Today was new President John Racine's first official meeting, and he was impeccably dressed for the occasion. If he had "butterflies", it didn't show. Lee Olewinski gave the invocation and requested we pray for the less fortunate. Vern Gauthier led us in song with "Sweet Home Alabama". He was accompanied by Christopher Cox at the piano. Vern also shared with us a three-minute video of the Rotary Chair-y Drill Team performing at Saturday's Cherry Royal Parade. Such precision, not. Great job Drill Team Members!!!
There were no visiting Rotarians, but Steve Wade was able to introduce three quests. Also, there was no raffle. This was Joao's last meeting with us. He will be returning home to Brazil next Monday. He thanked everyone in Rotary for making this a very special year for him.
Elaine Wood, speaking for Rotary Charities, said Marsha Smith's upcoming retirement, announced as 12-31-18, will leave some big shoes to be filled. Marsha has been Executive Director for 24 years. The Charities Board requested that Marsha fill a couple of open staff positions in order to give us a stronger foundation to move forward as Rotary Charities faces its first executive leadership change in two decades. Marsha's choices were introduced today: Leah Bagdon-McCallum and Evan Gray. Leah has been a Club member since 2015. Her focus will be on grantmaking. Evan moved to our region from Idaho two years ago. His position will focus on organizational and network capacity through grants and NorthSky, Rotary Charities' capacity building program.
Rotary Camps & Services was established in 1923. It was changed into its current form as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1955. For the past 62 years it has functioned primarily as a land owner, leasing out most of our acreage to scouts for camping. Recently this all changed when the Boy Scouts terminated the trust agreement to operate Camp Greilick and we purchased the former Traverse City Coal Dock to become a part of the Discovery Center Great Lakes. As Sharron Zimmerman reported to us, this changed Camps & Services role from a passive landowner to an active land manager. To deal with this more active role, Rotary Camps & Services has hired two full-time staff. John Noonan, a long-time Rotarian with this Club, will oversee all the Rotary Camps properties. He has been active in nonprofit management for over 12 years. Nick Killian is the other new hire. He was formerly the Camping Director for the Boy Scouts of America. Nick will assume the newly created position of Program Director for the former Camp Greilick, now Greilick Outdoor Recreation and Education Center.
Congratulations to all four of our new staff members!!! CLICK HERE to view the press release and staff photos.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Mike Meindertsma told everyone to mark August 14th on our calendar for the annual Golf & Pickleball Outing.
2. Susan Kraus reminded us about the Boating Social July 18th to Power Island. Please contact her if you have any questions.
3. Dale Chilcote handed out a Food Survey for everyone to fill out. He will use it to work on future lunch menus.
.jpg)