President Mack asked for guest introductions and Mark Eckhoff introduced Kurt Nyberg who is also a new member.
President Mack started the Pledge of Allegiance. Thoughts of Gratitude and Reflections were shared by Wendy Irvin. She read from Margaret Whitley’s “Turning to One Another.” (shared in the stories listed below)
Mark Eckhoff introduced Kurt Nieberg. He recently moved to TC and is in plastics processing. He is a Rotarian from Winchester, VA, and was very involved there. He is a Paul Harris Fellow. He was warmly welcomed with Zoom applause. 
Sakura Takano introduced another new member, Gaia Klotz, who is a recently returned Rotary Fellow. She’s just graduated with a degree in International Management. She also won an award for her dissertation. She is employed by Arrowhead Incubator to help Native and non-Native businesses. She was also warmly welcomed by the club.
Announcements included Alexis Jewett inviting new members to IM Rotary about the Rotary Show and Good Works Committee. Becky Ewing announced that Rotary Charities has hired Miriam Owsley as the Director of Communications. Everyone was pleased!
The program was introduced by Ken Weaver. He told us about Todd Neibauer of Northwestern Michigan College. Todd told us all about the Frontliners and Michigan Tuition Program. The state wants to see 60% of people in Michigan holding at least a two year certification/degree by 2030. The Reconnect program will be announced in February. These programs are patterned after similar ones in Tennessee. Michigan is offering in-district tuition and fees at a community college for those students enrolling at least half time. Frontliners are eligible for associates’ and four year programs and occupational certificates. NMC had 1500 applicants from the state who indicated they were interested in the program. 723 ended up being eligible. 395 have enrolled. The FAFSA has to be filled out to ensure eligibility. The state had to approve lots of the applicants. Reconnect Program allows people who didn’t’ quality for the Frontliners Program. This program is for those 25 years and older and meet the FAFSA requirements. But they are allowing people to come back to school if they’d tried college before and it didn’t work out for whatever reason. NMC is trying to be sensitive to the challenges these students will have and ensuring that the college can address the help that is needed. They offer tutoring before the students take placements tests, scholarships, counseling tailored to older students, and flexible course offerings.
Todd accepted questions and fleshed out his presentation with more information. Ken Weaver thanked Todd by presenting him with a Wheels of Hope certificate.
President Mack adjourned the meeting.