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President Davis called the meeting to order at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West which featured big jars of cookies on every table to cheer up a gray day. The invocation was presented by Bob Hoffman which was followed by the singing of My Country Tis of Thee.
Guests were introduced which brought up a few announcements too. Joe Wald let us know there is a food drive at Sunday’s MSU Basketball game. President Davis thanked Ed Castellani and Pat Hanes for all the work they did for the Club’s incorporation documents.
Maureen Hirten provided the Remembrance Report and reported that former Rotarian Edward Jones, Jr. passed away on January 17. Jack Bates reported that Ed McRee is facing some current medical challenges. Jack will have a card to sign at next week’s meeting for Rotarians to sign to wish Ed well. Ed is a Past President of Lansing Rotary and former head of Ingham Hospital.
Tobi Lyon Moore provided a reminder about the new member orientation at the Michigan Chamber office on Tuesday, February 21 from 3:30-5:00 pm. President Davis thanked Tobi for her outstanding leadership with the Orientation Committee which will be transitioning to John Grettenberger. Tobi encouraged Rotarians to bring potential members to upcoming meetings as we have only had 4 new members in the last quarter.
This month’s birthday chair Chris Holman shared his question for our January birthday members about what were their most embarrassing moments. The January birthday group has contributed over $1,225 and achieved 100% participation. An enthusiastic round of applause for 100% contributions and for Chris’ efforts. Happy Birthday!
There was no special music today. It’s not the same without John Dale Smith!
President Davis (Past Chair of the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing) introduced Carmen Turner (Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club) who introduced today’s speaker Joseph Yang, Director of Operations of the Boys & Girls Club. Carmen let us know Joseph has been with the Boys & Girls Club for 12 years as Director of Education, Director of Finance and now Director of Operations. With all his responsibilities, he still takes time to connect with the kids and make a difference for them.
Joseph gave a fascinating presentation about “Being Hmong in America”. He was joined on the podium by his wife and both were wearing traditional Hmong clothing. Joseph is a first generation American and has strong Lansing roots. In fact, he’s never been away from mid -Michigan for more than two weeks. He attended Everett, MSU and Cooley Law School. He is the youngest of 18 siblings!
The Hmong culture originates from the mountainous region of southern China. War caused the migration further south to what is now the northern part of Laos. There are app. one million Hmong people in China and about 260,000 living in the United States. California and Minnesota have the greatest populations of Hmong people due to their refugee programs. There are about 1,000 Hmong living in the Lansing region.
Joseph explained many aspects of the Hmong culture. It is an oral culture with no real written language. The main religions are Animism and Shaminism (worship of ancestors) and Christianity. Hmong culture tends to be conservative, male dominated and permits polygamy. There are two major dialects…white Hmong and Green Hmong. Be sure to ask Chris Holman the difference when you see him!
Joseph demonstrated the ultimate sign of respect that takes place in Hmong ceremonial situations. The practice resembles an “up-down” in American sports and can be exhausting at a big ceremony.
There is one primary holiday for the Hmong which is an end of the year harvest festival called Noj Peg Caug to celebrate the last day of the year’s harvest.
President Davis thanked Joseph for his presentation and thanked him for all he does for the community. He gave him the Rotary coin to add to the coins on his traditional Hmong attire.
President Davis thanked our Chair of the Month, Manny Garcia, for this month’s programs.
Our next meeting will be at the University Club and our speaker will be Bryan Bogardus, CFO of Accident Fund Insurance. See you then!
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