Mighty Mack Beers called the meeting to order and administered the pledge.
Thoughts of gratitude and reflection were offered by Cindy Ruzak, who recited the first few lines of William Blake's Auguries of Innocence: "To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour."
Alexis Juett reminded everyone there will be an IM Rotary session at the end of the Dec. 15 meeting. The topic is international service. Next week is also the last meeting of the month.
Dan Rickard gave an exciting update from Rotary Camps and Services regarding $1.1 million in recent grants received. The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) granted $569k to Green Lake Township for the purchase of the former Girl Scout Camp Sakakawea, which will allow the township to turn it into a public natural area. The trust fund also granted $300k for improvements to Discovery Pier in Elmwood Township. The Great Lakes Fisheries Trust also granted nearly $300k for a universally accessible fishing pier there.
Marlene Bevan said that the Rotary Charities Board has decided to fund whatever shortfall that may exist in the Christmas basket program so that the needs of all families are met. How wonderful!
Mack told us the holiday light stroll is now cancelled due to Covid. Mack is also looking for volunteers to join Rotary's cadre of technical advisors, a group of volunteer Rotarians who provide technical expertise and advice to Rotarians planning and carrying out Rotary grant projects around the world. The cadre is in need of Rotarians qualified in the following fields: Health, education, literacy, small business/revolving loans and more. For more info, visit the cadre page on My Rotary or email cadre@rotary.org or Mack
Steve Wade introduced the speaker, Jim Moore of Disability Network Northern Michigan. Jim brought with him John Burtrum, also of the network.
The Disability Network has a mission of promoting personal empowerment and positive social change for persons with disabilities throughout the area. Their goal, Jim said, is to be the very first stop for folks with disabilities of all kinds as they set out to tackle various difficulties in their lives. Through a variety of services, including interpreters, employment services, peer support, parent networks and much more, the Disability Network has made big strides in improving thousands of lives. Because 60 percent of us will have a disability at some point in our lives, this is a critical community service.
The network, which serves 17 counties in Northern Michigan, is always looking for support. You can donate or volunteer. For more information, visit www.disabilitynetwork.org
We want your experience with our club to be fun and rewarding, so it is an expectation of all new members that you participate in this program. New members should plan to attend all 6 sessions. The program is ongoing, so you can start as soon as you join and if you miss a session you can make-up later in the year when that topic is presented again.
Members who attend all six meetings will be awarded 500 points (valued at $500.00) from the Club, which is ½ way toward one of Rotary's highest honors: The Paul Harris Fellowship CLICK HERE to learn more. If you choose to donate to the Rotary International (RI) Foundation all donations will be added to your total donation.
We will typically meet on the third Tuesdays of each month, starting right after the regular Rotary Club Zoom meeting. Please just stay online or on the Zoom call.
The following dates are currently set (but subject to change, as with most things in 2020). You will be notified of changes via email, and announcements at the general meetings and in the club e-bulletin.
Meeting #1: Club Service - February 16, 2021
Rotary of Traverse City overview
District 6290 & Rotary International
Fellowship Opportunities, ClubRunner
Meeting #2: Community Service - March 16, 2021
Bell Ringing, Christmas Baskets, Friends of the Boardman Watershed Dinner, Munson Manor, JJ Beckett Access-ABILITY Committee/Tag Day
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