Michele Strasz is the Director of Community Impact and Policy with the United Way South Central Michigan Capital Area. She leads strategy on policy, volunteerism and the Capital Area College Access Network. Ms. Strasz is a professional child advocate with 30 plus years experience in child and family public policy. She is a seasoned nonprofit leader with expertise in community collaboration, grassroots mobilization, and youth and parent advocacy.
 

The Board voted to accept corporate memberships at the October board meeting. This new policy allows corporations to have one primary member and two alternate members, all of whom are invited to attend meetings and become active members of our club. Corporate membership costs 50% more than an individual membership, plus a one-year initiation free. If more than one person attends the same meeting, guest lunch fees apply. Please get in touch with co-membership chairs Ben Rathbun or Sue Hansen if you know of a corporation that might be interested!

 

The grant period for the International Grants will be open from October 15th to November 15th, 2024.  The link for the application is below:

 

Rotarians and guests gathered at the newly reopened Irish Pub, which you should certainly check out soon if you haven't already. In chatting with one of the owners, Jeremy, (who used to bartend and DJ at Preston's in downtown Grand Ledge,) this Editarian made sure to mention how fantastic the place looks and thank them for coming back on the foodie and social scene. The staff was on-point, serving drinks, swiping cards and slicing pizzas.

 

Linda Sarnelli brought a lovely guest Claudia Drake, with a very nice accent! She promised to return.

 

In terms of Rotarians being social, those absent missed Diane Sanborn working the room representing "sweet cream filling in a chocolate frosted sprinkle donut". Why? Because she can. And for $5 spent at your local thrift store, you can join her. Intense debate ensued...when choosing a donut (think Long-John-style), do you choose cream or custard filled?

 

The votes were split. Speaking of voting, Chris Swope voted early and was rocking a fancy I VOTED sticker. Seems he has too much to do on Election Day to stand in line like those of us who still enjoy the process of going to the poll, feeding the sheet in the machine that tells us what number voter we are, and snagging our sticker.

 

Sue Hansen didn't have a donut costume but she was beyond her usual sparkling self, in a gorgeous jacket that, when hit by the sunbeams streaming in, scattered light like a disco ball on the otherwise basic suit sported by John Pence. In other news, a few folks are hiring new people, some people have new jobs, and a new event will be held in downtown Lansing on Dec 7th (The Big Red Ball). Cheers!

Email for Michelle Reyanert:  mreynaert@michfb.com