Thank you, Rotarians, for your support of the October book drive! The donated books were delivered to the Capital Area Literacy Coalition (The Reading People) who will give them away to teachers and students at local schools, laundromats, health clinics, and to other non-profit agencies serving at-risk children throughout our region.

 

Lansing Rotarians donated 225 books! Also, during the month of October, Michele Strasz was a speaker from United Way and they had 535 books they added to our donation which brough the grand total to 760 books donated through Lansing Rotary!!!

 

If you have books to donate throughout the year, The Reading People accept new or gently used books for all ages and books can be dropped off in a donation box at Schuler's Books in the Meridian Mall, at Erickson Hall on MSU Campus, or at their office during business hours.

We have the special opportunity to take part in a free Mental Health First Aid training, sponsored by Pines Behavioral Health which is affiliated with the Coldwater Sunrise Rotary Club. This training coincides with Rotary International's special focus on global mental health. As Rotary President Gordan McInally recently said, "so many of us and the people we serve are experiencing lasting challenges to our emotional well-being that we cannot handle alone.  As Rotary members, we have a unique ability to reach out to people".

 

This is a virtual 2 hours of self-paced pre-work then a 6 hour live virtual training via Zoom.  Two dates to choose from November 29 at 9:00 a.m. and December 6 at 9:00 a.m.  To register please email Micheala at:  mtorrescamargo@pinesbhs.org 

The following member has recently elected to resign from our club.

Growing our club ensures we’ll be a vibrant, impactful organization for decades and generations to come. Recruitment is everyone’s responsibility! Not sure where to start? Consider sending an email like the one below to someone you know - a friend, a business colleague, a client or a community member. (KUDOS and copy-credits to Courtney Millbrook on Sample 1 – we’re poaching her email for a good purpose.)

                                                                                                   

 

SAMPLE #1: Send to a prospective guest or member!                                                          

 

Hi Deb,

 

It was great to see you last week. Thank you for inviting me to the Client Appreciate event. I am writing to follow up on our quick conversation about Lansing Rotary. We would love to have you explore joining our club. I would be happy to explain to you more about the process and responsibilities of membership, but first – you should come check out a meeting or two!

 

On Fridays, we meet at LCC downtown in the Michigan Room on the lower level of the Gannon Building. There is free parking in the Gannon Parking Ramp. Our meetings start at 12:30 BUT lunch is served starting at noon so you’ll want to arrive in time to get some food and meet people.

 

Here is the upcoming schedule: You can also find it at www.lansingrotary.org

 

Nov 16: Social Gathering on THURSDAY 11/16 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lansing Brewing

Nov 24: No Meeting due to Thanksgiving holiday

Dec. 1:  Takura Nyamfukudza, Criminal Defense Attorney, "Constitutional Warrior"

 

If you know in advance that you are coming, let me know so we can connect and I will introduce you. I am also copying Michelle Reynaert, Nick Heriford, and Rebecca Bahar-Cook on this email so if I’m not there one of them can make sure you get introduced! And of course, they will also bug you to visit and join our great Club!

 

Thanks, 
Courtney

 

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SAMPLE #2:  Send to a recent guest!

 

Hi, Dione!

 

Thanks again for joining me at a recent Rotary Club of Lansing meeting. I'm delighted that you are interested in learning more about the club.  You can come as a guest again any time you wish. Joining is simple; https://lansingrotary.org/page/becoming-a-member. I'll be your sponsor, and will be happy to answer any questions you have!

 

You need to attend two more meetings as a guest before you can submit your application. Here is the schedule of upcoming opportunities:  https://lansingrotary.org/Events. Let me know when you're planning to attend; I'll be sure to meet you there or connect you with one of my fellow Rotarians to do so if I can't be there myself. That's the great thing about Rotary - while we'd love you to be there every week, we know that life happens. Membership is flexible and being a Rotarian means you catch a club almost anywhere in the world if you're not in town for your own club meeting.

 

I truly think the Club will fill both your personal and professional 'buckets'. See you soon!

 

Michelle

The Rotary Club of Lansing gathered on Friday, November 10 at the Michigan Room on LCC’s campus. Following a warm meal and pleasant table conversations, President Nick rang the bell to gather our attention and called the meeting to order. He led us through the Rotary 4-Way Test; everyone passed except Chris Holman.

 

As the meeting immediately preceded Veterans Day, Camron Gnass gave a reflection thoughtful of those who have served our country, including his uncle who was killed in Vietnam, his brothers, his daughter, and Rotarians who have served. The Club joined together in singing the National Anthem.

 

Continuing in the recognition of Veterans Day, Mark Hooper led us in singing the Service Songs for each of the armed services. During each song, Rotarians from that service stood for recognition.

 

Judi Harris circulated the microphone for the introduction of the several many guests in attendance. Several guests were specifically interested in the guest speaker’s topic.

 

Julie Pingston let us know that our October book drive took in 225 books that were given to The Reading People, Capital Area Literacy Coalition, and also led to an additional 535 books from Michele Strasz from the Capital Area United Way.

 

A surprised Sandy Dragoo introduced one of our grant recipients to give us information about their work. Melissa Keely is the new director of REACH Studio Art Center. REACH was founded 20 years ago by Alice Brinkman, who is the previous director and was in attendance. REACH’s mission is to provide equitable access to the arts. They provide low cost and free art opportunities for folks age 2 to 100. Melissa expressed her gratitude for the $6000 grant from the Rotary Foundation.

 

President Nick gave an update on the 100th Childrens Holiday Party on December 15. Contact John Shaski or Kim Garland to get involved. He also announced a Mental Health First Aid training sponsored by a neighboring Rotary Club.

 

Chair of the Day and Month, Nicole Szymczak, introduced our speaker, Adam Montri. Adam and his wife Dru own Ten Hens Farm in Bath.

 

Adam Montri led us through the genesis and history of Ten Hens Farm. Both he and his wife graduated from MSU and went out of state to graduate school. They both accumulated various farming experiences the led them to a better understanding of agricultural practices. They decided to bring their experience back to Michigan where they have planted their roots in Bath.

 

He talked about their hoop-house farming and how they are able to grow year-round without heating. He talked about how the different temperatures can impact food flavor – spinach plants concentrate sugar to protect from the cold, so winter spinach is incredible.

 

He talked about how food networks work together to get food from seed to plate and consider economic stability, socially conscious, and environmentally sustainable. He talked about how different size farms fit into different food system. As a small farm they have an impact on our community.

 

Ten Hens Farm has Farm Boxes available for pickup at various locations. For more information, visit them at https://www.tenhensfarm.com/.

 

Email for Chris Swope:  Chris.Swope@lansingmi.gov