President Rosemary gaveled the meeting to order at 12:25pm. Dave Keosaian inspired us with a somber reading of John Donne’s No Man Is An Island. Joanne Pierson led us in a raucous rendition of Bill Withers’ Lean On Me. Thanks to the people who make the meeting run smoothly, birthday congratulations and introduction of guests completed the opening routine and preceded a string of announcements.
Don Deatrick announced the November 5 date for Hire MI Vet, a community effort to help veterans find meaningful employment. This is the fifth year of the hiring event that includes mentoring the veterans in resume preparation and interview skills. The program has been reorganized so there will be a volunteer training session prior to our regular meeting on Wednesday, October 30 at 11:00am. Contact Don Deatrick to reserve a spot in the training: ddeatrick@live.com.
Joanne Pierson stirred up excitement about our World Polio Day event on October 23. Our speaker will be Ann Lee Hussey, a polio survivor who travels the world to participate in or lead National Immunization Days. She is a compelling speaker, sharing her experience as a polio victim. Joanne encouraged us to invite guests and emphasized that we need to RSVP, demanding on three separate points that we chant “R” “S” “V” “P”. She thanked Bob Hyzy for interviewing Ed Hoffman about the event; the interview will be aired Saturday, October 19 during Ed’s 3:30pm show on WAAM, 1600 on your AM dial.
Ashish Sarkar clarified the rules for how our donations to Polio Plus qualify for matches. The entirety of any donation that is at least $1.00 more than last year’s donation will be matched by an anonymous local donor up to $10,000. All donations honoring the day will be matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The result will be a 6:1 match.
Joanne returned to the podium with an additional incentive for us to donate generously – donning a purple wig, she reminded us that President Rosemarie promised to “COLOR” her hair purple if we double our donations from last year.
Ashish announced preliminary results from the Golf and Tennis Outing. The astonishing $70,000 is the result of much hard work by the Outing Committee. Many thanks to these hard working Rotarians. Ashish asked that all the money be spent this year, no saving for later, as this is the most meaningful thanks to committee members and donors.
Jim Egerdahl pitched Rotary Tutors and rounded up the six Rotarians needed to fulfill all requests.
Rob Shiff invited us to volunteer to help rebuild the playground at Eberwhite Elementary School. All skills at all levels of proficiency, plus clerical help, are needed. And there is a commemorative Tee Shirt. The project runs October 17 – 20. Contact Rob for more information: rschiff123@gmail.com.
Bev Sieford invited us all to the Rotaract Charter Dinner on November 12 at the Cottage Inn. RSVPs are needed: bsieford@gmail.com. Mentors are needed for Rotaractors, a pleasant assignment that results in a friendship between the Rotarian and an accomplished, enthusiastic future leader. Contact Don Duquette, duquette@umich.edu, or Dennis Powers, carhart2018@aol.com, to learn more.
The last announcement introduced our Program, Introduction of New Members. Social Committee invited us all to the Session Room, 3685 Jackson Road, to meet with our 16 new members.
Notes from the Program – Dan Romanchik introduced new members. See their pictures below:
