The November 29, 2023 meeting opened on Zoom and in person at the University of Michigan’s Anderson Room. Zoom etiquette was provided by Leo Shedden.
At 12:31, President Foster called the meeting to order. Tom Strode led us in “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”. Inspiration was provided by Shelley MacMillan who talked about how to overcome hatred using lyrical references from show tunes include “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” from South Pacific by Rodgers & Hammerstein followed by “Children Will Listen” from Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim. Shelley pulled double duty and also led us in song”.
President Foster welcomed two visiting Rotarians – Paul Schlisser and Dave Gilbert from Chelsea Club of Rotary and Emma Timms from England. Volunteers for today’s meeting were recognized along with and birthdays for the week. Downs Herold was celebrating his 45th anniversary as a Rotarian.
Joanne Pierson announced that RCAA is looking for a new Club Financial manager and is leading the search effort. Please forward any recommendations to her as we’ve found that personal referrals have made the best candidates. Send recommendations to the search team including Barbara Eichmuller, Mark Foster, Norman Herbert, Joyce Hunter, Dawn Johnson, Bill McPherson, Kathy Waugh, Mark Ouimet, & Joanne Pierson.
President Foster reminded us about today’s happy hour at Union Rec
Don Deatrick put a call out for 7 more volunteers for the Veterans Hygiene Kits initiative.
Peg Talburtt reminded RCAA members (in rhyme) to purchase their tickets to the Bucklers holiday soiree on December 17 from 4-6:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased on the website or see Shari.
Nishta Bahtia announced that the EAG Committee is starting an in-house recycle project starting in January. Members of the team will collect printer cartridges, alkaline batteries and plastic bags. Bins will be on the tables during the Wednesday meeting and these items will be recycled by the EAG.
Dallas Dort asked members to send any speaker recommendations to him at dallasdort@gmail.com. There is also a form on the website to recommend speakers. Dallas also put a call out as he is seeking members to join the program committee.
Mark Foster introduced Collyer Smith. From President Foster’s introduction: “Collyer is the current District 6380 Mental Health Chair, and District Governor for District 6380. With the District 6380 Mental Health Initiative- he led four E-Race the Stigma on Mental Health Marathon Races. The event was solely dedicated to mental health, with part of the registration fee going to the participating mental health organizations. 1100 enthusiasts participated. Collyer became a member of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor in 2007, heading up Rotary Tutors. He developed a team of 20 volunteers which accomplished in one year, 600 volunteer community service hours at the local public grade schools. Kids still talk about Mr. Collyer and his invisible dog, Emilio Poochie. In 2016-2017, Collyer became President of the Ann Arbor Rotary during the Club’s Centennial year. Ann Arbor Rotary is the largest Club in the District having a high of 336 members during his presidency. Prior to Rotary, Collyer enjoyed 14 years in banking- with Citicorp, then with Standard Federal Bank, which eventually became ABN-AMRO. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University, and Northwestern University (Kellogg graduate degree in marketing). Collyer and his wife Annie have been married 36 years.
Collyer’s discussion focused on three areas – 1) his trip to the international assembly, 2) what he learned from this trip and what info he is bringing back to our club, and 3) mental health.
International Assembly
All district governor-elects must participate in 50-60 hours of online training in preparation for serving in this capacity. The training occurs prior to attending the International Assembly. The Assembly plenaries were motivational & inspirational especially those sessions focused on all of the global grants that are making direct impact. Nothing made a bigger impact to Collyer than the session on polio. Seeing images of mothers going door to door in Pakistan to vaccinate children was moving – these women are putting their lives on the line and are heroes. The next part of the Assembly included facilitators working with governor-elects so participants can learn from each other and there are representatives from around the world. Next up was sharing the nuts & bolts of what was going to happen in their district while they serving as district governor.
Collyer announced that the district priorities will be focused on Youth Programs. The pandemic was very difficult for today’s youth and we need to do what we can support our young people. Youth Exchange program is restarting and makes a lifelong impact. The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) will occur in April outside of Flint. Collyer shared information about a RYLA participant – Christina who will be assisting with these efforts. Interact will be a focus as well. 5 years ago, Collyer went to his first Interact Day in West Bloomfield where a tent was sent up – a shelter box tent. Interact students were raising funds to purchase these tents to send to disaster sites. Five years later, Collyer attended a Rotaract event and 3 participants talked about their positive experience in high school with Interact.
The third focus area is mental health. At the International Assembly, Gordon McInally talked about when he broke his leg and was homebound for 2 weeks and friends and neighbors brought food & fellowship and how much that meant. It made him reflect on when he didn’t realize his brother had been suffering from depression and his brother ended up committing suicide. This hit home personally to Collyer due to his son’s suicide. Collyer was deeply moved by the support he received from Rotarians during this extremely difficult and low period in his life. He is committed to supporting youth with mental health challenges they are experiencing.
After this emotional talk, President Foster announced that the RCAA has received a Rotary Foundation certificate of appreciation for the Club’s polio eradication efforts.
The Clawson, Pontiac, and Blenheim (Ontario) Rotary Club flags were received.
A new Interact club has been recently started at Skyline High School by the Ann Arbor Rotary North Club and had a number of these club members at the Send Hunger Packing event.
The District Conference is scheduled from May 17-19 with a focus on electric vehicles. The event will start Friday event with a social event at the U-M Museum of Art. Wine, Women & Song members will provide entertainment on Saturday. The conference will be held at U-M.
The next meeting is the Annual Meeting.
Quote for the Day: “The Four Way Test”
Of the things we think, say or do: 1) is it the TRUTH? 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS, 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
President Foster adjourned the meeting at 1:25.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jennifer Fike
