The sun’s so bright I gotta wear shades. I mean really, between the snow and the sun, I was blinded by the light. We were called to order by President and resident trustee Rebecca Bahar-Cook. In keeping with one of our better traditions, we recited in syncopated rhythm Rotary’s Four Way Test. A thoughtful reflection about unforeseen challenges and the seasons of our life was delivered by Ernscie Augustin. Hari Kern’s keyboard expertise at the piano carried us through a half-hearted singing of God Bless America. I’m not big on God, but if Rotarians want him/her/them to truly bless America, we need to commit and not be shy with our voices.
Visiting guests were introduced and for the first time in years I brought a guest. We learned that Joel Hoffman is home from an extended visit to the hospital for a mystery illness. We learned that our Foundation’s Local Grants application process is open until March 21. Much to our dismay, we had no special music. Jennifer Marsh handed out a big check to Lynn Kovalik of ARC Mid Michigan. I remember Lynn’s impassioned presentation from a few years ago when she indicated she looked forward to the day when people of all ability levels were included in all aspects of society (including Lansing Rotary!). Sandy Draggoo was given a few minutes to speak about Ken Beachler’s Legacy Society gift to our Foundation. Ken was a club member for 48 years and along with John Dale Smith made sure we had special music each week for 27 years. If you have it in you to do so, making a gift to the Foundation when your earthly days are done is a great way to make a difference in the world.
Anne Cauley was our chair of the day and introduced our speaker, Kathryn Fort, Director of Indian Law Clinic at MSU College of Law. Her passion for advancing issues relating to the Indian Child Welfare Act was palpable. Ms. Fort was instrumental in the 2023 United States Supreme Court decision rendered in Haaland v Brackeen upholding the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. She described how the body of law addressing Indian rights in the United States involves the US being both the antagonist and protector of Native American Indian rights, how Indian Nations are political bodies which is distinguished from the more familiar race based criteria used in discrimination related court decisions. She talked about the weight on attorneys in representing clients, how she focuses on issues from 30,000 feet rather than looking at pictures of children caught in a system that can take years of their lives to resolve issues of great impact. Ms. Fort talked about the ethical issues facing lawyers and how lawyers en masse resigned rather than advance a repugnant position and how tough that is to teach to the next generation of lawyers. Her closing comment was “This is a time for great bravery in the protection of the rule of law.” She field a number of questions and President Bahar-Cook closed out the meeting.
Email for Kevin Schumacher: schumacher@glassenrhead.com