SPOKES VOL. LXV NO. 6 August 7, 2018
Bob Brickman and Dene Hadden were our greeters this morning.
President Mark Odland opened today’s meeting with the "American the Beautiful" and Tom Renner provided our invocation.
Guests:
President Odland introduced a whole list of guests this morning, including: District Governor Jim Cupper, District Foundation Trustee Jim Sullivan, Brian Bosgraaf, Janice Varney and Bob Burr from the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and Adam Verseput, Athletic Director at South Haven High School.
Spotlight:
Our spotlight this morning was the introduction of District Foundation Trustee Jim Sullivan. Jim, along with our grant chair Tom Renner, presented two grants this morning. The first, through the District Foundation, was to replace the various banners in the high school gym. The original banners were donated in the 1980’s. The new banners will include sportsmanship reminders based on our Four Way Test. The second grant, from the national foundation was presented to the SW Michigan Land Conservancy for the construction of an educational kiosk at the Pilgrim Haven Nature Preserve.
Jim also reminded us that the district grants are funded through the sale of raffle tickets and he delivered our packet of tickets to President Odland who indicated that we will take up a collection for the purchase of tickets later this fall.
Induction of New Members
President Odland asked our two prospective members, Tom Noverr and Steve Miles along with their sponsors, Don Kitchin and Dene Hadden respectively to join him at the podium. Mark thanked Tom and Steve for their interest and reminded them of their responsibilities. Don and Dene introduced Tom and Steve and presented them with their badges, pins and new member information.
Music:
Jim Davis was our song leader today and our first number was “Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)" is a popular song, written in 1892 by British songwriter Harry Dacre. The song is said to have been inspired by Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, one of the many mistresses of King Edward VII. Next up belted out “I've Been Working on the Railroad" is an American folk song. The first published version appeared as "Levee Song" in Carmina Princetonia, a book of Princeton University songs published in 1894.[1] The earliest known recording is by the Sandhills Sixteen, released by Victor Records in 1927. We finished up with one of our favorites and sang it well – Sing! Everyone, Sing”.
Announcements:.
- Pancake Breakfast on August 12th sign-up sheet was passed around. We need everyone on board! In fact, bring your spouses and friends!
- Jerry Gruber passed around the signup sheet for the annual club picnic, to be held on August 21st at the Gruber cottage. It’s BYOB. Anyone who did not get signed up can call Jerry at 269-906-2236.
- Art Ayers had knee replacement surgery this week. Keep him in your prayers so he will be healed enough to be able to work at the pancake breakfast.
- On September 18th any candidate for public office will be able to present their program to the club. The time will be divided into equal segments so each candidate/proposal will have equal time. Please let Bob Straits know if you know a candidate who wants to appear in front of our group.
- We received a very nice thank you note from Jackson Beck-Calvert, the student we sent to the World Affairs Seminar. Jackson will do a short presentation on his experience in a couple of weeks.
50/50
Steve Larsen had the lucky ticket but that was as close to the money as he could get. Meanwhile, Bob Stickland walked away with the $2 prize!
Fines:
- Glenn Pietenpol and his lovely wife Mary celebrated their 51st anniversary this week.
- Not to be outdone, Jerry Gruber celebrated a birthday associated with the number 80 this week.
- Also celebrating a birthday was the spry Bob Stickland.
- Dene Hadden’s granddaughter Allison turned 15 today.
- Much to the amazement of our District Governor, who actually led the song, we performed, if that is the word that can be used, a fantastic Ludington style birthday song. Someday someone from the Ludington Rotary Club is going to visit us when we sing this version and we are going to have a lot of explaining to do.
Mark Odlan introduced our District Governor for his presentation.
Jim began by asking the question, “Why are we Rotarians?” He answered that by talking about all of the great things that Rotary does to make the world a better place.
He talked about the huge number of displaced and wounded people, many children, affected by war in many part of the world.
He urged us to jump aboard the Rotary Youth Exchange program and volunteer to serve on this committee.
Of course he mentioned Rotary’s efforts to end polio but also talked about other health programs, from education to immunization to children’s health care programs to reproductive health programs. Also efforts to provide clean water and other hygiene programs were mentioned
Of course he mentioned our own Marty Graber and his efforts in Kenya.
We also provide literacy and basic education and even vocational training to people all over the world. He was also proud of the help we provide new businesses, including the establishment of “micro-banks” to help new businesses get started.
Jim’s biggest concern is that Rotary will not be able to sustain this level of service if our membership continues to slip, has it has for several years in North America and in our district. He said that the district is exploring new ideas to attract new members and will help us prepare ads to help our club attract new members.
He urged us to look at Interact and Rotaract clubs in our community.
Jim closed with a preview of the 2019 District Conference to be held on Mackinaw Island on May 16-19. They have secured special room rates for the conference and urge all members to think about attending for a good, and inspiring, time.
President Odland thanked Jim for his presentation and visit and presented him with a gift of healthy blueberry treats.
We closed our meeting with the Four Way Test.
Next week’s program: Art Bolt will present Deputy Danny Thomason talking about Internet Safety.
Next week’s Greeters: Stu Comiskey and Kathleen Brickley
Editarian: Dene Hadden