President Homer Nye called us to order, and the ever-eloquent Sid Lammers led us in reflection and gratitude for the day.

Marlene Bevan led us in song: a parody of “On the Road, Again” called “In the Show, Again.” Cute to say the least.

Our guests were introduced by Marsha Minervini.

A new, sorta Rotarian was introduced by Bob Stow. Laura Oblinger has returned to the fold! And we are grateful to have her with us once more. Welcome Laura!

Alex Juett introduced three graduates of IM Rotary: Terry Beamsley, Andrew Gorecki and Haider Kazim.

Katy McCain reminded all of next Monday evening’s Youth Exchange Reception and informational Meet and Greet to be held at Kirkbride Hall in the Commons @ 6 pm. It’s your chance to learn about the Exchange Program and to meet our wonderful World Travelling Exchange Students!

Max Anderson gave us the Ad Sales update for the week, currently in excess of $40K and growing. Finish up your sales by February 17, after which the Sales team will begin clean-up.

Steve Wade took away all the money in the 50/50 drawing.

Joe Winoweicki, CFO of ATLAS Space Operations, a fast-moving, growing technology company focused on new satellite paradigms, was the speaker for the day – introduced by Jenn Casey.

ATLAS offers a simple solution for processing and analyzing data from space, through a global antenna network, powered by a revolutionary cloud-based software.

ATLAS Space Operations provides global communications and data services that leverage cloud-based intelligence to lower cost and deliver simple, secure, and scalable value-added solutions. 

Their cloud-based software interconnects and powers their globally expansive network of ground antennas to give the user the FREEDOM™ of unfettered access to process and analyze vast amounts of data from space-to-ground. With its set-and-forget automation, FREEDOM ™ simply and efficiently delivers lowered costs and increased effectiveness so you can get your data from space. 

Fast service from space to the user: supplying the data you need when you need it is what ATLAS does best. 

The Founders, Sean McDaniel, Brad Bode, Mike Carey and Mike Rendine moved the company here in 2017. 24 employees with 16 here in Traverse City, ATLAS expects to grow to more than 50 in the near future. The founders and key people are all leaders in the industry, some of them coming from the top echelons of government and the space program. They continue to work with the DOD and the Air Force as well as their many corporate partners.

They are creating a new paradigm with satellites no larger than an iPhone in many cases. These are tracked and monitored and are scalable to meet client needs throughout the world. With these systems, one can build and send a satellite into space for as little as $10,000 in some instances. 

Of particular interest is the company’s commitment to community involvement. They are already well at work with the schools in the area and the STEM programs throughout and GTACS First Robotics program. They also work with the Boy Scouts through their affiliate program ATLAS Space Explorers geared to those who are seeking further involvement in space technology.

The Mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

Most of us never read this mission statement all that closely, but it is true: Rotary Foundation does not DO anything – WE do the work of changing Communities, Rotarians do the work of changing lives, Rotary clubs do the work of making the world a better place, one community at a time.

That’s why we donate to The Rotary Foundation: because THEY aggregate the donations from Rotarians all over the world and make those donations available to Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to undertake projects that change the world, improve lives and make the world a better place.  You and me. Over $300 Million dollars a year in donations from Rotarians are given back every year into project grant funds that turn good projects into GREAT projects. And the Traverse City Rotary Club shares in these funds every year because of your generosity.

Lest anyone get confused, this is the ONLY thing that donations to the Rotary Foundation are used for.

So when we run a promotion, like the 50/50 raffle in which we are asked for our participation, it is to add to that $300M pot in Evanston that becomes the Rotary Matching Grant program every year.

It’s also a bit of fun, too.  Remember four years ago when Dan Jonkhoff won the first prize of $3,600, I think?  He had a bit of fun that year! 

The more tickets we sell across the district the more the prize money is for the six winners.  Half the money from the tickets goes to the winners and half goes to The Rotary Foundation . . . ..and what happens to that money?

Remember that thing we call per capita: the requirement to have club giving equal to $100 per member on average: $10 of your $20 ticket purchase counts towards our $100 per capita, too.

So: do some good in the world, have some fun and contribute to our club reaching it’s per capita goal . . . . . buy a ticket.  I bought 5 – how about you buy 5, too!

After the meeting we will be in the foyer – this week and for the next two weeks.  Cash, check or put it on your club bill.

Thanks! Al Bonney