Rotary Informer January 7, 2026

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Andrea Coronado officiated this week’s meeting. 

If you did not get the chance to attend, you can read about it in this newsletter.

Pledge/Anthem:  Howard Richards led us in God Bless America

4-Way Test:  Gary Baxter

Invocation:  Jean Frentz 

As we step into a new year, we’re given a fresh chapter and a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned. New beginnings aren’t about leaving the past behind, but about moving forward with intention. In Rotary, that means continuing to serve with purpose and compassion, knowing that even small actions, taken together, can make a meaningful difference. Here’s to a year of progress, connection, and positive impact.

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Ian Straley

Calendar Winners January 7, 2026

Visiting Rotarians:  Jim & Sue McLain, Petoskey Sunrise

Guests:  Ralph Ferber, Tom Hammond; Scott LaDeur, Speaker

Life Events:  

Birthdays: 

Mike Snyder

Anniversaries:  

Kassia Perpich – 9 Years

Nikki LaDeur – 9 Years 

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in Happy Birthday and Smile. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spaghetti Dinner:  It's that time of year again! The Spaghetti Dinner Committee will start meeting in January. If you'd like to help organize, contact Andrea Cornado, Drew Smith, or Karen Ragland.

Save the Date – Upcoming Rotary Events

Member Spotlight – None 

PROGRAM:  Scott LaDeur: Venezuela: What Next

Scott LaDeur, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science at North Central Michigan College, presented an overview of recent U.S. actions involving Venezuela and their broader global implications.

Dr. LaDeur discussed the January 3, 2026 U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, citing U.S. justifications including drug trafficking, political repression, disregard for democratic processes, and historical precedent such as the 1989 intervention in Panama. He explained that Venezuela’s vast oil reserves—among the largest in the world—are central to the conflict, with the U.S. attempting to restrict oil exports to weaken the current regime. However, Venezuela’s oil infrastructure has deteriorated significantly, making recovery costly and complex.

LaDeur introduced what he called the “Venezuelan Triangle,” noting that only two of the following three outcomes can realistically occur at once: U.S. influence over Venezuelan oil, political stability, or the return of democracy. Achieving all three, he argued, would require sacrificing one.

He concluded by placing Venezuela within a broader global context, warning that U.S. actions may trigger international pushback and power struggles, particularly as attention turns toward regions such as Greenland and Cuba. He noted that geopolitical responses—including statements from Greenland’s leadership regarding NATO—highlight the far-reaching consequences of these decisions.

Next Week’s Program:  Judy Booth and Eric Marvin - Great Lakes Sports Commission

Imagine how exciting it would be if the 2026-2027 District 6290 Global Scholar came from YOUR community! 

The District 6290 Global Scholars Committee seeks your help as we work to find another fantastic, positive, make-the-world-a-better-place change agent to financially support for up to four years of graduate study at a university outside the United States. District 6290 is proud of our Global Scholars program and the incredible, purpose-driven talent we have supported over the years. Please help us find our next Global Scholar! 

Information to Share with Your Club:

• District 6290 is actively recruiting students or professionals who will be going to graduate school in another country, studying something that dovetails with one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus: Promoting Peace; Fighting Disease; Providing Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; Improving Maternal and Child Health; Supporting Education; Growing Local Economies; and Protecting the Environment.
• District 6290 provides up to $30,000 per year for one Global Scholar.
• Support is renewable for up to 4 years of graduate school.
• While in graduate school, the District 6290 Global Scholar will design and execute a sustainable project meeting an identified need within the host Rotary community.
• Candidates cannot be Rotarians or related to active Rotary members.
• Check out our new logo, QR code, and webpage! Go to: https://ridistrict6290.org/sitepage/scholarships
• Application materials, program information, contact information, and past Global Scholar highlights are all available on the webpage.
• We’d be thrilled if you would include the following in a Club newsletter or group email:
  • “District 6290 is proud to sponsor one Global Scholar each year with up to a $30,000 scholarship for graduate study in one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus at a University outside the United States! Our past Global Scholars have been incredible, and we are so excited to see where the next one will come from – will it be your community? The Global Scholars Committee is happy to announce that our District is actively recruiting and hopes to identify some incredible candidates in the next few weeks. We have a bold ask for a bold purpose; we are asking every club member in District 6290 to visit the new District 6290 Global Scholars webpage (https://ridistrict6290.org/sitepage/scholarships) – or use the QR code below! – to learn about the program, eligibility, and timelines for recruiting and the application process. WHY? So our District can support excellence in academic leadership and in community service, and foster new, long-term relationships with Rotary that will yield heightened awareness of the important service given by Rotarians worldwide. After perusing the webpage, please feel free to reach out to the District 6290 Global Scholars Chair, Dr. Rachel Sytsma-Reed, if you have any questions (rachel@greatlakescfa.org). YOU are critical to our recruiting, so thank you in advance for your help in spreading the word about this very special scholarship opportunity!” 

Other Ideas to Help Spread the Word Across our District:

• Get that cute QR code (see below) out there as much as possible, as many ways as possible.
• Use the Power Point presentation accessible through the webpage (and attached here) to lead a 5-8 minute presentation to your club about the District 6290 Global Scholars Program.
• Talk about this incredible District-level program to at least three people outside Rotary – and challenge your Club members to do the same!
• Reach out to contacts your Club members have at colleges or universities in our District and share the webpage or QR code with them.
• After exploring the webpage, email or call the District 6290 Global Scholars Chair, Rachel Sytsma-Reed (contact below), if you have questions or would like to discuss anything about this program.

(this is the decidedly cute QR code to generously share!)

The District 6290 Global Scholars Committee thanks you for your help and can’t wait to see who YOUR COMMUNITY sends us to consider as the 2026-2027 Global Scholar from District 6290! 

Warmly and together in service, 

Dr. Rachel Sytsma-Reed

District 6290 Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Chair

Rotary Youth Exchange Officer, Rotary Club of Charlevoix

Board Member, Rotary Club of Charlevoix

616.460.9392 (mobile)

rachel@greatlakescfa.org