This is our 101st year celebrating Loftus Day, which honors Rotarians loved/lost in the past year. Following tradition, we will hold a short program on Friday, September 5th to remember selected individuals and reflect on our history, followed by a visit for those able to Mt. Hope cemetery.  Please bring a bouquet of flowers (from your home garden, your favorite florist or roadside stand, etc), if you'd like to participate. At the end of the regular meeting, those wishing to go to the cemetery will gather.

 

At the cemetery, each member will be given a short bio on each person, map of the cemetery with the plot highlighted and photos of the headstone. You'll be given a different name every year so that you get to know different people's stories. You'll drive (or carpool) to the cemetery, find the grave of your assigned person, place the flowers, and depart when you wish.  If  you have questions, please contact cathy@lansingrotary.com 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

President Swope opened the meeting with the new and improved “5” Way Test, brought to us by District Gov. Jackie Huie, which adds “Have Fun.” Nathan Triplett provided the reflection inspired by Paul Harris. Hari Kern blessed us with God Bless America on the piano.

 

Special music was introduced by Terry Terry. Gavin McDonnell, who is a young regular at Urban Beat’s open mic night, serenaded us with three songs: “Love Me Tender,” “In Spite of all you do, I’ll be true to you” and “Be My Little Baby.”

 

Pres. Chris announced that Loftus Day on Sept. 5th will return to Mt. Hope Cemetery. Sarah Garcia is organizing plots this year. Bring your own flowers. Meet at LCC first before going to the cemetery.

 

Paul Harris Awards were announced: Major Donors: Don Hines, Joel Hoffman, Mark Hooper. +5: Glenn Granger. +4: Hari Kern. +3 Melanie Dart, Corey Grant, John Person. +2: Darwin Brewster, John Grettenberger Jr. +1: Lorri Rishar Jandron

 

Asst. District Governor of 6360 Jon Lundy from the Haslett/Okemos Rotary Club, introduced District Gov. Jackie.

Jackie invited us all to grab a Kiss (Hershey’s kiss, that is) and take a combined picture by the big bear.

 

This year’s Rotary theme is Unite for Good. Jackie introduced the action plan, our blueprint for success:

1. Increase our Impact

2. Expand our Reach

3. Enhance Participant Engagement

4. Increase our ability to Adapt

 

She invited members to the Sept 13th One Summit, where she’d like to garner two members from every club. She also mentioned the District Conference in St Joseph on May 15-16. This year’s international conference in June is in Taiwan.

 

Dist. Gov. Jackie has 3 district goals:

1. Have Fun – Life is short, it should be fun. Serving others is fun. Gives you dopamine.

2. Grow Membership – gives us more support to do good things, Companion Clubs (expansions of Rotary but not aren’t typical members (such as young people who meet for cocktail hours, etc. instead of lunches) Rotaract: young professionals or college-aged students.

3. Bring Good to the World.

 

She also talked about the Polio Plus Society, which commits to a $100/year donation until polio is eradicated. With only two more countries to go until polio is eradicated, that might not be a long commitment! Afghanistan and Pakistan are still left to be eradicated.

 

Pres. Chris reminded everyone that there’s no meeting next week due to Labor Day and the following week will be Loftus Day. He closed the meeting with the ringing of the bell.

 

Email for Michelle Lantz:  michelle@glfoodbank.org