The Board of Director’s Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 17 via Zoom. Club membership on February 28 was 259 Active members, plus five Honorary members and seven Inactive Emeriti. Attendance for the month’s four meetings was 38%. Average attendance at each meeting was 98 members plus 16 others. Our Engagement Ratio for the month was 55%. The Board accepted with regret, the resignation of Carolyn Milroy. Former member Mel Drumm was reinstated and the nomination of New Member Elect, Emily Plumley was approved.

The Operating Fund Balance on February 28 was $38,639. The Club’s Endowment Investment market value was $2,840,544, a 3% increase from January 31.

Executive Director, Lori Walters, reported that the Club has purchased an add-on committee module for our ClubRunner account.  This was done to move the Club’s communication out of the UM server where many of our committee lists presently reside. The email migration away from the UM server for email management for the Club will begin on March 18. All members are encouraged to sign up on ClubRunner. Contact Lori at executivedirector@a2rotary.org for instructions on how to sign up. Or attend the ClubRunner training with Lori and John White on March 31.

Director Tom Millard reported that he has been researching the history of African American Members in our club but was unable to gain access to the Bentley Library where the early issues of the Harpoon are archived. It is believed that Herb Ellis was the first African American to be admitted. Tom’s research also prompted him to ask, “who was the first African American women in our club?” Anyone having information they want to share with Tom can contact him at clubservice@a2rotary.org.

 Director Lauren Heinonen reported that the votes are in and the new name of our weekly newsletter will be…drum roll please…The Ann Arbor Rotarian. The next step will be to solicit ideas for logos for the new name. Our thanks to Lauren and all those who submitted entries and to those who cast their votes.