HOW DO YOU GET ZOOM:  You don’t need to download anything and it costs you nothing to participate. You will receive an invitation from President Pat by email that gives you the time of the meeting. When that time arrives you simply click on the link in the email and it will take you to the meeting. You will be asked a couple of questions with clear prompts and after responding you will be added to the meeting and see everyone participating.  We are making use of all security procedures we are capable of providing.

 

WHEN DOES THE MEETING START? Here is the schedule:

 

1. At 12:15 pm the Zoom room will be available for those that want to log on early and just see what things look like.

 

2. At 12:25 pm the meeting will be called to order

 

3. At 12:30 pm Invocation & Patriotic Song

 

4. At 12:57 pm we will introduce our speaker.

 

5. Speaker starts at 1:00 pm.

 

WHO IS THE SPEAKER AND WHAT IS THE TOPIC?  Our speaker for this week will be Timothy Muffit, Music Director & Conductor of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Jim Forger, Dean of MSU College of Music.

 

FOLLOW UP. Later this week you will get a meeting invitation which will include a live link that gets you into the online meeting. Please keep your microphone muted when you are listening.  Be aware of the lighting in your room, a well lit room with natural light if possible.  Please feel fee to use Chat throughout the meeting.  If you have questions for the speaker, ask them through Chat.

Mayday  Called to order by President Pat Hanes we zoomed into a meeting that was remarkably like the meetings we are used to except for the very low calorie repast and only 67 attendees. None-the-less our invocation by Cindy Kangas was a virtual success extorting us to remain solidly compliant and to remember the importance of animals to a polite society especially those in Potter Park Zoo. A prerecorded John Dale Smith lead us in “America the Beautiful” and President Pat recognized 2 guests one of whom was in attendance. That being our district Governor Marge Haas. Who regularly attends our arm’s length meeting.

 

Pat Munshaw reported the health of the club to be good but sadly Dick Gleason, a previous member’s, son passed away at the tender age of 67.

 

President-elect Julie Pingston was called to early duty to manage announcements which were plentiful beginning with Donna Gardner’s report on the annual Paul Harris campaign normally in April. She tried to put a positive spin on the whole quarantine mess telling us it allows her to be internationally charitable. She has $17,030.00 for the foundation and that polio vaccines only cost 60 cents (Plus shipping and handling) so she is still open for contributions.

 

John Person occupied the screen for the Foundation stating he already has 42 applications but has decided that the donations will focus of virus issues including some money to be held in reserve for future Covid 19 needs. Those interested in serving on the Foundation board are welcome to submit their names for the board to consider for the coming year. June 9th Urban Beat foundation fund raiser in Old Town is on hold for now pending the Governor allowing the state to reopen. More to come.

 

Sue Mills Co-chair with Janet Lillie of the new “Keeping in Touch” volunteer callers committee shared some the responses to the cold calls that were memorable. She still wants more volunteer callers.

 

Tim Damon after having privately “scared” President Pat provided another option for small businesses that are stressed and want to survive. They’d be helped to do so by networking with the Lansing Chamber of Commerce. A valuable resource offering.

 

Special Music featuring talented vocalist Tracy Anderson and guitarist John Collins accompanying her performed; cover of Landslide by Fleetwood Mac and Country Strong from the movie of the same name originally sung by Gwyneth Paltrow. Entertaining both offerings.

 

Our speakers Amy Morris-Hall, CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited Potter Park Zoo and Dennis Laidler from the Zoo’s Education Center. MS AMH using a professional power point presentation told of the goal to inspire conservation and financial stability. A Centennial year for the Park celebrated by the birth of, now famous, Jaali (pronounced Jollyie) a black rhino calf. Mother and calf healthy and well cared for despite the need for employee furloughs and salary reductions. A PPP loan and the 2020 millage will see the Zoo through to the middle of June. John explained the extensive networking of Zoos and our local Zoo’s educational offerings which in good times is extensive, partnering with Colleges and high schools. So good in fact that the Rotary gifted educational center is now too small. The 191 thousand visitors also help the Zoo celebrate Bat and Red Panda appreciation day and who doesn’t appreciate Bats and Pandas after all. What a fun presentation.

 

President Pat then offered the faux adjournment to allow some time for him to educate those of us who do not have teens at home on the exigencies of Zoom. Anyway next week same time and place. At least we won’t be masked. Jason Mellema, Superintendent of Ingham Intermediate School District. Topic “Today’s Virtual Learning”. Talk about timely.

 

Jim McGillicuddy's email is:  sjmcgillicuddy@comcast.net