PDG Renee Merchant recently made the following announcement regarding the Rotary Leadership Institute training sponsored by our club on July 26:
Out of respect for the passing of DG George Hedgespeth of D6380, we are canceling the RLI scheduled for July 26 at the Ann Arbor Holiday Inn. George passed away just a few days after taking office and his memorial service will be held on the 26th. Our hearts go out to Portia and their family.
The following options will be offered to the 14 people who have already registered:
Here is the memorial service information for District Governor George Hedgespeth:
July 26, 2014 10:30 a.m.
All Saints' Episcopal Church
171 W. Pike Street
Pontiac, Michigan 48098
The family has requested that memorial donations in lieu of flowers and have shared two local organizations supported by George and Portia for your consideration:
Office of Philanthrophy
1 Ford Place Suite 5A
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Please make checks payable to Henry Ford Health Systems and note George Hedgespeth in the memo line.
Funds received are designated for use by the Heart Transplant Patient Emergency Needs Fund
or
The George Hedgespeth Scholarship Fund
Lincoln University
Office of Institutional Advancement
PO Box 179
Lincoln University, PA 19352-0999
The Oakland Press also published a wonderful article about George and we thank AG Jane McManus for sharing the link:
At our July 10 meeting, PDG Virginia Nordby announced the Executive Committee's decision to appoint PDG Don Riddell to complete the term of our friend, DG George Hedgespeth. PDG Jim Gilmore has been appointed Vice Governor, a new position created by the RI Council on Legislation in 2013.
Following the meeting, we received the following note from our new VG, Jim Gilmore, thanking Don Riddell for assuming the leadership of our District:
"Don is a member of the Troy Rotary Club and was District Governor in 2012-2013. During Don's year as Governor, our District led all USA Districts in net membership growth and exceeded our Annual Fund Foundation goals. I was fortunate enough to sit under Don's tutelage as DGE and can attest to his dedication to Rotary and to the success of Rotarians in their quest for Service Above Self. I can think of no other in our District more capable to lead us in carrying out George's vision and goals for 2014-2015.
"It will not be easy and he will need our help.
"George laid out some lofty goals for the Clubs and you, as his Presidents and District leaders told him that we would accomplish those goals...and we will. The Executive Committee has dedicated their efforts this year in honor of George and together we will make this year a legacy to his leadership that will be remembered and will endure. We can do nothing less for our friend.
"I was appointed Vice Governor for the District which is a new position created by the Council on Legislation in 2013 so that if for some reason the current Governor is unable to continue, the VG seamlessly steps in. In the future we will be appointing a VG annually when we get the nominating committee together in the winter to choose a new DGN.
More information will be forthcoming with details in the coming weeks and months from DG Don and the Executive Committee."
Our next license date for Charity Poker Nights at the Heidelberg will be July 31 through August 2. Charity poker is an important revenue source for our Foundation each year and we would really appreciate your assistance with this commitment.
There are two shifts available each night: 5:30 - 9:30 pm and 9:30 pm to 2:00 am. As of this date the members have signed up for confirmed shifts: Manish Mehta, Tammy Broderick, Tamra Ward and Gail Scott.
If you have not reserved your shift, a sign-up sheet will be available at our July 17 meeting and Laura Van Steenis has volunteered to call members from her hospital bed to make certain that we have all shifts covered. To reserve your shift, please contact lvansteenis30@yahoo.com or tammybroderick1989@gmail.com
Just a reminder that all Rotarians are welcome at the Rotary Picnic in Kensington Park (West Boat Launch) this Sunday (July 20th). Just a gathering of Rotarians in pleasant surroundings. No costs to enjoy each others company for a few hours other than the park entrance fee of $7.00.
A pavilion has been reserved and the activities for the day are up to the individual clubs and Rotarians that attend. There is so much to do at Kensington, planning a day of fun is easy. You can enjoy swimming at great beaches, boating and fishing. And if that isn't enough, there's an 18-hole regulation golf course, 27-hole disc golf course, nature center, farm center and hiking and biking trials for hours of enjoyment.
To be a part of the fun, get your club, family and friends together and make plans for a great Rotary Day. For information or to RSVP email: webmaster@farmingtonrotaryclub.org. A sign-up sheet will also be circulated at the July 17 meeting.
Special thanks to our guest and featured speaker, Dr. Jonathan Lazar with Lazar Spinal Care. We enjoyed his presentation on Stress: The Silent Killer and thank him for the copy of his book that he donated to our club. For those who might be interested in following up with Dr. Lazar, he can be reached via email to dr.lazar@lazarspinalcare.com or by calling 734.274.5107.
Happy Birthday to John Copeland on July 1 and Virginia Nordby on July 10. In honor of Virginia's birthday, her husband Gordon made a $20 donation to the Rotary Foundation. We also celebrated the Club Anniversaries of James McClelland on July 1 (2 years) and Mario Romero on July 15 (4 years).
This week's 50/50 raffle winner is Bryan Schindel. Next week's winner could be you, but you've got to be in it to win it!
President's Message
Tamra Ward
One of the things that impressed me when I joined Ann Arbor North a couple of years ago was the support of our members. We had strong attendance at meetings, work days and events but when I became a board member I noticed that the numbers that we report to the District do not reflect this. The most likely reason is that we do not report make ups to our club secretary.
To encourage you to report your attendance at other club meetings, committee meetings, board meetings, Butterfly Garden work days and club events, I am giving away one dozen cookies in a weekly drawing. To enter this drawing, you need to report a make-up to Tammy within the two week time period allowed by RI. So, if you attended an Ann Arbor West meeting on Monday because you missed our meeting on July 10, you can report a make up.
Of course there are a few rules and regulations, just like any other drawing. First, you must make Tammy aware of your make-up via email or in person during a club meeting to enter. Second, the entries are cumulative so your entry remains in the drawing pool until you win a cookie basket. Third, there are no calories in these cookies so don't give them back. We don't mind if you give your 50/50 winnings back to the club but I don't want to carry those cookies home and offend the cook in the Abbey Park kitchen.
I look forward to reporting improved attendance to the District each month and sending you home with cookies from our kitchen!
Yours in Service,
Tamra
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North PO Box 131022, Ann Arbor MI 48113
