After president Joyce Hunter rang the bell calling our meeting to order, we sang a patriotic song, and Joanne Pierson offered the following inspirational poem about home and love:

Home and Love (Robert Wilson Service 1874-1958)

Just home and love. The words are small,
Four little letters unto each
And yet you will not find in all
The vast and gracious range of speech
Two more so tenderly complete
When angels taught in heaven above
I’m sure they had no words other than ” sweet
Than Home and Love

And Home and Love is hard to guess
Which of the two were best to gain.
Home without love is bitterness.
Love without home is often paid
No each alone will seldom do
Somehow they travel hand and glove

If you win one, you must have two
Both home and love.
And if you’ve both, well, then I’m sure
You ought to sing the whole day long.
It doesn’t matter if you’re poor
With these to make divine your song,

And so I praisefully repeat
When angels talk in heaven above
there are no words more simply sweet
Than home and Love.

Dave Keosaian then led us in singing Down In the Valley and Let Me Call You Sweetheart. Guests were recognized and condolences  shared for the passing of Bert Voss. Upcoming events were announced, including a virtual membership roundup with Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick on January 28th. Birthdays and anniversaries this week included Barbara Niess May and Jennifer Richard.

Joanne Pierson then appealed for more volunteers for the Rotary Readers and Tutors program, and president-elect Dawn Johnson updated us on the  strategic planning process.

President Joyce ended the business portion of the meeting by introducing a tool to help members develop an “elevator pitch” to recruit new members. She noted that there are three parts to an elevator pitch. First is Introduction, our passion, our motto: second is our club, its goals and achievements; third, your personal story, and what Rotaary is or isn’t for you: and then your closer: How can the this person fit into our Club?

Main Street Association’s Downtown Initiatives

Downs Herold then introduced our speaker, Ashley Shafer, Executive Director of the Main Street Area Association. She  discussed her background and her role in connecting members and businesses.

The Main Street Area Association, she said, fosters a thriving downtown Ann Arbor, supporting businesses, and addressing residents’ concerns. The association plans events that attract 30,000+ people downtown, including the Rolling Sculpture Car Show, Restaurant Week, and the Trick or Treat Parade. They also work on beautification, implementing the social district, and collaborating with the Ann Arbor Police Department for safety. She highlighted the association’s commitment to community engagement, economic growth, marketing, and cultural vibrancy.

They plan to launch three new events in 2025: a Mural Artist Showdown, a Main Street Area Association Gala, and a Holiday Parade. They also aim to strengthen downtown through sustainable growth and reducing event wastes. She encouraged attendees to visit Main Street, explore local businesses, volunteer, and spread the word about the association’s initiatives.

The meeting ended with the reciting of the 4 Way Test.