INVOCATION
Juliane Morian gave the invocation.
GUESTS
In addition to 42 members in attendance, we welcomed Jenay Frost, Marketing and Development Specialist for OPC, Matt Reynolds, a Habitat for Humanity Oakland County board member, and Missy Aupperle, Chief Philanthropy and Marketing Officer for Leader Dogs.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
This week, many birthdays were celebrated, including Ted Roumel, Angela DelPup, Greg Schaefer, Dave Dulio, and Alan McLellan.
FIFTEENTH HANDSHAKE
Marty McClure was the 15th handshake, thus evading fines for this week. Just to remind you, folks, you must be present to benefit from this recognition.
ROTARIAN OF THE WEEK
Paula D'Ambrosio decided to keep the award for another week because the person she wanted to recognize was absent. Hint, hint, Bill Ebinger!
HAPPY BUCKS
Kyle Johnson and his new bride, Elizabeth, enjoyed a two-week honeymoon in Hawaii. Congratulations to Kyle and Elizabeth on their recent marriage!
David Archbold praised Rachel Aviles for straightening up the name badge case. He didn't want to call it a happy buck; he said it was a lucky buck!
Ron Lichtle is celebrating the birthday of his oldest child (?), who is now 53.
Jerry Carvey invited everyone to a sing-along at OPC on September 9th at 2 p.m. Jerry promises that Rotarians will be familiar with all the songs.
Carol Fanciossi has now waited two times in the Paint Creek Trail parking lot for other Rotarians to join her on a ride. No one showed up on Saturday, September 24th. She will be there on Saturday, September 24, if you want to join her.
Alan McLellan celebrated/lamented that he and Jeanne are empty nesters as their last child has left for college. Alan, as you know, the kids leave temporarily, but the bills continue, and sometimes the kids move back in, so keep your options open with that now empty bedroom!
It will be quite a while before Rachel Aviles has an empty nest, but her oldest child went off to college, and her youngest started kindergarten.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
We welcomed two new members today. Kay Ellen Wilkins is the Co-owner of the Rochester Conservatory of Music. The Conservatory is celebrating its 40th year as the premiere community music school in Oakland County. Under the direction of Kay Ellen and her husband Cliff and their talented staff of over 25 highly trained and educated teachers – most with Masters degrees or higher – the Rochester Conservatory has guided the musical education of thousands of students.
Our second new member is Paul Licker. In his youth, Paul was a "junior Rotarian" (Interactor?). Paul (Ph D, University of Pennsylvania, 1977) has worked as a social scientist, computer programmer, systems analyst, software entrepreneur, communication consultant, and university lecturer in Thailand, the UK, the US, Canada, and South Africa. The author of over eighty published research papers, three textbooks, two monographs, and numerous refereed and invited conference papers, he has research interests including IT for national development, business models for the new economy, IT-user relations, user responsibility in IT, groupware for business incubation, and strategic deployment of IT. He is an Emeritus Professor of MIS at Oakland University.
On a motion by Stuart Siegner, which David Archbold seconded, the Club approved and presented OPC with a $5,000 grant for its Acts of Kindness grant program, which helps fund home repairs for seniors in need.
President of Rochester Rotary Charities, Tom Townsend, presented a $1,500 check to Bikes for Kids.
BOARD ACTIONS
The Club Board met on Wednesday, August 21st, and adopted a new policy on Presentations on or Distribution of Non-Rotary Materials Policy. The policy is posted on the club website under "Our Club/Official Documents/Policies".
The Board discussed combining the Secretary and Assistant Secretary positions. Attendance recording was a big part of the Secretary's duties. Due to changes in Rotary policy, attendance is no longer tracked. Eliminating the Assistant Secretary position would require an amendment to the Club bylaws. Once the Board is satisfied with the proposed bylaws change, it will be brought to the club for discussion and a vote as required by the bylaws.
The Board wishes to recognize two Bordine employees, Eric Perushki and Heather Glenday, with Paul Harris Fellowships. Eric is the primary contact for the Club's annual wine tasting. Heather is the General Manager at Bordine's in Rochester Hills and the primary contact for the club's annual poinsettia sale. Ernie Schaefer will secure the awards, and a presentation will be scheduled for next month.
Lastly, please don't talk while speakers are making their presentations. Not only is it being rude to the speaker, but it is distracting to other members.
SONG LEADER
In an ode to the end of summer, song leader Ted Roumel led the club in singing School Days and In the Good Old Summer Time.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
Sheriff Peter Stuhlreyer was anxious to fine the two new members and ensure they quickly became comfortable with their membership duties.
He then proceeded to fine himself, as he and his wife will soon pay for their daughter's wedding. He may want to commiserate with Kyle Johnson's father-in-law on that project.
August 27 is not an auspicious day in the world, but it is National Banana Lover's Day.
John Gaber was fined for his lack of knowledge or experience regarding "magic mushrooms" or for not knowing that August is Mushroom Month.
August is also National Golf Month, and since most members will participate in the Club's annual golf outing on September 17th, there will be no regular meeting that day.
Peter also noted that gas was down 5¢ a gallon. Those attending today could contribute their windfalls to the fines account.
In a final attempt to boost the fine total, Peter had members play Rock, Paper, and Scissors against Jay Eastman because Jay had on his neon pink Barbie shirt today. Jay was "scissors," so anyone who came up as "paper" was fined.
Peter pulled in $198 today that will go toward our scholarship fund.
SPEAKER
Michele Hodges, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, reviewed the organization's goals and activities. She spoke to our club several years ago when she was with the Belle Isle Conservancy. She is a former Rotarian and firmly believes in the Four Way Test as a way for organizations and individuals to build a better culture and vibrant community.
Habitat has two ReStores, one in Waterford and one soon to open in Southfield.The ReStores are home improvement stores and donation centers selling new and gently used furniture, appliances, home goods, building materials and more. Habitat will pick up donated furniture and construction materials, and the public is welcome to shop at the ReStores.
Habitat's goal is more than building new homes. Through its Rock the Block initiative, Habitat brings together homeowners, volunteers, community/corporate sponsors and staff, in a neighborhood revitalization effort. This event offers minor exterior home repairs to homeowners at a modest price. Volunteers work with Habitat’s construction staff to:
- Repair porches and/or fences
- Repair cracked concrete
- Clean gutters
- Complete yard clean-up
This program ensures that homeowners reside in safe housing, enables seniors to age-in-place, maintains and increases home values, and fosters neighborhood stability.
Habitat wants to teach people how to be good homeowners and how to maintain a home. It also wants to revitalize neighborhoods block by block by bringing existing homes up to code.
There is a solid commitment to developing communities by building on vacant or blight-ridden land and turning those areas into beloved communities. It is not just about the buildings. It is about people. They seek homeowners and volunteers who don't want to "play" house but want to "build" homes.
For more information on this inspirational organization, visit their website at https://www.habitatoakland.org/.
