More than 60 Rotarians gathered on the Zoom call shortly after noon to check in and socialize. We learned that many of us need haircuts. At 12:29, Lauren Heinonen provided the “Zoom Etiquette” for the members. Heidi Vitso reminded the members that a new, more secure Zoom account is available for download. Instructions may be coming out soon. At 12:33, the video showing the rotary bell ringing kicked off the official meeting. President Rosemarie Rowney introduced Tom Strode on his piano, who led the members in singing our National Anthem. Steve Pierce provided the Inspirational message from the longest ever (75-year) study on “Happiness.” The focus was on long-term relationships and people who “lean into” and work on their relationships are much more successful and happier.
Rather than a group song, President Rowney introduced the Rotary video entitled “Doing Good in the World.” She then welcomed all of our members in attendance (77 people by then). She also thanked our set up team consisting of Lori Walters, Lauren Heinonen and John White; our photographer, Fred Beutler, Reporter, Kathy Waugh and attendance takers, Barbara Eichmuller and Lauren Heinonen. Birthdays were also acknowledged condolences were sent to the family of Jeff Baker who recently passed away.
Pandemic Response Fund
Norma Sarkar provided us an update from Week 1 of the campaign. We currently have $32,725 in the account! After we reach $50,000, all donations will be matched by an anonymous donor. To donate, go to this link: https://www.a2rotary.org/donate/
We are currently inviting applications for organizations in need for disbursements. Our goal is to fill in the gaps in the community. The more you can give, the more Rotary can give.
Happy Hour May 8th
Hosted by Greg Stejskal on Friday, May 8, 2020 at 5:00 PM. Bring your favorite beverage and wear your Rosie the Riveter outfits.
Best of Current Magazine Voting continues
Click here to vote! The deadline is May 15! Vote often!
https://www.ecurrent.com/2020-best-of-washtenaw/#/gallery?group=339612
Rotarian Recognition
Paul Harris Fellows (est. 1957) recognizes Rotarians who contributed $1,000 to the foundation. We have 43 new members and overall there are 163 active members. Over the years, our program has donated more than one million dollars to the fund. Barbara Eichmuller and Rosemarie Rowney read the list of these recipients.
Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation Sustainers Society (est. 1985) qualifies as a 501c3 organization and is organized by our Board of Trustees. The amount contributed each year averages over $825,000. The gifts to this foundation helps our programs continue through tomorrow. Norman Herbert read the list of these recipients located.
A full list of all the recipients can be found below.
Rotoractor Awards
Bev Sieford recognized all of our Rotaractors on the Zoom call and past presidents Abbey Edwards and Luis Orozco specifically. Bev spoke of their strong leadership while they were members of our chapter of Rotaractors. Bev was pleased to offer both Abbey and Luis with an honorary Paul Harris Award!
Guest Speaker – Past President of UofM Rotaract, Abbey Edwards
Bev introduced today’s speaker, Abbey Edwards—a 2019 graduate from the UofM School of Public Health. Upon graduation, Abbey joined the Peace Corps and she shared her adventures with us today. Abbey served in Peru from 2019-2020 but her stint was cut short due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. She is currently back in her hometown of Owosso, Michigan. Peace Corps is a U.S. governmental agency working in over 60 countries around the world with the overall goal of promoting world peace and friendship.
Abbey received three months of training in Lima, Peru which included sessions on Spanish language, culture & society and community health promotional technical training.
After three months, she arrived at her site (Levanto, Amazonas, Peru) a mountainous, agricultural area with a population of 600 people. She arrived in December – which coincided with “summer” season of school there. Food is prominent in the culture and she learned how to make wonderful dishes with her host mom. Her main role there was as a Community Health Facilitator covering health issues of anemia, chronic malnutrition and adolescent pregnancy. She performed a community needs assessment with a focus on gathering data in these three areas. She finished the diagnostic study before being evacuated but did not have a chance to present her findings. Abbey was able to integrate into the community through various celebrations, potato harvesting, sporting events and learning to crochet with her host mom. She also provided summer school activities for the students there.
Abbey received her evacuation notice on Sunday, March 15th. The whole process was an ordeal and she finally returned home on March 24th. You can read more details about this process in her blog www.mypeaceofperu.com. She does fully intend on resuming volunteer activities as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any questions, you can email her at abbeyeds@umich.edu.
President Rowney ended the meeting with a quote from John F. Kennedy . . . “A great change is at hand, and our task, our obligation, is to make that revolution, that change, peaceful and constructive for all.” The bell rang at 1:35 to end the meeting.
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Annual Awards Ceremony
Paul Harris Fellows and Sustainers’ Society Members
May 6, 2020
Paul Harris Fellows
Bob Ause PHF+2
Suzanne Beutler, PHF+4
Jin Chang, PHF+2
Wayne Colquitt PHF+5
Chris Conlin, PHF+1
Bob Dascola, PHF+2
Arthur DiBlassio, PHF+2
Joe Diederich, PHF
Karen Driggs, PHF+2
Barbara Eichmuller, PHF+7
Bob Foster, PHF+2
Doug Freeth, PHF+2
Susan Froelich, PHF+1
Anne Glendon, PHF+7
Norman Herbert, PHF+5
Bob Holmes, PHF+1
Rick Ingram, PHF+1
Jim Irwin, PHF+7
Tim Johnson, PHF+2
Tom Kauper, PHF+6
David Keosaian, PHF+4
Todd Kephart, PHF+4
Steve Kesler, PHF+2
Terry Linden, PHF+1
Frode Maaseidvaag, PHF+4
Brian Mackie, PHF
Frank Newman, PHF+1
Mark Ouimet, PHF+5
Sujit Pandit, PHF+1
Steve Postema, PHF
Rosemarie Rowney, PHF+4
Norma Sarkar, PHF+8
Steve Schram, PHF+3
Bev Seiford, PHF+1
Leo Shedden, PHF+2
Collyer Smith, PHF+5
Greg Stejskal, PHF+3
Bruce Stone, PHF+3
Al Storey, PHF+5
Jason Whipple, PHF+1
Arthur Williams, PHF
Dave Williams, PHF+8
Paul Wright, PHF+1
Sustainers’ Society Members
Bruce Benz
Todd Kephart
Steve Kesler
Tom Millard
Benefactor Assembly
Fred Beutler
Legacy Circle Members
Joanne Pierson
