After President Dawn rang the bell, Kristin Giant shared a poem about singing in the face of darkness. This was followed by Ingrid Sheldon discussing the current “super moon” and its significance before she led members in a rendition of Shine On Harvest Moon.

Guests today included Tia, an exchange student from Denmark, introduced by Marlena Studer, and Susan Bach, Alan Kusunoki, Steve Black, and Shannon Carter, introduced by Carolyn Hiatt. Ashish introduced his daughter, Alicia Sarkar, her husband, John McWilliams, and James Brown, a former Rotary Scholar.

President Dawn announced birthdays, Pennies for Polio, a board meeting to review bylaws and a book swap on October 15. Alan Kusunoki, past president of the Hilo Hawaii Rotary Club and returning Peace Corps volunteer,  spoke about the Partnering for Peace initiative between Rotary and the Peace Corps. He invited members to a ceremony on October 14 at 4 PM at the Union celebrating the 65th anniversary of JFK speaking to University of Michigan students about founding the Peace Corps.

Norma Sarkar Awarded DSA

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is our club’s highest honor. Rosemarie Rowney introdcued this year’s honoree, Norma Sarkar. Rosemarie spoke of Norma’s distinguished service to our local club and Rotary International and Norma’s extensive background in nursing and public health, including her international experiences. She has served in many capacities within the club, and as a board member. A few examples of Norma’s dedication to service were highlighted through her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising funds for community agencies, and setting up collaborative nursing courses between India and the University of Michigan .

Police Chief Crystal James on Campus Safety and Service to Others

U-M Police Chief Crystal James, who is the first woman and first person of color to hold the position of police chief at the University of Michigan, was our speaker. She began by saying that Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” resonated with her devotion to serve others and always “go the extra mile.”  She discussed her commitment to crime prevention and community engagement, and the importance of open dialog.

Chief James highlighted the Division of Public Safety’s many services, including housing security, museum security, crime prevention and emergency management, and emphasized the importance of partnerships with university departments and external agencies. Chief James also spoke about recent challenges, such as activism and immigration concerns, and expressed her dedication to ensuring campus safety while upholding policies and laws.