Vol. 109, No. 15, October 8, 2024
Next Meeting 
When:Friday, October 11, 2024
Where:Lansing Community College, Michigan Room
Address:600 N. Grand Avenue, Park in Gannon Ramp
Speaker:Kevin M. Guskiewicz, MSU President
Topic:"An MSU Update"
Chair of the Day:Janet Lillie
Reflection:Sue Hansen
Editarian:Lolo Robison
Chair of the Month:Bob Hoffman
 
Biography for Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PH.D.
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, a neuroscientist, academic leader and concussion researcher, was appointed president-elect of Michigan State University on Dec. 8, 2023, by the MSU Board of Trustees and started as president on March 4, 2024.
 
A member of the University of North Carolina’s faculty since 1995 and founding director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center and the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes, Guskiewicz was appointed UNC’s Chancellor in 2019. He is a nationally recognized expert on sport-related concussions and maintains an active research portfolio, serving as co-principal investigator on two multi-center research grants. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers in the areas of sports medicine and neuroscience.
 
His team’s groundbreaking work has garnered numerous awards and has influenced concussion guidelines in the NFL and NCAA. In 2011, Guskiewicz received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship for his innovative work on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sport-related concussions. In 2011, he convinced the NFL and NCAA to change the kickoff rule, which resulted in a 50% reduction in concussions on kickoffs. In 2013, Time magazine named him a Game Changer, one of 18 “innovators and problem-solvers that are inspiring change in America.”
 
Guskiewicz earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from West Chester University, a master’s in exercise physiology/athletic training from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate in sports medicine from the University of Virginia.
 
Born and raised in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he and his wife Amy have four children: Jacob, Nathan, Adam and Tessa.
Service Project Opportunity 
On Saturday, October 12th there will be a "FALL CUT-BACK AND CLEAN-UP 2024" from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Meeting at 112 S. Washington Square with Downtown Lansing Inc. There will be coffee, cider and donuts available. Let me know if you are interested:
jason.brunette@martincommercial.com 
October Birthdays
Brenda GeogheganOct 02
Kurt GuterOct 02
Darwin BrewsterOct 05
Michelle LantzOct 09
Travis StolikerOct 09
Catheline AndrewsOct 10
Raeanne MardigianOct 10
Nathan TriplettOct 11
Phyllis RileyOct 13
Jordan SuttonOct 20
James DexterOct 20
Benjamin RathbunOct 20
Michael ClarkOct 22
Laura AppelOct 26
Casey JacobsenOct 26
Jerry GrangerOct 26
John O. Grettenberger, Jr.Oct 26
David O'LearyOct 26
Wayne WilliamsOct 26
Terry TerryOct 28
International Grants
 
The grant period for the International Grants will be open from October 15th to November 15th, 2024.  The link for the application is below:
 
 
Friendly reminder that there will be an International Committee Meeting immediately after the meeting this Friday, October 11th.
Rotaract Opportunity 
The Michigan State Rotaract Club has implemented a new initiative called "Rent a Rotaractor".  This is a fun and simple way for Rotarians to get simple tasks done while also contributing to the MSU Club's funding. As you know, most of their members are college-aged/young professionals who are unable to pay the higher Rotary fees. Their club offers a large discounted rate of fees, and they rely heavily on help from parent clubs and fundraisers to help keep them going. This is how it works:
  • Fill out the form below to inform MSU Rotaract what you need done near your home or business, such as weeding, raking, shoveling, etc.
  • MSU Rotaract will send a few Rotaractors to help you with the task.
  • A simple waiver of liability for safety reasons will be completed.
  • When the task is complete,  you will make a donation of your choosing to the MSU Rotaract.
Editarian Report for October 4, 2024
President Rebecca called our meeting to order promptly at 12:30pm. We began by reciting the 4 Way Test, which was followed by Craig Stiles with the day’s reflection. In light of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, he suggested that Rotarians consider helping out with the recovery efforts through Rotary or the American Red Cross. If you want to contribute to Rotary’s efforts, look for an email sent October 4th from chris.etienne@rotaryzones28-32.org to all members in Districts 28 and 32.
 
Our patriotic song was “America, The Beautiful” accompanied by John Dale Smith. That would have been followed by the introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians, but there were none even though Linda Sarnelli was ready with the microphone.
 
President Rebecca noted that one of our former members, Bill Paxton, passed away recently. His obituary was in last week’s Rotogram. She also welcomed Sarah Garcia back to the club after her prolonged absence. It was great to see her smiling face among us.
 
Additional announcements included:
 
• Jason Brunette is getting a group together for the Downtown Fall Cleanup on October 12th from 9 – 11. Contact Jason at Jason.Brunette@martincommercial.com for more information an dto let him know you will be there.  There will be coffee, cider and donuts for those who participate.
• Corey Grant reported on the September birthdays. With just shy of 100% participation, they have raised $800. Her birthday question asked what Rotarians would use as their campaign slogan if they were running for office. Pat Munshaw penned "Step aside gentlemen - the women are taking over".  I didn't capture all of George Siegle's but he wants to put "We the People" before everything else. Corey's slogan incorporated her Rotary membership with "Let's build goodwill and better friendships." Fortunately, John Dale was still in the room as we sang "Happy Birthday" to all those with a September birthday.
• Ben Rathbun was standing at the podium as the music faded to let us all know about the “Principal for a Day” event that takes place in Ingham ISD during October and November. Ben has been a participant and found it very beneficial. He has worked at the Talent Center with the Insurance program and has hired directly from the Talent Center due to the contacts he made there. Many school districts in Ingham County are participating and details are worked out directly with the school you decide to visit. Cards with contact information were on each of the tables.
• Most importantly, Craig Stiles returned to the podium to present Paul Harris awards. We had a total of 21 Rotarians earning awards this year. Those in attendance were called to the podium to receive their pins and receive congratulations from our District Governor, Mark Odland.
 
President Rebecca introduced DG Mark Odland as our speaker of the day and commented that his team is doing a great job responding to requests for information.
 
DG Mark began by taking a selfie with the room in the background. He has plans to create a “Service Above Selfie” collage reel from shots taken as he visits all of the clubs in the district. You can look for that on Instagram and Facebook.
 
He also presented a certificate to Past President Nick and President Rebecca acknowledging our club’s contribution to Polio Plus. Our contribution was the largest in the District and is especially important because the number of polio cases has recently erupted, going from only 7 cases to 40, not counting cases in Gaza, where the live virus has been found in the water. Donations to Polio Plus are still being matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation.
 
He has been looking forward to his visit to our club for a number of reasons. He was sorry to have missed Irv Nichols’ birthday celebration and was anxious to meet a man who has been a Rotarian for 67 years, 54 years longer than his own tenure.
 
The theme for Rotary this year is “The Magic of Rotary”. The real magic is all of us working together. Our club has the oldest charter in the District and we are also the largest club. He was excited to meet us because of the impact we have made.
 
Rotary does nothing without us. Before the meeting began, he talked to Patrick, who makes sure our technology works without issue, about becoming a member. He also chatted with John Dale about our special music. He is not a fan of the Rotary Songbook and is glad that it is not present at our meetings.
 
Club culture is extremely important, and he sees signs that our club has worked on culture. We have a 12% attrition rate, which is lower than the district average of 16%. He is 100% focused on membership because everything starts with members. No members - no impact.
 
The District has seen a 40% drop in membership over the last 20 years. He has set a goal of finishing the year with 100 net new members and 4 new clubs in the District. He is posting 3-minute videos on social media focusing on this goal and the importance of developing relationships within the club. Three new clubs have already been announced – Niles, a second club in Charlotte and Hillsdale College. Four new clubs should add about 100 members, a good start towards the goal. In order to achieve 100 net new members, we need to attract 400 new members to offset the expected attrition. It is important that we ask people we know to join Rotary.
 
He also noted that our club currently has 159 Paul Harris Fellows, and we have had 323 in total. 150 are multiple Paul Harris Fellows. We also have 7 benefactors – Rotarians who have committed to leaving part of their estate to the Rotary Foundation.
 
We have also contributed over $800K to the Rotary Foundation in spite of having a local Foundation. 47% of those donations come back to the District to be used for local grants.
 
DG Mark wants to be remembered for making things happen, not letting them happen or wondering what the hell happened. It was clear that he is well on the way to meeting his goal!
 
Bilky Joda-Miller asked why the percentage of donations returned wasn’t 50%. Nathan Triplett had the info – the return was 50% prior to COVID but was reduced to 47% as donations dropped during the pandemic. A return to 50% is being discussed.
 
Stephen El-Khatib asked if exit surveys are conducted when members leave. Surveys are conducted with current and exiting members regularly. Club experience is the number one reason for members leaving or staying. Rebecca added that our club also conducts an exit interview when members leave. DG Mark added that there is work underway to investigate the feasibility of starting an e-club. The initial reach will be to terminated members to gauge interest. There are over 3000 members who terminated in the last 20 years. If 3% were interested, the club could have 100 members. E-clubs usually have a purpose and conducts service projects.
 
Rebecca thanked DG Mark for speaking to us. She also commented that wearing your Rotary pin can be a conversation starter as you go about your day. We all have a reason for being at Rotary and all of our reasons are likely different.
 
Next week our speaker will be Kevin Guskiewicz, President of Michigan State University. We will likely have lots of guests. Who will you be bringing?
 
Email for Linda Lynch:  linda.j.lynch@gmail.com 
Speakers
Oct 18, 2024
Immediately following Rotary at 1:30 P.M.
Oct 18, 2024
Interim Dean of the College of Engineering
Oct 24, 2024
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Nov 22, 2024
Field Trip to the Wharton Center
View entire list
Rotary Club of Lansing
P. O. Box 13156
Lansing, MI   48901-3156
Meeting Responsibilities
Chair of the Month
Hoffman, Robert
 
Editarian
Robison, Lolo
 
Chair of the Month for November
Garcia, Joseph
 
Microphone
Sarnelli, Linda
 
Greeter
Lynch, Linda
 
Reflection
Hansen, Sue
 
Birthday Chair for October
Mardigian, Raeanne