Rotary Informer

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey via the world wide web. Liz Ahrens, President officiated the meeting. If you did not get the chance to attend, you can watch it from this:  Recording

Pledge/Anthem:  Howard Richards led us in My Country Tis of Thee

4-Way Test:  Karen Ragland

Invocation:  Tim Dykstra

Just a couple things to keep in mind as we strive to live up to the Rotary motto: “Service Above Self”:

“Learn from the mistakes of others.  You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

“Live in such a way that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”

Will Rogers                              

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Bob Metzger

Calendar Winners August 5, 2020

Visiting Rotarians:  Patricia Wimmer, Rochester, MN

Guests:  Gail Kloss, Speaker; Angela Lasher, PM

Life Events:  None

Rotary Care List:  None

Birthdays: 

Stafford Smith

Anniversaries:

Gary Baxter - 12 Years

Vic George - 12 Years

Herb Carlson - 61 Years

PERSONAL UPDATES

Dave Thomas is celebrating 52 years of marriage.

Ron Snyder is celebrating 60 years of marriage.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

No more in-person meetings for now:  We will be transitioning back to ZOOM ONLY for August meetings. While we have had 8-10 people attend in-person at the Perry, unfortunately that is not a large enough crowd to justify the staffing and expense. Thank you all for your flexibility and patience as we figure out the best way to convene our club during this challenging time. The Zoom link for our meetings is the same every week.

Upcoming social on Friday, August 21 -- Join fellow Rotarians on Friday, August 21 at 12:00 PM for a socially-distanced outdoor gathering at the Pennsylvania Park gazebo. During this time, Crooked Tree Arts Center is hosting a free concert there. Let's come together to enjoy local music and each other's company. 

Nikki Devitt has offered to set up some chairs, and Dave Thomas has offered to buy pizza or Jimmy John's for lunch!!! If you want to take advantage of either, please CLICK HERE TO RSVP so we have an accurate headcount. Otherwise, please bring your own lawn chair and lunch, and look for our group!!

Centennial Planning -- As you know, next year is our club's 100th anniversary.  Liz Ahrens noted that we as a club need to move forward in selecting our big Centennial service project sometime soon. Before COVID-19 hit, our club was exploring three options: (1) Renovations/upgrades at NCMC, (2) Renovations/upgrades at the Winter Sports Park or (3) Creation of a Dog Park. We need to move forward with presentations on those options, and come to a final decision. So in late August through early September, committees that investigated each option will present their information to the club and then we will do an official vote. 

PROGRAM

Today we were joined by Gail Kloss, the executive director of Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM).

WRCNM started in 1977 by a group of women who felt our region needed supportive services for victims of domestic violence. They pooled their $120 together to start WRCNM. As time passed, WRCNM's services have grown to include sexual assault services, childcare, education/employment services for women, and violence prevention/education targeted toward youth. They serve a five-county area.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, WRCNM's core services have been fully operational, just in a new way. For example, their counselors and therapists transitioned to telephone-based appointments. Women seeking shelter in the Safe Home first quarantine in a hotel for 14 days, prior to moving into the home. Calls to WRCNM's Help & Information Line are up about 25%.

Gail also commented on WRCNM's two Goldmine Resale Shops, which historically provide a significant revenue stream to WRCNM. The shops were required to close for several months, but have recently re-opened with limited hours and customer capacity. Gail noted that people have been very generous with their donations to the Goldmine, and sales this June were higher than sales last June.

Next Week's Program:  Jennifer Wixson -  Childcare in our Community

Parting Shots:  Howard Richards treated us to Harry Nilsson’s; “Coconut.” I can no longer provide links to songs because of copy write concerns. You can always look these up on YouTube.