The day was dull, gray, and rainy, but inside The Park Place Hotel, the scene was lively and engaging as Rotarians gathered for another meeting.
Greeters greeted (Mack Beers, Gil Bogley, Ruth Blick) and 50/50 ticket sellers (Linda Racine, Sakura Takano) sold scads of tickets. Thom Paulson was poised near the podium to take pictures.
Madame President Allison opened the proceedings, as per usual. After the Blessing of America and the U.S. Allegiance Pledging, Tom Petzold offered a Gratitude & Reflection with the words of Mother Teresa.
Marlene Bevan led Rotarians in a rousing “We’re gonna’ rock the show and do good” song to the tune of Ethel Merman’s “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, accompanied by pinch hitter/pianist Bryon Hanson
There were no visiting Rotarians for Mark Newhouse to introduce but the roster of guests included: Josie Ballenger, Colin Ford, Linda Wiseman, and a group of exchange students whose host spoke their names in such fast succession this writer was unable to follow and make legible notes.
On a serious note, President Allison Beers made the following announcement:
“In response to the news story that hit yesterday involving one of our club members, our board is taking an active approach to follow all Rotary protocol. Please refrain from making any comments to the media and direct them to me. I am available to answer any questions that I am able to after the meeting. As Rotarians, we will continue to live by the 4-way test.”
Allison’s other announcements included:
-Congrats to Gene Jenneman who is retiring from the Dennos Museum Center, NMC in June.
- Please take Rotary Show posters and hang them EVERYWHERE!
Club Announcements:
- Susan Kraus let us know Pickle Ball is BACK ON! At no cost, you will be able to engage in this time-honored sport, whether you are a seasoned pickler, or an untested novice. April 9 at “The Old Y” (which for us newer folks means – The Grand Traverse Bay Y South, 3000 Racquet Club Drive, Traverse City.) 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Fun will be had by all, guaranteed!
- Susan also announced the Post-Show Afterglow party, which I’m guessing happens after the last performance on Saturday, April 27th. There’ll be a lovely buffet at Sorellina for $15 a head. Folks who don’t want to eat are welcome to come for a drink, but please don’t snitch from the buffet table.
- Connor Miller, wearing the requisite Michigan State hat, reported on the progress of the Rotary Bracket. The top three point-getters are currently Mark, Andy, and Sparty851.
- Carla Weaver reminded us to buy tickets to the Rotary Show and sign up for volunteering.
- On a Rotary Show related-note, Max Anderson shared the final Team amounts for ad sales which totaled $88,900. Though a little short of the 100K goal, it’s still a boat-load of funds to support Good Works: Team Buday - $12,750, Team Ruzak - $12,125, Team Zelinski – $11,250, Team Bukowski – $ 9,750, Team Bogley - $9,000, Team Tkach - $8,750, Team Haskin - $7,525, Team Taylor - $7,525. Team Robitshek - $5,325, Team Rotary Twilight - $1,875, Team Rotary Sunrise- $1,625, unassigned - $1,525.
Scott Hardy introduced our featured speaker, Doug Fierberg, a now-local lawyer whose practice has a national reach. His firm’s litigated cases related to gender violence, sexual violence, and violence in educational institutions: K-12 as well as colleges and universities. He spoke on the topic of The "Me Too" Movement, a grassroots social-media incited effort against sexual and/or gender-based violence and harassment. Doug stressed that every industry is impacted be changing social standards and norms of behavior involving personal space and power. Some takeaways from his talk include:
Issues related to the heightened awareness of discriminatory gender issues impact all relationships, both business and interpersonal.
Businesses who have not examined their policies and practices in light of this emerging cultural awareness should do so. And a “we have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual violence” will not cut it these days. There are consequences beyond legal ones to avoiding a more thorough response to an institutions culture (such as social media boycotts.)
Bottom line: In workplace – treat coworkers & customers/clients, regardless of gender, race/ethnicity, orientation or gender identity, with:
It was noted the Rotary 4 Way Test embodies these sentiments.
Doug Fierberg has offered pro bono help Rotary members’ small businesses and non-profit organizations which haven’t had the resources to undertake this work, to “get out in front” of these important workplace issues.
On a lighter note, Doug was glad to speak to a crowd who got the Ethel Merman references (unlike the college students he’s been lecturing to lately.
