Lee Torrey introduced our visiting Rotarians and guests for the meeting.
Bruce Finlayson introduced Life Leadership Students Richard Potter and Sam Schriber. The shared their experiences from this program last year that were truly inspirational, and they learned to “never leave any doors open”, that is, to seize the day. We all learned an interesting phrase that a speaker used at the Life Leadership Conference: “Flip your twenty”. This was a wonderfully creative way to “change your paradigm” (get it? Pair of dimes), and look at things in a different, or collaborative, way.
TAG Day is here! Join in and sign up for June 2nd and 3rd.
The TC Rotary Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team marched their way in to the meeting and provided a memorable way to ask for volunteers for the National Cherry Festival’s Cherry Royale Parade on Saturday, July 8th. See Vern Gauthier or Al Zelinski to learn all about, and participate, in a fun way to represent our club!
We still have openings for the wine tasting event, to be held at the pavilion of Bowers Harbor Vineyards on Monday, June 12th from 6pmto 8 pm. Please RSVP to Kathy.
Homer Nye announced a way to “have fun and do it right” by joining in on the Kid’s Free Fishing Day. Volunteers are needed for this event on the day before Father’s Day (Saturday, June 17th). Sign up for 9a-noon or 11 am to 2 pm, and help create a wonderful memory for local children!
Elk Rapids Rotarian Bill Donberg presented the progress of Pure Water for the World. This program brought hygiene education, water filters, and monitoring programs to over 200 schools in Cite Soleil in Haiti in five years. Also, they provided clean water programs and equipment to 3,000 homes in that community in extreme need. Together, Rotary clubs have helped over 20,000 children there to live healthier lives with access to clean water.
Building on that success, Phase Two is next, with a goal of raising $300,000 to help one thousand families. Donations are gathered from churches, corporate donors and Rotary clubs across the country maximize this joint effort.
Mike Buell, Superintendent of Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, was entertaining and informative as he enthusiastically shared an interesting history and their plans for the future.
Mr. Buell’s roots with GTACS run deep. He shared the story of his grandmother attending the boarding school in the early 1900s, because his great-grandparents looked for something profound, and an educational experience that she “couldn’t get anywhere else.”
GTACS is focused on being a primary, faith-based education option in Traverse City, he said. This proud history also includes a healthy and strong collaboration with other education leaders in our area.
“We understand the job, for us, is to be the absolute best at what our school is designed to do,” Mr. Buell said.
That positive and productive relationship with TCAPS and others is “well-seasoned”, he said. “It places us in the fabric of this town. Whether you’re Catholic or not.”
New construction on the school on the Immaculate Conception campus is rolling right along, with a ground-breaking in three weeks. Already at $12.5 million, funding came from local Catholic donors, but also from a wide variety of those who “like their return on investment for who our graduates are,” Mr. Buell said.
For the necessary and significant upgrades to St. Francis High School, along with the complete rebuild of Immaculate Conception School. They expect over $22 million over 10 years to be raised.
EDUCATION –Ferris State University, Northwestern Michigan College ( Go Hawk Owls!!), TC St. Francis
FAMILY- My wife is Mary, children are Alex (daughter in law Jen), Andrew, Kelly( fiance Keith Gingras), and dog Zoey.
FAVORITE DESSERT – Anything chocolate
FAVORITE ACTIVITY –Spending time with the family, boating, snow shoeing and golf.
LAST BOOK READ – The Little Book of Hedge Funds (exciting huh!)
FAVORITE MOVIE – Caddyshack
FAVORITE SONG – God Bless America at Rotary
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB
LIKELY KNOWS – I’m originally from Royal Oak, MI
LIFE ROLE MODEL –Mike Meindertsma
MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – It’s a tie between being a Flying Walnetto and being in the Lawn Chair Precision Drill Team.
PROUDEST MOMENT - Watching my children graduate from college.
FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU - I’m sure it is about to happen at any moment!!!!!
SECRET AMBITION – To cruise the North Channel on my own boat.
IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A stuff!!!!!!DAY (present or historical), WHO WOULD THAT BE---AND WHY? Dan Bodamer, because I can’t believe all the crazy stuff!
MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET –Marsha Minervini. Can you believe all of the people she knows!!!
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE – I love being a Rotarian!!!!
Call to Action, please join your fellow Rotarians TODAY & TOMMORROW. We will be meeting at the United Way office.
Rotarians may charge your Rotary account for your donation and do a 'Match' through the Rotary Endowment at the Community Foundation which provides a $1 to $1 match. Click Here to get 'Match' form.
Rotary Club Members will receive 20% off entry into the race with code: ROTARY2017
Race day is Sunday, September 10, 2017
We really need help getting the word out about this event. If people can sign up to run/walk that would be great. We also are in need of volunteers to push people in wheelchairs, help with food & water post-race, packet pickup and registration volunteers, course marshals and event clean-up. There is a volunteer section on the website to sign-up.
Mike Buell, Superintendent of Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, was entertaining and informative as he enthusiastically shared an interesting history and their plans for the future. 
CURRENT CAREER – Commercial Lender at Honor Bank
Your help is needed...Spread the word, sign up, volunteer, please click on the link below to learn more.
