The September 7, 2022 meeting opened on Zoom and at the Michigan Union with social time.
At 12:29, President Ouimet started the meeting and expressed gratitude for the largest number of in-person attendees since the pandemic. Tom Strode led us in “America (My Country ‘tis of Thee)”. Inspiration was provided by Peg Talburt who provided history about the first Labor Day parade held in New York City in 1882. In 1894, Labor Day became a national holiday to recognize the importance of workers’ contributions to the economy. Sunday is Patriot Day which is a national day of mourning for those who lost their lives on 9/11. Please remember to pause as we recognize both of these holidays as we are stronger together. Music was provided by Spotlight Players member, Allison Boufford who sang “The Sound of Music” followed by Steve Pierce who led the Club in “Edelweiss”.
President Ouimet welcomed the attendees & new members & guests and thanked the set-up team, the photographer, reporter, and attendance taker. Birthdays for the week were announced.
John White spoke next about the plaque on the wall outside of the Michigan Union meeting room which recognized the long-term relationship between the Rotary Club and U-M. When the Michigan Union opened in 1919, RCAA was one of the first organizations to hold its meetings there. We have met in the venerable building ever since, except for short periods due to wartime priorities and renovations. In 2012, we documented our long relationship with this plaque mounted outside the hallway to the Anderson Room. That plaque was removed for safekeeping during the most recent upgrades. It has since been remounted and again invites us to our Wednesday meetings for fellowship, learning, and tuna/chicken salad.
Tom Millard talked in his usually punny way about the Adopt-A-Highway program scheduled for Saturday, October 1 from 9 am – noon. Box lunches will be provided. Learn more and sign up here.
John Sepp, Director of the Membership & Social Committees brought out attention to upcoming events that are planned. Fourth Friday Happy Hour will be held on Sept 23 at Casa Dominick’s at 5:00 p.m. You can sign up here: http://evite.me/cztZH1cRwf Next up is “The Sound of Music” on Sunday, September 25 at The Village Theater in Canton for a 3:00 PM matinee show. Don’t miss Steve Pierce in the lead role. If there is enough participation John can arrange a group rate. Email John if you are interested.
The Golf Outing is scheduled on Wednesday, September 14 at Fox Hills Golf Club. Sign up here: https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/2022-gto-fundraiser. Don’t miss the featured speaker, Jim Brandstatter. Joanne Pierson encouraged Rotarians to bid on the many exciting and fun silent auction items: https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/2022-gto-fundraiser/page/silent-auction. Raffle tickets can also be purchased here: https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/2022-gto-fundraiser/page/raffle
Yolanda Whiten introduced today’s speaker, Terrence Quinn, member of the 1997 U-M Championship Football Team. Quinn founded the TGQ Law Firm and also writes travel reviews.
Quinn’s inspiring talk started with him sharing how his dad encouraged him to pursue his dreams. As a youngster while watching a Michigan football game, he told his dad that he was going to play for Michigan and his dad encouraged him. During high school, Quinn shared how his goal of playing at Michigan and was told by his football coach who laughed and said “that will never happen”. This negative reaction was met head-one by Quinn and he used his parent’s message of “don’t let anyone every tell you can’t do something” to keep pursuing his dream. His mother encouraged him to keep up with his academic studies. Quinn attended football camp as a youth and one of the coaches told him to stay and run routes after the practice. He received a trophy during the camp as top receiver which led to scouts attending one of his high school games but no passes were thrown to him so he couldn’t show his skills.
Quinn applied to Michigan and was accepted. He then called the receivers coach about joining the football team. The coach called him back and explained that he could join the team as a walk-on. After joining, Quinn worked hard over the season with the goal of earning a scholarship. After much determination and effort, he earned a scholarship for the remainder of his time at Michigan and was also made team spokesperson.
During the 1997 season, the team was mentioned in the media as “mediocre Wolverines” which served as inspiration to the national championship team. Quinn’s universal message is “to tell everyone you can, even when others say you can’t.”
There is no meeting next week due to the Golf Outing. The Quotes of the Day were by Jimmy Dean. “Sausage is a great deal like life. You get out of it about what you put into it.”
President Ouimet adjourned the meeting at 1:30.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jennifer Fike
Photography by Mary Steffek-Blaske
Additional photos from the meeting:
