Weary election watchers were happy to change the subject on Wednesday and the chatter was spirited. Before the bell Lori Walters praised our Zoom etiquette during last week’s Jennifer Jones presentation and vowed not to present the etiquette lesson again if we continued to be well behaved.

President Joanne rang the bell at 12:25 and Tom Strode played America the Beautiful. Judy Lynch-Sauer greeted our New Members and invited them to leadership with Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken.” She made the poem about courage and vision in leadership.

President Joanne took the podium and reminded us that November is Rotary Foundation Month.  She then thanked the people who make the meetings run smoothly, and announced birthdays.

Past President Rosemarie Rowney announced the slate of officer candidates for 2021-2022.  As there were no nominations from the floor, this slate will be voted on at the Annual Meeting December 2. Directors will be Dawn Johnson, Roy More, Linda Carter, and John Sepp.  Steve Pierce will be Treasurer and Kathy Waugh will be Secretary.  President Elect will be Mark Ouimet.

Norman Herbert reported on the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation Endowment.  The market value of the Endowment at September 30, 2020 was $2.37 million, an increase of $218,984 from last year. The earnings from the Endowment represent 32% of the community service budget.  The goal of the Endowment is to contribute $100,00 to the community service budget annually.  The Endowment is funded by voluntary contributions from club members and others.  Norman urged members to make generous donations to the Endowment when the 1-2-3 notices come out.

Shelley MacMillan donned the Social Committee hat to invite us to our COVID safe Club gathering at the Universal Access Playground in Gallup Park to see the newly installed signage Sunday, November 8th between 2:00 and 4:00 pm. Signups for a time slot are required.  Bring your own non-alcoholic beverage, enjoy the beautiful day and see the new signs, then enjoy a (socially distanced!!) visit with Rotarians.

Some strange performers serenaded us with a rendition of “I’ve Got You, Babe” that would do Sonny and Cher proud.  Lyrics were ‘improved’ to welcome the New Members who would be introduced later in the meeting. Suspicions abound that they were President Joanne Pierson and Steve Pierce but no one really knows. The performance can be viewed here.

President Elect Susan Froelich welcomed the New Members.  Each sponsor told a bit about the New Member, then we heard from each one.  Click here to read their bios and reach out in welcome.

President Joanne closed the meeting with a quote from Patrick Lindsay, Irish politician and Lawyer, “Every new friend is a new adventure… the start of more memories.”