President Mark Ouimet called the meeting to order promptly at 12:30. Tom Strode warmed us up with the Patriotic Song. Marlena Studer read a writing from “Ethics for the New Millennium” by the Dalai Lama. He talked about how compassion, caring for others, is the basis for all human understanding. She then led us in a rousing chorus of Lean on Me.

President Mark greeted guests and thanked the people who make the meetings run smoothly. Birthdays were celebrated.

Joanne Pierson presented Arthur Williams with the Distinguished Service Award. Arthur has a long career in leading schools, elementary and secondary, and has worked in districts across the country. He has been called back into service as interim principal on several occasions. He is a member of a variety of educational organizations which he has served with distinction. He has contributed his time and talent to many community organizations, including our club, serving currently as Director of Youth Development. Congratulations, Arthur, and Thank You!

Roy More took the podium to talk about the GPO – our golf outing that this year that includes pickleball. This, our only fund raiser, will be September 11 at Barton Hills Country Club. The day includes golf, pickleball and dinner. Signups are open so get on board now!

Joanne Pierson followed Roy giving us seven tips for contributing to the silent auction that accompanies the GPO. Experiences are especially sought – condos, boat rides, dinners, learning activities, parties – so as you enjoy summer, think about how to share the fun with Rotarians by hosting a party. Any Auction Committee member will be happy to talk to you about possibilities.

John White announced that last year’s enormously Send Hunger Packing event will be repeated on October 28 this year. Join local Rotarians and community volunteers on an assembly line to package dried food for distribution locally and internationally. See John for details soon because a lot of people want to do this and even at Pioneer, space could get tight.

Kathy Waugh resumed the Annual Meeting to nominate and then elect Linda Kentes to the position of Director of Club Service. Her nomination was seconded and she was unanimously elected.

Rob Shiff discussed the current club debate on whether to continue the hybrid meetings. The time expense of broadcasting the meetings has exceeded the club’s volunteer capability and the financial expense, estimated at $13,000 this year, has exceeded the amount that the Board can devote to broadcasting. The Board has prepared a survey, sent via email on June 21 asking several questions regarding the demand for continuing hybrid meetings and has requested  membership input on how to pay for it. Please respond to the survey so the Board can make a decision about how to proceed.

Norman Herbert introduced our Speaker, Tony Denton, Senior Vice President. Chief Environmental, Social and Governance Officer at Michigan Medicine. His topic was Health Equity in Washtenaw County. Tony’s talk stressed the social determinants of health care accessibility and outcomes, and how Michigan Medicine is recognizing and implementing strategies and projects that engage other community partners in delivering services to underserved communities.  The goal is to prevent rather than treat health problems. Michigan Medicine is moving into a new, spacious downtown building in Ypsilanti that will bring together in one place many health care services in a location convenient to the target population. He praised the work of our many community agencies and talked about how they are collaborating to deliver much needed services.

Although we had to hold our questions for post meeting inquiry, those of us who stayed enjoyed President Mark’s Quote of the Day: “When summer gets boring, I start thinking about how fun it would be if I was in school right now!” Unknown