Rotary Informer

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey via Zoom on the world wide web and in-person from here on out if God willing and the creek don’t rise. President Ashley Whitney  officiated the meeting. If you did not get the chance to attend, you can watch it from this:  Recording

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.

We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.

Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.

We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.

In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.

Pledge/Anthem:  Howard Richards led us in America the Beautiful

4-Way Test:  Terry Newton

Invocation:  Teri Donaldson

In keeping with our motto of Service Above Self, I offer this from Henry Drummond:

You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others.

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Bill Collins

Calendar Winners May 18, 2022

Visiting Rotarians:  Tom Morrow, Cleveland, OH

Guests:  Ashley Antonishen, Austin Willson, Mike & Paula Brown, Nancy Zuker, Kathy Angell, Vicki Ulrich, Carrie Klingelsmith, Rachel Roon, Elizabeth Looze, George Armstrong, Becca Nelson, Laura Daniel, Robert Harris, Linda Henry, Pete Kehoe, Izabela Babinska, Brent Bolin, Amy Evans, Megan DeWindt; Teacher of the Year - Cal Prins, Sara Jonker, Brynn Jonker, Jackson Jonker, Zach Jonker; Greg Bennett, Prospective Member, Tess Ware, Petoskey News Review

Life Events: 

I will miss the contact until we return to MI in June. I had shoulder surgery in March and am still in the acute recovery time. Donna and I are looking forward to getting back to Petoskey soon. I hope to be able to drive again soon. Thanks again for making it possible to stay in touch with the ”home” club. See you all in June. Ron Snyder

Birthdays: 

Christian Smith

Jean Frentz

Liz Eddington

Anniversaries:  

Sarah Ulrich – 4 Years

Greg Somers – 9 Years

Singing/Song:  We sang Happy Birthday and Smile

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Save the Date - Thirsty Thursday:  This month we're meeting for happy hour on Thursday, May 26 at 5:30 PM at the Backlot in downtown Petoskey. Special thanks to Doug Buck for organizing!

Save the Date - Exchange of Officers Dinner:  On Thursday, June 30 we will gather for dinner at the Perry to install our new Club President and board members. Details forthcoming! There will be NO regular Rotary meeting that week.

Phasing out Zoom:  Just a reminder that Zoom will be available for Rotary meetings through Wednesday, May 25. 

Winter Sports Park fundraising:  Joe Blachy is leading an effort to raise an additional $500,000 for the Winter Sports Park, for upgrades that complement the pavilion roof that will be installed. Anyone interested in this effort is welcome to attend a fundraising committee meeting Wednesday, May 18 at 6:00 PM at the Winter Sports Park. Please contact Joe Blachy or Kendall Klingelsmith if you have any questions. 

Seeking donations for July 4th fireworks and Parade:  We're again partnering with Sunrise Rotary to help with fireworks and the parade on Independence Day. Volunteers are currently looking for donations and sponsorships for the fireworks. Please contact Karen Ragland if interested. Also, you can check out the following: link

Jump for Polio:  Grand Haven, Michigan June 25, 2022 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. All District 6290 Rotarians plus family and friends are welcome to come to Grand Haven on June 25 to skydive to raise money to fight polio worldwide.

Our very own Betsy Newton has volunteered to jump as skydiving has been on Betsy's 'bucket list' for a long time. Please support her with a donation! If you also wish to join her in jumping, as we can have two jumpers per club in District 6290, please see our club president. We are seeking to procure donations of at least $1,000 per jumper.

PROGRAM  

Today was a wonderful program with lots to celebrate. 

We began with our annual Teacher of the Year presentation. This is our 30th year of offering this award!

Rotary's 2022 Teacher of the Year is Sara Jonker, who has been a kindergarten teacher at Central Elementary for the last 11 years. Sara says she loves the spirit and wonder of 5 year old kids. They see joy and beauty in everything, even dandelions! Rotary gave Sara a $1,000 award for herself and a $1,000 award to school. 

Next, we presented our annual Petoskey Rotary Club Charities Inc. (PRCCI) grants.

This year PRCCI received 22 applications (the most we've ever received!) seeking about $88,000, but we only had about $22,000 to grant. Tough decisions were made! With, PRCCI is pleased to award the following grants:

Alanson Booster Club/Alanson Public Schools - $1,500 to support spring athletic programs

Big Water Creative Arts - $2,000 for Rock Jam program in Alanson Public Schools

Brave Heart Estates - $2,000 for estate prepping for disabled veteran hunting

Christ Child Society - $2,800 for foster care backpack project and for birthday cards for foster children

Harbor Springs Garden Club - $2,000 to repair artesian well

Manna Food Project - $2,000 to purchase fresh produce and protein

North Emmet Little League - $2,000 to purchase little league equipment

Pellston Education Foundation - $2,500 to help revive musical program

Petoskey High School - $2,500 for personal finance curriculum

Salvation Army - $2,500 for Pathway of Hope program

$21,800 total

Lastly, we presented our annual Petoskey Rotary Park Fund grants. This year we received 11 applications seeking roughly $180,000. We had about $90,000 to grant. Like PRCCI above, tough decisions had to be made! Ultimately the Rotary Park Fund was able to award 9 grants to the following recipients:

Challenge Mountain - $10,000 for resale store improvements

City of Harbor Springs - $10,000 for Skate Park upgrades

Crooked Tree Arts Center - $10,000 for Bidwell Plaza improvements

NW Michigan Habitat for Humanity - $20,000 for building affordable homes in Alanson

McLaren Northern Michigan - $10,000 for construction of a behavioral health center

NCMC Foundation - $10,000 to help launch an athletics program

North Emmet Little League - $7,500 to purchase a scoreboard

Northern Michigan Equine Therapy - $5,000 to purchase a generator

Top of Michigan Trails Council - $5,898 to construct the Founders' Terrace

Congratulations to all grant recipients and THANK YOU for everything you do to improve the quality of life in our community!

Next Week’s Program:  Dr Moss & Kimberly Campo – How to get your true voice in the room

Two-Week Notification:  This is the second of a two-week notification for Bart English who was voted into the Rotary Club of Petoskey at our last board meeting.