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The Next Meeting:
When: Friday, August 25, 2017
Where: The Lansing Center, The Riverstreet Pub
Speaker: John T. Reurink, Publisher, MIRS Co-Owner
Topic:Michigan Information & Research Service
Chair of the Day: Diane Sanborn
Invocator: Sue Mills
Greeter: Gabrielle Haskins
Editarian: Jim McGillicuddy
Remembrance: Melanie Dart
 
Rotary District Safe Water Project Meet & Greet
Good day, fellow Rotarians!  The District Children's Safe Water Committee will be hosting three visitors from Dominican Republic, Santiago Rodriguez Rotary Club, the Almanzar family, August 14-17.  On Wednesday, August 16, 2017 there will be an Open House from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the GILMORE CAR MUSEUM, located at 6865 W. Hickory Road, Hickory Corners.  There will be a Museum Night Cruise that evening, so drive out meet our Dominican friends and see lots of vintage cars too.  There is more information at the end of the Rotogram beneath "Download Files".
New Member Proposed

The following proposed member has emailed an application to the office.  If anyone has a comment on this proposed member please forward it in writing within ten days to the Rotary office, before approval by the board of directors.  Thank you,

  •  Lyle Klosterman, Manager of Diversified Insurance Group, self-sponsored
Editarian Report for August 11th, 2017
It was a beautiful day at the Country Club of Lansing, who always does a great job for the club. Eric Larson provided the invocation, followed by God Bless America. Scott Duimstra coordinated introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians.
 
President Darwin provided several announcements:
 
  •  Loftus Day will be Friday, September 8.
  •  There will be a “meet & greet” with Dominican Rotarians who hosted the children’s safe water project trips in 2015 and 2017. The event will be held at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hastings on August 16, 6:30-9:00 p.m. See Cathy for a handout with more info. 
  • The club has a revised dues policy – please check the Rotogram for details.
Courtney Millbrook filled in for Rotary Foundation President Nick Heriford, presenting a check for $5,000 to Kim Shapiro, executive director of the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, for its Tuesday Toolmen program.
 
Pat Munshaw reported that the health of the club is good, but noted that Jim Reutter may be resigning from the club soon, due to his need to take care of his wife, Ann, who has had two strokes. Please reach out to Jim if you know him
 
Craig Stiles introduced special music, which was especially special to him because one of the singers was his daughter, Michaela Stiles, whom we found is truly special. She and her special friend, Stephen Arnold, sang a couple of special songs from Annie Get Your Gun, which was special to this editarian because this musical was her first in seventh grade, which was special. All around, a special performance.
 
Diane Sanborn, chair of the month and chair of the day, re-introduced Kim Shapiro, the new executive director of the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition.
 
  •  Most of GLHC’s funding comes from fundraising events and grants to renovate homes (about 185 last year) and build handicap accessible ramps (about 500 last year). It costs $1200-1500 per ramp.
  • The Tuesday Toolmen program is comprised of volunteers who build ramps for people in need. Most are retired men plus one woman, all between the ages of 50 to late 80’s. They meet every Tuesday to build the ramps for people who are disabled and low income in the tri-counties. They have a lot of fun.
  • The Tool Mobile holds tools that are loaned to Lansing residents for $5.00 each.
  • Hero Classes are held for people who want to learn DIY projects, such as how to paint a deck, install light fixtures and ceiling fans, etc. The classes are open to anyone in the community, not just low income.
  • The Permanent Supportive Housing program works with other agencies like Community Mental Health, who refers people to GLHC who are chronically homeless and those with mental illness. GLHC teaches life skills like budgeting and spending, assistance with transportation and how to use a bus, and setting employment goals, all of which can help them become productive members of society.
  • The Affordable Housing program rehabs homes for low income residents. Currently there are 135-150 units in the community. There is a new 61 unit apartment building for seniors in Mason.
  • The Neighborhood Empowerment Center is located at Maple and Pine and is open 9-5 for City of Lansing meetings, tax assistance, etc. It is open to nonprofits to use for a reduced fee. There is an art exhibit at the Center with permanent and temporary collections. Art is for sale.
Kim answered many questions from the club:
  • The GLHC mission has changed over the years – they do more than just rehabs, they also revitalize neighborhoods.
  • They are different than Habitat for Humanity in that Habitat builds homes from the ground up, though now Habitat is also building some ramps. GLHC meets regularly with other organizations like Habitat so they’re not stepping on each other. They work collaboratively. They are also working on a garden project.
  • GLHC does not provide down payments on houses, but there are grant dollars available for that. - GLHC needs volunteers for Tuesday Toolmen (age 18+) and to teach DIY classes.
  • Houses for rehab come from the Landbank. Available housing for rehab has become more challenging to find as “flipping” for profit has become popular. 
  • Funding sources are primarily from the government (federal, state and city) – about 75% of their budget.
  • There remains a gap in service for homeless LCC students, single fathers with children, and refugees.
Diane Sanborn, who is president of the GLHC Board of Directors, wrapped up the presentation saying they can accept homes donated by individuals, and they are also in need of monetary donations for operating.
 
President Darwin said we will meet at the Lansing Center next week, August 18. We will have new member presentations, which usually make the best programs. He also made a pitch to anyone who hits the $400M lottery – we will accept 10% to the Rotary Foundation!
 
Laurie Baumer's email is:  lbaumer@ourcommunity.org
Speakers
Aug 25, 2017
Michigan Independent Source of News & Info @ Lansing Center
Sep 01, 2017
Sep 08, 2017
Sep 15, 2017
View entire list
Rotary Club of Lansing
P. O. Box 13156
Lansing, MI   48901-3156
Download Files
Meet & Greet at the Gilmore Car Museum