The Board of Director’s Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 18 via Zoom in observance of Governor Whitmer’s mandate that people do not gather in groups to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Twelve board members and one guest were in attendance. Club membership on February 29 was 280 Active members, plus six Honorary members and six Inactive Emeriti. Attendance for the month’s four meetings was 40%. Average attendance at each meeting was 86 members plus 12 others. Our Engagement Ratio for the month was 60%. On February 29, the Operating Fund Balance was 19,777. The Club’s Endowment Investment market value was $2,164,408.
President Rosemarie reported that she has been working on alternate plans for our weekly luncheon meetings now that the University has closed due to the corona virus. Each week members will receive an email entitled “Wednesday is Still Rotary Day.” The first email features the video of John Hewko at our Re-Union Celebration on February 5. Other plans include having weekly meetings via Zoom that includes a brief business meeting plus a featured speaker when possible. Committees meetings will be held virtually. Chairs will contact members on what arrangements have been made.
Club Outreach on behalf of the Membership Committee reported that the five new members elect were inducted on March 11. The new members are Andrew Brenner, Greg Campeau, Dayna Roe, Daphne Schalbetter and Doug Selby. The Lost Voices Concert that was co-sponsored with the Peace Committee was held on Sunday, March 1. The music was wonderful and the audience very enthusiastic. In other Peace Committee news, it was announced that John Drake, founder of the Lingap Children’s Foundation, has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Robert S. Northrup Humanitarian Award. The Foundation supports the Lingap Center in Cebu, Philippines. The Center is a home for children who have been abandoned and/or orphaned. It is a safe haven for kids who would otherwise be in life-threatening situations.
Community Service announced that Rotary Fights Summer Hunger campaign has been extended to April 5. All funds donated to this campaign will first be directed to help feed school children impacted by the Covid-19 school closures. Funds not used will go to the original purpose of the drive to Fight Summer Hunger. It is especially important that we support this very important work. To donate click on the link above.
