The December 2, 2020 meeting opened on Zoom with social time to start the meeting and chat.
Lori Walters opened the meeting and said everyone has been good with Zoom etiquette so no reminders are needed. She discussed how to vote via Zoom on the items up for discussion during today’s meeting.
At 12:29, President Joanne Pierson started the meeting. She introduced Tom Strode who led us in “The Star-Spangled Banner”. President Pierson rang the bell after the song. Bob Buchanan shared inspiration about his personal experience volunteering with the volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) program led by Bob Mull and how this effort has impacted the lives of those who are provided this crucial assistance. President Pierson and Steve Pierce sang a duet viewed on YouTube entitled “50 Ways to Give to Others”.
President Pierson welcomed the members in attendance (87) and welcomed guests and thanked the set-up team, the photographer, reporter, and attendance taker. She announced the birthdays for the week. One additional announcement was that Sue Beutler has COVID-19 and is at UM hospital and her condition is serious. Please keep her and Fred in your prayers.
Don Deatrick provided an update on personal hygiene kits provided by Rotary for veterans in the VA hospital. Each kit/gift bag contains a puzzle book, Kleenex tissues, chap sticks, comb, toothbrush, pen and holiday greeting cards. Bags will be assembled outside at County Farm Park on Dec 13 (physical distancing measures in place), and delivered to the VA hospital on Dec 14. Then the following day the bags will be delivered to the hospital rooms of the veterans. Contact Don Deatrick at ddeatrick@live.com if interested in assisting with the Veteran’s project.
The Rotary Annual Assembly meeting was called to order by President Pierson. Secretary Eichmuller presented the 2021-22 slate of nominees for officers as follows:
2021 – 2022 Slate of Candidates:
President-Elect Nominee – Mark Ouimet (1 year)
President – Susan Froelich (1 year)
Past President – Joanne Pierson (1 year)
Secretary – Kathy Waugh (2 years)
Treasurer – Steve Pierce (2 years)
Director of Club Service – Dawn Johnson (2 years)
Director of Community Service –Roy More (2 years)
Director of Youth Development – Linda Carter (2 years)
Director of Youth Achievement – John Sepp (1 year)
There were no nominations from the floor. Peg Talburtt moved to approve the slate of candidates and Rosemary Rowney seconded. Motion was passed.
The Rotary Board approved a proposed bylaw amendment as follows:
The Executive Committee (EC) exists to help the Board of Directors accomplish its work in the most efficient way. The Executive Committee is comprised of the five Club Officers – President (Chair), President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer – and the Executive Director (non-voting). The EC acts on behalf of the full Board of Directors. Its main purpose is to facilitate decision making between Board of Directors meetings or in urgent and crisis circumstances. Except for the power to amend the Bylaws, the EC shall have all of the powers of the Board of Directors, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors. The EC does not have the power or authority to liquidate any of the club assets. All decisions made by the EC will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting.
The proposed bylaw amendment was moved by Lauren Heinonen and seconded by Steve Pierce. Motion passed.
Treasurer Ouimet presented the Treasurer’s report. The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Rotary Club Foundation contracted with Weidmayer, Schneider, and Raham, PC, Certified Public Accountants, to perform statement reviews for fiscal year 2019-20. For Ann Arbor Rotary Club Fiscal Year from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, the Statement of Financial Position showed Total Assets = $66,437 and Total Liabilities of $48,856 for Total Net Assets of $17,581 (compared to FY2019 of $17,043). Total Revenue was $104,772 (dues = $96,189 + Misc = $8,583) and Total Expenses were $104,233 (Program Expenses = $70,046 + Management & General = $34,187).
For the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation, the Statement of Financial Position was as follows: Total Assets = $2,307,048 and Total Liabilities of $42,034 for Total Net Assets of $2,265,014 (compared to FY2019 of $2,258,329). Total Revenue was $284,659 comprising Community Service Assessment = $55,052, Investment Income = $51,776, Endowment Donations = $48,238, Golf & Tennis Outing (net)=$66,976, Other Donations = $62,617. Total Expenses were $277,964 as follows: Community Service Grants = $72,752, International Humanitarian Grants = $30,526, Other Grants = $60,423, Other Program Services = $67,904, Management and General = $46,359. The Permanent Endowment’s ending Market Value as of June 30, 2020 was $2,225,561 a Net Gain in Valuation of $61,358 from FY19.
President Pierson announced that the Board unanimously passed the motion: “The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor supports the nomination of Collyer Smith as Governor Nominee Designate for District 6380.” President Pierson listed his many, many accomplishments as a Rotarian and we are hopeful he will be elected.
She reminded us that the $200 Community Service Assessment commitment is due by year end. It can be easily paid online now by clicking here. Year-end volunteer giving goes to support the RCAA Endowment and the Rotary Foundation which includes funding for Every Rotarian, Every Year and PolioPlus so please give generously.
Some of the ways to give to others include the following:
–Norma Sarkar announced that the Peace Committee is seeking new members. This committee meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Wed Dec 16 at 1:40 is the next meeting.
–Norma Sarkar also expressed the need for more members of the Membership Committee. Get in touch with Aleia MacDonald to serve on this committee.
–Eric Lipson presented information about the newest committee — the Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) whose purpose is to identify, describe, and dismantle racism. See Marcia Lane if interested in joining.
–Lauren Heinonen expressed the need for service on the Public Image Committee to make our work better known in the community through social media, press releases, and diversifying our reach. Special projects planned are videos and interviews on why members are part of Rotary along with revisiting the Centennial Playground. Get in touch with Lauren if interested.
–Bev Seiford talked about Rotaractors and the need for Rotaract Committee members. The Umich student Rotaractors meet on Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm and Rotarians are welcome to attend. The next Rotaract Committee meeting is December 15 at 1:30 p.m. Contact Bev or Dennis Powers if interested. Another program of this committee is the mentorship program led by Don Duquette which is going strong.
–Peg Talburtt discussed the Community Allocations Committee which focuses on VITA, Veterans Initiative, Food Drive, and the GTO. $203k in requests were made and $65k granted to 13 nonprofits, plus the District grant. BookPals is in need of volunteers contact Janet Torno or Marsha Chamberlin or LaToya Elliott at Children’s Literacy Network, if interested. If interested in serving on the Community Allocations Committee, please contact Marsha Chamberlin or Amy Freundl
President Pierson officially closed the Annual Assembly portion of the meeting. This was moved by Henry Johnson and seconded by Barbara Eichmuller.
Next week’s speaker is Dr. Preeti Malani, U-M Chief Health Officer, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases.
President Pierson adjourned the meeting at 1:23.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jennifer Fike
