Leading our meeting for President Dale Chilcote was President-elect Mike Meindertsma.
It was a day at the “opera” as Paul Morris led the group in a rousing rendition in the round of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain/When The Saints Go Marching In”. It included a fun, group choreography of foot stomps, and a sing-along with the mighty Rotary Chorus!
Mark Eckhoff introduced Jill Porter to us as a new Rotarian joining the noon club. Welcome Jill!
Chris DeGood reported a successful Kids Free Fishing Day on June 18th, sharing that hundreds of fish were caught, and a lot of happy parents and kids participated.
Thom Paulson welcomed the club to the City Opera House, celebrating 125 years.
Over the years, $9 million in renovations has resurrected this wonderful facility. The Opera House’s design also includes an homage to Rotarian Bryan Crough for his support, recently naming the dressing rooms in honor of him, and a painting of a cherub with his likeness on the dome.
Bill Erickson is the director of advancement at International Aid, a non-profit that serves those in need around the world, with a specific focus on providing medical supplies.
They provide organizations and facilities in need medical equipment to outfit almost anything from examination rooms to front offices.
International Aid’s core services are providing medical equipment, health care products and disaster relief. And while they’re a faith-based organization, that doesn’t mean partnering organizations that benefit must be faith-based.
Mr. Erickson said that 70% of the medical equipment or resources are not functioning or available in developing nations. Sometimes tough choices are made on what patients get care, based on availability of that equipment. To help minimize these choices, International Aid repurposes distributes medical devices to areas in need.
How is the equipment acquired? For example, Mr. Erickson said, every 2 or 3 years upgrades are made in other hospitals to bring in state-of-the-art machines. The replaced, yet perfectly viable, equipment is thrown away.
International Aid gathers, reconditions, and in some cases, re-engineers, this equipment to be put to a far better use. For example, anesthesia machines can be repurposed to become ventilators.
Last year, millions of dollars in medical equipment, supplies and medicine at 151 hospitals and clinics in 64 countries helped countless lives, Mr. Erickson said.
International Aid’s scope of relief is worldwide: from Ecuador and Philippines, to supplies stateside to assist in San Antonio and floods in North Carolina.
President Dale Chilcote rang the bell and welcomed Rotarians and Guests. He asked for us to stand for a moment of silence for those who lost their lives recently in Orlando, Florida.
Singing of "God Bless America" and reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance".
Our invocation was led today by Lee Olewinski.
Musical today was led by Cindy Ruzak. In honor of it being "Flag Day", Cindy chose "You're a Grand Old Flag", and our "National Anthem".
Introducing Visiting Rotarians and Guests was Bob Portenga.
New Member that is a rebound member. Welcoming back Tom Kern.
Announcements:
*Homer Nye reminded us about Kids Free Fishing Day
*Susan Kraus announced a social event to be held at Left Foot Charleys, June 21st., Tuesday @ 5:30
*Committee assignments with Wendy and Nikki (in the back). Sign up to confirm your willingness to serve on particular committees.
*Contact Kathy if you made up a meeting. Please call or email her right away. This allows her to close out each month and avoid making significant changes.
*Bob Witkop announced 41 members with perfect attendance this past year. Pins were given in recognition.
*Tag Day, if you had not donated, forms were on the tables.
*Announced by Pres. Dale that a few months ago, Trevor and Deb if the Good Works Committee budget would increase if the ad sales were increased. Working with the directors and chairs to develop the correct wording for next year.
*Paul LaPorte awarded "Smart Ointment" to Dr. Ken Mussen
*Ed Downing was awarded an "Honorary Black Belt" by Dr. Daniel McCarthy, who is a Distinguished Research and Creativity Professor at the University of Akron School of Music. Dr. McCarthy is also a 4th.Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Master. (The last honorary black belt was given to President George Bush, Sr., by Chuck Norris for his efforts to get martial arts into schools.)
*The 50-50th drawing had $19 in the pot and was won by Lee Olewinski.
Program introduction was by Bob Cooney for Tom Gilbert, President of T C Retreat, which is a quality sober living residence. Bob gave us the statistic that there are more drug overdoses than traffic accidents in our area.
Tom pointed out that he had been a practicing judge but left the bench faces humiliation and addressed his addiction. Today is he sober 13 years and life he feels has never been so fulfilling. His journey took him back into the school room at age 48 where he studied and received his Masters in Addiction Counseling. He introduced a man in our audience from Ann Arbor, Grant Peters who has been sober for 3 months. He currently resides at T C Retreat. Gilbert spoke of "Anonymous People", the statistics of 23 million in long term recovery and the prevention, treatment and recovery. The costs are staggering, 13.7 Billion.
The adjourment of the meeting with the reminder that next week will be at the City Opera House.
This weeks "Joint Meeting" was open to all Traverse City Rotarians. It was part of the "Ribbon Cutting" (which was actually "barbed wire") ceremony opening the newly purchased Coal Dock to the public. Our luncheon was held under a canopy in what President Dale Chilcote referred to as "brutally cold" weather. Reverend Gary Hogue said the weather was more conducive to fall football than to an early summer picnic. How cold was it? The microphone Reverend Hogue was holding "froze and died" before he was able to give grace. Fortunately, there was plenty of hot coffee available.
John Noonan started the program by reviewing what led up to this historic day. He said Rotary Charities was able to purchase the coal dock along with several additional acres across the street for $1,000,000 from Traverse City Light and Power. The properties will be transferred to Rotary Camps and Services, which owns the Discovery Center next door. Rotary Camps and Services has committed another $500,000 for improvements to the properties. The intent is to create another open space for the community with access to West Bay. The purchase includes both the deep water port and the inner harbor. Inland Seas Education Association Director Fred Sitkins says, " Having the opportunity to at times have all three tall ships in that basin is a real attraction." Other $1 million grants made by Rotary Charities include NMC's University Center in 1994, the State Theater Project in 1997, and the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute in 2004. In addition, Becky Ewing reminded us of the many great organizations and projects Rotary has helped to develop or maintain. Included are the following: the Park Place Hotel, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, the Open Space, HomeStretch, NorthSky Nonprofit Network, Inland Seas, and the Great Lakes Children's Museum. Rotarians should be proud of these accomplishments.
Mike Wills, President of the Discovery Center Board, was recognized for all the work he has done to protect and develop this area of the West Bay shoreline for public use and education. He, in turn, recognized Mike Dew as the great visionary who saw this shoreline as an amazing waterfront attraction well before anyone else. Mike also wanted to thank the Elmwood Township Board, the people of Elmwood Township, the Rotary Harbor Committee, Rotary Charities, Rotary Camps and Services, the City of Traverse City, and Crew 22 for all their fine work in making this project happen. THANKS TO YOU, MIKE!
The meeting was called to order by President Dale Chilcote. In true ‘Service Above Self’ form, President Chilcote, a Spartan, dressed in Maize and Blue in honor of today’s program.
Nikki Sobkowski provided the invocation. Dave Millross shared a touching video titled “Memorial Day Tribute: Thank You” which included a speech given by Ronald Reagan at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Dave then led us in the singing of America the Beautiful. Lisa Pointe introduced visiting Rotarians and guests, which included many UM alumni and some soon-to-be freshman Wolverines.
Don’t forget to sign up for Tag Day! John Noonan provided an overview of next week’s Club meeting at the former coal dock property for the Grand Opening Celebration. In order to receive your boxed lunch, you must park in the parking lot behind Subway (at Brewery Creek) which is where check-in will occur; a shuttle will transport everyone to the tent on the coal dock. A public Open House will follow the Club meeting at 2:00 p.m. – please invite family and friends to the Open House. Live entertainment will begin at 5:00 p.m. Sponsorships for the event are available; please see John Noonan if interested.
Tim Tate shared some of the feedback received regarding the Rotary Show (“Best show I’ve seen in 20 years”) and reported that the show’s net income was a whopping $73,843. He also provided the quote of the day: “Always give 100% unless you’re giving blood”.
Homer Nye asked for volunteers for Kid’s Free Fishing Day on June 18th. Sixty volunteers are needed to help 400 kids during this worthwhile event. Steve Haskin recapped the results of the NMC BBQ and thanked the 60 volunteers who helped serve 7700 meals. Vern Gauthier reminded Club members that the Lawn Chair Drill Team will have an informational meeting and start practicing on June 2nd, 6:00 p.m. at Fit For You. Beer will be involved. For those who have retired from the drill team, please consider loaning your lawn chair to the team. Sharon Zimmerman thanked Rotarians for donations during World Community Service month; donations are still being accepted. This includes $74.00 donated by Paul Heidbreder who won this week’s 50/50 raffle.
Ross Childs introduced the 14th president of the University of Michigan, Dr. Mark Schlissel, which reflexively resulted in a rousing rendition of “Hail to the Victors”. President Schlissel, an honorary Rotarian (Ann Arbor Rotary Club), began by providing his condolences to the friends of recently departed Howard King, a “cherished member of the Michigan family”. He provided an impressive list of some of the University’s recent outstanding accomplishments: receipt of National Medals of the Arts by the University Musical Society, completion of the first kidney transplant in Ethiopia by a team from UM’s Transplant Center, a #1 national ranking by College Choice for providing an inclusive environment for disabled students, victory in the Citrus Bowl, purchase of 80 acres in Cheboygan County for UM’s Biological Station in Pellston, and a collaboration that is commencing with MSU and Wayne State working on the recovery of Detroit.
Dr. Schlissel also described his primary focus to position UM for perpetual excellence and public impact in research, creative work, performance, healthcare and education. This will be done by encouraging research that addresses major societal issues and supporting scholarship and creative work that enriches the human experience. The University currently offers 103 programs at the graduate and professional level that rank in the top 10 across the nation. Some of the current programs include development of autonomous vehicles, precision medicine, poverty and the microbiome. The University is also working to improve diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure all students from diverse backgrounds have equal opportunities to thrive. Recently the Hail Scholars Program was launched which guarantees a full, 4-year scholarship to talented high school students who qualify for federal assistance, apply to the University, and get accepted. To date, 80% of the 1000 students identified applied, and 40% have been admitted. These students are typically the first person in their family to attend a 4 year college.
Dr. Schlissel concluded his presentation by describing current efforts to enhance public engagement by faculty and students. Possible means by which faculty may do this are writing Op-Eds for local papers, serving on state and federal commissions, and talking to communities (including Rotary Clubs). With regards to students, partnerships have developed with local units of government whereby technology needs are identified and the students supply the solutions. Students have developed an app for the City of Jackson that maps all parks and bus stop locations and another app that maps the location of all of the lead pipes in Flint.
During Q & A, Dr. Schlissel mentioned that more than 90% of the students who start as freshman graduate as Wolverines. Of course the presentation was not complete without a Q & A regarding football and Coach Harbaugh. He relayed the story of the coach’s meeting with the team soon after arriving on campus. The coach told the players that the most important thing on which they should focus is the knowledge gained from their education and their UM diploma. GO BLUE!
Finally, as part of the UM theme for today’s program, President Schlissel installed Mary Bevans Gillett as the incoming president of the local UM Alumni Association.
CURRENT CAREER – Attorney-shareholder Smith & Johnson, Attorneys, P.C.
EDUCATION – B.S., Michigan State University 1968
J.D., University of Michigan Law School 1971
FAMILY – Married to Linda; 3 kids: Breena, Audra and Travis
FAVORITE DESSERT – Tie between butterscotch pie and strawberry shortcake.
LAST BOOK READ – Tim Russert, “The Wisdom of our Fathers”
FAVORITE MOVIE – “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”
FAVORITE SONG – “This Land is Your Land,” Kingston Trio
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB LIKELY KNOWS -
While I was stationed in Korea as a new 2d Lt. in the Army Infantry, I was entrusted with one of two keys necessary to access the arming codes for all nuclear weapons stored on the Korean DMZ. Fortunately, that key was not needed while on my watch.
Also, as president of Rotary Camps, I signed the check to pay for the Rotary Center purchase of the Park Place from bankruptcy court.
LIFE ROLE MODEL – My father for his work ethic. Having lived through the Great Depression, he spent all his energy on achieving a better life for his children than he had.
MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – Convincing my youngest daughter to break up with her first serious boyfriend.
PROUDEST MOMENT – Successfully defended rape charges against a high profile physician and father of 5. He had been prosecuted based on a false claim concocted by a lying patient and her “con man” boyfriend intending to extort money from the doctor.
FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU – It was early in my marriage. Intending to surprise my wife with a flight to Boston for a 3 day get-away, I secretly opened a separate bank account and deposited a small sum of money. When the day arrived to take the trip and pay for the ticket, the bank informed me the account was closed, and I had no funds to pay the air fare. I told the bank it better find my money. Then the bank told me a “Mrs. Johnson” had withdrawn the deposit. My wife had discovered the account, thought the bank had made a mistake, and had spent the money.
IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A DAY (present or historical), WHO WOULD THAT BE—AND WHY? – The guy who just won a huge lottery jackpot.
MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET – John F. Kennedy during a campaign whistle stop in Battle Creek, Michigan.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE – Being a member of this Rotary Club has given me the opportunity to meet a great number of caring, sharing people in this community who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk of service above self.
CURRENT CAREER – Development and Marketing Director, Traverse Health Clinic
EDUCATION – B.A. from Miami of Ohio
FAMILY- My husband Robert has a wealth and retirement management practice with Raymond James. Our oldest son just completed his freshman year studying mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. Many of you met him when his team previewed the #8 world ranked robot from TC Central’s Robotic’s team last year. Our daughter is finishing her sophmore year at TC Central and excited for her first job this summer.
FAVORITE DESSERT - Mousse au Chocolat, crème brulee, a hunk of dark chocolate does the trick too!
FAVORITE ACTIVITY – Cycling on Old Mission, tennis with family, gardening, and being on the water.
LAST BOOK READ – “ Sea Glass” by Anita Shreve.
FAVORITE MOVIE – This is embarrassing: “Hangover I.”
FAVORITE SONG – Anything by Beethoven.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB
LIKELY KNOWS – I hung out in the locker room with Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe for several hours before a match. After first working in marketing and promotions for the automotive industry, I quit and took a job as a sales rep for a tennis company. In both jobs I met many interesting people working on events and promotions.
LIFE ROLE MODEL –My parents
MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – Raising two kids who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
PROUDEST MOMENT - Becoming a mother.
MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET - General Norman Schwarzkopf
Leading our meeting for President Dale Chilcote was President-elect Mike Meindertsma. 
Bill Erickson is the director of advancement at International Aid, a non-profit that serves those in need around the world, with a specific focus on providing medical supplies.
Our invocation was led today by Lee Olewinski.
This weeks "Joint Meeting" was open to all Traverse City Rotarians. It was part of the "Ribbon Cutting" (which was actually "barbed wire") ceremony opening the newly purchased Coal Dock to the public. Our luncheon was held under a canopy in what President Dale Chilcote referred to as "brutally cold" weather. Reverend Gary Hogue said the weather was more conducive to fall football than to an early summer picnic. How cold was it? The microphone Reverend Hogue was holding "froze and died" before he was able to give grace. Fortunately, there was plenty of hot coffee available.
CURRENT CAREER – Attorney-shareholder Smith & Johnson, Attorneys, P.C.
CURRENT CAREER – Development and Marketing Director, Traverse Health Clinic
Next weeks Club meeting, August 2nd will be at the Park Place Hotel Dome Room
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