Guests:

7/22: Katie Bieser (Sarah), Jim Stoops (Susan) and Shawn Montry.

7/29: Richard Lewis (guest of Becky E) and Samantha (guest of Tom K)

​Visiting Rotarians:

7/22: Paul Moessel and Tom Powers

7/29: Ruth Blick (Traverse City)

50/50 Raffle:

7/22: Chris Gutowski was the lucky winner of $40 proceeds

7/29: Kathy Johnson was lucky winner of $28

Announcements

1. We have club happy hour at Sleders after hours on Thursday, July 30. Additionally we are invited to join the other two clubs at Little Fleet next Tuesday, August 4th at 5:30 for a happy hour welcoming DG Tom to town.

2. District Governor Tom Schmidt will be our featured speaker at our August 5th meeting. The Club Board will meet immediately following. Committee Chairs are asked to be present or to make sure they have submitted report. Any member is welcomed to attend.

3. Kris Thomas, Benzie Sunrise Club member is coordinating the Healthy Harvest program to help harvest healthy food at local farms for area food pantries. Check their website or let Craig know if you are interested in picking.

4. Rotary Club of Petoskey Diamonds and Denim Benefit for Top of Michigan Trail Council on Sept. 19. Auction items needed. Tickets are $75 single or $800 for table of eight.

5. Michelle McManus has resigned from the club due to work reasons.

6. The club board tentatively approved the budget for this fiscal year – it is anticipated that committee will have some additional money to spend on projects. 

7. Backpacks for Kids – all the supplies are in – sign up to stuff and distribute August 17-20 – sign up on the website!

8. Becky is looking for raffle prizes for the Backpacks for Kids annual raffle – any club member who has a prize or wants to help with prizes, let Becky know.  Last year we had a record number of prizes and sales!  Let’s beat the record this year!

9. Jack Kelly announced that Elmwood Township residents need to be aware of the millage vote next Tuesday to support the fire department. 
    

July 22 Grand Traverse Laundry Project

Joe Bagby, Community Resource Coordinator with Dept. of Health and Human Services presented a talk on the Grand Traverse Laundry Project. (Joe loves Rotary energy, especially Sunrise)

This project started in 2004 as a response to the question, “what does the community need?” A family of four needs around $2000 per year to keep clothes laundered. That is more than low income families can afford. The program was motivated by schoolchildren coming to class dirty and disheveled. This had a negative impact on the kids’ health, self-image, and career outlook. Since then, the program has been expanded to include seniors over 60 and those with disabilities. Not a means tested program, but clearly used only by those who need it.

The Grand  Traverse Laundry Project operates one day per week during the 9 month school year at two locations: Tom’s Westbay and Garfield Laundry.
Program costs around $22,000 DHS approximately per year, raised via grants, fundraisers, and community support.

Joe’s goal is to have some non-profit group take over the program.  

July 29 Club Assembly

This was a club assembly meeting. President Craig asked everyone to sign up for a committee. There are some cool new opportunities this year, especially with RotarAct and InterAct.  We need everyone’s participation! Kathy mentioned that each committee meeting and service project count as a makeup.  Members were asked to join committee representatives at each table.  The following committees are available:

• Membership – about finding and retaining members, includes the social committee
• Global Service – looking at a new event and service opportunities around the world
• Community Service – local opportunities to make a difference, including Salvation Army bell ringing, the STEP program, Freshwater
• Youth Exchange – Wrap around committee for inbound and outbound exchange students
• Sunrise Foundation – Raising funds for mini grant program and supporting the club’s activities
• Backpacks for Kids – Our signature project and thanks to the new leader, Ryan!
• Raffle – Primary fundraiser to support backpacks.

GET INVOLVED!

The purpose of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is to assist in improving the Rotary knowledge and leadership skills of the future leaders of our Rotary clubs. This program consists of three full-day parts presented over time. It's a highly interactive format that includes lots of small group/team discussion and input. Parts are to be taken sequentially. All sessions are facilitated by certified Discussion Leaders who are all Rotary governors or past presidents who have attended all three parts and been certified.

Upcoming local date where all three tracks are available: August 19th at Baker College in Cadillac

• Part I covers Leadership Characteristics, Rotary Beyond the Club, Teambuilding, Rotary Foundation I, Membership Retention, and Service Projects.
• Part II covers Leadership Goal Setting, The Rotary Foundation II, Communication Skills, Ethics-Vocational Service, Membership Recruitment, and Analyzing Your Rotary Club.
• Part III include International Service, Effective Leadership Strategies (double session), Rotary Opportunities, Leadership-Public Relations, and Making a Difference.

​If you have questions please touch base with Nancy -- she is one of the facilitators.