The Club met at the Armory for today's meeting. Righteous Cuisine served lunch, coffee was served by Aldea Coffee and beers were available from Grand Armory Brewing. Aldea works with coffee farmers in Honduras. Aldea in Spanish means community or village. Their philosophy is to offer a high quality product and work together with farmers and non-profit groups in Honduras in a direct-trade business model. With direct rade Aldea works directly with Honduran coffee farmers, rather than a distributor. Jeremy, Heidi and Andrew presented information on their coffee, production in Honduras and their local business.

 

Don't forget to put your announcement in writing!  The newsletter editors would very much appreciate it!!

Continued Hope for Honduran Families - El Ayudante has installed 650 clean water filters in the last four years due to support from our club.  Funds were raised through water bottles sales, a district grant, and other donations.  These filters have changed the lives of those living in the region; families feel empowered as parents can now work and children can attend school, because clean water has prevented many illnesses that limit these activities.

 

Mentors Needed: Changes this year - open businesses to students to learn about your career. Please see Mike Helsen if you are interested in volunteering.

Raffle Tickets - Raffle is on temporary hiatus.  $253 total - $99 to the winner, $154 to a Charity of choice.  41 cards left.

Program Ideas - If anyone has program ideas for the rest of the Rotary year, they should contact Dale Swihart  swihartsbd@aol.com or 616-414-7216.  Upcoming Rotary themes include: January – Vocational Service; February – Peace & Conflict Prevention and Resolution; March – Water and Sanitation; April – Maternal and Child Health; May – Youth Service; and June Fellowship. Any programs around these themes would be very helpful.

 

 

 

Applicant: Crystal Bultje

Business Name: Scholten Fant

Title: Associate Attorney

Partner: Mark Brown

Community Involvement: Center for Women in Transition

Education: Hope College and MSU School of Law

 

Please contact President Brook or a Board Members with questions or comment.