SPOKES VOL. LXX NO.31
March 22, 2022
March 22, 2022
Past-President, Larry Wittkop, welcomed everyone, and we opened with the “Pledge of Allegiance”, followed by Jeffrey Dick’s invocation, which offered continuing prayers for Rotarian Mike Livovich, prayers for Rotarian Sandra Reno’s husband, as well as grace, strength, peace, and healing, for the world at-large.
GUESTS: Today’s speaker, Adam Castle, Executive Director-American Red Cross of SW Michigan and prospective Rotarian Tom Peele
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
+ It’s not a new idea; in fact, it’s one we’ve wrestled with on several occasions- What more could we be doing as a club? President Roberts indicated that our Board would, initially, be focusing on our club meetings, and rededicating that focus in a number of ways:
1. Presenting proper club programs
Providing a safe venue to meet
Intending to attract the kind of people who will participate and work diligently towards our club goals.
Avoiding divisive issues
Following Rotary Constitution guidelines
Highlighting community service/service above self
Highlighting community service/service above self
2. Using our 4-Way Test as a suitable template
+ Paul Hix’s appeal for Ukraine- Let’s make a difference! The idea, first seen in a March 17 th email from our 6360
Rotary District, is to create the “Michigan Million for Ukraine Kids”, to be sponsored by Michigan Rotarians.
Rotary District, is to create the “Michigan Million for Ukraine Kids”, to be sponsored by Michigan Rotarians.
His thought is for us, the South Haven Rotarians, to be the contributors of the first $100,000. Due to the horrific
circumstances that have enveloped the people of Ukraine, at the hands of Vladimir Putin, let’s make a statement!
Members who choose to support the event may donate to Rotary, which will be collecting funds and providing them to the people of Ukraine, in the following ways:
* Cash
* Appreciated equities
* Funds from their donor funds
* A portion of their RMDs which they are required to take but will
not need for living expenses in 2022
* Funds from charitable remainder trusts
circumstances that have enveloped the people of Ukraine, at the hands of Vladimir Putin, let’s make a statement!
Members who choose to support the event may donate to Rotary, which will be collecting funds and providing them to the people of Ukraine, in the following ways:
* Cash
* Appreciated equities
* Funds from their donor funds
* A portion of their RMDs which they are required to take but will
not need for living expenses in 2022
* Funds from charitable remainder trusts
Standby for a future explanation as to how you can contribute.
It may sound “crazy”, perhaps, but the people of Ukraine certainly need all the support the world can “muster”.
LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
+ Next week’s meeting will be held off-site at the new South Haven Library. Jean Stein is the Program Chair, and she indicated that we’ll need to meet at the library for a tour of the new facilities. No food or drink will be served, but you may bring your own cup of coffee, if you choose. The new entrance to the library is on the west side of the building. Park in the city (Pavilion) lot.
+ The Educational Fundraiser will be held on April 30 th at The Beeches Golf Course.
+ The date of the Arbor Day Tree Planting will soon be announced.
+ Our Rotary Transition Dinner will be held on Thursday, June 30th , at Hawks Head Golf Course/Restaurant. See Dan Thompson if you’d like to help set up the golf event.
+ We have been asked to participate in the July 4th Parade. Our part would involve manning the street intersections around the parade route, while Kiwanis would be helping at the staging area. Becky Burkert will be scheduling a meeting in April. We’ll need a lead person for that event.
+ We’re making plans for Pancake Breakfasts for Sunday, July 3 rd , and Sunday, August 14, 2022. There will be special volunteer opportunities to inventory and clean our pancake breakfast equipment before the July event.
+ We’re seeking recommendations for the Education and Service Awards, Citizen of the Year, Club Hero, and Rotarian of the Year. Links to nomination forms are available on the front page of our website. These awards will be presented at the transition dinner/event to be held on June 30th.
+ Many thanks to Bob and Gail Brickman for the new member pages for our South Haven Rotary Directory!!
+ The next Blessings in a Backpack will be held on April 13th and April 21st . Note that the 13th is a Wednesday; not the traditional Thursday.
50/50
I didn’t “catch” who our “honest and reliable” person was this morning, but Jerry Gruber was the winner! Jerry then drew the Queen, not the best choice for a winning pot, but Rhonda picked up the $2 prize.
I didn’t “catch” who our “honest and reliable” person was this morning, but Jerry Gruber was the winner! Jerry then drew the Queen, not the best choice for a winning pot, but Rhonda picked up the $2 prize.
HAPPY BUCKS
+ Tom Renner’s grandson, Andrew, has a birthday today.
+ Tom Renner’s grandson, Andrew, has a birthday today.
+ Pete Swanson announced that bids are being taken this afternoon for a newly proposed dog park.
+ Jean Stein’s daughter has a birthday today.
+ Tom Ruesink will be celebrating a birthday this week.
+ Bill Roberts has a birthday on Friday, and he and Jan will be celebrating an anniversary on Thursday.
+ Rosalie Plechaty indicated that her granddaughter learned a good lesson in grace this past week, as she “held up well” after losing a karate competition.
+ Art Ayers was happy to see more pictures received and posted from our Ngoswani Rainwater Harvesting Project.
+ Deb Davidson celebrated the two BIG 14 teams left in the NCAA Tournament- Purdue and Michigan.
+ Jeffrey Dick announced that the First Congregational Church hosted a group of 70 runners from the University of Michigan, as they made their annual stop to get a few hours of sleep and to “refuel”, before heading back to Ann Arbor. They run from Ann Arbor to South Haven, and this year they raised $25,000 for the Special Olympics!!
+ Ross Woodhams celebrated the efforts of the South Haven High School Science Olympiad Team, as they received numerous awards!
+ Tom Renner witnessed the Hope College Women’s Basketball Team’s Division III National Championship victory in Pittsburgh this past week! Over the past few seasons, they have won 72 of 73 games and, since 1990, they have won three national championships! Tom also mentioned that all 6 seniors on the team are going on to graduate school, and that the team GPA is 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale).
+ Larry Wittkop provided a salute to the Purdue Boilermakers, when he said he thinks they will be going “all the way” in the NCAA Tournament. He then added, “Sure beats the alternative”!
PROGRAM: Adam Castle, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of SW Michigan
Program Chair- Dan Liehr
Dan introduced Adam: Adam Castle has been part of the American Red Cross since 2012, as both employee and volunteer. He has served in the current role of Executive Director since April 2021. Adam has spent his professional career working in the non-profit sector with such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Open
Doors Kalamazoo, Teach for America, HandsOn Network, and Gryphon Place 2-1-1.
Program Chair- Dan Liehr
Dan introduced Adam: Adam Castle has been part of the American Red Cross since 2012, as both employee and volunteer. He has served in the current role of Executive Director since April 2021. Adam has spent his professional career working in the non-profit sector with such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Open
Doors Kalamazoo, Teach for America, HandsOn Network, and Gryphon Place 2-1-1.
He received an undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Hope College, and a post-graduate degree from the University of Edinburgh in International and European Politics.
Adam has been a member of the Battle Creek Rotary since July 2021 and is currently a member of Leadership Kalamazoo 2022.
In his personal life, Adam enjoys spending time gardening, playing music with friends, foraging, watching baseball, and hiking with his 2 cats, Archie and Huck.
Adam explained the work of the Red Cross on a local, national and international level.
Past-President Wittkop thanked Adam for his very informative presentation and, in appreciation, will be sending him a gift certificate from Fleming Bros. Oil, on behalf of our club.
NEXT WEEK’S MEETING: March 29th
Meet at the new South Haven Library…We’ll need to enter from the west side of the building which is the new entrance.
Meet at the new South Haven Library…We’ll need to enter from the west side of the building which is the new entrance.
We concluded with the 4-Way Test.
Respectfully submitted,
Art Ayers, Past Seasonal Editarian
Art Ayers, Past Seasonal Editarian