President Joyce Hunter called the meeting to order at 12:30, and we sang “America the Beautiful.”

Michelle Deatrick then reminded us that 62 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a brilliant letter from the Birmingham, Alabama jail, where he was imprisoned as a participant in nonviolent demonstrations against segregation. He was responding to a public statement of concern and caution issued by eight white religious leaders of the South, and explained the necessity of continued courage and non-violent action after tireless efforts to be heard were ignored.

This week’s song leader was Marlena Studer, who, with her husband Steve Ragsdale on guitar, led a rendition of Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. President Joyce then welcomed our many guests who were introduced by sponsoring Rotarians. Birthdays were celebrated for Dave Williams, Kofi Gyan, Bob Buckler, Kat Forsythe, Larry Gray and Mark Ouimet.

Announcements

• Dave Leach announced that the Huron High School Jazz Band has been invited to participate in the Essentially Ellington competition at Lincoln Center in New York City. Financial support from interested Rotarians was encouraged.
• President Joyce thanked all of the members who participated in Wine Women and Song, as well as the set-up team for today’s meeting.
• President Joyce announced that the Executive Administrator Search Committee will meet on Monday to review applications and set a hiring timeline.
• Don Duquette encouraged Rotary members to volunteer for the annual student move-in/move-out event between April 25th and May 5th. Members will be reminded by email and on the website.
• Jodi Tull announced that the Yoga Retreat is sold out. The event aims to provide a mini vacation for self-care, and Jody spoke of the benefits of yoga and meditation with references to scientific research and endorsements from medical professionals. The retreat is seen as a way to promote holistic health and well-being, and Jody encouraged non-participants to sign up early next year.
• Leo Shedden and Ed Johnson reviewed the highly successful highway cleanup. Ten Rotarians and two Rotaract members enjoyed lunch after collecting 45 large black bags of trash along the two-mile stretch.

Prison Creative Arts Project offers art workshop to the incarcerated

Marsha Chamberlin introduced Nora Krinitsky, Director, and Mattie Levy, Community Engagement Coordinator, from the Prison Creative Arts Project (CPAP) who spoke of the organization’s history, mission, and programs.

PCAP, founded in 1990, provides learning opportunities for those incarcerated by the justice system. The organization offers courses and volunteer opportunities for students and community members. CPAP facilitates weekly creative arts workshops in six prisons within an hour’s drive of Ann Arbor. The workshops culminate with a variety of final performances. The Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing publishes an annual volume of creative writing submitted by the most talented incarcerated writers across the state. Each submitted piece is read and discussed with the author whether or not it is accepted for publishing.

PCAP also organizes an annual exhibition of multiple art forms created by incarcerated artists across in all Michigan prisons. The PCAP staff and students visit prisons to select artwork, curate the exhibition, and organize events including an art auction and collaborations with the University music programs. The 29th annual exhibition featured 771 pieces from over 530 artists. Each item is for sale, and the proceeds from the sale of the art goes to the artists. The digital exhibition is available online at prisonarts.org

The meeting was adjourned by President Joyce Hunter at 1:30 after members recited the Four Way Test.