Tom Strode kicked off the first meeting of 2022 with the Star Spangled Banner. Amy Goodman’s Inspiration called up the many areas of support we have – friends, Rotary, Community – and the goals ahead, and welcomed the New Year.
Ingrid Sheldon reminded us that The University of Michigan has many musical arts programs besides the Marching Band and the Musical Society, and proved it by playing a video of the School of Music and Dance’s rendition of Hail to the Victors.
President Susan thanked the people who make the meetings run smoothly and announced birthdays celebrated since our last meeting and through January 11. She also announced that the Memorial Service for Larry Henkel has been moved to May 14 and that details will be announced later
Ashish Sarkar has custody of five crates of surgical masks sent from the Rotary Club of Detroit which are available to non profits. Contact Ashish if you know of a non-profit that needs them.
New Members Mehmet Onder and Arianne Slay were introduced.
Henry Johnson introduced Nancy Margolis and Lynn Settles. Nancy told us about Embracing Our Differences, an arts and
education project out of Sarasota, Florida. They sponsor arts exhibits on the topic of diversity and have a nationwide and international presence. The Southeast Michigan chapter will sponsor a display of billboards in Gallup Park in Ann Arbor and Riverside and Parkridge parks in Ypsilanti this summer. The art is created by local artists. Support for teachers is a big focus and curriculum material will be prepared. The group will sponsor field trips for school students to the displays, which will be guided by volunteer docents. Lynn Settles noted that calls for art have gone out and the deadline for submissions is February 3.
Notes from the Program
Eric Lipson introduced Pam Kisch, who is the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Southeast and Mid-Michigan
(FHC). The FHC advocates and litigates instances of housing discrimination. It is a private non government organization, founded in 1992, that covers 10 counties. Pam says the laws are good and strong but that enforcement is lacking. Although there are many forms of discrimination the three most often brought to FHC are for race, disability and against families with children. The Center addresses issues in the rental, sale and financing of housing. FHC helps complainants gather and document instances of discrimination before referring them to lawyers who will take these cases. One of the main ways they establish discrimination is by testing – sending identically credentialed individuals who only differ in circumstances such as race, disability or having children, to apply for housing, purchase, for financing. She illustrated instances of discrimination by asking if the audience knew if situations were illegal, and then telling the story behind the complaint.
President Susan closed the meeting with the following quote from Ben Franklin: “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better (person) man”.
