The January 19, 2022 meeting opened on Zoom with social time. Lori Walters provided Zoom etiquette guidelines to the virtual attendees.
At 12:29, President Susan Froelich started the meeting by ringing the bell. Tom Strode led us in “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”. Inspiration was provided by Marcia Lane who talked about the need to find balance between work and volunteerism. This is exemplified in the George Bernard Shaw quote she read “This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations”.
Joanne Pierson & Steve Pierce sang a duet “There’s Still Covid Outside”. President Susan welcomed the 107 attendees. She announced that Eunbin Ko will be performing on January 31 at 7:30pm at U-M’s Moore Building, Britton Recital Hall. Ko is a scholarship recipient from the Rotary Club in Nagasaki, Japan. Guests today included Alexander Cetinel and Scott Bunnay along with 2 guests of Sara Maddock – Linda Elebogen & Mark Wiseman.
Anne Glendon announced a celebration planned in honor of the 5-year anniversary of the Rotary Centennial project at Gallup Park. The all-accessible playground opened 5 years ago and we’re planning an anniversary party on May 22 or June 5. When fundraising occurred 5 years ago, $4,000 was set aside as an educational component. These funds will be used for this event to reintroduce the playground to the community and will be a joint project between the City of Ann Arbor and our Club. Leslie Science & Nature Center will be participating with a hands-on activity for kids.
President Susan provided an update from the recent Board meeting. The Board decided the Club will continue to meet on Zoom through February due to the omicron variant. 5 new members were welcomed into the Club recently. The Search Committee is meeting tomorrow regarding the Executive Director search. Dawn Johnson became co-chair of District 6380 and will serve as the chair of the District’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee. The next Peace Conference is scheduled for Sept 23-24 at the Michigan League. If you are interested in helping with the conference, please contact Marcia Lane.
Norma Sarkar provided an update from the Membership Committee. She reported that in June there were 243 members and since September there are 13 new members and 2 transfers. However, current membership is down to 240 due to members leaving & transfers. New members in 2021-22 are Cyril White, Arianne Slay, Ellen Putney Moore, Ray Kelley, Spencer Symington, Tori Price, Dr. Mehmet Onder, Larry Marentette, Miriam Perry, Anne Andrus, Brian Stenger, Sue Shink, Eric Macke, Sofia Nordenstam and Carlos Valderrama. Membership Committee members include: Marlena Studer, Chair; Kim Krahn, Secretary; Devon Meier, Steve Kesler, Agnes Reading, John White, B. Yawson, Barbara Eichmuller, Sal Barbatano, Lori Walters, Kate Van Horn, and Norma Sarkar. The Committee needs assistance with the following:
- Development – contacting prospective members, sponsor volunteers and to brainstorm recruitment strategies (contact Devon Meier or Agnes Reading).
- Engagement – checking in with new members at 6 weeks, 3,6,9 and 12 months and organizing small gatherings to allow new members to get to know our club (contact Sal Barbatano & Kate Van Horn).
- Retention – contacting Rotarians we haven’t seen in a while, keeping in touch with Emeritus members, assist with exit interviews (contact Steve Kesler)
- Rotary Cares – contact Barbara Eichmuller
The Membership Committee meets the second Tuesday at 10:45. Contact Marlena Studer or Norma Sarkar for more information or to volunteer.
Steve Schram introduced today’s speaker, author and New York Times best-selling author John U. Bacon. Bacon’s first job was as a Lifestyle Reporter for the Ann Arbor News followed by Feature Writer with the Detroit News. He has written for Time, The New York Times, and ESPN Magazine, among other publications, earning national honors. Bacon teaches at Northwestern University and the University of Michigan and is a popular public speaker. His most recent book is LET THEM LEAD: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America’s Worst High School Hockey Team. Bacon has also launched a podcast with the same name.
When Bacon took over as coach Huron High School, their record was 0-23 and were ranked last in the nation. As a player at Huron, Bacon has current record for the most games played at 86 with zero goals. He began his coaching career by recruiting for players by doing the opposite of what is expected which is to make it special to play for Huron. Bacon’s mentor advised by saying the “Easiest way to make it special is to make it hard.” This will attract the best players. Making it hard attracts the right players. Bacon sent a letter to recruits saying you’re trying out for the hardest team and the focus will be on ultimately working hard and supporting your teammates.
Another lesson Bacon shared is to “Be patient with results and impatient with behaviors,” and the need to focus on something bigger than victories. The team started working out 4 months before the season started. On the hottest and most humid day of the year, the team came together and did a tough track workout and were in it together. The team started the season by winning their first three games, then lost to Trenton – the best team in the state. By facing this adversity, they were able to come together & know that their values would sustain them by “working hard and supporting your teammates”. The team progressed over the next few years to one of the best in the state. To have a great team, all players become leaders. Just because you believe doesn’t mean you’re going to win but you need to believe to get a shot. If you give others a sense of purpose and sense of mission – they will greatly succeed.
Bacon was asked about Fielding Yost and racism. George Jewett played for U-M in 1892 and was the first black player to letter in football. U-M then went decades without another Black player. Yost was the son of a Confederate soldier and coached from 1901 – 1926, then served as Athletic Director from 1921 – 1940. How to handle his legacy? Complex question. Yost was a racist throughout his tenure which was not unusual for the time. Bacon suggests that removing Yost’s name from the hockey arena will not solve the problem but educating others about what happened would do more.
President Froelich concluded the presentation announcing that the Club was making a gift to eradicate polio in honor of Bacon. Larry Kestenbaum, Washtenaw County’s Chief Election Official is next week’s speaker.
Quote of the Day was from Martin Luther King, Jr. – “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve”.
President Susan adjourned the meeting at 1:30.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jennifer Fike
