Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER 

May 18, 2016

 
 

4 Way Test:  Thank you Doug Caldwell

Invocation:  Thank you Tim Dykstra for sharing the following poem by Shawn Bird, a fellow Rotarian:

Snows are melting; spring is come

This Rotary year is almost done.

As we reflect on projects from the year

Upon our activities both far and near,

We’re thankful for successes enjoyed

We’re thankful for resources employed

In the service of others, in service of peace,

For in serving others our joys increase.

Let’s be thankful at this meeting for food and friends,

For hearts to serve and helpful hands

Life Events/RequestsThere were no announcements

Calendar Winners:  Past President Doug Caldwell (2013-2014) performed the honors today. Doug thanked the Club for their commitment. He also thanked the following Rotarians: Mike Snyder (Spaghetti Dinner), Bill Collins (Membership), Terry Newton, (Driver of many things but also the one who convinced Doug to run for the office), Howard Richards and Steve Cross (dedication to the music), Neil Bidwell (Benediction Program), Chris Etienne, Jane Millar and Dianne Litzenburger ( The life they give to Rotary), Jim Beno, Reg Smith, Stafford Smith and Bill Fedus for (Billy Duff), Reg Smith (The beautiful “negotiated Meals”, and last but not least, Doug wanted to thank his Board Members who assisted him in achieving a Signature Event, Branding, Presidential Succession Plan, Rotary Foundation Minute, and more diversity in our membership. Calendar Winners List; Click Here    

Visiting RotariansWelcome back Moose Dunne, Clearwater, Florida

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Back to Bayview:  June 1, 2016 we will be returning to our summer home

Top of Michigan Trails:  The 10K walk or Run will start at the Trails Council Office and will end up in Harbor Springs.  The Club will be sponsoring an Aid Station for the Memorial Week-end Marathon Event.  The event is on May 28th from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We need folks to sign up for the aid station

We still need three more runners! See Angie Cranney to sign up. Time and place assignments will be e-mailed on May 24th

Spring Fling Party/Billy Duff CabinThe date is June 2, 2016. Dearborn Ham and beverages will be provided. Sign-up sheets are going around or contact Jim Beno to be added to the list. Please bring a dish to pass. This can be appetizers, vegetables, salads or desserts. Bikers will be meeting at the Beno Clinic, 2:00 p.m.

Beach Bums:  Save the Date of June 11, 2016 to attend a ball game in Traverse City. Cost will be $8.00 but we need 25 people to go

Annual Financial ReportTreasurer Jim Wibby shared the following transaction for July 1, 2015 through May 9, 2016:

Community ServiceCharitable:

1) BSA Troop 4 – Eagle Scout candidate project - $250.00,

2) Greenwood Cemetery – Wreaths across America $150.00,

3) Salvation Army – Kettle Fund $250.00,

4) Project Connect 2016 – $500.00,

5) Bowlapalooza – $200.00,

6) Camp Quality – $100.00,

7) Petoskey All Night Senior Party – $100.00,

8) Top of Michigan Trails Marathon – Registration $300.00

Vocational – Charitable:

1) Jennifer Greer – Teacher of the Year $300.00,

2) Petoskey Public Schools – Teacher of the year Award $300.00,

3) Teacher of the Year – Plaque $95.00,

4) Petoskey – Robotics Club $3,000.00,

International – Charitable:

1) Pure Water Project – Haiti $3,000.00,

2) Nepal Vocational skill training for Masons and Carpenters - Earthquake relief $4,612.00

New Generations – Charitable – Scholarships:

1) Two Nursing Scholarships – $3,000.00,

2) Two Harbor Springs High School – Scholarships $2,000.00,

3) Two Petoskey High School  – Scholarships $2,000.00, 

4) One Alanson High School – Scholarship $1,000.00

New Generations – Charitable – Service above Self: Five Awards of $150.00 were presented to students attending Petoskey, Pellston, Concord, Harbor Light and Alanson

New Generations – Charitable – Life Leadership: District 6290 Life leadership Conference for three students $1,100.00

Please contact Jim Wibby if you have any questions

President’s Report: President Dave gave a brief update of what transpired at the 5/10/16 Board Meeting.  In short:

  • Chris Etienne has agreed to pull together a Rotary Foundation Club Education Plan. The purpose is to raise awareness

  • There were no membership changes to report

  • Retail Calendar income $15,785 and Spaghetti Dinner income was $7,610.00

  • The Board reviewed charitable fund balances to insure all funds are appropriately allocated by year end

  • On 5/11/16 a 2016-17 Visioning Exercise took place. Kent Cartwright will have a finalized plan by November

  • Fire Truck political support encouraged. Financial support for getting out the message is being considered. Steve Cross is working on the numbers 

Program:

Teacher of the Year

John Hurd was the master of ceremonies for the Rotary Teacher of the Year Presentation. Each year we recognize a teacher for having a lifelong positive effect on students. This is the 24th year our Club has recognized an outstanding Petoskey teacher. “We ask a lot of our teachers, and as a society, we tend not to give them the recognition they deserve, particularly in these times, with so much focus on standards, rankings, teacher evaluations, testing, taxes, etc., etc.”

John thanked the members of the Teacher of the Year committee for their efforts. Members include Bob Metzger, Steve Brummeler and Bill and Roger Winslow. John also did a shout-out to the leadership that enables excellent schools with great teachers. Dr. John Scholten and Kent Cartwright were recognized and were asked to convey Club appreciation to the Board and staff.

Rick Wiles, a former recipient and Cal Prins, the principal of Central School said a few words before the introduction of the 2016 recipient, Jennifer Greer. Jenny was born in Caro, MI. Dad was a teacher and Mom was a “professional volunteer.” She graduated from CMU, received her teaching certificate from SVSU, and also earned a Master’s in Education. She was introduced to the area when she worked as a summer counselor at Camp Daggett. Her first teaching job was in Cedarville, and after a year, her dream job came open in Petoskey. She nervously applied for it and the school decision makers wisely hired her. Jenny has now taught 1st Grade at Central Elementary for 17 years.

When asked where her passion comes from, Jenny talked about wanting to make a difference, and couldn’t imagine doing anything else as meaningful. She also talked about what a great feeling it is when a student “gets it.”

She’s very active professionally. The Red Cedar Writing Project and the Foundation for Teaching and Learning are just a couple of examples. Jenny is also very involved in the community. She describes herself as a “chronic volunteer” and is involved with Girls on the Run, Central School Carnival and Band Boosters.

Jenny was joined today by her husband Mike, children and two grandchildren.

Congratulations to an exceptional teacher and a great contributor to our community

Next Week’s Program:  Chris Etienne and her International Rotary trip