The October 7 meeting opened on Zoom with half an hour of social time to meet and chat.

Lori Walters provided “Zoom Etiquette” at 12:28. Lauren Heinonen was attendance taker and Lori reminded members to sign in via Chat function in Zoom.  Lori also requested members to have members faces “lit” in Zoom to be able to see everyone’s faces.  She also urged Rotary members to invite friends to attend our meetings. And as a cell phone was ringing, reminded members to mute themselves.  At 12:31, President-elect Susan Froelich’s husband rang the bell to start the meeting. She introduced Tom Strode who led us in “My Country ‘tis of Thee”.   Mary Steffek Blaske stepped in to provide the inspiration.  Ray Stevens timely song “The Quarantine Song” via YouTube which was selected by Don Duquette and viewed by all.

President-elect Susan welcomed the members in attendance (82) and thanked the set-up team, the photographer, reporter, and attendance taker. She announced the birthdays this coming week. Kathy Waugh presented information about the upcoming Golf & Tennis Outing Online Auction scheduled from October 19-23.  Please share this information with friends to participate!  A Save the Date is going out this week. The team is still looking for donations for the auction.

Bob Mull and Emma Roeder shared information about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  Bob has been volunteering with this program for 11 years. There were 5 Rotary volunteers in 2020 – Bob Buchanan, Karen Gladney, Fred Beutler, Paul Webb & Bob. 1,064 returns were filed in 2020 which is lower than 2019 as was refunded tax dollars. primarily lower numbers due to the pandemic.  There was a new partnership with U-M Business School and a deeper relationship with EMU.  Even if filer did not have to pay, returns were e-filed in the event of a stimulus program.  Virtual returns were also done.  According to survey results, participants were satisfied and would recommend the program.  Plan for 2021 is to do the next season fully virtual, scan & go, or drop-off appointments at the United Way.

Mary Avrakotos introduced today’s speaker, Arlene Golembiewski, Director of the Sherbro Foundation presented “Ann Arbor Rotary Partner for Global Grant in Sierra Leone”. The grant “Growing a Community’s Future” has provided participants the ability to grow fruit orchards to fund education and community projects in the region.  Sherbo – is the local tribal group that runs the Center for Community Empowerment and Transformation (CCET).  Subsistence agriculture is the main activity in this area of 208 small villages. Paramount Chief Caulker’s vision includes the following goals:  1) All children have access to secondary education, 2) Move from subsistence living to self-reliance through agriculture, and 3) Protect environment for future generations.  The following programs are ongoing:  Girls scholarships which has had over 800 girls in six years with 2,160 total scholarships have been given; after school tutoring; teacher training grants; vocational training scholarships; and college scholarship program.

The Rotary-funded Orchards for Education program produces reliable income for the future which makes the program sustainable.  60 acres of orchards have been planted which include 4,000 fruit trees.  They are currently planting annual crops for yearly income until fruit trees produce. A watering system for the trees was also provided through this grant.  Raised bed vegetables plantings are being installed and women are being hired to run the gardens for self-reliance.  Rice growing is a new venture that has started to help Sierra Leone feed itself.  Gold rice from South Carolina was provided to the program and was brought by Mary to Sierra Leone.  The rice is now starting to grow and has created 21 full-time jobs along with 100 seasonal jobs.   Women’s vegetable growing which was focused on growing peanuts is the final aspect of this grant program.  Chief Caulker is very appreciative of all that has been done for their community.

President-elect Susan ended the meeting with a St. Francis of Assisi quote. The meeting was adjourned at 1:29.

Next week’s speaker will be Catherine Carver, UM Operations Co-lead – 2020 Debate Initiative:

“Democracy & Debate, UM’s Themed Semester”.

Respectfully submitted by,

Jennifer Fike