Today’s meeting was called to order by President Dawn and together we sang our patriotic song. The membership then proceeded to recite the 4-way test.

Brandy Merritt offered words of inspiration today, reminding us of the values and virtues of Rotary and that Rotary is not just something we ‘do’, but something we ‘live’.  Through the many ways we contribute to our community, we should all remember how much we change lives!

Today’s music, sung beautifully by Joann Pierson and the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Choir, was the iconic John Lennon song, ‘Imagine’.

President Dawn and the club welcomed several visitors and family members today, including several guests from the Ann Arbor Observer.  Four birthdays – Glenna Miller, Don Devine, Mike Michelon and Chris Mile – and one significant anniversary for Dallas Dort (57 years as a Rotarian!), were announced and we offered thank-yous to the helpers for today’s meeting.  

Todd Kephart provided impressive results from the recent food drive.  This was the 22nd annual event for which funds collected will support schoolchildren throughout the summer, who might not otherwise have breakfast or lunch to depend on.  A total of $50,490 was raised which will support 104,000 meals!  Great job!

Tom Millard reminded us of the upcoming medical equipment drive by the local non-profit, Pangea, who recently spoke to us at a meeting.  Medical supplies and equipment will be collected on Saturday, May 2 from 1-3pm. Check the newsletter for more details.

50 years of the Ann Arbor Observer

Patricia Garcia, former RCAA president and former publisher of the Ann Arbor Observer introduced our speakers after providing some interesting history of the publication which is celebrating 50 years this year!  The publication’s goal, started by Don and Mary Hunt in 1976, was to speak to the entire Ann Arbor community and to bring people together.  Patricia and the long-time editor, John Hilton, in Chief are now retiring from the Observer and passing the baton to Danielle Jones (publisher) and Brooke Black (editor in chief).

Danielle and Brooke’s presentation about the Observer was offered as a question and answer of each other, covering a variety of topics.  Danielle described her role as developing strategic planning while maintaining advertising sales.  She also announced that the Observer may soon be purchased by the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL).  Brooke described her role as organizing the vast institutional knowledge and documenting that, bringing in new writers and adding some new features, such as the new crossword puzzle.

Collectively they spoke about their vision to continue the legacy of thoughtful, independent news and to tell stories that you won’t find anywhere else.  The secret to continued success is having a great staff and advertisers, which are primarily local businesses.  They spoke about potential changes if they are purchased by the AADL, such as more opportunities for securing grants and donors, enlarging the staff, and audience engagement.  They were clear, however, that with new ownership, the Observer will maintain full editorial control of the publication.  In closing and while answering questions, Danielle and Brooke talked about the Fake Ad, the cover art and that the Observer is always open to story ideas – just email Brooke at editor@aaobserver.com

Our meeting was adjourned at 1:30 pm.