Rotary Informer

4 Way Test:  Thank you Ron Snyder

PLEDGE/Anthem:  Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation:  Neil Bidwell reminded all Rotarians of their civic duty to get out and vote. There is one Rotarian running for office, Jim Linderman and Dibby Smith’s spouse, Scott Smith is running for commissioner. Please consider giving them your support

Calendar Winners:  Winners can be found:  Link   

Song:  Angie Cranny led the team in “Smile”

Visiting Rotarians:  Walt Byers, Saline, MI; John Van Etten, Terre Haute, IN

Paul Harris Induction:  Chris Etienne performed the honors of inducting John and Peg Emley with a Paul Harris Fellow award and thanking them for their financial contribution to Rotary Foundation. John Emley was very gracious in his acceptance of the award and shared how much he has enjoyed being a member of the club for the last two years

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

November is Rotary Foundation Month:  Chris Etienne showed an informative video celebrating the 100^th Anniversary (2017) of the Rotary Foundation. During this time $3 Billion has been collected for humanitarian efforts around the world

Happy Birthday Petoskey Rotary Club:  November 4^th is the Club’s 95^th Birthday!

Bylaws Revision:  There will be a proposed bylaws revision to the Parks Fund. This will be voted on at the next Club Assembly

Wreaths across America:  Robert Waldvogel asked again that Rotarians consider buying a wreath for a Veteran’s grave at Greenwood Cemetery. Wreaths are $15.00. If you buy 2, a third wreath with be donated. The Ceremony is December 17^th and we would like a strong Rotarian presence. The ceremony begins at 11:50 sharp. We will meet for breakfast at Fillmore’s at 9:30. More details to follow but please Save the Date

Meijer/MANNA Project:  Please consider donating $10.00 to Meijer for the MANNA Food Pantry. Meijer will match all donations. If you shop on November 11^th and 12^th there will be a double match on your donation. Meijer donated $80,000 to the food pantry during the summer program

Nomination Committee Report:  Roger Winslow gave a report from the nomination committee. Voting will be at the next club assembly in December. The slate of nominees is as follows: Board Members first followed by the President Nominee:

1. Director of International Service - Reg Smith (replacing Paul Schemanski)

2. Director of Community Service - Jeff Wynder (replacing Angie Cranney)

3. Director of Youth Service - Ashley Whitney (replacing Steve Cross)

4. Member At-Large - Verne Osterlund (replacing Roger Winslow)

5. President Nominee Designate - Liz Aherns

Pedaling for Polio:  This effort will continue as there are still dollars on the table. The Gates Foundation is matching x 2 of monies collected. Currently $3,000 has been collected by our bikers which equated to $9,000 with the match. Please continue to submit your donations to those who ride

Calendar Sales:  Bob Maldegen announced that the club has 115 orphan calendars. Anyone interested in selling a few more so that we can meet our goal of 1,600 calendars sold, please see Bob or any other committee member. Calendars must be sold by January 11, 2017. If you have any questions regarding the sales, please contact any one of the following Committee members: Rob Rogier, Jeff Bodette or Melissa Thompson

PROGRAM

The speaker today was Kathleen Bagley of SBDC Michigan. The Michigan Small Business Development Center helps small businesses launch, grow, transition and innovate. They provide counseling, training and research for new ventures, existing small businesses and advance technology companies. Their mission statement is, “Wherever you are in your business journey, we’re here to help!” MI-SBDC services are as follows: Business Plan development, Market Research, Accessing Capital, Business Workshops, Technology Commercialization, Financial Management, Export Strategy and Strategic Planning. For more information visit online:  Link

Next Week’s Program:  Chris Etienne will be speaking about the Rotary Foundation