Lively zoom conversation among our Rotary Club members preceded the official start of our meeting with talks ranging from trails in Gregory, MI to Tom Strode’s new microphoning of his piano for our patriotic song. Dawn Johnson gave us our zoom etiquette rules and President Mark Inclosing President Mark helped get our meeting started. Tom Strode played our National Anthem and Dawn Johnson followed with an inspirational welcome on the eve of Earth Day about the power of interdependence and community that can be learned from trees.
Henry Johnson got us movin’ and groovin’ to Jimmy Cliff’s version of I Can See Clearly Now.
Dawn thanked the members who helped make today’s meeting happen, then gave birthday shout outs to Bob Buckler, Lois Stenger, Kat Forsythe, Mark Ouimet, Dennis Powers and Bob Mull.
CLUB BUSINESS
John Barrie invited Rotarians to be part of the July 22 – 30, 2023 trip to Guatemala. The purpose is to meet the Rotary Club of Atilan, visit Antigua (the “old capital”), visit Santa Cruz with their solar power system supported by the A2 Rotary Club, and see other Rotary water, wash, solar projects. The fee is $1650 and includes airfare, transit to/from airports, all but three meals, lodging and touring of Mayan ruins. Contact John at jsbarrie@gmail.com .
New Club Member Cheryl Zwyer, chief development officer for Food Gatherers, thanked our club members for the successful food drive. More than 2500 pounds of food and $20,521 raised which translates to 57,970 meals – 1200 of them to youngsters. Given the end of crucial SNAP funding, this support has been critically important. If you are interested in helping to end hunger in our community, please consider hosting a Food Gatherers donation food box at your work, or house of worship.
Leo Shedden reminded us that this Saturday, April 22 from 9 – 11 a.m. is the Rotary Highway Clean up. It is always interesting to see what has been tossed to the side of the road, and when we’ve finished, that part of the expressway looks so good and green. Please join the crew at Kensington Court at 9 a.m. Lunch is included.
Marcia Lane, leader of our Peace Committee, encouraged all club members to register to attend “Pursuit of Freedom,” a film opening our eyes to the presence of human trafficking. This movie is about a Ukranian woman who was sold into Russian trafficking. Proceeds go to support victims of trafficking. The movie takes place on April 26 at Emagine Theater in Saline. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
John Barrie came back on center zoom stage to introduce speaker Julie Roth, Senior Energy Analyst for the City of Ann Arbor in the Office of Sustainability & Innovations.
Julie spoke to us with enthusiasm and the knowledge of someone who has herself installed solar panels on her own home. What began with a word-of-mouth meeting grew to a neighborhood meeting of 40, 12 of whom went on to have solar panels installed in their homes.
A2Zero’s goal is to be using 100% renewable energy by 2030. This also includes using electrification and energy efficiency, a 50% reduction in vehicle miles traveled, developing a circular economy, and improving the resiliency and adaptation of these systems throughout Ann Arbor.
In order to grow solar in A2, A2Zero is offering residents a group buy using a discount based on volume. There is great sharing of peer-to-peer learning, and with the help of a city-provided project coordinator, the design is to have many solar installations.
There have been 36 group buys making over 540 installations providing four mega watts of new power. This has meant $1.7M in up-front installation savings and should provide $17M savings over the next 25 years.
Roth spoke about the barriers and how her office is overcoming these ranging from:
1. Creating a contractor network of certified installers;
2. Connecting potential users to cost-savings through MI Saves, up-front savings, millage rebates;
3. Simplifying complexities by providing a free Home Energy Advisor who can help customize a path to zero for every participant; and
4. Making the entire process simpler by providing knowledge and experience to tie in other major house systems into the solar grid.
Roth invited all Rotarians and their neighbors to the August 11 Home Electrification Expo to be held at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market from 5 – 9 p.m.
Roth invited Rotarians with questions to contact her at jroth@a2gov.org .
President Mark said that next week’s speaker is Dr. Nelson Edwards, speaking on the 2023 Robert S. Northrup Humanitarian Award.
“Why did the banana go to the doctor?…. It wasn’t peeling well.
Happily submitted,
Mary Steffek Blaske
Cub Reporter
