2.28.19 – Club News and Photos

Club News written by Roger Morgenstern

We enjoyed an overview of the University Research Corridor (URC) from its executive director, Britany Affolter-Caine. Here bio is available here. The organization is a collaboration between the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University, the state’s three major public research institutions. In 2017, the URC had an estimated economic impact statewide of $18.7 billion.

Chuck Caldwell shared with us the important distinctions between our local Grand Rapids Rotary Charities Foundation, which funds programs related to our Club, and the Rotary International Foundation, which supports RI issues worldwide. While members are asked to contribute $100 a year to each foundation, our local foundation also relies on fund-raisers. With our golf outing now retired and until a new summertime is identified, our annual Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Dinner is our single largest fund-raiser. Tickets are still available for the April 16 dinner honoring our own Jackie Taylor and more information is available.

For the first time, our Club had both its inbound and outbound exchange students at our weekly meeting. Getting ready to go to South Korea later this year is Jacob Starner Jr., who attends East Grand Rapids. He follows in his parents’ footsteps, who were also exchange students. Also joining us was Masa Yamato from Japan, who is attending Forest Hills Central. He presented President Chelsea with a banner from his home club, Shin Yokohama, Japan. Anyone living in or near the Forest Hills Central School District who may be interested in hosting Masa from April to July, please contact Dawn.