Editarian Report for October 13, 2023

President Nick opened today’s meeting with the traditional ringing of the Rotary Bell and club members rose to recite the four-way test. Brenda Geoghegan offered a prayer for those in the middle of the conflict happening in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, then slipped in a congratulations to Julie Pingston for being named the 2023 Athena Leadership Award Recipient. At which point the club sang America the Beautiful, before taking our seats.

 

President Nick moved to introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians with Steve Grant assuming the roving microphone duties. Our meeting was full of guests, prospective members and a Rotarian visiting from the East Lansing club.

 

Health of the club is good, and Sandy Draggoo is recovering nicely from heart surgery and was rumored by President Nick to be attending this meeting via Zoom.

 

Jerry Sprague was our guest for special music and was introduced by Steve Robinson. Jerry entertained the club on guitar with two numbers. James Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James” and “Rock me Mama aka Wagon Wheel” from Bob Dylan. A very entertaining set for the club this Friday afternoon.

 

Club announcements by President Nick including Julie Pingston being named the 2023 Athena Leadership Award Recipient, for those that didn’t hear about this award. Also, Julie oversees our club book drive any new or slightly used children’s books should be brought to our meetings this month and given to Julie to distribute after the month. Michelle Lantz implored the club to consider becoming a 2nd host family for Sophia, who is from Brazil and currently living with a family in DeWitt and preferably the 2nd family would be a family from DeWitt, but any alternatives that could make the DeWitt School District work by driving the student to school throughout the remainder of the year.

 

Our foundation spotlight today was our $4,000 grant to Potter Park Zoo. Amy Morris-Hall from the zoo thanked the club for our support to allow the zoo to build a hayride wagon assessable by all including wheelchair access and anchor points to hold the wheelchairs in place. The wagon is making its maiden voyage this weekend at the zoo on Saturday.

 

Chair of the day, Lisa Smith stepped up to the podium to introduce today’s speakers. Before she did so, Lisa announced that Julie Pingston was named the 2023 Athena Leadership Award Recipient, for those that didn’t hear about this award. Lisa then introduced Teresa Kmetz & Michele Strasz of the United Way of South Central Michigan.

 

Teresa began her remarks referencing her long history with the Capitol Area United Way, which as of April of 2022 merged with the United Ways of Jackson, Battle Creek/Kalamazoo forming the United Way of South Central Michigan, which serves Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson and Kalamazoo counties. While consolidating these organizations to pool resources, each area of the served by the organization is committed to keeping a local focus on services, support, and impact within each community. Currently Teresa works within this organization as it’s Chief Resource Development and Marketing Officer.

 

In the last year since the merger Teresa noted the organization has invested over $25 million in the six counties and this continues today bringing in new resources and support for other non-profits in this community. Teresa turned over the speaking reins to Michele Strasz, the United Way of South Central Michigan’s Director of Community Impact.

 

Teresa spoke primarily about their work with ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed individuals in our community. These are hard working households in our community whose earnings are unable to keep up with the rising costs of necessities. These individuals comprise a segment of our society that are just above the federally defined poverty level as well as those below the poverty level. These households comprise statistically 24% above the poverty level (which defines ALICE) and 17% that are below the poverty level. With federal programs enacted in response to the pandemic now expiring or being wound down and rising inflation is impacting these families. They are caught in the cross current of expiring benefits and rising prices that now must make difficult choices as these programs end the support they provided and is forcing these households to give up needed services to keep working and providing for their families.

 

Michele presented a chart of basic need, such as housing cost, transportation, food, childcare and health care costs. Michele challenged us to take action in four areas to help bring attention to these families plights. Specifically, her organization offers employers assessments on the impact of ALICE on their organizations and how to address it in the workplace. As a voter, you can support candidates that put the needs of ALICE forth in their agenda. Volunteer for opportunities offered by the United Way of South Central Michigan to work in areas they supply resources for in the community. Bring attention to the issue facing those in the ALICE demographic to those in your community and neighborhood.

 

The floor was opened to questions, of which there were many as our club is known to be fearless in asking for more information from our speakers. The meeting was adjourned until we meet again next Friday at our normal time and place.

 

Tim Adams email is:  TAdams@manercpa.com