The June 28, 2023 meeting opened on Zoom (33 members on zoom) and in person. 
At 12:29, President Ouimet called the meeting to order. Tom Strode led us in “America the Beautiful”. Inspiration was provided by Downs Herold who commemorated President Ouimet’s year of service and celebrated incoming President Foster. Here’s the inspiration: “Today is a historical day for the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Michigan. Why you might ask ???…. Today we commemorate the end of President Mark Ouimet’s term and the beginning of Mark Foster’s reign. This is the first time in our Club’s 107-year history that not only do our almost past and new President’s share the same first name, and we also note that this is the first time that these two Presidents are our first second generation (father/son) Club Presidents.
It’s interesting to note, also, that it only took 98 years before we experienced our first second generation/ father/daughter President when Karen Kerry followed her father’s, Robert’s, service in 2014-15. I am sure that both Marks and Karen proudly followed their father’s service to the RCAA. Karen’s mother, Gloria is also remembered as one of the first women members of our club. For this meeting’s “inspiration” I would like to ask all of our members to recall their personal past and present avenues of service in our Club. It is my hope that we all can feel that the members who sponsored each of us when we joined the club, are as proud of our “Services above Self” in Rotary, as we imagine that Mark, Mark and Karen’s proud fathers are feeling today, even though they are with us only in spirit.”
Downs pulled double duty and led all in singing “It’s a Great Day to be a Rotarian”.
President Ouimet thanked Dawn Johnson for all of her efforts in making our meetings successful. She embodies the Rotary spirit of service. Other meeting volunteers and birthdays for the week were recognized. Tom Millard introduced Millie Danielson’s son who was visiting as Millie is convalescing and sends her best wishes to members. Caroline Andrews introduced her father Bruce Dunbar, a visiting Rotarian from Rotary Ann Arbor West. Rosemarie Rowney welcomed Manish Mehta from Rotary Ann Arbor North.
Greg Stesjkal announced that the Golf and Pickleball Outing (GPO) formerly the GTO is scheduled for September 11, 2023 at Barton Hills Country Club. He encouraged members to sign up to volunteer and to purchase tickets. Event information is on the website. https://www.a2rotary.org/early-bird-dinner-special-golf-and-pickleball-outing/
The event is celebrating 20 years. Lori Walters put out a request for donations for auction items. Purchasers of auction items tend to be interested in experiences rather than “stuff”, so if you have a cottage/cabin or another experience that you’d like to donate, please contact Shari or visit the website. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0TSZTLkE63ejRjWG6LgUiFLOHqpT2sDrnAFPBUXmQc5nTOg/viewform
Items currently donated include the condo crawl, Halloween party, baked goods for a year, and there’s a rumor of possibly holiday cocktail party.
Mark Foster encouraged members to respond to the survey regarding the hybrid meetings. So far 105 members have responded and the Board needs input for all members so please respond to the survey.
Collyer Smith provided a delightful reminder about the upcoming “Meet the Governor” scheduled at the Jack Roth Stadium Club pavilion at U-M stadium scheduled on July 13 from 4-7:00. https://www.a2rotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Meet-the-Governor-.pdf
President Ouimet thanked his wife, Donna for her support. He also thanked Rotary leadership who have assisted over the past year.
2022-23 Rotary Club Goals
President Ouimet reviewed the past year’s goals.
He showed the challenges experienced by our club including the decline in membership since 2017 Many Rotary clubs did not survive the pandemic, but due to past leadership and the strength of our club, we continued to thrive.
President Ouimet’s Goals & Accomplishments:
- Grow the Club
Emphasis on: 1) not just a club, a movement! 2) Great programs we have – bring guests, 3) 1 on 1 contacts, 4) Increase diversity to give strength and power, 5) Connect with other groups & organizations (environmental, cultural & service groups)
We are currently on the upswing with new members from 2022 to now.
- Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation
Important to raise funds to can be used to do good in the community. RCAA made a significant contribution to the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation. 4.25% assets are distributed each year and nearly $100,000 in community grant allocations were made – the most ever in the Club’s history. It was a challenging year financially, but due to the knowledge and expertise of the investment committee, we are in a strong position. The community distributions have continued to expand. A review of the many 2023 Community Grants to various nonprofits was shared.
- Accomplishments Included:
1) The budget was balanced, 2) the Club made a District Governor endorsement, 3) no draw on fund balance, 4) speakers focused on leadership, 5) record # of Rotarian activities, and 6) Rotary International Citation Award Recipient.
President-Elect Mark Foster stepped up to the podium and adorned the traditional RCAA jacket from outgoing President Ouimet. He thanked President Ouimet for his leadership and accomplishments over the past year including overcoming challenges which included resignation of the Club Administrator and last-minute change in Treasurer. President Mark Foster reflected on his father’s term as president in 1996-97 president and to commemorate this & to honor his memory, Mark wore his father’s Rotary ring. President Foster also found an accordion file of his father’s with “Rotary club humor” and shared the top oxymorons from this file which included: “Found missing, act naturally, legally drunk, but head, definite maybe, small crowd, same difference”. There will be more humor to come in upcoming meetings. Video montage of before/after photos of how presidents have aged during office with the final picture showing how President Ouimet aged during his tenure and a prediction of how President Foster will look.
Rotary International’s 2023-24 Theme is to “Create Hope in the World”.
President Foster’s 2-23-24 RCAA Goals – Back to Basics:
1) Focus on in-person meetings,
2) Four-way test banner,
3) Flag banner — determine a solution for how to display flags
4) Historical committee to focus on club history and share historical documents with U-M’s Bentley Historical Library, and share club history& facts with membership,
5) Headline news with Steve Schram,
6) Look to Past President’s for counsel
Focus on increasing membership and continue the positive trajectory over the past year with new members.
Goals:
1) Club Growth – all are important to build the growth of membership
2) Support Our District Governor – Collyer Smith. First time our club has had a District Governor since 1991. There will be a focus from the District Governor on participation and mental health awareness. Please attend the upcoming “Meet the Governor Event on July 13 at U-M Stadium”.
3) Increase Public Awareness including a focus on Send Hunger Packing and community allocations from the GPO event.
4) Fun!
No meeting next week – July 5
Quote for the Day: “Keep trying. Stay humble. Trust your instincts. Most importantly, act. When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Yogi Berra
President Foster adjourned the meeting at 1:33.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jennifer Fike
