Bulletin Template (Dec 29, 2022)

The month January was named after the Roman god, Janus, who was known as the protector of gates and doorways symbolizing beginnings and endings….Past and Future.

This past year, we had two profitable Chicken BBQ’s allowing us to fund two scholarships to CP and KH schools and host a family for Christmas in both school districts. We ordered two benches to be donated to Dwight-Lydell Park representing our Club and the community service of member and Past President, Brent Beuschel, who passed in October of 2021.

We were happy to implement a new community fundraiser this year with a coat drive for our schools! I am so appreciative of the Service Committee’s hard work to make this new drive a success. We volunteered several times at Feed West Michigan, rang bells to encourage donations for the Salvation Army Red Kettle, and sorted and delivered gifts for Santa Claus Girls. We also donated and received a matching grant from RI District 6290 for Mary Free Bed Hospital. It was a good year!

As we leave the past year behind and begin thinking about the future, we are often filled with joy and hope and share good wishes for what will be in the New Year! We reflect on what went well and what didn’t go as planned, and we make changes to how we want to do better in the New Year.

This year as we kickoff our first meeting on the first Thursday of January, I would like to invite you to think about and share ideas as to how we can grow our club, make our community stronger, share our talents and our financial means to make the world a better place for all of Mankind. How can we help provide shelter and clean water, take away risk of diseases like Polio, stop wars and abuse? Each and every one of us has qualities that make us unique.

I ask that you think about how you can take on additional responsibilities within our club this year using your God given talents and resources. We are looking for someone to take over the Bulletin. Sharon has done a great job of keeping us informed over the years and she is ready to pass the baton. Are you organized, would like to have a better understanding of the Rotary organization, have good use of the English language and computer skills? Would you step up to take over this important aspect of our club? Sharon will mentor and assist you in feeling comfortable with setting up the bulletin on Club Runner.

Life Leadership has been Chaired by Bob Homan over the years and he is looking for someone that he can work with to take over as the Chair of this committee. Have you experience in an educational setting or church or working with young adults. We need to encourage these students to become leaders. These young adults will be future leaders in our community and the world? We offer scholarships to both schools and for the Life Leadership Program every June. Would you consider working with Bob to takeover this important role? He has it highly organized and you work with the school counselors and Rotary District 6290. We need all of you!!!

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with abundant blessings!!! Diane Van Epps, President

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENT

We will be meeting at the Mill Creek Tavern on West River Drive on Thursday, January 2, 2023. Please park at the Post Office across the street if you are able. The Board meeting will begin at 11 am followed by the Member meeting at 12:10 am. Please sign up for your lunch when you arrive. We also meet at this same location on Thursday, January 19.

January 26 (Thursday) - "Meet and Greet" potential members who you are inviting to the Mill Creek Tavern. Time 5:30-6:30

Appetizers and also a cash bar will be available. Note: Each Rotarian can pick up invitation cards about the event at the January 2 meeting. If you are unable to attend contact Alex or Diane to arrange to pick some up. It is important that you distribute these immediately because we need a count of who is coming by January 18. We need to grow our club and this is a great opportunity to begin that process. Hope to see each of you on January 2.