President's Night is June 29th. Eric Tindall 2023-05-27 04:00:00Z 0 President's Night 2023
Random Acts of Kindness. Eric Tindall 2023-05-25 04:00:00Z 0

Jeff Lichty Talked About The Rotary Foundation At The RCAAN Luncheon on May 25th.

Posted on May 25, 2023
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on May 25, 2023, Jeff Lichty talked at the Rotary Foundation.
 
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) taps into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money and expertise into priorities that align with our seven areas of focus and Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach problems such as disease, poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.
 
The Rotary Foundation is organized as a public charity operated exclusively for charitable purposes and governed by a Board of Trustees. The operations of Rotary International, a member organization, are overseen by its Board of Directors.
 
The headquarters of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation are in Evanston, Illinois, USA. We have associate foundations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom.
 
The Mission of The Rotary Foundations is that The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.

The Rotary Foundation is known throughout the world for its exceptional financial management and for the efficient use of its donations. Every year since 2008, TRF has received the top four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted charity evaluator. This rating is a standard achieved by only one percent of charities for judicious care of donors’ money.
 
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International’s sixth president, Arch Klumph. It was established as an endowment fund to provide an ongoing and sustainable income for Rotary to allow us to ‘do good in the world’. It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City to more than US$1 billion. It provides grants of over $1 million per day to support projects led by Rotarians. Today, TRF has one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world.
 
Since it was founded, it has spent more than US$4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. TRF’s mission 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’.
 
The Rotary Foundation has special qualities because it is an enabling Foundation. It is a not-for-profit organization that is supported solely by donations from its members and friends. TRF asks us to donate, just like other charities, but it also asks us to get involved and utilize the funds. Our Foundation is able to achieve its mission through the generous contributions and the active participation of its members.
 
A major recipient of donations to TRF is the Annual Fund. When we donate, half our contributions are directed to the District Fund and the other half to the World Fund. Both help support and enable Rotary projects to become a reality through global and district grants.
 
The Types of Grants given from The Rotary Foundation:
  • District grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad.
  • Global grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary's areas of focus.
  • Disaster response grants support relief and recovery efforts in areas that have been affected by natural disaster.
  • Programs of scale grants fund intentional effort by Rotary members, in partnership with others, to expand proven program models within our areas of focus in order to benefit more people and in more places and foster lasting change.
Gail Scott lastly reminded The Club that President's Night is June 29th at Carlyle Restaurant 3600 Jackson Road Ann Arbor MI 48103.
 
 
Jeff Lichty Talked About The Rotary Foundation At The RCAAN Luncheon on May 25th. Eric Tindall 2023-05-25 04:00:00Z 0 Jeff Lichty,Rotary Foundation

Steve Fine Talked About Melanoma At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon.

Posted on May 11, 2023
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on May 11, 2023, Steve Fine from Melanoma Education Foundation (Second website for MEF) talked about Melanoma.
 
Steve said, "melanoma is a common but serious skin cancer which, if not removed early while it is thin, spreads internally and is usually fatal. It is often ignored until too late because, in the early stages, it may look harmless and cause no discomfort. Many people don't realize that something small on their skin can kill them if not treated promptly."
 
Although it is uncommon in children under 10, melanoma occurs in every age group after puberty. It is the most common type of cancer in the 25 to 29 age group and second only to breast cancer in women ages 20 to 39.
 
Overall, melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in males and sixth in females. The US incidence of melanoma is nearly triple that of new HIV infections and is increasing at an epidemic rate; 196,060 new cases were predicted for 2020.
 
Most new melanoma patients have no family history of the disease; it can strike anyone regardless of health, physical condition, or skin complexion. On the average, there is a melanoma death in the US every 56 minutes.
 
The good news is that melanoma is easy to detect yourself at an early stage while it is thin and is curable by simple, painless removal in an office setting. All it takes is a ten minute monthly skin check. This site shows you how to check your skin, what to look for, and how to decrease your risk of melanoma.
 
The first step in learning about melanoma is to learn about moles, common pigmented skin lesions that can be flat or raised.
 
There are two types of moles: ordinary and atypical (the medical term for atypical moles is dysplastic nevi). 10 to 15 percent of the white population have atypical moles.
 
Ordinary Moles have all of these features: 
 
  • Round or oval shape
  • Sharp, even borders with skin
  • Uniform color (usually brown)
  • Less than 1/4 inch wide
Atypical Moles often have one or more of these features:
 
  • Irregular shape
  • Uneven and/or fuzzy borders with skin
  • Two or more shades of brown or pink
  • 1/4 inch wide or more
  • Cauliflower or smooth surface
  • Flat edges with "fried egg" center if  mole is raised
In most cases, melanoma is easy to self-detect at an early stage while it is curable by simple surgical excision. Although the visual appearance of a skin lesion (a growth or mark) is often an indication of melanoma, you cannot always rely on this alone. You should also be aware of the history of your skin lesions—any changes that occur in them, as well the onset of any new ones. The only way to develop this awareness is by regular self-examination of your skin.
 
Warning signs of Melanoma are any of these should prompt an immediate visit to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon: 
 
  • Any change in a mole, blemish, freckle, birthmark, or pigmented area
  • A new mole or freckle that appears out of the blue or is growing rapidly, especially if you don't have many moles, or the new mole or freckle looks different from those you do have
  • A mole or other growth that has any of the ABCD properties or all of the EFG properties
  • A change in surface texture or in the way a mole feels to the touch
  • A new "freckle" that is dark, dry, or scaly
  • A pigmented area or splotch that is new or that you don't remember seeing before
  • A new spot that is black, even if very small
  • A mole or other spot that looks or behaves differently than those around it, even if it seems otherwise normal
  • A mole or other spot that itches and/or bleeds
  • Redness, other color, or shadow extending into the surrounding skin
There are two types of melanoma: radial and nodular. Radial melanomas are easier to self-detect because they grow in diameter near the skin surface before growing downward through the skin. Radial melanomas usually have two or more of the ABCD properties.
 
About 20 percent of melanomas begin the dangerous vertical growth phase with little or no radial growth first. For these nodular melanomas the ABCD properties do not apply; instead they have three combined EFG properties.
 
E = ELEVATED-  Early elevation above the skin surface
 
F = FIRM- Firm to the touch, not flabby
 
G = GROWING- Continues growing more than two to three weeks
 
Any of the following warning signs may indicate a nodular melanoma: 
 
  • The start of a new bump in a mole, freckle, blemish, or birthmark.
  • The start of a thickness increase in a previously flat or slightly raised mole.
  • In otherwise clear skin, the beginning of a bump that looks like a blood blister, bubble, or pimple that continues to grow after two to three weeks, especially if you don't ordinarily have pimples and haven't injured yourself at the site of the blood blister.
Although a nodular melanoma can arise in a pre-existing mole, it is more common for one to develop spontaneously from normal skin, as in the four photos above. All of these were fatal. The colors of nodular melanomas are usually black, blue-black, dark brown, or brown-red. However, occasionally they are red (third photo from left), pink, grey, flesh-tone, or light to medium brown (far right photo, from the ankle of a 12-year-old boy). Nodular melanomas are typically dome-shaped and lacking in the ABCD properties, making visual diagnosis more difficult than with radial melanomas.
 
How Much Time Do You Have to Act?
 
  • Nodular melanomas can spread internally in as little as three months.
  • Most radial melanomas can spread internally within 6 to 18 months from the first noticeable change of a pre-existing mole or appearance of a new mole.
  • Radial melanomas that develop from age or liver spots (which typically occur in people 70 or older) can take as long as 10 to 15 years to spread internally.
Steve described to the club "how to find Melanoma."
 
What you'll need:
 
  • Flashlight
  • Two small chairs or stools
  • Hand mirror with a long handle
  • Hairbrush or blow dryer for checking your scalp
  • Large wall mirror, preferably full-length, in a well-lighted area
How to check:
  1. Facing the wall mirror, examine your face including lips, ears, and eyes. Use a flashlight to check inside your mouth, nostrils, and ears. Check your neck, shoulders, and upper chest. Women should also check under breasts.
  2. Using both mirrors, check behind your ears, neck, and upper back. While parting your hair with the blow dryer or brush, use both mirrors to check your scalp—front, back, and sides. Or have a partner or family member help.
  3. Check your abdomen, front and sides. Use the hand mirror to check your mid- to lower back carefully. (The back is the most common site of melanomas in males.) Use the hand mirror or both mirrors to check all areas of your buttocks and genitals, including hidden parts.
  4. Raise both of your arms and check all sides of your arms and hands, including between fingers and under fingernails. Then check under your arms and the sides of your upper body.
  5. Sitting on a small chair or stool, prop each leg in turn on the other chair or stool. Check all sides of your legs from ankles to thighs. Check your feet, including the tops, heels, soles, between toes, and under toenails. (Legs are the most common sites of melanomas in females.)
Steve Fine Talked About Melanoma At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon. Eric Tindall 2023-05-11 04:00:00Z 0 Melanoma Education Foundation,Steve Fine

Day of Service and Fellowship with Rotary International Leadership.

Posted on May 09, 2023

Register Now for a great Day of Service and Fellowship with Rotary International Leadership

RI President Jennifer Jones, RI President- Elect Stephanie Urchick,  Rotary Foundation Trustee Dean Rohrs, Rotary VP Valarie Wafer, Rotary Aide to President-Elect Tom Gump, Zones 28 & 32 Director Drew Kessler and Rotary Zones 28 & 32 Director-Elect Chris Etienne will all be joining in person for a day of service!

Its going to be a fabulous weekend and we'll have so much personal time with each of the RI leaders. The collaboration begins on Friday evening June 9th at 5:30 with a dinner; Then on June 10th, we start the morning with 3 different service projects, culminating in the evening with a Leadership in Rotary panel and dinner. Finally, on Sunday, June 11th, we will have breakfast together and bid farewell. Each event registration is separate, We need an accurate count for each section.

Registration Links for each event:

Our District 6380 has chosen 3 projects you can participate in, depending on your interest. Each of the Rotary Leadership will be distributed among the projects ; All the projects are very much needed and require a lot of people to help complete them. Each of the projects has a separate registration link, please chose only 1 registration per person as this will help us in planning the scope of the work for that day.

Service Project Registration - Choose ONE

Saturday, June 10th Service Projects with our Leadership 9:00am - Noon

  1. West Bloomfield Laker Mulch Cleanup; Phase 2 Registration: https://rotary6380.org/event/1b-wb-hills-tree-planting-phase-2/

  2.  Install log steps into the hill at the end of the trail where we stopped in phase 1.

  3. Plant two BUR OAK and two TULIP POPLAR. Locations for planting will be decided by WBHS Earth Club.

  4.  Continue wood chipping the trail down the hill and along the lakeside trail as permitted by West Bloomfield Township Environmental Dept.

  5. Volunteers will be asked to bring a wheelbarrow and rake

Apple Ridge Farms Build Phase 2 Registration: https://rotary6380.org/event/1a-apple-ridge-garden-cleanup/

  • We need 100+ people to build and paint raised garden beds, add signs to the Underground Railroad Garden, <

  • install other signage, build a compost bin and plant some cold crops.

  • Prepare the site for further development.

  • Closed-toe shoes, Long pants, Long sleeve shirts required

Forgotten Harvest Food Packing Registration: https://rotary6380.org/event/forgotten-harvest-food-packing-oak-park/

  • Forgotten Harvest Warehouse Food Packing for the needy - 50 people maximum and you MUST register.15000 Eight Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237 

Any Questions can be directed to Roma Murthy (romamurthy6380@gmail.com)

Event Flyers:

 

 

Click Read More for RI President Jennifer Jones video invite.

Day of Service and Fellowship with Rotary International Leadership. Eric Tindall 2023-05-09 04:00:00Z 0 Day of Service and Fellowship With Rotary Leadership,Jennifer Jones

Come Out To Celebrate An Ann Arbor Rotarian Becoming A District Governor.

Posted on May 06, 2023
I am looking forward to serving you in our new Rotary year together!
 
To "kick" things off- we will have our Meet the Governor event at the Jack Roth Pavilion (at the University of Michigan stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, overlooking 111,000 seats. We will get a chance to tour the locker room, and get out onto the field. We shall kick field goals for Polio!
 
Bring guests, your kids, grandkids, Interact and Rotaract members (that are in town) for fun! 
 
Thursday,  July 13th from 4:00-7:00 PM- tailgate food will be there!
 
CLICK HERE to register!
 
Collyer A. Smith
 
 
Come Out To Celebrate An Ann Arbor Rotarian Becoming A District Governor. Eric Tindall 2023-05-06 04:00:00Z 0 Collyer Smith,Meet The Governor

John Barrie Talked About The Mayan Power and Light Program On April 27th.

Posted on Apr 28, 2023
Today, April 27, 2023 the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had the pleasure of listening to John Barrie speak about the Mayan Power and Light Program. John is a member of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and is also the Executive Director of the Appropriate Technology Collaborative. ATC is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The organization works with engineering professionals and university students to design appropriate solutions to common development challenges.
 
One of the projects they are supporting is the Mayan Power and Light Program in Guatemala. This program was funded by a Rotary Global Grant and is now 100% self-sustaining. The program focuses on Mayan women. The women are taught how to build, maintain and utilize solar power to meet some basic standard-of-living and health needs.
 
By learning how to build and maintain solar power units, Mayan communities that are far off the power grid are able to have access to lighting, water filtration and clean cook stoves. Without this solar option, communities essentially shut down at dusk. Children are not able to do school work and women are not able to do the weaving that helps sustain their families. Reliance on candle light, wood cookstoves and un-filtered drinking water pose significant health risks, especially to children. These health risks are reduced or eliminated through the access to solar power.  
 
Thank you, John, for a very informative presentation!
 
 
John Barrie Talked About The Mayan Power and Light Program On April 27th. Eric Tindall 2023-04-28 04:00:00Z 0 John Barrie,Mayan Power and Light

Walter Hughes, Talks About The Ghana WASH Project

Posted on Apr 13, 2023
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on April 13, 2023, Walter Hughes talked about a project he is involved in called The Ghana WASH Project.
 
Walter said, "25% of the world’s population don't have clean water, and 45% of the world’s population have no functioning toilet."
 
The Ghana WASH Project works to improve rural and peri-urban communities in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene by linking up with communities, local NGOs, government agencies, as well as international organizations working in the sector. Through a multi-level approach, the project worked to build the capacity of local communities and organizations, and not only improve water, sanitation and hygiene, but also empowered these actors to continue promoting development well after the project has reached completion.
 
The Project has educated the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club of the needs and benefits of local communities. So far the Project has provided clean water and sanitation to over 830,000 people in Africa, as well as assisting to build 10 schools in Ghana. Hughes partners with 184 clubs in 51 districts in eight countries.
 
When new wells and micro-flush toilets it is up to the communities to maintain them. No longer is charity offered to the communities where a new well is dug and then everyone leaves, leaving the well to be unmaintained and break or go dry. The Ghana WASH Project has found to be highly effective in their efforts, they must obtain assistance from the local leaders and educate local laborers with training and the knowledge necessary to maintain their own access to clean water. The locals fund the project, construct the project and maintain the project. It creates a change of empowerment, as well as creating a huge difference in sustainability and stewardship in the project.
 
Hughes traveled to South Sudan in 2013 and again during the civil war in 2015 to inspect Rotary’s clean water project. Rotary is close to eradicating the Guinea worm disease and polio.
 
The Ghana WASH project's new grant will result in the additional 50 new boreholes, 217 micro-flush household toilets and 265 micro-credit loans. It has a total cost of 200,000 and will impact more than 41,000 lives.
 
There are 3 Rotary Clubs involved in Rotary Global Grant (#22-38088):
  • The Rotary Club of Obuasi- Host.
  • The Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach- Project lead Walter Hughes.
  • The Rotary Club of Montreal (Canada)- Fundraising.
The grant will be submitted in September to TRF and fundraising will occur from Sept. 2022-Feb. 2023.
 
More information on clean water in Ghana by Rotary:
 
Walter Hughes via Zoom from Myrtle Beach
 
 
Walter Hughes, Talks About The Ghana WASH Project Eric Tindall 2023-04-13 04:00:00Z 0 The Ghana WASH Project,Walter Hughes

Kevin Lill From The Peace Neighborhood Center Was RCAAN Luncheon Speaker On Mar. 23rd.

Posted on Mar 23, 2023
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Luncheon on March 23, 2023, Kevin Lill from The Peace Neighborhood Center was the speaker. 
 
Peace Neighborhood Center has programs for children, families, and individuals to promote self-sufficiency and positive community involvement. They are proud to report that since 1971, they have provided critical services and opportunities to more than 16,000 people in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. Through a wide range of comprehensive programs, Peace helps people discover options, enhance skills, and make choices that promote education, health, well-being, and fiscal independence.
 
Peace Neighborhood Center services include: advocacy, emergency assistance, after-school programs, summer day camps, college and career preparation, individual and family counseling, and family enrichment.
 
Peace is most known for is their Youth Services:
  • Youth Service- Helping Youth Find Their Way To Success:
  1. REACH After School Program: Peace has always had a focus on elementary youth and its REACH after school program is the cornerstone of all the Youth Services the organization provides. REACH offers an enriching and educational after school environment to nearly 100 children every school year. 
  2. Alternatives for Youth After School Program: The Alternatives for Youth (AFY) after school program mentors our middle school students in grades 6th-8th while offering them support through academic tutoring. AFY cultivates the development of leadership skills while helping to build self-esteem and self-sufficiency in participants.
  3. Ninth Grade Academy: The Ninth Grade Academy is designed to aid with the difficult transition between middle school and high school in order to make sure the young people we work with don’t get sidetracked on their way to success. The program offers special tutoring assistance provided by a partnership with the University of Michigan’s Telluride House.
  4. College & Career Prep Club: The College & Career Prep Club (CCPC) offers the support necessary for high school students to prepare for college or career training. This includes the guidance needed to take the proper courses in high school, maintain a good grade point average, and complete the proper paperwork for admission to a college or university.
  5. Summer Day Camp: Summer Day Camp is the elementary-age component of Peace’s Summer Youth Services (SYS) that provides a six-week program of quality activities for over 100 young people throughout Washtenaw County each summer. Campers participate in structured recreational activities and enrichment groups focused on topics such as science, drama and music.
  6. Leadership Development Camp: Leadership Development Camp (LDC) is the middle school component of Peace’s Summer Youth Services. Each summer, LDC provides around 50 youth with a well rounded, structured experience including organized educational and recreational activities designed to teach them the tools necessary to be positive role models to their younger peers and siblings.
  • Family Services: Discovering Options And Enhancing Skills: Peace Neighborhood Center’s Family Services are comprised of a number of programs that work together with Peace’s mission to help individuals discover options, enhance skills, and make choices that lead to self-sufficiency and positive community involvement.  The support structures these services provide are capable of breaking cycles of poverty and leading individuals toward stronger, healthier and more productive lives.
  1. Family Enrichment Program: The Family Enrichment Program (FEP) includes family events and outings as well as adult-only workshops. FEP is mandatory for parents who have children attending youth programs. On average, over 80 families each year participate in weekly workshops that address a variety of topics chosen to help strengthen and expand a parent’s knowledge and skills. The goal of the workshops is to help adults improve their parenting and management of their household.
  2. Case Management: Case Management Services work one-on-one with families and individuals throughout the community who find themselves in situations requiring help. This program offers everything from financial to emotional support. Whether it was preventing a family’s heat from being shut off, advocating on their behalf with another agency or offering help with toys and food during the holidays, the Peace staff provides assistance to over 400 households in Washtenaw County each year.
  3. Peace House Transitional Housing: The Peace House Transitional Housing Center provides temporary housing for families as they work to get back on their feet. While staying at Peace House, families meet regularly with Peace staff members to come up with an action plan to address their issues and attain self-sufficiency. Youth in the household have access to Peace’s Youth Services and adults have access to the Family Enrichment Program
Peace Neighborhood Center has an ongoing need for volunteers in many capacities, they would like to work with you to find a good fit with their existing programs. Click here to get involved.
 
Click read more for Peace Neighborhood Center Wellness video. 

 
Kevin Lill From The Peace Neighborhood Center Was RCAAN Luncheon Speaker On Mar. 23rd. Eric Tindall 2023-03-23 04:00:00Z 0 Kevin Lill,Peace Neighborhood Center

Meet and Greet with US NATO Ambassador Julianne Smith.

Posted on Mar 23, 2023
D6380 in partnership with the United States Department of State is organizing a meet and greet for United States Ambassador to NATO located in Brussels. Ambassador Smith has asked Rotary invite as many high school students in addition to business and civic leaders. She will be excited to talk to the high schoolers to explore careers in the US Foreign Service.
 
When: Monday, March 27, 2023 at 6 PM
Where: Ann Arbor SPARK 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 ( MAP )
 
You must register to attend as light refreshments will be served and we want to have adequate food for this event. You can also use your mobile device camera to capture the QR code in the flyer below.
 
Event Parking:
 
The best place to park is in the Library Lane Underground Garage. It is right next door to the Ann Arbor Spark office building. 
More useful parking options:

There is plenty of parking, just a short distance from SPARK Central:
  • Fourth and E. William (surface lot and parking structure) 
  • Fifth and E. Liberty (underground parking structure) 
  • Thompson and E. Liberty (parking structure) 
  • Division and E. Washington (parking structure)
 
 
Meet and Greet with US NATO Ambassador Julianne Smith. Eric Tindall 2023-03-23 04:00:00Z 0 Meet & Greet with US NATO Ambassador Julianne Smith

Imagine Collaboration District Conference.

Posted on Mar 23, 2023

Imagine a District Conference that will feel and look like an International Convention!. Thats what the upcoming May 5-May 7th D6380+D6400 Joint District Conference will feel like!  Pre - Conference water walk, Whiskey tour, Conference Great International Speakers Attendees from many districts, great fellowship and fun!

Location - Caesars Casino and Hotel, Windsor

When -  Friday May 5- Sunday May 7th

REGISTER FOR THE  IMAGINE COLLABORATION DISCON 2023 at the AMAZING CAESARS WINDSOR CASINO: https://registrations.dacdb.com/Register/index.cfm?EventID=77582171&NoCaptcha

Key Events

  • Pre Conference event will begin Friday May 5th at Centennial Park, Windsor with a Walk for Clean Water at 10:00 am  and a Whiskey Tour at 11:00 am
  • Friday, May 5th 5pm Opening ceremonies / Dinner
  • Saturday, May 6th - Full day of District events; Evening-  Gala with Jennifer and Nick
  • Sunday, May 7th - Sessions with closing by 11:00 am

    World Class Rotary and Non Rotary Speakers https://assets.crsadmin.com/Gen/Accounts/50031/EventPlanner/85ade3d4-6bca-4b36-96b4-dd91e5758e02/21418/DistrictConferenceMay5-72023Speakers.pdf

  • JENNIFER JONES - President of Rotary International. 
  • ALBERTO CECCHINI  - Rotary Director 2022-24
  • MITCH ALBOM  -  an internationally renowned and best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician. 
  • MITTY CHANG - Passionate Rotarian and The Creative Director and Founder of Candeavor, a digital marketing and design agency
  • KIRK LANGFORD - Proud Rotarian and General Manager of Front Line Leadership
  • TAYLOR HUIE -  a young energetic Rotoractor on President Jennifer Jones Membership growth committee will be the Emcee for our Imagine Collaboration District Conference.  

Sign up for a 5 minute talk on your club projects: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerUc-MpDxmGSquvJjexPjWPT9R2awN6WpQvAj-RJw7xVEWNg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Sign up for a 5 minute talk on your club projects: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerUc-MpDxmGSquvJjexPjWPT9R2awN6WpQvAj-RJw7xVEWNg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Sign up for a table at the ClubHub / House of Friendship: https://assets.crsadmin.com/gen/accounts/50031/EventPlanner/85ade3d4-6bca-4b36-96b4-dd91e5758e02/21491/ClubHUB6400-Fillableregistration01-15-23.pdf

Conference Sponsorship: https://assets.crsadmin.com/Gen/Accounts/50031/EventPlanner/85ade3d4-6bca-4b36-96b4-dd91e5758e02/21419/SponsorshipPAGEConf2023JMMPS.pdf

Advertise in the Conference Magazine: https://assets.crsadmin.com/Gen/Accounts/50031/EventPlanner/85ade3d4-6bca-4b36-96b4-dd91e5758e02/21420/MagazineADPAGEConf2023.pdf

Pre-Conference The Water Walk  https://rotary6380.org/event/district-conference-water-walk/

REGISTER FOR THE  IMAGINE COLLABORATION DISCON 2023 at the AMAZING CAESARS WINDSOR CASINO: https://registrations.dacdb.com/Register/index.cfm?EventID=77582171&NoCaptcha

For Help walking through the registration, reference this document: https://assets.crsadmin.com/gen/accounts/50031/EventPlanner/85ade3d4-6bca-4b36-96b4-dd91e5758e02/21429/Registrationwalk.pdf

As this is a collaboration between D6380 and D6400, Registration link is on D6400 website and you will need to Choose guest to start your registration. 

Imagine Collaboration District Conference. Eric Tindall 2023-03-23 04:00:00Z 0 District Conference 2022-2023

Create Stronger Messages.

Posted by Eric Tindall on Mar 16, 2023
Communication tips and examples for effective messaging, inspired by Rotary’s Action Plan.
 
Whether you’re posting on social media, inviting community members to volunteer with you, or speaking at an event, you’ll get more people to take action by using precise words and clear examples. Our Communication Guide, inspired by Rotary’s Action Plan, offers advice for clear and effective messaging, such as:
 
Be specific: Inviting community members to “serve meals to hungry children” is more accurate and compelling than asking them to “defeat hunger.”
 
Be inclusive: It’s easier for people to imagine themselves getting involved with Rotary when you refer to “members and participants” rather than to “Rotarians.”
 
For additional guidance and more concrete examples of powerful communications, read our Communication Guide and be inspired!
 
 
Create Stronger Messages. Eric Tindall 2023-03-16 04:00:00Z 0 Communication Guide

March Diaper Drive For Community Action Network.

Posted on Mar 13, 2023
Members from Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North recently held a member drive to collect diapers for Community Action Network.
 
The Community Action Network (CAN) put out an urgent call and we responded. Our small Club collected 1,141 diapers in varying sizes.
 
The diapers will be dropped off to Community Action Network (CAN) this Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
 
 
 
 
 
March Diaper Drive For Community Action Network. Eric Tindall 2023-03-13 04:00:00Z 0 Communitty Action Network,Diaper Drive

Jerry Robbins Talks About Community Bands In The Ann Arbor Area.

Posted on Mar 09, 2023
On March 9, 2023, Jerry Robbins was the speaker at The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon. He talked about Community Bands in the Ann Arbor Area.
 
Jerry's passion is in the field of music--singing and conducting church choirs; playing in bands, orchestras, and any other ensemble that needed a trombone player; and conducting adult bands.  He is perhaps best known locally as the conductor of what was the Ypsilanti Community Band--since 2010 the Washtenaw Community Concert Band--from 1998 to 2011.  He continues to play in that organization, and occasionally guest conduct, as well as play with the Dexter Community Band, and, in the summers, with the Ann Arbor Civic Band.  He founded and continues to conduct the 21-piece "Town Band" vintage ensemble.  He is the historian and on the Board of Directors of the Dexter Community Band, as well as on the Board of Directors of the Ann Arbor Civic Band.
 
In his retirement years, he has researched and written the history of several local-area organizations, including the "town bands" of the Washtenaw County area, the history of the Ypsilanti Community Band, and the history of the Dexter Community Band.  He is currently working on the 90-year history of the Ann Arbor Civic Band.
 
At our Luncheon Jerry talked about community bands that perform in the Ann Arbor Area.
 
  • Washtenaw Community Band: The Ypsilanti Community Band (YCB) and Washtenaw Community College (WCC) entered into a formal partnership effective June 1, 2010, to create the performing group Washtenaw Community Concert Band (WCCB). The band consists of community players from in and around Washtenaw County.
There were 59 players for the first YCB concert in 1979. Recent membership of the WCCB has grown to 80 or more players ranging in age from teens to octogenarians . Some are or have been professional musicians or have music degrees; most are people from a wide variety of walks of life who played in high school and/or college and who enjoy making music with other adults.
 
The concert season features performances in October, December, February or March, May, and two or three summer concerts in June and July— all in Towsley Auditorium or the adjacent lobby in the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. Past summers have included performances on Memorial Day at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run, patriotic concerts at Ypsilanti-area parks in July, and open-air performances in Milan and at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival in August. The WCCB has also appeared at the Red Cedar Festival of Community Bands in Okemos, in Ypsilanti's Depot Town, in downtown Ypsilanti, and at Selfridge Air Guard Base in Macomb County, among other venues in recent years.
 
  • Ann Arbor Concert Band: The Ann Arbor Concert Band – founded in 1978 as the Ann Arbor Symphony Band by Victor Bordo and David Juillet – has served as an ensemble for amateur musicians desiring to perform wind band literature. The band has its roots in the Ann Arbor School System's music program and continues a close relationship with it today.
    The band is a non-profit ensemble of musicians from the community. While it maintains an amateur status, the standards of performance and organization are strictly professional.
Concerts are usually presented four times during the concert season between September and May, typically at the Michigan Theater and Hill Auditorium.
 
The ensemble has premiered several new works for concert bands, including the award-winning composition "Heroes Lost and Fallen" by Dr. David Gillingham, Professor of Composition at Central Michigan University.
 
  • Dexter Community Band: The Dexter Community Band was originally conceived in 1982 by Chris Wall, Director of Dexter's Community Education Programs. Dave Angus, a professor of education at the University of Michigan, was the conductor. 
The beginning was modest, but through word of mouth and exposure at a few concerts, the band began to grow. By 1984 the band had nearly doubled in size and performed three or four concerts a year. It took another six years for the band to again double in size and have a fairly well rounded instrumentation. In 1998, William Gourley began conducting the band and brought it to the high level it is today. The band averages 85 members with a full complement of instruments.
 
The band rehearses on Thursday evenings and performs four concerts per season. As part of the band's community outreach mission, members form smaller ensembles and perform at senior centers throughout Washtenaw County during their Evening of Ensembles concerts in January and February.
     
The band is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all the members are volunteers from the local area. The band is supported by dues paid by all its members as well as by the generous donations from many organizations and individuals.
 
  • Saline New Horizon Band: The band is affiliated with the New Horizons International Music Association with over 200 bands in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.
Dr. Roy Ernst was a professor of music education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY when he conceived the idea that there should be more opportunities in music for adults. He didn’t agree with the prevailing wisdom that seniors would not be able to learn new things like making music in a group setting. In 1991, Dr. Ernst established three bands - one each in Rochester, NY, Madison, WI, and Iowa City, IA - not knowing if they would be successful or not. The response was phenomenal and the concept has proved to be valid. There are now over 200 active music groups in North America, Ireland, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand.
 
Since 1991, the New Horizons Music program has helped musical groups form to give seniors an opportunity to learn (or re-learn) how to play an instrument or become active in other musical endeavors. There are opportunities in band, orchestra, choral, and small ensembles, 
 
The New Horizons International Music Association (NHIMA) was founded as an international non-profit organization committed to the New Horizons philosophy of music making and undertakes initiatives designed to support the development and growth of New Horizons music organizations.
 
The Saline New Horizons Band has concerts at the Saline First United Methodist Church in Saline.
 
  • Town Band: In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, before radio, movies, and television were popular, every community of any size just had to have at least one "town band." These were often sponsored by governmental units, business/industry, social/civic/fraternal organizations, and the like. Size and instrumentation varied depending on the availability of players. The town bands performed often for "concerts in the park," social and church gatherings, and ceremonial events.
The Town Band re-creates the sounds and atmosphere of the popular town band concerts of the World War I era. Programs include marches, popular songs of the day, light classical music, familiar melodies, hymns, soloists, and period-appropriate commentary. The instrumentation is intended to be typical of town bands of the time and includes flute/piccolo, B-flat clarinets, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, cornets, alto horns, tenor horn, baritone horn, trombones, tuba, and drums.
 
The Town Band was founded in 2009 by Jerry Robbins, then-conductor of the Ypsilanti Community Band/Washtenaw Community Concert Band, who serves as conductor of the Town Band ensemble. This ensemble has performed in Washtenaw and surrounding counties for historical events, at church gatherings, for an artisan's market, for retirement homes, and as part of several concert series. The Town Band provides all of its own equipment (with the possible exception of chairs) for each performance.
 
In 2011, the Town Band was selected in national competition to perform at the national convention of the Association of Concert Bands.
 
In 2018, the Town Band was selected and performed as the featured guest band at the Upper Peninsula Community Band Festival in Marquette, Michigan.
  • Concerts coming up soon: 
    • Town Band, Free, April 23, 2023 at 2:00 PM, Lobby of the Morris Lawrence Building Washtenaw Community College.​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
All Community Bands are non-profit and survives on donations. If you world like to donate go to concert or visit their website.
 
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Jerry Robbins Talks About Community Bands In The Ann Arbor Area. Eric Tindall 2023-03-09 05:00:00Z 0 Community Bands
Rotary's Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. Eric Tindall 2023-03-08 05:00:00Z 0 Rotary Diversity Equality and Inclusion

At RCAAN Luncheon Rachal Carson Talked About The Boy Scouts.

Posted on Feb 09, 2023
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on February 9, 2023, Rachal Carson talked about The Boy Scouts of America.
 
Rachal explained, The Boy Scouts America was created by W.D. Boyce. W.D. was an American Businessman and was traveling London. He was aided by an unknown Scout guiding him to his destination and refused a tip as he was merely doing his "Good turn Daily" W.D. meet with General Robert Baden Powell, head of The Boy Scout Association of England. On February 8, 1910, W.D. applied for the Congressional Charter and the Boy Scouts of America was created.
 
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
 
The Scout Law is that A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
 
The Scout Oath is On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
 
The Scout Vision is The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
 
Washtenaw Counties Boy Scouts are part of the Huron Trails District:
  • Their Youth Membership is 1090 Members
  • 43 Scout Units
    • 10 Packs
    • 23 Toups
    • 2 Crews
  • 33 Scouts earn the rank of Eagle.
  • They have 1690+ service hours.
Huron Trails district hosted a successful Hooked on Scouting joining event at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor on a beautiful October day. Prospective Scouts from the Ann Arbor Area were invited to spend a few hours with Current Scouts fishing and learning about local parks.
 
Rachal talked about how Rotary has been connected to The Boy Scouts of America:
  • In 1918 Rotary was the first Service Club to adopt Scouting.
  • Paul Harris and James E West (First Chief Scout Executive) traveled the country together to set up local Boy Scout Councils.
  • One of the first interactions between the two was to help provide camps. There is Camp Rotary in Clair, Michigan.
  • The values of the Rotary motto and the Four Way Test parallel those expressed in the Scouts Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan.
  • Rotary Clubs in the US charter over 1,400 Units. This provides service to over 45,000 youth.
  • The Cliff Dochterman Award is bestowed on a Rotarian who has displayed distinguished service and outstanding dedication to the programs of Scouting.
Rachal told us, "Thank You for the clubs support to the Boy Scouts."
 
 
At RCAAN Luncheon Rachal Carson Talked About The Boy Scouts. Eric Tindall 2023-02-09 05:00:00Z 0 Boy Scouts of America,Huron Trails District,Rachal Carson

At RCAAN Luncheon On Jan. 26th The Club Talked About Toastmasters.

Posted on Jan 26, 2023
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 26, 2023, the club talked about Toastmasters International in place of the absent speaker.
 
Before talking about Toastmasters, Scott Nelson talked about the District 6380 Work Day on Earth Day in April. Scott is going to be on a call with DG Bala today to plan the day. There will be food packing with RI President Jennifer Jones.
 
Also PDG Henry Dotson talked about the good possibility that we will be starting an Interact Club at Skyline High School. He told the club that there is a very enthusiastic student that wants to bring it to Skyline. He has a Teacher Adviser and some students that want to join.
 
Then we talked about Toastmasters. Since the speaker from Toastmasters did not show, Tammy Broderick filled in. Tammy and Husband, Don have been in Toastmasters for many years. She explained when she started Toastmasters the club made her feel warm and welcome, so she could talk in-front of them. It is the reason why she can talk in front of groups today.
 
Also she talks about the alliance between Rotary and Toastmasters. In May 2019, Toastmasters International and Rotary International, formed a unique strategic alliance, drawing from the strength of their many similarities and complementary differences. The opportunity for Toastmasters members is primarily to establish fellowship and make new connections, contribute more to communities, and potentially elevate clubs. Rotary members have the opportunity to develop new skills and may ask to visit Toastmasters clubs or receive evaluations. Toastmasters also developed eight educational courses for Rotarians and Rotaractors, available on Rotary International’s Learning Center, which can be accessed by their members in nine languages.
 
Henry Dotson
 
Tammy Broderick
 
 
 
At RCAAN Luncheon On Jan. 26th The Club Talked About Toastmasters. Eric Tindall 2023-01-26 05:00:00Z 0 Tammy Broderick,Toastmaster International

Rev. SeiFu Anil Singh-Morares Talks About The Connection In Rotary and Spirituality.

Posted on Jan 12, 2023
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 12, 2023, Rev. SeiFu Anil Singh-Morares from Spiritual Directors International (SDI) talked about the connection between spirituality and Rotary. 
 
Rev. SeiFu is the Executive Director of SDI and an ordained Zen Buddhist priest, as well as a practicing spiritual director/companion and motivational speaker. He has a Master’s in Theological Studies from Harvard University.
 
Spiritual Directors International (SDI) is a global educational nonprofit. They are committed to supporting and growing access to spiritual direction, spiritual companionship and the deep listening, open questions and compassion our healing modality offers. In short, we are an invitation to be your true self.
 
Rev. SeiFu listened online before his talk to the club's projects we are performing and said he was very impressed with what we are doing in serving others. 
 
He said Rotary and our Club is very committed to the slog-in for Rotary, "Service before Self". We are committed to giving, serving, helping people, God and love.
 
 
 
Rev. SeiFu Anil Singh-Morares Talks About The Connection In Rotary and Spirituality. Eric Tindall 2023-01-12 05:00:00Z 0 Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares,Spiritual Directors International

The Flint and Detroit Middle Schools Diabetes and Substance Use Education Project.

Posted on Dec 08, 2022
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on December 08, 2022, Dr. Steven Modell talked about the "Flint and Detroit Middle Schools Diabetes and Substance Use Education Project".
 
Steven started out with his talk with some projects on the projects.
Background:
  • Oct 2014 - May 2019, MSU and U of M, under an NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA), engaged 1,271 6th through 8th grade students from Flint, MI in the “Health in Our Hands” genetics educational program, with piloting in Flint and Detroit.
  • Enactment schools in Flint (54% African American; 39% European American; 5% multiracial; 4.5% Latino).
  • Flint median income $17,086; Detroit median income $18,621.
  • Curriculum designed along with education, health, and community-based partners.
  • Driving questions:
    • “What controls my health?” (diabetes curriculum for 6th graders;
    • “How can looking for thrills make me miserable?” (addiction curriculum for 7th and 8th graders).
Next Steven talked about the study
Curriculum
  • In Unit 1. What Controls My Health? Students meet Monique, a girl diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, by video. Students explore the biology of diabetes and investigate how lifestyle options for healthy foods and exercise can help prevent the condition.
  • Unit 2. How Can Looking for Thrills Make Me Miserable? starts with a video of teens’ testimonials about addiction to vaping (e-cigarettes). Students investigate the brain’s reward system from an evolutionary perspective, and examine its role in addictive behavior.
The curriculum closely adhered to Next Generation Science Standards.
  • Phenomena – why they occur - e.g.,
    • A. diabetes – explaining how a young person, Monique, found out she had it;
    • B. vaping in high school students – explaining how the brain’s reward system evolved and addictive substances and behaviors operate.
  • Learning – 3-dimensional - disciplinary core ideas, cross-cutting concepts, scientific practices
  • Performance expectations - e.g., Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
  • Coherence - Fit of knowledge and skills together throughout the course.
In class activities they did the following:
  • Simulated glucose tolerance testing (“Science Take-Out” hands-on learning kit) to figure out how glucose levels indicate the presence of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
  • A sand-rat simulation to model diabetes under different food conditions and genotypes.
  • Monkeyflower experiments to observe the effect of saline environments on plant growth.
  • A lab to examine how a new drug, “Floratryp,” can hijack the brain’s reward pathway and lead to addictive behavior in mice and humans.
Methods the study used:
  • Project impact measured with student and teacher pre/post classroom surveys.
  • Presentation event student and adult participant event questionnaires.
  • Adult participant (family and community member) interviews.
  • Quantitative methods (social sciences statistical package) were used to analyze pre and post classroom surveys.
  • Mixed qualitative/quantitative methods were used to analyze event questionnaire and interview data.
Results: Pilot and Field Test
  • Occurred in both Detroit and Flint schools.
  • Showed that many students and their parents could relate to the diabetes examples used.
  • Student teacher: “You can’t see your genes, but now the students are able to see how they form their lifestyles and compare to what they’re learning.”
  • Led to simplifying language used in the questionnaires.
  • Showed that more effort would be needed to get students to share what they learned with friends and family. As a result, project organizers made revisions to the curriculum, reinforced these in teacher professional learning, and asked partners for feedback on ways to improve connections with families. 
  • The spring 2018 substance use (SUD) curriculum pilot was instrumental in highlighting the need for further effort to make presentation event participants aware of future career choices. A parent suggestion that “[project] judges should talk about their own profession” was subsequently incorporated.
Results: Adult Findings
  • Spring 2017 diabetes presentation event questionnaires displayed a gradation of adult attendee responses: 
    • 64% strongly and 27% somewhat agreeing with a statement on curricular awareness. 
    • 9/11 parents/family members and 5/9 community members (school employees, project volunteers, Food Corps) having talked with a student about diabetes.
    • 10/11 parents/family members affirming having subsequently discussed food changes within their family. 
    • Spring 2018 substance use presentation event questionnaires, adult attendee responses:
      • 6/11 adults attending the spring 2018 event affirmed discussing the addiction community action research project with a student.
      • Majority of adult event participants and half the parents marked “Some” as to whether they discussed making healthy lifestyle decisions with a student.
Results: Means of Informing Adults
  • Fall 2018 adult attendees on how they found out about the new science curriculum (9 respondents):
    • 1 heard about the new curriculum from their student. 
    • 1 recalled receiving a notifying letter from the school.
    • 7 indicated they heard about it via an e-mail from the curriculum organizers.
    • Only 2/3 spring adult attendees, and 4/10 adult attendees had visited the program Facebook and Instagram web pages.
Models in learning:
  • 2 major modes of learning – formal (in-classroom) and informal (outside the classroom). Formal learning can be didactic or lesson-based, and participatory. Community action projects took place in informal settings.
    • Students demonstrated improvements in self-perceived learning as depicted in the Student Survey results. Factors: complexity of the phenomena discussed, student ability to identify with the models used.
    • We learned this lesson in a previous high school genetics curriculum we developed and enacted. Students had trouble coping with the transition between DNA transcription to translation of the messenger RNA code into protein. This is why using Monique as an example for middle school students was so helpful, as were the community projects that represented concrete, active hands-on examples of what the students were learning.
    • One parent remarked: “My son didn’t discuss the diabetes, but the food part with Monique. That kids can get diabetes. Monique is his age.” (Spring 2017 Event Participant 6 – Parent, female, Age 39”.
  • In the student interviews and event questionnaires, one student found the sand-rat simulations to be a fresh experience, and learned from them. Another “did not like” the flexibility of the simulations. 
  • During the last year of enactment, students voiced appreciation of each others’ help in presenting models of the brain (in-class projects).
  • Teachers (65% to 80%) in both the diabetes and addiction curricula marked “Very true” to the Teacher Survey statement “The community activities outside the classroom are of value to my students.” Students liked conducting the projects and viewing others’. Parents participated in the community action projects, though tallies showed more parents could have gotten involved.
Conclusion
  • Multiple related approaches – didactic lessons, modeling, and community research projects – can successfully be used to teach genes and the environment within middle school science classes in underserved communities.
  • Involvement of community members is helpful in the educational process; further efforts are needed to engage parents. 
  • Chronic disease and behavioral conditions can serve as useful biological phenomena anchoring middle school genetics education.
 
Lastly a note of club information, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Holiday Party is December 22, 2022, Weber's at 3050 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. RSVP to Diane Sheffrey by December 16th with yourself and your guests. See flyer click following link: Holiday Event Flyer.
 
 
The Flint and Detroit Middle Schools Diabetes and Substance Use Education Project. Eric Tindall 2022-12-08 05:00:00Z 0 Dr. Steven Modell,The Flint and Detroit Middle Schools Diabetes and Substance Use Education Project.
CAN Holiday Gifts. Eric Tindall 2022-11-28 05:00:00Z 0 Communitty Action Network,Green Baxter Court

Send Hunger Packing.

Posted on Nov 23, 2022
On Saturday, November 5, the three Rotary Clubs in Ann Arbor and Kids Coalition Against Hunger (KCAH) combined to conduct an area-wide service project. The effort was to assemble packets of ingredients to make hot, nutritious, and filling "one-pot" meals. Each meal is comprised of rice, soy, dried vegetables, vitamins, and flavoring.
 
CLICK HERE for full article.
 
 
Send Hunger Packing. Eric Tindall 2022-11-23 05:00:00Z 0 Kids Coalition Against Hunger

Halloween Fun!

Posted on Nov 19, 2022
The children at Green Baxter Court in Ann Arbor enjoyed their Halloween Party on October 27th.
 
Members of RCAAN donated a hefty load of sweet treats to help them celebrate. Thank you to all members who donated the special food items needed to ensure that the children celebrated in style.
 
 
 
Halloween Fun! Eric Tindall 2022-11-19 05:00:00Z 0 Community Action Network,Green Baxter Court

Patti Lee Explains The Water Problem In Cambodia.

Posted on Nov 10, 2022
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on November 10th, Patti Lee from Toronto West Rotary talked about the water problems in Cambodia.
 
Patti talked about her work that she is doing with the Troy Rotary Club. This includes building toilets, wells, and handwashing stations at local government schools and building family toilets for impoverished village people, some of whom are landmine affected victims. Over the years, Patti and partners have initiated many outreach programs including total financial support to 4 schools with over 500 students as well as needed wells, toilets and hand washing stations. 
 
Similar to our club in India, Patti and her partners build toilets for Village Families in Cambodia. Some issues in which building the toilets is:
  • Preventing sanitation issues and major health issues.
  • Protection of families against abuse.
Patti talked about sanitation in schools:
  • All schools have toilets, wells, and a hand washing station.
  • Teachers teach all students the proper method to hand washing.
  • Students must wash hands after using toilets and before going into the library to read. 
  • Give privacy/dignity for women.
Patti ended her talk with a brief summary on fundraising for her project. She described how Troy Rotary has helped her. 
 
 
Patti Lee Explains The Water Problem In Cambodia. Eric Tindall 2022-11-10 05:00:00Z 0 Cambodia,Patti Lee,Water & Sanatation

Speaker For November 10th, RCAAN Lunch Meeting.

Posted on Nov 01, 2022
Speaker at November 11, 2022, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting at noon will be Patti Lee, from Toronto West Rotary and she will be introduced by Eileen Heasley from Troy Rotary and Director of A Vision for Clean Water.
 
Imagine going to a doctor or health center and see them use water straight from a pond! 
 
It happens in Cambodia! Toronto West Rotarian Patti Lee will talk to Rotarians and guests about Cambodia and the work that she is doing in conjunction with Troy Rotary. This includes building toilets, wells, and handwashing stations at local government schools and building family toilets for impoverished village people, some of whom are landmine affected victims. These are the challenges in Cambodia. And the rewards are smiles and a quiet thank you … so wonderful!
 
Please join us!
 
Patti Lee: Toronto West Rotary
 
Speaker For November 10th, RCAAN Lunch Meeting. Eric Tindall 2022-11-01 04:00:00Z 0

On October 27th, Jessie Hitt Talked About HSHV.

Posted by Eric Tindall on Oct 27, 2022
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on October 27, 2022, Jessie Hitt from The Humane Society of Huron Valley was our speaker.
 
Jessie said, "For more than 125 years, the Humane Society of Huron Valley has been serving the community, saving animals and helping people." HSHV is the only animal shelter in Washtenaw County, taking in all types of unwanted, injured, lost, stray, abandoned, and abused animals. Today, they help over 24,000 animals and their people through our array of services every year. 
 
While HSHV is known for cats and dogs, the HSHV started out 125 years ago with Horses. And children! With the mission of “prevention, by all proper means, of cruelty to animals and children and the prevention of all cruelty by humane education”.
 
HSHV has the highest “save rate” among all similar animal shelters in Michigan. And that we’re classified as a “no-kill” shelter, as defined by Maddie’s Fund, a leader in the no-kill movement. Michigan Pet Fund Alliance consistently recognizes HSHV for our save rate.
 
Huron Society of Huron Valley gets dog's, cat's, and even rabbits you are able to adopt. 
 
How does the animals get to HSHV:
  • Stray: If an animal is presumed to truly not have an owner or family, then “stray” helps to clarify that they need help finding a safe place to go.
  • Surrendered: Animal owner relinquishes all rights of the pet to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. This means that HSHV then assumes the new role as the owner of that animal.
  • Seized:  a dog is running loose in violation of local leash laws. officers suspect a dog is being abused or neglected. a dog has bitten or injured someone, or. the owner has violated the conditions for keeping a dangerous dog.
  • Transfer: To move animals to one place to HSHV.
 
HSHV’s Veterinary Clinic can provide high quality, affordable services for just about everything you need to keep your animals healthy and happy. And the money you spend on treatment goes right back into helping animals in the shelter!
 
HSHV also gives behavioral help to your pet if needed.
 
Jessie told the club that they participate in "Love Trail". HSHV transport animals — often puppies! — from struggling rescues and shelters with high euthanasia rates to HSHV. Every other Wednesday the Van comes to their Washtenaw County location with the animals and they have mostly been adopted by the end of the weekend.
 
Humane Society of Huron Valley is located just down the street from our meeting location at 3100 Cherry Hill Road Ann Arbor, Michigan.
 
 
 
Jessie brought this dog with her. So cute! She is up for adoption.
 
On October 27th, Jessie Hitt Talked About HSHV. Eric Tindall 2022-10-27 04:00:00Z 0 Humane Society of Huron Valley,Jessie Hitt

Bala Murthy Talks About Where The District Is On Oct. 13th.

Posted on Oct 13, 2022
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on Oct 13th, at our new meeting location Dixboro United Church, District Governor Bala Murthy was our speaker. 
 
Bala talked to the club with an inspirational talk about service. He told the club a quote by Mahatna Gandhi, "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
 
Bala mentioned the Operation Pollination event that happens in September, the Youth Exchange which Bryan Schindel's Daughter is in Germany this year, and many other things that are going on in the District.
 
Bala continued with some District 6380 events that you can participate in to lose yourself in service
  • Rotary at Detroit Free Press Marathon: Have fun by being part of this most unique International Marathon. Volunteers will be assigned various tasks by the event Rotary coordinator. 
  • "Send Hunger Packing" with the Clubs of Ann Arbor: This service project is being hosted by the three Rotary Clubs in town; Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor West and Ann Arbor North. It will be an area-wide event that will use an assembly-line process to produce packets of ingredients for “one-pot” meals that will be distributed both locally and internationally with some stored for emergencies. The event will be held in the cafeteria at Ann Arbor Pioneer High on the morning of Saturday, November 5. Click here to register and more information
  • Foundation Gala: A Rotary Foundation event that will be held at the Suburban Collection in Novi. There will be a strolling Dinner, Entertainment, a Silent Auction and Cash bar.
DG Bala Murthy stuck around a little after the meeting to hear about the club's new Strategic Plan. 
 
 
Bala Murthy Talks About Where The District Is On Oct. 13th. Eric Tindall 2022-10-13 04:00:00Z 0 District Governor Bala Murthy

Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on September 22, 2022.

Posted on Sep 22, 2022
On Thursday September 22nd the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had our last club meeting at the University Living in Ann Arbor. Starting the next club meeting we are going back to the North Side of Ann Arbor to Dixboro United Methodist Church at 5221 Church Road, Ann Arbor of Plymouth Road.
 
At the meeting we started with the Pledge, Four Way Test, Invocation Birthdays and  many Happy Dollars. A Happy Dollar was given for the launch of the 60,000 Tree Challenge to Help Save the Monarch Butterfly on September 10th. It was a beautiful launch event concluded with a release of newly hatched Monarch butterflies, and a signing by several Rotary districts of the Pollinator Pledge organized by Scott R Nelson and Chris Stein of US National Park Service. Four representatives of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, plus District Governor Bala Murthy of Rotary District 6380, PDG Jane McManus, Mike McManus of Brighton and the DGs of Rotary District 6400, and Rotary District 6360 working together on this important cause to protect the Monarch.
 
Another Happy Dollar was given by Manish on an approved Grant  for the club, which is connected to solar energy.
 
An announcement was given by Pres Bob about the Tote Bag Membership Project. Bob and other club members are going to the following Farmers Markets to promote Rotary:
  • Sept 24th: Dexter Farmers Market
  • Sept 25th: Sunday Artisan Market
Lastly we had a talk from Dr. Brent Lufgen about climate change in the Great Lakes basin.
 
Brent Lufgen
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on September 22, 2022. Eric Tindall 2022-09-22 04:00:00Z 0 Dr Brent Lufgen

At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting, Mayor Christopher Taylor Talked About Ann Arbor.

Posted on Sep 08, 2022
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on September 8, 2022 our speaker was Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. 
 
Christopher Taylor is an attorney who has served as the mayor of Ann Arbor, since 2014.
 
Mayor Taylor did not have a presentation, he wanted to take our questions about the City of Ann Arbor. He answered questions about road construction, economic development (new business in Ann Arbor) and many more.
 
Also at meeting Pres. Bob announced that starting the meeting on October 13th, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North will be moving back to the North Side of Ann Arbor. The new location will be The Dixboro United Methodist Church at 5221 Church Street Ann Arbor, MI 48105
 
 
At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting, Mayor Christopher Taylor Talked About Ann Arbor. Eric Tindall 2022-09-08 04:00:00Z 0 Mayor Christopher Taylor

Chris Stein Talks About Operation Pollination At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting On Aug. 25th.

Posted on Aug 25, 2022
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on August 25, 2022, Scott Nelson filled in for Pres Bob Specht who was under the weather. 
 
The presentation at the meeting was given by Chris Stein, who talked about Operation Pollination.
 
About Operation Pollination:
 
Operation Pollination is a group that recognizes the importance of pollinator habitat both restored and maintained on public and private lands.  Through collaboration and outreach with partners, an interconnected mosaic of pollinator habitat (with core public areas) will be developed to stabilize and/or increase populations of pollinator species throughout project areas.
 
Given the breadth, severity and persistence of pollinator loss, it is critical to expand efforts to reverse these losses and help restore pollinator populations to healthy levels.  Our Chris said the goal of Operation Pollination is to collaboratively and strategically protect and enhance pollinator species and their habitat on public and private lands by:
  • Increase and Improve Pollinator Habitat:  Work to develop a network of Pollinator friendly habitat on public and private lands;
  • Public-Private Partnerships:  Develop strategic partnerships to improve or create habitat for pollinators as well as provide educational opportunities within the scope of the resolution
  • Education:  Encourage voluntary, collaborative and locally led conservation that has proven to be effective in maintaining and enhancing working landscapes.
Rotary Involvement:
 
In June of 2020 the Rotary International Board of Directors and the The Rotary Foundation Trustees added “supporting the environment” as the 7th Area of Focus.  The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) provided both the documentation and the leadership in this effort, and is a partner in Operation Pollination, embracing the effort as an ESRAG Project.
 
Getting Involved?
 
Chris talked about how The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North can get involved. There is 3 easy steps in becoming involved with Operation Pollination:
  1. Develop your own pollinator resolution.
  2. Enlist partners to sign a pollinator pledge.
    • Partners can be large or small, for profit or not-for-profit, government or non-government. 
  3. Put partner names on the back of your resolution.
    • Obtain Widespread Media Attention about your Operation Pollination Project.
Operation Pollination Event in Windsor CA.
 
On September 10, 2022 Bala Murthy (and our own Scott Nelson) is going to sign an Operation Pollination Pledge for District 6380. The event is to celebrate the launch of the "Monarch Butterfly 60,000 Tree Challenge".
 
To watch Operation Pollination presentation given on August 25, 2022:
 
 
Operation Pollination Presentation on August 25, 2020: PowerPoint Presentation From Chris Stein About Operation Pollination.
 
 
 
 
 
Chris Stein Talks About Operation Pollination At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting On Aug. 25th. Eric Tindall 2022-08-25 04:00:00Z 0 Chris Stein,ESRAG,Operation Pollination

Kel Keller Talks About Thomas Jefferson's and Sally Hemings Relationship.

Posted on Aug 11, 2022
At August 11, 2022 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting at Ann Arbor's Pittsfield Branch Library due to a Covid-19 outbreak at University Living, our speaker was Kel Keller who is an author of history on slavery. 
 
Kel's subject of his talk was about the relationship of the United States 3rd President Thomas Jefferson and his relationship with a slave names Sally Hemings.
 
Like countless enslaved women, Sally Hemings bore children fathered by her owner. Female slaves had no legal right to refuse unwanted sexual advances. Sally Hemings was the child of an enslaved woman and her owner, as were five of her siblings.
 
Sally was the half Sister of Martha Jefferson. They shared the same father, little is documented about them, both are industrious, and both had at least 6 children and lost children at infancy.
 
When Sally Hemings was 14, she was chosen by Jefferson’s sister-in-law to accompany his daughter Maria to Paris, France, as a domestic servant and maid in Jefferson’s household. In France Sally was legally free. Sally was reunited with her older brother James, whom Jefferson had brought with him two years earlier to study French cooking. They lived at Jefferson's residence, the Hôtel de Langeac. Maria (Polly) and Martha (Patsy), Jefferson’s older daughter who was already in Paris, lived primarily at the Abbaye Royale de Panthemont, where they were boarding students.
 
Shortly after her arrival, Jefferson’s records indicate that Sally was inoculated against smallpox, a common and deadly disease during that time.
 
Sally received training—especially in needlework and the care of clothing—to suit her for her position as lady's maid to Jefferson's daughters and was occasionally paid a monthly wage of twelve livres (the equivalent of two dollars).
 
Sally was transported from the plantations of Virginia to what Jefferson described as “the vaunted scene of Europe!” Unlike countless enslaved women, Sally Hemings was able to negotiate with her owner. At 16-year-old agreed to return to enslavement at Monticello in exchange for “extraordinary privileges” for herself and freedom for her unborn children. Over the next 32 years Hemings raised four children
 
Sally Hemings had at least six children fathered by Thomas Jefferson. Four survived to adulthood. Decades after their negotiation, Jefferson freed all of Sally Hemings’s children – Beverly and Harriet left Monticello in the early 1820s; Madison and Eston were freed in his will and left Monticello in 1826. 
 
Also at the August 11th meeting Lee Halsted visited the meeting to drop off our Peace Pole that we are going to put into the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden at Gallup Park.
 
Kel Keller talking about Thomas Jefferson and Sally Heming's relationship.
 
Lee Halsted gives the Peace Pole to Ann Arbor North.
 
Kel Keller Talks About Thomas Jefferson's and Sally Hemings Relationship. Eric Tindall 2022-08-11 04:00:00Z 0 Kel Keller,Sally Hemings,Thomas Jefferson

Dr Ursula Jakob's Talked About Old Age Research At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting.

Posted on Jul 28, 2022
At the July 28, 2022 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on July 28th, Dr. Ursula Jakob's talk about aging research. Ursula is a professor of Biological Chemistry at the University of Michigan. 
 
Ursula started out telling the club that life expectancy in the United States is 79.05 years.
 
How do we study aging? Gerontology is the study of the physical aspects of aging, as well as the mental, social and societal implications of aging.
 
We study aging because from a public health perspective, aging is also the critical risk factor for a variety of human pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, many forms of cancer and metabolic disease/type II diabetes, which have become much more prevalent in the elderly.
 
Aging Scientist's study aging by using yeast, worms, fish, mice etc... 
 
Ursula talked about anti-aging inventions that extend life expectancy:
  • Calorie Restriction: A dietary intervention that is low in calories but maintains proper nutrition, is the only intervention known to date that consistently decreases the biological rate of aging and increases both average and maximal lifespan.
  • Rapamycin: Rapamycin treatment late in life can increase lifespan and reverse the age-related decline in cardiac function, vascular dysfunction, and cognition in mice.
  • Metformin: Metformin works by helping to restore the body's response to insulin. It decreases the amount of blood sugar that the liver produces and that the intestines or stomach absorb. Preliminary studies suggest that metformin may actually slow aging and increase life expectancy by improving the body's responsiveness to insulin, antioxidant effects, and improving blood vessel health.
  • Exercise: physical activity and exercise are well-established countermeasures against muscle aging, and have been shown to attenuate age-related decreases in muscle mass, strength, and regenerative capacity, and slow or prevent impairments in muscle metabolism.
  • Hormesis: Hormesis is a phenomenon in which adaptive responses to low doses of otherwise harmful factors (also called mild stressors) make cells and organisms more robust. 
Also at the meeting Gail Scott showed us the Rotary Reusable Bags that we are giving out at the Farmer Market this year. The first one is coming up in a few weeks.
 
Dr Ursula Jakob talks about aging.
 
Gail Scott shows off the Rotary Bags for the Tote Bag/Membership Project.
 
Dr Ursula Jakob's Talked About Old Age Research At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting. Eric Tindall 2022-07-28 04:00:00Z 0 Aging Research,Ursula Jakob Ph.D.

At July 14th, Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting Pres. Bob Had An Assembly.

Posted on Jul 14, 2022
At July 14, 2022, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, which was totally virtual because of an COVID-19 outbreak at University Living. 
 
Pres. Bob made may announcements at the meeting:
  • Bob Greenough's memorial service is July 24th from 1-4 at his home (More information click here)
  • Meet The Governor is July 21st at Kensington Metro Park (More information click here)
  • Bags Membership Project: Bags are coming soon. Gail described more about the project and the volunteer scheduling. 
  • Lastly Scott talked about operation pollination. Scott talked to DG Balla M. about a District Project that works on helping plants pollinate. Scott described at the Oyamel Fir Tree for saving the Monarch Butterfly. Click here for more information.
At July 14th, Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting Pres. Bob Had An Assembly. Eric Tindall 2022-07-14 04:00:00Z 0

Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Presidents Night Was June 23, 2022.

Posted on Jun 27, 2022
There was a great turnout of members and spouses at the Club’s President's Night festivities held on June 23, 2022, at Weber's Inn to celebrate President Tammy Broderick’s amazing year as our leader. The passing of the gavel to Incoming 2022-23 Club President Robert Specht didn’t go as planned as he missed joining us in-person for the nights installation event while returning to Ann Arbor from an out-of-town trip.
 
 
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Presidents Night Was June 23, 2022. Eric Tindall 2022-06-27 04:00:00Z 0 President's Night 2022

Member's From Ele's Place Talked On June 9th At The Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting. 

Posted on Jun 10, 2022
On June 9, 2022 at the Rotary Club of  Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, two workers from Ele's Place talked to the club. 
 
In 1991, a group of committed community volunteers in Lansing, MI, came together to support children in the area who had experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or someone else close to them. Named for Helen Louise Snow Stover, nicknamed Ele, who had died at just 11 months old, initial programming at Ele's Place served many children in the Lansing area, including Ele's three oldest siblings. 
 
Ele's Place is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. 
 
Ele's Places core values are:
  1. They believe in creating and bolstering strong relationships; among our team members, between our team and the stakeholders we serve and with the families we serve. Additionally,  they seek collaboration within the nonprofit, private sector, bereavement and children’s supportive services space.  
  2. They believe in fostering well-being and health; for the children and teens we serve, as well as for our own team, and our communities as a whole. 
  3. They believe in providing service with the utmost integrity and accountability; both through the ethical standards we uphold, and through keeping each other responsible to these standards. 
  4. They believe in excellence and innovation; while providing a program with fidelity to and quality of proven practices, they also allow ourselves the opportunity to grow, learn and improve upon all we do.  
  5. They believe in honoring and promoting diversity; by respecting all races, ethnicities, gender expressions, sexual orientation, socio-economic backgrounds, religions and abilities. We strive to reflect our communities in the families we serve and the members of our team.   
This was the last Lunch Meeting for Pres. Tammy so thank you to Tammy for being President this year. Next Rotary year, starting in July, Bob S. will be President. Good Luck Bob.
 
 
Member's From Ele's Place Talked On June 9th At The Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting.  Eric Tindall 2022-06-10 04:00:00Z 0 Ele's Place

Trinity Schindel Talks About Her Upcoming Studies In Germany At Lunch On May 26th.

Posted on May 26, 2022
At the May 26, 2022, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, Trinity Schindel (Daughter of Rotarian Bryan Schindel) talked about her upcoming Rotary Youth Exchange year of studies in Germany 
 
This past week Trinity, just got back from Ontario Canada, in which she had a Rotary Youth Exchange training. At the exchange she learned a lot about the exchange and how to handle culture shock which happens when you go to a different Country.
 
Rotary Youth Exchange is where students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Trinity is sponsored by Ann Arbor North and is going to Germany. Germany was not Trinity's first choice, but she is very happy to go. She has already met with her first Exchange Family in Germany and they speak English. Her German is not very good but Rotary does have training in Germany for her when she arrives.
 
Trinity will be going to Germany in August and will stay a full academic year, she will attend a local school and live with multiple host families.
 
Trinity said she is very appreciative to Tammy and the rest of our club for giving her this opportunity of studying abroad.
 
 
Trinity Schindel Talks About Her Upcoming Studies In Germany At Lunch On May 26th. Eric Tindall 2022-05-26 04:00:00Z 0 Rotary Youth Exchange,Trinity Schindel

Manish Mehta Talks About His Humanitarian Award

Posted on May 12, 2022
At the April 13, 2022 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting at our new meeting location University Living of Ann Arbor we had Manish Mehta talk about his Humanitarian Award from The Ann Arbor Rotary Club.
 
Manish Mehta received the Robert S Northrup Humanitarian Award from the Ann Arbor Club earlier in the month for his work in international projects. 
 
He started the meeting with a brief biography of his early life and then went on to the project he has been involved with:
Manish's last remark was to thank the Club of Ann Arbor North for all our participation and tell us how much he appreciated what we have done.
 
Also at the meeting Bob Specht talked more about the Tote Bag Project starting up in June.
  • Dexter and Chelsea will participate in this project
  • Chelsea Rotary has a project involving selling handmade, free trade African baskets, and Motown Soup at the Chelsea Farmers’ Market. 
  • RCAAN is now considering the alternative of completely combining the efforts of our club, with those of the Chelsea Club, and possibly even with the Dexter Club. 
  • Bob is now looking into the possibility of reserving and/or renting a table at the Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market where we would be able to sell the baskets and the soup, either give away or seek a small donation (e.g. $1.00) for each tote bag, and provide shopper’s with the opportunity to sign up for our club’s e-newsletter and/or to make a donation to Rotary’s international efforts to eradicate polio in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • All plans for this project  are tentative. Planning is still in progress.
 
 
 
Manish Mehta Talks About His Humanitarian Award Eric Tindall 2022-05-12 04:00:00Z 0 Manish Mehta

Rotary District 6380 Environmental Day Event 2022.

Posted on Apr 23, 2022
On April 23, 2022, the Rotary District 6380 celebrated Earth Day by having an Environmental Workday at Vestergaard Farms located at 4408 S. Wagner Rd. Ann Arbor.
 
Scott Nelson talked about Rotary's new seventh Area of Focus Environmental and a project he participates in called Plant Based Diet.
 
Max Vestergaard talked about the Vestergaard Farm. It is a family run farm which practices pasture-based farming with rotational grazing, prioritizing the well-being of our livestock. Their animals are raised humanely, sustainably and processed locally.
 
​T.C. Collins then talked about Willow Run Acres and how he started his organization. Willow Run Acres offers educational/gardening classes for all skills/age levels, garden safety classes, yearly Potato Day Programs, food distribution, service the community with weekly/monthly clean-up sessions, gardening wellness sites, role modeling/mentor opportunities, and other community engagements.
 
After the three talked the group went out to T.C. 's gardening beds and we wedded, mulched and moved beds.
 
The day ended with a lunch with Jimmy Jone's Sandwich's, chips and cookies. 
 
 
Scott Nelson (Rotary club of Ann Arbor North), T.C. Collins (Willow Run Acres) 
and Max Vestergaard (Vestergaard Farm and Market)
Rotary District 6380 Environmental Day Event 2022. Eric Tindall 2022-04-23 04:00:00Z 0 Max Vestergaard,Scott Nelson,T.C. Collins,Vestergaard Farm,Willow Run Acres

At RCAAN's Lunch Meeting on April 14th, Bob Specht Talked About A Project Coming Up.

Posted on Apr 14, 2022
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on April 14, 2022, Bob Specht talked about a new RCAAN project that will start in June. 
 
The project will hopefully get a District Grant and involve other Rotary Clubs. Bob described, clubs will be going to Farmer Markets in the area, using a display table we will give out free Rotary Bags to customers to use while they shop the Market. In the bags will have Rotary Club and Rotary information telling customers about Rotary. 
 
Manish Mehta also presented a plaque from a Rotary Project Micro Bank in Africa that started Matt Copeland's year as President and Steve Lessens continued the project last year.
 
Lastly at the meeting Norma Sarkar announced that Dr. Manish Mehta will receive the Robert Northrup Award given out by Rotary Club of Ann Arbor.  The formal presentation will be on April 27th at a meeting of the Downtown Ann Arbor  rotary club meeting. 
 
If you are planning to attend either in person or via zoom please Make sure to email your reservation by Monday April 18th at 1:00 PM to nsarkar@umich.edu.
 
Starting May 2nd we will have a new permanent meeting location. Tanum Ollila have graciously offered a room for our meeting. The new meeting location will be at University Living at 2865 South Main Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103. 
 
Bob Specht describing new project.
 
Manish, Pres Tammy & Steve showing off the plaque from a Rotary Project Micro Bank in Africa.
 
Norma and Manish talking about his award.
At RCAAN's Lunch Meeting on April 14th, Bob Specht Talked About A Project Coming Up. Eric Tindall 2022-04-14 04:00:00Z 0 Bob Specht,Manish Mehta

At RCAAN Lunch Meeting On March 24th. Michelle Phalen talked About Alzheimer's

Posted on Mar 24, 2022
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on March 24, 2022, Michelle Phalen from the Alzheimer's Association talked about Alzheimer's.
 
Michelle said "Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks."
 
There are 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's
  1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
  2. Challenges in planning or solving problems: Some people living with dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
  3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks: People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
  4. Confusion with time or place: People living with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
  5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving. 
  6. New problems with words in speaking or writing: People living with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
  7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: A person living with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
  8. Decreased or poor judgment: Individuals may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
  9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.
  10. Changes in mood and personality: Individuals living with Alzheimer’s may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.
The Walk to end Alzheimer's is on October 9, 2022 at Pioneer High School. Visit http://alz.org/rotaryactiongroup to register, or contact Sue Prynn at smprynn@alz.org.
 
 
At RCAAN Lunch Meeting On March 24th. Michelle Phalen talked About Alzheimer's Eric Tindall 2022-03-24 04:00:00Z 0 Alzheimer's Association,Michelle Phalen

Two New Rotarian's Was Inducted To Ann Arbor North on March 10th At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting.

Posted on Mar 10, 2022
On March 10, 2022, The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had it's first in person meeting since mid December at Pastor Bryan's Church called Cross and Resurrection Church of Ypsilanti.
 
Ann Arbor North inducted two more Rotarian's to Rotary at the meeting. Tannum Olila and Josh Cumil were inducted to the club and pinned with their Rotary pins. 
 
Tannum works at University Living in Ann Arbor located at 2865 Main Street. and has been visiting the club for a while.
 
Josh is a friend and work partner (at Ann Arbor Ctr for Financial Svcs LLC) of Ann Arbor West Rotarian Phil Zepeda. 
 
The meeting's guest speaker was Mateen Jaffar. Mateen talked about cyber security scams and identity theft.
 
Mateen owns Jafferson Computer located at 4015 Carpenter Road Ypsilanti, MI.
 
 
 
Two New Rotarian's Was Inducted To Ann Arbor North on March 10th At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting. Eric Tindall 2022-03-10 05:00:00Z 0 Josh Cumil,Mateen Jaffar,Tannum Olila

Hoping For Peace in Ukraine. 

Rotary International Statement on Ukraine and Russia Crisis:
 
It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.
 
At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.
 
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.
 
In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence.
 
Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.
 
Click Here to read more on Rotary International's effort in Ukraine.
 
Click Here to donate.
 
 
Hoping For Peace in Ukraine.  Eric Tindall 2022-03-03 05:00:00Z 0 Peace,Ukraine

Jan Hack, was the speaker at Ann Arbor North's Zoom Lunch Meeting on February 24th.

Jan Hack, was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Zoom Lunch Meeting on February 24th. Jak is the owner of Make Your Move LLC.
 
Jan is the owner and operator of Make Your Move LLC out of Ann Arbor, a board member at the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop, and a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO). She was previously a property appraiser with Art & Antique Appraisals LLC.
 
Many people feel overwhelmed with the thought of going through the items that they have accumulated over the years. Jan helps clients organize, sort, and downsize—whether it be for a move, spring cleaning, senior transitions, and more. To make sure her clients’ items are analyzed correctly she does research to check the value or will find its new home by either donation, sale, or recycling.
 
It can be very stressful for a senior and their family on the transition to an assisted living facility. Not only does Jan help organize/declutter, but she also interviews, schedules, and oversees movers acting as a trusted agent for out-of-town family members. She develops comprehensive age-in-place plans which ease the transition into assisted living arrangements.
 
Contact Jan for your personal consultation:
734-476-3230
 
 
Jan Hack, was the speaker at Ann Arbor North's Zoom Lunch Meeting on February 24th. Brianna T Seymour 2022-02-26 05:00:00Z 0 Jan Hack,Make Your Move LLC
Happy Birthday Rotary! Eric Tindall 2022-02-23 05:00:00Z 0

Rotary District 6380 Conference 2021-2022.

Posted on Feb 11, 2022
Join us for this District 6380 celebration of all clubs and all members! 
 
Registration is Closed.
 
Our CEEO “Chief Encouragement and Engagement Officer” Governor BrendaK "WooWoo" Tipton has planned a fun-filled Friday evening at Paradise Park Amusement Center in Novi for all Rotarians, family, and friends.
 
On Saturday, we’re at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The day will be packed with awards, celebrations, and club presentations. 
 
You won’t want to miss this conference as it promises to be a fun-filled two days celebrating all that we do as we "Serve to Change Lives". 
 
For conference packages and hotel details, click flyer above.
 
Be prepared to Excite, Engage and have Fun!  WooWoo!!
 
 Click Here   for more information.
 
 
Rotary District 6380 Conference 2021-2022. Eric Tindall 2022-02-11 05:00:00Z 0 Rotary District Conference 2021-2022
Rotary International Presidential Theme 2021-2022 To 2022-2023. Eric Tindall 2022-01-27 05:00:00Z 0 Rotary International Presidential Theme 2022-2023

The Four Way Test.

Posted by Eric Tindall
The Origins of the Four-Way Test
 
The Four-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943, but it had been around since 1932 when it was coined by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the Club Aluminum company is credited to this simple philosophy. After it was adopted by Rotary, the Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. Click here  for the Story Behind the Four-Way Test, in Taylor’s own words.
 
 
The Four Way Test. Eric Tindall 2022-01-27 05:00:00Z 0 Four Way Test

Scott Nelson Talked About Plant-Rich Diets At The RCAAN Zoom Lunch Meeting.

Posted on Jan 13, 2022
On January 13, 2022, Scott Nelson gave a presentation called "Taking Climate Action & Protecting The Environment With Plant-Rich Diets". 
 
Before Scott's presentation Pres. Tammy announced the RCAAN will have a Youth Exchange Student this year. Trinity Schindel will be studying in Germany this year.
 
After this special announcement Scott began his presentation. Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns focus on foods primarily from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn’t mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy. Rather, you are proportionately choosing more of your foods from plant sources.
 
Scott said, emissions from animal Agriculture are a major source of destroying the earth. The sources of emissions from animal agriculture is:
  • Methane: Animals
    • Burps: At least one thing is true for cows around the world: They all burp. All the time. This incessant belching expels an impressive volume of greenhouse gases—mostly methane and carbon dioxide. Added up, burps from cows account for 26 percent of the United States' total methane emissions. 
    • Manure Logons: Manure is the decomposed form of dead plants and animals.
  • Nitrous Oxide: Feed Crops
    • Nitrogen Fertilizer
    • Manure as Fertilizer
  • CO2: Land Use & Other
    • Land Use Change (Deforestation)
    • Fertilizer and Pesticide Manufacture
    • Transporting and Processing Animal Feed
Plant-Rich Diets would also reduce water pollution. It can get rid of fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus), pesticides, herbicides, manure, other animal waste, hormones, viruses, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, chemical additives, cleaning agents, heavy metals, silage leachate, etc..
 
Animal Agriculture emits 53 percent  of the global total of emissions. Fewer livestock animals mean less need for food and less nitrogen and manure use. 
 
What farmers can do to help is to grow oats, hemp, fava beans, vegetables, mushrooms, peas, nuts, bamboo, etc.. They can also set aside land for carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, water restoration, etc..
 
A Plant-Rich Diet also lowers the risk of Chronic Diseases like:
  • Heart Disease 
  • Type 2 Diabetes 
  • Obesity
  • Cancer 
Go to https://esragdev.com/plant-rich-diet/ to get information on the Plant Rich Diet Challenge which Scott, Manish and Brianna took a big part in.
 
 
 
For more photos of Scott's presentation  CLICK HERE 
 
Scott Nelson Talked About Plant-Rich Diets At The RCAAN Zoom Lunch Meeting. Eric Tindall 2022-01-13 05:00:00Z 0 Plant-Rich Diets,Scott Nelson
Happy New Year 2022. Eric Tindall 2021-12-30 05:00:00Z 0 Happy New Years

"ICU Upgradation" For Sane Guruji Hospital in Hadapsar, Pune (India).

Posted on Dec 18, 2021
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, Rotary Club of Detroit and Rotary Club of Pune Metro‘s, partners again in a Global Grant project titled “ICU Upgradation”, which was inaugurated Dec 18, 2021 by D3131 Governor Rashmi Kulkarni at Sane Guruji Hospital in Hadapsar, Pune (India). 
 
The project has helped this community hospital serving many rural poor of Maharashtra with significantly enhanced new medical treatment facilities.
The ever-energetic Past President Rotarian Makarand Phadke was instrumental in organizing this needed project, which got completed in record time, in anticipation of COVID’s Third Wave…
 
 
"ICU Upgradation" For Sane Guruji Hospital in Hadapsar, Pune (India). Eric Tindall 2021-12-18 05:00:00Z 0 "ICU Upgradation",Rotary Club of Detroit,Rotary Club of Pune Metro

Discover New Horizons, at Rotary International Convention in Houston.

Posted on Dec 09, 2021
Houston, which calls itself “the city with no limits,” reflects the limitless impact of our work in Rotary. Create change within yourself, your community, and the world. Join your family, friends, and fellow Rotary members and explore what’s possible at the Rotary International Convention.
 
No matter who you are or where you’re from, you’re bound to find inspiration throughout the convention. It’s an experience unlike any other Rotary event, and it will renew your commitment to service and leadership. Make new friends and connect with old ones while exploring the diverse city of Houston or the House of Friendship. Make global connections that ignite local action at all the convention events.
 
Don’t miss your chance to Discover New Horizons and join us in Houston, Texas, USA, 4-8 June 2022.
 
For more information and to register
 
 
 
See  Host Organization Committee website for Houston RI Convention at https://www.houstonri2022.org/
 
Discover New Horizons, at Rotary International Convention in Houston. Eric Tindall 2021-12-09 05:00:00Z 0 Rotary International Convention

Eric Limquist Talks About Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture At RCAAN Lunch Meeting.

Posted on Dec 09, 2021
At the December 9th Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting the speaker was former leader of RCAAN Chris Juillet introduced us to his friend Eric Limquist who is an Frank Lloyd Wright expert. 
 
Eric first described the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator.
 
He designed more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. Most structures were built after he was 60. Wright believed in designing in harmony with humanity and the environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture. Wright-designed interior elements (including leaded glass windows, floors, furniture and even tableware) were integrated into these structures. 
 
He also designed original and innovative offices, churches, schools, skyscrapers, hotels, museums, and other commercial projects.
 
Besides his famous house in Mill Run Pennsylvania (built in 1936-1939), Frank built the Palmer House in Ann Arbor. Frank Lloyd Wright's Palmer House, built for Bill and Mary Palmer in Ann Arbor during the early 1950's, 
 
The 2,000 square-foot home with its collection of Wright-designed furniture, the Teahouse, and the two-acre beautiful sylvan setting is Ann Arbor's most architecturally significant residence. 
 
The strong organic aspects of the house are manifested in its hillside orientation, exquisite red cypress and brickwork, and the treed views from every room. Complementing the natural elements is the triangular geometry of the home: its signature cantilevered overhang, the play of angles (there are no 90 degree corners), and Wright's creation of intimate and open spaces. 
 
William "Billy" Palmer grew up in Imlay City, Michigan. William studied economics at the University of Michigan, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1929, and his master's degree in 1930. After graduation he became a professor of economics at the University of Michigan.
 
Mary Warton Shuford, originally from North Carolina, enrolled in Michigan's School of Music in 1935, majoring in music theory. In June of 1937, Mary graduated and married Billy.
 
Billy and Mary purchased the property in 1949 because they felt it was "the most beautiful place in the city." They considered many architects, including George Brigham and Alden Dow. Eventually, after becoming familiar with the FLW Affleck house in Bloomfield Hills, they selected Frank Lloyd Wright. They lived in the house for more than five decades. Mary used the house as a beautiful backdrop for parties, concerts, and fundraising events for the community.
 
In March 2009, Jeffrey and Kathryn Schox purchased the Palmer House. Jeffrey Schox was born and raised in Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan. After earning a law degree, he returned to Ann Arbor to start his career in patent law. Around the same time his wife Kathryn completed her teaching degree at the University of Michigan and began teaching at the Ann Arbor Girls School.
 
In July 2004, Jeffrey moved his law practice to San Francisco, but returns to Ann Arbor every six weeks to visit his startup clients and to teach a course on patent law at the University of Michigan. When not staying at the Palmer House, Jeffrey and Kathryn have made the house available for vacations, business, and special events.
 
At the end of the meeting Pres Tammy announced that the RCAAN Christmas Party will be at Weber's on December 14th at 6:00 PM. Wear your Christmas Sweater, you may win. 
 
Frank Lloyd Wright Palmer House, 227 Orchard Hills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
 
Eric Limquist Talks About Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture At RCAAN Lunch Meeting. Eric Tindall 2021-12-09 05:00:00Z 0 Chris Juillet,Frank Lloyd Wright
Happy Thanksgiving! Eric Tindall 2021-11-24 05:00:00Z 0 Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving 2021. Eric Tindall 2021-11-24 05:00:00Z 0 Happy Thanksgiving

Brianna Seymour Talks About Medicare & Long Term Care.

Posted on Nov 18, 2021
At the RCAAN Lunch Meeting Pres. Elect Bob Specht took Pres. Tammy's place in leading the meeting and the speaker was our own Brianna Seymour. Brianna gave a presentation on Medicare and Long Term Care
 
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older,  certain younger people with disabilities,  and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD).
 
Brianna said there are different parts of Medicare: 
  • Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
    • Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
  • Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) 
    • Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
  • Medicare Part C (Medical Advantage)
    • Offers standardized benefits to help fill in the gaps in original Medicare.
    • Provided by a private insurance company.
  • Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage.
    • Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines).
With Medicare, you have options in how you get your coverage. Once you enroll, you’ll need to decide how you’ll get your Medicare coverage. There are 2 main ways:
Original Medicare:
  1. Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): You pay for services as you get them as out-of-pocket-costs (see presentation for 2022 out of -pocket-costs). If you want drug coverage, you can add a separate drug plan (Part D).Original Medicare does not cover all costs for covered health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap or Part C) policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs. Some Medigap policies also cover services that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like emergency medical care when you travel outside the U.S.
  2. Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D): Provided by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. 
Brianna also talked about Long Term Care.
 
Long Term Care is needed when a someone:
  • Needs assistance in independent living.
  • Can not perform normal Activities of Daily Living (ADL's).
  • Has a Cognitive Impairment.
  • Terminal Ill.
Breanna described how Long Term Insurance can cover Long Term Care.
 
Have a GREAT THANKSGIVING, and remember there is not going to be any meeting next Thursday due to Thanksgiving.
 
 
 
 
Brianna Seymour Talks About Medicare & Long Term Care. Eric Tindall 2021-11-18 05:00:00Z 0 Brianna Seymour,Medicare

At Nov. 11th Lunch Meeting, Monique Hammond Talked About Hearing Loss.

Posted on Nov 11, 2021
At November 11, 2021 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting which was only on Zoom our speaker was Monique Hammond. She talked about her hearing loss.
 
Monique Hammond is a hearing loss expert. Monique is a registered pharmacist. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, with high distinction. She has worked in health care in Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Monique has always been committed to patient education and safety. She has done extensive public speaking on health issues and has published newspaper and magazine articles both at home and overseas. 

Monique entered the world of hearing loss in fall 2005 when—in a matter of four hours—she went deaf in her left ear. That’s when she found out that there is a lot more to hearing loss than not hearing well. Eventually, communication challenges contributed to the end of her hospital pharmacy career. However, this life-changing episode also put her on track to research issues regarding ear and hearing disorders. She ended up writing her book “What Did You Say? An Unexpected Journey into the World of Hearing Loss,” now in its second edition.
 
She warned against loud and problematic spaces like sports bars, large indoor events and music concerts. Though for many, hearing loss comes with aging, awareness of what can happen to inner ear functions should begin much earlier in life, she believes.
 
Alternating her presentation between specific issues like tinnitus (ringing ear) and how cochlea cells operate, Monique brought her own experiences to her listeners. One result for her was social isolation.
 
"It's very difficult when you feel you are left out." She also dealt with disbelief, anger and grief. One in five of people age 12 and over have hearing challenges--a number which Monique called a "silent epidemic," one that "affects the quality of life at any age."
 
 
At Nov. 11th Lunch Meeting, Monique Hammond Talked About Hearing Loss. Eric Tindall 2021-11-11 05:00:00Z 0 Hearing Loss,Monique Hammond
Thank You Veterans. Eric Tindall 2021-11-10 05:00:00Z 0 Veterans

Polio In Ann Arbor.

Posted on Nov 04, 2021

Author, Grace Shackman

Article from Ann Arbor District Library at https://aadl.org/features/polio
 
Salk polio vaccine, May 1955 Stone School students after receiving
 
People were so desperate to save their children from the dreaded disease of polio, that when the first vaccines were sent to Ann Arbor in 1955, they were stored at the police department in a refrigerator, locked with a chain around it. Just three weeks previously, on April 12, Dr. Thomas Francis of the U-M’s School of Public Health had made the momentous announcement that the vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, which used killed polio viruses to give immunity, was “safe, effective and potent.”
 
“Vaccine will end polio as a major health threat,” was the headline in the April 12, 1955 Ann Arbor News, shortly after Francis gave his report at Rackham Auditorium. The announcement was made in Ann Arbor because of the key role the University of Michigan had played in the vaccine’s development. Francis, who had earlier developed a flu vaccine, joined U-M’s Public Health Department in 1941, followed the next year by Salk, who Francis had mentored at New York University. Salk left in 1947 for a job at the University of Pittsburgh, where he developed the polio vaccine using tools he had learned from Francis.
 
Click read more for entire story
Polio In Ann Arbor. Eric Tindall 2021-11-04 04:00:00Z 0 End Polio Now,Polio Plus

At October 28th Lunch, We Had A Visit From DG Brenda & The Speaker Was Lori Gosselin.

Posted on Oct 28, 2021
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on October 28, 2021 we had a visit from BrendaK "Woo Woo" Tipton. Before our speaker talked, Brenda presented the club with Ann Arbor North's banner in which we will show off at the District Conference May 20th to May 22nd when we present what the club did this year.
 
Then Lori Gosselin coming to us virtually gave her presentation. Lori said, "that a true community is rare". "Community building is relationship building; it forges authentic connections among the members of the group."
 
She described that, "Every Community is also a team, but very few teams are Communities".
 
A Community is:
  1. Clubs
  2. Villages/towns/cities
  3. Places of worship
  4. Provinces, States, Countries
  5. Neighbourhoods, Schools
  6. Global Communities 
  7. Families
Lori talked about we build communities everywhere
  1. Clubs
  2. Villages/towns/cities
  3. Places of worship
  4. Provinces, States, Countries
  5. Neighbourhoods, Schools
  6. Global Communities 
  7. Families
  8. Plus at work
What a community needs.
  1. Commitment
  2. Inclusivity 
  3. Authenticity
  4. Support
  5. Shared
  6. Collaboration
  7. Camaraderie
The outcomes of Community Building are
  • Happy organization
  • Support of mental health
  • Better communication
  • High level of engagement
  • Empowerment of members
  • More wholistic solutions 
  • Transformation
To end the club meeting Brenda talked a little about what is coming up in the District. She said, "she wants every club member to come to the District Conference this year".
 
 
At October 28th Lunch, We Had A Visit From DG Brenda & The Speaker Was Lori Gosselin. Eric Tindall 2021-10-28 04:00:00Z 0 Community Building,Lori Gosselin

Foundation And Membership Celebration Gala.

Foundation and Membership Celebration Gala is November 9, 2021. 
 
Lets celebrate our Foundation and Membership teams from District 6380 and District 6400. 
 
Your hosts, Governor BrendaK "WooWoo" Tipton (6380) and Governor Aruna Kousik (6400), are planning a fun evening with auctions, 50/50, awards and much much more!  
 
Keynote speakers are Jennifer Jones, Rotary International President 2022-2023 and Michael McGovern, Rotary International Chair of Polio Plus Committee. 
 
 
 
Foundation And Membership Celebration Gala. Eric Tindall 2021-10-16 04:00:00Z 0 Foundation and Membership Online Gala

Literati Bookstore and Rotary District 6380 Present James Tobin.

Posted on Oct 16, 2021
Please Join Us Virtually, for a conversation with noted FDR author, James Tobin, on October 20 at 7:00pm.
 
Admission to this virtual event is available by a donation of any amount, and all donations will go directly to Rotary's End Polio Now initiative. Additionally, tickets bundled with a set donation amount and a copy of either The Man He Became or Master of His Fate (a wholly new version of the story of FDR and polio for young readers) are available and the price includes a donation of all proceeds after the price of the book. Please read ticket descriptions carefully for information on order fulfillment.
 
 
James Tobin is an award-winning biographer. He won the National Book Critics Circle Award in biography for Ernie Pyle’s War and the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award for To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight. He teaches narrative nonfiction in the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film at Miami University in Oxford, OH.
 
 
Literati Bookstore and Rotary District 6380 Present James Tobin. Eric Tindall 2021-10-16 04:00:00Z 0 End Polio Now,James Tobin,Literati Bookstore

Club Time At Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting On October 14th.

Posted on Oct 14, 2021
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch Meeting on October 14, 2021 we have club time. Unfortunately the speakers did not show up to the meeting so we pivoted to club time. 
 
President Tammy did all of the club business like the "Pledge of Allegiance", "Four Way Test", and announcements. 
 
Lastly She asked club members for special things that are going on in their lives. There special things going on from Rick, Scott, Vern, and Bob S.. 
 
The next meeting on Oct 28th we will be having District Governor Brenda Woo! Woo! Tipton. Should be a BLAST!!!
 
 
Club Time At Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting On October 14th. Eric Tindall 2021-10-14 04:00:00Z 0

Dr. Tanyss Murro From Amarok Society Talked At Lunch Meeting On Sept. 23th.

Posted on Sep 23, 2021
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on September 23, 2021, Dr, Tanyss Murro talked about her Society called the Amarok Society. 
 
The Amarok Society was founded with one family: Dr. Tanyss Munro, Gem Munro and their four children. Tanyss uses a distinctive and bold statement for her Society,  "We stand for the freedom of children." "We stand for their freedom from poverty, from violence, from oppression. For the freedom to direct their own lives, exploring and contributing their full potential to the world."
 
When there are too many marginalizing factors between a child and their education, a school can’t reach them anymore. But their mother still can. 
 
The Amarok Society open schools for mothers who live in the slums of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Each mother then goes home and teaches her children and her neighbours’ children everything she’s learned. 
 
The inclusive curriculum, combined with the dedication and courage of the mothers they teach, can overcome the obstacles that poverty, religion, gender, and disability put in the way of global education.
 
Lockdowns due to Covid meant that the schools for the mothers had to close and changes had to be made to who the mothers taught in order to avoid the spread of the virus. But, the mothers have continued to teach and the schools are looking to reopen.
 
In many places, the "Amarok mothers' have become champions and leaders in their communities, supporting others, preventing arranged marriages of underage girls, and encouraging women to become entrepreneurs and help support their families financially.
 
Tanyss explained, "When we educate mothers, they not only directly import education into the families, they establish a culture of education in their children and entrench the practice of learning." "When we educate, say, a slum-dwelling teen-aged boy, he will, understandably, seek to use his educational advantage to escape his circumstance." "How could we ever expect or counsel otherwise? Mothers, however, tend to stay where they are, applying their learning to their existent circumstance, even when the education has led to a woman’s entrepreneurship."
 
"The higher the educational level she achieves, the higher the expectations she has of herself and her children, and the more determinedly she will work to reach them."
 
 
Dr. Tanyss Murro From Amarok Society Talked At Lunch Meeting On Sept. 23th. Eric Tindall 2021-09-23 04:00:00Z 0 Amarok Society,Dr. Tanyss Murro
We Will Never Forget 9/11/01. Eric Tindall 2021-09-10 04:00:00Z 0 We Will Never Forget 911

Lisa Hoenig Talked About The New Superior Library.

Posted on Sep 09, 2021
Ypsilanti District Library Director, Lisa Hoenig, presented a program on the new library branch now under construction in Superior Township. The new library is located at The new facility will be located on North Harris Road, between Geddes and MacArthur Boulevard. It will be built on two and a half acres of a 12-acre lot, purchased by Superior Township.
 
Ypsilanti Library:
 
At the beginning of Lisa's presentation she talked a little about the Ypsilanti Library on Michigan Ave. Built in 1915 as a Carnegie Post Office, the building was designed in the classical revival style typical of early 20th century government buildings.
 
The post office moved to its current location in 1962. The building was sold to the City of Ypsilanti for $1, and the City renovated the building and opened the library there the following year.
 
New Library:
 
With the November 2018 passage of a new operating millage, the new library will benefit all of the YDL district, it will most notably impact the socio-economic and health inequities in the struggling MacArthur Boulevard neighborhood in Ypsilanti, which is within easy walking distance to the new library.  This neighborhood is the highest density, lowest income housing block in Washtenaw County.  The new branch will also serve the Willow Run area.
 
Though closed now, the current tiny 1,000 sq.-ft. branch was a lifeline for the families and children in this particular community. Because so many residents near the library live in subsidized housing, where many of the households are led by a single female parent, there are many latchkey children.  Parents rely on the library as a safe place for their children to gather when there are no adults at home.  The kids build strong relationships with library staff.  It is a haven for them.
 
There is great understanding within Washtenaw County of the need for a space that can serve as a community center and resource in Superior Township - an area with both great wealth and great poverty.  The new library is poised to serve as this hub which is sure to transform the community well into the future. 
 
The 7,500 square foot building will be a full-service library, with hours and staffing similar to the Michigan Avenue location. The facility will offer:
 
  • A youth area with flexible space that can be adapted to a range of learning activities and programs for different ages
  • A dedicated teen/tween area
  • Two group study rooms
  • Comfortable seating for reading and studying
  • A community meeting room for Library programs and meetings of community groups
  • 20 computer workstations (compared to seven at the current library)
  • Triple the current number of books, magazines, and DVDs
  • More parking spaces
  • An outdoor reading area and programming space, if the budget allows
  • A drive-up book return available 24 hours seven days a week, if the budget allows
The library has taken on a larger purpose since closing due to COVID.  It is clear it will play a huge role in helping the MacArthur Boulevard area of Ypsilanti recover from the effects of the pandemic both economically and in terms of health equity.  It will be a center for community activity not only for educational and growth opportunities, but for local organizations and social service agencies to reach residents with vital services.
 
With construction now underway, we look forward to our grand opening in late summer of 2022.  The neighborhood is over the moon with excitement.  Lisa invites you to learn more about the project and the April 7th groundbreaking ceremony at https://www.ypsilibrary.org/engage/our-new-library.
 
Club Members and Lisa Hoenig in Earhart Manor Ballroom at Concordia University.
 
Ypsilanti District Library Director, Lisa Hoenig.
Lisa Hoenig Talked About The New Superior Library. Eric Tindall 2021-09-09 04:00:00Z 0 Lisa Hoenig,Superior Township Library

Photos From Meet District Governor BrendaK "Woo Woo" Tipton Celebration and Picnic.

Posted on Aug 23, 2021
What a beautiful rustic setting of Camp Talahi in Howell, MI for installing our new District Governor for 2021-22 Brenda ‘WooWoo’ Tipton, who took over on July 22nd from Governor Karen Gabrys. District Rotarians & PDGs from Michigan turned out in good numbers for our D6380’s first in-person gathering.
 
In the following photos are RCAAN members that attended the event.
 
CLICK HERE for all photos.
 
Click Read more for RCAAN member photos.
Photos From Meet District Governor BrendaK "Woo Woo" Tipton Celebration and Picnic. Eric Tindall 2021-08-23 04:00:00Z 0 Brenda Tipton,Meet The Governor

It Was One Of Those Days at August 12th, Lunch Meetings.

Posted on Aug 12, 2021
At today's RCAAN Lunch Meeting it was one of those days. We started meeting and when it was time for the speaker we lost Zooms audio and then video, due to our inexperience in hybrid meetings.
 
Sorry, to those that were on Zoom that the meeting ended abruptly, we will get it worked out.
 
Meanwhile we still had some good in-person fellowship as Manish Mehta's photo shows.
 
 
It Was One Of Those Days at August 12th, Lunch Meetings. Eric Tindall 2021-08-12 04:00:00Z 0

Registration Now Open for the Members Summit August 17th.

Posted on Jul 27, 2021
Welcome to the New Rotary Year!  
 
Did you know that August is Rotary Membership month? 
 
I am so excited to let you know that we will be hosting the D6380 Members Summit on August 17th starting 6:30pm - 8:00pm via Zoom. 
 
Why should you plan to be at the Members Summit?
 
  1. You will learn how to be successful in your membership recruitment 
  2. You will have a better understanding of  how to better engage your members
  3. You will be able to share successes and challenges with your Rotary colleagues from around the District
  4. You will better be able to understand how to have a more connected club
The Summit is for ALL Rotarians who are interested in helping their clubs to grow and reach out to potential new members in the communities who have a passion to serve.
 
Register and attend the Free Members Summit and AVOID any FOMO  (Fear of Missing Out)!  
 
 
Note: the summit will be virtual so that our Canadian family can join us.
 
Hope to virtually see you there!
 
Roma Murthy,
D6380 Membership Team
Excite....Engage...Have Fun!
 
 
Registration Now Open for the Members Summit August 17th. Eric Tindall 2021-07-27 04:00:00Z 0 Rotary District 6380 Membership Summit

Meet District Governor BrendaK "Woo Woo" Tipton Celebration and Picnic.

Posted on Jul 24, 2021
What a beautiful rustic setting of Camp Talahi in Howell, MI for installing our new District Governor for 2021-22 Brenda ‘WooWoo’ Tipton, who took over on July 22nd from Governor Karen Gabrys. District Rotarians & PDGs from Michigan turned out in good numbers for our D6380’s first in-person gathering.
 
Eric, Steve, Sherry, Gail, Diane, Joyce, Manish, Tammy and Don all attended the celebration from the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North.
 
 
Meet District Governor BrendaK "Woo Woo" Tipton Celebration and Picnic. Eric Tindall 2021-07-24 04:00:00Z 0 Brenda Tipton,Meet The Governor

Allison Platt From MADD Talked At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting On July 8th.

Posted on Jul 08, 2021
At our first In-Person Rotary Lunch Meeting, since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the club had Allison Platt from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
 
Allison said, "MADD's mission to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking." 
 
Drunk Driving Statistics: 
  • Every 2 minutes someone is injured in a drunk driving crash.
  • Every 51 minutes someone is killed.
  • 2 out of 3 people will be impacted by a drunk driving accident in their life.
  • Drunk driving is still the #1 cause of death on our roadways.
Under Age Drinking:
  • Alcohol use by those under the age 21 isn't a rite of passage. 
  • It’s dangerous. It’s deadly. And it sets kids up for a lifetime of negative consequences.
  • 4300 people are killed each year due to teen alcohol use- more then all other drug use combination.
  • Youth who start drinking before age 15 are 6 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse later in life.
In 2015, MADD expanded its mission to include fighting drug-impaired driving. MADD created a Drugged Driving Task Force with key law enforcement, traffic safety and research experts to study the potential effects of marijuana legalization, the national opioid crisis and the prevalence of prescription drugs could have on impaired driving. 
 
What they learned: 
  • Proven tools to combat drunk driving, such as high-visibility law enforcement, will detect and stop drugged driving too.
  • More research, more data and better testing are needed to fully understand the impact of marijuana legalization and other drugs on traffic safety and the under 21 population.
  • Alcohol is a drug that took years of research to understand and establish methods for measuring its impairing effects. The same cannot be said for measuring impairment caused by other drugs, but that doesn’t diminish the seriousness of drug-impaired driving.
Allison explained how individuals can become involved. MADD has a wide variety of opportunities to match your interests and expertise. Some options include:
 
  • Advocate for Change: Work to strengthen existing laws and pass new ones.
  • Lend a Shoulder: Become a trained volunteer
  • Victim Advocate or a Help Line volunteer and provide emotional support to victims and survivors.
  • Advise a Board: Consider a community leadership role by serving on a local advisory board.
  • Take Steps to Raise Funds: Sign up for Walk Like MADD in your community or as a virtual walker online to help raise mission funds to end drunk driving.
  • Speak Out: Join the Speakers Bureau program and speak at schools, civic groups, clubs and other organizations.
  • Spread the Word: Distribute MADD’s Tie One On For Safety red ribbons to encourage people not to drink and drive. Tie a ribbon on your vehicle to show your commitment. 
  • Monitor the Courts: Ensure that justice is being served by monitoring DUI cases.
  • Help Victims Be Heard: Coordinate a Victim Impact Panel where victims share their story to drunk and drugged driving offenders. 
  • Flex Some Power: Inspire youth, train parents or mobilize community activities to prevent underage drinking and reduces alcohol access to youth. 
  • Honor Heroes: Recognize law enforcement and first responders at shift briefings or sobriety checkpoints to say thanks for keeping our roads safe. 
  • Roll Up Your Sleeves: Help set up events, run an information booth or attend community fairs.
  • Mail Some Help: Research local drunk and drugged driving crashes, then mail “We Care” cards to the victims of these tragic events. 
  • Give a Hand: Answer phones, make copies or perform other office support duties.
It was a great first back to in-person meetings, everyone enjoyed seeing each other.
 
Pres. Tammy & Allison Platt from MADD.
 
Allison Platt From MADD Talked At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting On July 8th. Eric Tindall 2021-07-08 04:00:00Z 0 Allison Platt,Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Pandemic Relief: Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Global Grant In The Rotary Magazine. Eric Tindall 2021-06-27 04:00:00Z 0 COVID-19,Pandemic Relief for Detroit Global Grant
Celebration of In-Person Meetings. Eric Tindall 2021-06-24 04:00:00Z 0 Concordia University Ann Arbor,In-Person Meetings After COVID-19

Returning to In-Person Meetings, on July 8, 2021.

Posted on Jun 19, 2021
Returning to In-Person Meeting with a Hybrid option.
 
In-Person Meetings with Hybrid option starts, Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Concordia University Ann Arbor, 4090 Geddes Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105
 
Zoom Link to Join Meeting: Zoom Link to come soon
Meetings will be held in the historic Earhart Manor. The meeting room is on the third floor, an elevator is available.
 
New schedule for meetings:
  • Meeting with program, will be held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, at 12:00 PM.
  • Board Meeting/Club Assembly will be on the first Monday of each month, at 7:00 PM.
CLICK HERE to RSVP for lunch before Sunday evening to be able to receive lunch. 
 
 
Returning to In-Person Meetings, on July 8, 2021. Eric Tindall 2021-06-19 04:00:00Z 0 Concordia University Ann Arbor,In-Person Meetings After COVID-19

On June 10th, We Had The RCAAN Foundation Assembly And A Special Announcement

Posted on Jun 10, 2021
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Zoom Meeting on June 10, 2021, we had the RCAAN Foundation Assemble. 
 
Foundation President Eric Tindall presented the year in review for the Foundation. 
 
Eric said, "their were three sources of funds for this years donations."
  1. Watershed III profits
  2. Cruising 50's Party
  3. Carry-over from 2019-2020
Donations given out for 2020-2021
  • Ronald McDonald House: Donation for meals during COVID-19
  • Community Action Network: Donation for School Supplies; Enrichment Programs
  • Michigan Works! Southeast: Donation for Summer Jobs Programs for Teens/Young Adults
  • Community Action Network: Donation of Masks for Green Baxter Court
  • American Heritage Girls: Strips Award Project
  • Green Baxter Court: Holiday Support through COVID-19
  • Purple Crocuses for Polio, Farmington Hill Rotary
  • Green Baxter Court: Gift Cards for Adopt A Family
  • Avalon House: Donation for COVID-19 needs
  • SOS Community Services: Donation for COVID-19 needs
  • Alpha House: Donation for COVID-19 needs
  • Fisher House Michigan: Donation Match
  • Waterford Rotary: Donation for Pakistan Masks for Polio Project
  • Food Gatherers: Donation for 2021 Spring Food Drive
  • Rotary Rose Bowl Parade Float Committee: For Rose Bowl Float 
  • Habitat for Humanity: Donation for Mortgage Relief  Program due to continuing Covid-19 needs
  • Boys Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council: Donation for troop needs
  • Michigan Works: For Youth Summer Program
  • Global Grant for Pune India: ICU upgrade 
  • Pune India Oxygenation Center: Covid-19 Relief Project
Potential Projects for funding in future
  • Willow Acres: Potential District Grant RCANN is leading
  • Proposed Global Grant for Calcutta India: Water and Sanitation Project (2021-2022)
  • Proposed District Grant for Mayan Guatemala Project (2021-2022)
After Eric's Foundation presentation Manish Mehta told the club that Rotary International Convention is June 12th-16th. He presented a presentation of  the House of Friendship which will be at the RI Convention.
 
Lastly during the meeting, Pres. Steve Lessens gave a special announcement about in-person meetings. Steve said, "starting July 8th we will be going to in-person with virtual meetings, from our new meeting location Concordia University 4090 Geddes Road Ann Arbor, MI." The meeting will be held in the historic Earhart Manor (nickname: Old Manson). Meeting room is on the third floor, a elevator is available. 
 
The first week of the month we will have a Monday Board Meeting on Zoom at 7:00 PM. Then on the 2nd and 4th weeks during the month we will hold a In-Person/Virtual Lunch Meeting.
 
It was a very busy last RCAAN Lunch Meeting for the Rotary year.
 
 
On June 10th, We Had The RCAAN Foundation Assembly And A Special Announcement Eric Tindall 2021-06-10 04:00:00Z 0 RCAAN Foundation Assembly 2020-2021,Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation

Meet Governor "Woo Woo" Picnic and Celebration.

Here's a fun opportunity to celebrate our incoming District 6380 Governor BrendaK "WooWoo" Tipton as she begins her year!  This family-oriented event will offer all sorts of games, great food, friendship, fundraisers and more.  We'll gather outside at Camp Talahi near the Brighton Recreation Area in Brighton, Michigan.  Very casual attire is requested and come to have fun!! 
 
Date: July 22, 2021
Time: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
 
Click Here or on invite to register.
 
 
Meet Governor "Woo Woo" Picnic and Celebration. Eric Tindall 2021-06-05 04:00:00Z 0 Brenda Tipton,Meet The Governor

Rotary International 2021 Virtual Convention

Posted on Jun 05, 2021
The 2021 Virtual Convention will be better than ever, opening more innovative opportunities to learn and to engage with the family of Rotary, near and far. You’ll be able to network in virtual lounges, meet new partners in service, and join fun activities with Rotary members from around the world. Register today, the convention is June 12-16.
 
 
Rotary International 2021 Virtual Convention Eric Tindall 2021-06-05 04:00:00Z 0 Rotary International Convention

Talking Implicit Bias! At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Meeting On May 13th.

Posted on May 13, 2021
At the May 13, 2021, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting we had Jordan Greene a Research Specialist for Poverty Solutions, and Zoë Erb responsible for implementing the activities and policies of the Washtenaw Summer Youth Employment Programpresented on implicit bias.
 
Zoë Erb gave the club a definition of implicit bias, “Implicit biases are negative associations that people unknowingly hold. They are expressed automatically, without conscious awareness… Implicit biases affect individuals’ attitudes and actions, thus creating real-world implications. Exposure to structural and cultural racism has enabled stereotypes and biases to penetrate deep into our psyches. Implicit bias is one part of the system of inequity that serves to justify racist policies, practices and behaviors that persist in mainstream culture and narratives.” (Racial Equity Tools)
 
Jordan talked about intersectionality, The concept of Intersectionality was introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw in an article in 1989. It refers to the overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination. 
 
It is simply the idea that multiple identities intersect to create a whole that is different from the component identities. These identities that can intersect include gender, race, social class, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, mental illness, and physical illness as well as other forms of identity. Click here to read more on Intersectionality.
 
Everyone has implicit biases, they seep into virtually every aspect of our lives. Biases stem from the messages, attitudes, social cues, and stereotypes we’ve picked up from the culture, structures, policies around us. 
 
Implicit biases are pervasive and determine behaviors. They often have explicit outcomes and sometimes can result in microaggressions. They’re connected to…
  • Hiring practices & performance evaluations
  • Housing discrimination
  • Perceptions of neighborhood crime
  • Healthcare
  • Criminal justice & policing
To recap, Jordan's and Zoë's presentation:
  • Our brains are association-making machines
  • Everyone has biases
  • Implicit bias often has explicit consequences
  • Implicit bias is linked to systems and structures that produce & reinforce inequity
  • There are real-world implications; we should think about the impacts in the context of intersectionality.
 
 
Talking Implicit Bias! At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Meeting On May 13th. Eric Tindall 2021-05-13 04:00:00Z 0 Implicit Bias,Jordan Greene,Zoe Erb

Points of Pride Virtual District Conference.

Posted on May 06, 2021
Rotarians in District 6380, are invited to the Points of Pride Virtual District Conference. 
 
Event: Virtual District 6380 Conference
Date: Saturday, May 15, 2021, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
 
Details: 
  • Join your fellow Rotarians as we celebrate our year!
  • This year has been challenging but we have found new ways to do Rotary.
  • We have accomplished a lot and we have many Points of Pride to celebrate.
CLICK HERE to Register
 
 
Points of Pride Virtual District Conference. Eric Tindall 2021-05-06 04:00:00Z 0 Rotary District Conference 2021

Manish Mehta Talks About The "Pandemic Relief For Detroit Michigan Reverse Global Grant.

Posted on Apr 15, 2021
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Zoom Meeting on April 15, 2021, Tanum Ollila had an unexpected event come up and was not able to attend meeting so Manish Mehta stepped up to speak about the "Pandemic Relief for Detroit Michigan Reverse Global Grant 2014854". 
 
Manish described the project, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is leading a group of 13 Rotary Clubs from India, Uganda and SE Michigan on a Rotary International Foundation-matched Global Grant (GG #2014854) award titled “Pandemic Relief for Detroit Project.” 
 
Donation From
  1. Ann Arbor North- Project Host Club
  2. Pune Metro- International Sponsor Club
  3. Bangalore Brigades
  4. Detroit
  5. Pune Central
  6. Pune South
  7. Pune Pristine
  8. Pune Inspire
  9. Ann Arbor
  10. Novi
  11. Troy
  12. Lakes Area (Commerce, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, Wixom
  13. Ann Arbor West
Our project provided PPE donations to Metro Detroit hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes working with the aged and under served populations, and cash assistance to nine food banks serving the hardest-hit areas in Detroit and neighbouring communities in Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Novi and Ann Arbor.
 
Area Rotarians and volunteers from Palav delivered purchased critical PPE to Veterans Administration Hospital in Detroit, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic, Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services, Say Detroit Community Outreach Services, UMRC
 
Porter Hill Nursing Home and Presbyterian Village Nursing Homes. In aggregate, these PPE supplies include nearly 10,000 specialty face masks and face shields, 75,000 surgical, nitrile and latex gloves, 250 gowns, dozens of sanitization stations, thermometers and safety signage.
 
The rest of the Organization received a donation of a predetermined amount, to help them through COVID-19.
 
Donation Location (Zoom Celebration Date & Time, To Date)
  1. Henry Ford Hospital
  2. Veterans Hospital (VA) Detroit
  3. UMRC Porter Hill Nursing Home (2 Locations)
  4. Presbyterian Village Nursing Home (10 Locations)
  5. Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic
  6. Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services
  7. Say Detroit Community Outreach Services
  8. Gleaners: Providing Food to Detroit Residents
  9. Cereal Drive for School Children at Detroit Children's Hospital
  10. Meals on Wheels of Detroit
  11. Cass Community Social Services
  12. Homeless Veterans Centers (8 Locations in Metro Det.)
  13. Hope Warming Homeless Center- Pontiac
  14. Meals on Wheels- Ypsilanti:
  15. Novi Public School Summer Food Drive
  16. Food Gatherers- Ann Arbor
To see Manish Mehta's full presentation.
 
To see video's and previous story for the "Pandemic Relief for Detroit Michigan Reverse Global Grant 2014854". 
 
 
In the Rotary Magazine (Digital Edition} July 2021 issue Kris Vire, wrote a story about the Global Grant called Friends In Need: An international relationship came full circle when clubs in India provided aid to Detroit at the start of the pandemic
 
 
Manish Mehta Talks About The "Pandemic Relief For Detroit Michigan Reverse Global Grant. Eric Tindall 2021-04-15 04:00:00Z 0 COVID-19,Manish Mehta,Pandemic Relief for Detroit Global Grant

At RCAAN Lunch Meeting on March 11, 2021, John Barrie Talked About Mayan Power and Light.

At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on March 11, 2021, John Barrie talked about a Rotary Global Grant called Mayan Power and Light he is supporting.
 
Mayan Power and Light is a self-sustaining social venture business incubator that helps Guatemalan women start small scale businesses to serve rural populations. Mayan Power and Light businesses sell affordable solar power, water filters and clean cooking stoves.
 
The program addresses eight of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals according to sustain, a program of the United Nations Compact for Sustainable Development.
 
Mayan Power and Light is a collaborative venture between The Appropriate Technology Collaborative, regional governments, Guatemalan Technical schools, Guatemalan women’s rights activists and rural community leaders. Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala the program creates jobs, provides power, improves health and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. 
 
Mayan Power and Light projects interconnect to create long-term, sustainable solutions with empowered communities.
  • Demonstration Projects:
    • Community buildings offer improved services while demonstrating the benefits of solar power, water filters and clean cookstoves. 
    • Solar powered computer labs improve quality of education.
    • Cellphone charging stations allow kids to charge their family cellphone while at school.
  • Social Entrepreneurship:
    • Practical coaching sessions support small businesses and encourage them to integrate social and environmental impacts into their business models.
    • Rural women develop business plans and skills to serve her community, benefit the environment and earn her own income.
  • Generation of Change:
    • Hands-on, STEM-rich trainings at schools, universities and community centers increase awareness about appropriate technologies that address poverty and the environment.
    • Specializing in solar power, workshops help people make educated investments in home solar power solutions. Students learn to calculate their power needs, where to set solar panels, and solar components.
  • Community Empowerment
    • Sessions with community leaders build their capacity to plan and lead sustainable projects independently.
    • This process encourages community-directed initiatives from planning to fundraising and maintenance.
For more information on Mayan Power and Light take a look at his power-point presentation.
 
 
At RCAAN Lunch Meeting on March 11, 2021, John Barrie Talked About Mayan Power and Light. Eric Tindall 2021-03-11 05:00:00Z 0 John Barrie,Mayan Power and Light

Charles Madenjian Talked About Fish Sustainability in The Great Lakes.

Posted on Feb 11, 2021
Charles Madenjian, from the Great Lakes Science Center, talked about fish sustainability in the Great Lakes on Feb. 11, 2020, at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Zoom Lunch Meeting.
 
Charles explained,  "the Lake Trout population in the Great Lakes was starting to get wiped out in 1956 due to over fishing and the sea lamprey invasion". Sea Lamprey feed on blood of Lake Trout; a sufficiently amount of blood consumption results in death of the Lake Trout.
 
The steps to restore the Lake Trout to the great lakes is:
  1. Sea Lamprey control 
  2. Stocking Lake Trout. 
Controlling the Sea Lamprey has been very effective. To see more information on his talk, take a look at the photos of his power point that follows. 
 
 
 
 
Charles Madenjian Talked About Fish Sustainability in The Great Lakes. Eric Tindall 2021-02-11 05:00:00Z 0 Charles Madenjian,Great Lakes Science Center

Andrea Wotan, Talked About Plant-Rich Diets at RCAAN Lunch Meeting on January 14th.

Posted on Jan 14, 2021
Andrea Wotan was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch Meeting on January 14, 2021. Andrea's topic was, plant-rich diets are key to saving our planet and ourselves.
 
Andrea is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) specializing in whole food plant-based nutrition. She received a Master of Public Health degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and then completed her training to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. 
 
“Saving our planet needs to be the world’s top priority right now, because nothing else matters if we and our children are living on a dead planet, and we’re already witnessing the devastation of climate change,” she said.
 
“Individuals must cut down on meat and dairy if we are serious about doing our part to save the planet. No matter what other steps we take, we’ll likely still lose this planet if we don’t rein in our collective demand for meat and dairy starting immediately.”
 
Animal agriculture is the leading source of methane emissions in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA estimated the entire agricultural sector was responsible for only 9% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2017.
 
The livestock industry is “catastrophic for the planet,” Wotan said, because the two primary gases produced are methane and nitrous oxide, which trap more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
 
“It is urgent that we immediately cut these gases, because they’re doing monumentally more harm to the planet right now than carbon dioxide,” Andrea said. The National Resources Defense Council estimated Americans reduced beef consumption 19% between 2005 and 2014, the emissions equivalent of taking 39 million cars off the road. If every American cut one hamburger a week from their diet, it would amount to taking 10 million cars off the road, according to NRDC.
 
For ways to go to a plant based diet, take a look at here website at https://wotannutrition.com/.
 
 
 
Andrea Wotan, Talked About Plant-Rich Diets at RCAAN Lunch Meeting on January 14th. Eric Tindall 2021-01-14 05:00:00Z 0 Andrea Wotan,Plant-Rich Diets,Wotan Nutrition,carbon-neutrality
Happy New Year! Eric Tindall 2020-12-31 05:00:00Z 0 Happy New Years
Happy Holidays From Rotary. Eric Tindall 2020-12-24 05:00:00Z 0 Happy Holidays

RCAAN Meeting on Dec. 17th, Check Distribution and T.C. Collins Talked About Willow Acres.

Posted on Dec 17, 2020
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch Meeting on December 17, 2020, we had a special check distribution from the Pandemic Relief for Detroit Global Grant and T.C. Collins talked about Willow Run Acres in Ypsilanti.
 
Manish Mehta started the meeting by describing the Pandemic Relief Global Grant. The Global Grant will provide PPE donations to Metro Detroit hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes working with the aged and underserved populations, and cash assistance to nine food banks serving the hardest-hit areas in Detroit and neighbouring communities in Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Novi and Ann Arbor.
 
Area Rotarians and volunteers from Palav will deliver purchased critical PPE to Veterans Administration Hospital in Detroit, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic, Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services, Say Detroit Community Outreach Services, UMRC
 
Porter Hill Nursing Home and Presbyterian Village Nursing Homes. In aggregate, these PPE supplies include nearly 10,000 specialty face masks and face shields, 75,000 surgical, nitrile and latex gloves, 250 gowns, dozens of sanitization stations, thermometers and safety signage.
 
The rest of the Organization will be getting a donation of a predetermined amount to help them through COVID-19.

The 2 organizations we celebrated at this meeting was Food Gatherers and Ypsilanti Meal on Wheels. First Helen Starman talked about Food Gatherers, "we are a food bank serving Washtenaw County".  Food Gatherers serves 170 non-profit agencies and programs providing direct food assistance in the form of hot meals, nutritious snacks or emergency groceries to low-income adults, seniors and children in Washtenaw County.
 
 Food Gatherers partners with:
  • Mostly free (70%) and low cost food
  • Capacity building grants
  • Training to register eligible clients for federal and state benefit programs 
  • Customized food safety training by licensed food safety professionals on our staff
Food Gatherers provides direct service through our Community Kitchen and Job Training Program located in the Robert J. Delonis Center in downtown Ann Arbor:
  • 1,600 volunteers prepare and serve nearly 75,000 plates of food to people in need each year at the Community Kitchen.
  • Students of the Job Training and Internship programs are chosen from at-risk youth (ages 16-20). They gain basic training in the culinary arts and work to develop work ethics and life skills.
Helen told the club that the $2500.00, had bought a electric pallet jack. Because of COVID-19 they can not use volunteers so the staff is doing all of the work, which have increased a lot. the new electric pallet jack has made the staffs work much easier. The staff is very appreciative and thanks us.
 
Then Kelly Schwartz from Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels talked about their service. Meals on Wheels distributes meals to if an individual that are
  • generally homebound, able to leave the home only for medical appointments and occasional outings.
  • unable to obtain or prepare complete, nutritious meals due to health or disability.
  • without a spouse or caregiver who is willing or able to provide meals.
  • need meals for at least three weeks. (At the discretion of the Director, meals may be delivered for a shorter period of time.)
  • able to feed yourself.
  • unable to participate in congregate meals, such as those offered at local senior centers.
  • Your dietary needs can be appropriately met by the Meals on Wheels program without jeopardizing your health.
  • You are the spouse or unpaid caregiver of a Meals on Wheels client.
Kelly told the club, that the donation of $2,500.00 will go to buying items to be given out to individuals they serve.
 
Items that are needed during this time of COVID-19.
  • masks
  • thermometers
  • magazines, with games that will keep the individuals busy, as they need to be alone.
Kelly thanks the Global Grant for the donation.
 
RCAAN Meeting on Dec. 17th, Check Distribution and T.C. Collins Talked About Willow Acres. Eric Tindall 2020-12-17 05:00:00Z 0 Food Gatherers,Pandemic Relief for Detroit Global Grant,T.C. Collins,Willow Run Acres,Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels

Willow Run Acres

Posted on Dec 17, 2020
Update December 17, 2020:
 
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting T.C. Collins from Willow Run Acres of Ypsilanti was our speaker. T.C. Collins is the founder of Willow Run Acres. T.C. started gardening  and farming at 2-3 years old with his great great grandparents. As a descendant of former slaves, the legacy of farming and gardening has been preserved in his family along with other often lost traditions. His Southern roots gave him an appreciation for green space and he has been living "organically" since before it was popular.  TC manages Many gardens and farms through out Michigan and Ohio.
 
T.C. told the club, that Willow Run Acres is a nonprofit organization located in Ypsilanti, Michigan who educates the community and other local surrounding counties with hands-on gardening experiences, gardening classes, gardening education, annual Potato Day, wellness ventures, and sustainability in a holistic & healthy approach within the community starting at toddlers through seniors.
 
Willow Run Acres offers educational/gardening classes for all skills/age levels, garden safety classes, yearly Potato Day Programs, food distribution, service the community with weekly/monthly clean-up sessions, gardening wellness sites, role modeling/mentor opportunities, and other community engagements.
 
T.C. is preparing raised garden beds in which he and volunteers plant vegetables, that when grown, he gives to the needy.
 
Update June 15, 2021:
 
The project is rapidly developing and progressing. We are scaling back to $5000 total with a grant due date of June 15:
 
  • TC Collins is amazing an impressive array of partners.
  • The partnership between Vestergaard and Willow Run Acres is flourishing
  • The City of Ann Arbor has funded the construction of the first 50 raised beds. They are constructed withing a budget that was being stretched by rising prices.
  • Another 50 beds are planned when prices come down once more.
  • Willow Run Acres has a grant request in to the US Department of Agriculture for a hoop house. We could help fund that next year.
  • The current ask is for $4995 for the largest Farm Bot. Watch the video here: FarmBot | Open-Source CNC Farming
 
We plan to fund the Farm Bot.
 
Sources:
Ann Arbor $500
Dexter $250
Saline $250
Milan $250 
M36 $100
Lee Halstead $200
Fowlerville $710
Ann Arbor North $1000 (min)
Yet Needed $73 (Scott Nelson will write a donation check to the RCAAN Foundation)
 
Willow Run Acres Eric Tindall 2020-12-17 05:00:00Z 0 T.C. Collins,Willow Run Acres

“Ososa Micro-Credit Scheme”

Posted on Dec 17, 2020
On December 16, 2020 Kickoff festivities for the 11th year of our joint Rotary Foundation Global Grant Project known as “Ososa Micro-Credit Scheme” - this is a $36,000 micro-loan and mentoring project with Rotary Club of Gbagada (Nigeria) to empower 200 entrepreneurs in the Ogun community. 
 
The Gbagada Club President Rotn(Hon) Isola Ogunsola and members of Rotary Club of Gbagada D9110 already on ground at Ososa today 16th December, 2020 for training and distribution of cheques to 200 beneficiaries of 13.5million Niaras upgraded Global Grant microcredit scheme jointly sponsored by RC Gbagada D9110 Nigeria, and RC Ann Arbor North D6380 USA. This fund is being managed on behalf of Gbagada Club by Star Microfinance Bank, Ososa, Ogun State. 
 
Rotary is touching lives and Opening Opportunities!
 
 
The Following is from Rotary Club of Gbagada's Newsletter on December 23, 2020.
 
 
 
“Ososa Micro-Credit Scheme” Eric Tindall 2020-12-17 05:00:00Z 0 Manish Mehta,Nigeria Micro Loan,“Ososa Micro-Credit Scheme”

Ososa Global Grant Cheques Distribution To Beneficiaries.

Posted on Dec 10, 2020
A celebration of the Micro Credit Program in Nigeria will be held by Zoom on December 16, 2020, 7:30 AM, Ann Arbor, MI, time.
 
RCAAN is pleased to be a partner with RC Gbagada since 2008, in co-funding a Micro-finance Loan Project in Nigeria which was initiated by Rotn Ayotunde Onafuwa (a past member of RCAAN who retired and moved to his native Nigeria). The micro-loan project is in its 10th year and funds about $9,000 in low-interest loans (~ $50-100/recipient) to benefit small business entrepreneurs in the Gbagada community (such as bakers, seamstresses, handymen, tailors, convenience storekeepers, etc). The borrowers are mentored by Gbagada Rotarians to manage their cash flows, inventories and profits, and loan-repayment is nearly 100%.”
 
The Zoom invite follows:
Rotary Club of  Gbagada is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
Topic: Rotary Club of Gbagada, D9110 & Ann Arbor North, D6380 Ososa Global Grant Cheques Distribution To Beneficiaries.
 
Time: Dec 16, 2020, 07:30 AM Ann Arbor, MI,  01:30 PM West Central Africa
 
Join Zoom Meeting:
 
Meeting ID: 501 690 3784
 
Passcode: RCG
 
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,5016903784# US (New York)
 
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
 
Meeting ID: 501 690 3784
 
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcOMl0D7rF
 
Ososa Global Grant Cheques Distribution To Beneficiaries. Eric Tindall 2020-12-10 05:00:00Z 0 Micro Credit Program,Nigeria Micro Loan,Rotary Club of Gbagada

Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Partnership with Community Action Network.

Posted by Diane Sheffrey on Dec 02, 2020
 
Community Action Network (CAN) partners with children, youth, and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County (Michigan) neighborhoods to create better futures for themselves, and improve the communities in which they live.
 
Community Action Network strives to:
  • Prepare youth to fulfill their academic potential and become successful, self-sufficient adults.
  • Assist families in meeting their basic needs and create better futures for themselves.
  • Create and maintain clean, safe and supportive neighborhoods where families can thrive.
The above CAN goals pair nicely with our Rotary goals and objectives.  Rotary Club Ann Arbor North has a long history of supporting Community Action Network especially through our involvement with the Green Baxter Court community.
 
While our involvement has changed somewhat during the Covid-19 crisis, our commitment to this organization and community has continued.  RCAAN requested both adult and child face masks for Community Action Network from the Rotary 100K mask challenge project.   In all, 310 adult masks and 300 child masks were donated to CAN at the request of Rotary Club Ann Arbor North.
 
We had to forgo our typical fall trip to the apple orchard this year.  Instead, RCAAN covered the cost of a harvest party at the Green Baxter Court community house.  The party was planned and carried out by the CAN staff and paid for by our club.  One of our club members was able to participate in the outdoor event.  The caramel apples with extra toppings were tasty and the carved pumpkins were interesting!
 
December holidays will be more difficult for the CAN families this year because of Covid-19.  Loss of work hours, less access to food support, and other stressors may mean that parents have to limit holiday gift purchases for their children.  Rotary Club Ann Arbor North has typically sponsored several children through the CAN holiday gift program.  This year, the club increased the support for this program by sponsoring 5 children. 
 
Rotary Club Ann Arbor North looks forward to continued involvement with Community Action Network and Green Baxter Court.
 
To learn more about Community Action Network or to support this worthy organization, go to www.canwashtenaw.org.
 
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Partnership with Community Action Network. Diane Sheffrey 2020-12-02 05:00:00Z 0 Adopt-A-Family,COVID-19,Communitty Action Network,Green Baxter Court

"Pandemic Relief for Detroit Michigan Reverse Global Grant 2014854".

Posted on Nov 16, 2020
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North is leading a group of 13 Rotary Clubs from India, Uganda and SE Michigan on a Rotary International Foundation-matched Global Grant (GG #2014854) award titled “Pandemic Relief for Detroit Project.” 
 
Donation From
  1. Ann Arbor North- Project Host Club
  2. Pune Metro- International Sponsor Club
  3. Bangalore Brigades
  4. Detroit
  5. Pune Central
  6. Pune South
  7. Pune Pristine
  8. Pune Inspire
  9. Ann Arbor
  10. Novi
  11. Troy
  12. Lakes Area (Commerce, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, Wixom
  13. Ann Arbor West
District Designated Fund (DDF)
  1. 6380- 46 Clubs in Michigan and 6 Clubs in Ontario, Canada
  2. 9211- 178 Clubs in Tanzania and Uganda
  3. 3190- 147 Clubs in South India
We are pleased to inform you, the Rotary Foundation Grant is received and we are ready for the implementation of this Grant.
 
Our project will provide PPE donations to Metro Detroit hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes working with the aged and underserved populations, and cash assistance to nine food banks serving the hardest-hit areas in Detroit and neighboring communities in Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Novi and Ann Arbor.
 
Area Rotarians and volunteers from Palav will deliver purchased critical PPE to Veterans Administration Hospital in Detroit, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic, Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services, Say Detroit Community Outreach Services, UMRC, Porter Hill Nursing Home and Presbyterian Village Nursing Homes. In aggregate, these PPE supplies include nearly 10,000 specialty face masks and face shields, 75,000 surgical, nitrile and latex gloves, 250 gowns, dozens of sanitization stations, thermometers and safety signage.
 
The rest of the Organization will be getting a donation of a predetermined amount, to help them through COVID-19.
 
Kickoff event announces a major donation to Gleaners Community Food Bank (see banner for Kickoff Event on Tuesday 12/15/20 at 10:00-10:45 a.m), where Keynote remarks will be delivered by Rotary International President Nominee (2022-23) and Member of Windsor-Roseland Club in Canada - Ms Jennifer Jones.
  
The Grant was granted with an amount totaling $72,069.00.
 
Donation Location (Zoom Celebration Date & Time, To Date)
  1. Henry Ford Hospital
  2. Veterans Hospital (VA) Detroit
  3. UMRC Porter Hill Nursing Home (2 Locations)
  4. Presbyterian Village Nursing Home (10 Locations)
  5. Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic
  6. Brilliant Detroit Community Outreach Services
  7. Say Detroit Community Outreach Services
  8. Gleaners: Providing Food to Detroit Residents
  9. Cereal Drive for School Children at Detroit Children's Hospital (Money went to Gleaners, due to the length of time to get Grant)
  10. Meals on Wheels of Detroit
  11. Cass Community Social Services
  12. Homeless Veterans Centers (8 Locations in Metro Det.)
  13. Hope Warming Homeless Center- Pontiac
  14. Meals on Wheels- Ypsilanti
  15. Novi Public School Summer Food Drive
  16. Food Gatherers- Ann Arbor
The Following segment aired on December 15th on ABC News WXYZ TV, about the kick-off event with Gleaners.
The first delivery of PPE items (3000 pieces N95 face masks) was made at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit by about a dozen members of Rotary Club of Detroit, Ann Arbor North and volunteers from collaborating NGO partner Palav.
 
A grateful Dr Marcus Zervos offered his Thanks to our Rotary project.
The second delivery of PPE items (3000 pieces surgical masks, 500 N95 masks, 10 sanitizing stations and 200 boxes of nitrile gloves) was made at Presbyterian Village Center of Michigan for distribution across their 10 facilities which house ~10,000 aged and vulnerable patients in Metro Detroit by 3 members of Rotary Club of Detroit and Ann Arbor North and 7 volunteers from collaborating NGO partner Palav.
 
A grateful President/CEO Roger Myers offered his Thanks to our Rotary project. Another video of this delivery operation to bring the PPE cartons from my vehicle to the 3rd floor office for storage in their “Covid-19 War Room!”
 
CLICK HERE for Photos
"Pandemic Relief for Detroit Michigan Reverse Global Grant 2014854". Eric Tindall 2020-11-16 05:00:00Z 0 COVID-19,Detroit,Pandemic Relief for Detroit Global Grant

Arlene Golembiewski, Talked About Bumpeh Chiefdom.

Posted on Nov 12, 2020
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on November 12, 2020, Arlene Golembiewski, talked about Bumpeh Chiefdom, in Sierra Leone. Arlene Golembiewski, is founder of Sherbro Foundation Sierra Leone (SFSL), and a former Peace Corps science teacher in Rotifunk, Bumpeh Chiefdom, Sierra Leone. 
 
Arlene talked about the programs they are doing in the Bumpeh Chiefdom
  • Education: 
    • Girls Scholarships:
      • Girls go to secondary school on scholarship for a full year for $20.
      • Over 600 girls have received 1250 school fee scholarships, some for two and three years.
      • The most vulnerable girls are selected – orphans or with single parents and those who must leave their small village homes to pursue secondary school education in a larger town.
      • Girls are graduating and we’ve started adding college scholarships, too.
    • Adult Literacy:
      • From learning ABC’s to GED style study, classes teach reading, writing and  small business skills to market women and farmers​​​​​. 
      • More advanced students prepare to move on to further vocational training, like primary school teacher and nursing aide training.
    • Tutoring for National Exams:
      • 9th and 12th grad students receive evening tutoring to prepare for national junior high and senior high completion exams. 
      • These are the gateway exams for entering senior high and college or vocational schools. Local qualified teachers are used to fill in curriculum gaps schools can’t cover and provide systemic review before exams.
      • The program will reduce the high rate of senior high drop-out’s, especially among girls.
    • Computer Training & Printing Service:
      • Tutoring program students and adults receive computer training where they learn the basics of Windows, Word for Windows and Excel.
      • Computer training provides wage-paying job skills, prepares students for college classes and give adults tools to better manage their work.
      • CCET-SL introduced the first IT technology in the chiefdom. Any student can return to CCET-SL’s Center to use computers for their own applications. CCET-SL offers the only publicly available printing service in a district of 300,000 people. Customers avoid a costly, usually overnight trip to the capital for printing, and get cheaper, fast service. CCET-SL earns income for day-to-day operations.  A win-win for all.
  • Economic Empowerment:
    • Vegetable Growing:
      • Started as a post-Ebola relief effort, this program helps women farmers grow peanuts and vegetables as cash crops that double their incomes vs. traditional rice farming.
      • Women receive peanut seed, a drying tarpaulin to improve their yields and 100 lb. of rice to feed their families before their harvest. With added income, they avoid taking out high interest loans to pay their children’s school fees. They donate seed back to help start the next group of women.
    • Baby Orchards:
      • Orchards are planted with fruit trees grown from seed of local fruit. In 4 -5 years, orchards will produce ten of thousands of dollars for children’s education.
      • The goal is to fund education savings accounts opened for newborns, which parents can continue grow with their own savings. By the age of twelve, a child will have money for their secondary school education. 
      • While fruit trees mature, orchards are inter-planted with annuals crops of rice, couscous, corn and vegetables for short term operating income.
      • The project’s tree nursery raises 20,000 fruit tree seedlings annually, started from seed collected from locally purchased fruit. One or two year old seedling are planted in the orchards. Some are given to parents of newborns to grow.  Sale of other seedlings to private farmers helps fund nursery operations.
    • Newborn Program:
      • The chiefdom records births of newborns and prepares affidavits to exchange for government birth certificates. Government birth registration doesn’t reach this inaccessible rural area. CCET-SL facilitates securing legal birth certificates for these babies.​​​​​
      • Newborn parents receive three fruit trees to grow for income for their child’s welfare and education. They’re encouraged to save money in CCET-SL coordinated education savings accounts.
Arlene, thanked Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North and all of the supporters of  Bumpeh Chiefdom, she was happy to be able to talk to the club.
 
 
Arlene Golembiewski, Talked About Bumpeh Chiefdom. Eric Tindall 2020-11-12 05:00:00Z 0 Arlene Golembiewski,Sherbro Foundation,Sierra Leone
Green Baxter Court Fall Outing 2020. Eric Tindall 2020-11-03 05:00:00Z 0 Communitty Action Network,Green Baxter Court Fall Outing

Peg Windsor Introduced The Club To The MI Summer Works Program On Oct 15th.

Posted on Oct 15, 2020
The the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on October 15, 2020, Peg Windsor introduced the club to members of the MI Works Summer Youth Program.
 
Peg introduced the club to:
  • Dallas: Youth Advisor
  • Zoe Erb: Program Coordinator (Summer Works)
  • Amy Cell: Job Search Coordinator
  • Jack Lyons: Student
  • Dora James: Student
SummerWorks is the Washtenaw County Summer Youth Employment Program, a 10-week summer employment and mentorship program that pairs local employers with young adults. It connects youth to resources for building professional networks, exploring career opportunities, and developing essential job and leadership skills. 
 
Peg introduced the individuals from the Summer Works Program and she asked the participants to talk about themselves and tell how the Summer Program is different this year because of COVID-19. 
 
Dora a student said, everything is online now, instead of in person events last year. Jack explained to the club, he liked the in-person events more then this year everything being on-line, but it was still good.  He is just a in-person kind of person.
 
Everyone in the Summer Works Program had a great experience this year and will continue next year.
 
 
Peg Windsor: Rotarian, MI Works!
Peg Windsor Introduced The Club To The MI Summer Works Program On Oct 15th. Eric Tindall 2020-10-15 04:00:00Z 0 Amy Cell,Dallas,Dora James,Jack Lyons,Michigan Works! Southeast,Peg Windsor,Summer Works!,Zoe Erb
2019-2020 Rotary Citation Eric Tindall 2020-10-01 04:00:00Z 0 Rotary Citation

Judge Karen Valvo Was The Speaker At The RCAAN Zoom Lunch on Sept 7th.

Posted on Sep 17, 2020
Judge Karen Valvo was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Zoom Lunch Meeting on Sept 7th. Joyce talked about how COVID-19 is affecting the court system.
 
Karen Valvo is a judge on the Fifteenth Judicial District Court in Michigan. She was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder (R) on January 5, 2016, to succeed Judge Christopher S. Easthope, who resigned in December 2015. Valvo ran for election to the seat in November 2016 in order to serve for the remainder of Easthope's term. She will have to run for re-election in 2020. Joyce presides over criminal and traffic cases and the specialized Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Court dockets.
 
Joyce started by telling the club, like most things, Ann Arbor Courts closed down when COVID-19 closed everything down. After a few weeks the courts went to Zoom. All the Judges in the Ann Arbor Court was already licensed in Zoom. The courts work spaces were reconfigured for social distancing and everyone was wearing masks. 
 
Since the courts were always open to the public, which became unsafe during a virus, they started putting the dockets on youtube. 
 
When Jury Trials stated back up in District Courts they practiced the 6 ft. rule and used face coverings. Only 10 people could be in the courtroom at any given time so many waited in the hallway staying 6 ft. apart. 
 
They Judges tried not to give jail time to individual where ever it was possible. 
 
In cases that Joyce presided on pertaining evictions the landlords seemed more lenient on payment then before COVID-19.
 
Joyce said. "that some of the practiced during COVID-19 will be continued after COVID-19."
 
 
Judge Karen Valvo Was The Speaker At The RCAAN Zoom Lunch on Sept 7th. Eric Tindall 2020-09-17 04:00:00Z 0 COVID-19,Judge Karen Valvo

Jim Kozteva From Voters Not Politicians Talked at The RCAAN Virtual Meeting on Aug. 13th.

Posted on Aug 13, 2020
Rotarian Jim Kozteva, talked about Anti-Gerrymanderin at the August 13th, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Virtual Meeting. 
 
Jim said, "On November 6, 2018, 61% of Michigan voters from across the state passed Proposal 2, which ended gerrymandering by creating an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The amendment created a fair, impartial, and transparent process where voters - not politicians - will draw Michigan's state Senate, state House, and Congressional election district maps."
 
Redistricting is, every 10 years, the US Census is conducted to measure how population shifts throughout the country. When this data is collected, states are required to redraw their voting district maps - a process called redistricting - to ensure equal population.
 
The term "gerrymandering" is used to describe the practice of drawing election district boundaries to favor one political party, incumbent, or candidate. Instead of drawing lines to represent the voters' interests, politicians meet behind closed doors with highly paid consultants and big data to carve and skew communities based on past voting patterns. 
 
Michigan voters exercised their right of direct democracy and put a constitutional amendment on the 2018 general election ballot, known as Proposal 2. Proposal 2 put the power to draw election district maps in the hands of voters and created a fair, impartial, and transparent process.
 
The redistricting reform amendment created an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission that would be tasked to draw Michigan’s state Senate, state House, and Congressional election district maps every 10 years using Census data.
 
The amendment requires that the Commission be made up of 4 Democrat voters, 4 Republican voters, and 5 voters who affiliate with neither of those parties. Commissioners in each of these buckets must agree to adopt the final maps.
 
What the Redistricting Reform Amendment means for Michigan?
 
Now, Michigan citizens have the power to draw the lines! As a Michigan citizen, you have a chance to become a part of history and creating fair, impartial and transparent election district lines that represent the voters of Michigan. 
 
 
 
 
Jim Kozteva From Voters Not Politicians Talked at The RCAAN Virtual Meeting on Aug. 13th. Eric Tindall 2020-08-13 04:00:00Z 0 Anti-Gerrymanderin,Voters Not Politicians

Support and Spread the Word: District 6380 ROTARY100K PPE Mask Initiative!

Posted on Aug 06, 2020
Good day Fellow Rotarians
 
Did you know that YOUR Rotary District 6380 has formed a COVID-19 Disaster District Mask Initiative to help our health care workers since back in April 2020? 
 
We started this by applying and receiving a a $25,000.00 Rotary International Disaster Grant, as well as the District has put up an additional $20,000.00. With this seed money we have been purchasing FDA approved masks to be distributed to front line workers through out our district.
 
We have set up a special COVID-19 Disaster Fund donation link (http://rotary100k.org/) where individual clubs and members can assist in providing much needed personal protection equipment to our front line workers by clicking on the donate button.
 
Our goal is to get 100,000 masks donated throughout Rotary District 6380.  Every donation, gets us closer to our goal!
 
Also we have recently expanded this initiative to also be a District Wide Fundraiser partnering with GLOW a women's empowerment organization in India to have masks made for sale and distribution with the Rotary logo. 
 
 
Purchases and more info can be made at http://rotary100k.org/
 
 
Help us spread the Rotary spirit during this time of uncertainty and need by visting http://rotary100k.org/
 
             
Support and Spread the Word: District 6380 ROTARY100K PPE Mask Initiative! Eric Tindall 2020-08-06 04:00:00Z 0 100K Mask Challenge,Rotary District 6380
2019-2020 Year In Review. Eric Tindall 2020-07-25 04:00:00Z 0 2019-2020 Year in Review Video,President Eric Tindall

On July 16th At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting Was John Huber.

Posted on Jul 16, 2020
At the first Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting for the year the speaker was John Huber the Principle of the Emerson School in Ann Arbor. John talked about  the issues with reopening the schools in the fall with COVID-19 pandemic.
 
John said, "Emerson School, 300 students for academically talented and gifted, young 5’s to 8th grade."
 
Emerson is an independent school, which allows for more flexibility than public schools. One of the first things they recognized is the need for technology expertise to help staff and parents. Parents aren’t always comfortable with experimentation.
 
John, presented the 5 Realities of Teaching and School:
  1. Children learn best in small groups with face-to-face instruction. 
  2. Instruction needs to be broken into units and segments, not in long stretches.
  3. Children are also learning socialization skills, difficult to do virtually.
  4. Experienced teachers have a large “toolbox” on ways to work with children and respond to challenges; 5) school serves as child care so parents can work.
Emerson’s plan was to create daily lessons that require 2-way communication and interaction. 
  • Mondays are Community Day for socialization, enrichments, physical/social/emotional/mental health.  This is good for students and faculty.  It also allows for planning and scheduling time for teachers. 
  • Tuesday-Friday are Instructional Days.  To feel normal, the routine for distance learning mirrored what they would be doing in school.
During the 3 month of COVID-19, John and the teachers learned a lot, the following are what they learned:
  • Technology needs to be simplified for student independence. 
  • Content time is king. 
  • Focus in the morning best, can’t be on Zoom all day. 
  • Advisories and homeroom check-ins very important.
  • There’s never enough communication.
There are many unknowns on reopening schools. John and the leaders of Emerson are working on different scenarios to open in the fall. He feels all kid's will be able to come back and still be safe because Emerson School is so large and can social distance. 
 
John, recognized Emerson has advantages that give them more resources to respond to students’ needs and is unsure how public schools will be adapting.
 
At the end of the meeting John took question on Emerson's School opening in the fall with COVID-19.
 
 
 
 
On July 16th At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting Was John Huber. Eric Tindall 2020-07-16 04:00:00Z 0 COVID-19,Emerson School,John Huber
2020 Rotary International Virtual Convention Eric Tindall 2020-07-06 04:00:00Z 0 The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention
District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard Talks About 2019-2020. Eric Tindall 2020-06-30 04:00:00Z 0 District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard

Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on June 25, 2020, The Speaker Was Shamar Herron.

Posted on Jun 25, 2020
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on June 25, 2020, the speaker was Shamar Herron, from Michigan Works! 
 
Shamar talked about the program called Summer Works! Formerly known as Summer17, Summer18, and Summer19, SummerWorks is the Washtenaw County Summer Youth Employment Program, a 10-week summer employment and mentorship program that pairs local employers with young adults. It connects youth to resources for building professional networks, exploring career opportunities, and developing essential job and leadership skills.
 
Shamar said, because of COVID-19, "is reinventing themselves." This years program is going to be mostly virtual. The approved youth will work 10 weeks, 20 hours a week from June 15th through August 21st. Shamar said, "they have 10 individuals that are working virtually." 
 
In the program the youth will also attend 10 professional development sessions to improve your "Soft Skills" such as resume writing, interviewing, and more. 
 
Lastly, the program will develop a mentoring and supportive relationships with Summer Works staff and employers.
 
In this job program the youth gets a paid summer internship (10/hr for high school; 12/hr for college). They will get skills in key areas such as money management and workplace etiquette. The youth will  receive networking with local professionals, and will be able to explore potential career paths. 
 
Shamar told the club, "I am always happy and honored to talk to Ann Arbor North, whenever asked to speak, I will always be there."
 
 
 
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on June 25, 2020, The Speaker Was Shamar Herron. Eric Tindall 2020-06-25 04:00:00Z 0 Michigan Works!,Michigan Works! Southeast,Shamar Herron,Summer Works!

Mary Garton, From The Citizens Climate Lobby Talked At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting on June 18th.

Posted on Jun 18, 2020
Mary Garton, from the Citizens' Climate Lobby, was the speaker at RCAAN Lunch Meeting on June 18, 2020.
 

Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change.

Mary talked about the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which the lobby supports. 

Mary said, "A viable climate change solution needs to be big and lasting — which means bipartisan legislation. We fully support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. This policy will drive down America’s carbon pollution while unleashing American technology innovation and ingenuity." The Citizens' Climate Lobby support it because it’s: 

  • Effective

This policy will reduce America’s emissions by at least 40% in the first 12 years.

  • Good for People

This policy will improve health and save lives. Additionally, the carbon dividend puts money directly into people’s pockets every month to spend as they see fit, helping low and middle income Americans.

  • Bipartisan: 

    Republicans and Democrats are both on board, cosponsoring this bill together. The majority of Americans support Congress taking action on climate change, including more than half of Republicans. Solving climate change is too urgent to get caught up in partisan politics.
  • Revenue Neutral:

    The fees collected on carbon emissions will be allocated to all Americans to spend any way they choose. The government will not keep any of the fees collected.

This is how it works:

  • Carbon Fee
This policy puts a fee on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. It starts low, and grows over time. It will drive down carbon pollution because energy companies, industries, and consumers will move toward cleaner, cheaper options. 
 
  • Carbon Dividend
The money collected from the carbon fee is allocated in equal shares every month to the American people to spend as they see fit. Program costs are paid from the fees collected. The government does not keep any of the money from the carbon fee.
 
  • Border Carbon Adjustment
To protect U.S. manufacturers and jobs, imported goods will be assessed a border carbon adjustment, and goods exported from the United States will receive a refund under this policy.
 
  • Regulatory Adjustment
This policy preserves effective current regulations, like auto mileage standards, but pauses the EPA authority to regulate the CO2 and equivalent emissions covered by the fee, for the first 10 years after the policy is enacted. If emission targets are not being met after 10 years, Congress gives clear direction to the EPA to regulate those emissions to meet those targets. The pause does not impact EPA regulations related to water quality, air quality, health or other issues. This policy’s price on pollution will lower carbon emissions far more than existing and pending EPA regulations.
 
Mary said, "the key to getting this bill past is education so she will be excited to come to any club like RCAAN and give her talk."
 

Mary Garton, From The Citizens Climate Lobby Talked At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting on June 18th. Eric Tindall 2020-06-18 04:00:00Z 0 Citizens' Climate Lobby,Mary Garton

Former Member John Hammond, Passed Away on July 11th.

Posted on Jun 15, 2020
Former Member of Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North John Hammond passed away at Glacier Hills on June 11, 2019. John was a long time visitor and became member after coming to Ann Arbor from St Joseph.
 
The following is a Story from https://www.a2rotary.org/ by Michael Field:
 
John passed away on June 11 at Glacier Hills. He and fellow Rotarian Betsy Hammond were members of the Lakeshore Rotary Club in St. Joseph MI when they moved to Ann Arbor fifteen years ago. Betsy joined Rotary Club of Ann Arbor in 2006 while John maintained his membership in the Lakeshore club before joining Ann Arbor North in 2015 and then transferring to Rotary Club Ann Arbor in 2016. Until recently, John was a regular attendee at luncheon meetings and was always generous to The Rotary Foundation. Eventually, he and Betsy achieved Major Donor status. John was 87. A service in St. Joseph will be held at a future date. Those of us in the club knew John as a kind and gentle man. He most certainly used those traits along with the Four Way Test in his career as a judge.
 
Former Member John Hammond, Passed Away on July 11th. Eric Tindall 2020-06-15 04:00:00Z 0 John Hammond

Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Speaker Was Debbie Vance on June 11th.

Posted on Jun 11, 2020
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on June 11, 2020, our speaker was Debbie Vance. Debbie is the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Ucluelet. Debbie recently retired from the Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), 2 years ago, after 21 years of service and is now following her passion for Social Media and Graphic Design. 
 
Debbie, is a Paul Harris Fellow + 7 and a Foundation Benefactor currently working on her RLI Graduate Levels. Her graphic designing skills enable herself to promote Rotary via Social Media avenues.
 
Debbie, is on the New Club Development Team. She said, "She creates the Rotary Graphics to promote our amazing organization and encourage membership." 
 
Debbie is a proud Rotarian for 8 years. She told the club, "she does the graphics because she would have wished she had joined Rotary earlier, and maybe her graphics will be seen by young individuals and they will join Rotary." "A picture is worth a thousand words"
 
Debbie would like Rotarians to share her graphics on their social media accounts and other places to spread Rotary and she would also create a graphic for you.
 
 
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Speaker Was Debbie Vance on June 11th. Eric Tindall 2020-06-11 04:00:00Z 0 Debbie Vance,Rotary Club of Ucluelet,Rotary Graphics

The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention: Sign up now.

Posted on Jun 05, 2020
 
 
Now More Than Ever, Rotary Connects the World: The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention will link you with Rotary and Rotaract members from around the world. Sign up now for this free online event that takes place 20-26 June. Our first virtual convention is open to all Rotary members and participants.

Come together during 
general sessions to witness the power of Rotary connections. Learn new skills, explore thought-provoking topics, and discover inventive ways to engage and adapt at our breakout sessions.

Visit the convention’s 
event page on Facebook to connect with other members. And use the hashtag #Rotary20 in your social media posts to share what you’re looking forward to at this year’s convention. Don’t forget to invite a friend from your club or share the convention with your Rotary family.
 
 
The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention: Sign up now. Eric Tindall 2020-06-05 04:00:00Z 0 2019-2020 RI President Mark Daniel Maloney,The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention

Rosalys Peel, Author of "Mike and Me" Talked on June 4th At RCAAN Lunch Meeting About Alzheimer's

Posted on Jun 04, 2020
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on June 4, 2020 the club's speaker was Rosalys Peel, the Author of "Mike and Me". 
 
June 2011 her beloved husband of 45 years, Michael, died of Alzheimer’s. Three years later, Peel returned once again to face Alzheimer’s this time with journal notes and pen in hand. Over the next three years, she wrote the story of their life as husband wife who hoped beyond hope that they could continue to live together at home throughout the course of Mike’s illness. 
 
Rosalys Peel said, "Every two minutes someone in America is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Most will face this discouraging illness with their wife, husband or partner at their side. And yet the typical “Alzheimer’s couple” has no idea how to make the most of what lies ahead.
 
This is the predicament Rosalys loving husband Michael and her found themselves in when they discovered that Mike had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Over 35-plus years of marriage they had always dealt with problems together. But now they were advised to start preparing themselves for the day when Mike would surely be moved from our home to an outside care facility. They simply weren’t ready to accept that.
 
“I don’t want to leave you and our home,” Mike told Rosalys—so Mike & Roslys made a deal. Despite all the scary stories they were hearing about this disease they decided to stand up to Alzheimer’s and defy the statistics as long as possible. Together they would go right on pursuing the hopes and dreams as husband and wife, confronting the disease together in their own home, and living the fullest life possible…for as long as possible.
 
Rosalys started writing a journal during Mike's illness. The  journal was a safe place where she could give words to her worries, concerns and fears. It’s where she logged the frustrations and setbacks that Mike and Rosalys encountered, but also where she recorded and celebrated their many victories, large and small. Day by day, her journal chronicled the astonishing power of mutual love, patience, compassion and stay-at-home care. Over time Rosalys became convinced that other couples and caregivers might be able to benefit from some of the new approaches Mike and she were learning.
 
With the journal she created which at first was to document Mike's health for his doctor's she created a book called "Mike & Me: An Inspiring Guide For Couples Who Choose To Face Alzheimer's Together At Home".
 
There were many unknowns for Mike and Rosalys during their 9 ½ year journey with Alzheimer’s. "Mike & Me" is designed to be bridge that gap for couples who are now in that chapter of their life. Peel tenderly guides the reader with stories, journal notes, and insights as she shares what happened when and how they dealt with each unknown along the way.
Using her knowledge as a wife of a husband who died of Alzheimer’s and renowned educator who understands child development and couple relationships Peel steps forward to now be a new voice in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
 
Want to learn more about "Mike & Me", take a look at the following links.
Facebook: @MikeandMeBook
Twitter: @PeelRosalys
Eagle Harbor Book Co. & Amazon
 
 
 
Rosalys Peel, Author of "Mike and Me" Talked on June 4th At RCAAN Lunch Meeting About Alzheimer's Eric Tindall 2020-06-04 04:00:00Z 0 Alzheimer's,Mike & Me,Rosalys Peel

The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation Assembly on May 28, 2020.

Posted on May 28, 2020
 
 
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting on May 28, 2020, the club had the annual Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation Assembly. 
 
Lisa Hudy, Foundation Treasurer, presented what The RCAAN Foundation has accomplished this year.
 
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation Donations 2019-2020
 
July 2019
 
Organization
Donation Purpose
Breakfast at St. Andrews
In honor of Virginal Nordby
Down’s Syndrome Support Team
Sponsor 15th Annual Buddy Walk
A A Rotary Club Polio Luncheon
Lunch at Weber’s on Oct. 23, 2019
 
August & September 2019
 
Organization
Donation Purpose
Community Action Network
Donation for School Supplies
Michigan Works! SE
Youth Services Program
 
October & November 2019
 
Organization
Donation Purpose
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
Support for 1 troop
Three Cedars Farm (CAN Children)
Cost for Annual Trip to Pumpkin/Corn Maze/Donuts with
Children from Green Baxter Court
 
December 2019
 
Organization
Donation Purpose
Plantwise
Clean up Butterfly Garden
Youth Exchange
Youth Exchange Students Holiday Event
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation Assembly on May 28, 2020. Eric Tindall 2020-05-28 04:00:00Z 0 RCAAN Foundation Assembly 2019-2020,Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation

Bo Bunnell Talked About The Great Lakes At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting On May 21st.

At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting, the speaker was Bo Bunnell, talking about The Great Lakes.His topic was called "Changes in Lake Michigan Fish and Fisheries. 
 
Bo talked about Lake Michigan's timeline. Their are 4 time periods in the Great Lakes, pre-1930, 1930-1966 the "Lamprey/alewife" era, 1966-1994 "Salmon" era and 1994-present "Mussel era.
 
He decribed the major drives during each era and what the Fish communities were.
 
Era
Major Drives
Fish Community
Pre-1930
Beginning late 1800's:
Habitat destruction;
Over-fishing 
  • Lake Trout (LT)
  • 8 native whitefish & 2 sculpins
1930-1966
"Lamprey/Alewife" Era
Sea Lamprey, Alewife
Over-fishing 
  • No top predator
  • (Extinction of 5 whitefish), alewife, rainbow smelt, 3 whitefish, sculpins
1966-1994
"Salmon" Era
Lamprey control,
Salmonine stoking, Nutrient control
  • 4 salmonines & LT 
  • alewife, rainbow smelt, 3 whitefish's, sculpins
1994-present
"Mussel" Era
Zebra, then quagga mussels
  • 4 salmonines,& LT,
  • alewife, rainbow smelt, 3 whitefish, sculpins & gobies
 
In summary Bo said about Lake Michigan:
 
  • Lake Michigan has undergone wholesale changes in its "food-web" (from nutrients to invertebrates to fish).
  • Fantastic fishery management success stories- Pacific salmon fishery.
  • Lake less suited for salmon today- most species don't exploit benthic energy sources (mussels to gobles
  • Managers aiming for a diverse fish community- more capable of adapting to changing conditions, and resistant to new invaders.
 
 
 
Bo Bunnell Talked About The Great Lakes At The RCAAN Lunch Meeting On May 21st. Eric Tindall 2020-05-21 04:00:00Z 0 Bo Bunnell,Great Lakes Science Center,Lake Michigan

On May 14th, Edward Roseman Talked About The Great Lakes River Channels.

On April 14, 2020, Edward Roseman, a Research Fishery Biologist at the USGS Great Lakes Science Centertalked at The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting. Ed talked about the river channels of the Great Lakes.
 
There are five river channels that connect the Great Lakes they are:
  1. St. Mary's River
  2. Huron-Erie Corridor 
  • St. Clair River
  • Lake St. Clair River 
  • Detroit River
  1. Welland Channel
  • Upper River 
  • Lower River
  1. Niagara River
  2. St. Lawrence River
The St, Mary's River Ecosystem Services includes:
  • Industry/Steel Production
  • Shipping/Transportation
  • Hydro-Electric Generation
    • 5 Hydro Plants
  • Fishing and Habitat
  • Boating
  • Little Rapids Habitat Restoration
  • Tribal Commercial and Fisheries 
Click READ MORE for rest of the story.
 
​​​​​​​
On May 14th, Edward Roseman Talked About The Great Lakes River Channels. Eric Tindall 2020-05-14 04:00:00Z 0 Edward Roseman,Great Lakes Science Center,Scott Nelson,USGS

The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention.

Posted on May 08, 2020
 
Now More Than Ever, Rotary Connects the World: The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention will link you with Rotary and Rotaract members from around the world. Sign up now for this free online event that takes place 20-26 June. Our first virtual convention is open to all Rotary members and participants.

Come together during general sessions to witness the power of Rotary connections. Learn new skills, explore thought-provoking topics, and discover inventive ways to engage and adapt at our breakout sessions.

Visit the convention’s event page on Facebook to connect with other members. And use the hashtag #Rotary20 in your social media posts to share what you’re looking forward to at this year’s convention. Don’t forget to invite a friend from your club or share the convention with your Rotary family.
 
 
 
 
The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention. Eric Tindall 2020-05-08 04:00:00Z 0 The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention

René Pothetes, Explained Eat, Evolve Inspire! At RCAAN Lunch Meeting On May 7th.

Posted on May 07, 2020
At The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Lunch Meeting the speaker was René Pothetes, Rotarian and Past President of Troy Rotary.
 
René Pothetes said, "a strong healthy body, and resilient mindset, can be forged with sustainable, and sane habits.  My purpose is to help you implement strategies so you can achieve things you never thought possible that impact every area of your life."
 
Her business is Eat, Evolve, Inspire! which helps individuals to stay healthy by eating healthy food.
 
René Pothetes, explained that there is 4 pillars of healthy living. She talked about two during her talk:
 
1. Sleep: 
  • Every human body process is involved in sleep (they shot down so when you wake up, they are ready to work). 
  • Sleeping is one way that your body recovers from damage and protects itself against illness.
  • Adequate amounts of sleep are necessary for healthy bone marrow.
  •  To properly execute a difficult project at work, for example, your brain needs seven to eight hours of sleep. Your brain also needs that much rest to most efficiently carry out “automatic” tasks like hormone secretion.
  • Sleep deprivation can send the body’s sympathetic nervous system into overdrive, causing the release of greater amounts of the hormone adrenaline. This tells the body’s tissues to be prepared to take immediate action. It makes the heart work harder. People who are sleep-deprived are at greater risk for developing hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. So do your heart a favor and get to bed early tonight.
2. Nutrition: 
  • Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy.
  • Helpful hint: the food that is in the outer rimes of the store is healthier, then in the isles. Food in the isles are processed foods and are not healthy.
  • Buy nutricius food. A lot of food is crap, and your body does not know what to do with crap.
  • Eat Grass fed meats
  • To keep your food cost lower their are ways you can learn to eat cheaper. An example is Avocados, since you peal off the top layer you do not need to buy organic.
During this time of the coronavirus eating healthy is needed to stay healthy.
 
Helpful Documents:
 
 
René Pothetes, Explained Eat, Evolve Inspire! At RCAAN Lunch Meeting On May 7th. Eric Tindall 2020-05-07 04:00:00Z 0 René Pothetes

Meals For The Needy, During The Coronavirus.

Posted on May 06, 2020
With Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North’s financial support, Swaroop from Hut-K Nutrilicious, prepared much needed and delicious meals to the Delonis Center (Shelter Association of Washtenaw County), on May 06, 2020. 
 
Also on April 22, 2020, Swaroop, gave a shot out to Ann Arbor North on Food Gatherers Facebook Page, "a big thank you, goes to Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, the Kumon, the AMMA Center, and the many individuals whose financial support helps fund these much needed and delicious meals on behalf of our Community Kitchen meal guests!"

"You are all heroes in the fight against hunger and all of us at
Food Gatherers are so grateful for all you are doing!"
 
 
To see photo larger Click Here
Meals For The Needy, During The Coronavirus. Eric Tindall 2020-05-06 04:00:00Z 0 Food Gatherers,Hut-K Fusion,Shelter Association of Washtenaw County,Swaroop

At RCAAN's Lunch Meeting Christina Eisenberg, Talked About Guatemala Literacy Project.

Posted on Apr 30, 2020
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's Lunch Meeting on April 30, 2020, the club had the first speaker on Zoom during the COVID-19 crisis. 
 
Our lunch speaker was Christina Eisenberg, an Ambassador of the Guatemala Literacy Project. The Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) is one of the largest grassroots, multi-club, multi-district projects in Rotary. More than 600 clubs and 80 districts have been working together since 1997 to improve education for underserved students in Guatemala. In that time, nearly 225,500 students have been served through four sustainable programs that are tested and proven to work. In 2017, RI President Ian Riseley called the GLP “the gold standard of Rotary projects” for its sustainability and impact.
 
Christina said, "the GLP partners with impoverished communities to implement four complementary programs.":
  • Reading: Trains teachers in effective reading instruction and provides them with quality children’s literature.
  • Textbooks: Provides textbooks to middle schools and trains teachers to use them effectively in the classroom.
  • Computers: Teaches students to use technology to solve real-world problems so they can secure better jobs.
  • Youth Development: Transforms young lives through youth development, social support, and scholarships.
Lastly Christina told us how we can get involved in the Project.
 
To get involved CLICK HERE
 
 
 
 
At RCAAN's Lunch Meeting Christina Eisenberg, Talked About Guatemala Literacy Project. Eric Tindall 2020-04-30 04:00:00Z 0 Christina Eisenberg,The Guatemala Literacy Project

Zoom Meeting With Diana Edwards, and  Mike & Jane McManus on April 23rd.

Posted on Apr 23, 2020
On April 23, 2020 the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North meeting was once again on Zoom. Their was 15 individuals at the meeting including Diana Edwards, Rotary International membership Chair, and Mike and Immediate Past District Governor Jane McManus.
 
Immediate Past President Joyce Williams sent President Eric an update to the PPE Project, which follows:
  • The Mask Challenge is going well. We gave 1000 masks to Ascension Hospital in Rochester and we have several smaller hospitals including Chelsea Hospital where we will be delivering masks as soon as they come in. 
  • We are also raising quite a bit of money from clubs in the district.
  • Rotary got a shout out in Gretchen Whitmer’s April 20th address, where she thanked the Rotary in Washtenaw, Macomb and Oakland Counties for our mask donation.
  • To donate and for more information, Click here.
Mike McManus invited the club to Webinars from Zone 30 and 31, of Rotary International Leaders that are doing talks about Rotary. The next webinar is Tuesday, April 28th, of Past Rotary International President Barry Rassin. For Past Webinars and future talks, click here.
 
Diana Edwards talked about some events going on, even during the stay home stay safe order. Both Diana, Mike and Jane asked us to join them, for a COVID-19 #RotaryResponds one-hour global Telethon to raise critical funds for disaster response grants. The goal is to raise more than $1 million dollars. This Facebook Live event will be simulcast on Rotary International's Facebook page and will be simulcast in 8 languages. REGISTER at facebook.com/rotary today. Click here for Facebook events page.
 
Diana also memtioned that since the Rotary International Convention was canceled, in late June there will be a Webinar Convention where their will be individuals talking about Rotary, projects and much more. Stay tuned for more information later.
 
 
 
Zoom Meeting With Diana Edwards, and  Mike & Jane McManus on April 23rd. Eric Tindall 2020-04-23 04:00:00Z 0 100K Mask Challenge,Diana Edwards,Joyce Williams,PPE,Past District Governor Jane McManus,Rotary District 6380

The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Zoom Meeting on April 16th.

Posted on Apr 16, 2020
Due to the Coronavirus The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Meeting was received by Zoom, once again, on April 16, 2020.
 
In Immediate Past President Joyce Williams, absents President Eric read a statement from her that follows:
 
  • Lisa is sending $1000 to district as our donation for mask project.
  • Rotarians are asked to sign up on the website rotary100k.org to donate personally or volunteer to deliver masks.
  • Vineet Katial from AA West and Joyce are coordinating the deliveries. The deliveries are considered an essential service and you will just be dropping them off, getting a signature from the recipient and taking/have someone take a quick photo of yourself with the donation. The state has asked for the photos. Please wear Rotary clothes when delivering. 
Then we had Swaroop, of the Hut-K Fusion to talked about his feeding the homeless at the Delonis Center. Swaroop requested our help in funding meals for first responders, like St JosephU of M Hospitals and others.  
 
Lastly during the meeting, Pres. Eric, showed a video of John Hewko, which he gave at The Rotary International Conference in 2019. John is General Secretary, of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation (RC of Kyiv, Ukraine). His talk is as timely today as it was last year in June.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Zoom Meeting on April 16th. Eric Tindall 2020-04-16 04:00:00Z 0 Hut-K Fusion,John Hewko,Joyce Williams,PPE,Rotary District 6380

Zoom Virtual Meeting Was April 9th.

Posted on Apr 09, 2020
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North had the second virtual meeting on April 09, 2020. There was 16 attendees including Mike and PDG Jane McManus. 
 
Joyce Williams, who is leading Ann Arbor North's participation, talked about the PPE project, Vineet Katial from Ann Arbor West ordered 3,000 -3 Ply general purpose disposable masks at $1 each; and 1,000 FDA approved N95 masks at $3 each from a supplier. This order has been received and has been distributed to U of M Medicine and St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor. 
 
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North has approved a $1000.00 donation for future masks going toward the following District 6380 Program:
 
A District  COVID-19 Disaster Committee has been formed and they have been actively working on a plan, where we can help our health care workers. We have applied for and received a $25,000.00 Rotary International Disaster Grant, the District has put up an additional $20,000.00. With this seed money we will be purchasing N95 masks to be distributed to hospitals through out our district. Joyce Williams Ann Arbor North has been selected the point person who will prioritize delivery based on recommendations from the Michigan Community Service Commission. The following is a list of hospitals that we are focusing on to start.
 
  • Henry Ford
  • Beaumont
  • St Joseph Hospital
  • U of M Medicine
  • Chatham Kent Health Alliance 
The last part of the meeting we went around to each member and they described what they have been doing during this lock down. Everyone seemed fine.
 
Make sure your attend next weeks Zoom virtual meeting on Thursday, April 16th at 12:00 PM.
 
CLICK HERE to watch virtual meeting on Facebook.
 
 
Zoom Virtual Meeting Was April 9th. Eric Tindall 2020-04-09 04:00:00Z 0 COVID-19,PPE,Past District Governor Jane McManus,Zoom,Zoom Virtual Meeting

First Zoom Virtual Meeting Was April 2nd.

The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, first all Zoom Virtual Meeting was April 2, 2020. It was great being able to see Ann Arbor North members and guests again.
 
We had a total of 12 people attend the meeting, with four guests. John from Rotary Club of Ann Arbor joined the meeting, and added some usefully information. Katherine, Christina and Karen visited, to take a look at our club. Thank you for the visit to the three of you.
 
The individuals' attending the Zoom Meeting talked about what they were doing during this COVID-19 crisis.
 
Please, attend the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Meeting next Thursday, April 9, 2020. Check your email, Pres. Eric will be sending out meeting information early next week.
 
 
First Zoom Virtual Meeting Was April 2nd. Eric Tindall 2020-04-02 04:00:00Z 0 Zoom,Zoom Virtual Meeting

How You As A Rotary Member Can Help.

Posted on Mar 22, 2020
If you are asking, how Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North members can help?
 
Here is how:
 
  • Copy the PDF Flyer of "Here to Support My Community: I Can Help." Put on an individuals door that may not be able to get out for food or anything they really need for themselves.
  • Support local restaurants that are doing pick up service.
  • U of M Hospital need donations for COVID-19!!!!! bottle of hand sanitizer or bleach wipes. March 22, 2020, 12:00-5:00 PM, at North Campus Research Complex, at the corner of Huron Parkway and Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor. Details at https://www.uofmhealth.org/news/archive/202003/u-m-asks-community-donate-gear-protect-health-care-workers
  • Senior centers and hospices are not allowing visitors, send out notes of inspiration and thoughts (with clean hands)  
 
 
How You As A Rotary Member Can Help. Eric Tindall 2020-03-22 04:00:00Z 0 Corona Virus

Virtual Meeting on April 2, 2020.

Posted on Mar 21, 2020
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North meeting is coming to where you are. On April 02, 2020, Pres Eric will host the first all virtual meeting from his desk. 
 
Make sure you sign up free for Zoom, at https://zoom.us/ to join us. Remember your username and password so you can continue using your Zoom account for our next meeting.
 
Here is some help logging into Zoom using difference devices: Logging Into Zoom Using Different Devices.
 
 
Virtual Meeting on April 2, 2020. Eric Tindall 2020-03-21 04:00:00Z 0 Virtual Meeting,Zoom

Washtenaw Optimal Wellness Display Table.

Posted on Mar 15, 2020
Rotary club of Ann Arbor North, paid for the materials for this table display (photo below). Washtenaw Optimal Wellness persons practicing Blue Zones method will have optimal wellness and survive Covid 19 better: https://www.bluezones.com/dan-buettner/
 
Washtenaw Optimal Wellness (WOW), is a community organization of individuals committed to the health and longevity of the citizens of Washtenaw County. WOW are business people, medical professionals, city and county government leaders, as well as school and university educators that are passionate about making our community healthy. 
 
The table will be at health fairs to give out information on healthy living.
 
 
 
Washtenaw Optimal Wellness Display Table. Eric Tindall 2020-03-15 04:00:00Z 0 Washtenaw Optimal Wellness

Cancellation Of The Remaining Of March RCAAN Luncheons.

Posted on Mar 14, 2020
Dear Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Members and Friends:
 
For the health of our members and friends, in this National Emergency, due to the Corona virus, I have decided to cancel all the remaining of the March lunch meetings, and we will not have the Habitat for Humanity Service Project on April 4th.
 
The Board and I, will revisit the situation, in a couple of weeks, to make a decision on April lunch meetings.
 
Thank you for your patients during this difficult time, and have the best of health.
 
Best Regards
Eric Tindall
2019-2020 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North President
2020-2021 Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Foundation President
 
  
Cancellation Of The Remaining Of March RCAAN Luncheons. Eric Tindall 2020-03-14 04:00:00Z 0

Doug Campbell From The Hope Clinic, Talked On March 12, 2020, At The RCAAN Luncheon.

Posted on Mar 12, 2020
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North's speaker on March 12, 2020 was Doug Campbell from Hope Clinic
 
Doug said, "Hopes mission is, we partner with people in need, to make lives better through holistic care; providing free Medical, Dental, Food, and Care + Prayer In Jesus’ Name." 
 
At Hope’s Medical Clinics, you can get free primary care, even if you are uninsured or under-insured. Hope workers, will work with you to get access to public insurance, if you are eligible. If you need a specialist, Hope will do the best to refer you to one through our network of specialty care providers. Hope can always refer you to an area hospital for lab and radiology services at no cost.
 
Doug explained, "since 1982, Hope has given attention to the forgotten corners of our community, bringing light to the beauty that exists there, and investing in hope for the future." "We've empowered people who felt overwhelmed by the immensity of the problem, and guided them to find small things they could do with great love, and over time that has made a big difference." "Last year, for example, we met over 40,000 requests for help. All those small things have made a big difference in thousands of lives here in southeast Michigan."
 
 
Doug Campbell From The Hope Clinic, Talked On March 12, 2020, At The RCAAN Luncheon. Eric Tindall 2020-03-12 04:00:00Z 0 Doug Campbell,Hope Clinic

Thank You, From The Ronald McDonald House.

Posted on Mar 06, 2020
On Thursday, February 27, 2020. members of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, cooked dinner for the residents at the Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor. Following is an e-mail we received from the House to thank us.
 

We can't thank you enough...

Meals at RMHC Ann Arbor are so important; meals mean so much more than just nutrition. Families have told us a hot meal is time to connect with other families, to have something predictable in their day, and to take a break from the stress of the hospital. We appreciate your group making a dinner at our House. Providing more than a meal is possible because of people like you.

All of us at RMHC Ann Arbor

 

Thank You, From The Ronald McDonald House. Eric Tindall 2020-03-06 05:00:00Z 0 Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor

Dr. Seth Hubbard Talks About the Benefits of Chiropractic Care.

Posted on Mar 05, 2020
On February 5, 2020 at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon, our speaker was Sr Seth Hubbard from Journey Chiropractic. He talked about the benefits of seeing a Chiropractor. 
 
Seth said, "Chiropractic care is a holistic form of healthcare that focuses on your total health and allows your body heal naturally." "It is centered around finding and correcting the root cause of a problem rather than just the management of symptoms." "Chiropractors do this by working with your nervous system, which runs through your spine, connecting and controlling your body and its systems. A properly functioning nervous system allows our bodies to function at their highest ability and adapt better to the world around us!"
 
Seth, told the club, "most people do to a dentist, why don't they go to a Chiropractor?" Seeing a Chiropractor on a regular  bases, helps prevent future injuries, improves your posture, and improves your overall well being."
 
 
Dr. Seth Hubbard Talks About the Benefits of Chiropractic Care. Eric Tindall 2020-03-05 05:00:00Z 0 Dr Seth Hubbard,Journey Chiropractic

CANCELED FOR APRIL 19TH: Earth Day Festival at Gallup Park.

Posted on Feb 27, 2020
CANCELED For April 19, 2020: DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS
It may be rescheduled later in the Summer.
 
As February turns into March, it is time to start thinking about preparing the Butterfly Garden in Gallup Park for Spring and Summer.
 
Today Scott Nelson, our Garden Expert, received a notification for Melissa from Adopt-a-Park and Give/360 about the upcoming event Earth Day Festival on Sunday April 19th from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM.
 
The following is what Melissa wrote: Typically the festival is hosted at the Leslie Science and Nature Center but after unfavorable soil testing last June, all of their programming has been operating off-site since. It was decided by the Earth Day Festival committee that the festival will take place at Gallup park in 2020. The festival is an awesome community event that celebrates Earth Day and our community. Every year it attracts 2,000-3,000 visitors and features 50 nature-based exhibitors. The event festivities will be more or less placed surrounding the butterfly garden and no doubt the garden will also be an attraction at the event. There will be nature walks available for visitors and looking at the map, it seems like they will begin at the butterfly garden. CLICK HERE for map to see where the festival activities will be placed during the event.
 
Also, I think having a workday prior to the festival would be great to get it cleaned up a bit. We can pull weeds that have sprouted, add whatever mulch is needed, assess the poison ivy situation, and cut back any overgrowth obstructing the paths. We have a few groups on our calendar for April which will need to be assigned locations. I don’t have details on which groups and the date/time that might work for this project so I will keep you up to date on those options.
 
Scott will be planning workdays, working with Melissa to get the Butterfly Garden into tip top shape for the Earth Day Festival, in which he will get a table for us for volunteers. Please help out as much as you can to this RCAAN Service Project that has been around since 1991. 
 
 
CANCELED FOR APRIL 19TH: Earth Day Festival at Gallup Park. Eric Tindall 2020-02-27 05:00:00Z 0 Adopt-A-Park/Group 360,Butterfly Garden,Earth Day Festival,Gallup Park,Melissa Schacht

Elizabeth Spring Nichols Talks About Maintaining Mental Health On February 20, 2020.

Posted on Feb 20, 2020
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on February 20, 2020 Elizabeth Spring Nichols, Program Administrator for Youth and Family Services, for Washtenaw County, at PIER Training Institute, talked about maintaining mental health. 
 
Elizabeth said,"Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. 
 
Mental Health, Like Physical Health Roots in Interactions Between an Individuals:
  • Biological factors, such as genes, brain chemistry, neurodevelopment
  • Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, loss grief
  • Family history of mental health /physical health problems
  • Environmental factors,
    • social support (protective factor) 
    • stress, adversity, genetics (risk factors)
For prevention of bad mental health, become aware of symptoms of stress before they become severe, and establish clear yet realistic stress management goals. The challenge is to find the optimal level of stress each of us requires to thrive.
 
There are 4 primary sources of stress:
  1. The Environment - examples include noise, pollution, traffic and crowding, and the weather.
  2. Physiological - examples include illness, injuries, hormonal fluctuations, chronic pain and inadequate sleep or nutrition.
  3. Your Thoughts - the way you think affects how you respond. Negative self-talk, catastrophizing, and perfectionism all contribute to increased stress.
  4. Social Stressors - examples include financial problems, work demands, social events, losing a loved one, feeling unsafe physically and emotionally.
The warning signs and symptoms of bad mental health are:
  • Eating or sleeping too much or too little
  • Pulling away from people and usual activities
  • Having low or no energy
  • Feeling numb or like nothing matters
  • Having unexplained aches and pains
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless
  • Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
To have good mental health practice good Emotional Hygiene.
  • Make time for friends and family
  • Make time for yourself
  • Nourish your body with healthy food
  • Get enough sleep
  • Move your body, exercise, yoga
  • Help others
  • Manage your stress, deep breathing
  • Manage other medical or physical problems
  • Ask for help 
Laughter helps strike out stress! Helps breathing, massages the heart. stimulates circulation. improves digestion, aids blood pressure problems, prolongs life, turns off tension
 
SO LAUGH OFTEN!!!
Elizabeth Spring Nichols Talks About Maintaining Mental Health On February 20, 2020. Eric Tindall 2020-02-20 05:00:00Z 0 Elizabeth Spring Nichols,Mental Health

Rotary District 6380 Conference Has Been Canceled.

Posted on Feb 15, 2020
Sorry to announce that from Rotary International President Mark Maloney and District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard, both the 2020 Rotary International Convention in Honolulu Hawaii and the 2020 Rotary District 6380 Conference in Chatham Ontario, has been canceled due to the Covonavirus (COVID- 19).
 
 
 
Rotary District 6380 Conference Has Been Canceled. Eric Tindall 2020-02-15 05:00:00Z 0 Rotary District Conference 2020

Second Chance, St. Valentines Party Was February 15, 2020.

Posted on Feb 15, 2020
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North came together on February 15, 2020, for the Second Chance, St. Valentine's Party and Social at the newly remodeled DoubleTree by Hilton. 
 
We had drinks and some good appetizers to mingle and talk. 
 
Peg Windsor, asked 8 trivia questions that club was able to answer most of them. 
 
Then we went around the tables and the members introduced themselves to our guests. It was a great time.
 
​​​​​​
Second Chance, St. Valentines Party Was February 15, 2020. Eric Tindall 2020-02-15 05:00:00Z 0 Valentine's Day Party 2020

District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard, Talked At The RCAAN Lunch On Feb. 13th.

Posted on Feb 13, 2020
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Meeting on February 13, 2020, we had Rotary 6380 District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard as the speaker. 
 
"Sparky" told the club, "at the start of  his Governor's term  Rotary International encouraged him to change the traditional role of the district governor. 
 
He said, "normally he would have a formal governor’s meeting with all of the clubs in the district to get out the messages from Rotary International, but the 13 assistant governors will have that responsibility instead."
 
he will instead visit the clubs when those members feel he can best “spread the word of Rotary throughout the community."
 
“What I want to try and focus on is to get to community events where I can talk about Rotary and be loud and proud about the things we do in our communities so that others will take interest and join our organization as well.”
 
"Sparky" also talked about why he joined Rotary. Sparky said, "he was asked by a friend to join his Rotary Club and during a visit the club was planning a mission trip to Cozumel Mexico. Being young and not traveling at all, he asked how can he go on trip?" The Rotarian said, "when the presenter asks for raise of hands that wants to go, raise your hand." Sparky did and he went.
 
On the trip, he meet a family, that family, has become his friends for life. So that friendship is the reason he joined Rotary.
 
Sparky said, "in trying to get new Rotary Member's, describe your reason in joining Rotary." it is effective.
 
Lastly Sparky, during his year he wants to recognize past District Governors for they're contribution to today's Rotary. He presented an award to PDG Gail Scott.
 
 
 
District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard, Talked At The RCAAN Lunch On Feb. 13th. Eric Tindall 2020-02-13 05:00:00Z 0 District Governor Don "Sparky" Leonard,Past District Governor Gail Scott,Rotary District 6380

Ginger Ford Talks About Her Experiences On Being A Polio Survivor.

Posted on Feb 06, 2020
On February 6, 2020, Ginger Ford a local polio survivor talked about her life living with Polio at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon.
 
Ginger Visel contracted polio in the winter of 1950, when she was not yet five years old. Her life would never be the same. By the time the virus was through with her, she had a withered leg, weak muscles, and hip trouble that required multiple surgeries.

The University of Michigan Hospital became a second home, the March of Dimes a reliable support system, and leg braces an everyday part of her wardrobe. In the era before ramps and automatic doors, Ginger had to learn to adapt to a world not built for her.

Surrounded by ten siblings and guided by an unstoppable mother, she met every challenge with determination and an unshakable faith in God. With equal parts cheerful humor and honest vulnerability, Ginger recalls desperately trying to fit in at school, the terror of learning to drive a hand-controlled car, the near-impossibility of finding an accessible college, and the worry that she’d never get married and have a family of her own.

Ginger brought her book called Ginger Stands Her Ground: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Polio for the club to look at and purchase.
 
 
Ginger Ford Talks About Her Experiences On Being A Polio Survivor. Eric Tindall 2020-02-06 05:00:00Z 0 End Polio Now,Ginger Ford,Polio Survivor
Second Chance St. Valentine's Party and Social on February 15th. Eric Tindall 2020-02-04 05:00:00Z 0 Valentine's Day Party 2020

Jeff Tritten Talked About Blue Zones At RCAAN Luncheon.

Posted on Jan 30, 2020
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 30, 2020, the speaker was Jeff Tritten from Washtenaw Blue Zones Project.
 
Jeff said, "A blue zone is characterized as an area of the world with a high concentration of centenarians, overall longevity, and little chronic diseases (lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes, and cardio vascular disease)."
 

National Geographic and the National Institute of Health set out to locate these areas with verifiable birth data. The official Blue Zones are:

  1. Sardinia, Italy
  2. Okanawa, Japan
  3. Loma Linda, California, United States
  4. Ikaria, Greece
  5. Nicoya, Coast Rica
Jeff Described the Power of 9, After completion of finding the ‘blue zones’, National Geographic Fellow – Mr. Dan Buettner, set out to create Blue Zones® Projects in other U.S. communities by implementing the Power 9 ® concepts which are as follows:
  1. Move naturally: De-convenience your home, take the stairs, park farther away from the entrance and grow gardens. Have an errand not far away…walk! Walking is one of the best activities for longevity.
  2. Know your purpose: Know why you wake up each day! This alone can add seven years to your life. Be able to articulate your values, passions, gifts and talents.
  3. Down shift: Stress leads to chronic inflammation which is associated with every major age-related disease. Find your de-stressor: meditate, nap, pray, or enjoy happy hour with friends.
  4. The 80% rule: Cut 20% of your calories with evidence based practices: eat a big breakfast, eat with your family, use 10 inch plates, and stop when you feel 80% full.
  5. Plant slant: Eat a primarily plant-based diet that’s heavy on the beans, nuts and green plants.
  6. Wine at 5: Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. The trick is to drink 2 or maybe 3 drinks per day and not a drop more. This is also a wind down time with friends.
  7. Family first: Living in a loving and thriving family can add six years to your ticker! Invest time in your kids, nurture a monogamous relationship and keep aging parents near by.
  8. Belong: It doesn’t matter if you’re Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or some other religion that meets as a community. Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy.
  9. Right tribe: Take stock in who your friends are and extend your social circle to include healthy-minded, supportive people.
Washtenaw Optimal Wellness (WOW) is working diligently to implement a Blue Zone Project. Blue Zone® Projects help citizens make the healthy choice, the easy choice™.
 
As a citizen of Washtenaw County, WOW encourage you to take small steps to better health and to get involved in our efforts. WOW will soon have purpose workshops, walking groups, nutrition education, and easy healthy eating options for you and your family.
 
 
Jeff Tritten Talked About Blue Zones At RCAAN Luncheon. Eric Tindall 2020-01-30 05:00:00Z 0 Jeff Tritten,Washtenaw Blue Zone Project,Washtenaw Optimal Wellness

Group Dinner to Help Homeless Student's.

Posted on Jan 24, 2020
On Monday February 3rd at 6:30 pm, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, is going to Buffalo Wild Wings in Ypsilanti to have dinner to support Homeless Student's.
 
Homelessness significantly impacts the learning ability of public school children.  Surprisingly, we had 361 such students in Washtenaw County during the 2019-2020 school year, 129 of which were identified in Ann Arbor Public Schools.  
 
This Dine and Donate is in participation for the Homeless Student Count Week.  Come eat with us on Monday Feb 3, and 20% of your bill will be donated to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s Education Project for Homeless Youth (EPHY)!
 
Bring your flyer or tell the waitress about the fundraiser. Please come join us, everyone is welcome.
 
 
Group Dinner to Help Homeless Student's. Eric Tindall 2020-01-24 05:00:00Z 0 Homeless Student Count Week,Rotary Club of Ypsilanti,Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s Education Project for Homeless Youth (EPHY)

Larry Kestenbaum, The Washtenaw County Clerk, Was The Speaker On Jan. 16th.

Posted on Jan 16, 2020
At the Luncheon of The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North on January 16, 2020, the speaker was Larry Kestenbaum, Washtenaw County Clerk and Register of Deeds. Larry has been in this position since 2005.
 
As Clerk / Register, Larry is the county’s chief election official, and is custodian of a vast array of public records, from birth certificates to mortgages.  He also serves as co-chair of the Legislative Committee for the Michigan Association of County Clerks, and has testified before House and Senate committees on a variety of issues.
 
In his presentation he discussed the security of the 2016 and the upcoming 2020 elections. Larry talked about the recount of Michigan election paper ballots in the 2016 election, which was not finish because it was cancelled, although what they did count can close to the original totals.
 
Larry said, "that the corrupt politicians are the big problem for fraudulent results in elections. The politician is looking out for themselves to win an election."
 
Larry explained, "that every voter in Michigan uses a paper ballet, all ballets can be recounted later". This is a big advantage in getting correct results in an election. There is always a paper copy of individuals votes.
 
 
Larry Kestenbaum, The Washtenaw County Clerk, Was The Speaker On Jan. 16th. Eric Tindall 2020-01-16 05:00:00Z 0 Larry Kestenbaum,Washtenaw County,Washtenaw County Clerk and Register of Deeds

Alex Teska, From Eversight, Was The Speaker At RCAAN Luncheon On January 09th

Posted by Eric Tindall on Jan 09, 2020
To start the new year for the RCAAN Luncheons we had Alex Teska the Director of  Philanthropy at Eversight. The Headquerters is located at 3985 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
 
Alex Teska said, "Eversight restores sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research".
 
The Eversight network is responsible for:
  • Recovering, evaluating and providing human eye tissue for transplantation;
  • Supporting research into the causes and cures of blinding eye conditions;
  • Promoting donation awareness through public and professional education; and
  • Providing humanitarian aid to people around the world in need of corneal transplantation.
Eversight's values are service, drive and trust. The values guide them every day, in every way. Together, Eversight work to build and sustain a positive organizational culture dedicated to restoring sight and preventing blindness.
 
 
Alex Teska, From Eversight, Was The Speaker At RCAAN Luncheon On January 09th Eric Tindall 2020-01-09 05:00:00Z 0 Alex Teska,Exersight

John Hewko is Coming To Ann Arbor.

John Hewko is coming to Ann Arbor, for Rotary Club of Ann Arbor. He will be at the Michigan Union Ballroom for a special dinner, on Wednesday February 5, 2020 at 6:00 PM.
 
John Hewko is the general secretary and chief executive officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. The executive staff manages operations at RI World Headquarters, including member services and programs, finances, technology, development, strategy, legal services, with international offices in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Zurich, New Delhi, Seoul, Tokyo, and Parramatta (Sydney). From 2004 to 2009, Hewko was vice president for operations and compact development for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency established in 2004 to deliver foreign assistance to the world’s poorest countries.
 
Tickets are $20/person.
 
 
John Hewko is Coming To Ann Arbor. Eric Tindall 2020-01-05 05:00:00Z 0 John Hewko

Speaker At The RCAAN Luncheon On December 19th, was Donna Murphy From Rogel Cancer Center.

Posted by Eric Tindall on Dec 19, 2019
Donna Murphy was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on December 19, 2019. Donna, is a licensed master of social work at the Rogel Cancer Center (University of Michigan Hospital). She works with the patients through the Family Support Services Program at the Hospital.
 
Donna said, "The patient family support services is a group of providers, therapists, people trained in the psychosocial part of dealing with health and healing. In this case with cancer." 
 
She continues, "The resources are really designed to help a patient connect the mind, the spiritual part of healing with the physical part." "So, for example, we have
"We have a specialist who manages the needs of the parents who are ill, who have concerns about their children. We also have a chaplain. We have individuals specifically that'll deal with anxiety, and depression, and if necessary find medications that will help with that. We have a patient education program. We also manage the volunteers in the cancer center. And so, that makes up other range of people that provide resources, sometimes written, sometimes in talk, sometimes in the actual doing of activities to help heal."
 
Support is available throughout the course of your treatment.
At the end of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon, President Eric wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
 
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Speaker At The RCAAN Luncheon On December 19th, was Donna Murphy From Rogel Cancer Center. Eric Tindall 2019-12-19 05:00:00Z 0 Donna Murphy,Patient Family Services (M Medicine),Rogel Cancer Center

Rotary - International Travel Opportunity

Posted on Dec 17, 2019
Here is a travel opportunity from Gerry Jackson:
 
Dear President Eric Tindall,
 
I have a unique and wonderful Rotary experience opportunity available for your club members:
 
I dearly appreciated your club’s financial help last year with the Rotary eye mission I led to the Casa Colibrí medical clinic in Nuevo Edén, a small village in remote Guatemala.  I hope you are very proud of your club’s support as many people now see better because of that support. I am now deep into the detailing of our 2nd eye clinic mission back into remote Guatemala.
 
At this point I am not asking for financial support, at least not yet :). What I am seeking is additional volunteers to go on the mission trip.
 
Would you please share this with your club members, giving them each the opportunity to participate?  If there is any interest, please have them contact me (contact info below).  I will be glad to provide them more detailed information.
 
Volunteers need not know anything about optometry or need to know Spanish.  We already have eye professionals and language translators on the team.  However, to make this a successful mission trip, we DO HAVE NEED for lay people on the team.  There are many valuable tasks a lay person can perform to make this a successful mission.
 
Dates:
Friday, May 8 through Saturday, May 16 (some of us are doing additional fun activities in Guatemala and staying as late as Monday, May 18).
 
Authentic experience:
Even though this is in a remote area, this will be an amazing, authentic and rewarding experience.  Our Casa Colibrí clinic in Guatemala was first developed by Dr. Jay and Linda Eastman of the Rochester Rotary Club.  In November 2014, I had the privilege of helping install our telemedicine system at the clinic. Within a matter of hours there, I fell in love with the area and the wonderful indigenous peoples that live there. I have been back 7 times now and am always willing to go again. Our Casa Colibrí health clinic is based out of Nuevo Edén, a small village outside of Barillas in the Guatemala state Huehuetenango. You can locate the Casa Colibrí medical clinic by typing "N 15 59.552 W 91 16.795" into Google Maps and switch to satellite view to see the clini