President Joyce rang the opening bell on our first meeting of the 2024 football season. Rick Ingram played My Country ‘Tis of Thee. Vic Stoffler’s inspiration contrasted parenting styles, one parent harsh and rough denying his son, one family engaged and encouraging the child’s curiosity. He invited us to choose which style  to emulate.

Dave Keosaian then told us about the history of the UM alma mater, Maize and Blue. Its author, Charles M. Gayley, won a $10 prize in a contest for an alma mater and was pleased to hear it sung by many generations of Michigan students and alumni. And then we sang the first and third verses.

President Joyce regained the podium and greeted guests. She also greeted members. Thanks and birthday greetings went to worker bees and celebrants. Special thanks go to Rob Shiff, who will be Meeting Coordinator on an interim basis. Maisie Phillip of the Beccles, England club, exchanged flags with President Joyce.

Downs Herold celebrated a Moment in Rotary History for the History and Archives Committee, telling us the history of our directory. It has gone through several iterations, some including history of the club and is members. Downs showed several examples of directories, including the one he got when he joined the club in 1978. Currently Club Runner is our source of information for contacting each other but it has other features including scheduling and archiving. Downs asked if people would like a hard copy so let him know your wishes. He invited us members to join the committee..

Roy More gave us another chance to come to the Golf and Pickleball Outing on September 16. We plan on beautiful cool sunny weather for the day and promise a convivial cocktail hour, enticing auction, delicious dinner and compelling speaker. Barbara McQuade, formerly U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, now professor at the Michigan Law School and popular news commentator, will talk about the effect of disinformation and ways to combat it. Join us and bring friends for a festive Fall event. Signup on our website: a2Rotary.org.

Roy introduced Meghan Armstrong who has donated an audio archive to the auction. This preserves the precious, contemplative sounds of the subject’s voice, somethings pictures cannot capture. She interviews and records the subject over several sessions, collecting memories of their life, and distills the conversations into a two hour recording that comes in many formats so is shareable. It is divided into chapters or different periods in the subject’s life and these chapters can be selected by the listeners. Meghan will be at the auction to explain more.

Football Alumni of Michigan is there for all former football players

Greg Stejskal introduced our speaker, Andy Borowski. Andy played on both sides of the ball on the successful 1986 and 1987 football teams. Andy is a dedicated Michigan booster and has worked extensively with Football Alumni of Michigan. The alumni work with current players and graduate players to transition from football to ordinary life. He remembered the sudden ‘stop’ when he took off his helmet after his last game. FAM counsels players to plan an exit strategy and provides networking and other support services. There is a helpline, Wolverine Hope, that provides 24/7 assistance.

Andy talked about the 2024 team, reminding us that the team is very young and has not had time to develop the cohesiveness to play well together. The team’s goal is the Big Ten Championship, which he thinks is achievable.  It will take a while to learn the new playoff protocol but now not all games need to be won to be in the playoffs. Teams just need to get better with each game. He talked about NIL – name, image, and likeness – the transfer portal, sign stealing and the revenue shortfalls that have resulted from the settlement on paying players.

President Joyce led us in recitation of the Four Way Test and rang the closing bell.