President Sue Hansen called the meeting to order on a feels-like-spring but it’s definitely construction season Friday. Casey Jacobsen offered a moment of reflection and love. Singing of America the Beautiful ensued. Katie Krick got her steps in, facilitating the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests. Recitation of the 4-way test and a good club health statement shared by Cathy Zell followed. President Sue noted we’ll be changing our meeting location to LCC starting in September; more details to come.
Irv Nichols was called up to the front to receive a framed proclamation celebrating 68 years of Rotary (since April 18, 1958). Justin Sheehan provided theme music for Irv’s walk back to his lunch table. Kevin Schumacher was rewarded for 3 weeks of good behavior by getting the microphone to announce that Clean Sweep Lansing is tomorrow; all are welcome to join the fun. The Rotarians Doing Great Things moment gave kudos to Glenn Granger/Granger Construction for being honored by the Wood Products council for their work on the STEM building at MSU.
Heidi McNaughton spoke about the Rotary International Foundation; your support of the annual fund or disaster relief matters. Please give. Every year. At least $100, more if you can. Donors become Paul Harris fellows (earning a pin) when they earn 1,000 recognition points (which you can give, get, etc). District is matching this year, so when you give $500, they match with $500. It’s a BOGO (buy 1 get 1)! When you move beyond your first Paul Harris, you earn jewels for your crown (well, pin). Make checks to “Rotary Foundation”, give online via credit card, or even gift appreciated stock. With a prompt by Ken Beachler, Heidi moved from one mic to another, joining John Dale Smith and providing us with the beauty of two Rogers & Hammerstein selections.
President Sue acknowledged Chair of the month/day Scott Duimstra, who introduced Michele Strasz, Executive Director of the Capital Area College Access Network. Ms. Strasz is a professional child advocate with 30 plus years of experience in children’s public policy, recognized statewide for her expertise in community collaboration, grassroots mobilization, and youth and parent advocacy. The Capital Area College Access Network is a community collaborative network dedicated to increasing college and career readiness, participation and completion among low-income, first-generation college going students, and students of color. To learn more visit www.capcan.org
Ms. Strasz spoke about how critical Postsecondary Education is to our economic recovery. She had spent the morning with 250 high school juniors, and their energy carried her to us. Her key points included:
• Michigan’s goal is 60% postsecondary attainment by 2030. This includes two and four year degrees, vocational or technical degrees or certifications, registered apprenticeships in the skilled trades like plumbing, electrical, construction trades, and military, which provides more postsecondary options.
• Significant data shows the importance of this work, including earnings over lifetime, and more.
• Graduating or turning 18 is not an automatic lever that you know how to do everything.
• Thanks to Rotary for granting CapCAN funds to help support this work.
• If you/your business wants to get involved as a partner, email strasz@capcan.org.
Q&A ensued. President Sue thanked Ms. Strasz, noting that in lieu of a speaker’s gift, we will make a gift in her name to the Lansing Rotary Foundation which provides support to organizations across our communities, supporting more than $2M in projects and needs over our history.
NEXT WEEK: April 29 @ Lansing Center, with Casey Thompson, President & CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing.
Respectfully submitted by Michelle Reynaert, michelle.reynaert@sparrow.org.