President Mark Foster rang the opening bell and Tom Strode accompanied us in The Star Spangled Banner. Kathy Waugh joined on Zoom and inspired us with thoughtful and encouraging remarks about artificial intelligence, noting that our task is to make AI a tool not to replace us but to augment us. In conclusion, she noted that her inspiration was prepared by Chat GPT. Preparing us for our speaker’s area of study being atmospheric science, Marlena led us in singing Let’s Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins.
Our guests this week included Mike Danielson, Millie’s son, who is visiting from California. He reports that Millie is doing well, ready to get back into the swing of things, but still recovering. President Mark also told us that Fred Beutler is recovering from an automobile accident, doing well but stuck at home for a while.
We were glad to welcome back Lauren Heinonen, who is in her first year of medical school at Michigan. She is absolutely glowing, reporting that this is the best experience she has ever had, and she is blissfully happy.
Rob Shiff reminded us that Send Hunger Packing is staffing up for the program that bags powdered soy, protein, seasonings and rice to distribution to hungry people locally, nationally and internationally. The event is October 28 at Pioneer High School. This project is in partnership with other Rotary clubs and many nonprofits. Ten thousand five hundred dollars are needed for Kids Coalition Against Hunger to provide supplies for 5000 bags. You can sign up to participate in the hour-and-a-half project and/or donate here: Send Hunger Packing.
Dennis Powers welcomed the return of students because it reactivated Rent-A-Rotoractor. This program helps us get our chores and projects done by matching us with Rotaractors who make time to do things like raking, closet cleaning, coaching Chat GPT, and serving parties. It is a delight to get to know talented young people, who make the work fun. This is how they raise money for their Spring trips to underserved and isolated communities in Central America. You will be able to rent one, and negotiate a price, on a Google form HERE: Transportation will almost always be needed whether by your picking up or reimbursement for Uber.
Roy More thanked all the people who worked tirelessly to make the GPO a huge success. Final numbers are not yet available but there many markers of success. There were forty percent more golfers than last year, and dinner attendance was also up forty percent. Pickleball was a popular addition and most players plan to come again next year. Roy thanked the Planning committee and all the volunteers.
Joanne Pierson announced that there are only two events still open, one being the BrewHaHa on Sunday, October 29. Joanne assured us that costumes are not required to enjoy this silliness, but you will not win the Best Costume prize is you come in street clothes. Contact Joanne to join: joannemarttilapierson@gmail.com; the cost is $50.00 per person. The other event still open is Christmas Among the Christmas Trees, a beautiful holiday display at Bob Buckler’s home on Sunday, December 17. This lovely holiday party will have beer and wine and hors d’oeuvres. Contact Shari Faulhaber to sign up and pay: shari.a2rotary@gmail.com.
Ed Johnson and Leo Shedden, sporting cool, cute and chic neon green safety vests, invited us all to inspire envy and lust by participating in the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on Saturday, September 30. Showing up at The Kensington Hotel 9:00am and spending about an hour picking up the mile between Stone School Road and I-94 is the only way to secure a vest. After pick up you get a lovely box lunch as you compare notes with other Adopters about the amazing things people throw out their windows. Bring gloves and pickup sticks, and join the fun: adoptahighway@a2rotary.org \
President Mark closed this portion of the meeting by announcing that next week’s meeting will be live streamed. This is experiment is part of the effort to continue hybrid meetings. Hybrid meetings will certainly be available through October.
Notes from the Speaker
Dennis Powers introduced our speaker, Perry Samson, Professor of Climate an Space Sciences and Engineering in the College of Engineering and Professor of Information in the School of Information at the University of Michigan. Dr. Samson is retired from teaching and now devotes his time to an AI project to make the class lectures, assigned reading, and other reading materials easily and quickly available to students. His topic was “Expanding College Classrooms Through Use of AI”.
Dr. Samson knows from years of teaching that some students do not know how to study. Students turn to Chat GPT and get generic replies that may contain definitions and simple descriptions of topics but not specific details. His learning tool delivers the material that the professor wants the student to master, not information a random presenter may supply. It does not preclude a student from consulting other sources. It makes the time devoted to study more efficient. Because the material is available immediately after class, it encourages continuing reflection and follow up. A student can ask questions and will be presented with the relevant material footnoted. Students will use these study and exploration tools throughout their lives.
President Mark thanked our speaker and reminded us that next week’s meeting will be livestreamed rather than via Zoom. Information on how to access the meeting will be in Monday’s Rotarian. He then led us in reciting The Four Way Test, and rang the bell to close the meeting.
