• Date:  Friday, October 1, 2021, It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day  
• Time:  1 pm – 5 pm
• Location:  East Creek Reserve off Mayfield Road       
• Dress:  Work clothes, work gloves & work boots (Extra gloves will be available)
• Social Hour 4:00 PM: We’ll wrap up with fellowship and treats!
• Please RSVP by emailing tcrotary2822@gmail.com or calling Kathy (231)-313-0253, you're welcome to leave a message if I miss your call. Please include your cell phone and email address – in the event, we have a rain delay
• Directions: South on Garfield Road. From the intersection of E. River Road go ¾ mile further and turn left onto Mayfield Road. Mayfield Road is a dirt road. Travel east on Mayfield Road 1 mile. Just across East Creek, there will be a trailhead on the left (north) side of the road. Turn into the trailhead.

 

In memory of long-time Rotarian and devoted steward of East Creek Reserve,

Julius “Jim” VanEenenaam (1929-2008)

 

Activity Co-Sponsors
Rotary Camps and Services 
Grand Traverse Conservation District

 

 

The opening festivities were brought to order by President Mack Beers after welcoming all of our guests for the important grantee announcement for Rotary Charities. Miriam Owsley reminded us of the story of Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody for reflection and gratitude:

“This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.”

This tied in nicely with Ramona Pleva’s pitch for the next day’s Blood Drive, asking “Everybody” to turn out rather than “Nobody” doing it figuring “Somebody” will do when “Anybody” can and should.

Steve Wade announced that the Program Committee would meet and consider programs for August through January. His second note was encouraging all to take advantage of the Rotary Matching as of June 1. MATCH FORM The second opportunity is December 1.

ROTARY CHARITIES GRANTEE ANNOUNCEMENT

Jeff Hickman made the announcement that more than $425,000 was granted to these organizations whose representatives joined the ZOOM meeting Tuesday. Each of these were made in the Assets for Thriving Communities category:

• Civil Air Patrol $50,000

• Cognition $50,000

• The Garden Theatre $50,000

• Grow Benzie $50,000

• Habitat for Humanity $50,000

• Newton’s Road $20,750

• Arts-Northport Arts Association $25,000

• Rock Youth and Senior Center $50,000

• Traverse Area District Library $50,000

• Traverse City Dance Project $30,000

Congratulations to each of the Grantees! There was a “Gratitude for Grantees event held at noon on Wednesday to further celebrate the acknowledgments – all were invited.

Jeff also introduced us to the new CEO of Rotary Charities, our own Sakura Takano, who secured the position from a nationwide field of 20 candidates. Allison Beers interviewed Sakura in a lighthearted fashion but gave us the inside scoop on her background, education and what originally brought her to Traverse City.

Sakura has been in the area for nearly a decade now and a club member for six years. She joined the staff of Rotary Charities since 2019 following her work with Goodwill of Northern Michigan. When Sakura first came to TC , she had been coming out of a three-year stint as a stay-at-home Mother after having received an MBA from Columbia University. Though now an established member of the non-profit and social enterprise world, Sakura began her career in investment banking, which didn’t satisfy her longer-term goals. Working extensively with Cecil Macnally at Goodwill gave her a solid grounding where she grow and expand her interests while serving the Traverse City sector.

Her favorite aspect of Rotary is seeing her colleagues out in the community in service to that community. She apparently has a soft spot for Kid’s Free Fishing Day too, where she is off the hook (pun intended) from the realities of fishing with her kids.

Sakura is a second-generation Rotarian. Her father was active back in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she hails from originally. According to Sakura, though she loves joining her family when she can, she couldn’t leave there quickly enough when jetting off to college. She was looking for a change…and got it.

A most intriguing story was her rendition of her time working in Istanbul, Turkey as a graduate student working with the business development of a high-end butcher, and helping them develop a strategy and including her suggestion to consider burgers in their strategic plan increasing their margins and establishing a new service.

Despite her background in banking, she always had a great interest in social enterprise. It was that strong desire that led to an internship with the Rockefeller Foundation and she was of and running. All of her past experiences have proven to be formative and she brings an exciting vision for the future of our organization. Her commitment to the success of Rotary and Rotary Charities is clear and fresh and welcome. Congratulations Sakura! Good luck and a long career with us. 

...Whitmer signed the bill Thursday on Discovery Pier at Elmwood Charter Township’s Greilickville Harbor Park. The township is set to receive $300,000 for further development of the pier area.

“I think this is a great example of how a local municipality, a nonprofit and the state can work together to create a special place,” said Jeffrey Shaw, Elmwood Township supervisor. “We’re happy to have the Discovery Pier here in Elmwood Township and we look forward to working together for years to come.”

Governor Whitmer signing the bill, she noted it was the first time signing a bill on a kayak

Editorial: Continuing natural resources investment imperative
Allison Batdorff, May 7, 2021 

Record-Eagle CLICK HERE

It was a “May the Fourth be with You” kind of day at the Rotary Club of Traverse City.

President Mack opened the meeting with Rotarians introducing their guests followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Homer Nye gave a thoughtful Gratitude and Reflection moment that focused on the importance of education.

Announcements followed:

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!  Jeff Hickman officially announced that Sakura Takano has been selected as the new CEO of Rotary Charities! The search to fill the position of Becky Ewing began in December with a search committee comprising members of the Rotary Club Board, Rotary Camps and Services Board and Rotary Charities Board. In February Kate Greene assisted with the search in February that drew nearly 50 applicants. The 50 were dwindled to five and after Zoom interviews and in-person presentations, Sakura was the unanimous choice to lead Rotary Charities into the future. Benjamin Marentette offered up words of congratulations to Sakura! News Story from 9 & 10 CLICK HERE

Ramona Pleva announced that our next Rotary Blood Drive will be Wednesday, May 19 at Kirkbride Hall from 10 am - 5 pm. If you are receiving any COVID-19 vaccines, you need to wait a full 48 hours before donating blood. The sign-up link is: https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/141278

Also, the event is on the Rotary Club’s Facebook page for posting, sharing and inviting others. With the three previous blood drives, our donation totals have helped 400 people in Northern Michigan. Please consider donating blood if you can. If you are someone who can’t donate but still want to help, you can drop off some baked good yumminess (cookies, brownies, muffins, etc…) to Kirkbride Hall by 10 am on Blood Day. 

Carla Weaver shared that Silvia Galimbert, a former exchange student from Italy, will be the guest speaker at the TC Sunrise Rotary Meeting on Wednesday, May 5. Silvia is an amazing young woman who has used her Rotary exchange experience as a springboard to travel the world and will no doubt have some fascinating stories to share!

President Mack announced that he is still accepting responses to the survey sent out last week. Please respond back if you haven’t done so. Also, in regards to returning to in-person meetings, much depends on the Park Place Hotel for our lunch meetings and restrictions for in-person meetings. Current restrictions are through the end of May and they do not allow us to return.  The Park Place will let us know when we can return based on any updated restrictions on public gatherings. 

Steve Wade introduced our speaker today, Mr. Terry Vandercook, the Chief Program Officer at Networks Northwest. 

Terry gave the highlights of the highlights of a recent virtual network growth summit which focused on regional business tools and ways businesses can keep pace with the ever changing economy. Four areas of focus included: Lead, Grow, Hire, Advance.

Lead: Angie Morgan from Lead Star opened the Summit with the discussion of leveraging risk as a business owner. Risks have been seen as the opposite of reward. But with a different perspective and leverage, risks can be the path to reward. How do we embrace risk? Typically it is a learned and accepted behavior that we can inherit from our parents. But we can learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and push the limit. 

Grow: the need to develop a more diverse customer base. This is about exploring opportunities in government contracting and exporting. This extends beyond the federal government and can include state, regional and local government. It teaches a business owner how to become a government contractor, how to obtain the contracts and the opportunity for exporting. Network Northwest helps provide and identify the opportunities and where a product is most valued. Financial grants are also available to assist with these opportunities. 

Hire: talent pipelines are evolving, shortages exist in availability and skillsets. There is a talent shortage for all skill levels. Adult education programs can help motivated adults transfer into entry level positions. 

Returning citizens: parolees are receiving training with soft skills such as interviewing for a job and job coaching. Along with employment, these individuals may also need assistance with housing, food and transportation. 

Internships, apprenticeships are also of value and can help transition talented individuals into the workforce. 

Reconnect: a program that helps those without credentials obtain them. MiLEAP and Future for Frontliners are programs that are still being developed and will dovetail into the Reconnect program. 

Advance: intentionally help chart the path to success for businesses with online sales, systematic changes, investing in workplace teams with professional development and setting new goals. 

With that, Steve Wade presented the Wheels of Hope certificate to Terry and President Mack adjourned the meeting.

Celebrating Byron Hanson on Classical IPR CLICK HERE

Holger Knaack

President 2020-21

February 2021

In Rotary, 23 February is our anniversary, and February is also the month when we focus on promoting peace. There is a reason for this: Contributing to peace and international understanding has been a high priority for us since our earliest days.

We are often asked: “How can we get involved in peace now?” There are many paths to peace in Rotary. Our youth programs point us in the direction of Positive Peace, as does the work of intercountry committees and the Rotary Action Group for Peace.

Another path is the Rotarian Peace Projects Incubator (RPPI), an inspirational collaboration among Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Rotary Peace Fellows and alumni. Led by Rotarians in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, RPPI has designed 48 global projects that any club can support, either directly or through Rotary Foundation global grants. Nino Lotishvili and Matthew Johnsen, alumni of the Rotary Peace Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, are two of the many volunteers.

During my Rotary peace journey, I have learned how personal resilience helps build inner peace and create sustainable outer peace. This was the inspiration behind the Women Peace Ambassadors for the South Caucasus project, which is based on my field research in Georgia. The RPPI team of Rotarians and peace fellows recognized the incredible potential of women from mixed-ethnicity families who live on borderlands to be role models for peace within and beyond their communities. Through workshops on building inner and outer peace that draw on the power of storytelling, 40 participants will be sharing their stories and reaching around 400 extended family and community members. These inspiring but marginalized women will reclaim their inner strength as peacebuilders at the grassroots level. In this way, we will take steps toward the sustainable, peaceful society we need so much, not only in our region, but throughout the world. — Nino Lotishvili

I was excited to join the peace incubator project and to further strengthen my ties with Rotary’s peace community by working with past and current peace fellows to develop these proposals. My team wrote five proposals — three in Bangladesh, one in Iraq, and one in Poland — that focus on the arts and on education to generate dialogue across religious divisions and avert the radicalization of young people. I was inspired by how, despite the pandemic, we came together via technology with a vision to develop, test, and strengthen ideas and to produce workable solutions that clubs across the world can support to advance peace. I am excited to work with Rotary’s peace community to transform these visions into reality. — Matthew Johnsen

Here is further proof that in Rotary, we prefer action to words. This is Rotary at its best. I encourage you to visit rppi.ch to explore the projects and support them.

We have lasted 116 years because of our strong ethics, our passion for Service Above Self, and our unique approach to problem-solving. One of our greatest strengths is how we reach across our communities and across national, ethnic, religious, and political divisions to unite people of all backgrounds and to help others. This month, let’s celebrate our history and the many ways that Rotary Opens Opportunities to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace, our ultimate mission.

President Mack asked for guest introductions and Mark Eckhoff introduced Kurt Nyberg who is also a new member. 

President Mack started the Pledge of Allegiance. Thoughts of Gratitude and Reflections were shared by Wendy Irvin. She read from Margaret Whitley’s “Turning to One Another.” (shared in the stories listed below)

Mark Eckhoff introduced Kurt Nieberg. He recently moved to TC and is in plastics processing. He is a Rotarian from Winchester, VA, and was very involved there. He is a Paul Harris Fellow. He was warmly welcomed with Zoom applause. 

Sakura Takano introduced another new member, Gaia Klotz, who is a recently returned Rotary Fellow. She’s just graduated with a degree in International Management. She also won an award for her dissertation. She is employed by Arrowhead Incubator to help Native and non-Native businesses. She was also warmly welcomed by the club. 

Announcements included Alexis Jewett inviting new members to IM Rotary about the Rotary Show and Good Works Committee. Becky Ewing announced that Rotary Charities has hired Miriam Owsley as the Director of Communications. Everyone was pleased! 

The program was introduced by Ken Weaver. He told us about Todd Neibauer of Northwestern Michigan College. Todd told us all about the Frontliners and Michigan Tuition Program. The state wants to see 60% of people in Michigan holding at least a two year certification/degree by 2030. The Reconnect program will be announced in February. These programs are patterned after similar ones in Tennessee. Michigan is offering in-district tuition and fees at a community college for those students enrolling at least half time. Frontliners are eligible for associates’ and four year programs and occupational certificates. NMC had 1500 applicants from the state who indicated they were interested in the program. 723 ended up being eligible. 395 have enrolled. The FAFSA has to be filled out to ensure eligibility. The state had to approve lots of the applicants. Reconnect Program allows people who didn’t’ quality for the Frontliners Program. This program is for those 25 years and older and meet the FAFSA requirements. But they are allowing people to come back to school if they’d tried college before and it didn’t work out for whatever reason. NMC is trying to be sensitive to the challenges these students will have and ensuring that the college can address the help that is needed.  They offer tutoring before the students take placements tests, scholarships, counseling tailored to older students, and flexible course offerings. 

Todd accepted questions and fleshed out his presentation with more information. Ken Weaver thanked Todd by presenting him with a Wheels of Hope certificate. 

President Mack adjourned the meeting.

It was a beautiful day for our last Rotary Zoom meeting for 2020! 

President Mack opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Nikki Sobkowski offered up our Gratitude and Reflection.

Pat Parker shared with us the passing of Lotte Wagner. Lotte was a recent recipient of the club’s Paul Harris Fellow Award for her work in the community which included service at GOREC. 

Alexis Juett presented our newest IM Rotary graduate Miriam Owsley. Miriam earned herself 500 Paul Harris points and has been active with the Good Works Committee and Gratitude and Reflection. Alexis also mentioned that IM Rotary was meeting after today’s meeting. 

President Mack expressed gratitude for all of our Rotarians who have participated in our Christmas Basket program and Salvation Army bell ringing. Tony Anderson was bell-ringing recently and said the generosity of those walking by was truly amazing. He had a hard time keeping all those dollar bills in the red kettle! Dale Chilcote has two bikes that would make great Christmas gifts for some kids. 

Our program today featured the Bright Spots for 2020 from Rotary Charities. Becky Ewing, the captain of the Rotary Charities ship introduced the program and shared the limelight with the Rotary Charities team.

Sakura Takano shared the impact the Betsie Valley Community Center is having on its community. Because of the funding  they received from Rotary Charities they have been able to extend their services.

Their work includes:  

• Assessing early childhood needs and filling the gaps for childcare in the area

• Bringing broadband access to the schools

• Offering a Mobile Services Van

The Mobile Services Van is fully equipped to provide dental, vision and medical care for all ages. They have served eight elementary schools, Safe Harbor and The Goodwill Inn. They are currently seeking healthcare providers in these fields to provide services. The van was funded by the Grand Traverse Community Foundation. 

Freya Bradford shared the Systems Change mission of organizing, collaborating and responding to chronic community issues. Their focus has been on the Homeless Youth Initiative. This was first funded in 2018 and has been renewed. 

The first step was to access what services were needed that didn’t exist. Maps were developed to identify the causes of homelessness and then address those needs. Youth focus groups helped to avoid homelessness and the awareness of friends helping friends brought to light the need to embrace youth as points of help. 

A Youth Advisory Board was developed as part of a leadership initiative. A HUD grant was received and this housing project is one of a few in the country and houses over 50 people. 

Becky Ewing shared how Capacity Building started as a seed grant in 2016. This allowed for the development of a Leadership Learning Lab. The presence of COVID-19 has allowed the program to shine during times of isolation and many are reaping the benefits of this learning opportunity. 

The Leadership Learning Lab has funding from a collaboration of sources that range from Mt. Pleasant and Grand Rapids up to the Mackinac Bridge. The group spends eight months in relationship building with their cohorts. A cross-section of professionals and nonprofits make up the 163 participants in the program. The program has created a community among the participants as they learn to adapt during a difficult time. 

Matt McDonough serves as the director of Rotary Camps and Services and the CEO of the Discovery Center. In the last few weeks, phase one of improvements has begun with grants from:

    Great Lakes Fisheries Trust: $295,147

    Michigan Land Trust Fund:    $300,000

    JJ Becket Access-ABILITY: $2,500

The JJ Becket grant will allow for boarding platforms and a wheelchair lift at Discovery Pier. 

Phase two has yet to be funded but the plans are in the works to include: restrooms, paved parking lot, open park space, fishing shelters, kayak launch with accessibility and a railing along the east side of the docks. 

Twenty percent of the project will go toward infrastructural needs for stormwater management and suitable future construction. 

Today’s presentation demonstrates Rotary Charities’ commitment to giving and supporting our community through a variety of visionary pursuits. 

With that, members were allowed to share stories of Christmas Basket giving and Bell Ringing.

Thank you Rotarians! Please have a safe and blessed holiday season! We will look forward to seeing everyone in 2021!

The following dates are currently set (but subject to change, as with most things in 2020).  You will be notified of changes via email, and announcements at the general meetings and in the club e-bulletin.  

Meeting #1:  Club Service - February  16, 2021

Rotary of Traverse City overview

• District 6290 & Rotary International

• Fellowship Opportunities, ClubRunner

Meeting #2:  Community Service - March 16, 2021

• Bell Ringing, Christmas Baskets, Friends of the Boardman Watershed Dinner, Munson Manor, JJ Beckett Access-ABILITY Committee/Tag Day

Meeting #3:  The Rotary Connection -April 20, 2021

• Rotary Camps & Services and Rotary Charities

Meeting#4:  Youth Service - May 18, 2021

• Strive, Life Leadership, Interact

• Youth Exchange

Meeting #5:  International Service -December 

• World Community Service

• Polio Plus & The Rotary Foundation

Meeting #6: The Rotary Show – January 

• Good Works Committee

The Shuckra Family 

(Carol & Steve) 

2490 Cambridge Dr 

(You know, the cabin at the end of the 2 track) 

Short Version 

We are writing this note to let our neighbors know our family has purchased the 80 acre Rotary  property for the purposes of saving the land from any future development and protecting the  environment. This land, along with our existing 40 acres, protects forever 120 acres of woods and  pristine wooded ridgeline above the Boardman River. Yes, this means there will never be a 55 home  development with its 55 septic systems on this land. Yes, this means, as our neighbors, you will  continue to enjoy the 120 acres for quiet activities such as walking, jogging, biking, dog walks, cross  country skiing, bird watching, etc. As with our existing 40 acres, no hunting and no motorized  vehicles will be permitted. 

We must thank Rotary Camps & Services, The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC), The Grand Traverse Conservation District, and our whole immediate family. These four  groups were all of a single mind to make this deal happen. The group’s sole focus was to preserve  the woods into perpetuity, we all “stretched”, and working together towards the goal, we all made it  happen. You, as our neighbors, hopefully are as thankful as we are to have these wonderful community and environmentally concerned organizations close by and doing good things for us and  the planet. 

Longer Version 

History 

In 1938 Carol’s Dad and 9 other hunters bought our existing 40 acres, each contributing $20 for a  total of $200 to buy the 40 acres as a hunting camp. Dad loved the woods, especially this 40,  obtaining sole ownership in the late 1980’s. It was his desire to preserve the 40 acres, just as it was  when they bought it in 1938. Steve Franke of Wright’s, fondly nicknamed Dad, The Ridge Runner.  Carol, her sister, Ellen, and her brother, Jim, all wanted to honor Dad’s wishes. They worked with the GTRLC because they so admired their commitment to the mantra, 

“Love the Land … Pass it on” 

Signing an easement with GTRLC is a written legal promise to preserve land into perpetuity. GTRLC  will make sure it will always be so. We very much enjoy working with GTRLC. We count on the  protection provided through the written agreement within the easement restrictions. The beauty of this easement means that the property will not be developed (with the exception that one house may  someday be built on the 80 acres). We have no plans to build, but the easement allows for one home  in the future years. Hey, it sure beats having 55 homes being built on the 80! We still own the  property and pay the taxes. But even after we die or sell, the rules remain steadfast … no  development, period! Annually, a staff member from GTRLC walks the property with us to ensure  that we, as well as neighbors are abiding with the written agreement. We look forward to these walks  with our GTRLC friends.  

Please also understand the easement does not provide for, nor guarantee, public and neighborhood  use of the property. It is our family’s choice to follow Dad’s lead of allowing others to enjoy the land  as long as it is a respectful enjoyment. Also realize that ownership of the property may change;  nothing will happen while we are living, however future owners will have control of the land and the  ability to limit the public and neighborhood access if they so choose.

We also want you to know that we are not financially wealthy people. We measure our wealth in our  family and friends. We were not able to make an acceptable $$ offer on our own, so a son matched  our offer. He told us, ”Dad and Mom, you need to do this because they’re not making beautiful ridges  above the Boardman River Valley anymore”.  

We approached Rotary Camps & Services and Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and they did everything to help us make it happen. 

We wanted to put an easement on the land for the betterment of the environment. They worked with us and collaboratively we made it happen.  

We will always be grateful for Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and Rotary Camps &  Services … along with ongoing encouragement from GT Conservation District. These three  environmental groups worked collaboratively and the 80 acres are preserved throughout perpetuity for the betterment of the environment. 

Our heartfelt thanks for their tireless efforts to preserve and care for the natural resources of our  region.  

Yay, for the environment and for the neighborhood! We hope you are as pleased and excited as we  are. 

In closing, we invite you to continue enjoying the beauty of the woods and trails, asking only, you quietly respect the land. 

Carol & Steve 

Carol & Steve Shuckra at the 2020 Jim 'Van' Workbee

ADDENDUM 

Here is contact information for the organizations and people that made this transaction happen. We are sure they would welcome a note of thanks and appreciation. 

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy – Glen Chown, Executive Director Our make it happen contact is – Chris Sullivan, Director of Land Protection, was the guy who guided  this entire process. With special appreciation to Mike Okma. We enjoy our annual easement  compliance monitoring visits, with Mike. He will now be spending more time assuring proper  compliance. 

Website Link - https://www.gtrlc.org/contact-us/ 

Rotary Camps & Services – Becky Ewing, Executive Director 

Our make it happen contacts are – Becky Ewing and the Boards of both Rotary Camps & Services  and Rotary Charities, along with Doug Meteyer, the realtor, whom so well, represented Rotary Camps  & Services 

Website Link - https://www.traversecityrotary.org/about-rotary/helping-the-community/camps-services/ 

Grand Traverse Conservation District – Koffi Kpachavi, Executive Director 

Our make it happen contact is – Steve Largent 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 10, 2020 

CONTACT: 

Becky Ewing, Executive Director 

Rotary Charities of Traverse City 

231-668-2942 

bewing@rotarycharities.org 

Traverse City, Mich. - Rotary Charities of Traverse City is pleased to announce the recipients of our fall grants, totaling $434,000. This year we have adapted to our grantmaking to be more responsive to the needs of nonprofits and the people they serve during the uncertainty and shifting conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will open our next grant cycle in January  2021. 

Our Assets for Thriving Communities grant program supports the development of community assets that are available to everyone, or projects that target a population that is underserved by the current system. This cycle we are partnering with the following nonprofits: 

Hospice of Michigan, $40,000 for NorthStar Navigation and Palliative Care. The last 6-8  months of someone’s life is easily the most challenging and frightening. Hospice of Michigan understands there needs to be a bridge of support to guide people along this final journey. To address that need in our region, HOM created NorthStar Navigation and NorthStar Palliative  Care to work collaboratively with the patient’s healthcare team and community organizations who specialize in coordinating care in the home. The additional layer of support will serve to decrease caregiver burnout, improve patient quality of life, and increase hospice utilization. 

Human Nature School, $44,000 for construction of a Timber Frame Barn on their 143-acre  Leelanau County property. The construction will enable HNS to expand 10 years of Nature  Connection Programming to include Regenerative Agriculture for the purpose of healing nature,  our communities and ourselves and bringing both tangible skills and a greater sense of hope to both current and future generations. 

Traverse Symphony Orchestra, $25,000 for Community Engagement Expansion. Traverse  Symphony will radically reinvent, re-imagine and realign of the 20-21 concert season and education programs in response to emergent community outreach needs resulting from COVID 19. These adaptations will not only continue to deepen engagement with current TSO patrons  and subscribers, but also expand awareness of, and access to the Symphony to more members of the Northern Michigan region, by removing potential barriers to participation, including cost,  accessibility, and perception of exclusivity. 

Our Systems Change Accelerator grant program supports innovations targeting the root causes of complex community problems. This cycle we are partnering with the following initiatives: 

Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness, $125,000 for the Homeless Youth  Initiative. The Homeless Youth Initiative works to reduce youth homelessness by making it rare,  brief and one-time. The initiative is taking a deeper dive into the intersections between youth systems of care to enhance cross-collaboration; braiding together community assets and resources to expand the circle of influence of youth; and being actionable and accountable around what youth tell us they need. Meanwhile, they are working with partners to increase housing options for youth to exit homelessness. 

SEEDS, $75,000 for the Organic Diversion Systems Accelerator. SEEDS and a number of collaborative partners are helping our region reduce organic waste by researching and developing a sustainable social enterprise to provide access to organic diversion services;  creating a cross-sectoral digital resource hub to better leverage resources and allies and improve open access to organic diversion knowledge; building and pursuing an advocacy plan that promotes local government policies and collaboration; and employing coordinated communication tools tailored to the needs of specific stakeholder groups which can improve regional diversion. 

Housing North, $125,000 for Housing North 2.0. This grant will continue to support the momentum of focused work to address the housing system in our region by coordinating communication, advocacy and capacity around housing in our 10-county region. This grant will build sustainable capacity, continue outreach and education efforts and policy initiatives while building Housing Conservancy tools in coordination with many partners. 

Our program was introduced by John Roddy. John introduced Mr. Trey Devey, the 8th president of Interlochen Arts Academy.

Trey offered us the “State of Interlochen” address and how they have pivoted through these COVID-19 times. 

He shared that Traverse City was named #10 in the country as a vibrant arts medium sized community in SMU Data Arts 2020 Report. 

There are five major elements of IAA that serve to reinforce each other:

• Arts Camp - 2500 students

• Academy - 550 high school students

• College of Creative Arts for Adults

• Interlochen Presents

• Interlochen Public Radio: Classical music and news with content shared around the NPR network.

In a typical (non pandemic) year, Interlochen Presents will hold 600 events that range from Diana Ross, ZZ Top, The Nutcracker, to Collage. 

IAA currently boasts of 95,000 alumni from over 50 states and 50 countries. Among their accolades are:

• 46 Presidential Scholars (more than any other high school in the nation)

• 24 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 

• National Medal of Arts (the highest honor an institution may receive)

• John Groban

Speaking of Josh Groban, he credits IAA for helping him navigate his incredible talent at a young age when he needed it most!

IAA continues to offer 13 different programs with 285 teachers. Students and parents have given IAA high marks for their ability to adapt to COVID-19 and provide high-quality education.  

The campus maintains strict health and sanitation protocols. With a closed campus, parents are not allowed to visit and many performances are live streamed. 

The school calendar has been modified. The academic year began on Aug. 10. Students will have a holiday break from the end of December to February. 

IAA will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2028. Vision 2028 is a 30-year master plan that began in 1990 to develop physical aspects of the academy. This has included:

• A new dance theatre opens next semester

• A visual arts and music center, the academy’s biggest project 

• Dow House, will house students during the year and staff for summer camp

The pillars of Vision 2028 include:

• Formative experiences which increase time with students and enhance the value

• Young artist destination

• Student value investments for the curriculum

• Engagement and Focus

Moving forward, IAA  looks to: 

• Expand their regional and national initiatives

• Invest in faculty with endowed positions

• Attract visiting artists

• Accelerate individual programs

• Increase access and affordability through expanded financial aid

Other interesting facts:

• Scholarships: $18M awarded to academy and camp students

• 50 international students are learning remotely

• In-person tuition is slightly higher than remote learning students

• National and state support ebbs and flows

And with that, it’s a wrap for November 3, 2020!

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Phone Dial-in number +1 646 558 8656 
     
Meeting ID: 817 2758 9532

 

In preparation for the Tuesday, October 27th  Club Board election of officers please see the below list of six nominees.

To fill three Board member seats for two-year terms for the Rotary Club of Traverse City's Board of Directors.

We have one nominee for 2021-2022 President-Elect

The election will take place at the start of our Tuesday, 10/27/2020 Club Zoom meeting (Silmar to the Charities/Camps election)  Per our Bylaws you must be present to vote. 

2021-2022 President-Elect Nominee

Marlene Bevan 

 

 

Club Board the six nominee's photos below for

three open Club Board of Directors positions

Alexis Juett

Haider Kazim

 

Scott Hardy

 

Nick Beadleston 

 

Jen Casey

 

Max Anderson

 

It was a beautiful fall day for a Rotary Zoom Meeting! Here’s what happened online on Tuesday, October. 13, 2020.

President Mack opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Gratitude and Reflection. 

A Special Meeting was called for the corporate membership of the Rotary Club of Traverse City. The slate of officers for the club board and presidential nomination were presented. Nominees must be a member in good standing.

The nominees to fill three board positions for two years are:

Max Anderson

Nick Beadleston

Jen Casey

 Scott Hardy

Alexis Juett

Haider Kazim

The presidential nominee for the Club President for 2022-2023 is Marlene Bevan. The election will take place on Tuesday, October 27 during our club meeting. Please show up and cast your vote!

Rotarians rolled up their sleeves for the Jim Van Work Bee held last Friday. A great time was had by all at the beautiful Canterbury Woods site. 

Dan Buron introduced our speaker Cathy O’Connor. Cathy is the president of Step Up, an organization that helps at-risk Northern Michigan youth. Step Up began only six years ago and is having a huge impact on helping teens in our area that need a variety of support that is not otherwise available to them. Needs can vary from clothing, food and personal hygiene items. Food Rescue is one of the largest partners with the Step Up program. 

The program initially began at Traverse City High School but has expanded to TC Central and Traverse Heights Elementary. On a weekly basis, 10 volunteers shop for products that students need. Four hundred and fifty students are served each month. 

Companies like Plant Moran help with the program through their Cares Staff and provide extra hands and resources especially during the holidays. For many of these students, a gift bag at the holidays is the only gift they will receive.

A food pantry is set up at TC Central and is stocked full time with food and clothing. Donations are tailored to what teens like. But that’s not all that TC Central has for students. Maverick is a beautiful black lab therapy dog. He was initially trained as a leader dog but found his calling as a therapy dog for the students, soothing upsetting situations and offering comfort. 

The Step Up program focuses on meeting “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” but sometimes additional support is needed. Some of the students have gotten jobs but needed help with getting the correct work attire such as work boots or something as simple as khaki pants. Without this assistance, they would not be able to work. 

COVID has impacted the program. It is not funded by TCAPS yet serves 500 homeless students and families throughout the year.  The number of volunteers has dropped with COVID and shopping and storage haven’t been as easy to come by. Food for families at Traverse Heights has shifted to a curbside food pick up program.

The things Cathy has learned through this program;

• We have a very generous community

• Poverty doesn’t always look the way we think it would

• Not to judge parents and students about the choices they’ve made, they are operating in crisis mode

• Need to support educational institutions to better serve students

• Helping others and offering compassion has real health benefits

• http://www.stepupnm.com/

With the program coming to an end President Mack reminded Rotarians of the Halloween Blood Drive on October 30, 11-5 at Kirkbride Hall. To sign up to donate click the link:

https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/134886

And don’t forget, we need baked goods for the blood drive as well. Contact Ramona if you are able to help: drpleva1109@gmail.com.

President Mack Beers called us to order. 

Welcome to Ken Warner for joining us today.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Cindy Ruzak gave a moment of reflection celebrating love in the time of the pandemic.

Marlene Bevan called a Special Meeting of the Noon Club’s Corporate Membership for the purpose of electing Board Members for Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services.

The nomination for Rotary Charities Trustees:

• Jeff Hickman (Incumbent)

• Dan Buron 

• Randy Kamps

• Ben Marentette

• Homer Nye

In nomination For Camps & Services Trustees:

• Pat Parker (Incumbent)

• Sharron Zimmerman (Incumbent)

• Jim McWilliams

Closed the meeting.

Becky Ewing for Chris DeGood announced the Jim Van Inanam Annual Work Bee on October 9th at Canterbury Woods. Kathy will send a signup. 

Andrew Colemen announced the upcoming Stream Sampling in partnership with the Watershed Center aka “The Bug Count” being planned for a weekend in October. Reach out to Andrew for date and time().

President Mack announced another election coming up on October 13th (nominations) and election on the 27th for new Club Board Trustees.

Steve Wade introduced the week’s program speaker, his boss and fellow Rotarian Dave Mengebier, President/CEO of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

Mengebier spoke to current activities and strategy at the GTRCF. At the top he reminded us of the function of Community Foundations ad GTRCF in particular including Grantmaking within the area served of 5 counties with the clear goal of improving lives; bringing together financial resources to support local non-profits; and an express focus on endowments.

Their Board has committed to the Community Vision of envisioning health, resilient, thriving communities supported by a culture of generosity.

The traditional roles the GTRCF takes on are Donor Stewardship (Long term investment), Community Impact (Grants/Scholarship), and Collaborative Leadership (Partnerships generating community vibrancy). He continued to review the data of the past year before looking forward.

With that in mind the GTRCF has begun a process:

• Under the guise of Community Coalition, they are looking to 

  • Identify and reach consensus on key developments and goals

  • Coordinate communication, policy, resources and support amidst the coalition

  • Track and report on progress

• To aid this process they are developing a Community Scorecard, establishing a framework of measurement to track success by economic, environmental and societal goals. It will also serve as their communication tool.

• The Coalition design will bring cross-sector representation to the larger table comprising of government, education, public health among many more.

www.nwmicommunitydevelopment.org

(This piece was written for the Centennial Rotary Show Program)

Bob Dean’s story has deep Traverse City roots and shows dedication to family, career, community involvement, and Rotary. 

Bob’s family moved here in the Great Depression. His grandfather built many local landmarks, including Central Methodist Church, Central School, and the Carnegie Library. His father was “Clerk of the Works” for Grandpa, taking care of all the building details. 

Bob graduated from Michigan State and, in 1945, joined the U. S. Air Force. After only a year, the war ended and he was discharged. He met his wife, Arlene, when they were both working at the Morgan Canning Company. They married in 1950 and raised four kids: Linda, Barb, Mary Kay, and David. They have eight grandchildren and nine (going on 11) great-grands. Mary Kay, a retired teacher, is currently active in the TC Sunrise Rotary Club.

As a young man, Bob took over the family business, Red Mill Lumber. At its height, the company had four retail stores, as well as a truss manufacturing business. 

Bob joined Rotary in 1958, when the club was full of the “good old boys.” While they had a lot of fun, they got a lot of good work done in town. He does the usual Rotary jobs, ringing the Salvation Army bells, Tag Day, and was a volunteer at the NMC Barbecue for over fifty years. The biggest change he’s seen is when women came into the club, “We lost between a quarter and a third of our members: some pretty good guys when that happened. Women bring more stability and civility.”

Bob served on the Rotary Charities board, and was president in 1999-2000. A highlight was when he and Rob Collier recruited Glen Chown to head the new GT Regional Land Conservancy. He was also involved in the formation of the Community Foundation, Home Stretch, and he helped bring Habitat for Humanity to Traverse City.

Bob served on the School Board, the planning commission, and zoning boards of appeals for TC and Peninsula Township, and was VP of the Chamber of Commerce.

At 92, you might think Bob would be slowing down. While he admits he’s not quite as active as he used to be, he’s still in attendance at weekly Rotary meetings. “Rotary keeps me active, maintains my friendships, and keeps me knowing what’s going on in town,” he says. At an age when many folks look back to the “old days,” Bob says the younger, more diverse make-up of Rotary is a breath of fresh air and we must continue to evolve to remain vital. 

In reflection, he quotes from books he’s recently read and is keen in his recollection of names, dates, and local changes he’s seen over his lifetime. When asked about his life’s successes, he calmly and humbly says: “I guess I’ve been in the right place at the right time.”

In October 2020 Bob will be celebrating his 93rd Birthday and 62 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Traverse City 

Paul LaPorte and Bob Dean 

Bernadece emphasized that the internet is a major difficulty, as well as establishing some trust in the census process. Tribes are also encouraging that if anyone in the house is a tribal member, to list that tribal member as number one so the household is counted as a native household. 

Thom wants to know if the census workers get lists every day about who has registered and completed the census. 

People are encouraged to talk to the census workers even if they don’t want to participate. 

How is the homeless population counted? There is a dedicated person who has contact with the people experiencing homelessness, and they are contacting all the sites to find them. There are mobile questionnaire sites that help with this. 

How does the September 30 deadline effect efforts? The census is making every effort to have workers out in the field and getting it done. They are promoting it as much as possible, and also empowering kids to help their parents complete the census. Both women ask all of us to disseminate information about it the census to everyone you know. 

https://my2020census.gov/

https://www.michigan.gov/census2020/0,9676,7-404-96012---,00.html

Dan Buron presented the Wheels of Hope donations to both women as a thank you for their presentation and their work. 

Mack reminded everyone to attend next week so that we have a quorum for nominations. 

Kathy will have a printout to count anyone attending by using the name on the screen.

It was the first day of September 2020 and Past President Homer Nye stepped in for President Mack Beers. President Mack and First Lady Lorraine are on a California highway and en route to visit their new grandchild. 

Homer offered up a moment of silence as we honored Helen Childs. She is the wife of Ross Childs and passed away late last week. 

Visiting guests and Rotarians were given a moment to self identify. Joan Bonney was joining us and I must say, she is looking radiant!

Al Bonney took a moment to offer up dinner for six at the Boathouse to the first person who could muster up $200 for it. Lisa Pointe, who is fast on the run course, is too fast to catch and scored the dinner outing. This item was from last year’s Rotary Foundation Fundraising Gala and the highest bidder that night isn’t able to use this item. (I am so happy that I am one of Lisa’s closest friends and will probably be invited to said dinner.) 

Homer then initiated the Pledge of Allegiance with a flag that was down one star. Our apologies to Sakura and any other native Hawaiians. But this is what sometimes happens during times of pandemic and so we roll with it. 

Sharron Zimmerman gave us an update on Rotary Camps and Services. The parcel known as Kentbury Woods has been sold to the adjacent owner of 40 acres. Also applications for the Camps and Services and Rotary Charities Board of Trustees are being accepted. On Sept. 15 we will be presented with the slate of candidates and on Sept. 22 we will vote. This leads us to the next item….

On Sept. 15 and Sept 22, we will need a quorum at our meetings. What does this mean? We need 114 Rotarians to show up via Zoom to vote. Please make every attempt to make it as we are trying to proceed via the bylaws and everything is just different right now.  So remember 114 is the magic number…..

Speaking of magic, our resident Magician Ben Whiting announced that applications for the next cycle of Good Works grants are being accepted. Despite not having a Rotary Show this year (which I’m still not over…..) money magically appeared in the Good Works coffers! Not sure how that happens but I’m willing to learn!  The magical link that you should share with local nonprofits for Good Works is: https://www.traversecityrotary.org/about-rotary/helping-the-community/apply-for-good-works-grant/

Pat Parker reminded us of the 9/11 Virtual Honor Run. We have two options!  There is a virtual 5K race and then for those who find a 5K too whimpy (ahem…. Jen Casey!) there is a lovely 11 mile option! But beyond running, the monies raised support our First Responders. Assistance is provided to them to support emotional and mental wellness. Let’s face it, their jobs are physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, we need to show them some love and run!  The link to sign up is:

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/911HonorRun

Homer indicated that he did the Honor Run last year, he may or may not have actually run it….. It may have been a combination of a walk, frolic, skip, limbo  and a shimmy…….

We have three Rotarians who made the list of the top 40 Under 40 list this year. A huge congrats go out to Max Anderson, Jody Treitch, and Kat Paye. Whoop, whoop!!

Steve Wade introduced our speaker today. Seth Johnson joined the United Way in December. Through some interesting twists and turns, Seth found his way in Northern Michigan to pursue his love of community service. He comes from a family of pastors and even though that is a very prestigious line of work according to Homer, we are grateful that he is a part of our community. 

Some current happenings at the United Way include:

211 - it’s a 411 for Health and Human Services in the area. It operates 24/7, provides crisis support, and has texting and email platform. Real-time data is able to be captured. The number one requested service is for utility assistance followed by healthcare services. There is also cybercrime and online fraud program. 

Also happening at the United Way is the Americorp Vista Program. It has 12 individuals that support local nonprofits. There is a volunteer center with volunteer needs. One of the programs they participate in is an  “Age in Place” program which can provide wheelchair ramps for individual homes to increase barrier-free living. 

Day of Caring is slated for Sept. 17 and there are a plethora of volunteer opportunities available both online and in person. 

Education and child literacy is a service that provides parents and caregivers assistance with nurturing language skills of young children to support their development process. 

Vision to Learn is a program provided in conjunction with Father Fred. School-aged children can receive free vision screenings and glasses prior to starting the new school year. 

Next steps for the United Way?

Identifying the gaps in our community for services and then filling them for an exponential change in our community. It starts with “Trouble”.

• 10.4% of people in our community have food insecurity

• 2018: 84% of high school seniors graduated

• 2017: 48% of 3rd graders had reading proficiency

• 2019: 38% of families in the area are living below the ALICE threshold. ALICE represents the minimum income level necessary for household survival. As Seth mentioned, “they are one flat tire away from an emergency.”

Solution for Trouble?

PEOPLE!!! - We need to chip away at the issues. These PEOPLE are the ones who are Hand Raisers, Game Changers and Problem Solvers. 

Thank you Seth for a great presentation. By the looks of the chat section from the meeting, you received a five star Google rating. We are thrilled that you have joined our club and look forward to serving with you in the future. 

REMINDER: we need a quorum on Sept. 15 and Sept. 22. The magic number is 114. Let’s blow this out of the water people!

And with that, Homer cut us loose!

Alan Olson

September 12, 1932 - August 17, 2020

• 4500 Unduplicated credit students annually
• University Center, Dennos Museum, WNMC Radio and the Rogers Observatory (allowing services and engagement well beyond the Community College service)
• Extended Education for the entire community
• 50,000 ‘Learners’
• Baccalaureate Programming
• $50M Enterprise with a $50M Foundation

1. Listen and Learn
2. Build Relationships: He has already spoken and/or met with many of NMC’s stakeholders
3. Maintain Momentum

• Refocus
• Reopening
• Reimagining
• Righting the ship

Rotary Charities 

Rotary Camps & Services

Nomination Announcement 

Rotary Club Bulletin

August 11, 2020

The boards of Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services are now accepting nomination forms for the Board of Trustees.  Terms will begin October 2020 and end September of 2023.  Any Rotarian who has been a member of and active in, the club for five years and is currently in good standing may apply (note: if the Rotarian transfers in from another club and has at least 5 years total between the two, or if they have served in the capacity of Presidential Designee, they are eligible to run). 

Key Characteristics for Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services board members:

• Proven leadership

• Strong community connections

• Nonprofit board experience

• Exemplary of the Four-Way Test

• Objective, with no personal agenda

• Respectful of differing opinions

• Collaborative

• Strategic thinker

• Visionary

• Creative 

• 5-county perspective

The time commitment varies with each board, committee membership, and role.  Both boards meet monthly for 1 ½ - 2 hours.  There will be additional time for joint board meetings, legacy trustee meetings, committees/task forces, and grant meetings (Rotary Charities Board only).  Plan on a monthly commitment of 5 – 15 hours.

Application forms for both boards are posted on the club website, CLICK HERE, and are also available from Kathy Bussell or Stacey Foster. 

Applications are due back to the Rotary Office by September 4, 2020. 

Date: August 20 

Time: 11-5

Place: Kirkbride Hall at the Grand Traverse Commons

Link to sign up:

https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/134392

We are teaming up with Versiti Blood of Michigan (formerly known as Michigan Blood), Kirkbride Hall and Precision Plumbing and Heating for this event! Our goal is to have 60 donors. Blood supplies are very low right now in Northern Michigan so donations are crucial at this time. Please consider being a donor if you are able to!

Another way to serve is to bring homemade cookies to the event! We will be having a Cookie Competition and donors can vote for their favorite cookie. Please drop off cookies by 10:45 on August 20 and 5-7 dozen should be a sufficient supply. Volunteers and Versiti staff will be eligible for voting. 

If you have any questions on the event, please contact Ramona at 231.510.8682 or drpleva1109@gmail.com. This has also been posted on our club’s Facebook page.

Donors are asked to eat iron-rich foods for up to two weeks prior to a donation. This includes spinach, liver, red meat, seafood, pork, poultry, lentils, and even dark chocolate. If you are new to being a blood donor and have questions, here’s a link with great info:

https://www.versiti.org/faq/blood-donation-faq

President Mac announced that a New Member Orientation meeting was going to be held after the regular club meeting. 

Our speaker today was the esteemed District Governor Jon Catlin from Cadillac. DG Jon’s first exposure to Rotary was as an exchange student to Finland in 1985! He became a paying member of  Rotary in 1994 and has been active as a Rotary exchange host family and has attended two international conventions. 

His presentation entitled “A Year for Making Lemonade” communicated the goals of Rotary during this lemonade making season!

Rotary Goals include:

• Making Membership Memorable!

• We have challenges with: less connection, less time, information overload and maintaining the status quo.

• What is needed is: involved and engaged Rotarians, focus on caused based activities (like a Blood Drive and 9/11 Honor Run!)

• Satellite clubs are forming as: e-clubs, passport clubs, 

• Innovation: the time is now to be innovative with how we do Rotary

Telling your Rotary Story?

• Does the community know what we do? (We like to think they do, I mean we are kind of a big deal!)

• How do we communicate that? Social media, website?? A champion is needed.

Successful clubs are:

• Diverse

• Accepting 

• Innovative

• Active

Rotary Foundation has donated millions recently for food, ventilators, PPE and masks over the last several months. 

While the goal of Every Rotarian Every Year continues to be a theme for Rotary International, there is a new 7th area of focus: Supporting the Environment.  The Four-Way Test has now added a 5th component: Is it Fun? (Seriously, I think we wrote the book on “Is it Fun”!!)

Other challenges with Rotary during the current state of making lemonade affect our young people. Rotary Youth Exchange and the Rotary Life Leadership weekend are halted at this time. Interact and Rotaract programs present new challenges with engagement due to the uncertainty of what our educational process will evolve into. 

Despite the lemonade we are currently making, District Governor Jon is challenging us to: 

• Visit another club 

• Attend a district event 

• Find ways to showcase our club

• Mark April 16-18 on your calendar for a district event at Crystal Mountain. 

And with that, the meeting for the first week of August is a wrap!

President Mack called our Zoom meeting to order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Wendy Irvin offered a Spirit of Kindness as part of the Gratitude and Reflection moment. 

Al Bonney asked us to keep our Nigerian Rotarian friends in our thoughts and prayers as some of their family members have “the virus”.

Ramona updated the club on the Blood Drive Event!

Date: August 20 

Time: 11-5

Place: Kirkbride Hall at the Grand Traverse Commons

Link to sign up:

https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/134392

We are teaming up with Versiti Blood of Michigan (formerly known as Michigan Blood), Kirkbride Hall and Precision Plumbing and Heating for this event! Our goal is to have 60 donors. Blood supplies are very low right now in Northern Michigan so donations are crucial at this time. Please consider being a donor if you are able to!

Another way to serve is to bring homemade cookies to the event! We will be having a Cookie Competition and donors can vote for their favorite cookie. Please drop off cookies by 10:45 on August 20 and 5-7 dozen should be a sufficient supply. Volunteers and Versiti staff will be eligible for voting. 

If you have any questions on the event, please contact Ramona at 231.510.8682 or drpleva1109@gmail.com. This has also been posted on our club’s Facebook page.

Donors are asked to eat iron-rich foods for up to two weeks prior to a donation. This includes spinach, liver, red meat, seafood, pork, poultry, lentils, and even dark chocolate. If you are new to being a blood donor and have questions, here’s a link with great info:

https://www.versiti.org/faq/blood-donation-faq

Jen Casey made the difficult decision to change our 9/11 Honor Run to a virtual run but you can still participate, donate and support our First Responders!!! There will be two options for the event. You can sign up online to do a 5K (3.1 miles) on your own or opt for an 11 mile run! You have the flexibility to do it anytime between right now and September 11. Click here!

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/911HonorRun

Remember with the 9/11 Honor Run, we are able to support our First Responders with providing services for emotional wellness. If you would like to donate but not participate in the run, you are welcome to do so as well.

President Mac announced that a New Member Orientation meeting was going to be held after the regular club meeting.

President Mack Beers called our Zoom Meeting to order. Jen Casey led the moment of reflection.

In the ongoing engagement of new members, we met the first three new members of the year during the meeting. Paul LaPorte introduced us to Dr. Bernie Rubin a rheumatology specialist, and Laura Oblinger had us meet Laurie Lapp an accomplished human resource professional by trade. Lisa Pointe closed out the introductions presenting Emily Wilbert a native of Traverse City and is with Hagerty Insurance in senior management and strategic operations.

Marsha Minervini led a farewell to our Brazilian exchange student Arthur, including comments from Arthur as well thanking his families and the club.

A Rotary Charities update was given by Mark Eckhoff. He spoke of the commitment Charities is making toward understanding our history and the work we need to do to build a more inclusive society, as in the recent grant given to Title Track for their “Understanding Racial Justice” series. Charities is also now seeking grant reviewers for future grant requests. CLICK HERE

Al Bonney spoke about other grants that are being made as Rotary makes a commitment to help fight the COVID-19 virus around the world. Locally, Lisa Pointe spearheaded bringing 4 regional clubs together with financial commitments up to $3500 each with matches from Rotary International. Four Charities were selected as beneficiaries. Another grant derives from Rotary Foundation’s Disaster Grant program.

President Mack announced that he will work to track attendance via the zoom meetings.

Becky Ewing introduced the day’s program featuring TART and their Executive Director Julie Clark. Julie also introduced Casey Russel who is the Development Director.

 Following an excellent video introducing TART to all of us, featuring founder John Robert Williams among others that show clearly the impact and history plus its place today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F33dn1azLXk&feature=youtu.be, Clark gave a presentation update on the work Traverse Area Recreational and Transportation Trails (TART) is currently up to. 

The mission is simple and straightforward: Enriching the Traverse Region by providing a network of trails, bikeways and pedestrian ways; and encouraging their use.  

Now in the age of COVID-19, the key is to stay active. Stay healthy. Stay safe. TART is working in many ways to be a leader in this effort. 

Last year, TART did a benefits study of trails in Leelanau County. The key findings were:

• Trails increase traffic to businesses

• They are a boost to local business seasonality

• They contribute to creating a sense of community and outdoor

• TART trails is viewed as an important community partner

These are important recreational corridors and ways to get around the area for commuters. The trails contribute to an active healthy lifestyle that is a signature of the region.

Upcoming projects include: 

• Boardman Lake Loop Trail and its completion

• Vasa Skillz

• Boardman River Trail

• Leelanau Trail Improvements

• TART Reconstruction’

Further down the road TART is looking at:

• Leelanau Trail Extension to Peshawbestown

• Nakwema Trailway

• Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail Extension

• Three Mile Trail Extension

These are just some of the projects this excellent organization is running with now and in the future.

GO•REC has officially begun our phased reopening starting with public recreation!

Come enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, or disc golf from dawn until dusk.

Our welcome center, staff offices, overnight lodging, restroom facilities, campsites, activity areas, and equipment rentals remain closed at this time.

All visitors must maintain 6ft social distance from others outside their immediate household and register at the new contactless check-in areas located at the main gate and in multiple places throughout the front of the property using your phone and QR code.

(Please note: disc golf baskets are not sanitized. Users must bring their own recreation equipment).

https://exploregorec.org/

When I first became a Rotarian 36 years ago, it was a different day.

Rotary had simply adopted the mores of society: women weren’t allowed in the club and our rotary show had stopped performing in blackface only a few years earlier. Fortunately, Rotary realized that its actions were not consistent with its own four-way test and corrected the situation. The four-way test consists of four questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Reflecting on this time of upheaval and protest, it is obvious that for centuries the answer to those four questions has been “no” for black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). Systemic racism runs deep in this country. People of all color have continually been on the losing side of many systems: health, education, judicial. These systems need to be changed — for until change happens, we will continue to see outcomes such as we are now experiencing and have experienced for hundreds of years. Racism is a public emergency and we have the power to rebuild. The time has come to act. We have lived in complacency for far too long. But do we have the will to go beyond empty words and political games? If not, God help us all.

The recent killing of George Floyd has sparked anger and calls for long-awaited justice for BIPOC. I believe it is also catalyzing an awakening for white people and I want to stand with my fellow Rotarians to call out these injustices. White privilege needs to be acknowledged and we need to wake up and take the course of right action for communities of color.

Rotary’s motto of “service about self” seems most appropriate at this time. We are being called to ally with our brothers and sisters in our community and beyond. For years Rotarians have worked for peace, the eradication of polio, clean water and education across the globe. Right now, there are 1.2 million Rotarians in 34,000 clubs around the world. Think about the power to serve others and affect change that would make our world fairer for everyone. To that end, I, on behalf of the Rotary Club board and myself, ask you to stand on the right side of justice.

Rotary Charities, our partner organization, has a resource where you can find many articles, videos and learning opportunities: www.rotarycharities.org/resources.

About the author: Rev. Homer Nye is the current president of the Traverse City Rotary Club. For 33 years he was the senior minister of the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City. He and his wife Becky volunteer for Food Rescue, Next Step (a host program for homeless youth) and Generations Ahead (reaching out to pregnant and parenting teenagers).

1. The superb collaboration and teamwork experienced during this time and process.
2. We look to build resiliency - coming back better and stronger than before.

• Community Coordination
  • Set Up Joint Operations Center
    This was originally set-up in March and worked 7 days a week in-person and remotely for 7 weeks. Now they continue to convene 3x per week. It is a broad Coalition of Non-profit, Educational, Governmental and Private Sector members
  • Emergency Support Function
    Under the auspices of Greg Byrd and the Emergency Management Office with a shout out to Chief Pat Parker for bringing the Warren and the Private sector to bear on this important issue.
  • Regional Partnerships
    Key was dealing with assistance to businesses through Loan and Grants to assist.
• Public Policy
  • Policy Analysis: Executive Orders (more than 100) plus national, State and local regulations
  • Business Feedback Surveys
  • Regional Phased Reopening
• Re-opening Process
  • Messaging
  • Contingencies
  • Resources

• Long-term Recovery
  • Get back on track
  • Economic Diversity
  • Future of Work
  • Promoting Resiliency

• Economic Fallout 
  • Unemployment Rate over April Showed Michigan as 50th in the nation
    Leelanau fared better than the State as a whole, but Grand Traverse, Benzie, Kalkaska and Antrim all show higher unemployment than the State average.
  • Biggest Challenges
    • General Uncertainty
    • PPE/Safety Measures
    • Childcare
    • Customer Spending
    • Workforce Concerns
    • New Regulations
    • Access to Capital
  • Attracting Talent to the region
    • Childcare ranks the highest Interest in attracting people
    • Community Events and engagement, Placemaking through Arts and Culture (Quality of Life) Look for a “Creative Coast” initiative. This ranks 4th after the above, Job availability, and Where to live.
    • A keen look is ongoing into attracting a remote workforce

Wheels of Hope is a fully owned and operated Traverse City Rotary Club organization that reports to our Club Board just like every other committee in our club.  We are a 501c3, but only because we raise money from people outside the club who want their contributions to build wheelchairs to be tax-deductible.  Otherwise, we are just like every other committee in the Traverse City Rotary Club. You may recall that our club recognizes our weekly club presenters by “contributing to help build wheelchairs for polio survivors in Nigeria.” That is Wheels of Hope in action.

The Wheels of Hope Board (that is what we call our “committee”) began a revitalization program about 10 months ago with the goal of doubling our annual fundraising goal from $10,000 currently to $20,000.  Doing that would enable Ayuba Gufwan, our Rotarian partner in Nigeria, to build 133 more wheelchairs every year and give them to polio survivors free so they can go to school, get an education and a better job, get married, raise a family and live a life of dignity – Transform another person’s life for only $150.

Part of that revitalization has been to hire a local social media expert to ramp up our Facebook presence, making it a more productive fundraising tool.  The Coronavirus sort of got in the way of our revitalization program but our expertise has been very helpful over the past couple of months, anyway.  One of the ways to help make her work more productive is to have as many of our Rotary Community (That is YOU and all the members of the TC Rotary club) “LIKE” the Wheels of Hope Facebook page and “SHARE” the page with all your friends, asking them to “LIKE “ it too.  That’s the way Social Media works – it’s all about numbers.

So our request is that you “LIKE” our Facebook page  and SHARE it with all, or a large group of your personal friends.  The reason is simple.  As a Rotarian we “Do good in the world”.  One of the many ways our club does this is Wheels of Hope raises money to build wheelchairs for polio survivors in Nigeria.  Our web site is http://www.wheelsofhope.net/ .  We are NOT asking you to ask your friends for money, we just want you and your friends to “like” our page and be aware of what wheels of Hope is doing.

Another part of our revitalization was to make a new video to tell our story – and to help us raise money.  Here is a link to our new 90 second video.  Hope you like it! We will be circulating this video as far and wide as we can, very shortly. We animated our logo, too. Did you see that in the beginning of this piece?

Thanks for your help and support to make Wheels of Hope more productive, and to help Ayuba build more wheelchairs to transform the lives of more polio survivors in Nigeria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4hOEJPEFkw&feature=youtu.be

It was a beautiful post-Memorial day for a Rotary Meeting on May 26, 2020

President Homer opened the meeting and Kathy led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Cindy Ruzuk offered up thoughtful words for our Gratitude and Reflection

Two new members were introduced to our club. 

Max Anderson introduced Seth Johnson. Seth is with the United Way and has settled in Traverse City after a few moves around the country. He is the son of a pastor and has a capella singing talents! He and his wife Ashley moved here last November. They have one daughter, Thea and two canines round out their family unit!

Lisa Pointe introduced Amber Dutton. Amber relocated from Nashville, TN a few years ago. She comes from a very service oriented family and has been actively involved with children with special needs and Make a Wish Foundation among others. Amber is an account executive with Michigan Broadband Services. 

Welcome Seth and Amber!! We graciously welcome you to our club and know that you will be great assets to our club. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

President Homer shared the news that Jim Beckett, our #1 Rotarian has been moved to hospice a few days ago. 

President Homer then introduced our speaker today Marjorie Rich from Generations Ahead. Generations Ahead helps connect teen and young adult parents to services and other resources in our area. 

In our area, the trend for teen pregnancy is lower than the state average. Of the five-county area included, Leelanau has the lowest rates of teen pregnancy with Kalkaska having the highest. In this area, we see about 75 teen births each year to a mother age 19 and younger.

Causes of Teen Pregnancy include:

• Decreased access to birth control

• Alcohol and drug use: 25% of high school students report using drugs or alcohol at time of sex

• Multiple partners: 12% of high school juniors have had 4 or more partners

• Lack of goals and aspirations: not encouraged to think about the future

• Generation cycle: their mom was a teen mom

Consequences include:

• Low high school graduation rate: National average is 40%

• Housing instability: either they are kicked out of their home, “couch surf” or sometimes exchange sex for a bed for the night

• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Domestic violence occurs more often than sexual assault with pregnant teens.

• Poverty: drop out of school, low wage jobs

• Poorer health outcomes: late with prenatal care, increased rates of smoking and low birth weight

• Children of teens: poorer educational and social-emotional outcomes

The Generations Ahead program has a 40-year history. It was initially called the Doula Teen Parent Program but recently changed its name. They are now incorporated and are seeking 501(c)3 status. They are supported by grants.

This is the only program in the Grand Traverse area that serves both young adult mothers and fathers. To qualify for their program, they must have had their first child by 19. 

Services provided range from:

• Social workers and counseling services

• Online support groups

• Mentors for clients who are volunteers

• Baby Pantry

• Goal setting

Two videos were shared and featured teen parents and how they initially managed to have a baby while still in high school and also the benefits of the services that are available.

To learn more about Generations Ahead https://generationsahead.org/ , you can also reach out to Marjorie Rich at 231.360.0053 or at info@generationsahead.org

And with that, President Homer called it a day! Have a great week and we’ll see you soon on Zoom!

For 64 years, we've gathered on the NMC campus to celebrate community and to support the learning created here at Northwestern Michigan College. This year we offer something different to celebrate this 65th anniversary with this virtual BBQ.

Explore the site, download the puzzles (CLICK HERE), enjoy the art and music, and share your own stories and photos via Facebook, other social media, and through email.

Consider what NMC means to our community — you can replace your BBQ tickets with a gift to support our students and programs in this time of great need.

Thank you for stopping by this virtual BBQ. We look forward to continuing to serve the students and meet the needs of our region. We are truly your community’s college, and together, we will Be What’s Possible!

Let's Be Social!

Even though we can’t connect in person, we’d still love to hear from you! Share your photos on our Facebook event and tag us on Instagram with your best backyard barbecue photo in Hawk Owl gear at #NMCVirtualBBQ! While we have spent more time at home, we hope you have enjoyed some quality barbecuing in your own backyard!

• Strengthened existing partnerships
• Developed new Partnerships
• Created a sense of urgency
• Intentional communication
• Humbleness and gratitude
• Fostered meaningful conversations

Paydirt and play: Preserving outdoors came soon after century-old club's founding

The Rotary Club of Traverse City continued its virtual meeting on this Cinco de Mayo day. 

President Homer began the meeting and Kathy rang our ceremonial meeting bell with a resounding “tink”.  Rotarians joined in with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ramona Pleva had the Gratitude and Reflection today and couldn’t decide between a Wayne Dyer thought or a Maya Angelou verse so she let the President decide. He chose Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Normally when we meet in person, this is where we sing. (Insert crickets!)

Jamie Lewis Hedges from GOREC gave us an update on what they are doing amidst COVID-19 and connecting with others in meaningful ways. They are providing virtual experiences and digital content that is available on YouTube and their website: https://exploregorec.org/  These virtual outdoor experiences will also be shown on Facebook and Instagram and will feature interviews with other outdoor enthusiasts. Look for their “Bonfire and Brews” segments!!

President Homer reminded us that we have a virtual Happy Hour this Thursday at 5:30 pm. He and his wife Becky participated in Trivia Night and Homer states Becky is the smartest woman he knows and she is so kind-hearted that she shared ALL the right answers with everyone playing trivia! Make sure to catch the next Trivia Night next week. And thanks to Miriam Owsley for coordinating these evenings of virtual fun and fellowship!

Our featured presenter today was proud CMU alumni Jim Pavelka, Interim Superintendent for TCAPS. Here’s a long recap of TCAPS:

In Jim’s 27 years as a superintendent, he has never seen anything like COVID-19 and the impact it has had on education, our community and state. He states that the world of education has changed!

Schools have been officially closed for the 2019-2020 school year since March 13. TCAPS started planning for a potential shutdown three weeks prior to March 13 and was able to have contingency plans in place within 24 hours of the shutdown. 

Jim shared that the decisions that were made affected up to 30,000 lives within the district and praised all the partners and organizations that have worked together to make this transition as smooth as possible. The shift to a virtual learning environment was impressively implemented in one week. Teachers had to adapt their lessons and get the technology set-up while navigating through their own personal lives. This proved to be a bit of a challenge, but the teachers made it happen.

The current curriculum is not set up for virtual instruction. While 90-95% of families have technology, the school district needed to set up hotspots for internet connections and had a variety of tech issues. For those without home technology, the teachers are creating lesson packets and have it delivered every few days. The challenge is that homework cannot be turned in. The teachers then follow up with phone calls to the students.

Virtual classroom instruction can be a challenge with managing 20-25 students remotely. Keeping students on task can be much more challenging than an in-classroom environment. Some classes like music and labs have had to adapt to online learning in unique ways. It can be done, but it’s definitely not the same as in-person instruction. The virtual classroom may even replace the coveted snow days in the future!

Many families rely on school meals for their children. Through the dedicated staff at TCAPS, over 90,000 meals have been served to these families. Bus drivers deliver meals to students as well.

Graduation has been disrupted. How the pandemic evolves will determine how the district will honor graduating seniors. Traditionally the graduation ceremonies for TC Central and West are held separately at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Interlochen has been flexible with a contingency plan. With 300-400 students graduating at each ceremony, precautions need to be taken. They are working with the  Health Department Director to develop the best course of action. 

In the Fall, assessments will need to be made in regards to students having enough knowledge for their grade and remedial classes will be offered if needed. 

Moving forward to the 2020-2021 school year there are three possible scenarios for education. One is to return to the traditional school model, the second is a virtual learning environment with some changes. The third would be the most complicated and that would be to split students up where half come to school on one day, and the other half come the next. There are many external variables to consider.  It may be that in a few years, there could be more of a college format for classes, especially for juniors and seniors. 

Jim praised the school board saying that they have presented him with guidance and expectations yet are flexible on providing him what he needs to do the job that is necessary at this time. 

Overall the state budget for education is “not good”. Billions of dollars have been lost. The district has been working for the last six weeks on the budget and have different scenarios developed based on a variety of state funding situations. Jim stated that the “district is in a good state”. 

When asked if expenses for the district are decreasing with virtual learning right now, Jim said they are saving money with utilities and bus gas and can carry that into next year’s budget. Teachers are budgeted through mid-June. 

The search for a new superintendent has been narrowed to two candidates. Dr. Denise Hermann from Roseville, CA and Dr. John Van Wagoner from Alpena are the two finalists. Jim stated that based on what he has seen around the state, they are both superior candidates.  

So that’s it in a nutshell! Join us next week for another edition of “Rotary Gone Virtual”.

Rotary Club of Traverse City Good Works Fund TART Trails’ 2019 Grant Report: Vasa Pathway Skill-Building Trail Loops 

Impact Summary 

With funding from the Rotary Club of Traverse City, TART Trails and partners were able to construct two one-mile, single-track trail loops at the Bartlett Road Trailhead of the Vasa Pathway. We engaged 50 volunteers who served 265 hours to construct these trails. The single-track loops provide an entry-level experience for new mountain bikers, providing positive, healthy and safe outdoor experiences. CLICK HERE to view full report

 

TRAVERSE CITY — Homer Nye can point to dozens of ways the Rotary Club of Traverse City has helped its hometown and beyond just in the 35 years since he joined.

Nye pointed to the many nonprofits the club helps through its Good Works Committee grants, the international projects its members organize and fund, one committee’s water quality work at Kids Creek and another committee’s efforts to help people with disabilities.

That’s just naming a few — the club does so much it’s not easy to recall it all, said Nye, now the club’s president.

There’s more to come too from the club and separate-but-related Rotary Charities Foundation, Executive Director Becky Ewing said. The planned Rotary Square project will honor the club’s 100 years, and the foundation put $1 million toward making it a reality... CLICK HERE to read the full story 

TRAVERSE CITY — A centennial celebration could be just the thing to brighten these uncertain times.

As often happens in times of need, Rotary of Traverse City has just the answer: May marks its 100th birthday.

Over those years Rotary has more than lived up to its motto, “Service Before Self,” and in doing so has helped northern Michigan grow into the vibrant area it is today. Just as importantly, Rotary has positioned itself to continue that service far into the future.

Rotary’s story is a fascinating saga of service, full of accounts of dedication, vigilance, humor, the occasional controversy, and yes, even oil strikes.

In the next month the Record-Eagle will run a four-part series examining both the group’s past activities, and how it is evolving to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Today’s local Rotary organization is made up of three branches: The Rotary Club (“We do good work locally and internationally”), founded in 1920; Rotary Camps and Services (“We steward land”), formed in 1955; and Rotary Charities (“We help others do good work”), founded in 1976. Each branch has its own story — independent, yet intertwined with the other.

Each of the upcoming articles will focus on one of these branches...CLICK HERE to read the full article

Cherry Queen Mary Jean Nolan at a Rotary luncheon in July, 1966.

Special to the Record-Eagle/Traverse Area District Library Historical Archives

More Information

May 1, 1920 Grand Rapids Rotary Club sponsors Rotary Club of Traverse City's charter. Dry goods seller James T. Milliken is the president of the 24-member club.

1923 Shares sold to finance Camp Greilick Camp for youngsters, Rotary Camps is formed

1942 Rotary Show debut called "The Minstrel Show" to raise money for good works.

1940s Four-way test emerges from northern Michigan as a guiding principle for Rotary International: Is it the truth? Is fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

1952 Jim Beckett, longest-serving Rotarian joins the club.

1955 Rotary Camps and Services is founded to focus on conservation and land management

1976 A free-flowing oil well discovered on Boys Scouts Camp Greilick property, spurring $600 million in local grants through present time, and a $50 million foundation.

1977 Rotary Charities is formed as a tax-exempt organization, made up of rotating, elected club members. Projects include capital grants, incubation opportunities and conservancy.

1987 Rotary membership opened to women.

1989 Rotary took on the Park Place Hotel, completed a total renovation in 1991, and sold it to Regency Hotel Ventures 

1997 Rotary starts to fund and stabilize the State Theatre to 2012  

2004 Marilyn Fitzgerald is the first female president of Rotary.

Today, Rotary has 50 different committee projects ongoing, and plans in the works for a Rotary Square project in downtown Traverse City.

Zoom Club Meeting 

4/21/2020

• Ring Bell 

• Good afternoon Rotarian and Guests.  Welcome 

• Thoughts of Gratitude and Reflection word by Homer Nye

• World Community Service - Emergency Request to Rotarians for Safe Passage - Susan Kraus 

Presenters: 

Gregg Bird Emergency Management Coordinator, Grand Traverse County 
&
Nate Alger
Grand Traverse County Administrator

Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Joint Operations Centerhttps://gtcountycovid19.com/

Zoom Club Meeting 

4/14/2020

• Ring Bell 

• Good afternoon Rotarian and Guests.  Welcome 

• Thoughts of Gratitude and Reflection word by Randy Kamps

Mike spoke about personal protection equipment and non-pharmacological intervention:

1. Face masks are only needed in high-risk circumstances, the CDC doesn’t recommend them.

2. Self-quarantine if you’re not feeling well

3. Community mitigation includes canceled events/schools

4. Environmental mitigation: clean work surfaces, desks, phones, toys, school.

Some larger corporations are promoting telecommunicating, aka work from home. But the question remains, can you operate your business with half of your workforce down? Sick leave needs to be flexible and consistent with public health guidance. We are also seeing a decrease in the availability of sanitizing products so don’t be shaking hands. Do an elbow tap or tap someone’s ankle  - preferably without tripping them. 

Anyone who has travel plans should consult the CDC Traveler’s Health Notices. 

And with that, we were adjourned!

Joe Winoweicki, CFO of ATLAS Space Operations, a fast-moving, growing technology company focused on new satellite paradigms, was the speaker for the day – introduced by Jenn Casey.

ATLAS offers a simple solution for processing and analyzing data from space, through a global antenna network, powered by a revolutionary cloud-based software.

ATLAS Space Operations provides global communications and data services that leverage cloud-based intelligence to lower cost and deliver simple, secure, and scalable value-added solutions. 

Their cloud-based software interconnects and powers their globally expansive network of ground antennas to give the user the FREEDOM™ of unfettered access to process and analyze vast amounts of data from space-to-ground. With its set-and-forget automation, FREEDOM ™ simply and efficiently delivers lowered costs and increased effectiveness so you can get your data from space. 

Fast service from space to the user: supplying the data you need when you need it is what ATLAS does best. 

The Founders, Sean McDaniel, Brad Bode, Mike Carey and Mike Rendine moved the company here in 2017. 24 employees with 16 here in Traverse City, ATLAS expects to grow to more than 50 in the near future. The founders and key people are all leaders in the industry, some of them coming from the top echelons of government and the space program. They continue to work with the DOD and the Air Force as well as their many corporate partners.

They are creating a new paradigm with satellites no larger than an iPhone in many cases. These are tracked and monitored and are scalable to meet client needs throughout the world. With these systems, one can build and send a satellite into space for as little as $10,000 in some instances. 

Of particular interest is the company’s commitment to community involvement. They are already well at work with the schools in the area and the STEM programs throughout and GTACS First Robotics program. They also work with the Boy Scouts through their affiliate program ATLAS Space Explorers geared to those who are seeking further involvement in space technology.

The Mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

Most of us never read this mission statement all that closely, but it is true: Rotary Foundation does not DO anything – WE do the work of changing Communities, Rotarians do the work of changing lives, Rotary clubs do the work of making the world a better place, one community at a time.

That’s why we donate to The Rotary Foundation: because THEY aggregate the donations from Rotarians all over the world and make those donations available to Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to undertake projects that change the world, improve lives and make the world a better place.  You and me. Over $300 Million dollars a year in donations from Rotarians are given back every year into project grant funds that turn good projects into GREAT projects. And the Traverse City Rotary Club shares in these funds every year because of your generosity.

Lest anyone get confused, this is the ONLY thing that donations to the Rotary Foundation are used for.

So when we run a promotion, like the 50/50 raffle in which we are asked for our participation, it is to add to that $300M pot in Evanston that becomes the Rotary Matching Grant program every year.

It’s also a bit of fun, too.  Remember four years ago when Dan Jonkhoff won the first prize of $3,600, I think?  He had a bit of fun that year! 

The more tickets we sell across the district the more the prize money is for the six winners.  Half the money from the tickets goes to the winners and half goes to The Rotary Foundation . . . ..and what happens to that money?

Remember that thing we call per capita: the requirement to have club giving equal to $100 per member on average: $10 of your $20 ticket purchase counts towards our $100 per capita, too.

So: do some good in the world, have some fun and contribute to our club reaching it’s per capita goal . . . . . buy a ticket.  I bought 5 – how about you buy 5, too!

After the meeting we will be in the foyer – this week and for the next two weeks.  Cash, check or put it on your club bill.

Thanks! Al Bonney