Spotlight 01-24-12, Vol. 74, No. 4

Posted by Elizabeth Walker 
 
Program host Greg Strouse started his presentation with a large basket of lollipops sporting the sign: “It Sucks to be Sixty!”  Greg shared his bounty with the Club along with the following words of wisdom concerning “What is the Business Impact of Social Media?”
 

Brighton Rotary Spotlight

Jane McManus, President

January 24, 2012, Vol. 74, No.4

 

Guests:           Barb Hess, wk3; Michael Southgate, wk1; Jim Gilmore, Liv. Sunrise Rotary; Joyce Powers, Women’s History Roll of Honor

 

Announcements:

Happy Birthday to Terry Gill, Greg Strouse, and Beth Walker!

Happy Rotary Anniversary to Nancy Johnson, four years!

President Jane alerted the Club that the $200 million Bill & Melinda Gates Challenge for Polio Plus has been met and that another $50 million has been donated to Rotary International by the Gates without any matching grant requirement.  We are soooo close (99percent) to defeating polio.  January 13, 2012 marked the anniversary of India being free of polio for one year.

The Rotary 6380 District Conference will be held in Holland, MI, on April 20-22nd.  We would like to have a group of Brighton Rotarians represented—contact President Jane if you are interested.  The Friday seminar will target new Rotarians, highlighting the benefits of Rotary.

Piet Lindhout alerted the Raiders to a ramp build project this week:  Meet on Wednesday, 1/25, 3pm at Bruce Donovan’s workshop to build the landing & stairs, and/or meet on Thursday, 1/26, at 2:30pm at a Hartland trailer park to install the ramp.  See Piet or Brian Donovan for more info.

Tickets for Tony n’Tina’s Wedding on February 25, 2012, are available at Cooper & Binkley Jewelers or at the website www.BrightonRotaryEvents.org. Approximately 200 tickets have already been sold, with only 500 available..

Bill Gartley reminded members that the Interact Practice ACT occurs on Saturday, January 28th. at 9am.  Registrations can be made at the Brighton District Library or at Sylvan Learning Center.

The VINA fundraiser is scheduled for February 4th at the Johnson Center.  Included in the ticket price is a strolling dinner, jazz band, and auctions, both live and silent.  For more information or tickets, see Cathy Riesterer or www.VINADental.org

Literacy Moment brought to you by Nancy Johnson:  in the February Rotarian, a discussion of diffusing violence occurs and mentions author Alex Kotlowitz.  The Brighton District Library owns two of his books, There Are No Children Here, and The Other Side of the River, which Nancy brought and shared with interested Rotarians.

Assistant District Governor Jim Gilmore alerted the Club to the District Membership Summit on February 18th at our Community Building.  A special session will highlight “Things That Work” for attracting new members.  Pre-registration is requested, contact Jim Gilmore for more information.

It’s Junior Achievement time!  Mike Bourke needs instructors for classes start on 3/17 for 2-5 hours/week for approximately 5-6 weeks, usually from 1-3pm.  Generally needs 8 teachers & currently has 4.  If you think you can help, contact Mike.

January is Rotary Awareness Month and the theme for 2012-2013 is Peace through Service.

Upcoming Events:

02/18/12                            District Membership Summit at Brighton Community Building

02/25/12    6:30pm            Tony n’Tina’s Wedding at the Johnson Center, Cleary University

04/22/12                            District Conference in Holland, MI

05/5-9/12                           Rotary International Conference in Thailand

 

Program:

Program host Greg Strouse started his presentation with a large basket of lollipops sporting the sign: “It Sucks to be Sixty!”  Greg shared his bounty with the Club along with the following words of wisdom concerning “What is the Business Impact of Social Media?” Greg’s Rotary badge lists his classification as Technology.  He began working for ADP immediately following high school and has traveled throughout the world addressing technology challenges.  He is classically trained in the field of product management, in addition to his sideline of operating Leaf, Barley & Vine – a wine bar.  Social media concerns how people interact and tell others what they think about issues or your business.  Owners need to pay attention to social media and participate in order to better know their customers.  Coca-Cola recently cut their marketing budget by 6.5 percent strictly to focus more resources on social media.  The launch of the new Universal Studios’ Harry Potter Theme Park grew from notifying five blog spots and within hours, over one billion people knew the news.  Remember that there are no filters on the web:  this is both good and bad.  You need to know your audience and how to reach them.  Blogs are a great way to watch what is happening.  Check Facebook and Twitter.  ConstantContact provides regular email blasts to your constituents.  Linked-In is a great tool for tracking, finding, and contacting professionals.

 

Progressive 50/50 Drawing $980 pot in week 10, 25 cards remain. Pam McConeghy drew the six of hearts; Dennis Kalio drew the two of spades, and Don Homan drew the three of clubs.