12:28 Emily Olson reminded all attendees of the Zoom Etiquette.
12:30 Susan Froelich officially started the June 15, 2022 Rotary meeting.
12:31 Tom Strode played the “Star Spangled Banner” as the Patriotic Song.
12:32 For the weekly inspiration, Rotary member Fanfan Zheng shared a piece describing the experience of African-American fathers from the post-war era, in connection with both Father’s Day and the Juneteenth holiday. The piece was titled, “I celebrated a Juneteenth Father’s Day,” may be accessed here.
12:35 As a musical inspiration, Rotarian Shelley MacMillan shared a video depicting three musicians “playing” a very large piano outdoors on the ground with their feet. A very impressive musical and physical accomplishment!
12:40 President Susan welcomed all Rotary Members and Guests and shared current announcements, including a reminder to pay the annual Rotary dues that are due now and must be paid by the end of June, 2022.
President Susan thanked all the Meeting Coordinators Emily Olson, John White and Steve Kesler, as well as Reporter Sofia Nordenstam, Photographer Fred Beutler, with Greeter and Zoom attendance taken by Dawn Johnson. In person attendance: Kathy Waugh, Mic runners: (and greeter). We thank you all!
President Susan also announced all the upcoming Rotarian Birthdays: 6/16-Chuck Blackmer, Dallas Dort, Betsy Hammond, Dave Keosaian, Tom Millard, 6/20-Andrew Brenner and 6/21-Phil Hughes.
12:42 Bob Mull and Patrick Cornelius presented on the topic of VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Report. A tax preparation program designed for lower-income individuals and families, the program has saved families $145,000 in avoided tax preparation fees as well providing convenient options for submitting the tax documents. Patrick thanked all 35 volunteers and Rotary members Bob Mull, Bob Buchanan, Karen Gladley, Fred Beutler and Erick Macke for their invaluable help!
12:48 Rotary members Don Duquette and Sue Shink introduced new Rotary member Missy Stults. Welcome, Missy!
12:49 Rotary members Joanne Pierson and Janet Torno introduced new Rotary member Michael Barg. Welcome, Michael!
12:51 President Susan shared news from the RCAA Board of Directors. Click here for a report of the Board meeting.
12:55 Rotary members Dallas Dort introduced this week’s speaker, Anna Byberg, President of Dawn Farm and her topic, Update on Dawn Farm & Substance Abuse in Our Area.
Anna Byberg shared specific details about the Dawn Farm and how this organization is helping a significant amount of people in the Ann Arbor area overcome various opioid and alcohol addictions. In her presentation, Anna shared 4 specific branches of the Dawn Farm organization:
• Long-term residential treatment plans
• Transitional housing
• Outpatient treatment plans
• SPERA Recovery Center
Anna shared that the funding is a combination of out-of-pocket expenses, Medicaid and scholarships and that donations are always welcome as well. The organization’s ultimate goal is to connect the patients with the recovering community as part of the healing process. A truly wonderful and helpful organization and we thank Anna Byberg for her presentation!
13:30 President Susan thanked Anna Byberg and announced next week’s speaker: Rich Coleman, of Pittsfield Township DPS speaking on the Impact of Scams and Fraud on Consumers.
13:31 President Susan cited her high school classmate Ken Burns for the Quote of the Day: “Being an American means reckoning with a history fraught with violence and injustice. Ignoring that reality in favor of mythology is not only wrong but also dangerous. The dark chapters of American History have just as much to teach us, if not more, than the glorious ones, and often the two are intertwined.”
13:32 Ring the Bell, May you all have a good week!
13:33 Meeting Adjourned
In Rotary,
Sofia Nordenstam, Reporter
