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We were like peas in a box car in the cavernous concrete hall at the Lansing Center when President Jack Davis called us to order. Scott Keith channeled cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead in his invocation (“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”). With the election coming up, let’s prove her wrong by showing that majority rule still trumps an oligarchy (no presidential pun intended, no political slant intended, just vote). We shook the world with our rendering of God Bless America (or maybe it was the forklift in the next room). This week I sat at the “old guys’ table” which I encourage you all to do. It’s encouraging to know that if Rotarians keep moving, we can still get a cookie Fridays at noon well into our 90's.
Missie Lilje took the mic around the room for the introduction of guests. President Jack Davis, with his unique elocution, wasn’t sure why Kelly Rossman was in the news, but thought that whatever it was, was worthy of Club recognition. To which Kelly, in her inimical style responded, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if it was good, [pause], ‘whatever they said, ...’”. With a plethora of superlatives befitting a political candidate, President Jack Davis also reported on our purchase of Rotary raffle tickets. Apparently our annual purchase of $1,000.00 in raffle tickets is kind of a big deal in our Rotary District and worthy of a letter of praise from the powers that be in raffledom. Jordan Sutton got her new member badge. Reminder to all to make nice to the new members with the red badges. Jeff -threat level delta- Detloff exhorted us take cyber security seriously: Do we have data? Is it important? Should we protect it? (answers are always yes). You need to make data protection and cyber security a bullet proof priority, which is kind of funny, since the cyberwarfare apparently won’t be using bullets to bleed you out.
And, today was Cathy’s birthday, so we sang to her, when what she really wanted was a pony. Maybe next year Cathy. Jenn Duby took the podium to remind all that the deadline for international project applications is November 11, 2016. Contact Umakanth Govinidarijan or Jenn Duby if your horizons are broad enough to extend beyond US territorial waters. The nominating committee is looking for suggestions for candidates for the Board of Directors. I’m advised that there are no debate skills required and no yard signs involved. If you’re interested in being elected to the Board, contact Lisa Smith.
Special Music was introduced by Ken Beachler. Jackson Hall and Zachary Whitlock from Haslett H.S. Haslett H.S. will be the stars of Honk, a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s Ugly Ducking. Honk has been performed in London, but Haslett will premier it before NY, which will no doubt cause great angst in NY. The play with your food duet included a delusional Duck à l'Orange paired with a robust Cat Braisé.
 Julie Pingston introduced our speaker of the Day, Mike Price, Executive Director of the Greater Lansing Sports Authority. Lansing was one of the first 30 in the nation to develop sports authorities to generate tourism dollars (there are now 560). Sports related tourism is a $9.45 billion industry. The itinerant sports tourism relating to youth sports defied the recent recession by chalking up annual gains. The GLSA is charged with bringing events here, creating new events, promoting facility development with the overriding goal of driving positive economic impact for the community. As a result, Lansing has hosted 300 volleyball teams, 400 figure skaters, wrestlers, and they’re looking forward to fencers, archers and although it wasn’t mentioned, I’m really hopeful they’re trying to get the curlers (another Black Label Mabel? Only a few of you will get that reference) For more information or how to track all the goings on in Lansing, follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GreaterLansingSportsAuthority/. A number of questions were answered by the speaker and our esteemed President gave him the acme of gift giving, the Rotary Coin. |
If you are sporting a new red badge and have not participated in a 
below. We are looking for a one to two page narrative that responds to the outline, plus a project budget. Your total submission should not exceed three pages. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than