It was another Rotary meeting by the numbers as Gary Hogue noted that it was 0 days to the beginning of the Lenten season, definitely a time of year to devote to service above self in His name. And prior to leading songs in relatively perfect non-harmony, Cindy Ruzak reminded the crowd that it was the 59^th day of the year, with 10 days left until the Rotary program ad deadline, 60 days to the last night of the Rotary Show, and 123 to the finale of President Mike’s term. The announcements that followed kept to the numbered theme as Al Bonney advised it is just 5 days to the first Rotary Chorus rehearsal, and Bonnie Alfonso began her introduction of speaker Tim Nelson by advising that the TedX Traverse City will take place in 78 days with tickets going on sale in 43. Rick Schultz numbered 0 visiting Rotarians but several guests were present.

        

 So just the announced facts are:

  TedX TC tickets go on sale April 12, the Live event at Milliken is May 17 9a-4p for $99 with a free (but ticket required) simulcast at the State. For more information the website is tedxtraversecity.com. Although it will have already happened before you likely read these meeting minutes, there is an “Open Pitch” March 2 at 5:30p; and two of our members, Ben Whiting and Allison Beers, are making presentations for consideration.

  Roy Pentilla announced this is the final week to purchase a raffle ticket to win a Paul Harris award, with two being drawn the following week. Trevor Tkach cajoled everyone to turn in their ad sales by next week, or potentially place a burden on other team members or captains to finish the work undone (and as one of said captains, I can assure you this thought is not fondly received). Cindy reinforced the ad theme with a rendition of the R.O.T.A.R.Y. song, with the tag line “that spells ads to me”, and then reprised a previously sung Peter Cottontail tune with Rotary show lyrics.

  Allison Beers is soliciting female (though President Mike was making comments he might be willing to dress up for the part) participants for a Rotary Show skit with a reworded Madonna song.   Ruth Blick won $28 in the 50/50, although Rotary Ad Team 5 Ruzak attempted to shanghai it toward an ad sales purchase as she relayed the handoff of the cash from President Mike to Ruth through the crowded space of the Park Place sub-level.

 

And then it was on to the pleasure of another A-lister speaker from within, Timothy J. Nelson; whose resume is itself a poster child for the importance and impact of community colleges. Not only has he guided NMC through the implementation of a strategic plan that includes the establishment of national and international competencies, and leadership in select educational areas connect to the regional economy; resulting in such numbers (yes there’s that theme again) as being ranked 16^th out of approximately 1200 community colleges in providing global experiences for its students. Many of our members were probably aware of his success in getting state authorization passed for community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees, allowing NMC to offer a BS in Maritime Technology with 4 distinct majors; but his life experiences were fascinating to hear. Especially Bonnie’s recollection of Tim in 1975 as a long haired hippie supervisor for an NMC dorm, providing the guess that NMC’s then President Bill Yankee probably didn’t look at him and say “Someday, you will be President of this fine institution”. An entrepreneur (3 software companies founded) and Eagle Scout round out the picture of this NMC grad.

 

Tim then expounded on the TEDx events, revealing that he attended the very first TED conference in 1984 sharing brilliant ideas by innovators in Technology, Entertainment, Design.  In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED created TEDx, and Tim and Paul Sutherland founded and hosted the first TEDx Traverse City event in 2010. These local programs strive to bring people together to share a TED-like experience, with the mission to educate, inspire, and connect great minds.

 

There were more numbers, of course; TEDx Traverse City has had 118 speakers, 14 musical performance, 12 events, 5,000 plus attendees at live and simulcast events, and partnered with more than 30 individuals/companies/organizations. And the TEDx’s most popular presentation was Glennon Doyle Melton that has 1.9 million views on YouTube. Now that’s a number!!

 

Bonnie’s introduction began by claiming “Tim will never be known as a man who followed a conventional path”, which Tim then confirmed by following the wonderfully detailed bio she presented with the comment “and that is our program”. And we are all so fortunate that he followed the path he did choose, and thus to have him in our community, and a fellow Rotarian.

CURRENT CAREER – A 15-year career in banking, currently working at mBank as district manager for the branches in the Lower Peninsula, plus manager of Traverse City branches.

 

EDUCATION – A graduate of Central Michigan University, joining my father, mother and brother. GO CHIPS!

   

FAMILY- Two sons: Noah, age 5, and Asher, 4; and my beautiful wife Sherry.

 

FAVORITE DESSERT – Pumpkin pie

 

FAVORITE ACTIVITY – Tennis

 

LAST BOOK READ – “The Johnny Carson Biography” by Henry Bushkin.

 

FAVORITE MOVIE – “Caddy Shack” I still laugh out loud when rewatching it.

 

FAVORITE SONG – “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.

 

LIKELY KNOWS – Am currently learning to build acoustic guitars.

 

LIFE ROLE MODEL – I try to model my life after the fathers in my life.

 

MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT –  Convincing my wife to marry me.

 

PROUDEST MOMENT – Becoming a father.

 

FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU – Not a single event I can think of, however, I try to laugh as much as possible.

 

SECRET AMBITION – As a kid, I always wanted to be an archaeologist.

IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A DAY (present or historical),  WHO WOULD THAT BE---AND  WHY? Bill Gates: Withdraw from his bank account and deposit in mine.

 

MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET – While working at the Hyatt in Indianapolis during college I met a lot of celebrities. My favorite was Jack Johnson the singer.

 

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE – I have been in Rotary for almost three years and have really enjoyed my time in our club.

 

 

Remember the International Dinner in one of the Cottages at Crystal Mountain for the District conference on Thursday, May 4 I spoke of on Tuesday?

 

I found a chair:  Susan Kraus - our own party planner extraordinaire.  Susan is happy to chair the small committee.  

 

Now we just have to get her some help.  It's not a big lot of work and it is fun (what's not fun about eating and drinking with Rotarians?). If you are interested please tell Kathy Bussell.  She will give the list of interested people to Susan and she will contact you in due course.