*Please note, due to an error last week, the newsletter was not sent out. I have included last week's information in this week's newsletter!
Program: Grand Haven High School Interact Club
John Mauro walked us through all of the great work that the Interact Club has accomplished this past year. The 2025-2026 school year has had many success for Interact. Projects like the Kiva Loans, Adopt-A-Family, Rake-A-Difference, and Kid's Food Basket have had a LARGE impact both locally and Internationally.
The Kiva Loans have lent over $5,880 through 549 different loans! They also participate with the CHILL program at Lakeshore Middle School, where high school students mentor and study with students at Lakeshore Middle School.
Last Week's Program: Committee Meetings and Club Goals
Overarching Goals: By the end of 2029, we will have over 100 members. We will become a more flexible organization. We will create new ways to connect to our members. We will create a signature event. We will create community connections. We will prepare every member for leadership roles. We will promote promote promote. We will prepare to celebrate our Centennial by creating a local project and appointing a celebration committee.
We then took the overview and fine tuned it into a 3-year action plan.
This year (2026), these are our stated goals: we will hit 75 members. Find one new service project for club support. One new social event for club. Create an Annual signature event. New models for weekly meetings. Lay the foundation for a satellite club. Expand our use of local media. Enhance connection to Interact. Review club membership and due structure. Review meeting schedule. Increase the level of club engagement.
Today, we met as committees and assessed where we were at relative to the above goals and how each committee can contribute to help the club hit our marks.
Wedding Anniversaries: Ellen Peters (34 Years, May 9th)
Rotary Anniversaries: John Mauro (May 12th) - 1 year
Announcements:
June 8 is the Spring Lake vs. Grand Haven Golf Challenge. Check the signup sheet at the meetings - all abilities welcome and encouraged to play!
The Grand Haven Rotary Club is offering a match to earn your first Paul Harris Award. If you are a first time recipient, a $250 donation can turn in to this important award.
Look for an email coming soon from John King regarding a work day in advance of the flag placement for Memorial Day. Keep your eyes peeled for details.
We are currently working on plans in partnership with The Eagles on a Taste of Grand Haven event for September. Working with The Eagles will allow us to create a possible new signature event. More details to follow, but the fundraising from this year's event will support the Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl.
NEW TO ROTARY - 5th Monday Meetings! These are meetings set to replace the traditional Monday noon meeting with a social after-hours event, replacing the regularly scheduled meeting. Additional 5th Mondays will be in August and November (where there are 5 Mondays for the month). More information to come!
The Rotary Store is now open and closes tomorrow. Check your email for a link to the website and order today!
Change for Change jar is on the back table. Drop your change to assist our Interact Club in granting additional Micro-Loans with the Interact Club of Grand Haven High School.
We have a Rotary Spotlight every month on WAWL.
The Jeep Raffle is live. The Grand Haven aquatics center is the beneficiary and the drawing will be this summer. We are currently just over 200 tickets sold. Let's sell 1,000 tickets!
This Friday, May 15th is Momentum Center's Prom with a Purpose! See their social pages or website for details!
We are in search for our next Peace Fellow to study overseas. If you know of someone looking for education or a career change please let Gernot know.
50/50 Raffle: We had no winners today - the new pot rolls over!
Coffee at the Grand Haven Rotary Meetings provided by Kenzie's BE Cafe - please be sure to thank them by visiting the shop for a coffee or your next meeting!
