Club Membership.
Rhonda explained, "that many of the rules for Membership has shifted from Rotary International, and is now left up to the clubs to make. Some rules that are now up to Rotary Clubs are:
Change meeting
Days
Times
Frequency
Very the meeting format
Meet in person
Online
Or a combination of the two
Relax Attendance
Taking on leadership roles
Updating website
Running a meeting
Planning an event
Choose different type of memberships
Corporate Membership
Family Membership
Associate Membership
Rotaractors Memberships
Rotaractor can join the club while remain being a Rotaract Member
Now we just need to put these new rules into action for a bigger and better club.
Rhonda Panczyk, District 6380 Membership Chair Was Our Speaker Today.
The term " Avenues of Service" is frequently used in Rotary literature and information.
The "Avenues" refer to the elements of the Object of Rotary: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service and the Fifth Avenue of New Generations.
Although the Avenues of Service are not found in any formal part of the constitutional documents of Rotary, the concept has been accepted as a means to describe the primary areas of Rotary activity.
1.Club Service involves all of the activities necessary for Rotarians to perform to make their club function successfully.
2.Vocational Service is a description of the opportunity each Rotarian has to represent the dignity and utility of one's vocation to the other members of the club.
3.Community Servicepertains to those activities which Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their community. It frequently involves assistance to youth, the aged, handicapped and others who look to Rotary as a source of hope for a better life.
4.International Servicedescribes the many programs and activities which Rotarians undertake to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace. International Service projects are designed to meet humanitarian needs of people in many lands.
5.The Fifth Avenue, Youth Service recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults
involved in leadership development activities, community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding. Programs include Debating Competition, Rotaract, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Summer Science Schools, Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment, Model United Nations Assembly.
When a Rotarian understands and travels down the " Avenues of Service," the Object of Rotary takes on even greater meaning.
At our Luncheon on May 25th our speaker was James McClelland from the Boy Scouts. Our very own member, James filled in for Rachal Carson, Unit Service Executive for the Huron Trail District.
James told us, "the Huron Trails District Boy Scouts, which serves Washtenaw County, has 2,302 youth in membership, 1,317 Cub Scouts, 900 Boy Scouts and 85 Venturers."
Scott Nelson, after his talk gave James a check for the Scouts for $2,500. James said, the money will go for the young children to go to Summer Camps.
One Camp he described in his presentation, is the National Scout Jamboreee. More than 40,000 Scouts and leaders from across the country participate in the 10-day event filled with the most popular and highest quality outdoor activities Scouts enjoy.
Please join the Rotary Club of Chatham as we welcome our incoming District Governor Barry Fraser for the Rotary year 2017-2018.
Event chairs Rika deHaas and Fannie Vavoulis have put together an evening you surely do not want to miss.
Joining us that evening will be Rotary International VP Jennifer Jones, current District Governor Michael A Caruso as well as many Past District Governors to help set Barry on the right path.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North hosted the Third Annual Golf Invitational on May 20, 2017. We are grateful for the wonderful turnout and the beautiful weather!
Kristen Teasdale, from Growing Hope was our speaker at our Luncheon on May 18th.
Kristen told us, "Growing Hope manages and maintains Farmers Markets to increase access to healthy food in our communities."
Kristen said, "Growing Hope’s commitment to providing improved lives and communities through greater access to healthy foods is most clearly demonstrated in the Farmers Markets we manage. By providing a venue for farmers, urban gardens, and other entrepreneurs, we contribute to local economies, developing our downtown's and strengthening our communities."
Lisa Bradley, the President of Ann Arbor Jaycees came to our May 18th lunch to accept our check to sponsor The Jaycees 4th of July Parade.
Lisa said, "The Ann Arbor Jaycees are young adults ages 21-40 who want to make a positive difference in our community. We're also friends who have a lot of fun together!"
"Our friendships grow as we participate in community service projects, plan seminars, go to socials, and team up for recreational activities."
"The Ann Arbor Jaycees is also a leadership training organization. Much of the leadership training is accomplished through planning and participating in projects and/or committees. Other leadership skills are learned by serving on the Board of Directors. The Ann Arbor Jaycees is not just a local group. We're also affiliated with the Michigan Jaycees, the U.S. Jaycees, and Junior Chamber International."
Please support The Ann Arbor Jaycees by going to the 4th of July Parade and their other community events.
Smiles and anticipation abound from this picture of our four outbound Ann Arbor Area exchange students.
(L-R): Charlotte Little (going to Poland), Fiona O'Rielly (going to Mexico), Emma Jane Rhodenhiser (going to Chile), and Eli Richards (going to Chile). Rotarian Jake McLouth (far right) is the co-chair for the youth exchange committee.
This photo was taken at a host family appreciation event in which the exchange students were honored and given their blazers which they will fill up with pins from around the world that they receive from other exchange students.
Good luck and safe travels to Charlotte, Fiona, Emma and Eli!
At our lunch this afternoon we had Jeff Lichty from ShelterBox USA. ShelterBox is an organization that Rotary supports to help people in disasters around the world.
When people are plunged into crisis, normality is suspended. But good, quality shelter can cut through the chaos. ShelterBox provide the tools that enable people to rebuild homes and transform their lives.
ShelterBox sends out a tent and tools to the disaster area till the individuals can get a new place to live.
These photos are the inauguration of the WASH in school project on May 6th 2017.
Contributions from Project Dignity were used to fund an additional project - our grant is enhanced by our great partnership with our international partners!
At Thursday's lunch on May 4th, we had a banner exchange by President Scott Nelson with a Visiting Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Ketchikan, Alaska...probably our first ever guest from the beautiful land of glaciers, Iditarod, icebergs and oil!
Thursday's speaker was Arlene Golembiewski, President of Sherbro Foundation, eloquently narrated how she once schooled at the UM School of Public Health with visiting Rotarians Mary Avrakotos (member of Ann Arbor Rotary Club) and Dr Cheryl Farmer (member of Ypsilanti Rotary).
After graduation, Arlene went on a Peace Corps program to volunteer in Sierra Leone in West Africa, retired from a career as corporate toxicologist at P&G in Cincinnati, and then returned the last couple of years to launch a Rotary Foundation Global Grant Project with Tribal Chief Caulker of Sierra Leone (who is committed to rebuilding and healing his war-torn nation).
RCAAN contributed seed funds with five other clubs. Today, our members heard about the excellent progress made on the grant which is focused on economic empowerment of impoverished villagers by engaging them in planting high-value fruit trees in their farms.
-Written by Manish Mahta, RCAAN Internation Service Project Chair
You need to read the Rotary District 6380's Newsletter this month. It has stories on the World Peace Conference, International Festival and even our own Golf Outing.
Douglas King a consultant at Pro Energy came to our Thursday lunch on April 20th to talk about his profession. He explained, that he comes out to an individuals house and educates the homeowner on energy concerns.
The services Douglas provides when you get an energy audit are:
One-on-one consultation regarding your energy bills and/or indoor comfort issues.
Onsite, hands-on education on how your home or building 'works' from an energy efficiency standpoint.
Blower door testing and infrared/thermal imaging technology.
Specific recommendations on how to remedy any energy issues found, and prioritization in terms of estimated ROI.
Guidance on energy rebates and energy improvement tax incentives.
A written and pictorial report of our findings, emailed within 24 hours of your energy audit.
General home energy maintenance advice, to maximize the comfort and value of your property ongoing.
Douglas said, "very aften, a Pro Energy audit prevented his clients from wasting thousands of dollars on unnecessary repairs/upgrades."
Douglas King, From Pro Energy, Was Our Speaker On April 20th.
This video was recorded on March 31, 2017. It is the opening of the Conference and has the performance of "The Sopranos".
The Sopranos is an all-female cappella group open to all females at the University of Michigan. The Group is a member of the Michigan A Cappella Council (MACC).
In addition to performing at U of M, The Sopranos also perform on other college campuses around the state, and they competed for the first time in the ICCA's Quarter Finals in Ann Arbor in 2016.
At our lunch on April 13, 2017, we welcomed Diane Sheffrey to our club. Pres. Scott Nelson and Gail Scott (her sponsor) gave her a "4 Way Test" portrait, her Rotary Pin, and a new member packet.
Diane has been active since see started coming to the lunches, a little over a month ago. She has already been a volunteer during the Million Dollar Dinner, and dropped off the Ronald McDonald House Wish List Items we collected a few week ago.
Thank you Diane for joining and helping.
Welcoming Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Newest Member, Diane Sheffrey.
Sabastiean Wreford talked to our club during our lunch on April 13, 2017. Sabastiean is the Manager of Food Donor Relations at Food Gatherers. He has been with Food Gatherers since June 2014, helping to build and strengthen the relationships Food Gatherers has with donors.
Sabastiean described, that their is 150 non-profit agencies and programs providing direct food assistance in the form of hot meals, nutritious snacks or emergency groceries to low-income adults, seniors and children in Washtenaw County.
Food Gatherers provides our agency partners with:
Mostly free (70%) and low cost food
Capacity building grants
Training to register eligible clients for federal and state benefit programs
Customized food safety training by licensed food safety professionals on our staff
Food Gatherers provides direct service through our Community Kitchen and Job Training Program located in the Robert J. Delonis Center in downtown Ann Arbor:
1,500 volunteers prepare and serve 100,000 meals to people in need each year
Students of the Job Training and Internship programs are chosen from at-risk youth (ages 16-20). They gain basic training in the culinary arts, and work to develop work ethics and life skills
Sabastian said, "What Rotary can do for Food Gatherers. You can donate food, money or your time to Food Gatherers. Host a food drive or fundraiser! Please feel free to contact us, ask questions or even take a tour of our warehouse."
On April 6th John Lawrence from Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise talked about his club project called Clean Water For Living.
Clean Water For Living mission is to provide information to increase awareness of current water quality issues, possible remedies and future possibilities.
John described how we can help improve the quality of water. Here is how to become a "Clean Water for Living" Rotary club:
• Include water education programs.
• Partner with a conservation authority or similar organization on a clean water project.
• Identify and celebrate Clean Water Champions in your community.
• Support school water education programs.
• Reduce bottled water use.
Water stewardship is one of the six areas of focus of Rotary International. Rotarians are well known for their work in providing safe drinking water and better sanitation in Third World countries. In 2014 – 2015 Rotary International approved 302 water and sanitation global grants for approximately $20.5 million in funding.
Rotarians must continue this international work, but we should do more. Rotary is known to unite leaders to exchange ideas and take action to improve communities everywhere. Here is a perfect opportunity to lead the way by respecting and protecting water at home.
August 5, 2017 (SATURDAY) - Muskegon, MI - CANCELED
October 14, 2017 (SATURDAY) - Ridgetown, ON
February 10, 2018 (SATURDAY) - Shipshewana, IN
During Registration, you will need to select which level to attend. There are three parts (Part I, Part II and Part III) and the Parts must be taken sequentially. That is you must take Part I before you can take Part II and you must take Part II before you can take Part III.
Cost for each training session in 2017 will be $75.00 and includes full breakfast, lunch, and all training materials.
Class Day Schedule
Program starts with a full breakfast and introductions at 8:00 a.m. Classes start promptly at 9:00 a.m. Lunch is provided Class adjourns at 4:00 p.m.
Discounted room rates for staying the night before at hotels have been arranged. You must contact the hotel directly.
Hotel details will be added as soon as they are available
August 5, 2017 (SATURDAY) - Muskegon, MI - CANCELED
Baker College of Muskegon 1903 Marquette Ave, Muskegon MI 49442 Hotel TBD
October 14, 2017 (SATURDAY) - Ridgetown, ON
Training Venue: University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus 120 Main St E, Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0 Hotel TBD
February 10, 2018 (SATURDAY) - Shipshewana, IN
Blue Gate Garden Inn (hotel and training venue) 800 South Van Buren Street Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-7688
This morning Peggy Windsor, Scott R Nelson, Eric Tindall, and Bob Gallagher attended Michigan Works! Southeast Awards Ceremony.Rotary Club ofAnn Arbor North contributed $500.00 to Michigan Works Southeast.
This celebration allowed Michigan Works! the opportunity to inform the elected officials and community about the work that they do. At the ceremony, they honored outstanding local workforce development programs, program alumni, staff and volunteers throughout our region.
More photos of this event will be posted in a few days.
Registration at 8:30 a.m. | Program starts at 9 a.m. | Training wraps up at 2:30 p.m.
$20 Registration Fee includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch
The District Training Assembly is a chance for club officers, committee chairs and assistant governors to further develop leadership skills and refine strategies to achieve their goals. All Rotarians who accept key club leadership roles are encouraged to attend the District Training Assembly.
Attending the District Training Assembly is the best way to help your club be even more successful in 2017-18. Attendees will discover tips to take our Clubs and District to the next level.
Breakfast and General Sessions 1
Public Image with Liz Smith, Rotary Zone 29 Public Image Coordinator
Breakout Sessions 1
Grant Management Seminar Part 1– a must if your club is planning on applying for a grant for 2017-18. Two club officers must attend both Part 1 and 2 to certify before applying for a grant.
Public Relations – It’s more than Facebook. Discover sound strategies to get the word out about the great things your club is doing.
Club Administration – Tips for planning Club meetings, programs, and activities. Explore communication strategies that will keep members engaged.
Membership – Find out how the changes in membership approved by the COL can help your club recruit new members.
Breakout Session 2
Grant Management Seminar Part 2
First Impression – Your Website – Learn how to update your website to create a great first impression – you’ll learn the easy steps to creating a new banner with rotating photos.
Counsel on Legislation Updates – Learn about the new updates and how the changes can energize your club. Resources to review/update your Club Constitution and By-laws.
Club Resources – Explore resources available to your club and members on Club Runner, Rotary Club Central, and My Rotary.
Lunch and General Session 2
Young Leaders with Steve Youtz, District Youth Services Chair
Breakout Session 3
Youth Service – Starting and supporting Interact, Rotaract, RYLA programs in your Club
Club Secretary – Ways to help your Club members get the most our their rotary membership, u
pdating member information, finding resources on My Rotary
Project Partners – Explore way to connect with other Clubs on a project and explore project resources, including Rotary Showcase and Rotary Ideas
Connecting Members – Explore ways to connect your members to other Rotarians in your community and across the globe. Discussion will look at Rotary Action Groups, Rotary Friendship Exchange, and Rotary Fellowships.
Breakout Session 4
Youth Service – Learn tips on recruiting outbound students and the qualification for Inbound Host Families.
Treasurer – Get the COL update on Rotary dues, understanding the timeline for dues billing, and review Club financial responsibilities and risk management.
EREY and Rotary Direct – Develop a case for giving that will increase annual giving to the Rotary Foundation and see how easy it is to create a recurring gift using Rotary Direct.
Change Management and Conflict Resolution – Explore strategies to get past the “But that’s not the way WE do things” to help your club make changes, expand membership and enhance your Club’s presence in the community.
Register for this important training event today! Registration fee of $20 includes continental breakfast and lunch. Make sure to bring your laptop, ipad, or tablet to
this event so you can take notes and participate in the interactive demonstrations.
Sorry, I have not had much time to write many new stories this week. I have been busy at the World Peace Conference. Instead of reading new stories in the Northstar or the RCAAN web page go to the following links and take a look at the wonderful World Peace Conference.
Rick Jarzembowski shared awesome information on Habitat For Humanity and Real Estate at our Luncheon on March 23rd.
Rick talked about how Habitat for Humanity enriches our whole community by making home ownership affordable and attainable by providing important services to Washtenaw County residents.
They Programs they provide are:
Home ownership
Home Improvement
Community Development
Habitat Education Program
Rick also told us about the Habitat For Humanity Resale Store. The ReStore is a retail store operated by Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley and open 7 days a week. The store accepts donations from individuals and businesses of new and gently used building materials, tools, furniture and appliances and sells them to the public at 50-75% off retail price.
At the end of Rick's talk, he gave a short look at the sales of houses in the Ann Arbor Area. Rick is a Realtor in his profession.
In 2017-18, we’ll answer the question “What is Rotary?” with RI President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley’s theme, Rotary: Making a Difference. “Whether we’re building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives — in ways large and small — for the better.”
We received GREAT news from Kroger's Community Rewards Program. As of 3/22/2016 they are suspending the re-enrollment process from the program for this year. This means members will NOT need to re-enroll their Kroger Plus card to continue to earn for the charity they have chosen.
Most participants are new online customers', so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your e-mail address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
You will then get a message to check your e-mail in-box and click on the link within the body of the e-mail.
Click on My Account and use your e-mail address and password to proceed to the next step.
Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
Update or confirm your information.
Enter NPO number (#21725) or name of organization (Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation), select organization from list and click on confirm.
To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
There is now a list of defined tasks for volunteers to complete – a few with some urgency, before the conference, and the rest during the actual event. Here’s what you can do:
Scroll down to view all the jobs listed. When you've checked the box for your choice, click on Submit and Sign Up at the bottom of the page. This will take you to a page that asks for your phone number.
If you give your email address and create a password, it will send you reminders about your “shift.” You will soon be contacted with more details about your job(s).
Direct questions about Sign-up Genius to Pat Deere atpdeere@2017peaceconference.org. Contact me with questions about specific jobs or other conference details.
Abundant thanks for your participation!
Volunteer Opportunities At The World Peace Conference?
At our Luncheon on Thursday, March 16th we inducted Joet Reoma into the club. Then in the evening, Joet was an honoree at theWashtenawEnvironmental Excellence Award Ceremony by receiving a Master Composter Leadership Award.
Mitchell Salley an Eagle Scout talked about his Eagle Scout project at Thursdays Luncheon on Thursday March 9th.
The project was to build a Pergola at King Elementary School. The Pergola is next to Kings learning garden.
He said, "Principle Mrs. Mary Cooper came to him and wanted to build something next to the garden, so teachers could take the children outside on nice days to have class out side. Although other projects had priority, so it would have taken years to finish." Mitchell took on the project for his Eagle Scout project and now it is complete.
Michell said "I am very appreciative to Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North for the donation of $500.00, I could not have built the Pergola without it."
At Our Luncheon On Thursday Mitchell Salley Told Us About His Eagle Scout Project
Would you consider making a difference in a young person's life? We have a good and challenging situation in front of us.
We have a waiting List of 40 youth (High school and college kids, Rotaractors/Interactors) wanting to attend the Peace Conference. Since we have no funds available for scholarships any longer (we have already awarded 110 of them), we would encourage you pay for a student attendee.
Your tax deductible donation of $150 to sponsor a youth will make a difference in their lives.
What an opportunity for a youth to shake hands with the likes of RI President, Nobel Peace laureate and Peace Corp Director and participate in breakout sessions that these prominent guests will lead for them. It might be a life changing event for many of them.
You can send your check payable to Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation with memo line indicating "PC Youth Support" and mail it to World Peace Conference, P.O. Box 3360, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106.
You can sponsor one youth at $150 or more at multiples of $150. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Kirk Jones and Marcella Trautmann talked to our club on Thursday, February 23rd. about Project Grow.
Kirt told the club, "Project Grow's core focus is facilitating organic community garden sites throughout Ann Arbor. From modest beginnings, Project Grow now facilitates 18 community gardens throughout Ann Arbor. Each site varies in size and is comprised of different plot type."
Project grow seeds are grown by volunteers in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The plants are grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides using standard organic practices. However, we cannot say they are 'Organic' because the land is not certified organic.
Then Marcella talked about heirloom tomatoes. An heirloom is generally considered to be a variety that has been passed down, through several generations of a family because of it's valued characteristics.
For more information on Project Grow, find the garden plots in Ann Arbor, how to apply for a plot or to find a class on gardening go to http://projectgrowgardens.org/.
Kirk Jones & Marcella Trautmann From Project Grow Talked At Our Luncheon Last Thursday.
For International Week of Service March 25-31 we are going to have a drive to get items for Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor. At our Luncheons NOW TILL MARCH 30th, bring an item from the list below and we will deliver it the the House.
Deadline - the International Week of Service, 25-31 March 2017.
All over the world, volunteers like you are working to improve their communities. In the spirit of Rotary Serving Humanity. Information and resources for this event can be found atweekofservice.org. Visit theInternational Week of Service 2017 Facebook Event Page to RSVP and see what other clubs are planning.
Ya! So happy, did you see me dancing? Now there is a Mobile App to see our GREAT Web Site. Get it TODAY!
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The ClubRunner Mobile App is your key to connect with your club on the go! Completely, free to download and use, this app will let you access the key info you need while you're on the go. Password protected just like your website, it allows you to to view your member directory, contact your members and executives, read the latest articles posted to your website, and even learn more about your upcoming events and speakers, right from your smartphone or tablet! .
To download the app from the Apple App Store or from Google Play, simply type in 'ClubRunner' in the search bar. Our mobile app is compatible with all versions of the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch sets that have iOS 8.0 or later and with versions of Anrdoids that are 4.0.3 or better.
Immediately view the most up to date member directory, upon login. You can browse your member profiles which give you the necessary contact information you need to connect with just one click. Make a call to any of their phone numbers, email them directly from your device, or even add them to your contacts list.
Executives and Directors
View and contact your club executives and directors from current, past and future years. You can browse their profiles and connect with one click.
View Posts on Your Website
View the latest feed of home page stories that are on your website, directly on your phone, so you never miss any information!
Learn more about upcoming events and speakers
Access all of your upcoming events and calendar items, and view event details, including associated links, download files and venue map. View who the latest speakers are and learn more about their presentation topic.
Suzanne Van Dam From Circles Washtenaw County Talked At Our Luncheon On Feb. 16th.
Suzanne told us that, "circles is a unique program that is based on the premise that developing meaningful relationships across socio-economic lines can have a dramatic impact on the effort to move families out of poverty. Knowing that relationships and connections matter, the Circles program matches a person in poverty with at least three middle or upper income partners for at least 18 months to build relationships. The goal of these relationships is to break the cycle of generational poverty by creating circles of support and connections with people who are committed to making real change in our community."
Suzanne, described how we could help Circles from making a weekly meeting meal, childcare, being an Ally and assisting on a Resource Team.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Third Annual Golf Invitational is scheduled for May 20, 2017. For more information, register a team or become a sponsor contact Matt Copeland atmatt.copeland@comcast.net or call (734) 674-9327.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Golf Invitational, May 20, 2017
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is pleased to present the Third Annual Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North golf Invitational. This special day will be filled with lots of fun, golf, laughter, great food and a steak dinner after our round of golf. We will have prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin and a putting contest as well as 50/50 and drawings. The event will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Polo Fields of Washtenaw Golf Club and we expect 150 community and business leaders to attend this annual event. Funds raised at this event will support the ongoing efforts of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation, a 501 (c) 3, and its mission to improve the quality of life for children and adults in our community and around the world.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Title Sponsor - $2,000 – Name or logo on all invitation, signage and programs & 4 rounds of golf in the event ( lunch at the turn and dinner after) SOLD OUT
Dinner Sponsor – $1,500– Name or logo on all invitation, signage and programs & 4 rounds of golf in the event ( lunch at the turn and dinner after) 2 Remaining
Lunch Sponsor - $1,000– Name or logo on all invitation, signage and programs & 4 rounds of golf in the event ( lunch at the turn and dinner after) 1 SOLD, 1 Remaining
Cart Sponsor - $750 – Name or logo on all the carts – 2 Remaining
Hole in one Sponsor - $TBA – Name or logo on signage at the Hole, Mention during awards ceremony – 1 Remaining
Closest to the Pin Sponsor (Men) - $250 – Name or logo on signage at the Hole, Mention during awards ceremony – 1 Remaining
Closest to the Pin Sponsor (Women) - $250 – Name or logo on signage at the Hole, Mention during awards ceremony – 1 Remaining
Closest to the Line - $250 – Name or logo on signage at the Hole, Mention during awards ceremony – 1 Remaining
Longest drive Sponsor (Men) - $250- Name or logo on signage at the Hole, Mention during awards ceremony – 1 Remaining
Longest drive Sponsor (Women) - $250- Name or logo on signage at the Hole, Mention during awards ceremony – 1 Remaining
Hole Sponsor - $150 - Name or logo on signage at the Hole- Several Remaining
For more information regarding sponsorships or to sign up to join us with a golf foursome or as an individual player, please contact Matt Copeland at (734) 674-9327.
Deb Lentz and Richard Andres, owners of Washtenaw Food Hub and Tantre was our speakers Thursday Feb. 9th.
Richard Andres said, "We are growing a healthy local food ecosystem by developing facilities and services to help co-located food and farm businesses thrive at our 16 acre site just north of Ann Arbor, Michigan. At our Food Hub, we are creating a community of triple bottom businesses, and a model for regional sustainability and self-sufficiency."
The Food Hub is a small scale local food processing in 3 commercial kitchens, and with local food storage, distribution, retail and wholesale. The Food Hub demonstrates the value of a closed loop energy systems with a large-scale vermi-composting system and a new 164,000 watt solar array. And, they are planning for education and research on sustainable agriculture and agro-ecology principles in the near future.
The Hub is seeking strong community engagement around food and our food system.
A glimpse into the warm personality of Swami Sadanandji who selflessly serves the NGO in Nimpith, W.Bengal as observed in our December 29, 2016 site visits made with Calcutta Midtown Rotarians.
The Million Dollar Dinner has a lofty goal: To raise a minimum of One Million Dollars for the programs of The Rotary Foundation in this Rotary year. This is accomplished through outright gifts or Bequest gifts to The Rotary Foundation (USA and Canada) with minimum donations of $10,000 USD from Family, friends, supporters of The Rotary Foundation and the general public who wish to attend the event may also purchase tickets online.
Foundation Chair and Past District Governor (PDG), Janet McPeek, reports that we’ve already identified $650,00 in bequest intentions and we’re excited about meeting our goal.
All Rotarians are invited to attend!
Saturday Evening, April 1, 2017
Eagle Crest Marriott 1275 S Huron Street Ypsilanti, MI 48197
6:00-9:30
$125 per person
Black Tie preferred. Cocktails being at 6:00 PM
Sumptuous, multi-course dinner, cash bar, live music* and keynote by RI President, John Germ
Attendees will have a rare opportunity to have a photograph portrait with both the sitting President and Vice President of Rotary International. We are truly honored President John Germ and Vice President Jennifer Jones will be joining us.
*Live music by the amazing Brad McNett
Vocalist/composer, Brad McNett, is quickly becoming one of the most popular interpreters of the Great American Songbook. McNett’s large repertoire and his ability to interpret a lyric or turn a phrase with, the skill and poise of someone twice his age, makes him an instant smash with any audience. “There’s a late-’50s sensibility in his voice—touches of Mel Torme and Frank D’Rone,” according to Marc Myers ofJazzWax.com.
Chelsie Armstrong, from Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan talked about Girl Scouts at our weekly luncheon last Thursday.
Chelsie said the "Girl Scouts gives every girl access to life-changing experiences that inspire her to do something great. While she's learning to build a fire, she's also building character. She discovers she can help build a house, sail a boat, or excel at math. She makes friends, finds mentors and joins with others to improve her neighborhood or her school."
She talked about some of the programs that the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan participates in such as
Camps
Archery
Selling Cookies
She showed us a map of the new building that the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is using located at444 James L Hart Parkway Ypsilant. She invited us to take a tour of the new location and learn more about Girl Scouts.
Rotary International President John Germ, Vice President Rotary International Jennifer Jones, and Dr. Noel Jackson invites everyone to the World Peace Conference 2017 in Ann Arbor, March 31st - April 1st.
Benjamin Wielechowski, from Robin Hills Farm talked about his Farm located at 20390 Stockbridge Chelsea Rd. (M-52), Chelsea, MI.
Ben said," Robin Hills Farm is a place for education and family-fun events, a place filled with fresh and healthy vegetables from our garden, a place to tap into sustainable design and living, and a place to get into nature and enjoy the beautiful landscape and recreation spaces."
His farm has classes and events throughout the whole year. He encouraged us to come see his farm.
It seems like citizens of the world don't agree on much these days, but nearly all of us agree that peace is better than war.
Author, speaker, and Governor or Rotary District 6380, Michael Angelo Caruso, invites you to attend the Rotary World Peace Conference, March 31-April 1 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The speaker slate is amazing and includes Nobel Laureate, Jody Williams; Senior United Nations adviser, Jeffrey Sachs; Williams, television personality, Dr. Partha Nandi; Emmy award winning journalist, Penny LeGate; Rotary International President, John Germ; BBC Editor, Matthew Shaw, and many more.
On Thursday January 19th, Amanda Sweetman, talked to our club about The Farm at St. Joe's. The Farm at St. Joe's is located on the campus of St Joseph Hospital.
Amanda which is The Farm's Project Manager, is trying to develop a culture of health and wellness for St. Joe's employees and the community.
She said, "The Farm is seeks new and innovative ways to improve access to fresh food, nutrition education, and therapy."
For more information on The Farm at St. Joe's watch the following video which she showed at our Luncheon.
Lindsay Way, from Agrarian Adventure talked about the program they have with the Ann Arbor School District.
She described, how they partner with Ann Arbor Public Schools K-12 to teach students’ the connection between the foods they eat, their personal health, and the health of their communities and the environment.
She told us about the programs that Agrarian Adventure provides:
Educational Events and Community Outreach.
After School Enrichment-Cooking and Gardening.
Curricular Integration and Teacher Support.
Farm-to-School Multiple Approaches.
Lindsay Way, From Agrarian Adventure Talked About Her School Program Last Thursday.
Thank you for all of the AMAZING gifts your organization purchased this year for CAN students. The kids loved it all and had awesome holiday parties where they got a "sneak peak" and opened one of their gifts given to them directly from Santa. It was all really fun and we could not have pulled it off without you. Again, thank you so much!
Great Speaker on Thursday. Rachel Beecroft was our first speaker for 2017. She shared with us about her experience in the Rotary Peace Fellow Program. It was fascinating to find out about her work in the USA, Australia and Myanmar, formerly Burma.
A native of Mason, Michigan, Rachel holds a BIS in Political Science, Management, and Human Rights & Genocide Studies from the University of Minnesota.
Rachel completed high school and university combined in a total of six years, and quickly developed a passion for travel. During a year abroad, Rachel volunteered at a small medical clinic in Haiti, at a school for children with disabilities in India, and worked in Laos. Rachel has traveled and worked in 38 countries, and hopes to experience many more cultures in the coming years.
Upon returning to the United States, Rachel accepted a position with an anti-genocide organization in Minneapolis that achieves its goals through education and political advocacy at local, state, and national levels. In that position, Rachel created and implemented a three day, intensive Summer Institute for high school students, where students learn about genocide and the tools to stand up for human rights, both locally and globally.
She is passionate about educating and training today’s youth to create world change tomorrow.
Rachel traveled and worked in Southeast Asia and Australia before embarking on her Peace Fellowship journey at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. At UQ she obtained a Master of International Studies, specializing in Peace and Conflict Resolution. As part of her Applied Field Experience, Rachel worked in Myanmar with a civilian peacekeeping NGO.
As always, we are recruiting more Rotary clubs and districts to participate in this program. Please share this information with other Rotarians that you think might be interested! I highly encourage you attending our webinar series for Rotarians as we will be launching a new online application platform and you can receive a bit more information on it.
2017 District Conference - May 4 to 7 Conference registration is just $75.
The conference committee has been hard at work to bring you an exceptional conference experience that includes great speakers and programs. And since we will be at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, we are also planning in some free time for you to explore this great island resort.
After you register for the conference you will receive an email with a link to the Grand Hotel Reservation Form. You must use this form to make your hotel reservations at the Grand Hotel. No phone or online reservations will be accepted. We have secured a great rate for conference attendees! Don't miss this opportunity to stay at one of America's premier resort destinations.
Congratulations to PDG Gail Scott, who has been selected by the District Nominating Committee to serve as the District 6380 Council on Legislation Alternate beginning 7/1/2017 and through 6/30/2020.
Gail will work with PDG Donald Riddell, COL Rep, on educating Clubs as to the process, assisting them with proposed legislation and preparing them for the changes that the Council makes when it meets in the Spring of 2019.
Gail is a member of the Ann Arbor North Rotary Club and was District 6380 Governor in 2001-2002. She has served as an RLI Instructor, PETS Lead Trainer and District 6380 MOP Committee Chair. Major Donor Chair, among other positions since her Governorship.
On December 15th, we had our Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Christmas Party. It was a lot of fun! Really enjoyed the ugly sweater contest and the White Elephant Gift exchange! For some strange reason Laura's Chocolates got stolen 3 times but no one wanted my "One cup a day" mug.
We have two families from Green Baxter Court, to purchase gifts for this holiday season. Please select a gift that you would like to purchase and send Eric Tindall your decision.
We have a deadline of Thursday, December 8th. To make sure that we get all of the gifts, please make your decision on gifts you would like to buy and send toEric Tindall by Monday, December 5th at 3:00 PM. After 3:00 PM I will send the rest of non-signed up gifts to Lisa so we can finish the gift purchases.
We aim for each gift to be valued around $25 each or for four gifts with a total value around $100.
At today's RCAAN Luncheon we had two speakers from Arbor Hospice. Gloria Brooks and Judy Vindici, told us the following about Arbor Hospice.
Arbor Hospice provides in-home palliative hospice care for adults and children and in-patient care in The Residence of Arbor Hospice.
Grief support is provided to patients families throughout our seven county service area.
Respite care is available to provide help to caregivers.
More than 300 dedicated volunteers offer special services for our patients like companionship, cosmetology services, pet therapy and respite for the caregiver.
Although hospice provides a holistic approach, psychiatric services are not routine. Arbor Hospice offers psychiatric services to its patients to help control all pain and suffering.
The Residence of Arbor Hospice offers 26 private rooms with exterior windows, pull-out-sofa beds for visitors, no set visiting hours and park-like grounds. Approximately 10% of our patients opt to stay at The Residence, however, most are cared for in their homes or home-like setting.
For more information about Arbor Hospice watch video.
This year we have 2 families from Green Baxter Court to purchase gifts for. The deadline for RCAAN is December 8th at our luncheon. For a list of families and gifts go tohttp://portal.clubrunner.ca/659/SitePage/committee-pages
On November 17th we held an impromptu Club Assembly (the scheduled speaker did not show). We did on online and live demo of acquiring a My Rotary account. The purpose is to build toward the Presidential (Club) Citation. Attached find a handout outlining what we must accomplish to earn the Citation.
Here is what I am asking each club member to accomplish before our next meeting:
"Have at least 50 percent of members identify their skills and interests in their My Rotary profiles, and unlock that section to make it visible on their public profiles."
This year we are very determined to receive a presidential citation from Rotary International. To accomplish this we will need participation from every member in our club. Please read the requirements we need to receive a citation and do what you can to help.
PRESIDENTIAL CITATION FOR ROTARY CLUBS
You can help strengthen your club and Rotary's reputation for doing good by taking part in the Presidential Citation program. All activities must be completed between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017.
Since Rotary will verify your club’s accomplishments using information your club enters on My Rotary, there are no forms or reports to submit. Please note that Rotary is unable to extend the due date or make exceptions to the online reporting requirement.
CLUB REPORTS
Club and district leaders and regional coordinators can check their clubs' progress by viewing the following reports:
Your achievement of these goals will be verified in Rotary Club Central. Make sure that all membership data reported through My Rotary or your data integration service provider is accurate by cross-checking the membership data in your club report inRotary Club Central. You can start tracking progress toward your retention goals in September.
Complete at least two of the following:
Achieve a net gain in membership. Small clubs (up to 50 members) must achieve a net gain of at least one member; large clubs (51 or more members) must achieve a net gain of at least two members.
Improve the member retention rate by at least 1 percent from last year, or maintain 100 percent retention.
Induct new members under the age of 40. Small clubs (up to 50 members) must induct at least two. Large clubs (51 or more members) must induct at least four. Have the new members post profiles onMy Rotary.
FOUNDATION GIVING
Your achievement of these goals will automatically be recorded in the contribution and recognition reports inClub & District Administration.
In celebration of our Foundation’s centennial, several of these goals refer to the original donation of $26.50, the amount used to start The Rotary Foundation in 1917. The approximate equivalent of $26.50 today is $536.
Attain a five-year high in total club giving to the Foundation (combined giving by all members under any designation) in honor of the Foundation’s centennial. The total must be a minimum of $26.50 per member.
Your club membership data as of 1 July, which is used to calculate your club's per capita contribution, won't be available in Rotary's database until the end of August. Check back in September to begin tracking your club's progress toward this goal.
ONLINE TOOL ADOPTION
Your achievement of these goals will be automatically recorded in our database after you've completed each activity.
Complete at least two of the following:
Have at least 50 percent of club members list their skills and interests in theirMy Rotary profiles and unlock them so they’re visible on their public profiles.
Post at least one project, including photos and detailed information, onRotary Showcase.
Contribute to or post a project in need of help onRotary Ideas.
Have at least two club members participate in discussion groups in My Rotary.
HUMANITARIAN SERVICE
Your achievement of these goals will be automatically recorded in our database after you've completed each activity.
Complete at least two of the following:
Have at least 50 percent of club members list their skills and interests in theirMy Rotary profiles and unlock them so they’re visible on their public profiles.
Post at least one project, including photos and detailed information, onRotary Showcase.
Contribute to or post a project in need of help onRotary Ideas.
Have at least two club members participate indiscussion groups in My Rotary.
New Generation
Rotaract or Interact clubs that your club sponsors must be certified with Rotary International. To ensure that your status as a sponsor or co-sponsor is recorded, club presidents may confirm RI's records in the Club Sponsored Organizations report inRotary Club Central. Contactrotaract@rotary.orgorinteract@rotary.org to report any errors.
Complete at least three of the following:
Sponsor or co-sponsor a Rotaract club.
Sponsor or co-sponsor a community-based Rotaract club.
Sponsor or co-sponsor an Interact club.
Have at least one club member mentor a Rotaractor or Interactor. (Report in Rotary Club Central.)
Involve Rotaract or Interact members in club projects and events. (Report inRotary Club Central.)
Sponsor or host at least one Rotary Youth Exchange student. (Report in Rotary Club Central.)
Sponsor a participant in a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) event. (Report inRotary Club Central.)
PUBLIC IMAGE
Record your achievement of these goals inRotary Club Central. Complete at least one of the following:
Host an event to educate your community about Rotary and The Rotary Foundation’s centennial.
Get local media to cover a club project.
Involve local media in at least one club event, project, or fundraiser.
At the Service Above Self - Honor Our Veteran's event on November 9th, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingle announced, "that Ann Arbor has been approved to be the first Fisher House location in Michigan." The new Fisher House location was approved by VA Ann Arbor Health System, Secretary of the VA, Bob McDonald, and the Fisher House Foundation.
The new location will be located just beside the VA Hospital of Ann Arbor on Fuller Road. The location is now currently a wooded area.
On Thursday Novermber 11th, Andrew Gessert had his Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Pivotal Chiropractic . Six Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North members attended the event.
Please, support his business and the businesses of other RCAAN member's.
Karen Diane Kerry, was our speaker at our lunch on November 3rd., with her special guest Art Holst, a World War II Veteran.
Karen, talked about how much that we need a Fisher House in Ann Arbor. "We have 634,000 Veterans in our State, but we have no Fisher House. There are states with even less Veterans that have 2 or more Houses."
Art Holst, then talked about a few Veterans experiences in past wars. He said, "that our Veterans are a perfect example of Service Above Self."
To help us to build a Fisher House in Ann Arbor we need $3.5 million. To contribute click on following link: Donate Fisher House/Join Our Team. Any amount you can donate is appreciated
Mark McCulloch, is the Senior Project Manager for the Washtenaw County Road Commission and designer of many Ann Arbor's roundabouts. Mark talked to our club last Thursday about how drivers need to obay the trafic signage when driving roundabouts.
He said, "roundabouts are becoming common place in Washtenaw County". He talked about the State and Ellsworth Road Roundabout which he designed and work on. He said, "the biggest problem with drivers in roundabouts are that the drivers do not yeild at posted yeild signs cousing accidents."
Thank you Mark for speaking at our club last Thursday.
State and Ellsworth Roundabout
Mark McCulloch Talked About Ann Arbor's Roundabouts on November 10th
Art Holst at last years Service Above Self-Honoring Our Vets
Karen Diane Kerry was our speaker at our lunch on November 3rd., with her special guest Art Holst a World War II Veteran.
Karen talked about how much that we need a Fisher House in Ann Arbor. We have 634,000 Veterans in our State, but we have no Fisher House. There are states with even less Veterans that have 2 or more Houses.
Construction of the House will cost $7.5 million, we need to raise $3.75 million for the match. A Service Above Self-Honoring Our Vets event is coming Wednesday, 11/9 at Michigan Theater. Donations can be given at the event or by going to our team donation page atDonate Fisher House/Join Our Team. All donations will all go towards the Fisher House Ann Arbor.
Art Holst then talked about the Veterans that are going to speak at the event. He said, "that our Veterans are a perfect example of Service Above Self."
This following message is from Andrew Gessert, our newest member, please attend his grand opening on November 10th.
I am Andrew Gessert, and I own Pivotal Chiropractic here in Ann Arbor. I wanted to extend an invitation to all of you for my Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration.
The date is November 10thfrom 4:30-7:00 pm with food and raffle prizes. The Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce will be hosting ourribbon cutting at 4:45 pm. Raffle prizes were donated by local Ann Arbor businesses.
Space is limited...Register now for your Rotary trip of a lifetime!
The power of Rotary isn't just one meeting and/or one meal a week..there is so much more. Come join me and fellow rotarians that make up the 52 clubs forming our 6380 District in Michigan and Canada to this years 2017 District Conference!
Thursday May 4th through Sunday May 7th , 2017
This years District Governor Mr. Micheal Caruso promises that this is one event you do NOT want to miss and it is gearing up to be one of the most entertaining and energetic of any other past conferences - woo woo!
Registration is now open for $75.00 to let us know you are coming and to secure your place at this once in a lifetime event at The Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island!
Hotel Reservations will not be open until after November 7, 2016 so early registration is key to beginning the process and remember space is limited.
You will not be able to make hotel reservations without registering first this is a new feature added to this years District Conference registration process. So register today!
We are going to meet with the Young Adult's from the Skyline Interact Club on Thursday, November 3rd. At this short get together, we will get to know the Student's and hear about their Club. We will be meeting at Skyline High School lobby at 2:45 pm on Nov. 3rd.
Also we are looking for one or two Club Rotarians that will be available to attend Interact Day on Saturday, November 12th. For more information on this day contactEric Tindall.
Josie Parker Director of the Ann Arbor District Libraries, talked about the Ann Arbor Libraries on October 20th.
She told us, "that the libraries in Ann Arbor are the same as when you went into them when you were a kid. The only difference is, that there is no card catalog."
Josie was excited, about the newly remodeled Westgate Library http://www.aadl.org/westgate. Inside the Library there is a Sweetwaters Cafe which allows the Library to open at 6:00 AM. The remodel expansion added 16,500 square feet to create a branch with 21,000 square feet for its users.
She is encouraged about the future about the District Library and wants you to attend any of their many events at the Library.
Veterans Hire Event For Veterans and Family November 3, 2016 at Washtenaw Community College- Morris Lawrence Building
Hiring Event specifically designed and organized for veterans and their families. If you are seeking employment, please register on this website to attend this excellent event.
Employer Panel: 9 - 9:40 am.
Special Speakers: 9:40 to 10:00 am
Hiring Event: 10 am - 1 pm
EMPLOYERS INCLUDE:
Verizon Wireless
FEDEX Ground
Consumer's Energy
Quicken Loans
City of Ann Arbor
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
Zingerman's Community of Businesses
Kroger
PGK Services - SPONSER
St. Joseph Mercy Health System
Thomas Reuters
HORIBA Automotive Test Systems
United Methodist Retirement Community
NSF International
Starbucks
Tenneco
Speedway
Emergent Health Partners/HVA
Heavy Equipment Training of Oklahoma
A horror movie could not be more dramatic: A disease seeks out mainly children and terrorizes them and their parents each summer. They no longer go to pools or movie theaters for fear they might contract the potentially fatal disease that often cripples
its victims. A beloved, polio-afflicted U.S. President inspires the country's men, women, and children to send their dimes to fund research - some of which would go to an ambitious, but unknown 33-year-old physician, Dr. Jonas Salk, and his team at the University of Pittsburgh, who would change the course of medical history.
This Movie Night being shown on Oct 24th (World Polio Day) is showing the movie documentary describing the development of the Salk vaccine and the subsequent world wide distribution saving potentially millions of children from this dreaded disease. The theater will be open at 6:30pm.
Rotary and their partners are working to finally eradicate the Polio virus from the face of the earth. Funds are still being raised to vaccinate millions of children specifically in the remaining two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. We are really very close, but the task is not yet over.
Come and view this wonderful movie at the fabulous Civic Theater in downtown Farmington. The Civic Theater is in downtown Farmington at the corner of Grand River and Farmington Road. Address is 33332 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI 48336.
Your ticket price will go towards the End Polio Now cause through Rotary International. Tickets are only $10 each. You will also have an opportunity to make a donation to the cause on the night.
John Barfield is a son of an Alabama sharecropper, he dropped out of high school to enlist in the United States Army, serving in Germany and France from 1945-1947. Upon his discharge, he worked as a custodian at the University of Michigan. In 1954, he and his wife Betty, formed the first of many companies, J & B Cleaning Company (later renamed Barfield Cleaning Company) located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. John and his wife Betty sold their first business to ITT Corporation in 1969. It was a breakthrough transaction that led to a relationship with General Motors Corporation and a second career as one of the most successful minority suppliers for GM and other companies. In 1977, Barfield incorporated John Barfield and Associates and by 1984 he had expanded the company and renamed it Bartech Inc. Barfield formed and eventually sold additional businesses, including Barfield Building Maintenance Company and Barfield Manufacturing Company.
John Barfield has been a dedicated longtime area Rotarian that has supported time and money to Rotary's Polio Plus Program. Please support him with a purchase of his book "Starting from Scratch". It would be a wonderful gift for young students in High School and College.
$15 of every Hardbackbook will be donated to Rotary's Polio Plus Program to End Polio Now! PROMO CODE: ROTARY
Michigan Theater house lights dim and suddenly you are not in your seat but instead at the controls of a B-17 Flying Fortress next to Army Air Force Lieutenant John Clark trying to get back across the English Channel…...And all four of your engines have quit. Below and off course, you see a grass runway cut into a heavy woods. It’s for fighters, and far too short for a massive, high-flying, long-range bomber heavy with armor plates and bristling with machine guns. With another injured B-17 right behind you.
Welcome to the second annual Service Above Self—Honoring Our Veterans. Doors open 7:00pmWednesday November 9 at the Michigan Theater. Stephen Schram, General Manager of Michigan Radio and Director of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, will emcee five stories of combat and compassion framed by four live performances of the music that defines that our wars.
The mission: continue to inspire funding for Michigan’s First Fisher House, a sort of Ronald McDonald House for veterans and their families undergoing extended short-term care at the VA Ann Arbor Health Care System. For details and advance tickets visit http://vetsinthetheater.org/. The event is free. Donations are encouraged. VIP reception is at 5:30pm in the foyer. Cost is $150/person - all proceeds from VIP go to 'Build It For The Brave', a charitable 501c3 organization.
Major sponsors of 'Service Above Self—Honoring Our Veterans are NuStep, Inc., Masco Corporation, Ardis and Mike Cicchella, Sr., Mandell and Madeleine Berman Foundation, and our own Agnes and Stephen Reading. Other community sponsors include Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan Military and Veteran Services, Michigan Theater and Michigan Radio.
Thanks to the many Rotarians who have committed countless hours to our Veterans initiatives - Job Fair and Service Above Self - Honoring Our Veterans. We only begin to understand how much we owe our veterans as we hear their stories. And learn that Service Above Self is quite possibly the biggest thing any of us can do with our lives.
Stories of Combat and Compassion Fill Veterans Night At The Michigan Theater November 9
On October 6, 2016 we were happy to announce that Andrew Gessert is our newest member.
Andrew is the owner or Pivotal Chiropractic located at 905 W Eisenhower Circle Suite 106 Ann Arbor, MI 48108. He is a Michigan native growing up in Midland. He attended Central Michigan University for undergraduate studies and graduated from Life University College of Chiropractic in 2010. He is certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners and is licensed in the state of Michigan. During his time in chiropractic school Andrew took additional study in the area of Specific Correction and continued these studies beyond graduation.
At our luncheon on Thursday, Manish presented a $2000 check to Bryan for Project Dignity from the efforts and perseverance of Ms Jiya Singh. Jiya is a high school student in Brookville, NY.
After Sumi Agarwal spoke to Manish late last year, she was inspired to help us...Over the spring and summer, she gave 25 tennis lessons to elementary and middle schoolers in her community and charged $20/hour, and then donated the collection to RCAAN Foundation via the check.
Thank you Jiya.
Jiya Singh A High School Student Donates $2000 To Project Dignity
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor in cooperation with the University of Michigan School of Public Health will light up the Rackham building (915 East Washington Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109) with the "End Polio Now" logo and the School of Public Health logo to bring attention to World Polio Day, Monday, October 24, 2016. We are having an event at 6:45pm with speakers from Rotary and SPH. Then the lights go on from 7-10pm.
What an opportunity for photos and selfies to post on social media to bring awareness to the End Polio Now campaign! Rotary International has lit iconic structures all over the world including the House of Parliament in London; the Opera House in Sydney, Australia; and the Great Pyramid in Egypt. Now it is our turn to light the very building where Thomas Francis, Jr. of the University of Michigan School of Public Health made the announcement of the Salk vaccine in 1955: “The vaccine works. It is safe, effective and potent”.
We are announcing that we are "This Close" and will continue raising awareness and donations until polio is eradicated from the globe. Won't you join us?
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Lights an Iconic Building for World Polio Day
October 24th, at 6pm Eastern time, don't miss the Live stream event. One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio
Join us for our fourth annual World Polio Day event, co-hosted with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We’ll be streaming live from CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, to bring together more than 50,000 viewers around the world. We’ll be joined by celebrities and experts to share our progress on the road to polioeradication.
Prep Day will have volunteers to help Veterans prepare for the November 3rd Hiring Event. Prep Day will include resume preparation, mock interviewing and free haircuts provided on site.Hire MI Vet Prep Day Flyer.
Hire MI Vet helps Veterans gain meaningful employment. As a community initiative, we plan and host Hiring Events and other events to jump start the careers of Veterans just entering the work force and enhance the career opportunities for Veterans and their families.
Veterans Prep Day
Veterans Hire Event For Veterans and Family November 3, 2016 at Washtenaw Community College- Morris Lawrence Building
Hiring Event specifically designed and organized for veterans and their families. If you are seeking employment, please register on this website to attend this excellent event.
Employer Panel: 9 - 9:40 am.
Special Speakers: 9:40 to 10:00 am
Hiring Event: 10 am - 1 pm
EMPLOYERS INCLUDE:
Verizon Wireless
FEDEX Ground
Consumer's Energy
Quicken Loans
City of Ann Arbor
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
Zingerman's Community of Businesses
Kroger
PGK Services - SPONSER
St. Joseph Mercy Health System
Thomas Reuters
HORIBA Automotive Test Systems
United Methodist Retirement Community
NSF International
Starbucks
Tenneco
Speedway
Emergent Health Partners/HVA
Heavy Equipment Training of Oklahoma
Veterans Hiring Event
Veterans Initiative: Hire Michigan Vet Prep Day and Hiring Event
The Service Above Self Honoring our Veterans and the Veterans Inisiative are working to build a Fisher House in Ann Arbor. Take a look at the following linkhttps://www.fisherhouse.org/ and help us build the House.
Fisher Houses are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to twenty-one suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundationensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $320 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
Michigan has zero Fisher Houses. Other states have five (5) or more. They are a necessary part of our support network for our veterans.
Michigan residents have been on the front line since the War of 1812. No state has done more to serve our country and ensure our national security than the men and women of Michigan.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North can be a big part on building a Fisher House in Ann Arbor. If you would like to help contactEric Tindall.
Veteran's Initiative to Build A Fisher House In Ann Arbor
Join us for a special evening as we celebrate and recognize the good works of Rotarians in District 6380.
We will Celebrate the local and international projects that have touched lives and the Rotary Foundation for 100 years doing good in the world! We will look back to our past accomplishments and look ahead to even more Service above Self in the years to come.
Virginia Nordby spoke to the club this Thursday about the Rotary Peace Scholar Program. She told us each year, "Rotary selects up to 100 individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of our peace centers." These fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.
Virginia explained, Rotary offer master’s degree fellowships at premier universities in fields related to peace and conflict prevention and resolution. Programs last 15 to 24 months and require a practical internship of two to three months during the academic break. Each year, Rotary award up to 50 master’s degree fellowships at these institutions:
Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
International Christian University, Japan
University of Bradford, England
University of Queensland, Australia
Uppsala University, Sweden
Virginia Nordby Spoke To the Club on October 29th About the Peace Scholar Program
Jill Lada from Green Things Farm spoke at our luncheon on 9-22-2016. She told us, "Green Things Farm grew out of two people's love for each other and their community." Jill and husband Nate started the farm in the spring of 2011 at the Tilian Farm Incubator Program.
In 2013 they purchased 64 acres of conserved farmland on Nixon Road. They grow a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, flowers and grains. They also raise pigs, cattle, and chickens.
They started with a bare conventional field and work every year to build infrastructure and improve the health of our farm ecosystem.
Jill Lada From Green Things Farm Spoke At Our Luncheon On 9-22-2016
The year long celebration of The Rotary Foundation and 100 years of Doing Good in the World culminates at the Atlanta convention. Help us celebrate in the city where it all began:
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North contributed $750 to be recognized as a Program Sponsor, for the October 6th Distinguished Citizen's Award Dinner.
Howard "Howdy" S. Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of Chelsea Milling Company, makers of "JIFFY" mix will be awarded the 2016 Distinguished Citizen's Award.
Proceeds from this Fundraiser will benefit the Chelsea Rotary School Scholarships.
Ticket price: $65 which includes Open Bar and Appetizers prior to the Performance along with Dessert and Coffee after the Performance.
*Great news!-We will also have a talk back session after the play!
Other fundraiser during the evening will include a Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffles.
“Morning After Grace”
Michigan native playwright Carey Crim’s hilariously touching story centers on Angus and Abigail who meet at a funeral and are surprised to wake up together after a wine-fueled night. While Abigail may be ready to takea chance on love, Angus still has issues to work through. When Angus’s neighbor Ollie, a former baseball player with secrets of his own, shows up using a walker, confusion and chaos ensue. Can these three find a way to connect with their pasts in order to construct a brighter future?
Directed by Guy Sanville.
Cast: Randolph Mantooth (Los Angeles, CA), Michelle Mountain (Grass Lake), and Lynch Travis (Dearborn). Morning After Grace contains adult language.
On September 15, 2016, Susan Beckett from the Ground Cover News spoke to our club. She told us about her Groundcover News, which is a 501(c)(3) organization, it was founded in April, 2010 as a means to empower low-income persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed.
We have the approval from Community Action Network to take the Green Baxter Court kid's to theHuron ValleyAmbulances 35th Anniversary Fall Festival. The kid's will be picked up by a couple of vans at 12:30 pm from Green Baxter. Our helper's from our club can meet at Huron Valley Ambulance at 1200 State Circle at 1:00 pm.
Green Baxter Courthttp://canannarbor.org/green-baxter-court/ is a public housing site with 23 single-family town homes for low-income families. The Ann Arbor Housing Commission owns and maintains the property. The Green-Baxter Court Community Center is managed by the Community Action Network and is located at 1737 Green Road; it provides neighborhood social services to the area.
The Fall outing is one of the events the Kid's of Green Baxter Court look forward too the whole year. We need 3 or 4 RCAAN Member's or Friend's to attend this event and just be there for the kid's.
To help towards admission for the children to the Festival, we would like to have the RCAAN Volunteers to bring two or three non-perishable food items to go to Food Gatherers. Thank You.
If you would like to help plan or go to this event please contact Eric Tindall aterictindall67@gmail.com.
Seven years ago, Ayo Onafuwa and RCAAN Club President John Copeland collaborated to start a Micro Credit program in Gbagada, Nigeria. The program has been well managed and is self sustaining.
On July 16, 2016, RCAAN Foundation announced a new co-investment of $2000 with RC Gbagada in Micro-finance for uplifting Nigeria's women and under-privileged community who are small entrepreneurs in the outskirts of Lagos. The Nigerian partner club vets and mentors the borrowers, resulting in a 100% repayment rate...while supporting many families. The Clubs' total investment is nearly $10,000 since the project started in 2007.
Rotary Micro Credit Program Between Gbagada, Nigeria and Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North
The world premiere of RCAAN's video on Project Dignity - Join RCAAN's 6 adventurers on this virtual tour of the Sundarbans, India.
Our focus is on site visits for two Rotary Foundation Global Grants on sanitation intended to empower poor women and families by working with Ramakrishna Ashram and Kolkata-Midtown Rotarians/Inner Wheel Clubs.
The projects are adding nearly 1000 new rural toilets during 2015-17. Sincere gratitude to all our hosts and partners on this endeavor.
Project Dignity: Improving Sanitation and Empowering Women in India's Sundarban Region
This Monarch butterfly emerged at the September 1 meeting of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North. It's origin was the Monarch Festival held in Davisburg, MI Sunday August 21. The festival is organized by Debbie Jackson, wife of PDG Jerry Jackson. Caterpillars were given to those contributing to MonarchWatch.org. This one formed a chrysalis almost immediately creating the perfect timing for its emergence at the club meeting. It arrived at the meeting as a chrysalis and left as a butterfly symbolizing the trans-formative power of "Service Above Self"!
Ashish Sarkar and Rosemary Rowney talked to our club Thursday about The Peace Conference coming to Ann Arbor in March 2017 at The Michigan Union. Second photo is of our leading ladies of peace Virginia Nordby and Gail Scott with Ashish, Rosemary and Scott Nelson.
Here is Ashish's wish list for the conference:
RCAAN sponsor as a club at $1000
Each RCAAN member attend and volunteer - $150 registration fee
RCAAN seeks out corporate sponsorships totaling $15,000
Speak at other Rotary Clubs about the conference (I have volunteered - you can too!)
Ashish and Rosemary Comes To Thursday Luncheon And Told Use About The Peace Conference
A Peace Conference for all of us! Rotarians interested in working for peace are invited to come together with those already engaged in the field. The ROTARY WORLD PEACE CONFERENCE 2017 will discuss how Rotary and Rotarians can prevent and mediate conflict.
Save the date! The two-day event March 31 – April 1, 2017 will be hosted by the Rotary Clubs and Districts of Michigan, northern Indiana and southern Ontario representing over 10,000 Rotarians. All are invited to attend including the general public and youth from universities and high schools including Rotaractors and Interactors.
The objective of the Peace Conference is to empower community leaders, Rotarians and others to participate in and actively propagate peace activities in their community. It will be held in our home town at the Michigan League on the University of Michigan campus. Leading experts, authors and scholars specializing in peace and conflict resolution are coming from government, business, health care, media and faith-based organizations to discuss these complex issues.
We are especially pleased to announce that Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (1997) will be the plenary speaker on Saturday, April 1. There is a unique lineup of dignitaries from Rotary International speaking on Friday, March 31 including President John Germ. Peace scholars and activists from the US, Canada, United Kingdom and India are also on the program.
This is a unique opportunity for Rotarians in our area to get involved in Rotary’s Peace Efforts. Help organize the Peace Conference through individual and Club participation on the Organizing Committee.
You can volunteer to be involved in overall planning, soliciting speakers, conference venue management, publicity, fund raising and many other aspects of the conference organization. Won’t you join us?
Kudos to RCAAN's Rotary Foundation Chair Rick Jarzembowski and Treasurer Jeff Crause for explaining in simple terms at today's Club Assembly, the value derived from giving under programs such as Every Rotarian Every Year and the Paul Harris Fellowship. They explained succinctly with examples how member donations to the Rotary International Foundation circle back after three years into new funds a club can use for launching global and simplified grant projects.
Manish Mehta showed a video on how the power of networking and collaborating with other Rotary clubs, enabled our club to successfully leverage its relatively modest investments in 2015, and to launch two large Global Grant projects on sanitation, totaling $200,000. Nearly 1000 new toilets in the Sundarbans, India will transform nearly 10,000 lives. These two projects received site visits by six Club members last March.
Foundation Assembly at Our Luncheon on August 25th
Friday August 26 starting at 5:30 we will have an outing at the Hut-K Restaurant (http://www.hut-k.com/). Come and enjoy fellowship with your fellow Rotarians and nutritious Indian food!
Directions to the Hut-K:
Heading South on Platt, turn left on Packard. Take the first right off Packard into the strip mall. The Hut-K is right there with a bright yellow awning.
ADDRESS:
3022 Packard Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48018
Phone: (734) 786-8312
Daniel Johnson was our speaker today at our luncheon. He talked about inmate rehabilitation as Chaplain of the Washtenaw County Jail. In photo Scott Nelson presents him a $100 check from our club to The Forgotten Man Ministry.
Our Club's speakers today were Debby Jones and Denise Pelto who co-founded Plant-Healthy Gals to raise awareness of "Let Food Be Your Medicine," approaches to resolving serious and chronic illnesses...they are holding food prep classes across the Metro Detroit area, and are available to speak at Rotary Clubs.
Also, Visiting Rotarian Ernie Gangel from Naples, FL and our President Scott Nelson exchanged club banners.
Plant-Healthy Gals Speaks To The Club on Aug. 11th.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North group photo at The Butterfly Garden on August 4, 2016.
Last Thursday's Rotary Club meeting is in was at our Butterfly Garden in Ann Arbor's Gallup Park. The guest speaker Debbie Jackson from Davisburg presented fascinating information about her research on Monarch butterflies.
Through modeling, cooking, and supplying resources and support, Debby and Denise, help you prevent, reverse and survive the diseases fostered by the Standard American Diet. By teaching participants “how to” transition into a Plant Rich Lifestyle, Debby and Denise close the gap between wanting to choose health and not knowing what to do next.
Denise/Debby Plant Healthy Gals Will Be Speaking At The RCAAN Luncheon on Aug 11th
Lisa Barry, of WEMU Pubic Radio InterviewedMichael Angelo Caruso. In the interview they talked about the perfect hand shake and how to make a good impression in 15 seconds.
RCAAN members were pleased to host two speakers yesterday, Erica and Melissa, representing the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Dept's Give 365 volunteer group, who are our partners in the maintenance and upkeep of the signature Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden.
This Give 365 group specializes in mobilizing volunteers for support in their mission to maintain Ann Arbor's 159 parks. They brought some gifts for the winner of a mini quiz- won by our newest club member Joyce Williams, and were rewarded by President Scott Nelson with durable shopping bags.
Give 365 Trivia Contest at RCAAN Luncheon Yesterday
On July 28, 2016 starting at 10:00 am, we are having a work day with help from AA Parks and Recreation, and Expedia to beautify the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden. Please come out and help them make the Garden beautiful for the Ann Arbor Community and our get together on August 4th.
At today's RCAAN Luncheon our speaker was Erica Pratt from The Natural Area Preservation and Melissa from Ann Arbor Adopt-A-Park. Erica showed us this video about Ann Arbor Park and Recreation and their Give 365 program
Erica Pratt explained, the GIVE 365 Program has year round volunteer opportunities for almost every interest, schedule, ability, and age focusing on recreation facilities, parks, and amenities. Your level of commitment is up to you! As a volunteer, you can sign-up for our one day events, short-term experiences, or become a long-term volunteer.
Rotary District 6380 District Governor Michael. Caruso will give a talk entitled “How to Engage Someone in 15 Seconds” in Ann Arbor on Thursday, July 28 at noon, hosted by the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North.
This lunch with Mr. Caruso is your opportunity to learn to execute “the perfect handshake,” diffuse an angry customer, keep body language from working against you, master the lost art of the compliment, create value in the first ten words you say and so much more! Mr. Caruso teaches people how to be better speakers and is a valued communication consultant to companies and organizations all over the world.
The event will take place at the Holiday Inn near the University of Michigan, 3600 Plymouth Road. This program is open to the public. The $15 per person charge includes a buffet luncheon and a non-alcoholic beverage. This is a perfect opportunity to improve your own skills or strengthen your team. Visit http://www.rcaan.org/ or call Club President Scott Nelson at (734) 660-2694 for additional information and reservations.
Michael Angelo Caruso is the Founder and President of Edison House, an international consulting firm specializing in corporate and personal development. His speaking clients include Bank of America, Hallmark, Verizon, The United States Navy and Nissan.
Our RCAAN Foundation announced a new co-investment of $2000 with RC Gbagada in Microfinance for uplifting Nigeria's women and under-privileged community who are small entrepreneurs in the outskirts of Lagos. The Nigerian partner club vets and mentors the borrowers, resulting in a 100% repayment rate...while supporting many families. The Clubs' total investment is nearly $10,000 since the project started in 2007 under the leadership of John Copeland.
Thanks to our own transplant Rotn Ayo Onafuwa (seen with President Scott Nelson) for explaining the project via video and photos at today's RCAAN meeting. We salute the dedication of Ayo's Gbagada Rotary Club in their many activities serving humanity, and welcome other D6380 clubs that want to co-invest with RCAAN in this worthwhile project.
Ayo Onafuwa Receives Donation For RC Gbagads in Microfinance
Our Rotary Club's weekly speaker today was Dr Swaroop Bhojani (Ann Arbor's rock star oncologist-turned-vegan restauranteur, owner of Hut-K-Chaats & Back 2 Roots ). FYI, Hut-K is ranked 7th out of 492 SE Michigan eateries for health-conscious menus. And he is a member of the Jain Society of Greater Detroit...!
Swaroop made a compelling and informative presentation on the health/lifestyle benefits of plant-based diets as an opportunity to reduce 90 types of inflammation-related illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart-disease. Thanks for an eye-opening talk and for being a food-revolutionary in our community!
Our first speaker for the new Rotary year 2016-17 was Mr Mark Ramirez who spoke about conquering his entire family's genetic predisposition to diabetes, by following a vegan diet recommended by Dr Neal Bernard's Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine- Mark (a former UM football player from the 1980s) made a compelling presentation and slide show which was followed by many questions from our members...Thank you!
Mark and wife Kim Ramirez are founders of a vegan diet support and advocacy group known as Chickpea and Bean (www.chickpeaandbean.com)
Mark Ramirez Talked About His Eating Habits on July 7th.
This School year the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had the privilege to sponsor a very special young Lady from France.Her name is Ayumi Flaviat. We enjoyed having you speak to our club last month and hope anytime you are back in Ann Arbor that you will make sure you come to visit us. Thank you Ayumi for being a Rotary Exchange Student this year.
We will be representing our Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden at Gallup Parks River Day on July 10, 2016. Come out and enjoy the day.
Other events at the park on that day:
Enjoy the beautiful Huron River with free family-friendly river activities during the Huron River Day celebration at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road in Ann Arbor, on Sunday, July 10, noon–4 p.m.
Come out and experience everything the Huron River has to offer!
• Paddle a boat with $5 canoe and kayak rentals.
• Enjoy food and live music.
• Prepare for summer adventures with paddling safety tips and free life jackets from the Huron River Watershed Council.
• Learn more about rivers in the children’s tent with art and science activities.
• Discover how streams work with the University of Michigan Natural History Museum.
• Enjoy a river-themed art exhibit.
• Catch fish, study river bugs and see live animals with the Leslie Science & Nature Center.
• Step into a butterfly house.
• Try out stand-up paddle boarding (SUP).
• And so much more!
Huron River Day musical entertainment will feature the Washtenaw Community College Jazz Band, Gemini and Hullabaloo. Ann Arbor's 107one with Martin Bandyke will have a live feed at the Gallup Canoe Livery from noon-2 p.m. A variety of local food trucks will be on hand with delicious fare throughout the event. Parking is available, but ride your bike to Gallup Park and your boat rental will be free.
The Huron River Day Celebration is sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation. Additional support provided by Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, the City of Ann Arbor, the Huron River Watershed Council and the Washtenaw Stormwater Advisory Group.
The festivities will also extend to other spots along the Huron River Water Trail on July 10. The Washtenaw County Parker Mill County Park will offer tours of the historic Pioneer Grist Mill. The Huron River Watershed Council, with support from Toyota, will host a morning 1-mile river swim at Baseline Lake, and paddling safety talks and free lifejackets, a guided paddle trip, discount canoe and kayak rentals, a river history talk and free fly fishing lessons in Milford, Dexter, Ypsilanti and Flat Rock. Details here: http://www.hrwc.org/events/huron-river-appreciation-day/.
Huron River Day History
More than 30 years ago, the Huron River Day celebration began as a way to encourage partnerships among government, private and non-profit organizations and to educate citizens about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation. Each year, this event draws approximately 2,500 people from the Ann Arbor community to celebrate the Huron River. For more information about Huron River Day, call 734.794.6240.
It is hard for me to believe that my year is almost at an end! Tomorrow Scott will be leading the meeting, since I am at a work function in Chicago. I am hoping that you will join me for President's Night 2016 next Thursday, June 30 at 6 pm for Cocktails (Bring your own bottle) and food with a program at 6:30 pm.
Out of a concern to make this event as inexpensive and inclusive as possible I will be hosting it in our Fellowship Hall at Cross and Resurrection Lutheran Church-812 Ann St. in Ypsilanti MI 48197. (Directions at the bottom) My wife and daughter are going to be making "shish-kabobs" with Beef, chicken and vegee. Please join us with your partner and other guests. We are planning for great food and fellowship.
We will be giving out the "Rotarian of the Year" and passing the gavel. I do so appreciate everyone on my Board, on the Foundation Board and all of you who "serve other above yourselves!"
Please let me know ASAP if you can join us. It is only $10 per person for the evening. An opportunity to celebrate what has been accomplished and a great opportunity to invite friends to share the fun and fellowship of Rotary. We will collect the $10 at the door and please indicate what kind of meat, or none, that you would like.
I am attaching the list of those who have already signed up and my wife Laura says we need Salad, Fruit, Vegetables and Dessert.
Thanks again and I hope to see you next Thursday.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Bryan
President RCAAN 2015-2016
Directions:
The fastest way to get to us is from 94 turn north on Huron River Dr and follow it through Ypsilanti and turn on Ann St. which is where the old Wooden Nickel was and now has a BP Campus Corner Store. You will see the church from the corner as you turn south on Ann St. There is plenty of parking around us in EMU Ann St. Parking lot or in the church parking behind the church. If you are coming from Ann Arbor take Clark East until you see the BP after LaForge and turn right. If you wish to take Geddes, turn right on LaForge and come to the end, turn left and immediately right at the BP.
At tomorrows RCAAN Luncheon we are going to have Ayumi Flaviat, the French Exchange Student that we sponsor. She will be telling use about herself and her experience this year in the United States.
On June 9th we will be having an Club Assemble. See you at lunch Thursday
Tom Harrison, owner and president of Michigan Ladder Co., has many ties to Washtenaw County beyond merely working in Ypsilanti's Depot Town. He grew up in Ypsilanti and said that, while he enjoyed living and traveling abroad as the managing director of Carhartt Europe, he realized after living abroad that Michigan "wasn't a bad place to be." He also wanted to be closer to family.
Harrison got the chance to do that in 2005 when Bob Nissly - part of the Nissly family that had owned Michigan Ladder since the 1920s - decided it was time to retire. Harrison said he was interested in the offer to take over the ladder company because he had always wanted to own his own business. But, he had personal reasons as well.
"It was an opportunity to come back to my roots, back to my community," he said.
When Harrison came to Michigan Ladder, he wanted to continue the tradition that had made the oldest existing ladder company in the country successful.
"I didn't come in with any pre-conceived ideas," Harrison said. "I wanted to get the lay of the land first."
Today, a little more than four years after taking over the local, family-owned company, Harrison's challenge is to guide the company through tough economic times, honoring the vision of its founders and yet looking for ways to innovate and branch out.
One tradition that continues at Michigan Ladder focuses on family. Harrison’s mother puts
in volunteer hours helping around the office, including managing accounts receivable.
"We like to say we're Mom's favorite charity," Harrison jokes.
Harrison's wife Gina also does marketing for the business, and daughter Claire works in the front office.
And many of the employees feel like family, with some having spent two or three decades working at the ladder company. Former president Bob Nissly still comes in and works part-time as well.
In another nod to tradition, Harrison and a team of about 18 employees still build the traditional wooden ladders the company is known for. The team is still headquartered in a Depot Town location that was built in 1901, though several additions were made to the building over the last century.
Because of changing times, the company now offers aluminum and fiberglass ladders as well. For the future, Harrison is interested in branching out into different, but related products such as shoring equipment and scaffolding.
Tom Harrison From Michigan Ladder Is Our Next Speaker
We were pleased to welcome distinguished guest and Rotarian John Barfield to our May 19th luncheon meeting. An esteemed entrepreneur and founder of the Bartech Group, John joined the Rotary Club of Ypsilanti in the '60s. Forty years ago, Mr. Barfield challenged other Rotarians to raise the funds to immunize one million children against polio. The campaign was successful and enough money was raised to vaccinate 500,000 children.
In September, John has been invited to Rotary International to present a check from the sale of his book, "Starting From Scratch" in the amount of $90,000 - enough to help him achieve the balance of his personal goal to fund one million polio vaccinations.
We are grateful to Rotarian Barfield for his inspirational presentation today.
Peg wanted to remind the club membership that our speaker, Johnny Barfield, will be speaking this Thursday May 19th. If you are planning to bring a friend to hear him speak, let Peg (pegwindsor55@aol.com) know so she can give the Holiday Inn a heads up about the increased attendance and need for more available food.
This is a reminder that tomorrow night (May 5th) at 6:00 pm is our monthly night get together at The Holiday Inn Near The University of Michigan . Everyone is welcome to come to this get together, spouses, coworkers, family or any other guests. This is a great time to attract much needed new RCAAN members, We eat good food and have some great conversations with great individuals. So see youtomorrow night at 6:00 pm
Board meeting is at 12:00 pm in the Victory Lounge at Guy Hollerin's.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Night Get Together Is Thursday.
Last Thursday Joyce Williams, from Huron Valley Ambulance talked to our Club about it's Ambulance service. Remember this Thursday is our evening get together at 6:00pm. All are welcome guests and spouses.
Joyce Williams, From HVA Talked To Club Last Thursday
At our last Thursday Luncheon the Project Dignity team that went to India (Bryan Schindel President was out of town) discussed their experince. "Project Dignity" contributing clubs is Ann Arbor North, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor West, Milan, Saline, Novi, Ypsilanti and District 6380
"Project Dignity" Team Talked Last Thursday About Their Trip at Luncheon
It is time for everyone that is enrolled in The Kroger Community Rewards program to re-enroll in the program. If you were enrolled for last year it is easy to re-enroll. Just login at https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow and hit re-enroll in the Community Rewards in the Account Information page.
If not enrolled last year use following instructions:
Click on Sign In/Register
Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your e-mail address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
You will then get a message to check your e-mail in-box and click on the link within the body of the e-mail.
Click on My Account and use your e-mail address and password to proceed to the next step.
Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
Update or confirm your information.
Enter NPO number (#21725) or name of organization (Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation), select
organization from list and click on confirm.
To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
Time To Re-enroll In The Kroger Community Rewards Program For RCAAN
Since 1993, Deb Polich has served as the president and CEO of Artrain, Inc., a National Medal for Museum Service winner. Artrainproduces and delivers world class arts and cultural programs throughout the United States to deliver discovery and – through the galvanizing power of arts and culture – transform lives, organizations and communities. In 2012, Polich added the responsibility of leading The Arts Alliance, the local arts agency that advocates for and serves the creative sector in Washtenaw County—arts and cultural organizations and creative individuals and businesses—to ensure that our region remains a great place to create, live, work, learn, play and visit. Polich oversees board relations, financial management, fund development, personnel/volunteer management, facility operation/maintenance, marketing, and exhibitions/programs management for both organizations.
Polich earned her degree in arts administration with a minor is marketing and management from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). Prior to her tenure at Artrain, Polich served as managing director of Ann Arbor’s historic Michigan Theater. Polich has served on the boards of numerous arts and community organizations and currently serves on the board and executive committee of Creative Many Michigan and EMU’s College of Arts and Science Board. She is a member of the Creative Placemaking Workgroup of Michigan’s Sense of Place Council and is on the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s finance and audit committees. Polich’s ties to EMU continue as she serves on its Masters of Public Administration advisory boards and is an Arts Management guest lecturer.
Thursday's Speaker Is Debra Polich From Artrain, Inc & The Art Alliance
On April 2nd at The Holiday Inn Near The University of Michigan we celebrated the past, it was a blast! Thanks to everyone who supported our party for a cause and to our outstanding FUNdraiser Dream Team for a wonderful evening!
First Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) of 2016 is coming up very soon. April 9th in fact, right in our neighborhood. in Ann Arbor at the Holiday Inn on
3600 Plymouth Road.
Excellent leadership is the key to successful service by our clubs, to our communities and to the world. The purpose of the RLI is to assist in improving the Rotary knowledge and leadership skills of the future leaders of our Rotary clubs.
Phil Abraham Registrar - Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) Great Lakes
AG Sector 9 (2015-2016) District 6380
Office: (248) 432-6686 Cell: (248) 396-0113 Club: (248) 757-1865
If you have signed up for a basket, please bring to the meeting Thursday, no later then next Thursday, 03/31 or make arrangements with Peg to pick-up the donation. Receiving items during the event can be disruptive so let Peg know a way to collect the item before the event on April 2nd if you are unable to bring to the meeting. Thanks.
If You Have An Auction Basket Item for Saturday's Party?
We traveled several hours to the rural Sundarbans. Then we traveled a couple more miles into the villages by way of a three wheeled motorcycle cart to help families with sanitation needs. These toilets and handwashing stations will help them reduce water born diseases.
The highlight of my Calcutta visit (so far) has been a personal audience with 2015 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Kailash Satyarthi (for his life's work in freeing up enslaved bonded child laborers worldwide). He remembered the visit to our humble home for dinner in 2001 after being awarded the Raoul Wallenberg Medal at University of Michigan.
This Thursday at 6:00 pm. will be our second get together in the evening to mingle and mix with our members and, future members, friends and family. The get together will take place at Guy Hollerin's 3600 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor.
Thursday's luncheon will be a board meeting and is open to all members. Please remember that board meetings do not follow our regular meeting format and that you are welcome to join us!
VARIOUS COLORS OF MICHIGAN COME TOGETHER
for Project HOPE RISING
On APRIL 16th 2016 at Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College
You don't need a passport to travel the world.
Come see the sights, sounds and tastes, right here in Michigan.
With such diversity in Michigan it is surprising there is no uniting festival that highlights our diversity. Since over a million people belong to Rotary its probably one of the best organizations, to get these cultures engaged.
The goals for this event:
1) Showcase diversity in Michigan
2) Fundraiser for projects such as Hope Rising to educate girls starting with Washtenaw County and reaching out globally
3) Fundraising and increasing awareness for Rotary
4) Getting the community together
Last year over 500 people in attendance this will be one of the most unique and diverse festivals in Michigan
Ann Arbor West's, Michigan International Festival is on April 16th
Russ Collins the Executive Director and CEO of the historic Michigan Theater was our speaker at the luncheon today. He talked about the Cinetopia regional film festival, the Art House Convergence, a national conference for art house cinemas.
He discussed the Michigan Theater and the plans of remodeling the State Theater. Thank you Russ for being our speaker.
Russ Collins From Michigan Theater Speaks To Club on Feb. 11th
We are very pleased to announce a very special opportunity for our district. A generous Rotarian in District 6380 has committed to match any contributions to the Rotary Foundation that comes out of our district above and beyond last year's contribution level. This is like our very own Bill Gates match! This donor is willing to match up to $50,000!
We had a very good year last year, thanks to the generosity of all of you. Our giving last year was a total of $334,780 – inclusive of Annual Fund, Endowment Fund, polio, all giving to the Foundation combined. Now all we have to do is to keep the momentum going. As a double bonus, this generous Rotarian's contribution has been designated for the Annual Fund-Share, meaning that half of it will come back to our district for us to spend on projects, whether is it District Grants, Global Grants Scholars or other things that are the most important to us!
There is nothing special you have to do for your donation to qualify for this match – other than to give more to the Foundation than you did last year in any way that you choose, and to encourage members of your club to do the same. We have new members and those who didn't give last year who will want to be part of this exciting opportunity, so remember that it is a great time to get them involved. Update: We already have over $10,000 in “new” donations pledged to this campaign. Thank you all for what you do to support our Rotary Foundation.
Make plans to attend our One Rotary Summit on Saturday, February 20, 2016. One Rotary Summit is a three-hour synergistic learning experience asking all participants to work together to develop creative solutions to two relatable Rotary case studies. One Rotary Summit participants work in teams with two case studies to leverage tools and information in relation to membership, public image and The Rotary Foundation. Participants are encouraged to think outside the box! We all know that when it comes to our clubs, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach, so let’s get creative!
One Rotary Summit will be held at Walsh College – Troy MI from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on February 20, 2016. Register today at http://www.rotary6380.org
Our New Year's resolution is to enjoy the biggest benefits of Rotary: FUN and FELLOWSHIP.
Starting February 4, 2015 at 6:00 pm. In 2016 we will set aside the first Thursday evening of each month to mingle and mix with our members and,future members, friends and family at Guy Hollerin's 3600 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor.
Tomorrow's luncheon (February 4) will be a board meeting and is open to all members. Please remember that board meetings do not follow our regular meeting format and that you are welcome to join us!
Questions? Please contact RCAAN Membership Chair Laura Van Steenis at lvansteenis30@yahoo.com
Let's Get Social - February 4, new evening format!
At RCAAN's Luncheon on February 11th our speaker will be Russ Collins, Executive Director and CAO of Michigan Theater in downtown Ann Arbor.
Biography:
Russ Collins is Executive Director and CEO of the historic Michigan Theater in downtown Ann Arbor, a position he's held since 1982. He started the Cinetopia regional film festival, and headed up the Art House Convergence, a national conference for art house cinemas.
Russ Collins wearing a pressman's hat at The Ann Arbor Chronicle's 2013 Bezonki Awards party. (Photo courtesy of The Ann Arbor Chronicle.)
Collins has served on the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority board since July 2005. He was most recently reappointed by the city council for a term from August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2017. Collins also serves on the Michigan Humanities Council board of directors, appointed by the governor. He's a member of the State Street Area Association board.
Collins hosts the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber's monthly Morning Edition program, and provides commentary on films for several local radio shows. He also teaches film studies at Eastern Michigan University.
In 2013, Collins was named to Indiewire’s inaugural list of “influencers” in the independent film industry.
Collins grew up in Ann Arbor – his father, Russell Collins, ran the Collins Dental Laboratory in the Ann Arbor Professional Building from 1962 until the structure was demolished in 2008. The Varsity apartment building is now located on that East Washington property, just east of Division.
Collins is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with a bachelors degree and a masters in arts administration. He is married to Debra Polich, President and CEO of Artrain USA and of the Ann Arbor-based Arts Alliance.
February 11th Speaker is Russ Collins From Michigan Theater.
Our Club's guest speaker today is Dr David Canter, Chief Operating Officer of the Univ of Michigan's North Campus Research Center (formerly Pfizer research complex where the Lipitor drug molecule was developed).
John D. Bradley Convention Centre
565 Richmond Street – Chatham, Ontario N7M 1R2
Join your fellow Rotarians and celebrate Rotary at the 2016 District Conference in Chatham, Ontario.
Our District Conference is an opportunity you and your family to experience Rotary fellowship
and connect with leaders from across the District.
We will recap our many accomplishments and hear firsthand the difference Rotary is making
in our communities and communities around the world.
Early Registration - 10% discount – January 11 to February 14, 2016
Registration at regular price – February 15 to April 29, 2016
Late Registration - additional 10% – April 30 to May 12, 2016
On-site registration on a space available basis for an additional 25% – May 13 to 15
This is an International Conference
Registration Payment in USD - Hotel Accomdations in CAD
Travel Documents are required to cross the US - Canada Border
The District Nominating Committee has selected District Governor Nominee Designate from the Brighton Rotary Club, Jane McManus.
Please join me in congratulating Jane as District 6380 2018-19 District Governor, pending approval at the 2016 District Conference in Chatham, Ontario.
Grab your love beads and SAVE THE DATE for this groovy back-to-the-past bash!
What: Annual FUNdraiser dinner/dance extravaganza
Where: The Holiday Inn near the University of Michigan, right here in Funky Town USA
When: Get your groove thing on starting at 6:00 pm and then shake your booty all night long
Tickets for this year's event are $60 per person, $480 for a table of 8. Special advance pricing is available for groups of 8 or more through February 10.
Welcome to today's RCAAN speaker, Rotn Dr Jay Eastman, Past President of Rochester Rotary Club, who is speaking on 'Giving to The Rotary Foundation.' Jay has just returned from a week of medical service at Casa Colibri in Guatemala & provided dental and medical care for over 1000 needy dwellers from the poor Mayan communities.
Dr. Jay Eastman Tells Use About The Rotary Foundation
Almost 120 people served others above themselves and were a gift to the world at the Kids against Hunger packaging event today! Thank you to the students, volunteers, team captains, Rotarians etc.. who made it possible. 1/3 of the 10000 meals going to Canton, 2/3 going to Burundi.
Thank you - as a member of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, we are gratefulfor your sponsorship and the pizza! Thank you to the Rotary Club of Ypsilanti for the Big B Coffee and help!
Don't forget to make your reservations for our annual Holiday Party on Thursday evening, December 17 in Wolverine Room E at the Holiday Inn near the University of Michigan
Cocktails and Fellowship: 6:00 pm
Dinner served at 7:00 pm
Festivities (could possibly include trivia because Peg is involved) starting at 8:00 pm. These events include the return of our ever-popular White Elephant Exchange (please bring a gift).
Please RSVP to pegwindsor55@aol.com with your menu choice: Tuscany Chicken, Marinated Steak Kabobs or Tortellini with Pesto Cream and Roasted Peppers and make arrangements to pay for your meal ($24 pp).
Don't forget to wear your favorite fun holiday sweater!
Almost 120 people served others above themselves and were a gift to the world at the Kids against Hunger packaging event today! Thank you to the students, volunteers, team captains, Rotarians etc.. who made it possible. 1/3 of the 10000 meals going to Canton, 2/3 going to Burundi.
Thank you to theRotary Club of Ann Arbor Northfor your sponsorship and the pizza! Thank you to the Rotary Club of Ypsilanti for the Big B Coffee and help!
365 days a year children are immunized in the final push to rid the world of polio in what will be an incredible effort initiated by Rotary. 365 days a year local Rotary projects all over the world provide clean water and sanitation where there was once filth or miles to walk to get water often unfit to drink even after the journey. 365 days a year kids in Ecuador and Peru and Guatemala and Africa and Brighton and Detroit and Lake Orion and India and Haiti all around the globe are helped through literacy projects led by Rotarians doing district and global grants. The generosity of the individuals and the clubs in District 6380 is incredible.
In November, we gather to network and share ideas and truly celebrate these accomplishments. It is also the time we connect to figure out how to do even more and figure out how to work on each other’s projects. 365 days a year there are needs. 363 days of opportunity. We are so fortunate to be part of Rotary and to have a foundation that allow us to give and make a difference. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could say one November that every single Rotarian in our district gave something, whatever, he or she could afford, large or small, to truly be part of the celebration? Thank you for all you do to support the Foundation and for making every day a little bit better for someone, whether it is in your local community or the global community. It all matters.
~ Reprinted from the District 6380 November Newsletter
November: The Month We Celebrate as our Foundation Month
Our mission at Kids Against Hunger is to significantly reduce the number of hungry children in the USA and to feed starving children throughout the world. We ship meals to starving children and their families in over 60 countries through partnerships with humanitarian organizations worldwide. We need your help to end world hunger.
New program offers jobs for Detroit-area Veterans.
Published On: Nov 03 2015 05:53:40 PM EST Updated On: Nov 03 2015 05:58:35 PM EST on Click-On Detroit Web-Page
Our project with Rotary Club of Ann Arbor was a complete success with over 100 Veteran's taking advantage of our job fair. Thank you to all Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North members that helped to make this project great.
Click READ MORE for Service Above Self-Honoring our Veterans invitation and press release.
From Karen Kerry:
Our biggest need right now is getting the word out and having people come to Hill on Veterans Day at 6:30PM. It is a free event! The best place to go for information about the event is www.vetsatthehill.org.
I'll send along some PR information that you can pass along to friends, co-workers, friends on Facebook or friends from church. We are hoping to Fill Hill!
In this century of terrorist attacks, fleeing refugees, and aggressive international rivals, Michigan provides ten percent of the volunteers who serve in America’s armed forces. This Veteran’s Day, November 11, those who came home from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, will tell their stories on the stage of the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium. The Veterans Story-Hour will be punctuated by a spirited medley of patriotism and sacrifice performed by the University of Michigan Alumni Band and the Concordia University Choir. This is a free event, open to the public and stakeholders alike, to kick-off a year of fund-raising that will build a Fisher House in Michigan. This $8,000,000 gift, with donations solicited by the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, will create a home-away-from-home for veterans undergoing medical treatment. We can all take pride in giving back to those who have given us so much and to prepare to support those who serve and protect our country now and in the future.
Our storytellers are :
Art Holst, WWll Vet in General Patton's Army, former NFL referee and professional public speaker
Fletch, aka Robert Fletcher, Korean War POW for three years (the Observer featured July 2015)
Brendan LeJeune, Marine- Fallujah and Iraq, graduate UofM 2012, Masters in War Studies for King's College London 2014
Greta Krapohl- Greta L. Krapohl, PhD, RN
Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army (Retired) 1986-2006
Hope to see you on Veterans Day! Ann Arbor Rotary North could create a page and fundraise for a Fisher House on CrowdRise- we did that for the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor. Check out the websitewww.vetsatthehill.org.
Karen Kerry
Past President Rotary Club of Ann Arbor 2014-15
Click READ MORE for Service Above Self-Honoring our Veterans invitation and press release.
Our annual visit with our Pumpkin Pals from Green Baxter Court took place at Three Cedars Farm on October 24. Thank you to Rotarians Laura Van Steenis, Gail Scott and Bob Specht for supporting this annual event.
Fall is the best season of the year and we are offering you an opportunity to make this coming Saturday even better. October 24th at 1:00 pm is the date of this year's Green Baxter Court Pumpkin Patch trip and we are looking for Rotarians to represent our club to our community partners.
This year's trip will be to Three Cedars Farm http://www.threecedarsfarm.org/ 7897 Six Mile Road in Northville. Three Cedars is located at the intersection of Six Mile and Angle Road, just about 20 minutes from our regular meeting site. Our Pumpkin Patch Pals will be treated to a hay ride, a challenging walk through the corn maze, a visit to the petting zoo, apple cider and a donut and finally, a pumpkin they can call their very own.
If you are unable to volunteer on behalf of our club on that date, we understand. We hope that you will support this project by making a donation to cover the cost of sponsoring this field trip and the pumpkin purchases. To volunteer or to donate, please contact lvansteenis30@yahoo.com If you are available to join Laura at Three Cedars, wear closed toe shoes and plan on staying about two hours. Got a camera? Bring that too, our pumpkin patch pals love to pose for photos!
Annual GBC Pumpkin Patch Visit THIS SATURDAY 10/24
Be inspired by Bryn Styles, Rotary International Foundation Trustee, as he shares stories about the impact your generosity has made and the work Rotary is accomplishing in cultures around the world.
Recognition
Celebrate the ongoing generosity of District 6380 Rotarians in support of the Rotary International Foundation and the impact our District and Global grants have in communities around the
the world. Join us as we recognize individual Major Donors, Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society Members and our Top Giving Club.
Entertainment
Enjoy jazz vocalist Nicole New and the Nicole New Group. Her jazz style is impressive and her performance is sure to be a big hit.
Photo Booth
Save memories of this special evening. Stop by the Photo Booth an take a photo or two with family, fellow Rotarians and friends.
Every year District 6380 identifies students ages 14 – 18 to represent their family, their communities, their Countries, and our Rotary Clubs as ambassadors through the Youth Exchange Long Term and family-to-family Short Term programs. We see the results each returning student exhibits as they demonstrate new language skills, knowledge of cultures, and a greatly increased level of maturity. A GREAT value as I see it!
I am asking you to help identify students you know and see within your circle of friends, families, and work and present the following simple facts for their consideration of the “District 6380 Youth Exchange SCHOLARSHIP”:
Long Term Exchange – ONLY 20 SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE
DURATION - 1 full school year in a country of choice
SAFETY - Rotary support on sending and receiving ends of exchange
REPUTATION - Participating in one of the strongest and best exchange organizations
Short Term - STEP (summer family-to-family) – 35 OPENINGS
DURATION - Approximately 30 days in country of choice
SAFETY - Rotary support on sending and receiving ends of exchange
COST - A great value for summer exchange (June, July, or August)
Registration fee$750
Insurance$3.50 per day
Travel$1,500 (estimated – destination based)
Room & Board- NO COST, PROVIDED BY HOST FAMILY
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Long Term Exchange NOVEMBER 15, 2015
Short Term Exchange NOVEMBER 15, 2015
For more information, visit the Youth Services web-site athttp://www.6380youth.org/and have students contact me directly to get the process started for a LIFETIME OF MEMORIES!
This Veteran’s Day, November 11, veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, will tell their stories on the stage of the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium punctuated by a spirited medley of patriotism and sacrifice performed by the University of Michigan Alumni Band, the Concordia University Choir and the U-M Dicks and Janes A Cappella.
“Service Above Self—Honoring Our Veterans” is a free public event thanks to The Mandell and Madeline Berman Foundation, Ardis and Mike Cicchella, and the Masco Corporation. Doors open at 6 pm. Steve Schram, General Manager of Michigan Radio, will emcee. For more information:www.vetsatthehill.org.
This performance will kickoff an effort to raise $8,000,000 to build a Fisher House—similar to a Ronald McDonald House—but for those veterans who came home to Michigan. Donors may contribute online at www.vetsatthehill.orgto be assigned preferred seating for the performance.
There are more than 150,000 veterans currently undergoing care across the state’s VA Healthcare System facilities,” says Randy Ritter, retired associate director of the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. “Our military is the one percent who protect the ninety-nine percent of Americans. We can all take pride in giving back to our veterans who have given us so much.”
t's the time of year to begin the process of selecting our next District Governor Nominee (Governor 2018-19), to follow DGE Michael Caruso, 2016-17 and DGN Barry Fraser, 2017-18.
Qualifications include being a regular member of a club in the District and have a classification whose integrity is without question. Candidates must have served as a Club President for a full term, and demonstrate willingness, commitment, and ability to fulfill the duties of the office of Governor as provided in the RI By Laws. Candidates must also demonstrate knowledge of the qualifications, duties and responsibilities of being a District Governor. These are more fully contained on pages 19-22 of the current 2013 Manual of Procedure, which can be easily downloaded and read by Google: Rotary Manual of Procedure.
I will accept nominations until December 31, 2015.
Candidates nominated will be interviewed by the District Nominating Committee and the candidate selected as our District Governor Nominee Designate will need to be confirmed at the District Conference.
What do Bill Gates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actress Archie Panjabi, actor Jackie Chan, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, and South Korean popstar Psy have in common?
They all are ambassadors helping educate the public about polio through public service announcements, social media, and public appearances.
50 years ago, Ann Arbor was the epicenter of the medical research to eradicate Polio worldwide as Thomas Francis, Jr., (the University of Michigan Director of the Polio Vaccine Evaluation Center) announced to the world that the Salk vaccine proved to be up to 90% effective in preventing paralytic polio. His announcement was made at Rackham Auditorium, after a two-year national field trials of the poliomyelitis vaccine developed by his former student, Jonas Salk.
Today, there are only two countries that have never stopped the transmission of the wild poliovirus-- Afganistan and Pakistan. Less than 370 polio cases were confirmed worldwide in 2014, which is the reduction of more than 99% since the 1980s, when the world saw about 1,000 cases per day.
The Rotary Foundation, together with its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, has led the efforts to eradicate polio, contributing more than $1.3 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.
Following the screening, University of Michigan health care professionals will take part in a panel discussion.
Showing Location: Michigan Theater 603 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Show Date and Time: Sunday October 25, 2015 at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM
The past 18 months have been extremely welcoming with the good news in Rotary International’s PolioPlus initiative. Last year, World Health Organization (WHO) a partner in the PolioPlus initiative, announced that Southeast Asia, including India, was polio-free. Then, in August, we received the good news that Nigeria, the largest country in Africa had no new cases of polio in last 12 months and was declared polio-free. Shortly after that, WHO announced that the entire continent of Africa was polio-free. That leaves the world with only two polio endemic countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even in these countries, the rates of new cases of polio are significantly less than in the past years. This means over 97% of the world population is now polio-free. We are making true progress toward making the world polio-free. That is a remarkable achievement, especially for 1.2 million Rotarians around the world.
To celebrate these very successful events, a group of Rotarians have created a Polio Flame (torch) for RI. It is similar to the Olympic Flame that we witness every four years. This Polio Flame is making the rounds around the world. My wife Norma, who is a Rotarian, and I saw the mesmerizing effect this Polio Flame has on Rotarians, when we attended the RI Annual Convention in Sao Paulo last June. When the Torch with its flame on, was being brought to the podium and handed over to RI President Huang, there was pin drop silence from the 14,000 attendees. And then the crowd erupted with thunderous applause that could have been heard around the world. It was one of the most moving ceremonies I have ever witnessed.
After the plenary session, I immediately requested to bring the flame to our District 6380. The torch will be here around World Polio Day, which falls on October 24. It will be in our possession from October 1 through November 9. I personally believe it could be an opportunity for every Rotary club in our district and surrounding areas to display this Polio Flame at an event in their communities. The clubs can use this as a fundraising resource or make it part of their existing event to make people aware of what we have achieved as Rotarians and how far we still need to go to eradicate this dreadful disease. It will also be a tremendous opportunity to showcase Rotary.
So far, I have had only four requests: Rotary Club of Ann Arbor has an event scheduled for Friday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the steps of University of Michigan's Rackham Building where the effectiveness of Salk vaccine was announced in 1955. They will start the event there and then have a commemorative march through the streets of Ann Arbor for the awareness. They will have several dignitaries on hand at Rackham.
On Sunday morning/early afternoon, October 25, the Rotary Club of Rochester will display the flame at a community event in Rochester. Then they plan to march with the flame to the factory where the vaccine was manufactured in Rochester. Several dignitaries are expected to attend this event. Rotary Clubs of Clarkston and Birmingham have also requested to display the torch. The Polio Torch is available to all the Rotary clubs in the district and surrounding areas. The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor will be the custodian of the torch until November 9 and will schedule the display in the communities (arranged by Rotary clubs) on a first come, first serve basis.
Each club requesting the torch will be responsible for picking up and dropping it off to the next venue. If you are interested, you can contact one of the following members of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor:
In this century of terrorist attacks, fleeing refugees, and aggressive international rivals, Michigan provides ten percent of the volunteers who serve in America’s armed forces. This Veteran’s Day, November 11, those who came home from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, will tell their stories on the stage of the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium. The Veterans Story-Hour will be punctuated by a spirited medley of patriotism and sacrifice performed by the University of Michigan Alumni Band and the Concordia University Choir. This is a free event, open to the public and stakeholders alike, to kick-off a year of fund-raising that will build a Fisher House in Michigan. This $8,000,000 gift, with donations solicited by the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, will create a home-away-from-home for veterans undergoing medical treatment. We can all take pride in giving back to those who have given us so much and to prepare to support those who serve and protect our country now and in the future.
~ Submitted by Karen Kerry, Past President, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and reprinted from the D6380 October Newsletter
Since we have a Veteran's Initiative Project, this is an interesting article and audio Scott Nelson found from NPR about a running group in Ann Arbor. Hope you enjoy it.
We have went through our list of volunteers for greeters, 50/50 and B.A.B.E.s. Next Thursday at our luncheon, I will be passing around a sign-up sheet so you can sign-up for a convenient day for you. In the meantime next week we only have Tammy Broderick scheduled as greeter. If you would like to do 50/50 or B.A.B.E.s on Thursday October 8th please send me an email aterictindall67@gmail.com.
Mary Motherwell General Manager WEMU/FM To devoted listeners of WEMU/FM in Ypsilanti, Mary Motherwell is the face of public radio in southeast Michigan. Known to all as Molly, the tireless, skilled broadcast executive became only the third General Manager in WEMU’s 50 year history when she succeeded Arthur Timko in December 2010.
In addition to running the daily operation of WEMU, she is responsible for strategic planning, the station’s budget, fundraising initiatives, grant writing, event production, marketing and public relations. To date, she has raised nearly $10 million on behalf of WEMU. She also serves as the station’s public service director.
Molly initiated and developed media partnerships with the University Musical Society, the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, The Ark and the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, oversaw the publication of two books about WEMU, and worked with Perich Advertising and Design in Ann Arbor to create an award winning ad campaign. Under her leadership, WEMU has won four Broadcast Excellence Awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
As President of the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival Board of Directors, she worked with U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow to obtain Local Legacy designation for the Festival, whose records are now archived at the Library of Congress. In 2014 she worked with other Michigan public broadcasters to produce and present a tribute to retiring U.S. Congressman John Dingell, who introduced the 1964 Public Broadcasting Act.
Molly joined WEMU in November 1991 as Marketing and Development Director after stints in public relations at Domino’s Pizza International, and as an account executive at the old Ypsilanti Press and the former WIQBFM. She holds a BA in History from the University of Michigan and did graduate work in Historic Preservation administration at Eastern Michigan University. She has been a session developer and presenter at several annual Public Radio Development and Marketing Conferences, served as Secretary of the Board of Directors for Washtenaw Literacy and Secretary of the Board for the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters, and has been recognized for service to the arts by the former Washtenaw Council for the Arts.
She was a member of the inaugural class of Leadership for Philanthropy for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is a current board member of the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters and the Michigan Public Radio Network, and a member of the Cultural Leaders Forum of Washtenaw County. She also a member of Women in Philanthropy at EMU and a “Hoops to Heels” player mentor for the EMU women’s basketball team.
Welcome Special Guest Molly Motherwell on October 1
I am extending an invitation for you to attend a fundraising dinner for Forgotten Man Ministries. The event is Thursday Evening, October 8, at the Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building.
My involvement as a volunteer with Forgotten Man Ministries dates back seven years. Currently I conduct a church service 3 Sundays a month and teach Alcoholics for Christ every Friday evening. Both of these activities are conducted with G block – the women’s block. My work with Alcoholics for Christ extends back nearly five years.
Our Annual Pancake Day Fund Raiser will be Saturday, November 7, 2015, 7:30 am - 1:00 pm. Mark your calendars now! For the second year, we will be hosting our event at Berkley High School, 2325 Catalpa in Berkley, just east of Coolidge. Please join us! Tickets are available from any member or at the door. $6 for Adults; $3 Children 12 and under. Ad Donations are available (form attached).
Our regular weekly meeting will be Monday, September 28, 12:15 at O'Mara's on 12 Mile Road in Berkley. Hope to see you there.
A gratifying Saturday evening of Rotary fellowship & fun spent cooking dinner, serving meals and cleaning for families of pediatric patients who stay at Ann Arbor's Ronald McDonald House- thanks to Brigitte Romero for organizing and all club members who contributed meals and time.
North Star Reach www.northstarreach.orgprovides life-changing camp experiences for children with serious health challenges and their families. Camp is currently under construction in Pinckney, MI. When construction is complete, the facility will serve approximately 1500 campers a year, all free of charge, supported by generous donations. North Star Reach will be the 9th SeriousFun Camp in the U.S.
Deborah Kern has over 30 years of experience in marketing and fundraising. Prior to joining North Star Reach as the Annual Giving Coordinator, Deb spent seven years helping homeless animals find caring homes as the marketing director at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Growing up in Michigan with parents who believed that community was more important than cash, Deb has always found her work to be most fulfilling when it involved serving others. In her free time, Deb volunteers at a local cat rescue, partakes in the local music scene, and enjoys exploring off-the-beaten-path places.
Marji Wisniewski, Director of Marketing and Communications
Marji Wisniewski has over 17 years of experience in marketing both for-profit and non-profit organizations. As Director of Marketing and Communications at North Star Reach, Marji makes sure that the story of camp is shared with the community. She spends her free time dreaming of the day that camp opens, and enjoying time with her family and friends.
Barbara Davenport has been a staff member of the Ann Arbor Area of Chamber of Commerce since 1985; and the combined Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber (A2Y Chamber) since the merger in June of 2010. Currently she serves as Vice President of Foundation and Leadership at the A2Y Chamber. As the VP of the Foundation she oversees the E3 Awards designed to recognize Exemplary Education Endeavors in the Public Schools; the Business-Education Honor Roll a recognition program honoring local businesses that contribute and partner with the public schools; Ypsilanti PRIDE (People Restoring Image and Developing the Environment) a community wide beautification program; the Leadership A2Y program; and the development of the Advanced Leadership program and the Leadership Alumni program. Through her almost 30 year career with the Chamber she has valued the relationships she have developed the most. Relationships with the local business owners, community leaders, civic leaders, board and committee members and co-workers.
Community involement
Barbara is a graduate of Institute for Organizational Management and the Leadership Ann Arbor program. She has been honored as a community ambassador by the New Enterprise Forum, a 2004 Most Influential Women by the Business Direct Weekly, and a Biz Mo Super Star by Business Monthly. In 2007 she was recognizes by the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North with the Vocational Service Award. She is also on the Board of the Dexter District Library and the Athena Power Link Governing Body.
Her past community involvement includes 12 years as a Girl Scout leader with all six of her Senior Scouts receiving their Gold Award – the highest Girl Scout honors, 12 years on the New Enterprise Forum Board of Directors, and Tudor for Washtenaw Literacy Council
Barbara lives in Dexter, Michigan on a dairy farm with her husband, a dog, a cat, a bird and chickens. She and her husband are empty nesters with three grown children and three grandchildren.
There will be a contest, a social media hunt to which all will be welcome to participate if they desire.
Cost is the same for everyone over 2 years old.
Cost is $20/ head and includes entry, our private covered group area, food, beverages, and entry into aforementioned competition.
You can join us for the fun with your zoo membership if you want, but then you will not be guaranteed food and beverages from our event, as the cost covers everything and the zoo does not allow us to separate these charges.
Several Rotarians from throughout the district have already registered. Here's the overall skinny again:
Save the date for another fun Rotary Day at the Zoo. Please share with your clubs and especially with your interact clubs.
Guests are welcome so feel free to bring family, friends, and business associates to this great event.
When: Sunday, September 27, 2015
Where: The Detroit Zoo
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Cost: $20 per person
Registration required.
What it includes:
Admission to the Detroit Zoo
Food and Beverage - Grilled Hamburgers, Vegetarian Burgers, Hotdogs, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Freshly Baked Assorted Cookies, Condiments: Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickle, Ketchup, Mustard, Soft Drinks: Lemonade, Water
Covered Picnic Site - Tables, Chairs and Table Coverings
Click here to register now.
Also included in the $20 fee will be entry to this years contest: a social media photo hunt. Participants will be required to take and post pictures of specific items with particular social (hash) tags online. And you can win $$money$$ for your favorite charity.
Questions? Contact Nick Casteel - 586-914-5965 - nicholas.casteel@gmail.com
After meeting many of you at the Rotary Leadership Institute in Ann Arbor a few weeks ago, I promised to send out an email with details for the Purple Rose Theatre Rotary Night event that our Chelsea Club is planning for Sept. 26th. Many have been to the Purple Rose before and love Chelsea because of it.
Our club bought out the entire theater so we could invite local Rotary clubs to enjoy a social night and meet other Rotarians. Ticket are $65 each, and include appetizers and wine/beer before the show, and coffee with dessert after the show. If you would like to bring a group of Rotarians from your club to join us, please email me back with your interest and our chairman of the event, Lorna Tackwell, will contact you to collect your information.
Here is a little more about the Purple Rose for those who have never visited:
This is a reminder that we will be meeting at the Butterfly Garden in Gallup Park off Fuller Road for this weeks Rotary lunch at noon! We are also lucky enough to have Andrea Klooster who will be talking to us about the Monarch Butterfly, hopefully with a couple of specimens. Thank you Tammy Broderick!
If you have not signed up and indicated your lunch choice, (Beef, Chicken or Vege) email me or call (734-358-5581) by Wednesday September 2nd. Please remember to bring a chair to sit on as there are not enough benches to accommodate everyone.
Thanks and I hope to see you at the Butterfly Garden on the 3rd, at noon!
2014 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch at the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden
Next Thursday (September 3, 2015), will be Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's annual lunch at the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden. Seats are limited at Gallup Park so please bring your chairs. You are welcome to invite visitors, friends and family for the 12:00 pm lunch (Please contact Peg Windsor if you will have a guest so we can get foodpegwindsor55@aol.com)
Next Weeks RCAAN Luncheon is at The Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden
Our Club warmly welcomed back 'prodigal' Rotarian Bob Overhiser of RC Ann Arbor West who brought 3 new Rotary Youth Exchange arrivals to today's meeting (1 in the middle from from France and 2 from Brazil) how refreshing to learn that each of three Ann Arbor area Clubs is hosting a student this academic year!
Youth Exchange Students At The RCAAN Luncheon Today
Ayumi Flaviat, the youth exchange student we are sponsoring from France is coming in on 8/22 at 1:35p. It would be great if some people from from our club could be there to greet her. Malu, the student sponsored by RCAAW will be here on 8/15 at 12:43p would anyone like to welcome her. For more information contact Bryan Schindel.
Christopher Friese is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. His program of research focuses on measuring and improving the quality of care for patients with cancer. He has conducted health services research in a variety of settings, including surgical oncology, patients with febrile neutropenia, and diagnostic patterns of care for hematological malignancies. He obtained his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cancer prevention and control at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2008, Dr. Friese was awarded a Pathway to Independence research grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research, which focuses on nursing contributions to outcomes for patients with cancer. Furthermore, in recognition of his expertise in quality of cancer care, Dr. Friese was selected to the Scientific Program Committee for Health Services Research of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and as a voting member of the technical advisory panel on cancer quality measures for the National Quality Forum. An active clinician, Dr. Friese has practiced in medical oncology, hematologic malignancies and stem cell transplantation since 1997. He holds certification as an Advanced Oncology Nurse (AOCN), and in 2012 was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing as a Fellow. On the CanSORT P01, Dr. Friese is Project Lead of the project “Individualization of Systemic Therapy in Patients with Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer.” He also leads investigations of chemotherapy related toxicities, oncology nurse practice factors that determine quality of chemotherapy delivery, and research dissemination efforts to oncology nurses. Dr. Friese is active as both an NIH and PCORI reviewer and helps lead CanSORT strategies on integrating students into academic research environments.
RCAAN welcomed back our Club President Bryan Schindel after a long x-country family trip to Calgary, Canada and back; Bryan is seen here with our speaker Andy Labarre, Washtenaw County Commissioner - Club members enjoyed Andy's candid talk and Q&A on the state of our County.
The Ann Arbor Housing Commission and Community Action Network cordially invite you to a small, informal ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Green Baxter Court building constructed to replace the building that was destroyed in the January 8, 2014 fire.
This event will take place Thursday, August 13, from 9:00AM - 10:30 AM. Light refreshments will be served.
AAHC & CAN are extremely grateful to the many donors and volunteers, restaurants and other businesses and organizations that came to the aid of the six displaced families after the fire. While this fire was nothing short of traumatic, particularly for the children involved, the outpouring of support comforted the survivors immensely and provided much needed resources to replace the items lost in the fire and find alternative housing. We cannot imagine how we would have made it through this without you!
Commissioner LaBarre was elected to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners effective January 1, 2013, representing District 7, located in the eastern half of the City of Ann Arbor. For 2013 he serves as Chair of the Board Working Session Committee.
Born in Ann Arbor, Andy is a lifelong Washtenaw resident and a Pioneer High School graduate. Commissioner LaBarre earned his B.A. in Religion and Political Science from Wittenberg University and his Masters of Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Andy works at the A2Y Regional Chamber and previously served on staff of U.S. Senator Carl Levin (2004) and Congressman John D. Dingell from 2005-2011, most recently as his District Administrator. His past public service includes work on various board and committees, including the Ann Arbor Housing Commission; SOS Community Services Board; Center for Occupational and Personalized Education (C.O.P.E.), Advisory Board; Washtenaw Eastern Leaders Group; and the Washtenaw Success By 6 Leadership Commission.
Commissioner LaBarre is excited about the opportunity to serve and hopes to work on critical issues, including protection of human services, enhancement of environmental health and access, and efforts to make Washtenaw County a better place for its residents and a more attractive location for young people. Andy lives in northern Ann Arbor with his wife Megan (a special education teacher at Dexter High School), son Declan, and dogs, Yogi and Monster.
For 2013, Commissioner LaBarre’s Washtenaw County Appointments include:
Area Agency on Aging 1-B
Community Collaborative of Washtenaw County
Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG)
RCAAN's President-Elect Scott Nelson shown with two visitors: (1) speaker Colleen from Washtenaw Dept of Labor (a colleague of Rotarian Peg Windsor) as he thanks her for an engaging talk on the state of the local job market; and (2) Rotarian Mark Dohn, a resident of Ann Arbor who is a member of the Rotary Club of Silicon Valley E-Club, who explained the many aspects of e-clubs.
“Rolling with Rotary International” visited District 6380 on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. The Motor Home with 4 Young Professionals, who are Rotarians, visited the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor (RCAA) was the host for this one of two stops in our state.Ann Arbor is one of the 10 stops the motor home is making during their 9 day trip that began in State College, Pa and ends in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The focus of the Ann Arbor stop highlighted the efforts of Rotary International to eradicate polio throughout the world. A commemorative polio walk was organized departing the Union and ending at the Rackham Building, where 60 years ago, Dr Thomas Francis Jr and Dr. Jonas Salk announced to the world that the Salk polio vaccine was effective in preventing paralytic polio. Another historical announcement was made about a recently achieved milestone, at the conclusion of the walk. Along the March route, the Rotarian marchers stop paused at intervals to learn of a milestone of polio eradication efforts throughout the years with the final milestone announcement at the end of the march.
Colleen Mallory has been employed at Michigan Works! in Ypsilanti since November 2005. During her course of employment, Ms. Mallory has worked as a Job Developer, Career Advisor, and currently as the Business Services Coordinator. She is a Certified Business Solutions Professional and a Certified Global Career Development Facilitator.
During her 10 years of employment in Workforce Development she has worked with employers in a variety of industries and with job seekers of all skill levels. She has participated in producing a segment for Good Morning America, coordinated events for workers suffering from layoff such as those from Pfizer & Borders, job fairs, and employer informational sessions. She has developed and facilitated workshops including, “Networking in the 21st Century”,” Maintaining a Positive Perspective During a Career Transition” and “Labor Market Information: Gateway to Employment”.
Prior to her employment at Michigan Works! Ms. Mallory was a probation officer with the Washtenaw County Trial Court, Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative, Domestic Violence Probation Unit for 5 ½ years. Ms. Mallory facilitated several trainings for the Michigan Judicial Institute, the American Probation and Parole Association, South Bend Probation Department, Students of Social Work Association at Eastern Michigan University and Safe House, Domestic Violence Shelter.
Ms. Mallory earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University in 1994 and was a recipient of a certificate from the American Institute for Paralegal Studies, Inc. Accelerated Program in 1995.
Colleen Mallory from Michigan Works! is Speaking Thursday.
Calling all Rotarians to meet at the Michigan Union steps at 1:30 pm Wednesday, August 5 for a rally and publicity walk to end Polio. The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor also invites you to attend their weekly meeting at noon. The motor coach will remain on site until 3:00 tomorrow. Wear your Rotary best!
Nordby, Gordon 10/3/1929 - 7/25/2015 Ann Arbor Gordon Lee Nordby died July 25, 2015 at home in Ann Arbor surrounded by his loving wife and family, following a five month battle with cancer. He was born in Moscow, Idaho on October 3, 1929, the son of Julius E. Nordby, Professor of Animal Husbandry at the University of Idaho, and M. Josephine Barstad, an elementary school teacher. Both of his parents were direct descendants of Norwegian immigrants. He grew up in the small town of Dubois, Idaho, where his father had been appointed Director of the United States Sheep Experiment Station and Western Sheep Breeding Laboratory operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He attended Stanford University in Stanford, California, and received the B.S., M.S. and PhD degrees in Chemistry, with a concentration in Biological Chemistry and Numerical Analysis. Since his earliest days at Stanford he was closely involved with the newly emerging field of Computer Science. After receiving the PhD, he went to the Harvard Medical School as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the distinguished Laboratory of Physical Medicine, later assuming teaching positions in the field as well. In 1962 he moved to the University of Michigan to participate in the formation of the Biophysics Research Division and to serve as an Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry in the Medical School. His research area involved developing computer-based mathematical structures that were isomorphic to the biological system. In service to the University, he chaired the University Computer Policy Committee which developed major changes and a transition to a significant, new distributed hierarchical computing system. He retired in 1994. He enjoyed many hobbies, including woodworking, jewelry making and photography. In retirement he took up scuba diving and underwater photography, traveling around the world in pursuit of this sport. Always a classical music fan, he enjoyed productions of the UM Musical Society, the New York Metropolitan and San Francisco operas, and the NY and SF Philharmonics. Throughout his life he camped, hiked and back-packed around the West, particularly in the Grand Teton National Park and the Marshall Wilderness Area in Wyoming and Idaho. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the Eagle Scout award and serving as summer camp counselor at the Camp of the Tetons, as well as an adult volunteer in Ann Arbor. He was President of the Ann Arbor North Rotary Club, and together with his wife, participated in many Rotary International activities and projects, again traveling around the world in this endeavor. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Virginia Blomer Nordby, and by four children: Margaret Nordby Hug (Reinhard), Laura Nordby Delgado (John), Martin E. Nordby (Gail), and Eric C. Nordby (Avian Townley). He also is survived by the following beloved grandchildren: Christiana Hug, Stefanie Hug, Michael Delgado, David Delgado (Claire), Joseph Delgado, Anne Lise Delgado, Brian Nordby, Kevin Nordby, Sara Nordby, Brianna Wallace (Shane), Keegan Nordby, and step-grandson, Fox Townley. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Edward. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 306 N. Division Street, Ann Arbor, MI. There will be a light reception to follow. In memory of Gordon, memorial contributions may be made to the University Musical Society c/o the Regents University of Michigan, the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church or to The Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Mourns the Loss Of Gordon Norby
A few weeks ago, RCAAN's President Elect Scott Nelson and his cousin Steven Neil visited Evanston, Illinois, USA. The World Headquarters of Rotary International.
Four district members (Mike McManus, Tom Neveau, Hal Parish and Eric Tindall) graduated form Part III of the Rotary Leadership Institute on Saturday in Ann Arbor!
Next Rotary Leadership Institute session is in Jackson, August 8, 2015.
Have you wondered why the Rotary year starts on July 1st. The following story written by The ClubRunner's BlogSpot answers the Question.
Happy New Year, everyone! Though it may sound strange to hear that in the middle of summer, July 1st marks the New Fiscal Year for Rotary Clubs around the world. To find out why, we’ll need to delve into the history of the organization.
1910 Rotary Clubs of America Convention (Image courtesy of Rotary International)
Did you know that the July 1st New Year has been a Rotary tradition for over a century? When Rotarians had their first convention, way back in 1910, the New Year was set as the day after the convention ended in August. They made the same decision in the lead up to the 1911 and 1912 conventions, which also took place in August. At the 1912 meeting, the Rotary board of directors ordered a financial audit of the International Association of Rotary Clubs. The auditors went on to recommend that the Rotary fiscal year end on June 30, in order to give clubs time to prepare their financial statements in advance of the convention. They’d also be able to determine an accurate number of delegates to send, so convention organizers would be able to prepare.
These were all good reasons, but in an age of wool suits and no air conditioning it didn’t take long for practical considerations to change the date of the conventions again. In 1916 the Rotary decided to hold their future annual conventions in June to avoid the hottest days of the year. However, the July 1 date for the Rotary New Year had already become a tradition, one that continues 102 years later.
Speaker Thursday is Jim Gillmore speaking about Rotaromorphosis:
Jim is a partner and independent agent of HIA – Hamburg/Pinckney Insurance Agency located in Hamburg Township, Michigan.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University in 1975. Jim held a number of positions in Underwriting, Marketing and Management with national insurance carriers, Excess & Surplus Lines Brokers and Independent Agencies.
Jim is a member of the National Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, having earned the CIC designation in 2002.
He is an active member of the Howell and Brighton Chambers of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors for the Pinckney, Putnam, Hamburg & Hell Division of the Brighton Chamber.
Jim is a past Director of the Brighton Rotary Club as well as past President of the club in 2001-02. He was the Charter President of the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club in 2004-05. He has served as the Chair of the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Foundation, Club Membership Chair, Bulletin Editor, Nominating Committee and Great Duck Race Emcee.
He has served at the District level as Assistant Governor, Vision Facilitation Leader, Membership Chair and District Governor in 2013-14. Jim’s passion is membership and the formation of new clubs; having been involved in 5 new clubs in the District. In 2012, he helped charter a new club on the west side of Ann Arbor. He currently serves as District Membership Chair and Vice-Governor,
Jim is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the Rotary Foundation Bequest Society and a Paul Harris sustaining member.
Jim has served as a speaker at Rotary meetings throughout Southeast Michigan on issues involving the values of Rotary and Rotary Membership
Jim is married to Anne, who is also a Paul Harris Fellow, for 37 years. They have three sons who reside in Washington DC, Naples, Florida and Gregory, Michigan and recently became a grandfather.
Jim Gillmore Is Speaking At RCAAN Luncheon Thursday At Noon
ONE MORE DAY UNTIL THIS TRAINING IN ANN ARBOR, REGISTER NOW
The Rotary Leadership Institute - Great Lakes Division is in Ann Arbor this Saturday at our own Holiday Inn Near The University of Michigan. This is a great opportunity to learn about Rotary. Register soon, Saturday will be here before you know it. I will be there taking the part lll and graduating. Hope to see you there.
July 25, 2015 - Ann Arbor, MI
Holiday Inn
3600 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
734-769-9800
Room Rate: $84 plus taxes
Tomorrows speaker is Randy Hotton, read his bio below.
A Yankee Air Museum member since 1985; were he is the Treasurer and a Board Member He also flies as a pilot with Yankee Air Museum in the C-47 and B-17. He is professional pilot who works for USA Jet Airlines. A retired US Navy Captain, he served as Pilot in P-3 Orion aircraft flying in Vietnam and conducting Anti-Submarine Patrols during the cold war. A history buff, he has done extensive research and reading on the reasons why and how Willow Run came to be built. He holds a BS from Michigan State University in Secondary Education and a MA from Central Michigan University in Management.
Presentation “How Detroit saved the world, The Willow Run Story”
The Presentation will have a short history of the Yankee Air Museum. The “Willow Run story” starts with Roosevelt’s call in May of 1940 for mobilization to build 50,000 airplanes per year. It will go over the world and national events leading up to the decision to involve the auto industry in the construction of Bombers for WWII and ultimately to build the Willow Run Bomber Plant. The Yankee Air Museum has to saved a portion of the Willow Run Bomber Plant to tell the “Willow Run Story”. The museum will involve the visitor in the Willow Run experience.
Veterans Projects With Ann Arbor Rotary Club Downtown:
A recent meeting with the Veterans Administration’s Director Robert McDevitt and his executive staff developed and reinforced the vision of President-elect Ashish Sarkar for several projects to assist Veterans.
One idea is to establish a Home Away from Home for Veterans and their families. More than 50% of veterans travel more than fifty miles for treatment. At Veterans Hospital Ann Arbor many Veterans must delay their treatments when hospital rooms are not available for them. Family members, as caregivers, must pay for their overnight stays in hotels. When local hotel rooms are not available for families during football games, graduation activities, U-M move-in/move-out dates and Art Fair needed treatments are delayed.
Other potential projects under consideration: Job Fair for Veterans; Veterans Day Celebration, November 11, 2015; visits with Veterans at the VA Hospital; provide furnishing for a VA hospital room. A Veterans committee is working with President-Elect Ashish Sarkar and Collyer Smith to determine which projects are viable for our club. Contact Eric Tindall for more information on Ann Arbor North participation.
Enjoy the beautiful Huron River and participate in free family river activities during the Huron River Day celebration at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road in Ann Arbor, on Sunday, July 12, 2015.
Huron River Day activities will be held at Gallup Park from noon to 4 p.m. Have fun discovering and learning about the Huron River. Paddle a boat with $5/boat canoe and kayak rentals, visit the exhibit tents to learn about the river, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden and enjoy live music all on the banks of the beautiful Huron River. Among the many activities offered will be a children’s tent with art and science activities and the enviro-challenge game; have your picture taken in a canoe photo booth; catch a fish; dip for river bugs; see a live animal program with the Leslie Science & Nature Center; step into a Butterfly House; enjoy the history of the river with the Classic Small Boat Show; play with UM Museum of Natural History stream table; and try out stand-up paddle boarding (SUP).
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North will have a table to take your questions on The Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden, or any questions on Rotary or our Club.
Thank you to the #Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North for a wonderful year, it was an honor to serve as your President. Best wishes to 2015 - 16 President Bryan Schindel!
You are cordially invited to welcome incoming President Bryan Schindel at our annual President's Night on Wednesday, June 24 at the Arbor Brewing Company,114 Washington Street, Ann Arbor.
Here are a few important details about the evening:
- There is a parking garage immediately across from the Arbor Brewing Company near the intersection of Washington /4th Streets. Parking is $1.20 per hour, payment is accepted by cash or credit card
- We will be meeting in the TAP ROOM, a private meeting space at the back of the restaurant
- No-host cocktails in the Tap Room start at 6:00 pm, followed by a dinner buffet at 6:30
- Advance registration is requested, tickets are $27.50 per person
- Casual attire, Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops are welcomed and encouraged.
Payment can be made via credit card, check or cash and you may also pay at the door. To reserve your spot, please email tamra.ward1@gmail.com
We only have until Monday to register for District 6380 Governor Elect, Mr. Henry Dotson's Inaugural Luncheon. Please go online and register for this event NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, June 23rd! Lets show our Rotarian support by "welcoming" Henry as our next District Governor and "thanking" DG Mr. Don Riddell for his past 2 years of leadership! We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 27th Noon-3pm@The Heathers Country Club
Looking more and more like a place to live, construction at GBC is moving along. CAN remains involved with 4 of the 6 families who were displaced as a result of the January 2014 fire. We expect one family to move back to GBC in the fall. One family will likely move to Hikone; while the others will probably retain their current housing.
From Community Action Networks Summer Newsletter 2015
RLI is a grassroots coalition of Rotary districts implementing a leadership development program for "potential" leaders of Rotary CLUBS. Established in 1992, RLI has become a worldwide organization with divisions in every Continent of the world. While it is an unofficial program of Rotary International, it has substantial support of a number of past Rotary International Presidents and current, past and incoming R.I. Directors. (See Senior Leaders Advisory Board under Organizational Information). The R.I. Board has adopted a resolution recommending RLI or similar programs to the districts and the Council on Legislation has twice recommended RLI to the Board.
RLI believes that excellent CLUB leadership (all types of club leaders) is essential to the future of Rotary in a complex and fast changing world. Most Rotarians have not been exposed to the great scope of Rotary around the world and have not considered what leadership skills are necessary to move Rotary forward.
RLI strongly believes that a good Rotary Club leader must know the evolution of Rotary, its current status and activities in the world and have a vision for what Rotary can be in the future. Therefore, RLI provides a three day non-consecutive basic course in both Rotary knowledge and leadership skills, especially for voluntary RLI strongly believes that a good Rotary Club leader must know the evolution of Rotary, its current status and activities in the world and have a vision for what Rotary can be in the future. Therefore, RLI provides a three day non-consecutive basic course in both Rotary knowledge and leadership skills, especially for voluntary organizations. In addition to the specific leadership skills sessions, all the RLI sessions have a leadership component.
In addition to the basic three day course, RLI holds in-depth seminars on important Rotary subjects, including leadership, for the “graduates” of the basic course.
The mission of RLI is to have the clubs in the member districts identify those with the potential for future club leadership and send them to RLI courses at club expense. All member clubs may send any club Rotarian to RLI courses and any Rotarian may attend any course at his/her own initiative.
The overriding goal of the courses for club Rotarians is to create ENTHUSIASM for Rotary by opening up to them the world of Rotary outside of their own clubs and also showing them the great potential of Rotary service for the benefit of the world that can be furthered with excellent leadership in our clubs.
RLI is a general education program, while most Rotary International training programs are "job-specific"; that is R.I. trains Rotarians for specific positions. RLI is not a PETS or any other district training program, but graduates of RLI bring a greatly enhanced background in Rotary when they later attend job-specific programs.
Please, Come To The Rotary Leadership Institute Training In Ann Arbor On July 25 2015
A Big Thank You to Neil Loney and Rotary Club of Rotary Club of Ypsilanti for your presentation of the $2000 Project Dignity contribution check to purchase 10 new rural Sundarbans (India) toilets in your Club's name as a partner in our Global Grant. Your generosity will help empower at least 220 beneficiaries with good health...Neil is seen with our RCAAN Foundation Treasurer Lisa Hudy and President-Nominee Scott Nelson.
Rotary Club Of Ypsilanti Donates To Project Dignity
A Big Thank You to Neil Loney and Rotary Club of Rotary Club of Ypsilanti for your presentation of the $2000 Project Dignity contribution check to purchase 10 new rural Sundarbans (India) toilets in your Club's name as a partner in our Global Grant. Your generosity will help empower at least 220 beneficiaries with good health...Neil is seen with our RCAAN Foundation Treasurer Lisa Hudy and President-Nominee Scott Nelson.
The first work day is scheduled for this Thursday May 14 - before and after the meeting. The weather looks good and the Good Thyme Garden Club wants to help again this year. We will need at least two more work days to get the garden started over the next few weeks. Thursday looks like a good weather day.
Thursday we will be weeding! I plan to be there much of the day starting at 9 AM, then after our noon meeting.
RI President-elect K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran chose Be a Gift to the World as his theme for 2015-16. Ravindran urges Rotary members to give the gifts of time, talent, and knowledge to improve lives in communities across the globe. "Through Rotary, we can take these gifts and make a genuine difference in the lives of others and in our world."
Rotary District 2016 Conference Video will be able to be up for the next 6 months. Please take a look and consider going. The Conference is May 13, 14, and 15 2016
Polio: A Look Back At America’s Most Successful Public Health Crusade
Sunday April 12, 2015: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
This event will be recorded
The U-M Center for the History of Medicine presents the 14th Annual Horace W. Davenport Lecture in the Medical Humanities featuring David Oshinsky, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Medical Humanities, NYU School of Medicine, Professor of History, New York University and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Polio: An American Story.
After a brief introduction by University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel, Dr. Oshinsky will reflect on the 60th anniversary of the polio vaccine, approved for widespread public use in April 1955.
David Oshinsky’s book Polio: An American Story won the Pulitzer Prize for History, among other awards, and influenced Bill Gates to make polio eradication the top priority of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Other works include A Conspiracy So Immense: The World of Joe McCarthy, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year; and Worse Than Slavery, winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award for distinguished contribution to human rights.
Professor Oshinsky’s reviews and essays appear regularly in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and other international publication.
Polio: America's Most Successful Public Health Crusade
On the 60th anniversary of the announcement of a successful Polio vaccine, the U-M Center for the History of Medicine presents the 14th Annual Horace W. Davenport Lecture in the Medical Humanities featuring David Oshinsky, Ph.D. After a brief introduction by University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel, Dr. Oshinsky will reflect on the 60th anniversary of the polio vaccine, approved for widespread public use in April 1955. Professor Oshinsky’s Pulitzer Prize winner Polio: An American Story influenced Bill Gates to make polio eradication the top priority of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A reception will follow the program, which begins at 3 pm on Sunday, April 12 at the Downtown Library.
Polio Event At Ann Arbor District Library Sunday April 12th.
ATI Physical Therapy and the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North are proud to present the first annual Phil Zepeda Invitational Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 30 at the Polo Fields Golf and Country Clubs, 2955 Packard Road, Ypsilanti. The Martin Family Foundation has graciously agreed to sponsor the luncheon and the dinner is sponsored by Phil Zepeda of Raymond James and Jeff Crause of Edward Jones. Peg Windsor, Abbey Park at Mill River and Key Bank are also sponsors this year. There are a just a handful of sponsorship opportunities available, better grab one 'cause this group moves quickly!
NOW is the time to register your team and reserve your dinner. Please be considerate and make arrangements for your participation before the day of the event. As a reminder:
Registration for the event opens at 8:00 am with a shotgun start at 9:00 am and includes 18 holes of golf with a hot dog, chips and soft drink at the turn. The steak dinner honoring Phil Zepeda takes place at approximately 2:00 pm and individual dinner tickets are available for $45 per person. Fun and fellowship also includes great prizes and a 50/50 raffle and your donations of gifts and services are welcomed and appreciated.
Fees are $100 per player with a package deal of $500 for your team of four and a hole sponsorship - a savings of $50.
Flyers and brochures are available at our meetings and are also available for download through the documents section of our Club Runner website. The committee would also be happy to mail flyers to friends, family, neighbors, vendors and fellow golfers at your request. For more information or to provide mailing addresses for direct mail, please contact Matt Copeland at (734) 674-9327, via email to matt.copeland@comcast.net or fax to (734) 487-6355.
IF YOU ARE ALREADY ENROLLED IT ONLY TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO RE-ENROLL. JUST GO TO YOUR PROFILE AND AT THE END OF THE WEB PAGE IS YOUR DONATION STATUS. THEN HIT RE-ENROLL AND ELECT ROTARY CLUB OF ANN ARBOR NORTH.
It's a fundraiser until your friends show up - then it's a PARTY!
We could use member support to fill key volunteer positions to set up, tear down and sell tickets at Saturday's fundraiser. Want to make a difference? Please sign up for a volunteer shift!
Here are your opportunities, should you choose to accept them:
Set up: Report at 1:00 pm to the Holiday Inn ballroom. Volunteers will be directed to decorate tables and set up the registration and Pick Your Prize table.
Staff the event: Assist with ticket sales for the Pick Your Prize table, sell Heads or Tails beads or provide assistance with event logistics (announcements, traffic, etc) during the event.
Tear down: Volunteer to close the Pick Your Prize table or break down the event. We anticipate that we are going to boogie until the cows go home, or midnight at the very latest. Pick Your Prize will close at 9:45 pm.
To volunteer, please tamra.ward1@gmail.com Your support is welcomed and appreciated.
Live Long and Prosper - May the Force Be With You - or as Mork said, Nanu, nanu. See you at the party!
A message from The Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan, so you can make your plans early.
The Northwest Ohio Hemophilia Foundation and Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan have teamed up to bring you a truly unique event – The Bloody Border Dash Half Marathon and Family 5k Fun Run / Walk. Together we can bring awareness to hemophilia while having fun!
Race begins at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, Ohio. Both the half marathon and 5k will take you across the state border into Michigan and back. Course is USTAF certified (OH14036MW) and will be timed by the Toledo Road Runners. Half marathon begins at 8a, 5k at 8:15a.
If you're training for a full marathon, have your sights on a half or made a "Couch to 5k" New Year's resolution, this event is for you. All finishers will receive an Inaugural medal. You'll want to stay for the after party where the f-u-n continues, including the "40 Ounce Dash". For those who want to be a part of the festivities without running or walking, get your own 40 ounce glass and an old school Polaroid at the finish line. Whether you’re a Buckeye, a Wolverine or somewhere in between, you’ll agree it’s “pretty much the best 21k EVER!”
Our own Rotarian Rick Jarzembowski presents Habitat for Humanity activities to provide repaired homes to the needy in Washtenaw Cty, and extending his philanthropy in Guatemala.
Rick Jarzembowski presents us Habitat for Humanity on March 12th
Help the Ronald McDonald Houses of Ann Arbor at the Red Shoe Affair! Celebrating 30 years of keeping families together!
Saturday, April 18th, 2015 | Jack Roth Stadium Club, Michigan Stadium.
This is your opportunity to support our Houses... at The Big House!
Join The Ronald McDonald House for a night of hope, including behind the scenes tours of The Big House, a strolling dinner and wine tasting, cellular silent and live auctions, and entertainment.
Tickets are $150 a piece and can be purchased on theevent site.
Support Ronald McDonald House By Attending The Red Shoe Affair
Mark Your Calendars - Locations and Dates for Rotary Leadership Institute are:
Feb 28 Shipshewana
Blue Gate Garden Inn (hotel and training venue)
800 South Van Buren Street
Shipshewana, IN 46565
260-768-7688
Room Rate: $89.00 plus tax
May 30 Owosso
Classes at:
Baker College Welcome Center
1309 South M-52
Owosso, MI 48867
Hotel TBD
July 25 Ann Arbor
Holiday Inn
3600 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
734-769-9800
Room Rate: $84 plus taxes
August 8 Jackson
Classes at:
Baker College Welcome Center
2800 Springport Road
Jackson, MI
Hotel TBD
Aug 29 Cadillac
Classes at:
Baker College of Cadillac
Cadillac, MI
Hotel TBD
Oct 17 Chatham, Ontario
University of Guelph
Ridgetown Campus Conference
120 Main Street
East Ridgetown
Ontario, Canada
US residents, remember PASSPORT or other suitable ID Hotel TBD
The fee is still $75 for breakfast, lunch and training materials. Registration and details can be found on www.rligreatlakes.org
On January 22, 2015, Susan Drew and her Father Jerry talked about the program from Child and Family Services of Michigan called "Operation Good Cheer". The first full weekend in December each year marks the culmination of months of planning and work by dedicated volunteers, donors and CFSM staff. On that weekend, Santa's "OGC Elves" gather for two days of intense activity to ensure each and every participating child receives their special "Wish List" delivery in time for Christmas..
We had a wonderful presentation Thursday by Ann Arbor West Rotarian Bruce Dunbar on a recent service project in Haiti. Bruce inspired us with his heart to serve and thank him for sharing his time, talent and experience with our club.
Bruce Dunbar Talked About His Mission Trip To Haiti
One ticket remains of Larry's donation, give e-mail fast, we are sending the reservations today (12/16/14)
Would you like attend the RCAAN Christmas Party on Thursday December 18, 2014? Larry Crockett and his wife Kathy are unable to attend and wants to donate their tickets, so they will not be wasted. If you want them contact Phil at G.Phil.Zepeda@raymondjames.com
Party Information:
When: Thursday, December 18th
Where: Holiday Inn Ann Arbor - 3600 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor
Time: No-host cocktails 6:15 - 7:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 AND our annual White Elephant Gift Exchange and Second Annual Ugly Sweater Contest.
Would You Like To Go To The RCAAN Christmas Party This Thursday?
Where: Holiday Inn Ann Arbor - 3600 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor
Time: No-host cocktails 6:15 - 7:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 AND our annual White Elephant Gift Exchange and Second Annual Ugly Sweater Contest
Dinner selections: Chicken Wellington, Marinated Sirloin Tips or Vegetable Lasagna.
Invitations have been mailed and there will be an opportunity to RSVP, make your dinner selection and pay in advance for your attendance. Advance reservation requested by December 15 along with payment of $25 per person. Guests are welcome!
For more information, emailtamra.ward1@gmail.comor call 248.437.6550 between 10 - 5, 248.231.9116 after 5.
Please join the Ann Arbor Jaycees Foundation at the first annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa. Bring your friends and family, as we enjoy a holly jolly morning full of great food, activities, fun, and of course, Santa. The cost is $5/person or $15 for a family of 4 for pancakes, sausage, and juice/coffee. All proceeds will benefit the Ann Arbor Jaycees Foundation. Pay now through PayPal or at the door.
Rotary Club members and friends, it is time for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor Share a Night Campaign. Please make a donation today, it will be appreciated. Thank You
Your Gift Helps Families Stay Together When They Need Each Other Most...
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor provides a "home away from home" for families of children experiencing a serious illness or injury, requiring hospitalization or outpatient treatment.
Facts From The House About RMH of Ann Arbor:
903 Families
The Total Number Of Families Served Year To Date.
Housing Expenses:
102 nights at $100 local hotel rate......$10,200
102 nights at $10 suggested donation to the RMH House......$1,020
STARDATE 28 MARCH 2015: You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension - a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You are about to boldly go where no Rotarian has gone before - to Space, the final frontier.
Yeah, I mixed up about five different television shows there but the end result is the same: you are invited to embrace your inner nerd, climb into your space cadet uniform and get LOST IN SPACE at our annual FUNdraiser on Saturday, March 28, 2015.
Full details will be released shortly but PLEASE mark your calendars, save the date and invite your friends and family to join us for this year's wild and crazy night of fun and fellowship.
We're pleased to announce that the First Annual Phil Zepeda Invitational will take place on Saturday, May 30, 9:00 am at the Washtenaw Course at the Polo Fields in Ypsilanti. Continue coming back tohttp://www.rcaan.orgor contact a RCAAN member for more information.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is NOW registered in the Kroger Community Rewards Program. You can be one of the first in our group to sign up and start making money for The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation (Kroger Community Rewards #21725).
Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
Update or confirm your information.
Enter NPO number (#21725) or name of organization (Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation), select organization from list and click on confirm.
To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).
Don't forget! The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's organization # is 21725.
Be One Of The First To Sign Up For Kroger Community Rewards And Make Money For RCAAN Foundation
Greenhills High School students and the Good Thyme Garden Club are teaming up for a volunteer workday in our Butterfly Garden on Friday, November 7 from 9:00 - 12:00. Sofia Franciscus has volunteered to represent our club from 9:00 - 10:30 and a member of the garden club will be onsite from 10:30 - 12:00. If you are available to meet and thank our volunteers on Friday, it would be sincerely appreciated.
Greenhills High School Students Help Out At Garden, Can You Guide Them?
Do not miss out on the Foundation Gala. Come and meet your friends and make new ones. Learn about The Rotary Foundation and how it enables Rotary to do all the wonderful projects both local and world-wide.
Location: King's Court Castle 2325 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion
Three Cedars Farm
7897 Six Mile
Northville, MI 48167
United States
The annual Pumpkin Patch visit with the kids from Green Baxter Court will take place this Saturday, October 25 at Three Cedars Farm in Salem Township. The fun starts at 1:00 pm and the afternoon includes a hay ride, trip through the corn maze, a visit to the Petting Zoo and will end with cider and donuts. Each of our friends from Green Baxter Court will go home with a pumpkin and a bag full of treats.
Are you free to volunteer? Please join us - here is the information on Three Cedars Farm: http://www.threecedarsfarm.org/ and the site is just about 20 minutes away from our meeting site. So that we can plan for your attendance, please email tamra.ward1@gmail.com at your earliest convenience.
Written by Tamra Ward
Help Kids at Green Baxter Court Go To Three Cedars Farm
Jim Gilmore came to the RCAAN lunch meeting on October 24th to talk about Rotary District 6380 and to help us improve our club.
We would like to thank PDG Jim Gilmore and AG Jane McManus for a truly enjoyable official visit on behalf of District 6380 and for Jim's inspirational (and motivational) presentation on our Rotary footprints and the legacy we leave as Rotarians. The greatest gift we get from Rotary is friendship and the most precious treasure that we can share with Rotary is our friends.
Jim Gilmore and current assistant to DG Talked About District 6380
Rotary Club of Milan are holding their annual 'fun night dinner' on November 8 at the Tri-County Sportsman's Club and this year's theme is Mardi Gras. What fun, right? They are changing their venue to the Tri-County Sportsman's Club, which is known for their fabulous dinners. There will be fun, music, auctions, games and a lot of fellowship but best of all (and just like us), all money raised will go towards Rotary projects both local and global.
Tickets are $40 per person and if you are joining the party, please contact Dutch Nie. Checks should be made out to the Rotary Club of Milan.
The Club is also selling raffle tickets for a trip to New Orleans or a $1200 credit to be used for another destination trip if NO is not your style. They are only selling 50 and each ticket is $50 each, so supplies are limited. Once they are gone, they are gone.
Dust off your "Carnival" costumes and lets celebrate an early Mardi Gras with our neighbors.
Rotary Club of Milan Mardi Gras Fundraiser on November 8th
Charles P. Madenjian from the US Geological Survey-Great Lakes Science Center talked about Lake Michigan's fish at the October 9th RCAAN Lunch meeting. He told us since it became a lake wide survey in 1973 (i.e., sampling 7 transects consistently: Manistique, MI; Frankfort, MI; Ludington, MI; Saugatuck, MI; Waukegan, IL; Port Washington, WI; Sturgeon Bay, WI) the Lake Michigan bottom trawl study has played a critical role in understanding the ecosystem dynamics and in managing the fisheries of Lake Michigan.
Its primary role is to provide annual estimates of prey fish abundance to guide the decision of state agencies in the stocking of piscivorous fish. Beyond these data, GLSC researchers have analyzed the time series to 1) further understanding of the factors that regulate the recruitment of alewife, bloater, deep water sculpin, and slimy sculpin, 2) determine trends in the growth, maturation, and condition of alewife and bloater, and 3) conduct community analyses to explore how the prey fish community has responded to invasive species, such as alewife and dreissenid mussels.
Maintenance of this long-term data set is critical to provide a benchmark for how these important fishes are responding to the persistent perturbations to the Lake Michigan ecosystem, include invasive species and climate change.
Charles P. Madenjian Talks about Lake Michigan's Fish at Oct 9th Lunch Meeting.
Anna Turosky sharing her experiences from teaching abroad in China.
We would like to thank our special guest Anna Turosky for her excellent presentation on October 2. Anna's extensive experience with the Peace Corps in China is just a chapter in this world traveler's life and hope that we will learn more about her international adventures in the not-too-distant future.
Anna Turosky Shared Her Experiences in China on Oct. 2nd.
RCAAN is proud to sponsor JDRF one walk and were pleased to have Elizabeth Caswell and Heidi Fisher here to accept our sponsorship and speak to us about Type One Diabetes.
We would like to thank Elizabeth Caswell and Heidi Fisher fromJDRF for their excellent presentation on the One Walk fundraising campaign held on September 28. We were pleased to donate $500 to Team 3 Caz 4 a Cure and qualify for their matching grant from McKinley. We're even happier to announce that the JDRF team raised $307.204.31 and Elizabeth Caswell's team '3 Cas 4 a Cure' raised $40,958.09. Thank you for supporting their efforts to turn Type 1 diabetes into Type None!
Written by Tamra Ward
Elizabeth Caswell and Heidi Fisher Spoke to the Club on Sept 25th.
Kevin Devine talks about the Constitution, freedom of speech and plays the guitar.
Thanks to Kevin Devine, Director of Student Media at Eastern Michigan University and President of the Michigan Collegiate Press Association for a thought-provoking presentation on First Amendment rights that opened with a song and then segued into a lively conversation that engaged everyone in the room. Kevin Devine is also an award-winning children's entertainer, songwriter and recording artist specializing in" rollicking, participatory music" for children and families and has also written songs for television shows including Barney and NCIS. If you want to hear more of Kevin's music, please visit his website http://thiskevindevine.bandcamp.com/ or contact Kevin at KevinDevine@SongSource.com to ask about local performance dates and times.
Written by Tamra Ward
Kevin Devine Talks about Freedom of Speech at RCAAN Luncheon Meeting on Sept. 18th
UT is currently a research scientist at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and also a Primary Care Physician and Environmental Health Researcher in the field of infectious diseases and climate change. He was recently named to the Aspen Institute New Voices Fellowship and spoke at the TEDxBerlin Conference just a couple of weeks ago. The Apsen Institute has a very nice bio on UT on the website that I would like to share with you:
"After working as an internist in southern Nigeria, Effiong was inspired to look at the broader determinants of health and healthcare in the developing world. Nigeria's booming oil industry ac counts for more than 90 percent of the country's earnings, but is also increasingly harmful to public health due to a series of environmental and occupational disasters. Now specializing in environmental health and epidemiology, Effiong says he is working toward a future "where the exploitation of the earth's energy resources does not hinder the development of our societies." His interests also include preventing chronic diseases in developing countries with a particular focus on diabetes, one of the fastest growing health challenges in Africa. He is currently pursuing his MPH at the University of Michigan School of Public Health."
In UT's own words on his LinkedIn Profile he states, "I am an Internal Medicine physician passionate about the influence of the environment on human health, industrial hygiene, disease prevention/control, public health communication, global health and international development. I am also a speaker/writer on issues on public health importance." UT is married to Eno-Obong Effiong and father of two sons, Ediomo and Utibe and also a daughter, Idara.
UT Introduced as New Member at September 18th RCAAN Luchnch Meeting
Our yearly meeting at the RCAAN Butterfly Garden was held on September 11, 2014. We had a great boxed lunch, we honored the losses of 911 and Scott Nelson talked about the Garden.
RCAAN Luncheon at our Butterfly Garden on September 11, 2014
Our yearly meeting at the RCAAN Butterfly Garden was held on September 11, 2014. We had a great boxed lunch, we honored the losses of 911 and Scott Nelson talked about the Garden.
RCAAN Luncheon at our Butterfly Garden on September 11, 2014
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon, will be held at Gallup Park this week, on Thursday at 12:00 pm. We are spending some time next to our beautiful Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden.
RCAAN Speaker on September 25th is Elizabeth Caswell from JDRF. She is asking for our support for the JDRF walk on September 28th. Elizabeth is from Ann Arbor, although she has also lived in Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, and California. Elizabeth is a full time volunteer for JDRF and mother of three boys, two of whom have type 1 diabetes. Her husband also has type 1 diabetes. She serves on the board of JDRF Southeast Michigan and of Emerson School and volunteers for several other organizations.
Please support team 3 Caz 4 a Cure as she walks on Sunday, September 28, 2014. Help by making a donation to a member of our team or by fundraising for our team.http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/ewcaswell
Dr Utibe Effiong, an infectious disease specialist at UM School of Public Health presents a talk at the RCAAN Luncheon on September 4th, on the Ebola Virus pandemic in West Africa. Ebola is already become everyone's problem that urgently needs to be countered with improved health and sanitation measures (just like polio)!
Dale Throneberry talked about Veteran Radio at our RCAAN Luncheon today.
At RCAAN Luncheon on August 28, 2014, Dale Throneberry a Veteran Helicopter pilot talked about his radio program Veteran Radio on WAAM.
Dale said, "Veteran Radio includes the listener’s stories and experiences, not only while in the service, but afterwards as well. Interviews with guest speakers and authors are a weekly feature".
Bryon Harvey was our speaker on August 14, 2014. He is from Agape Church and talked about his Church and Bible and a Brew. Agape Ann Arbor isn’t a church like you’re used to. It’s not about buildings, cool music, and sexy marketing. Instead it’s about being a community that lives out our faith together. A community where we can finally and truly be real with each other. A community to celebrate the good times with. A community who will welcome you in from the storm when times are rough.
Bible and a Brew:
Bible and a Brew is an opportunity for people to share a good drink and a good conversation about faith, philosophy, theology, and life. Bible and a Brew developed out of a conversation between Bryon and Jennifer Harvey from Agape Ann Arbor. They wanted to provide a place where people could talk openly and honestly and ask real questions without feeling like they were being judged.
Bryon and Jennifer then asked, “Where do the best conversations occur?” It seems the best conversations occur over a drink. The best conversations always seem to occur when the people have a coffee or a beer in their hand.
Bible and a Brew was born.
So whether your favorite brew is dark roast coffee or a dark lager, we hope you’ll join us for Bible and a Brew.
Bryon's, Agape Church meets at Wolverine Brewery on Stadium, Thursday nights at 7:00 pm.
Bryon Harvey talking to RCAAN Members at Luncheon.
Bryon Harvey was our Speaker Meeting Today at RCAAN Luncheon.
Charities in Michigan earn approximately $17 million annually through charitable gaming fundraisers. This money is used to further their charitable mission, resulting in a wide variety of much needed services being provided to countless individuals.
Despite this, there are numerous organizations and individuals who are opposed to charities conducting these types of fundraisers. Reasons for this opposition vary. Some are opposed to gaming for moral and philosophical reasons, others are for-profit organizations competing for the gaming revenue.
Charities need to work together to counter this opposition. One of the most effective ways to do this is through a letter to your legislator.
The day finally came - the fire-ravaged building was demolished today. Bittersweet - some very loved GBC families had to move because of the fire. But everyone is relieved this horrible burned out building is gone.
Have you ever wondered who is looking at RCAAN.org? Here is a few interesting numbers about our audience demographics between June 31-July 31, 2014.
Between June 31-July 31, their was 186 individuals to our site.
At least 1 individual viewed our site in 23 of the 50 states. Michigan had the most 133, Virginia had 8, Ohio had 7, and even California had 3 viewers.
In Michigan, of the 133 viewers 56 was from Ann Arbor, 18 was from Lyon Township, 8 was from Bloomfield Hills, 6 was from Livonia, and 4 from Brighton.
At least 1 individual has viewed our site in the world from 17 countries
United Stats 186
Canada 3
India 3
Germany 2
Thailand 2
Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Spain, United Kingdom, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Romania, and Russia all had 1 viewer
So if you have ever wondered if people were looking at our web-site? The answer is a definite YES.
Thank you, for all that are viewing our site and continue coming back to rcaan.org for the latest club information and help bringing these numbers up higher.
Location: Detroit Zoo, 8450 West Ten MileRoyal Oak
Date: September 21, 2014
Time: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Cost: Adults $22.00, Children $12.00 (12 and under). Includes admission to the Zoo, and a End Polio Now T-shirt. Water and pop will be provided by District 6380, bring a picnic lunch or purchase food at the Zoo.
George's vision, dreams and goals are now my vision, dreams and goals for our great District.
They include:
Increased membership and a more diversified membership.
Literacy - every club to take part in a literacy project.
Increased awareness of our Rotary Foundation and reaching George's goal of $225,000 for the Annual fund. (We have been raising between $140,000 and $180,000 in recent years).
George's planned activities will go on as planned, including:
August 23rd - District staff meeting in Chatham, Ontario. This will be coordinated by PDGs Keith Koke and Jeff Litchy. Every Club President is invited. It's your chance to learn more about how the District works, and works for you, the Clubs.
September 21st - Rotary Day at the Detroit Zoo. It will be a day of fun and fellowship, with Rotary awareness. We will all be wearing End Polio Now shirts, which will be distributed at the event. Please plan on bringing club members, family and friends. John Mucha, Birmingham, AG Karen Gabrys, Ypsilanti and AG Nick Casteel, Sterling Heights are planning a great day for us. Please be sure to invite Youth Exchange,Interact and Rotaract members as well.
April 24th, 25th and 26th - Our District Conference at the Motor City Casino chaired by Birmingham Rotarians Christine Winans and Wendee Haugh.
CLUB VISITS - I will visit about half of the clubs and have asked PDG Jim Gilmore, PDG Steve Youtz and PDG Jeff Litchy to assist me in this. They will split the remaining clubs. We will have a unified message for all our great Rotarians. This will allow all of the club visits to be completed by the third week of October. Every year it is important, but this year, I think it more important than ever to get out George's vision, dream and goals as early as possible.
PDG Jim Gilmore will be visiting the Ann Arbor North club on October 23. There will be a board meeting at 10:30 am on that day.
I am asking all of you, our Club leaders, and all 1,750 D6380 Rotarians to LIGHT UP ROTARY - GEORGE'S WAY!!!
At July 17th RCAAN Luncheon We Learned About the 22nd Circuit Court with Veronique Liem.
Veronique received her MBA and Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Michigan. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Michigan Council for Family and Divorce Medication in addition to many other professional organizations and committees. She is a specialist in collaborative practice and shared interesting insights into the judicial system in Washtenaw County. To learn more about Veronique, you are invited to visit her websiteshttp://liemlaw.com/ andhttp://www.liemforjudge.com/
At July 17th RCAAN Luncheon We Learned About the 22nd Circuit Court
"RCAAN members and friends go to the Huron River Days and talk up our Butterfly Garden".
Noon–4 p.m. Huron River Day — Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road. Celebrate the beautiful Huron River and participate in FREE family activities. Enjoy $5/boat canoe and kayak rentals, exhibit tents and live music on the river bank. Ride your bike to the event, use free valet bike parking, and receive a coupon for a free boat rental during the festival. Activities include a children’s tent with art and science activities and the enviro-challenge game; a canoe photo booth; fishing; dipping for river bugs; live animal program with the Leslie Science & Nature Center; a butterfly house; the Classic Small Boat Show; and stand-up paddle boarding. Food will be available for purchase. The Ann Arbor Track Club Gallup Gallop 5K Run/Fitness Walk takes place at Gallup Park at 8:30 a.m. (www.aatrackclub.org). A guided paddling trip is 11 a.m.–noon. Details: 734.794.6240 / www.a2gov.org/events. Do you want to volunteer to help at this event? Opportunities include bike corral, fishing station, traffic direction, children’s tent and photo station. Contact the city’s Give 365 program volunteer@a2gov.org / 734.794.6445 / www.a2gov.org/volunteer.
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's, thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends, on the passing of Rotary District Governor 6380's George Hedgespath.
"NEW"
Click Read More, for Memorial Service for District Governor George Hedgepath
On June 26, 2014, The BBC News Magazine put an article on its web page about the life in India with no toilets. This article is related to RCAAN's signature project called "Project Dignity".
Also listen to BBC World Service- The Fifth Floor, broadcast of "Life With No Toilet in Rural India".
"India's long, dark and dangerous walk to the toilet"
Please check http://www.a2jaycees.org/parade the day of the Parade for any weather-related information. You may also call 734-513-9626 to hear a recorded message or to speak with someone.
Starting this Wednesday, at the new Jersey Mike's in Westgate,
you can receive a Free Regular Sub with a minimum donation of a $1 to IHN at Alpha House. You must have a coupon card to receive the offer, which are available at Alpha House.
Stop by and pick yours up today!
Alpha House talked at one of our luncheons last year. Please give them your support.
Alpha House of Ann Arbor Donation Day at the New Jersey Mikes Subs at Westgate.
You are cordially invited to attend our annual President's Night on Thursday, June 26. This year's event will be held at the Marriott Ypsilanti Eagle Crest in the Garden Marquee on Ford Lake and you are encouraged to invite friends, neighbours, family and potential members to this event. We're sending Keith out Margaritaville style, so this is a relaxed evening of fun and fellowship. Casual attire (including Hawaiian shirts) is welcomed and encouraged.The evening will include no-host cocktails, a dinner buffet and dessert followed by awards and recognition, the installation of our 2014 board and a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of our esteemed President, Keith Krings. Tickets are $25 per person and advance registration and prepayment are requested.
For more information, please contact President-Elect Tamra Ward at (248) 437-6550 - office, (248) 231-9116 - cell or via e-mail to tamra.ward1@gmail.com
President's Night on June 26th at Eagle Crest Ypsilanti
You and your family are invited to the Celebration!
Join us for a FAMILY FUN EVENT on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at the CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE to celebrate the induction of GEORGE HEDGESPETH AS 2014-15 GOVERNOR OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 6380. The event will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
You and your family can enjoy the museum’s wonderful attractions and exhibits from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. We will have a summer BBQ dinner, followed by the Governor’s Installation Program, during which your children can enjoy a free planetarium show. There will be a cash bar and attire is summer casual. The cost is $30 per adult and $20 for children ages 4-11 (children 3 and under are free). Questions?
At the May 29th meeting Eric Tindall introduced us to the Hemophilia Foundation and speakersAnn LeWalk and Tim Wicks. Tim and Ann educated us on hemophilia and the great program available for kids and adults. Hemophilia has in the past been called the bleeding disease and until recently those afflicted with the disease had a very limited lifestyle. Now with current research and discoveries people who are diagnosed with hemophilia can take a clotting factor that replaces the missing factor in their blood and can have a very active lifestyle.
Along with this new discovery the Hemophilia Foundation provides information on the disease, counseling and financial aid and a camp for people with bleeding disorders. This camp has 3 levels for different age groups. The first camp is Camp Bold Eagle for ages 6-10. Eagle Outpost is for campers ages 11-13 and Eagle Expedition is for campers 13 and older. The emphasis at these camps is on what the campers can do. Activities include encouraging the campers to do a wide variety of things, make new friends who they can learn from and within a safe and friendly atmosphere. The campers learn vital skills about how to manage their disease. Returning campers graduate thru the various levels and can even participate in a seven day Eagle Expedition!
For further information on the Camp and the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan please go to their website at:http://hfmich.org
Tom Alden as Santa talks about Kids and Santa College on May 22, 2014.
Our May 22nd meeting had a surprise visit from none other than Santa Claus!
Santa Claus (a.k.a. Rick Alder) told us how his daughter inspired him to become Santa and convinced him to go to "Santa" school. He decided to be the best Santa ever by going to school in Midland for three days. Yes believe it or not there is a school on how to be Santa! While at school Santa (Rick) learned to make the emphasis on Christmas being for the children, how to dress properly, how to laugh (a herely Ho Ho Ho vs Ha Ha Ha) and how to keep a great attitude and his vision of the North Pole. Santa also learned the story of the white feather and how to use this story to his advantage in addition to the proper use of props and audio cues.
Rick is available for parties, and any events where Santa is needed to spread the Christmas spirit.
Why is Rotary enhancing its public image? Worldwide, more than 2 million nonprofits compete for limited volunteer hours, donor money, and other resources. Rotary has a great story to tell, but we need to tell it more simply and consistently. Our research has taught us better ways to frame our strengths and bring our core values to life. By providing a clear, consistent image of Rotary — what we stand for and how we differ from other charitable organizations — we offer prospective members, donors, and volunteers a strong vision of what it means to engage with us.
What is changing? You will see fresh, updated versions of many Rotary materials, such as the color palette used for our logo and advertisements. The more important change, though, is how we talk about ourselves. The aim is to have all of us talk about Rotary in the same way.
What is my role? Rotarians like you make Rotary the wonderful organization that it is. Your tireless efforts have a positive impact in communities around the world. We want to inspire prospective members to join us in our efforts. You can help, because it’s up to all of us to communicate our story in all of our interactions.
How will Rotary communicate these changes? Rotary has already begun to inform Rotarians about the changes through training, webinars, and communication updates. We’ll also use events, such as the Rotary International Convention, to help you understand the benefits of spreading Rotary’s strengthened message.
Plans were submitted to the city of Ann Arbor this week to demolish and reconstruct a public housing building after it was destroyed by fire in January.
A fire tore through a building at the Green Baxter Court complex at 1725 Green Rd. on Jan. 8, displacing six families.
There were no reported injuries, but the six-unit building was a total loss. The fire originated in the kitchen area of one of the units and the cause of the fire was deemed accidental, according to fire department report obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The Ann Arbor Housing Commission wants to demolish and reconstruct the building on the 2.42-acre site. The new building will be slightly larger than the previous building to allow for barrier-free elements to be incorporated on the first-floor, the plans say.
The Housing Commission is working with Norstar Building Corporation and Mitchell & Mouat Architects on the project.
Housing Commission Director Jennifer Hall said the rebuild will take about a year and a half. Displaced families are being given the option to move back into the building once it’s completed.
Mark Williams from Score Ann Arbor talked to RCAAN members at the Luncheon on April 15th.
Ann Arbor SCORE is part of SCORE "Mentors to America's Small Business," a national nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of the nation's small businesses.
Ann Arbor SCORE provides free and confidential business advice and mentoring tailored to meet the needs of your small business and your personal objectives. Ann Arbor SCORE also offers workshops, for a modest fee, for both start-up and in-business entrepreneurs.
SCORE volunteers are real-world professionals with time-tested knowledge who donate thousands of hours to help small businesses succeed. Mentors are experts in such areas as accounting, finance, marketing, management and business plan preparation. We have assisted many clients in obtaining business loan.
On May 1, 2014 Dan Milstein talked about his life at the RCAAN Lucheon. Following is his biography from http://www.abcofsales.com .
Daniel Milstein A motivated, driven, determined, successful, and savvy businessman, the CEO of Ann Arbor based Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group is passing the secrets of his success on to others in the sales business.
A super success in mortgage sales, he has recently published The ABC of Sales as a guide for professionals who want to soar in sales, revive their sales careers, or position their companies among the elite.
Daniel Milstein is the Chief Executive Officer of Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, a post he has held for over a decade. Mr. Milstein led Gold Star to Inc.magazine’s coveted 500 Fastest Growing Companies list during one of the worst recessions the United States history. Gold Star was listed as the 349thfastest-growing private firm in America.Gold Star was established in 2000 and now employs over 500 people within 35 offices throughout the United States. The company is currently ranked as the 53rd largest residential lender in the country.
Manish Mehta (RCAAN Service Chairman) and Kenneth C.. Fischer talks to the club about the Luncheon on April 17, 2014.
UMS Web-page: ums.org , UMS on Facebook: facebook.com/UMSNews , UMS on Twitter: twitter.com/UMSNews.
Phil Zepeda introduced our guest speaker, Mr. Kenneth C. Fischer, President of the University Musical Society. Ken brought greetings from the Downtown rotary club and then began sharing the fascinating history of UMS.
UMS was founded in 1879 and after next 136 seasons is presently one of the premier performing arts presenting organizations in the world. The UMS season consists performing arts programs ranging from choral music to dance to jazz to orchestral works and everything in between. Each of these series has world class performers and orchestras ranging from Itzhak Perlman, to the Rotterdam Philharmonic to the Tricia Brown Dance company to Artemis Quartet. UMS hosts 60-90 performances each season and over 100 educational events.
The UMS 2014-2015 season promises to be one of the best. There are several ways to order/ subscribe for tickets. For more information go to this website: www.UMS.org or to see a short video on what the UMS is all about go to www.UMS.org/victors. Many of the past seasons are being digitized and are available at www.UMSrewind.org.
Kenneth Fischer Talks at the RCAAN Luncheon on April 17, 2014
I attended session II at The Rotary Leadership Institute in Lansing on April 5th,. Tom from Rochester Rotary and I, created a Club Coat of Arms as a team building exercise. The exercise was to divide up in groups. The goal was to design, develop and explain a Rotary Coat of Arms. The coat of arms is used to illustrate specific characteristics, deeds, accomplishments or traits that are important to the club. All items, symbols, colors or designs must have been explained and is relevant to Rotary, our club or district.
If you want to have fun and learn more about Rotary make sure you attend the next RLI session. On July 12th, there is a class in Mt. Pleasant, and on July 26th the classes comes to Ann Arbor.
The Rotry Leadership Instiitute in Lansing on April 5, 2014
All club officers should attend the District Assembly on Saturday morning, April 12 at Walsh College. This is a great way to get good ideas to improve your club, stay motivated and make valuable connections. We have a terrific speaker coming in: the great Charlie Wollborg to talk about branding and innovation! Charlie is worth a $50 ticket, but you'll get to hear him for $25.00. Register Today!
The $25.00 fee covers the cost of the event, breakfast and working lunch. If not paid online or in advance, the fee will be $30 at the door on the day.
You can pay online here after registering. There is a section at the bottom to Proceed with payment!
Agenda:
8:30 Food and Fellowship
9:15 Opening remarks by DGE George Hedgespeth
9:30 Keynote Speaker Charlie Wolborg
10:00 Service and Program Chair Jeff Lichty
10:15 Foundation and Polio by Janet McPeek
11:00 Free stuff you can do on your computer by Andrew Opalewski
11:30 Breakouts: PE, Treasurers, Secretaries (in the lab), Foundation, Membership
12:10 Working lunch: meet in 5 groups of Same Size Clubs for discussions
1:45 Wrap up and closing remarks by DGE George Hedgespeth.
Claire Hughes talked at RCAAN's Luncheon about Alzheimer's on March 20, 2014.
On March 20TH, Claire Hughes came to our club and talked about Alzheimer's and The Alzheimer's Association. This story is from The Alzheimer's Associations web-page,
The Alzheimer’s Association works on a global, national and local level to enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. We are one of many chapters across the nation, providing services within each community. We are here to help!
Our professionally staffed 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) offers information and advice to more than 250,000 callers each year and provides translation services in more than 170 languages.
We run more than 4,500 support groups throughout the country and connect people across the globe through our online message boards.
We provide caregivers and families with comprehensive online resources and information through our Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Center, which features sections on early-stage, middle-stage and late-stage caregiving.
We help people find clinical trials through our free service Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch®, which makes it easy to search opportunities based on personal criteria.
Our free online tool, Alzheimer's NavigatorTM, provides individuals with Alzheimer's and their caregivers with step-by-step guidance and customized action plans, and our online Community Resource Finder provides instant access to community resources and services.
We house the Alzheimer's Association Green-Field Library, the nation's largest library and resource center devoted to increasing knowledge about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Our annual Walk to End Alzheimer's® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.
We advance research
As the largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer's research, the Association is committed to accelerating progress of new treatments, preventions and ultimately, a cure. Through our partnerships and funded projects, we have been part of every major research advancement over the past 30 years.
We advance the understanding of Alzheimer's through our peer-reviewed research grant program, which has awarded nearly $315 million to more than 2,200 scientists since 1982.
The Association is the leading voice for Alzheimer's disease advocacy, fighting for critical Alzheimer's research, prevention and care initiatives at the state and federal level. We diligently work to make Alzheimer’s a national priority. Join our effort.
Our advocates engage elected officials at all levels of government and participate in our annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum, a march on Capitol Hill to meet with elected representatives.
With our chapters, we work to pass legislation at the federal, state and local level.
Together, we can change the future of Alzheimer’s.
Claire Hughes talked at RCAAN's Luncheon about Alzheimer's
After a nice introduction by Phil Zepeda, Phil Clintworth our guest speaker started his program with the dive signal from a submarine. (Remember the old war movies with the loud warning and the words Dive! Dive!) Phil is retired submarine captain with 29 + years of active duty with the Navy. He is past commanding officer at the Naval Base at San Diego.
While he was the C.O. at the Naval Yard he was able to be part of the making of the movie The Hunt for Red October. The movie was based on a novel by author Tom Clancy. Phil presented some interesting background on the author, actors, and departments of the Navy that were involved in making the movie. Along with the back ground information Phil also had slides that complemented the background information he had. Some points of interest were that before Tom Clancy became a well known author he was an insurance salesman. He typed the entire book out on a typewriter. The U.S. Naval Institute was the 1st publisher for the novel and it was also the 1st time that the Naval Institute had published fiction.
The movie TOP GUN was a factor in recruiting people for the Navy so the Navy decided to use this movie as a way to recruit for the submarine division. Technical advice, consulting and submarine familiarization was given by not only our presenter but by other officers as well. Phil had slides of several of the actors involved including Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, and Fred Thompson. He also had pictures of the sets used by the director to aid in filming. In some of the underwater filming of the “dog fights” between subs Phil explained that in real life that subs don’t usually get any closer than a mile and that for them to get any closer was like driving white knuckled on ice. He went on to explain that there really was an incident during the cold war that author Tom Clancy had researched and based his story on. He concluded his program by telling us that only 2 submarines have been lost at sea since World War II.
Jeff Crause of Edward Jones presents with help from ATI Therapy & Abbey Park at Mill River. The Golden Age of Hollywood A Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Production
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North and Jeff Crause of Edward Jones, ATI Therapy and Abbey Park at Mill River invite you to “The Golden Age of Hollywood”, a fun-filled evening that will benefit the RCAAN Foundation. Do you remember Casablanca...The Wizard of Oz...Gone With the Wind...Gunga Din...Citizen Kane...The Maltese Falcon? How about dancing to the music of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s? Dig out those Oscar worthy gowns and suits and get ready to party like a movie star!
THE EVENING: Saturday, March 29, 2014
6 p.m. Reception, 7:15 p.m.
EVENING HIGHLIGHTS
Costume Contest
Silant Auction
Hollywood Trivia
Dancing
Souvenir Photo
Holiday Inn, 3600 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
RAFFLE
Buy one $20 ticket or several for a chance to win $1500, $500 or $250 in cash prizes. With only 300 tickets for sale, your odds of winning are great! (If less than 150 tickets are sold, a 50/50 cash prize will be drawn. Winner need not be present.)
REGISTRATION:
Complete this form and mail with payment to the address below or register online at www.RCAAN.org.
Cost is $50 per person in advance; $55 per person at the door. Table of 8 is $400.
Questions? Call Lisa Hudy at (734) 604-5031 or email her at lhudy@mi.rr.com
RCAAN is a service-oriented fellowship, one of more than 30,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide making a difference locally and globally. Rotary is also committed to eradicating polio worldwide.
Print, and Fill Out the Registration Form and Send Payment,
or Register in the Upcoming Event Section of this Website.
Paul Swaney from Stadium Journey talked to the club on Feb. 13, 2014.
Paul Swaney Talks to Club on February 17th, 2014.
Phil Z introduced our speaker Paul Swaney by telling us that he is an Alma college grad and spent 13 years living and working for a non-profit agency in Chicago. He and his wife Jennifer are currently living in Ann Arbor with their 6 year old son. Paul has a passion for sports and travel. By putting his two passions together he was able to create a business printing a magazine reviewing stadiums and all the things that go along with attending sporting events at them. In October of 2011 The Stadium Journal came to life.
The articles in the magazine are written in a narrative style and review the attributes of the stadium, parking, ease of access, food at the venue and in the surrounding area so that the reader can get the best value for his sports dollar. He currently has about 100 writers from all over the world contributing to his magazine. His latest articles had just come in from South Africa and Australia. The magazine also is a great way for the various teams to promote their team in a positive way. His latest venture is to include College basketball stadiums in his reviews and expand the reviews beyond the traditional sports and into even more stadiums. Some of his articles have been about the old stadiums that have gone the way of the wrecking ball such as the old Tiger stadium, Candlestick park to name a few.
His articles and reviews lead him to create a very unique cook book featuring recipes from all of the NFL teams. This cookbook has allowed Paul to indulge two more of his favorite past times which are creating and cooking new recipes and photography. For each NFL team Paul created new drinks, appetizers, and entrees. All of the photography for the cookbook was done by Paul as he was learning how to take pictures of his wonderful creations. Paul is in the process of creating another cookbook featuring recipes from College Football teams. As a parting gift, Paul presented the club with an autographed NFL cookbook to be used as a silent auction item.
Paul Swaney from Stadium Journey Talked to RCAAN Members on Feb. 13
We truly enjoyed today's luncheon speaker, Ari Lipsky. He is conductor with the Ann Arbor Symphony.
As our wondrous program chair Phil Zepeda brought us another outstanding program and speaker. The program for the day was a visit from the conductor for the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Arie Lipski.
Mr. Lipski is a cellist, plays the flute, has master of music with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, who likes yoga, swimming and being a sous chef. He is also a guest conductor with the Hyfa Symphony Orchestra.
Arie lead the singing of the 2 national anthems by playing the anthems from memory on his flute. The fun continued with lessons on the flute and the cello and how the different notes were played on each instrument. He continued his program with a lesson on learning to be a conductor. He taught us about the different groups of instruments and how the right hand keeps the beat (meter) of the music and how the hands together directed the orchestra in the loud, soft, faster, slower parts of the music.
By the time Arie was finished we were singing a wonderful rendition of Happy Birthday to Lisa Hudy with loud and soft faster and slower sections. Thank you Phil for a super program!
Rotary District 6380 and the Detroit Pistons team up for The Mission of Ending Polio Now.
The Pistons will contribute $5 per ticket to District 6380 Polio Plus Fund! Proceeds from each ticket will be donated back to District 6380 Mission of Ending Polio Now. Bring family and friends out for some fun and excitement with District 6380 Rotary!
If you care to join us a little early for a bite to eat: Pistons 6380 Rotary Night also includes of a light dinner provided to you at a discount in Pistons Power Hour, 6:00pm-7:00pm outside section 118.
Phil Zepeda introduced our speaker Jim Alford. Jim gave us a brief bio and had a slide presentation of his experience in the Army during the Vietnam War. Jim was a student at the University of Georgia when he decided to join the Army. By the time he finished basic training, he went into Officer Training School, and became a flight instructor for 2 years. While Jim was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam he flew several different types of helicopters accumulating over 1500 hours of flight time. He served 2 tours in Vietnam.
During his slide presentation he was able to show us where he flew, the different types of helicopters he flew, some of the different types of missions that he flew and he explained about the crew members he flew with. Some of the slides included the different types of bases that he flew out of. Some of the bases were huge, most were very small hill top fire bases. Jim was able to fly with several different units namely the Ghost riders and the Castle engineers during his tours of duty. Jim concluded his presentation with a brief video about the trials and hardships that he and his crew faced during the war. He is currently a flight instructor for the Michigan flight school.
Rotary Club Of Ann Arbor North newest member Stephanie Oliver.
Our newest member, Stephanie Oliver, was inducted at our January 23rd meeting. Here's a little information so that you can get to know Stephanie:
Stephanie Oliver is currently the branch manager at Key Bank on Plymouth Rd in Ann Arbor. She specializes in small business banking and lending. Stephanie graduated with a bachelors in finance from Eastern Michigan University. She also has her life and health insurance license and her 6 and 63 financial license. Stephanie has been with Key Bank for 5 years and in banking for 12. Stephanie enjoys helping her clients, acting as an advisor for all of their financial needs and being a partner in them achieving their goals.
While Stephanie does enjoy assisting clients her most important job is being a Mom to her son Alex (6) and her daughter Ava (4) and a wife to her husband of 7 years Chris. Stephanie is excited to be welcomed into the North Ann Arbor Rotary as she likes to serve in the community. Stephanie is also a member of the Junior League of Ann Arbor, a board member for Eastern Michigan University's college of Health and Human Services, secretary of Bentley Elementary PTO, a catechism teacher and co-leader of her son's Cub Scout Den. Stephanie and her family live in Canton.
NEW LOCATION : Bar Louie Restaurant- 6:00pm - located at: 401 East Liberty St., Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase - 8:00pm show - located at: 314 East Liberty St., Ann Arbor
Why: For fun fellowship with our club members, family and friends.
Please confirm your attendance by replying to this email by Monday January 20th. Please include attendees names. Once I have the numbers together, I can try for a discount for the comedy show tickets.
Please join us for this fun filled evening full of laughs. Thanks.
Geri Markel was our featured speaker this week. Geri told us that we can manage distractions to become more effective people. She outlined eight sources of distraction in our busy, modern lives:
Technology
Other People
Tasks and Activities
Places and Spaces
Stress
Fatigue
Illness or Medication
An Unruly Mind
Our speaker had each of us vote on the sources of distraction that bother us most, and “Other People” ranked as the highest “demon” among RCAAN members. She said that our brains were not designed to be constantly interacting with multiple sources of information (internet, games, phone, etc). She said we should find quiet time each day to just think. Geri urged us to give each other respectful, attentive concentration during our interactions. Her other tips included:
having stand-up meetings at work, so that people concentrate on getting the work of the meeting accomplished.
putting phones and i-pads away during meetings.
having agendas and time-keepers at meetings.
taking 5-10 minute breaks at work.
walking the stairs or walking outside during work breaks.
Stretching at your desk. And
Putting your phone in the trunk of your car so you won’t answer it while you are driving.
Geri Markel Talked About Managing Your Mind At RCAAN's Luncheon On Jan, 9th
Joan Doughty, executive director of Community Action Network at Green-Baxter Court, visited our meeting with a special request on behalf of the six GBC families who were left homeless by Tuesday’s early morning fire. She asked us to provide funds for storage units so the families who have items to store can keep their belongings safe until they find new housing. They are eligible for public housing, but there are no public housing units available right now. (The American Red Cross is providing temporary housing at Extended Stay America.)
President Keith Krings and Past President Laura Van Steenis are working with Joan and the folks at GBC to see what else they will need going forward. One of the families we “adopted” at Christmastime has been left homeless because of the fire, and the presents we gave them were destroyed. Stay tuned for more information about how we can help.
I have been informed our usual meeting room is not available this week (December 12). We will be meeting in the Huron room which is down the hall, left of the front desk.
Our annual holiday party will be Thursday. December 19, at the Holiday Inn. Cost is $25 per person. Food choices are (a) steak kabobs, (b) chicken marsala or (c) vegetarian. Don’t forget: bring a “white elephant” gift for our annual gift exchange. Remember: no noon meeting that day and please pay in advance!
RCAAN's Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden in Gallup Park received some press on August 17, 2004 in The Ann Arbor News. Marianne Rzepka, wrote an article about the garden called Butterflies, Years of Flutter by Rotary Club Faithfully Maintains Garden for them in Gallup Park.
Brief Overview of Article
Between Huron Parkway and Geddes Road parking lot, the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden has bloomed for the past 15 years. The garden was an idea of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North. And with help of the city, the garden it-self has taken root in Gallup Park.
"We would not have this without the Rotary group's participation," says Jeff Dehring a landscape architect with Ann Arbor's park's department.
The area was cleared by the city, the Rotary members got to work removing boulders and laying out the garden in the shape of a butterfly.
At first the garden did not have flowers that attracted butterflies but a few years ago RCAAN member Scott Nelson and his wife Magali, put in flowers that attracted them.
On a recent Thursday, Rotary members got together for their one meeting a year at the garden, despite threats of rain. The cool temperatures and clouds make for slim butterfly pickings, with a few of the white butterflies more interested in the surrounding foliage than in the garden's offerings. That didn't seem to make any difference "Even if we don't get the butterflies," says Patterson, "Its still a very nice place."
Article From The Ann Arbor News, On Aug. 17, 2004, About The Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden
M. Miller talked to RCAAN members at the weekly luncheon on December 5, 2013 about EMU athletics
.
Mike Miller
EMU Athletics Deptartment
Mike Miller, who is in sports management at Eastern Michigan University, was our speaker on December 5th. He focused on the women’s soccer team at EMU. He told us that Eastern is particularly proud that, for the past three semesters, EMU’s female athletes have had the highest grade point averages in the university’s history.
EMU is the only college or university to have an alumnus/alumna in the Summer Olympics every year since 1960.
EMU has 21 sports teams, a record number for schools in the MAC Conference.
Miller showed a short video on the women’s soccer program and explained that the university is now raising funds for improvements to the soccer field, including a press box and bleachers. Cost of the improvement project is $60,000; about half has already been raised.
The women’s soccer team is offering soccer clinics to local soccer clubs to raise money for the project.
M. Miller From EMU's Athletic Department Talked To Members of RCAAN On Dec, 5, 2013
The Photo's from The 2013 Rotary Club of AnnArbor North Eighties Party Fundraiser are here. They were taken by Cupcake Detroit via Liz Mackinder. Thank you Liz.
Our Back to the Eighties Party, held Saturday, April 20, at the Holiday Inn’s remodeled ballroom, was a blast! The Golden Girls were there, along with Michael Jackson, Madonna and PacMan, with a special appearance by Gene Simmons.
Congratulations to Fundraising Chair Matt Copeland and his committee for putting on another great party! Thanks to everyone who attended, bought a raffle ticket, donated a prize or raffle item, or completed in the Big Hair or Best Eighties costume contests!
Our annual fundraising party is the major way that we raise money to do good works the following year and we thank everyone for their great support!
Rotary North Scores Another Hit With Back to the Eighties Party.
Build an Intercultural Exchange Center and 24-bed hotel within the community of Catarina, Nicaragua. Catarina is famous for the magnificent view of El Mirador (Crater Lake) and is close to the International Airport and many nature sites.
The Center will provide visitors and locals with language education, meeting facilities, conferences, and a small outdoor amphitheater for presentations.
The Hotel includes a natural setting in a restful community, 2 blocks from the Mirador view, hiking, restaurant, private bathrooms with hot water, A/C, gift shop with local art, and transportation to and from the airport and tourist sites.
“Green” building standards will be employed with the most compatible structure for the culture and environment.
The Center will appeal to eco-tourists,Spanish immersion students, project groups, socially invested visitors, educators and researchers, artists and writers.
Phase I: Foundation – 2005-2011
Land purchased. Organizational structure established. Outreach, partnerships, & fundraising begun.
Phase II: Building – 2012-2013
Begin building cabanas, lobby, meeting rooms. Formalize partnerships.
Phase III: Additions – 2013-?
Center operational, add 2-story hotel units, pool, outdoor stage, & amenities.
Expand employment & training options
About
The Nicaragua Project is an effort by the nonprofit Capital to Bridge the Divide to develop sustainable economic development in Catarina, Nicaragua.
Our vision is to provide access to medical care, shelter, clothing, food, and education in developing countries, such as Nicaragua, in a sustainable way, while giving the opportunity for local people to be involved in providing voluntary assistance to those communities. At the same time, we will be educating the local community in the United States about issues involving impoverishment and global capital distribution, the plight of people in developing communities, and about the alleviation of poverty in those communities.
Our current goal is to create a Cultural Exchange Center and Eco-hotel in Nicaragua, which will be an example of social justice and peace in action. It will be a financially sound & sustainable, source of income for its employees; a source of funding for local community needs, and an active center of cultural exchange. As such, it will provide a place to share & learn. Amongst other activities, it will include an immersion Spanish language program, and provide English language lessons for people of all ages.
Mission Statement
Bridge the divide between wealthy and developing countries by providing capital, employment, and opportunities for cultural exchange.
Goals
1. Use and create capital to work for social justice in developing countries
a. Establish local business(es) that contribute to the community and provide economic growth
b. Develop a non-profit organization in the U.S. (with a Nicaraguan advisory group) to provide initial governance
c. Profit will be reinvested in the focus country.
2. Contribute to economic & social justice through local efforts in the developing countries.
a. Build & operate hotel/hostel/timeshare in Nicaragua
b. Provide employment opportunities, including those for women seeking independence from domestic violence
3. Provide opportunities for cultural exchange/dialogue
a. Offer a cultural immersion experience with potential educational component
b. Develop university links to Nicaragua for foreign exchange
c. Develop local cultural center
Do you carry Rotary to your vocation? How about a simple way to do this...Do you wear your Rotary pin on your lapel EVERY DAY? Or just on Thursdays and at Rotary events? Think about it: we know you are a Rotarian so wearing it only at Rotary events is kind of redundant. How about if we start wearing our pin every day and see if we can make it a habit. It is the cheapest and most effective PR we have. Be proud to be a Rotarian and take the opportunity to explain Rotary to those you come in contact with every day in yourbusiness dealings.