SPOKES -- November 22, 2022

 
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November 22, 2022
 
 
Meeting started promptly at 7 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance.
 
Tom Renner gave the invocation today.
 
We Welcome 6 Guests!
  • Anna Ridekter
  • Mike Mathany
  • LaRae Odland
  • Clark Gruber
  • Erika Morrison
  • Doug Dunn
 
 2 Zoomers!
  • Bob Brickman
  • Brandon Hinz
 
 
Bob Boerma Led us in Spirited Singing of:
 
America the Beautiful
When The Saints Go Marching In
Grand Ole Flag
All Hail to Rotary
 
Announcements
  1. Blessings in a Backpack volunteers needed this Thurs., Dec. 1st and next Thurs. Dec. 8th; 10:30am North Shore School.
  2. Please sign up for an hour shift for our Salvation Army Bell Ringing Service Project scheduled for Dec. 10th, see Griffin to sign-up.
  3. Our Holiday Party will be Dec. 14th at the new location for Phoenix St. Café, the old Vineyard Restaurant on Broadway.  Rhonda has invitations. 
  4. Dec. 20th will be our evening to serve the Christmas Open Door Dinner at the United Methodist Church.  Thank you, Jerry Gruber for leading this effort and to Amy Nichols for assisting.  Please sign up to help serve.
  5. Our December Club Assembly will be Dec. 6th where the election of the 23’-24’ board will take place.  Please plan to be there.
  6. Board decisions from last week’s meeting include:
    1. $500 funding for the Open-Door Christmas dinner
    2. Approval of the membership applications for LaRae Odland, Clark Gruber and Holly Boyd
    3. Approved a grant of $1,500 for a full scholarship for a band/orchestra student for their Orlando trip/performance
    4. Approved a $100 donation to Rotary International’s Rose Bowl Parade float.
    5. Approved a $725 donation to the Girl Scouts-Heart of MI to fund 5 South Haven girls memberships for the year.
    6. Only holding 1 7am meeting in the month of Dec. due to all of the other service and social events being held the rest of the month.
Comedy Relief
Bob Copping-Told us of the terminally ill woman whose Doctor recommended that she marry an economist an move to Iowa, so her life would seem. 😊
50/50 Raffle
Our Guest Anna Drew the raffle tickets today!
Dan Thompson won the pot!
Dene Hadden won the consolation prize!
Birthdays/Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to Clark Gruber who turned 60 today!
Kaileigh’s mom is celebrating her 78th Birthday!
Tom Renner- First Great Grandson Rice James Ford- Parents are Carolyn and Zack Ford -Grandson of Gerald Ford.
Happy Bucks
Go Blue!
Go Green!
Bob-Went to Deer Camp and got back safe, so did the deer!
Mark Odland- Very few Rotary Singing Clubs wants to video the singing.
Dan Thompson- Donated the money he won today back to cover the fine for his mothers article
Emily Gruber- Fun, party for Clark!
Anna- Happy that her daughter is taking a test today
Dene Hadden- Go Lions!!
Steve Larson- Happy to be home from the Bahamas, got the last flight out, they almost shut the airport down.
Bob Straits- Happy Thanksgiving!
Brian Kurtz- Chair of this weeks Program
Erika Morrison Executive Director of WE CARE
Dough Dunn-Circles Program
ERIKA MORRISON
  • We Care-Doesn’t Provide Solution, Provides the tools to help people
  • Rotary/We Care
  • Golf Outing Events Sponsor and Coord made $16,000.00 after expenses
  • Island Sit
  • Financial /Physical Sponsor
Since 2017 Rotary has donated or helped raise $115,000
  • 10,00 Needs met each year
  • 5900 volunteers
  • Holiday Programs
  • 75 Meal Baskets
  • Provide 1.5 million Dollars in Goods and Services on a $160,000 budget
Doug Dunn- Circles Coordinator for Van Buren County
  • Cirlces Goal is to help people below the poverty level rise above the poverty level
  • 71% Success rate
  • Participants- Circle Leaders- Members of the Community who want to rise above the poverty level by solving their own problems, 2 Allies (Mentors) to help the Circle Leaders be in charge of their own destiny by helping with their resources.
  • The Leaders and Allies meet weekly- attend classes, financial, life skills, daycare and a meal are provided at no charge for the Leaders and Mentors.
Asking for Recommendations for Circle Leaders and Mentors
  • Cliff effect trying to get people out of the poverty level,
  • Mentors have a 12-week training- all video, Class every week, can be a zoom call
Need 7 to 10 Applicants in Van Buren County
  • Poverty number in Van Buren is 14.7% of people live below the poverty level
  • 83% of kids in school qualify for the lunch program
  • WE CARE served 5,995 families last year
  • Family of 4 poverty level is $28,000
  • Alice population- people who make to much money for government help but struggle to make ends meet
Circles Program has funding through United Way and South Haven for 3 years
  • Circles Program focuses on Individuals and Families- Prove Need, not finances
  • More in need this year- Lily of the Valley Food Pantry in Covert was serving 25 per month now serving 50 per month.
  • Brochures and Circle Flyers were left on the back table
 
Mary Sue Lyon thanked Erika and Doug  for their presentation . Erika was presented with a $25.00 gas card provided by Fleming Brothers Oil and Convenience Mart.  The meeting was adjourned promptly at 8 a.m. with the Four Way Test. Please join us next week, November 29, 2022 promptly at 7 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church. Bill Roberts is the Chair for our next presentation by Nick Culp of Holtec International – regarding an update on Pallisades.
 
Respectfully submitted: Sandra S. Reno