President Mike opened our first meeting of 2017 by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. He mentioned that it was 60 years ago on New Years Day that one of our own marched the 5.5-mile route of the Rose Bowl Parade along with his Minnesota High School Marching Band. Byron Hanson said he was 15 years old at the time and the band was wearing their one and only heavy "wool" uniforms. GREAT MEMORIES! Our invocation was given by Gary Hogue. Paul Morris led us in music with "Happy Days Are Here Again" and "The Rotary Song". Michael Richmond introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.

Rotary 101 was presented today by Professor Dale Chilcote. He gave us a summary of Funds and Foundations available to all Rotarians throughout the year, CLICK HERE to view summary. He seemed to be saying the more you give the better you feel, and the better your grade, at least in his class. Don't forget to apply for your $250 matching donation CLICK HERE to get "Matching" form.  Through the Rotary Fund at the Community Foundation, individual giving by our club members was $21,125 for 2016.  Which means because of your generosity and the Match program an extra $21,125 found it's way to area non-profits.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. President Mike thanked Pete Strom, Herb Lemcool and their committee for the great work they did with regard to the One-Way-Coat-Drive. 300 coats were collected and donated to the Father Fred Foundation. A letter of "THANKS" was read be President Mike.

2. Andy Robitshek announced the upcoming Rotary Show will be April 26-29. The first planning meeting will be Saturday, January 14 @ 9:00 am at the Chamber Building. Anyone with an imagination, please attend.

3. Lee Torrey is encouraging a Rotary fellowship get-together at Amical on Thursday night January 19. People interested can sign up with Kathy. Should be FUN!!!

4. 50/50 Winner: $53 to Mr. Paul "SMILEY" LaPorte.

Benjamin Marentette introduced our program. Established in 1968, the Michigan-Shiga partnership is the oldest and most comprehensive sister state relationship between the United States and Japan. Residents of Michigan and Shiga continue to maintain close ties through exchanges involving students, teachers, community members and government officials. Marilyn Nagano Schlief who lives in Haslett, MI, is a member of the Michigan-Shiga State Board. She provided us with the background information on how this sister state relationship developed and the benefits it provides.

Fourteen Michigan cities have formal agreements (signed by the mayors of both cities) establishing sister city relationships with cities in Shiga. Three Michigan cities have informal agreements with cities in Shiga and are considered friendship cities. They are:

Adrian – Moriyama, Ann Arbor – Hikone, Birmingham – Ritto, Clinton Twp. - Yasu DeWitt & DeWitt Twp. – Koka, Garden City – Takashima Grand Rapids – Omihachiman, Holland – Nagahama, Lansing – Otsu (Capital cities of both states.) Marquette – Higashiomi, Marshall – Koka, Olivite – Maibara, Petoskey – Takashima Pontiac – Nagahama, Sault Ste Marie – Ryuo, St. John – Konan, Traverse City – Koka

Governor Taizo Mikazuki of Shiga Prefecture visited East Lansing and met with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on August 25, 2016. Governor Mikazuki came with a group of 40 Japanese Goodwill Mission participants. During the welcome ceremony, the two governors celebrated the strong ties Michigan and Shiga have with each other. Both expressed a hope that participants would enjoy their time in Michigan and experience the natural beauty and diverse culture of Michigan. The Japanese come to Michigan in "even" years and the 40 person Michigan contingent go to Shiga in "odd" years.

The 2017 Goodwill Mission will travel to Shiga during the first two weeks of September with Governor Snyder. Governor Mikazuki will be attending the opening Gala as well. This is the year of the 50th-anniversary celebration, and it will be held in Otsu. Forty Michiganders will make the trip for ten days. Five days will be spent with host families. The cost is $2700. Participants will be able to enjoy the natural beauty and rich history Shiga has to offer. It has the second largest number of natural treasures in Japan.

Rebecca Walters is a local Traverse City teacher. She's involved with the Middle School Exchange Program. She has a group of 8th graders going to Shiga in another month. They will be spending ten days and the cost is $2400. When the exchange students come to Traverse City, they spend part of their week at East Middle School and part at West.

Our third speaker was Michi Hasegawa. He is in Lansing for two years running the sister city program from the Japanese perspective. According to him, there's a lot to do and he has very little free time. This was an interesting and very informative program.

The Traverse City High School summer youth experience program is vital to bringing quality skill-building programming and work experience to at-risk youth in the Grand Traverse Area.  Their existing grant funding covers most program expenses but DOES NOT cover stipends to the students.  Our Club’s STRIVE committee works with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation to utilize funds from the Murchie Endowment towards youth-focused local programming. We access approximately $8,500 a year to the TCHS program for student stipends.  Please CLICK HERE to view photos from the program and thank you note.