Rotary Club Of Grand Rapids

9.5.19 - Club 77 @ Mathison | Mathison Architects
2019-09-05 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Detroit) | MI

9.12.19 - Dr. Bernice Patterson
2019-09-12 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Dr. Bernice Patterson is passionate about seeing the worlds of psychology and spirituality come together to speak to the real and relevant needs of the people and organizations that she serves. Through her role as Founder and CEO of Infinity Consultation Group (ICG), Dr. Patterson has been able to craft and deliver thought provoking and life changing interactive workshops and seminars. She is a highly sought-after speaker inside and outside of the church, where she is able to motivate her listeners to take a hard and honest look at themselves and ask the questions, “Who do I want to be in this world and am I doing the work to be that person? If not, what is holding me back?” Through her platform she has been able to lead people into a deeper understanding of self, their mental and emotional health, and how to better co-exist within the worlds that they live and work in daily.
Dr. Patterson has been working in the field of psychology for the past 12 years. She has developed, managed, and currently facilitates monthly cultural diversity trainings for an APA accredited pre-doctoral internship. Dr. Patterson currently serves as the Cultural Diversity Liaison for the largest free-standing psychiatric hospital in the nation, and implemented a five-part training series entitled Cultural Diversity and Its Impact on Behavioral Health Professionals and the Communities That They Serve for their outpatient clinic network and their Chaplin Training Program.

9.19.19 - Kenny Wawsczyk
2019-09-19 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Kenny Wawsczyk joined the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) as the Regional Trail Coordinator for Michigan in August 2015. Seven years prior he worked seasonally for the U.S Forest Service in the Manistee National Forest as the Trails Crew Leader.
Born and raised in White Cloud he still lives close by with his wife Maureen and three year old son, Patrick. In his spare time you can find him outdoors either fishing, hunting or hiking.

9.26.19 - Michael Van Denend
2019-09-26 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Michael has always been interested in world events and issues—and is a strong advocate of non-partisan grace-filled discourse.
He’s fond of Richard Mouw’s description of “convicted civility”—which is “combining a civil outlook with a passionate intensity about our convictions.”
Along with wife Loni, he’s been on a number of global adventures—and they’ve served numerous times in Haiti, before and after the devastating 2011 earthquake.
Michael came to the World Affairs Council after 33 years as the executive director of the Calvin College Alumni Association, where he interviewed and wrote stories about alumni all over the globe.
In addition, he’s an on-air radio programmer at WYCE 88.1 FM (Saturdays from 8-10 a.m.) where he presents folk, blues, jazz, rock and a lot of WORLD music.

10.3.19 - Club 77 @ One Bourbon and Bridge Street Market
2019-10-03 16:00 - 17:30 | One Bourbon, 608 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, 49504, United States
We will be starting at One Bourbon and then going to Bridge Street Market for a tour hosted by our own Ken Bair, Store Manager.
A time for networking and socializing, while getting to know more about Rotary and our Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Member.
Please feel free to invite your significant other, friends, co-workers and prospective members for a fun evening enjoying food, beverages and friendship.

10.10.19 - Dr. Hyung T. Kim
2019-10-10 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Dr. Kim earned his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed both his internal medicine residency and an MBA at the University of Michigan. He was also a leader of the healthcare practice at renowned consultancy McKinsey & Co. and an executive at Ascension Health before returning to academic healthcare – most recently as senior associate dean for clinical affairs at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
Dr. Kim brings extensive, versatile experience as a physician executive with proven leadership in operations, quality, strategy, technology and innovation. In addition to his tenure at MSU, Dr. Kim also served as CEO of SIU HealthCare, where he had oversight of patient care at SIU School of Medicine, including leadership of a faculty group practice of more than 250 physicians and other providers practicing in 60 locations. As a vice president at Ascension Health in St. Louis, Missouri, he led strategy and development for an internal innovation center.
His experience as a chief executive brings an extensive set of skills to lead Saint Mary’s. His proven leadership in building alignment and leading change in complex environments poises him to lead the organization through the intricacies of health care delivery in our community.
This summer, his wife, Joyce and their three children, moved to East Grand Rapids. Their oldest daughter began attending Michigan State University this fall; their second daughter is a junior and their son a freshman in high school.

10.17.19 - Michelle LaJoye-Young
2019-10-17 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Michelle has worked for the Kent County Sheriff’s Office since 1989 in various roles within the Corrections, Patrol, Communications, and Support Services Divisions; she served as Chief Deputy, Undersheriff, and appointed in 2018 as Sheriff. She has worked diligently to implement processes which make the Office of the Sheriff more efficient, transparent and accountable to the community. Some of her key projects include a jail expansion, Jail Management and data collection software, criminal history improvement, law enforcement mobile computing initiatives, dispatch consolidation and record management upgrades. The Sheriff’s Office has most recently released a mobile app as a resource to our community partners. In 2018, she was recognized by the Governor for her contributions to statewide communications.
Michelle served in the Michigan Army National Guard and Army Reserves from 1985 through 1998 where she left as a Captain. She obtained her Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University, a Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University, MCOLES certification from Grand Rapids Community College, and graduated from Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. In 2016, Michelle was inducted into the Michigan State University School of Justice Wall of fame. In November 2018, Michelle was appointed as the first female Sheriff in Kent County history and the only existing female Sheriff in the State of Michigan.
Michelle is proud to represent Kent County and the Sheriff’s Office in various boards and organizations and works hard to ensure Kent County community values are represented on a local, state and federal level. Some of her key memberships are:

Children’s Advocacy Center, Board Member
Grand Rapids Boys and Girls Club, Board Member
Michigan Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board, Member
Michigan Criminal Justice Advisory Board, Governor Appointment
Michigan Interoperability Board, Governor Appointment
FBI Mobile Data Security Taskforce, Member
FBI Information Services Committee, Member
FBI Beyond 2020, Criminal Records Improvement, Committee Member
Grand Rapids Community College Corrections Advisory Board Member
Grand Rapids Community College Law Enforcement Advisory Board Member
Grand Valley University Police Academy Advisory Board Member

10.24.19 - Michelle Van Dyke
2019-10-24 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Michelle Van Dyke serves as President & CEO of Heart of West Michigan United Way and has held this position since January 2016.
Previously, Michelle was the president of Fifth Third Mortgage Company. Michelle joined Fifth Third Bank in 2001 through the acquisition of Old Kent Bank, and assumed the position of executive vice president of Retail Banking. In 2004, she was named president and CEO of the Western Michigan affiliate. She later was named regional president for each of Fifth Third Bank’s Michigan affiliates. In 2009, Van Dyke assumed the responsibility for the St. Louis affiliates and the Ohio affiliates in 2011.
In 2014, she accepted the role of president of Fifth Third Mortgage Company.
While at Old Kent, Van Dyke served as senior vice president and manager of the Central U.S. Mortgage region. She was named president of Old Kent Bank, Illinois, in 2000.
Van Dyke received her bachelor’s degree in business economics from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Van Dyke serves on the boards of Davenport University, Spectrum Health System, and Fifth Third Bank, Western Michigan.
Van Dyke was named one of American Banker’s “25 Most Powerful Women in Banking” in 2007, 2012, 2013, and 2014, and a “Woman to Watch” in 2005, 2010, 2011, and 2015. In 2013, Van Dyke was named a “Woman of Achievement and Courage” by the Michigan Women’s Foundation. In 2014, and 2018 Van Dyke was named one of “The 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan” by the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

10.31.19 - Eric Payne and Scott Rifenberg
2019-10-31 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Eric Payne began his tenure as Police Chief on July 22, 2019. With more than 30 years of experience with the Grand Rapids Police Department, Chief Payne remains focused on the priority areas of safety, community policing, transparency, staffing and training.
Chief Payne grew up in Dowagiac, Michigan. He attended Grand Valley State University (GVSU), earning a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. He worked as a police officer for GVSU until he joined the Grand Rapids Police Department in September 1987. He is a graduate of the department’s Leadership Institute and has received advanced leadership training from the Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Institute and the Leadership Institute for Police Executives and New Chiefs.
Throughout his tenure with the department, Chief Payne has served on Patrol, in the Vice Unit and as a member of the Detective Unit’s Major Case Team. He has served as a Patrol Watch Commander and as the Administrative Lieutenant for the South Service Area. As a Captain, Chief Payne was Commander of the South Service Area and then the Investigative Division, which includes the Detective, Vice and Forensic Services units. In September 2017, Chief Payne was promoted to Deputy Police Chief of Operations, overseeing the Patrol Division, Special Response Team, Traffic Unit and Office of Special Events. Chief Payne has been a member of the department’s Crisis Negotiation Team since 1992. He served as its commander from 2010 to 2018.
Chief Payne and his wife, Jessica (a former Sergeant with the department), have two children.
Scott Rifenberg was born in Holland and raised in Grand Rapids. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Deputy Chief Rifenberg began his career with the GRPD in 1996, serving on patrol in the West and South Service Areas, as well as spending six years with the Special Response Team (SRT). In September 2003, he was assigned to an acting Sergeant role and served the Southwest Service Area. After his promotion to Sergeant in August 2004 he held assignments in the South and East Service Areas, as well as the Vice Unit and SRT. In January 2014 he was assigned as a Watch Commander in an acting Lieutenant role. He was officially promoted to Lieutenant in November 2014 and assigned to command the SRT. Upon being promoted to Captain in July 2016, he commanded the newly formed Central Service Area.
His additional duties throughout his career have included Field Training Officer (FTO), Firearms Instructor and Use of Force Instructor. He is a graduate of the department’s Leadership Institute and was nominated for Officer of the Year in 2000 and 2007. Throughout his career Deputy Chief Rifenberg has been awarded a Commendation Award, four Team Performance Awards, an Achievement Award, three Meritorious Unit Citations, a Chief’s Citation, and several Letters of Recognition. Deputy Chief Rifenberg and his wife, Shannon, have three daughters.

11.7.19 - Club 77 - Choice One Bank - RSVP by Oct 31st
2019-11-07 17:00 - 18:30 | Choice One Bank, 330 Market St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
A time for networking and socializing, while getting to know more about Rotary and our Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Member. This event will be in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Young Professionals.
Please feel free to invite your significant other, friends, co-workers and prospective members for a fun evening enjoying food, beverages and friendship!

11.14.19 - John Baxter, Paul Ryan and Samantha Rose
2019-11-14 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
John Baxter – Western Michigan Area Chair, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR)
John joined the US Navy, and served from 1966-1969.
Served with the Military Headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from 1966-1968. Volunteered for Vietnam in 1968 and was assigned to MACV HQ(Saigon): The Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Saigon) with various Advanced Tactical Support Bases in the Mekong Delta – in support of 2 River Patrol Boat Divisions, a Detachment of Sealwolf Heliocopters, and a SEAL Detachment
Upon his return from Vietnam, he served with the Navy’s Atlantic Nuclear Submarine Fleet Support Team.
Upon release from Active Duty, John earned his BS in Marketing from Michigan State University, and his Masters in Management from the Kellogg School, Northwestern University. He is currently CEO and President of Compass Associates, Inc. a strategic Marketing and Competitive Intelligence consulting firm with Associates worldwide.
Service Awards:

National Defense Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Medal (pending)
Letter of Commendation – Commander of the USS Ray, SSN 653 (Nuclear Attack Submarine)

Volunteer Activities:
John was a charter member of the Wheaton AM (IL) Rotary Club, Rotarian of the Year In 1989, and is a Paul Harris Fellow. John was also a member of the Grand Rapids Downtown Rotary Club. He also served as a City of East Grand Rapids City
City Commissioner, and is currently on the Kent County Veterans Services Board Member – 2018 – present, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves – 2019 – present, and a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, among other activities.
Paul J. Ryan – State Chair-Emeritus,State of Michigan ESGR
Served for 25 years with the US Navy, attaining the rank of Captain. During his Active and Reserve Service, Paul was deployed in the Western Pacific. His military decorations include the Meritorious Medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (twice), and various service awards.
Paul was also involved with the Old Kent Bank (now Fifth Third Bank), and retired as Vice President after a 37 year career.
Paul volunteered with the ESGR for 18 years, and is the Emeritus Chairman of the State of Michigan ESGR. He is active with a wide variety of volunteer organizations supporting military families and veterans, including the United Veterans Council of Kent County, the West Michigan Veterans Coalition, and the Michigan Military & Veterans Hall of Honor.
Samantha Rose – Probation Officer and Social Worker/Counselor, Kent County Veterans Treatment Court
Samantha Rose graduated from Grand Valley State University (Michigan) in 2018 with her Masters in Social Work, and is now pursuing a second Masters degree at GVSU in Criminal Justice.
During her time at GVSU, she served as VP, then President, of GVSU’s SVA Chapter. Samantha attended the SVA Leadership Academy in both 2016 and 2017.
She is heavily involved in her local veteran community, serving in organizations such as American Legion and Auxiliary, United Veterans Council of Kent County, and West Michigan Veterans Coalition/VCAT 4.
Samantha has worked on many projects, including a video on Student Veteran Success for the Consortium of Michigan Veteran Educators. She was the Chairwoman for the First Annual Student Veterans of Michigan Conference.
She has been asked to speak at many different events, such as the Multistate Collaborative on Military Credit AnnualConference, and NatCon 2019.
Samantha works for the Kent County Veterans Treatment Court (Michigan), providing services as both a Probation Officer and a Social Worker/Counselor. Her plan is to eventually move into the Program Director position.
Samantha has a 9 year old daughter, and they love to hike and kayak

11.21.19 - Phil Biggs
2019-11-21 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Phil is the Client Relationship Executive for Private Company Services leading business development for the entire Michigan market – based in PwC’s Detroit office.
Phil serves as a member of PwC’s US Automotive team and has nearly 25 years of experience in the auto sector. His industry experience ranges from consulting assignments with firms such as EY and the Highland Group, to working directly as a senior executive in the auto industry for two small technology companies.
Prior to joining PwC, Phil was Chief Business Development Officer for a Nashville-based tech start-up NeXovation, where he brought flatwire applications to Ford Motor and other OEMs.
Locally, from late 2010 to 2013, Phil served as an integral member of Fulton Innovation, Amway’s technology division. Phil helped to bring intelligent wireless power to worldwide commercial markets, and formed OEM tech partnerships with Toyota and FCA-Chrysler to support 100% growth of Amway-Fulton’s Qi technology.
Phil has an MBA in Finance from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Grand Valley State University.

11.28.20 - No Luncheon - Thanksgiving Day
2019-11-28 12:00 - 13:15 | MI
Wishing you and yours a bountiful celebration!

12.5.19 - Club 77 @ LaFleur Marketing
2019-12-05 16:00 - 17:30 | LaFleur Marketing, 549 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, 49505, United States
A time for networking and socializing, while getting to know more about Rotary and our Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Member.
Please feel free to invite your significant other, friends, co-workers and prospective members for a fun evening enjoying food, beverages and friendship.
Please RSVP by Friday, Nov. 29th

12.12.19 - Charlie Wondergem
2019-12-12 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Charlie Wondergem is co-founder and a board member of the Billy Bear Hug Foundation (BBH), an organization formed to honor the life of his older brother, Billy, an aspiring pediatric oncologist who passed away at the age of 24, just prior to entering medical school. Since 2011, BBH has provided the “cure of comfort” to children with life-threatening illnesses in Michigan. Through partnerships with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Bronson Children’s Hospital, Hospice of Michigan, Metro Health Hospital, Mary Free Bed, Children’s Healing Center, Ronald McDonald House and a host of other organizations, BBH provides teddy bears, care packages, and other quality of life support to children with critical illnesses. In addition, through its unique Youth Advisory Board service-learning program, 40 high school students each year gain hands-on experience running a non-profit organization while gaining exposure to area business leaders, philanthropists and medical professionals.
Outside of BBH, Charlie is Manager of Corporate Development for Perrigo (NYSE:PRGO), where he has responsibility for mergers & acquisitions and other strategic growth initiatives for the global provider of consumer self-care products, and is Co-Founder and Partner of Renucell Group, which produces and markets the unique natural extract Plantolin® for use by CPG companies globally as a natural solution in their skincare ranges, in addition to marketing the Luv Ur Skin® brand of natural skincare products. Charlie began his career at Harris Williams & Co., a middle-market investment bank in Virginia, where he worked on sell-side M&A transactions for a variety of private equity and corporate clients. Additionally, he currently co-chairs the Leadership Advisory Council for Make-A-Wish® Michigan. He previously served on the State Farm Advisory Board, which directed $5 million annually to K-12 service-learning programs across the U.S. and Canada. Charlie graduated with honors from the University of Denver in 2013 with a degree in Finance.

Charlie Wondergem and the Billy Bear Hug Foundation have generously offered us the opportunity to purchase and donate a “Billy Bear” to a sick child during this holiday season and for every “Bear” that you donate, they will provide you with your own “Billy Bear”.
To learn more about the Billy Bear Hug Foundation, please visit their website: http://www.billybearhug.org/
To understand what the Billy Bear Hug Foundation is all about, please watch the video!

12.19.19 - Holiday Luncheon
2019-12-19 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
A luncheon to just set back, relax and enjoy the holiday music & special entertainment provided by our very own Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Band, featuring Kevin Paul, Tom Bylenga, Ken Estelle and a special guest member Inge Whittemore.

12.26.19 - No Luncheon - Celebrate the Holidays
2019-12-26 12:00 - 13:15 | MI

1.2.20 - No Luncheon - New Year's Celebration
2020-01-02 12:00 | MI
Wishing you and yours a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

1.9.20 - Club 77 - President's Post Holiday Social
2020-01-09 17:00 - 20:30 | Locked Up, 3323 28th St SE, Kentwood, MI, 49512
The President’s Post Holiday Social will be held at
Locked Up – Escape Room Experience
3323 28th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49512
5:00 – 8:30PM
This event is open to our Rotary Members and one invited guest.
Rotary Members, please have your reservations in by Thursday, January 2nd.
Please see the flyer below for more details.

1.16.20 - Mel Disselkoen
2020-01-16 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Mel Disselkoen was born on a farm in a Dutch settlement in South Dakota.
He grew up with an independent farming mentality of hard work and creative problem solving.
A Master Beekeeper, he has kept bees for over 40 years and is familiar with all facets of beekeeping.
Today Mel enjoys observing honeybee behavior and teaching beekeepers how to use his OTS queen rearing method to selfsufficiently reach their objectives.
A creationist and naturalist, Mel sees the honeybee as an exquisitely-designed being that unites the plant and animal kingdoms and therefore he is devoted to its well-being and protection.

1.23.20 - Leslie Hooker & Suzanne Wilcox
2020-01-23 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Leslie Hooker – Co-Founder of HW Living Venture/Beer City Dog Biscuits
Leslie has been an advocate for her son and the disabled community in Grand Rapids, MI for over 25 years. Leslie has been involved with Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired for 20 years. She also did fundraising and planning for a special needs playground in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. She has been involved in many fundraising campaigns and committees at East Grand Rapids Public Schools and Central Reformed church. This commitment to education and the disabled led them to create this company to provide training and employment opportunities for the disabled community.
Suzanne Wilcox – Co-Founder of HW Living Venture/Beer City Dog Biscuits
Suzanne for 18 years has owned an educational consulting business that advocates for families and children with disabilities. Suzanne has started other nonprofits relating to children with disabilities in Ohio. Suzanne was on the International Dyslexia Association in Columbus, OH for five years. Leslie has been an advocate for her son and the disabled community in Grand Rapids, MI for over 25 years.

1.30.20 - Steve Heacock
2020-01-30 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Steve Heacock is a business and community leader whose career has included executive management, legal and accounting practice, community building, civic engagement and public service.
He is President/CEO of Grand Rapids Whitewater, which is restoring the namesake rapids to the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.
Steve has played a key role in many of the developme nts that have led to the economic revitalization of downtown Grand Rapids.

As a member of the Executive Committee and counsel for Grand Action, Steve was involved in the planning and construction of Van Andel Arena, a venue that has attracted more than $150 million of commercial and retail investment and has become one of the highest grossing arenas in the world for its size.
As chairman of the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention and Arena Authority, Steve led the $220 million expansion of the downtown convention center and the creation of DeVos Place, a community nucleus for everything from high school proms to the International Wine, Beer and Food Festival.
As chairman of the Kent County Board of Commissioners, Steve led the creation and development of Millennium Park, a 1,500 acre urban park that was created out of wasteland.As chief administration officer of Van Andel Institute, a Grand Rapids-based biomedical research organization, Steve oversaw the planning and construction of Phase II, a $178 million, 240,000 square-foot, LEED Platinum-certified expansion.
As the facilitator of a West Michigan stakeholder committee, Steve created the framework for the development and relocation of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine to downtown Grand Rapids.

Before taking on the whitewater project, Steve was Senior Vice President of Public Affairs/Research at Spectrum Health and President, Spectrum Health Innovations. Prior to joining Spectrum Health in 2011, Steve was CAO of the Van Andel Institute, VP development and general counsel for Priority Health in Grand Rapids, a partner at Warner Norcross & Judd and a CPA with Price Waterhouse in Detroit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School.
Steve chairs the boards of the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority | Van Andel Arena and Legacy Trust and serves on the board of directors for United Bank of Michigan. He recently completed six years of service on the board of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority.

2.6.20 - Club 77 @ Emmanuel Hospice - RSVP by 2.3.20
2020-02-06 16:00 - 17:30 | Emmanuel Hospice, 401 Hall St SW Suite 263, Grand Rapids, 49503
A time for networking and socializing while getting to know more about Rotary and our Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Members.
Feel free to invite your spouse, significant other, guests, co-workers and prospective members for a fun evening, enjoying food, beverages and friendship!

2.13.20 - Marge Palmerlee - Please RSVP by 2.10.20
2020-02-13 12:00 - 13:15 | Degage Ministries, 139 Sheldon Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
**This event will require an RSVP to attend and limited to 90 Rotarians and guests. Rotary Club of Grand Rapids members will be given first option to attend. Guests will be placed on a waiting list.**
Marge Palmerlee is a well-known and respected leader, having dedicated her life and career to serving our community’s most vulnerable men and women. Since starting as Executive Director at Dégagé Ministries twenty-two years ago, Marge has brought the organization to unprecedented levels. Every aspect of the organization has grown under her leadership—the staff, budget, and programs expanding in size four-fold. The organization now serves over 5,500 individuals annually. Throughout her career, she has been active on countless community committees and boards. Most notably, she served on the Homeless Action Council in Lansing, representing the Grand Rapids community and bringing needed dollars to our area to provide services to those experiencing homelessness. She is active in the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness and the Heartside Neighborhood Collaboration Project.

2.20.20 - SASy
2020-02-20 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Please join the Community Engagement Committee

2.27.20 - Gerald Piro - RSVP Required
2020-02-27 12:00 - 13:15 | Covenant House Michigan, 50 Antoine St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507
**This event requires an RSVP to attend. Rotary Club of Grand Rapids members will be given first option and guests will be placed on a waiting list.**
Gerry cares deeply about the homeless youth population as he has devoted his entire professional career to a ministry of service and advocacy for those who are in need with little or no resources available to them.
As the Executive Director for Covenant House Michigan, he leads local efforts of the largest homeless youth organization in North and Latin America, overseeing operations at campuses in Detroit and Grand Rapids.
Prior to joining the staff of CHM in 2014, Gerry spent 24 years with Boys Hope Girls Hope, providing academically motivated youth in need with wrap around residential services and placement in a private college-prep environment. He advanced through several roles of progressive responsibility at Boys Hope Girls Hope to the position of Executive Vice President overseeing the executive staff of all 30 homes in 15 locations throughout the United States.
Gerry is an ethical visionary with a strong financial acumen having earned CHM the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the past five years. This award recognizes CHM’s strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
Under his guidance, CHM undertook a $4 million capital campaign to build a second campus in Grand Rapids with a 28-bed shelter. In his tenure, he has also strengthened CHM’s programming and raised vital awareness about youth homelessness in Michigan.
In 2017, Wayne State University awarded CHM the Dr. Arthur L. Johnson Community Leadership Award for their partnership with students enrolled at WSU’s Co-Curricular Programs at the School of Medicine, a partnership Gerry was determined to continue.
Originally from New York City, Gerry has resided in the Detroit area for over two decades. He holds advanced degrees in both Rehabilitation Counseling and Theological Studies in addition to a CAC certificate for substance abuse.

3.5.20 - Club 77 @ Opera Grand Rapids - RSVP by Feb. 28th
2020-03-05 16:00 - 17:30 | The Betty Van Andel Opera Center, 1320 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, 49503

3.12.20 - Matthew Scogin
2020-03-12 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
President Matthew A. Scogin is the 14th president of Hope College. He was elected by the Board of Trustees on December 7, 2018, and assumed office on July 1, 2019.
Previously, Scogin served as chief administrative officer at the global financial advisory firm of Perella Weinberg Partners in New York City, where he oversaw operations, strategy, corporate services, human resources, and communications at the firm, which has eleven offices around the world.
He also worked at the New York Stock Exchange, Wachovia Bank, and held several senior roles in government, including at the Department of Treasury. He also worked for the governor of Massachusetts, a Michigan state representative, and held an internship at the White House.
President Scogin majored in political science and economics at Hope, and has a master’s degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Following graduate school, he spent time in Germany as a fellow with the Robert Bosch Foundation studying unemployment and labor market policy. He has published several articles on issues related to public policy and finance.
Scogin received the U.S. Treasury Department Exceptional Service Award, was named a David Rockefeller Fellow, and in 2014 was recognized by Hope College with a Young Alumni Award.
Matthew and his spouse, Sarah, met while undergrads at Hope College. They have three children, Sophie, Lucy, and Oliver, and an adorable puppy named Albie.

3.13.20 - Rotary Luncheons and Events Canceled through April 10th
2020-03-13 08:30 - 17:30 | Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, 1345 Monroe Ave NW Suite 307, Grand Rapids, MI, 49505, United States
The Rotary Club Board and the Executive Committee have been closely monitoring developments relating to the spread of COVID-19.
At this time, the following Rotary luncheons and events are canceled:

March 18th – Volunteer event at Sibley Elementary
March 19th – Lunch meeting
March 26th – Lunch meeting
March 28th – Volunteer event with 20 Liters
April 2nd – Club 77 event
April 9th – Spring Break – no Rotary luncheon

If you have any questions or would like to be included in our weekly updates, please email rotary@grrotary.org.
Finally, we want to support all members of our Rotary family during this time of uncertainty. If you are part of the higher risk population and would like any assistance with grocery shopping or other public activities, please contact the Rotary office rotary@grrotary.org and we will work to arrange assistance.

3.19.20 - Rotary Luncheons and Events Canceled through April 10th
2020-03-19 08:30 - 17:30 | Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, 1345 Monroe Ave NW Suite 307, Grand Rapids, MI, 49505, United States
The Rotary Club Board and the Executive Committee have been closely monitoring developments relating to the spread of COVID-19.
At this time, the following Rotary luncheons and events are canceled:

March 18th – Volunteer event at Sibley Elementary
March 19th – Lunch meeting
March 26th – Lunch meeting
March 28th – Volunteer event with 20 Liters
April 2nd – Club 77 event
April 9th – Rotary luncheon

If you have any questions or would like to be included in our weekly updates, please email rotary@grrotary.org.
Finally, we want to support all members of our Rotary family during this time of uncertainty. If you are part of the higher risk population and would like any assistance with grocery shopping or other public activities, please contact the Rotary office rotary@grrotary.org and we will work to arrange assistance.
