Rotarian Beth North introduced Tina M. Patton who is a lifelong resident of the South Bend area, having been raised on the West Side in a two-parent family of 12 children, plus 2 uncles who were raised by her parents after her grandmother died at an early age. She is still learning life lessons from her 86-year-old mother, along with her husband Michael, their 3 children and1 grandchild.Tina joined Indiana Trust Wealth Management in February of 1989 as Trust Operations Manager and has held several positions in the company over the past three decades, including Director of Operations and Director of Information Technology. Tina currently serves as the Vice President, Director of Nonprofit & Foundation Engagement where she works to assist not-for-profit organizations, charitable trusts, family foundations, and community foundations by offering wealth management services which are specifically tailored for the non-profit community.
Having earned a bachelor's degree in business from Indiana University at South Bend, Tina went on to obtain an EMBA from the University of Notre Dame. She also holds the Certified Securities Operations Professional™ (CSOP™) designation from the Cannon Financial Institute, as well as the Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®) designation.
Tina is well connected and committed in our communities. She has many years of experience working with various nonprofit organizations and civic groups as a board member, volunteer, advocate and supporter.
An alumna of Leadership South Bend/Mishawaka and inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame in November of 2019, Tina currently serves as Chair of the Ivy Tech Community College Regional Board of Trustees (South Bend and Elkhart campuses) and board member of the United Religious Community of St. Joseph County. She is also the President of the South Bend Area Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
In addition, Tina is a former Funding Committee member of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County's African American Fund and has served on the boards of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Memorial Hospital and Health Systems, South Bend Heritage Foundation, Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, YWCA North Central Indiana, and Hannah’s House. Tina has also participated as a member of the ITT Technical Institute Program Advisory Committee and is an active leader in her church.
Tina stated she was pleased to be here today and shared a message of hope and unity with Rotary. This is a revolution of humanity in honor of black history month. She was pleased to introduce Indiana Trust’s CEO President David Kibbe and share a quote he often uses that begins with trust and confidence in relationships in business and in marriage. An example she used is a thought that the floor would hold you up today when you got up, you did not test it but put your feet on the floor and simply placed confidence and trusted the floor would safely hold you to walk safely to your destination. She asked you to trust in all people no matter their race, religion, sex, and origin. She gave an example of children who run through your predominately white neighborhood wearing hoodies that state on the back “do not shoot, I live here”. Everyone must trust.
Tina showed a 1969 Lady Bird Johnson video where President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act Bill outlawing discrimination. Lady Bird personally inspired and encouraged Lyndon to run for President. The video showed the Johnson’s boarding steam trains and heading South to New Orleans for 4 days traveling through 8 southern states. They addressed 2000 people along the way showing their personal courage. Tina stated that the challenges in 1969 were the same as 400 years ago.
Tina stressed the compassionate, sympathetic, and generous human side to racism. Tina reminded us of a quote saying that it is not enough to be not racist, but we must be anti-racist. We must learn to be an anti-racist with a revolution of humanity. A dramatic change is brought about by activists. Tina said you start believing what you are fighting for and this belief begins with a relationship in trust. People are afraid of things they do not understand, so it must start with understanding. Tina has a circle of 20 people who meet to ask and answer questions to understand issues. They have resources in one another and continue after the formal circle has ended. Meet in each other’s homes in different areas of town. Must work together hand in hand and as Dr. Martin Luther King stated to stick together with love not the big burden of hate. Tina also quoted from Langston Hughes’, American poet, from his open letter to let us challenge to become one instead of a revolution. Tina ended with what is needed is a “chorus of together so we can make a one day happen.” She suggested reaching out with out to the NAACP President Robert Smith.
Tina’s Book Recommendations:
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Our very own Amy Hill, new Transpo CEO, was introduced by Rotarian Jill Scicchitano and provided the program today. Telling us more about our local public transportation institution: Transpo. 124 employees (most of them union!), 29 fixed bus routes, and 17 paratransit vans, our local municipally owned transportation company has been serving our community for over 50 years.
Fellow Rotarian Heather Goralski introduced Henriette Nyirarukundo Ngenga who Is a survivor of horrific atrocities against the Tutsi in Rwanda which began in April 1994, but also a walking miracle and author of Carrying Divine. In May of 2011 she met Kristin Ponce Baker at Granger Community Church who has partnered to write and publish the book. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of terror of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. One million lives were lost in 100 days. Henriette’s friends, family, neighbors- were slaughtered. Henriette’s story opens eyes to those of us who are blessed to live in this free land. Her deeply rooted joy, faith, and gratitude exude to anyone who takes the time to get to know her, and is a contagious gift to anyone who hears her story.
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Jeff Breiler introduced the principals of the Upper Room Recovery Community as our program speakers. The Upper Room has been housed at the First United Methodist Church since 1984 and is one of the areas most successful recovery programs for men suffering from addiction to drugs and alcohol. Steve Toepp, Public Service Chair, began the program with a video presentation that explained the mission of the Upper Room along with testimonials about their experience with the 12 Step Program and the time to process their sobriety and their relationships. Rev. Mary Hubbard is the Senior Pastor at the Church and is very involved with the Upper Room, both as a spiritual advisor and the board members. She stated she has witnessed lives transformed and families restored because the men have adhered to the standard of he program. Richard Fox, Director of the Upper Room since 2014, reported that the 29 men in recovery have a safe and secure environment to live in. A social and support network are available 24 hours a day plus individuals support services for its residents. To learn more about how Upper Room helps people who truly want to change and move toward more productive and independent lives go to their website; 
