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President Brewster called the meeting to order in as the Michigan Princess pulled away from the dock, with possibly the first-ever floating assembly of Lansing Rotarians. Scott Duimstra provided a reflective invocation and singing of a patriotic song ensued. Gabrielle Haskins led the introductions of guests and visiting Rotarians; Carmen Turner reported the health of the club is WONDERFUL. Rotarians were reminded about the October 27th deadline for International Project Grant proposals and the District-wide event to End Polio at the Williamston Sun Theater on Sunday, October 22nd . In lieu of special music, Dr. Michael Clark and Dr. Dean Sienko reflected on the natural disasters shaking many areas of our world and the shooting in Las Vegas with many killed and many more injured; they shared how the mid-Michigan region would respond to similar instances. While both felt confident in the structure that our region has in place to respond to a variety of situations, the reality is that mass casualties create circumstances that go beyond disaster preparedness. Our region has an EOC (Emergency Operations Center), a Level-1 Trauma Center (Sparrow) and first-responders at every level who train annually for the worst. Key takeaways: when you arrive at a large venue with lots of other people, take note of where the exits are – especially the ones that people didn’t come IN, as those are the first ones they will rush to when they need to get OUT quickly. Also, in the event of crisis, do what others across the country have done to step forward and help others in need – give blood, offer food - whatever is needed in the moments, days and weeks following the event.  Captain Christopher Chamberlain, our speaker (IF HE IS HERE, WHO IS DRIVING THE BOAT????), began by sharing the location of the 500 lifejackets that will fall for our use if the emergency cord is pulled, noted that the river is only six feet deep, the boat is 30’ tall, and that by the time it sinks, assuming you are on at least the 2nd floor, your feet won’t even be wet. He went on to share the seafaring stories of his youth, his boat-buying/building father, and the two versions of the story that led to the three vessels that his family currently calls the ‘BIZ (okay, he didn’t say they call it the ‘Biz, but they might). The legend begins with names like Loomis , Leadley, and R.E. Olds, and includes one dancing granddaughter, a dishwasher, one VERY long trip to get a boat home from Texas, airbags that roll a boat out of water for inspection, and a newly hired guy (the one driving OUR boat). Today, you can catch a ride with Captain Chamberlain or one of his crews in Grand Ledge (Color Cruise & Island Festival is October 13-15), Lansing (The Michigan Princess), or the big D (Detroit Princess – the largest of the fleet). They are working to add a boat in Grand Rapids, to cruise the river there. Color cruises, weddings, proms, class reunions, corporate events, holiday parties and more can be had on any one of these boats. Visit www.michiganprincess.com to learn more.  Thanks to Jeff Crippen for serving as chair of the month, though why he didn’t just RSVP our club for the craft-beer event that was taking place on the boat after we all got OFF the boat is beyond me. President Brewster closed out the program with a coin carrying the four-way-test for Captain Chamberlain and a note that a gift to support clean water will be made in his name. Join us next week at the Country Club of Lansing to hear Kenneth McKaye, Professor, Fisheries Biology, Consultant and Research Associate in Nicaragua speak on: "Rotary Education and Conservation Initiatives in Africa and Nicaragua". |
nal project grants. Approved grants are normally between $1,000-$5,000, focus on clean water, education, or healthcare, and must be sponsored by an international Rotary Club local to the project or a 501(c)(3) organization. The deadline for submitting project proposals is October 27th, and proposals can be submitted directly to Al Yambor at