Rotarians greeting longtime friends Ugur Cetin, Jim Irwin, Ashish Sarkar, and Collyer Smith who joined the noontime gathering at the Anderson Room.  Welcome to each and all!

President Joyce Hunter started our meeting by chiming the bell and Jim Irwin led the a cappella singing of our National Anthem.    Emily Olson inspired each listener when she shared a poignant personal story of her family’s navigating the breaking of barriers to truly prioritize the value of relationships over politics:

          “When my transgender son came out to his deeply devout Catholic grandparents, the reception was far from accepting. They outright rejected his new identity and chosen name, asserting that they would refer to him only as “grandchild” from that point forward.

          “My parents’ stance against what they saw as an affront to their religious beliefs led to an estrangement that lasted well over a year. Most of the conflict was borne between my dad – proud conservative patriarch – and me – the liberal black sheep of the family.

          “It took the sudden and unexpected death of a beloved family member to break down the barriers we had erected along the lines of staunchly held personal and political beliefs.

That loss created an opening for some vulnerable and important conversations – none of which were comfortable, easy, or particularly graceful. But we ultimately acknowledged the value of our relationship as paramount to our politics.

          “Perhaps this is the key to navigating the deeply divided environment we live in today. Are there times we can have the humility to see each other – not as adversaries – but as family? Is it possible to care more about the person than the issue that separates us? Being vulnerable can open us up to generative conversation and positive change. Yes, it can also lead to more hurt. That’s a risk we take. But I wonder if the chance to heal our nation begins with prioritizing our relationships over our politics.

     “It’s been four years since my son came out to his grandparents. They now use his correct pronouns and chosen name, and they welcome him into their home with open arms.”

Jim Irwin, fresh from celebrating his 86th birthday and his 55th anniversary of being a Rotarian, led us in an up-tempo, a cappella edition of Varsity.  Dr. Revelli, longtime UM music professor, band director of the UM Marching Band and Rotary Club member, would have been proud to hear us.  Rah!  Rah! Rah!  Rah! Rah!

President Joyce returned to the podium to introduce our many guests, and Fernando Leon gave a shout-out to members celebrating birthdays. President Joyce acknowledged our meeting’s set up team which today included: Mary Avrakotos, Matt Boylan, Dennis Burke, Melissa Foster, Larry Gray, Rick Jarzembowski, Linda Kentes, Rob Schiff, and Mary Steffek Blaske.

1. Lunch prices will increase starting in March to $14 for the full soup/salad/beverage, and $10 for the soup or salad/beverage option.

2.  There will be a book swap on March 12 sponsored by the Environmental Action Group.  Bring a book and take a book.  (No text books nor encyclopedias, please.)

3.  Kathy Waugh bubbled with excitement to share the happy news that Wine, Women and Song, now celebrating its 23rd year, will have a Rotary Club members and their invitees private show on April 9 at Kerrytown Concert House (KCH).  Five of our club members will be performing!  Call KCH at (734) 769-2999.  It is a must-see, enjoyable event.

4.  Dave Keren announced that the ARC Peace Committee Book Club will begin with the reading of Percival Everett’s James.  Those interested in participating in the zoom gathering on March 26 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. should contact Dave at dkeren@umich.edu to receive the zoom link.  This is a free activity.

5.  Mark Foster came to the podium to announce that the Annual Report is complete and will be posted on our club’s website by the end of the week for all to read.  Past President Mark revived his trademark groaner puns and one-liners: “How cold is it?  It’s so cold that even members of Congress can’t get into a heated argument.”

Club member Bonnie Singal introduced the club to Bruce Morlan and Ed Marek, both of Northfield, MN’s Rotary Club (District 5960) via zoom.

According to Morlan and Marek, the mission of Braver Angels, founded in 2016, is to bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.  Their activities include organizing community conversations, workshops, and debates in the hopes of decreasing toxic political polarization.  Braver Angels aim is to gather community thought leaders to make new arguments, show better ways to disagree, to gain understanding of each other beyond stereotypes, and to find common ground if it is there. They use the Rotary platform of the 4-way test to demonstrate the pressing need to foster peace right in our communities and stated that Rotarians must stand by our 4-way test as they provide service  to others.

Abraham Lincoln’s statement, “I don’t like this man.  I must get to know him better” was a theme throughout Morlan and Marek’s presentation.

The rule of balance within their 501 ( c ) (3) organization is that at every level of leadership, from the national level to local alliances, there are equal numbers of “Reds” (conservatives or Republicans)  and “Blues” (liberals or Democrats).

Braver Angels hold a variety of workshops including “Skills for Bridging the Divide,” “Depolarizing Within,” “Families and Politics,” and “Common Ground.”

* State views freely and fully without fear.

* Treat people who disagree with their views with honesty, dignity and respect.

* Welcome opportunities to engage those with whom they disagree.

* Believe that all of us have blind spots and that everyone is worth talking to.

* Seek to disagree accurately and avoid exaggeration and stereotypes.

* Look for common ground where it exists and try to find ways to work together.

* Believe that, in disagreements, both sides share and learn.

* Neither side is teaching the other nor giving feedback on how to think or say things differently.

“An organization can’t change the country.  A movement can.”

The speakers took questions after their talk, and then President Joyce led us reciting the 4-way test:

1.  Is it the TRUTH?

2.  Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3.  Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4.  Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?