Vol. 109, No. 41, April 8, 2025
Next Meeting 
When:Friday, April 11, 2025
Where:Lansing Community College, in Michigan Room 
Address:600 N. Grand Avenue
Speakers:Maria Peak, Executive Director & Jennie Brandenburg, Deputy Director
Topic:ASPPIRE
Chair of the Day:Kurt Guter
Reflection:Pam Miklavcic
Editarian:Lolo Robison 
Chair of the Month:Kurt Guter 
Greeter:Linda Sarnelli
Microphone:Mark Seaburg
 
Biography for Maria Peak
 
Maria Peak has dedicated over 30 years to the field of Special Education, serving in roles such as classroom teacher and transition coordinator for Eaton Regional Education Services Agency, as well as project coordinator for the Michigan Transition Outcomes Project through the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education.
 
Maria’s involvement with ASPPIRE began as a facilitator and curriculum consultant. In 2015, she stepped into the role of Executive Director. Under her leadership, ASPPIRE has significantly expanded its reach and impact—introducing new programs and services including employment supports, social programs, and case management. She has also cultivated strong partnerships within the community, enhancing opportunities for the individuals ASPPIRE serves.
 
Today, ASPPIRE supports approximately 250 individuals with disabilities each month, a testament to Jennie Brandenburg, Employment Specialist.
Biography for Jennie Brandenburg
 
Jennie brings over a decade of experience in job development and more than 15 years of dedicated service in the non-profit sector. She has spent 7 years working on various grants through the Michigan Department of Education - Office of Special Education, focusing on improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
 
A graduate of Central Michigan University, Jennie holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Community Development and Community Services. She has completed the Community Employment Services training with an emphasis on Customized Employment through Griffin-Hammis Associates, as well as the Global Career Development Facilitator Training.
 
Jennie is deeply passionate about empowering individuals with disabilities, particularly in helping them navigate the path to meaningful employment. She is currently completing a year-long Leadership Program through Incompass Michigan, where she is actively applying the skills learned to further the mission and growth of ASPPIRE.
DEI Committee Meeting
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will be meeting immediately after Rotary this Friday, April 11th in the President's Dining Room.  See Bilky Joda-Miller on Friday.
Editarian Report for April 4, 2025
 
At the last minute somebody asked me to be editarian.  Although I am by my very nature lazy, I said yes (Rotarians always say yes when asked to help).  We are going old school with this week’s Rotogram.  You’ll have to print it out and find a pen to circle the terms.  Cross off the names on the list as you find them in the word maze. This is going to be so much fun! Find all the terms from the notes I took and win an as yet undetermined prize of inconsequential value (probably lunch on my porch from Jimmy Johns). 
 
W T A J V E F Y X M A F R F O U N D A T I O N P A M O Q L G
J J L J V L C P C B N D I H C N T N W L W Z P G P G Q M W O
I M B Q E F Z Z L V L M A Y A O S T S I Z Z L E R E E L C O
U I P O J X X Z Q B K P Q N V R S O Q J J K B R Q K A R H D
P L X H X X Q B J L B W B C A C I T C R X C K Z P V D S O W
R L M Q H S C Y B Q K K W E F D L P A I Q P E O M E C O G I
E I R M L Q I M Q I C L Q J T W O A A T A K S V E L V R J L
S O P R C O M M I T T E E E D T H P C T E L A G Z M C E M L
I N Y O S U P E R S T I T I O N E R P K R O M E H G T D U R
D S L E T R W E R W H Q C J W L Z R Y C A I F E K V S B O A
E O X Z F Y Y B P W P P Y C P K A J F A T F O T D L P A S U
N F H R I N T E R N A T I O N A L P E R S O N T H I D D V R
T D L R Q Q I G V L N E Y V M F E Z M M I M Y W I E A G D V
R O R I J A O D N I X G J D N J V A S A C E B Q K C C E P M
E L C P K D B L P F N D R P V D E I A R E B N G F S S L X F
B L L F C E D S B R A N D A U D I T T C Y E J D R L A O U F
E A E F I L M F E S T I V A L C A M D H T N A F S D J Q N B
C R A B L G N C H N O Z U R R L H T B B I E S Y Y H B W R G
C S N Z V U Z L U Z T T H V B A I V S I F F O M E R I W E E
A V U E C O F R W J C E K C N L N N O R F I N L K T T P M N
W H P G T W T U S V N Y E T F Q L Y F T A C W O N G A G S N
U J B V U Z T A U H J W Y S T X F B T H N I A C Y W X P D D
A P U E Z P L V D R N M O R U J N H S D Y A T A A B P F S N
D P Z V N O E I P W R F W C A E I V E A B L E L J L H F N H
P A U L H A R R I S S T I L E S H G L Y R T R G R U S D M D
F M W G M E M B E R S H I P U H F A L S O O W R N E D K C A
U K L P G U P I J U Q G V I V S E A N L W A A A R A G Z B S
B B A K T S W D H L O N I G A N D S L S N L Y N R L T A C D
M N Q I S I T T H E T R U T H V Q I N G E L R T F E V S A I
V Z Z O F G V F A I R T O A L L J Y N P D N K S Z X U G O B 
 
INTERNATIONALPERSONHARIPATRIOTICSONGABSENTEESUEHANSEN
BRANDAUDITISITTHETRUTHSOCIALMEDIA
PAULHARRISSTILESFILMFESTIVALCAMBENEFICIALTOALL
MARCHBIRTHDAYSTIFFANYBROWNFOUNDATIONPAM
SUPERSTITIONMEMBERSHIPBETTERFRIENDSHIPS
PRCOMMITTEEGOODWILLSTATEOFTHECLUB
JASONWATERWAYLOCALGRANTSBLUEALEX
REDBADGECLEANUPSIZZLEREEL
PRESIDENTREBECCAFAIRTOALLMILLIONSOFDOLLARS
 
Speakers
Apr 18, 2025
Apr 24, 2025
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
May 02, 2025
Small Business Association of Michigan
May 16, 2025
View entire list
Rotary Club of Lansing
P. O. Box 13156
Lansing, MI   48901-3156
Meeting Responsibilities
Editarian
Robison, Lolo
 
Chair of the Month for April
Guter, Kurt J.
 
Greeter
Sarnelli, Linda
 
Birthday Chair for April
Tucker, Samuel
 
Chair of the Day
Guter, Kurt J.
 
Reflection
Miklavcic, Pam