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On cue, as today’s official time piece of Lansing Rotary (that is the watch on my wrist) struck exactly 12:30pm, President Lisa called the august (yes, this is a word aside from the month, but it pales in comparison to paraskevidekatriaphobia from last week) meeting of the Lansing Rotary Club to order. The invocation was presented by Bob McKee, followed by the singing of our patriotic song. Rotarian Matt Anderson skillfully traversed the room to make certain all guests and visiting Rotarians could be suitably introduced and acknowledged…which they were. Deb Mikula gave our Remembrance Report and we heard that Erik Larson’s mother had passed away. A memorial service is planned for June 8 at the Haslett Community Church at 5:30pm. I know that all of our thoughts and prayers are with Erik and his family.
Pat Hanes was then invited to the podium to announce that our long-awaited book, History of the Rotary Club of Lansing, One Hundred Years of Service Above Self, 1916-2016, would be distributed at the conclusion of the meeting. Pat gave a brief history beginning with the idea to have a centennial text, and his now famous observation of what a “stupid decision it was to volunteer to be a part of the committee”. All we can say now is, Pat, thanks for making that decision. The book looks spectacular! (And for any of us who have been tasked with putting a history like this together, it is a herculean task). Beginning in the fall of 2014, Mark Hooper and Pat had that famous conversation, that this text can remind Rotarians to step back and remind ourselves what a great organization Lansing Rotary is! Pat recognized many, many Rotarians and non-Rotarians who made this book possible, with a special recognition to Cathy Andrews, which led to a round of applause. As Pat stated, he “could not look through the book without being very proud of being a Rotarian.” After viewing my copy, I concur. So 1500 emails and 18 drafts later, with the input of countless people who truly care, we have a history now for the ages of our Club. Each Rotarian will be billed $25 on their quarterly invoice, with the Club underwriting the balance of the cost. To Pat and everyone who made this history of our Club possible, THANK YOU for a job well done!!
We then learned that Diane Sandborn has received the Community Builder Award from Mayor Bernero. Congratulations, Diane. Friday, June 17 is our Club’s 100 year celebration at the Lansing Center. Thursday, June 23rd we will hold our regular weekly meeting (which means we will not meet on Friday that week), with a very special guest speaker, Rotary International’s President will travel to Lansing in recognition of our Centennial Celebration. Remember, he is president of 1.2 million Rotarians, and he will be speaking at our meeting. (Pat Hanes-We need to make certain someone has a camera so that this can be documented for our 200 year celebration – just in case you get asked again). Prior to the meeting of June 23rd, we will meet at I-5 Museum at 10:30am for a media event surrounding our Centennial Project at Impression 5.
Gary Baxter next announced the May birthdays focusing on favorite birthday traditions. The club recognized our May Rotarian birthdays with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.
Then the Lawrence Welk of Lansing Rotary, our own Ken Beachler, introduced our special music of the day, singer MacKenzie Jacobs, and what a special young lady she is! A sophomore at Haslett High School, MacKenzie held the room in awe with the magnificence of her voice. Ken and John Dale Smith just seem to take our entertainment to new levels every week. Thank you…and Bravo!
And then we got to our speaker of the day, introduced by Lansing’s Master of Ceremony extraordinaire, Chris Holman. Beginning with a recognition of two very familiar faces in the crowd (to many of Lansing Rotary’s longer serving members), Chris welcomed Jim Reutter and Wayne Williams to the meeting, as a recognition that summer time cannot be too far off. Welcome to both of you. Remembering his task, Chris proceeded to introduce Lansing Public School Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul, and actually almost got the pronunciation correct – he really was close.
Superintendent Caamal Canul (or Yvonne to us), began by explaining her Mayan double last name. She shared that when Jack Davis asked her to speak, she quickly concluded that you just don’t refuse Jack Davis! Her background includes a circuitous route of teaching, MSU, back to help in the Lansing School District Superintendent transition, and then into the position for real. The focus of her comments was the wonderful support of the people of Lansing in the passage of the recent Bond proposal. She had hoped for passage, but she wanted more. She wanted a positive message from the community in the form of a mandate, and this is what she and the school board received. She made a point to thank Kelly Dean, Tim Daman and the Chamber, Chris Holman, Jack Davis and Joan Bauer, as well as her Board. She then proceeded to explain the proposal that the community supported and the impact it will have on the students in Lansing.
The bond proposal was all about career and college preparation for the Lansing students. With the Promise Scholarship, the schools need to create a pipeline to college readiness. She pointed to champions like Lansing’s own Magic Johnson. The bond proposal was based on an educational plan, not bricks and mortar. She then explained the plan and where the school district is headed.
“One Vision- 3 Pathways – A World of Promise” is the theme of the plan, and it is focused on a real world, 21st century assessment of learning. It is a $120 million investment based on partnerships in many areas. $19 million will be used for improvements while the balance will go to security, technology and infrastructure. Part of the infrastructure is about retrofitting existing buildings to create opportunities for every child in the school district so that each can excel in their own area of interest and skill. The ‘pathways’ are as follows:
- Eastern High School will focus on biotechnologies and science. It will also host the International Baccalaureate program;
- Everett High School will serve as the center for visual and performing arts and new technologies;
- Sexton High School will work with Lansing Community College and Ferris State University to focus on STEM and STEAM education as well as manufacturing, skilled trades and STEAM careers.
Eastern High School will move to the new Pattengill Middle School, which will be relocated across the street to the Fairview site. Eastern will soon have its own sports facilities to host home football as well as other sports. Everett High School will have a new auditorium and more including video production labs and art studios. Sexton High School will be a prime location for labs for students. Lansing will be a 3 high school city, offering amazing options for every student.
Yvonne concluded by sharing recent statistics which indicate that the Lansing School District is on the rise with graduation rates increasing sizably. The city needs a solid school system and these growing partnerships between the city, schools and area businesses are making a positive difference. She concluded by thanking Lansing Rotary for this opportunity for her to tell this wonderful story and thanking the community for its support. Questions followed.
There will not be a meeting of the Lansing Rotary Club next week due to the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. Our next meeting of the club will be on Friday, June 3rd. Best wishes to all for an enjoyable and safe holiday as the summer season in Michigan officially begins.
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