President Dale rang the bell, welcoming Rotarians and Guests. Asking all to stand for "God Bless America" and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
The invocation was lead by Lee Olewinski.
Musical director was Cindy Ruzak. "Peter Cottontail".
Introducing visiting Rotarians and Guests was Thom Paulson.
There were no students of the week.
50/50 drawing, none today.
Announcements included: WCS Mtg today; Letter from Paul Laporte who is seeking medical treatment in Ann Arbor for 3 to 4 weeks. Email him to contact him ; Genna (outbound student) reminded us of the Youth Exchange Dinner, April 12th @ The Boathouse 6:30 p.m., $50 cost; Dan Richard still looking for help Sunday with set up for the Rotary show.
Program introduction by Steve Wade.
Speaker: Hannah Burdek, Development Director for CAST - Citizens Against Sex Trafficking
Presentation of the wheelchair certificate by Steve Wade.
Final reminders by President Dale.
Ringing of the bell. Adjournment.
101 members of 249 total members were in attendance.
Speaker: Hannah Burdek, Development Director for CAST - Citizens Against Sex Trafficking
Ms. Burdek brought a very poignant program about human sex trafficking. Although this is a global issue (a 150 billion dollar industry), Northern Michigan is faced with confronting this problem as well. In fact until recently, the State of Michigan was ranked #2 in the nation for human sex trafficking. Although more prevalent in urban areas, there have been arrests recently in Grand Traverse as well as Leelanau counties.
The organization CAST TC, confronts these issues through awareness, education and action. Over 300,000 children alone have been affected in the U.S., over 1/3 of them runaways. Often, within 48 hrs., a runaway will succumb to sex trafficking.
Signs to recognize a victim is an apparent lack of control, anxiety, depression, paranoia, appearance, etc. They are victims of those who exert power and control. They may threaten, intimidate, emotionally or physically abuse the victim. A sense of isolation is created where the victim is confined and denied access friends, family and others.
By bringing awareness to the public and educating the signs and symptoms, we can attempt to lessen this critical problem. In addition, "Safe Houses", are a haven for victims. Set up in undisclosed locations, (where their perpetrators cannot reach them), they receive counseling and evaluation for a 2 to 8 week stay and will be offered opportunities for restoration and reintegration back into society.
CURRENT CAREER – Airport Director, Cherry Capital Airport TVC.
EDUCATION – Bachelor of Science, Western Michigan University, Accrediated Airport Executive, American Association of Airport Executives.
FAMILY- Wife Leslie, sons Mark(16) , Joe (14) and Nick (8).
FAVORITE DESSERT - Apple pie
FAVORITE HOBBY, ACTIVITY - Swimming and spending time at the beach.
LAST BOOK READ – Richard Branson’s “The Virgin Way”
FAVORITE MOVIE - “Star Wars”
FAVORITE SONG - Jimmy Buffet’s “School Boy Heart”
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB
LIKELY KNOWS - I am related to Charlie Gehringer.
LIFE ROLE MODEL – My mother, Mary Ellen Klein, teacher.
MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – Marriage to my beautiful wife and best friend for 20 years.
PROUDEST MOMENT - When my children were born.
FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU - When working at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey I had to assist a gentlemen with his bags and personal belongings after his flight was cancelled. After a long conversation and providing transportation to his next airplane I came to realize this man was Denzel Washington.
SECRET AMBITION - I would love to SCUBA dive.
IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A DAY (present or historical), WHO WOULD THAT BE---AND WHY? My son. To be sixteen again would be real fun.
MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET - In the airport business I have had lots of opportunity to meet famous people from Denzel Washington to Barbara Bush, to General Colin Powell to Jimmy Buffet. I have meet the following: Presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE - As Richard Branson has said “If it is not fun, it is not worth doing.”
Education - Received my degree in business from Eastern Michigan University.
Family - Wife Sally, children Jason and Erins; grandkids Max, Owen and Oliver.
Favorite Dessert - Tin Roof sundae
Hobbies - Fishing and boating
Last Book Read - "Beyond the Call" by Lee Trimble
Favorite Movie – “Christmas Story”
Favorite Song – “My Girl" by the Temptations
Tell Us Something About Yourself No One in the Club Likely Knows - One of my jobs while in college was cleaning monkey cages at Park Davis Research Lab.
Life Role Model - Ross Childs-every one who knows Ross will understand why.
Most Significant Accomplishment - Helping to secure the funding needed to build the new YMCA.
Proudest Moment - Birth of my son and daughter.
Funniest Thing That Has Ever Happened To You - It's a long story but it involved a small Japanese bellhop with a plunger when he came to unplug the toilet in my room at the Tokyo Hilton where I was on R&R.
Secret Ambition - To have learned how to fly like my father and brother.
If You Could Be Anyone In the World For a Day, Who Would That Be and Why? My grandfather, Dr. Max Peet, a neurosurgeon who was a pioneer in his field.
Most Famous Person Met - Roger Smith, once Chairman and CEO of General Motors.
Anything Else You Want to Share - I've enjoyed my 36 years in the club and all the fine people I've gotten to know in it.
President Dale rang the bell, welcoming Rotarians and Guests. Asking all to stand for "God Bless America" and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Speaker: Hannah Burdek, Development Director for CAST - Citizens Against Sex Trafficking
CURRENT CAREER – Airport Director, Cherry Capital Airport TVC.
Career - Retired insurance agent
