Rotary News

Rotary News

E-mail edition

December 8, 2008                                                                          Judy Moore, Editarian

Jerry Albertson led us in the Stars Spangled Banner to open the meeting-sans piano. Brian Zocher read a poem for the invocation that reminded us of Pearl Harbor and the acknowledgement of the anniversary yesterday.  Dan Gustin gave us the Arts News, after Richard Piet brought us up to date on the news of the day.

Visiting Rotarian, Cindy Carter of Parchment was introduced.  And the following guests were presented: Don Nitz by Joe Brogger; Steve Springsdorf, by Jim Kneen; Judy Huth, by Kathleen Tosco; Frank Barrett, by Rev. Milton Wells, and Pam Kingery introduced a contingent from Brazil currently being hosted by Colleagues, International.

NEW MEMBERS

Joe Brogger presented new member, Don Nitz, who grew up in Warren. He attended WMU, and in his senior year left to join the Peace Corp. He was in Venezuela for 27 months, including time as an athletics coach to delinquent boys. He says it was a "life changing" experience, so he returned to Kalamazoo, finished his degree, joined the juvenile court system for 35 years. For 21 of those years, Don was the director of the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home. He retired twice, and has now joined Lakeside, as CEO. Welcome, Don!

Jim Kneen introduced Steve Springsdorf, CEO of the Kalamazoo Family YMCA. Steve was a Rotarian in Saginaw for 14 years, including a term as President. He was born in Muskegon, graduated from MSU, and spent 22 years in Saginaw after that, including 14 yrs. as CEO of the Saginaw YMCA.  He also spent some time in Northern MI after that running camps for youth. He has been in Kalamazoo almost a year, along with his wife, Judy.  Welcome, Steve!

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

PP Judy Moore again presented the recommendations of the Nominating Committee, PP Rick Briscoe moved that nominations be closed and the slate be accepted by unanimous vote. Motion was supported and passed. The officers for 2009-10: President, Deb Chope Hughes; President Elect, Jim McIntyre; Secretary, Gif Blalock; Treasurer, Bob Kent.  For 2 year terms on the board: John Dillworth, Dan Hartlieb, and Steve Kreider.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Board will meet Wednesday at noon, at the Park Club. Bell Ringers are still needed to fill a few spots on the schedule-contact Jim Holtgreive. (This is the first year we've ever had gaps in the schedule with no coverage!)

PROGRAM

We were treated to some very special Christmas music from the Crescendo Academy of Music, from both instructors and a very talented young student. Crescendo is a nonprofit organization striving to make music accessible to all through need-based scholarships. They offer lessons in a wide variety of musical instruments and voice to all ages.