PDG Timothy A. Lee is married to Rotarian Amy and is a father to eleven children (7 youth exchange student). Tim is passionate about Church, family, Rotary, and The Rotary Foundation. His hobbies include Lake Life, cruises, classic cars, board games, and visiting Rotary Clubs. He is a member of the Sturgis Rotary Club in Michigan (D6360) and holds the classification of Forensic Engineer.
In 2016, PDG Timothy Allen Lee was honored with ‘The Service Above Self Award’ by the Rotary International Board of Directors for his dedicated work in all five Avenues of Rotary service. Tim was just one of 139 recipients worldwide of the Service Above Self Award in 2016. In 2018, Tim received the ‘Citation for Meritorious Service’ from the Trustees of TRF.
Tim has attended 14 Rotary International Conventions: Bangkok, New Orleans, Lisbon, Sydney, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Atlanta, Toronto, Hamburg, Houston, Melbourn, Singapore, Calgary and Taiwan. Tim and Amy have been Deputy SAAs “Yellow Jackets” for nine RI Conventions, and seven Rotary International Assemblies. Tim has attended 11 Zone Institutes. Tim was appointed Chief SAA for the 2024 International Assembly by RI President-Elect Stephanie Urchick, and was also appointed Chief SAA for the 2025 International Assembly by former RI President-Elect Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo. Tim’s SAA duties also included the 2025 Council-on-Legislation. In June 2025, Tim and Amy were honored to be RI President Stephanie Urchick’s personal SAAs at the Calgary, Canada Convention. Tim is an advisor on the 2027 RI Convention in Barcelona, Spain and has been appointed by President Yinka Babalola as Chief SAA for the Barcelona Convention.
Tim graduated from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He also graduated from Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana in 1996 with a Master of Business Administration degree. His expertise as a Forensic Civil Engineer has been developed over his 40+ year career with engineering, utility, and construction companies. He is registered as a Professional Engineer in Indiana and surrounding States, has worked in approximately 30 States, and has authored over 4000 professional reports for the assessment of damage to properties. Timothy A. Lee, PE owns a consulting engineering business, T. Lee Engineering, and the firm has been in business for more than 20 years.
It has been a great month discussing diversity, equity and inclusion. We had some amazing speakers and they really were able to make many of us aware of things we didn’t know. It also spoke to Rotary’s values. I think most members really enjoyed the content and the work it took to put these speakers in place. I do want to address how important it is to not stereotype any group. It is important to accept and not stereotype women, minorities or people who have religious affiliations we are not familiar with and also white men. No one…no matter the color of their skin , white or black or brown should be discriminated against or pre judged. It is important to be kind to all and live in the spirit of Rotary.
Each year our Foundation looks to its members to identify International Projects worthy of our assistance. Members of the Rotary Club of Lansing can sponsor grants to organizations which advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. The International Committee meets to review and score applications for funding. Funding is typically in the $1,000 to $5,000 range per project. Annually our Foundation has typically awarded a total of $30,000 to $40,000 for international grants.
DowntownLansing Inc is having its annual Big Red Ball on Saturday, November 21, and they are looking for volunteers to help with the event. DLI’s mission is to “strengthen and nurture the culture, health, and sustainability of our downtown district.” Shifts on November 21 include event setup 2:30-5:30 pm, various shifts during the event from 5:30-10:00 pm, and event tear down and cleanup from 9:30-11:30 pm. More information can be found here: https://signup.com/go/GpgGkpd.
President Susan Angel brought the meeting to order with a ring of the Rotary bell and led the Club in reciting the 4-way test. Anne Cauley offered a reflection from Mother Theresa, and voices united to sing God Bless America.
Julie Pingston was on microphone duty to welcome guests and visiting Rotarians; the health of the club was determined to be (mostly) well. Thank you again to Julie for stepping in at the very last minute.
A special music performance was provided by two theater students, Ethan Curry and Lindsey Camp, along with pianist John Dillingham, introduced by Kelly Stuible-Clark, LCC faculty in the music department.
ANNOUNCEMENTS included a call for volunteers to help Downtown Lansing, Inc., with the Big Red Ball on Saturday, November 21st, and a reminder to wear your Paul Harris pins next week for our District Governor’s visit.
Anne Cauley, multitasking as Chair of the Day, introduced Rabbi Amy Bigman, Rabbi of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing since July 2008, to talk with assembled Rotarians about “Living as a Jew in an increasingly antisemitic world”.
Rabbi Amy Bigman received her honorary Doctor of Divinity in recognition of her 25 years of service to the Jewish and general communities from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in March 2017. Rabbi Bigman has been active on several advisory boards and committees, and continues to serve our community in many ways.
Antisemitism has been around for too long. A simple definition is “hostility to or prejudice against Jewish people”. The State Department Website has a long list of manifestations of antisemitism. But there is a more personal side of how Jews today feel about being Jewish in an increasingly hostile world. Rabbi Bigman notes, “We are scared. Our synagogue is locked 24-7.” They’ve made investments in security, applying for grants to help fund their security needs. “People are hesitant to enter the building” due to threats there and elsewhere. “Cemeteries are desecrated, buildings are defaced, members are hurt or killed. The list goes on and on”. Three years ago, Hamas attacked Israel (Oct. 7, 2023). Most of us know this global event as a battle that continues today, but it means something more to Jews. Israel is an important part of modern Jewish life. “It is our homeland”; many have connections there – relatives, friends, memories. On that dark day, a family of Jews around the world grieved on what should have been a celebration day – a Holy Day. 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered, and 251 people were taken hostage. Israel retaliated and tried to get the hostages back home. For 2.5 years, Israel continued to fight to get hostages back home; the living and those who had died- so that families could bury their loved ones. She noted that the vast majority of Jews do not agree with all the Israeli government's actions, just as we all don’t agree with everything the US government does.
Rabbi Bigman reflects that “it is dangerous to be a Jew in our world today”. She reminds her congregation, “We must be proud to be Jewish, as Americans and as Jews”. “Every person is equal, and we should treat others as we would want to be treated. Freedom of religion is a foundational belief of America. “We must be safe in our homes, our synagogues, and in public, as everyone should be”.
Q& A ensued, with several reflecting, with sadness, on what they see in our communities and around the world. There was additional dialogue around solutions, education, civics, observation of holidays, communication, collaboration, and more. Thanks to every Rotarian who showed up to hear about this important topic; we all have a role in making this world a better place for everyone.
Our next meeting will be Friday, October 30, with District Governor Tim Lee joining us to present the Paul Harris Awards.
PDG Timothy A. Lee is married to Rotarian Amy and is a father to eleven children (7 youth exchange student). Tim is passionate about Church, family, Rotary, and The Rotary Foundation. His hobbies include Lake Life, cruises, classic cars, board games, and visiting Rotary Clubs. He is a member of the Sturgis Rotary Club in Michigan (D6360) and holds the classification of Forensic Engineer.
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DowntownLansing Inc is having its annual Big Red Ball on Saturday, November 21, and they are looking for volunteers to help with the event. DLI’s mission is to “strengthen and nurture the culture, health, and sustainability of our downtown district.” Shifts on November 21 include event setup 2:30-5:30 pm, various shifts during the event from 5:30-10:00 pm, and event tear down and cleanup from 9:30-11:30 pm. More information can be found here: 
Rabbi Bigman reflects that “it is dangerous to be a Jew in our world today”. She reminds her congregation, “We must be proud to be Jewish, as Americans and as Jews”. “Every person is equal, and we should treat others as we would want to be treated. Freedom of religion is a foundational belief of America. “We must be safe in our homes, our synagogues, and in public, as everyone should be”.