Registration for the Rotary District Conference in South Haven is open!
We’ve created a conference where we’ll celebrate the amazing results we’ve achieved this year, learn from outstanding world-class speakers including Rotary International Director Chris Etienne, honor our Rotary Heroes, catch up on some old friendships, make some new connections, and most importantly, have fun while creating lasting memories.
We’ll have a huge surprise celebration for everyone as we present one of our District 6360 members with the much-coveted Service Above Self award, given annually to recognize the incredible service and sacrifice of only 150 Rotarians worldwide. This award is really a big deal that will make all of us proud to be from District 6360.
The MAGIC OF SOUTH HAVEN is calling you to come and enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan and its stunning sunsets, endless walks on the beach, quaint shops in downtown, and the fun this incredible harbor community has to offer. Registration is limited to 225 attendees, so sign up now! The brochure for lodging options is attached. For more information go here
This year the Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation has allocated $69,705 for its Local Grants program. Grants up to $10,000 for local nonprofits that impact underserved or disadvantaged populations; enhance cultural, recreational, or economic elements of the community. Funds may be used toward: capital campaigns, general operating expenses, special projects/events, and/or ongoing program support.
A total of $45,000.00 was approved by the Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation Board for International Grants from the committee. Each week we will highlight one of the non-profits receiving our checks.
Rescue South Sudan Village People - https://www.rescuesouthsudan.org/
Funding for this project would ensure that quality teachers, who are trained and qualified by the South Sudanese government, would be paid for their services to the Majok-Chedhiop Primary School and therefore retained. Despite assurances in the last few years by the government that the budget for public schools would be become greater and an effort made to increase access to education in rural areas, this has not happened. When RSSVP began to build a brick and mortar school in a rural area in central South Sudan a number of years ago, the government pledged to pay for teacher salaries. In 2022, RSSVP was told to either forfeit the school building to the government or go private and pay the salaries themselves. We are told many public schools are now closed or operate irregularly as state teachers have not been paid for 11 months and national teachers for at least 10. Private schools that require tuition remain open, but are primarily located only in larger towns. Most South Sudanese cannot afford to send their children to these schools and those in rural areas live too far away. Our enrollment increases monthly as we are possibly the only free private school open and one of the few schools located in a rural village. We now serve about 450 students from 10 villages, about one-third are girls.
RSSVP received a check for $5,000.00 and Irv Nichols has been a sponsor for years.
The sun’s so bright I gotta wear shades. I mean really, between the snow and the sun, I was blinded by the light. We were called to order by President and resident trustee Rebecca Bahar-Cook. In keeping with one of our better traditions, we recited in syncopated rhythm Rotary’s Four Way Test. A thoughtful reflection about unforeseen challenges and the seasons of our life was delivered by ErnscieAugustin. Hari Kern’s keyboard expertise at the piano carried us through a half-hearted singing of God Bless America. I’m not big on God, but if Rotarians want him/her/them to truly bless America, we need to commit and not be shy with our voices.
Visiting guests were introduced and for the first time in years I brought a guest. We learned that Joel Hoffman is home from an extended visit to the hospital for a mystery illness. We learned that our Foundation’s Local Grants application process is open until March 21. Much to our dismay, we had no special music. Jennifer Marsh handed out a big check to Lynn Kovalik of ARC Mid Michigan. I remember Lynn’s impassioned presentation from a few years ago when she indicated she looked forward to the day when people of all ability levels were included in all aspects of society (including Lansing Rotary!). Sandy Draggoo was given a few minutes to speak about Ken Beachler’s Legacy Society gift to our Foundation. Ken was a club member for 48 years and along with John Dale Smith made sure we had special music each week for 27 years. If you have it in you to do so, making a gift to the Foundation when your earthly days are done is a great way to make a difference in the world.
Anne Cauley was our chair of the day and introduced our speaker, Kathryn Fort, Director of Indian Law Clinic at MSU College of Law. Her passion for advancing issues relating to the Indian Child Welfare Act was palpable. Ms. Fort was instrumental in the 2023 United States Supreme Court decision rendered in Haaland v Brackeen upholding the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. She described how the body of law addressing Indian rights in the United States involves the US being both the antagonist and protector of Native American Indian rights, how Indian Nations are political bodies which is distinguished from the more familiar race based criteria used in discrimination related court decisions. She talked about the weight on attorneys in representing clients, how she focuses on issues from 30,000 feet rather than looking at pictures of children caught in a system that can take years of their lives to resolve issues of great impact. Ms. Fort talked about the ethical issues facing lawyers and how lawyers en masse resigned rather than advance a repugnant position and how tough that is to teach to the next generation of lawyers. Her closing comment was “This is a time for great bravery in the protection of the rule of law.” She field a number of questions and President Bahar-Cook closed out the meeting.
Email for Kevin Schumacher: schumacher@glassenrhead.com
