President Mark rang the opening bell on a meeting packed with Rotarians and guests eager to hear our speaker Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. Tom Strode tuned us up with God Bless America. Greg Stejskal honored our veterans and Thanksgiving, recounting some of the momentous events of 1863: the promulgation of the Emancipation Proclamation, the battle of Gettysburg, and the delivery of the Gettysburg Address at the national cemetery. He then ready the Gettysburg Address.

Downs Herold led the singing of “Smile, and the World Smiles With You” and then echoing Greg’s somber inspiration, led us in the verse of America the Beautiful that honors our heroes.

President Mark exchanged flags with a Rotarian from India.  He asked all guests to stand to be welcomed. He then thanked the people who make the meetings run smoothly. Alexis Antracoli announced the birthdays; there were no anniversaries.

Agnes Reading invited the membership to accept the invitation to Cocktails Among the Christmas Trees, a holiday party at Bob Buckler’s beautiful home to enjoy the 25 Christmas trees decorated by Mrs. Buckler. This is the final event of our 2023 Golf and Pickleball Outing fundraiser. The celebration is Sunday, December 17, 40- 6pm. Beer, wine, bubbly and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Sign up on our website: a2rotary.org.

Downs Herold reported on the newly restored Historical Committee and invited participation, particularly from new members as it is a good way to learn about the history and traditions of our club, especially in the last seven years.

Norman Herbert reported on our club endowment, which was begun in 1985. The value of the endowment is $2.5 million as of September 30, 2023. Over the years, the endowment has contributed $971,370 to our club’s charitable projects. With the $102,7000 budgeted for 2024, the endowment will have invested over one million dollars in our community. Norman encouraged us all to consider a gift to the foundation when our 1-2-3 notices come in the next few days.

Rob Shiff thanked all the people who have contributed to continue hybrid meetings. The opportunity to contribute will come with every Constant Contact communication from the club.

The Environmental Action Group corrected earlier information about the deadline for applying to become an a2Zero Ambassador to learn about how to transition to a carbon neutral community and participate in related small group activities. The correct deadline is February 24, 2024. More information is available on our website.

The Membership Committee invites all members to Happy  Hour on November 29 at the Union Rec, 525 South Main, at 5:30 pm.

Finally, President Mark announced that our Administrator, Shari Faulhaber, has submitted her 60 day notice. A new administrator is being sought.

Notes from the Program

John White introduced our speaker,  Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. Mayor Taylor began his remarks explaining that the job of the city is to improve basic services and enhance the quality of life in town. He then invited interruptions with questions and anything he had prepared has to wait another invitation. He was asked about roads, water treatment and channeling, PFAs, town gown relations, and the conversations about the adequacy and reliability of dte service. Snowplowing around the pilons in the bike  lanes, the Gelman plume, city finances and thoughts about the city taking over from the state the trunk lines into Ann Arbor were discussed. It was a very informative meeting.

President Mark invited us all to stand and recite the Four Way Test before ringing the meeting to a close.

There is no meeting on November 22, 2023. November 29 will be the official District Governor visit.