President Mark Ouimet rang the bell to begin our meeting which included 20 Zoomers as well as a room-full of club’s members meeting in person. All stood as Tom Strode played America the Beautiful on the piano.

Jody Tull deSalis then gave our inspirational welcome reminding us that visiting a friend or family member at Fisher House, in the hospital, or rehab facility, is more than an unexpected blessing. It creates healing moments. She then led us through some yoga movements as we recited together, “I commit to increasing my vitality.”

Chanteuse Shelley MacMillan then came to the podium and the piano to start us singing You’re a Grand Old Flag.

President Mark introduced guests, including his grandson who will be attending UNLV this fall, and thanked everyone involved with helping to make today’s meeting seamless for all our members: Dawn Johnson, Barbara Eichmuller, MI Union representative, Sara Maddock, Leo Shedden, Rob Schiff, Dennis Burke, Ugur Cetin, Mary Steffek Blaske, and Fred Beutler. Caroline Watson gave a celebratory shout out to this week’s birthdays.

Past President Susan Froelich, as Chair of the Nominating Committee, (committee includes Mark Ouimet, Mark Foster, Ebru Misirli Mansfield, and Ingrid Sheldon) gave Club Members notice that Linda Kentes (executive director of the International House of Ann Arbor) will be on next week’s election slate as Director of Club Service.

Marsha Chamberlin updated our Club Members that the Community Allocations Committee (CAC) evaluates grant applications from area non-profit organizations wanting to receive money that we raise (this year it was $70,000) from our annual Golf and Pickleball Outing to “Help Kids Succeed.”

The work of the CAC begins in earnest in March when applications are received. CAC members read and score those applications. The winning programs are announced in May. There is a festive gathering in spring with the dozen winning non-profits which includes their executive director and a board member. Chamberlin invited all Club Members to become a member of this committee. Contact Marsha to be on this important committee. [Editor’s note: I highly recommend being on this committee. You learn more about who is doing what and for whom in this county. It is a powerful way to learn the many reasons that this is a GREAT place to live, as well as how we might better serve our community. MSB]

Roy More gave a perfect segue to Marsha’s talk – the source of the CAC funding – the Club’s Golf and Pickleball Outing. It will take place on Sept. 11 at Barton Hills Country Club. There is an early bird registration – so get your reservation in now.

President Elect Mark Foster addressed the Club regarding the dilemma of providing hybrid meetings. They were the perfect solution during Covid for us to continue to connect. Since Covid, the hybrid format has been terrific for our members who are out of town on Wednesday noons, not feeling well, or without transportation to the meeting.

Foster expressed that while the hybrid was cost-effective while we did not have Michigan Union expenses, now it is a financial drain of ~$13,000 annually. In addition, it requires a special skill set to operate the equipment and demands a commitment of three to four hours per week. Our Rotary Board approved the hybrid meetings through September and approved the remaining budget year without the hybrid format.

Look for an upcoming survey asking your thoughts: do you want to keep the hybrid format? would you give an additional $70 increase in dues/member? Make a voluntary donation? Help secure sponsorships for hybrid?, to name a few ideas already suggested.

Norm Herbert came to the podium to remind the 50 Club Members who have not paid their dues to do so. Late payment has repercussions with monies this Club owes Rotary International and the District. Our Club has fixed costs and delinquent payment of dues directly effects the payment of those fixed costs. You can pay online, or by a check in person at the next meeting.

District Governor Elect Collyer Smith proudly announced that the June 10 Rotary Day of Service was a complete success. RI President Jennifer Jones announced that ours was the best Club in the District. Smith presented the Citation Award to President Mark for his leadership of our Club.

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Terry Foster reminded us how our Club was instrumental in the founding of the Ann Arbor Fisher House. Thanks to the thought and drive of Ashish Sarkar, Karen Kerry, Don Deatrick, Greg Stejskal, Art Holst, Steve Schramm and Ken Fisher the story telling at Hill Auditorium grew to full community support.

Speaker Kate Melcher began her career in a research and speech writing position with the Supreme Court of the United States. Later, she would serve in the US Senate, as senior staff to three different US Senators. After September 11, she left the Senate to enlist in the Army. She became an Apache Helicopter pilot, and a Legislative Liaison Officer for the US Army National Guard. Since moving home to Michigan in 2017, she has had the privilege of serving as Executive Director for Fisher House Michigan. In this role, she and the FH Foundation Board of Directors are responsible for raising funds and awareness to support Fisher Houses in Michigan. Additionally, she serves in leadership roles in other organizations promoting Veteran welfare, including Region 9 Veteran Community Action Team, Association of the United States Army, Women in Defense – Michigan, and Veterans Radio America. Among her awards and accolades for her service, Governor Snyder named Melcher the 2018 Michigan Veteran of the Year. In 2022, the Daughters of the American Revolution named her an Outstanding Woman in American History.

Fisher House (FH) Ann Arbor opened in June 2020. It is a comfort home for Veterans and their families to stay during the Veteran’s hospital treatment. It is near the Ann Arbor VA, designed with family suites and common areas to encourage community support. There are always fully stocked kitchens and pantries. FH Ann Arbor has already served 7,300 individuals. It serves up to 16 families who are housed on any given night. Typical occupancy is 87%. It hosts Veterans from Michigan and 20 other states and territories, Mexico and Canada. Ann Arbor’s FH is so successful, in part, because of the partnership with Michigan Medicine.

It is a unique public-private partnership: Fisher House Foundation hires experienced private general contractors and pays prevailing wage; the house is not a government project, but a gift from a private foundation; and each house is built to a strict VA & Department of Defense basis of design that meets or exceeds life and safety standards.

There are plans for four more FHs by 2030 for each of the 5 VA centers in Michigan. Detroit is the next to be built. Its fundraising is ongoing.

Melcher praised the “gift of gab,” that is, sharing the positive and important message of what FH does for Veterans. She encouraged every Rotarian to share the FH message so that referrals expand to all Veterans – especially those who have suppressed their service years, or those who have must travel for specialty medical care. She welcomed sharing the message over the dinner, the bridge table, part of your cocktail chatter, or over the back fence with neighbors.

FH is always looking for your support and grace. This includes help with Groceries/meals: ~$5000/month – Join the MEAL TRAIN!; Overflow hotel stays: average 10 nights of lodging per month; Catered meals: Celebratory, family-style meals for special occasions; weekly grab-and-go lunch deliveries (e.g., Jimmy John’s); and Sweets & Smiles (2x/month).

Please contact fisherhouseofmichigan.org for more information.

The Rotary Club members gave Melcher a standing ovation for her compelling talk.

President Mark closed with a thought in anticipation of Father’s Day this Sunday: “‘Don’t tell Mom!’” It’s the best advice you ever gave me.”