President Mark Foster rang the bell, opening our 2024 meetings. Tom Strode warmed us up by playing the Star Spangled Banner, and Dave Keosaian led us in “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” After thanking the people who make the meetings run smoothly, President Mark couldn’t resist bragging about going to Houston for The Game or recounting some bad New Year’s Resolution jokes.
Don Deatrick shared a video of the Rotarians packing veterans’ hygiene kits on December 19. Two hundred kits were filled with personal hygiene products and delivered to hospitalized veterans at the VA hospital. Thanks to both donors and Rotarians for packing and delivering.
Secretary Kathy Waugh placed the name of Ugur Cetin in nomination for the Director of Club Service position for the two years beginning July 1, 2024. This nomination will be voted on next week.
Norma Sarkar informed us of the many events around town celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday. The list of events and how to attend or join virtually is on umich.edu. Search MLK Events. Norma also told us the AntiRacism and Peace Committee meets on the second Wednesday at 4:00 pm on 
Zoom. ARC is partnering with other organizations to fight racism and promote peace; all are invited to participate. Please feel free to contact Norma with questions.
Dennis Burke promoted the collection of recyclables by our club for responsible disposal. We can bring printer cartridges, batteries, and plastic bags to meetings to take them to another life.
Dallas Dort reported that the Program Committee has lined up meeting speakers from Toyota for January 24 and then John Pasquale later in the year. It will be another great lineup of speakers, so clear your calendars.
Notes from the Program
Vic Stoeffler introduced Patrick Smith, Chief Program Officer for North Star Reach, a camp for children with serious health risks. North Star is part of a global network of camps for these children. The goal is to build resilience, confidence, and personal growth in children and families. Patrick’s presentation began with a video of happy, active children goofing around and playing like at any kids’ camp. The Ann Arbor area camp began organizing in the early 2000s but became a reality when The University agreed to sell its camp property on Patterson Lake in 2007. After tearing down old structures and building entirely barrier-free structures, North Star Reach opened in 2016. The camp has integrated medical support in staff and facilities. Medications are taken to kids during their activities rather than having kids come to the medical facility for medication – maximizing the time for fun and deemphasizing the impact
of illness. COVID had and is having a significant impact. North Star went as virtual as possible, keeping kids and families connected in the community as best they could. They have the same staffing problems all organizations have but have dedicated and determined volunteers and vow to return. North Star Reach depends on donations and grants; it is entirely free to families.
President Mark announced that next week’s program will be a presentation by our member, Alexis Antracoli, Director of the Bentley Library. He then led us in reciting The Four Way Tests.
