Rotary News

A celebration of Rotary

Reminder:  Next week's meeting is at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Jennifer Lang led the national anthem, followed by an invocation led by Jef Ross and Arts News by Tim Kilmartin. 

Visiting Rotarians were PDG Bill Dimond from Kalamazoo Sunrise, Jerry Kohel from Gull Lake Area,  PAG Betty Lee Ongley and Chip Schelb from Portage and Cindy Carter from Parchment.

Rotarians and guests were Wayne Kruger and Jim Cupper; D. Terry Williams and Peter Livingston McNels, DGE Kathleen Tosco and Sid Ellis, Mark Totten and Ryan Opria, Jim Bridenstine and Vicki Wright, Jennifer Lang and Jackie Wylie, Mike and Marie Stoline, Yulia Willoughby, Katsia Williams and visitors from Russia.

Two new members

Jim Cupper, senior brand strategist for McCrosky Marketing Communications, was introduced by Wayne Kruger.  Jim and his wife, Christine, have two children and live in Richland.  Jim, a graduate of Western Michigan University, volunteers with Boy Scouts and Housing Resources, Inc. 

Ryan Opria was introduced by Mark Totten.  Ryan, an attorney of the Law Office of Ryan M. Opria, is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Michigan Law School.  He and his wife, Elizabeth, have one child.  Ryan is active with the Kalamazoo County Bar Association and the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Four Paul Harris Fellows awarded

Honoring their work on the bio-sand filter water project for Haiti, Mike Williams presented Paul Harris awards to Rotarians Dori Kunkle and Susan Williams.  Mike also announced that there will be a trip to Haiti in late October to view the project as well as to experience the fascinating culture of Haiti.  All interested Rotarians and friends and welcome.

For his financial support signifying multiple Paul Harris contributions, PP Rick Briscoe was awarded pins with three and four stones by President Rex Bell.

Committee Reports 

Jean Forrest gave a report on the Red Rose Committee, which selects the annual recipient of the recognition for outstanding community service.  Sharon Carlson reported on the Club History and Anniversary Committee, which keeps track of and communicates important club milestones.

Program:  Rotary at work

PP Rick Briscoe shared the history of his Rotary involvement.  For several years he merely attended meetings. Then he was asked to help with the Youth Exchange program of Rotary and gradually become more committed. Past president of this club, he is currently serving as an assistant governor in the district.  There are times in your life when you have money, he said, and times when you can give mostly time.  Rotary recognizes this.  He urged people to invite others to join Rotary and to become more involved themselves.  He asked Rotarians if they would really miss the $10 in their pocket they could contribute to Rotary and if they could mark their birthdays and anniversaries with gifts to Rotary charities as was once the tradition in the club.  Rick gave such a contribution at the meeting in honor of his upcoming 60^th birthday and 40^th wedding anniversary.

Dan Hartlieb and Barb Walters reported on their March, 2009 trip to Casa Amparo, the girls shelter in Mexico, where the club supported a teacher position for a dozen years, then led a community-wide endowment campaign to support that position.  The pictures Dan and Barb showed were a stark contrast to the ones club members saw 15 years ago.  Then the Casa was a physically stark and unhealthy place with woefully inadequate kitchen equipment and bedding.  There was no education for the older girls, so no hope for their future.  With Rotary International matching grants gotten by local and Mexican Rotary clubs, there are now sewing machines, up-to-date kitchen equipment and computers.  With Michigan Rotarians who built beds and shelves, painted and did other work. Casa is a homey and safe place, a place of love and friendship where Rotarians find they are recipients of "service above self" from the girls.

KALAMAZOO ROTARY CLUB  -  MAKE UP LIST  -  JUNE 10, 2009

BOARD MEETING: Mary Jo Asmus, Rex Bell, Giff Blaylock, Lisa Godfrey, Dan Hartlieb, Mary Jo Hawk, Deb Hughes, Bob Kent, Steve Kreider, Andy Latham, Judy Moore, Thell Woods

E-CLUB ONE: Anne Drummond
GSE: Kathleen Tosco, Barb Walters, Greta Williams
GULL LAKE AREA, MI: Bob Britigan
PAW PAW, MI: Ann Fergemann, Kathleen Tosco, Greta Williams
PORTAGE, MI: Rebecca Pierce, Amy Remmert, Kathleen Tosco
ROTARACT: Dan Hartlieb

NEW MEMBER PROPOSALS: SIDNEY ELLIS of Black Arts and Cultural Center has been proposed for membership by KATHLEEN TOSCO AND JUDY MOORE with a classification of Fine Arts.  Any comments or objections must be received by the Administrative Secretary within 10 days.