Rotary News

Kalamazoo Rotary - June 1, 2009

President Rex Bell called the meeting to order, John Clark delivered the invocation followed by a moment's silence in memory of Jerry Mason's daughter.  Richard Piet of WKZO shared the news of the day including the momentous GM bankruptcy filing, requirement of enhanced driver's license or passport to reenter from Canada and Mexico and free Air Zoo admission all summer to celebrate their anniversary.  Art News was succinctly announced by Tim Kilmartin - it's Super Saturday Weekend!  Short but sweet - no excuse not to be downtown this weekend!

Visiting Rotarians:  Don Flesche introduced Dorothy Endres and Dawn VanderPloeg (Portage); John Andrews introduced Cindy Carter (Parchment) and Jerry Kohel (Gull Lake).

Guests:  Rotarians introduced guests:  Wayne Kruger - Jim Cupper; Pam Kingery - Patricia Carlin; Gif Blaylock - Anne & Ellen Reed; Dan Busby - Ron Saline and Buzz Wheeler; Mark Totten - Ryan Opria.

Music:  Jerry Albertson and John Dillworth led us in patriotic salute via "The U.S. Navy Song" and "America the Beautiful".

Announcements:  Pres Rex recognized Keith Mumma for attaining Paul Harris Fellowship honors.  He commended Keith for both his monetary and personal involvement contributions.  He also encouraged other members to follow this path.  Congratulations Keith. 

Ed Sackley spoke of the Rotary Foundation committee efforts including Polio Plus, Rotary Scholarships, and Group Study Exchange among many other projects.  He also encouraged participation in direct recurring contributions to the foundation.  He wrapped up with a strong encouragement for the donation average to be raised from the $36/member to closer to the $100/member goal.  Let's get it back up. 

Steve Kreider presented Dan Busby with a Contribution Committee check for the Boy Scouts Truck and invited attendees to view the truck in front of the Radisson and even to "Touch the Truck". 

Jean Forrest announced June 22 as Red Rose Award Presentation and this year's recipient is Patti Huiskamp.  Pres Rex encouraged payment of dues and reminded the meeting June 15 is at the KIA.  He also reminded Rotarians on Ed Gordon's behalf of the Barn Theatre Event Wednesday, June 24 - payment is due June 15.  Also put on calendars the Handover Dinner June 29 @ 5:30 p.m.  Register online at http://www.dacdb.com/Rotary%20by%20June%2022.  

No noon meeting June 29 and attendance at the evening event counts for 2 meetings.

Program:  Bob Miller introduced the speaker, John Seita of MSU, who spoke on the "Transition from Foster Care to College" from an "Insider's View".  WMU has one of the few formal programs devoted to this typically forgotten group, those who exit the foster care program and have no place to go.  The program at WMU is named the Seita Scholarship Program.  The scholarship is for those foster care individuals who have aged out of the system and do meet WMU standards.  It provides tuition and room and board.  They have no traditional home - WMU is their home.  The university keeps the rooms available over breaks and holidays, as they have no other home.  So far 70 have applied and more than 50 of these forgotten have been admitted.  John spoke from his incredible experience in the foster care system.  He went in at 8 years old and exited at 18.  As he transitioned out there was no one there to take care of him.  He did attend WMU but there was no place to go during breaks, so he snuck into the dorms.  John has devoted great energy to helping these forgotten kids and is proud that WMU is one of the few programs for this forgotten population.  He credits Dr. Dunn for his full support and is proud that the scholarship bears his name.

As for what we can do, John recommends:  1.  $$'s    2.  Invite a participant over for the holidays    3.  Offer internships.

What a great story of service!  Proudly, WMU's program is the most comprehensive in the country.

KALAMAZOO ROTARY CLUB

MAKE UP LIST

JUNE 1, 2009

BATTLE CREEK, MI: Brad Kaufmann, Steve Kreider

BOARD ORIENTATION: Mary Jo Asmus, Rex Bell, Giff Blaylock, Rick Briscoe, Lisa Godfrey, Dan Hartlieb, Deb Chope Hughes, Brian Kaufman, Bob Kent, Steve Kreider, Andy Latham, Thell Woods

BOARD MEETING: Rex Bell, Giff Blaylock, Jean Forrest, Lisa Godfrey, Dan Hartlieb, Mary Jo Hawk, Deb Hughes, Brian Kaufman, Bob Kent, Steve Kreider, Andy Latham, Jim McIntyre, Judy Moore

BOARD MEETING-STRATEGIC PLANNING: Mary Jo Asmus, Rex Bell, Lisa Godfrey, Dan  Hartlieb, Mary Jo Hawk, Deb Hughes, Brian Kaufman, Julie Peterson, Thell Woods, Ken Young

CHICAGO FINANCIAL DISTRICT: Brian Arra

DISTRICT CONFERENCE: Rick Briscoe, Karl Sandelin, Kathleen Tosco (2), Barb Walters (2)

E-CLUB ONE: Bob Boughner, Tom Ihling, Brad Kaufmann, Juan Olivarez

FISHERMAN'S WHARF, CA: Tim Light (2)

GSE: Barb Walters

GULL LAKE AREA, MI: Dave Boutell, Jeannie Brandenberger

KALAMAZOO SUNRISE: Bob Boughner, John Dillworth, Jeff Murphy

LAKESHORE, MI: Kathleen Tosco

ONEONTA, NY: Kathleen Tosco

PARCHMENT, MI: Dave Boutell, Don Flesche, Nan Thompson, Jim Winkworth (4), Melike Winkworth (4)

PORTAGE, MI: Tim Lemanski (2), Juan Olivarez, Kendra Stetser Rowe, Peter TerLouw, Kathleen Tosco

VICKSBURG, MI: Dale Hein

??: Jeannie Brandenberger, Pete TerLouw, Kathleen Tosco

Submitted by Jeanne McGeorge