Rotary Club Of Grand Rapids

12.1.22 - Club 77
2022-12-01 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | GRPM Community Archives and Research Center, 223 Washington St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join us for an exclusive Rotary Club 77 event and tour of the Grand Rapids Community Archives and Research Center including 250,000+ artifacts and specimens that have been collected for nearly 170 years.
DATE:
Thursday, December 1, 2022
TIME:
4:30-6:00 PM
LOCATION:
Community Archives and Research Center (CARC)
223 Washington St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
EVENT DETAILS & RSVP:
Light appetizers & beverages, the tour of collections begins at 5 PM.
Club 77 events are a great way to introduce and invite prospective members, partners, and guests for an evening of fun, food, beverages, and networking!
Please RSVP to the Rotary office at rotary@grrotary.org by Friday, November 25th and if bringing a guest, please provide their name in the RSVP email.

12.8.22 - Tim Kelly
2022-12-08 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Tim Kelly – President & CEO, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Tim Kelly is the President and CEO at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., an organization he has been with since 2013. In that time he has managed several key capital projects and planning efforts, including the first update to the Downtown Master Plan in more than 20 years. Tim is involved in several local civic organizations, including as a board member at the Downtown Market and the Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Conservancy. Tim also serves a board member for the International Downtown Association and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Prior to working in Grand Rapids, Tim worked for the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency in Long Beach, CA. He has an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Hope College and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic University. He is a resident of the City of Grand Rapids where he lives with his wife and 5-year-old son.

12.15.22 - Holiday Luncheon Celebration
2022-12-15 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Holiday Luncheon Celebration
Event info to be provided.

12.22.22 - No Luncheon - Christmas Celebration
2022-12-22 | MI
No Luncheon – Christmas Celebration

12.29.22 - No Luncheon - New Year's Celebration
2022-12-29 | MI
No Luncheon – New Year’s Celebration

1.5.23 - Club 77 - Hosted by President Doris Drain
2023-01-05 16:30 - 18:00 | United Bank, 900 East Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, United States
Join us for our Rotary Club 77 event at United Bank hosted by Club President Doris Drain!
DATE:
Thursday, January 5, 2023
TIME:
4:30-6:00 PM
LOCATION:
United Bank
900 East Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
EVENT DETAILS & RSVP:
Appetizers & adult beverages will be served.
Club 77 events are a great way to introduce and invite prospective members, partners, and guests for an evening of fun, food, beverages, and networking!
This event is for Rotarians only and is limited to 65 attendees. Please RSVP to the Rotary office at rotary@grrotary.org by Friday, December 30th.

1.12.23 - Mike Guswiler
2023-01-12 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
“The Economic Impact of Sports Tourism”
Mike Guswiler – President, West MI Sports Commission
Mike received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. He has served over 30 years in the hospitality and tourism industry working for Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Hotels and other private and non-profit organizations geared toward economic impact through tourism. Mike is a graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids (2006) and Leadership West Michigan (2008) and has been named The Newsmaker of the Year in Sports by the Grand Rapids Business Journal twice.
Mike serves as the President of the West Michigan Sports Commission, growing this non-profit over the past fifteen years, including leading the organization in building, owning and operating the Meijer Sports Complex baseball/softball facility with 8 fields. Mike’s primary responsibility is to champion the mission of the West Michigan Sports Commission and it’s operating entities to the state, region, and nationally by marketing Greater Grand Rapids as a premier destination for sports related business; resulting in economic benefit and quality of life to the region.

1.19.23 - Club Update
2023-01-19 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Event info to be provided.

2.2.23 - Club 77
2023-02-02 16:30 - 18:00 | Samaritas Senior Living, 2000 32nd St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49508, United States
Join us for our monthly Rotary Club 77 sponsored by Samaritas Senior Living and Rotarian Angela Varga!
DATE:
Thursday, February 2, 2023
TIME:
4:30-6:00 PM
LOCATION:
Samaritas Senior Living
2000 32nd St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508
EVENT DETAILS & RSVP:
Live Entertainment, light appetizers, beverages, tours, and free onsite parking
Club 77 events are a great way to introduce and invite prospective members, partners, and guests for an evening of fun, food, beverages, and networking!
Please RSVP to the Rotary office at rotary@grrotary.org by Friday, January 27th and if bringing a guest, please provide their name in the RSVP email.

2.9.23 - Scott M. Peters
2023-02-09 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Scott M. Peters – Author, Making Waves: Michigan’s Boat Building Industry, 1865-2000
Scott M. Peters is Curator of Collections at the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing and a lifelong Great Lakes boater. A frequent contributor to Michigan History Magazine, he has been collecting information on the state’s boat-building industry for the past 25 years.
Michigan will always be known as the automobile capital of the world, but the Great Lakes State boasts a similarly rich heritage in the development of boat building in America. By the late nineteenth century, Michigan had emerged as the industry’s hub, drawing together the most talented designers, builders, and engine makers to produce some of the fastest and most innovative boats ever created. Within decades, gifted Michigan entrepreneurs like Christopher Columbus Smith, John L. Hacker, and Gar Wood established some of the nation’s top boat brands and brought the prospect of boat ownership within reach for American consumers from all ranges of income. More than just revolutionizing recreational boating, Michigan boat builders also left their mark on history—from developing the speedy runabouts favored by illicit rum-runners during the Prohibition era to creating the landing craft that carried Allied forces to shores in Europe and the Pacific in WWII.

2.16.23 - SAS'y Community Engagement Luncheon
2023-02-16 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
SAS’y Community Engagement Luncheon
Info to be provided

2.23.23 - Matthew Biersack, MD
2023-02-23 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Matthew Biersack, MD – President, Trinity Health Saint Mary’s
Dr. Matthew P. Biersack is an internist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, affiliated with Trinity Health Grand Rapids. He received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and has been practicing for almost 20 years.

4.6.23 - No Luncheon
2023-04-06 | MI
No Luncheon – Spring Break

4.13.23 - Interact Luncheon
2023-04-13 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Interact Luncheon
Info to be provided

4.20.23 - Jeff Donofrio
2023-04-20 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Jeff Donofrio – President & CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan
Jeff Donofrio is President and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
During Jeff’s tenure, the organization has notched significant accomplishments, including increasing the state’s economic competitiveness, advancing K-12 education reforms, expanding talent pathways and strengthening Michigan’s business climate. Recent successes include the largest proactive site development investment in Michigan’s history, transformational investments that resulted in 12,000 new jobs in critical sectors such as semi-conductor manufacturing, food processing and electric vehicle production; advancing equity funding in K-12 education; and renewed funding for community college programs and a new $250 million scholarship program for four-year colleges. Jeff also guided the development of a new strategic plan for the organization, Compete to Win: Michigan’s Path to Top 10, and provided leadership during the COVID-19 healthcare/economic crisis.
He previously served as Director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), leading the state’s workforce, economic development, housing, and labor activities and overseeing 2,700 employees and a $1.6 billion budget. Prior to LEO, Donofrio served as the Executive Director of Workforce Development for the City of Detroit and as an executive at Ford Motor Company. He also led the Michigan operations for Congressmen John D. Dingell and Sandy Levin and served in the Granholm administration.
Jeff grew up working in his family’s small businesses and earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and MBA from Georgetown University.
He co-chairs Launch Michigan (Michigan’s K-12 education coalition). He also serves on the boards of the Michigan Workforce Development Board, Detroit Economic Club, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the Michigan Educational Excellence Foundation and the [Detroit] Mayor’s Workforce Development Board, as well as the University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships National Advisory Board and the Protect Michigan Commission. Previously, Jeff chaired the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, was a member of Michigan Economic Development Corporation Board, Michigan Strategic Fund, and U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council. In 2018, he was appointed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s transition team as Special Advisor for Jobs and the Economy and was named to Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 class.

4.27.23 - STRIVE Luncheon
2023-04-27 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Our annual STRIVE student program luncheon will celebrate and highlight all the wonderful things the students and mentors have been up to!

5.11.23 - Dr. Keli Christopher
2023-05-11 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Dr. Keli Christopher – Founding CEO, STEM Greenhouse
Founder and Executive Director of STEM Greenhouse, a nonprofit organization that fervently believes if you plant the seed in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and nurture the resulting curiosity, CHILDREN WILL FLOURISH!!
My interest in math and science began with my excellent education in Grand Rapids Public Schools. I received a full scholarship to the HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and continued to the University of Illinois where I received a master’s and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering. I am only the third Black woman to ever receive a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering in the world. I was often the only woman or person of color in a sea of white male faces in all my classes. This led to feelings of disconnectedness, loneliness, and alienation. Because of these experiences, I promised that one day, I would try to personally make it easier for students of color to succeed in STEM education, pursue STEM careers, and feel supported in a way that had been absent for me.
This is what I know to be true.
– Relationships are as important as curriculum in urban K-12 education.
– One person can change generations by influencing the life of a child.

5.18.23 - The Storehouse - Offsite Luncheon
2023-05-18 12:00 - 13:15 | The Storehouse, 4411 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525, United States
Jessica Johns – Co-Founder & Executive Director, The Storehouse
On May 18th Rotarian Jessica Johns will host an offsite luncheon at The Storehouse in Grand Rapids!

Vision:
To connect resources for at-risk populations through nonprofits, businesses, and schools; to empower people NOT enable them.

What We Do:
We procure national and local, BRAND NEW product donations, to be redistributed to local nonprofits and low-income schools.

How We Operate:
Our convenient location, large warehouse, and loading dock make it easy to receive and distribute donated products. These products are then offered through two onsite programs- StoreHouse for Nonprofits and StoreHouse for Schools.

5.25.23 - NO LUNCHEON - Memorial Day Observance
2023-05-25 12:00 - 13:15 | MI
No luncheon will be on May 25, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day.

5.31.23 - AYA Youth Collective - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-05-31 15:00 - 17:00 | MI
Our Community Engagement Committee is pleased to provide the following volunteer opportunity for our Rotarians and friends!
What: Outdoor Spring Cleanup Activities at AYA Youth Collective
When: Wednesday, May 31st from 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Where & Why and Sign-up: For details see the attached flier.
Event Contact: Stacey Woods (swoods@wolvgroup.com or 269-903-5423)
Signup Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-ayayouth

6.1.23 - Club 77 @ Millennium Park
2023-06-01 16:30 - 18:00 | Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49534, United States
On June 1st our monthly Club 77 will be held at Millennium Park (Open Picnic Shelter B). Appetizers and adult beverages will be served!
Date: Thursday, June 1st @ 4:30 – 6PM
Location: 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534
Off the main park entrance on Maynard Ave, Millennium Park Open Picnic Shelter B
Parking: Free parking in lot B (see map in the flyer below)

6.3.23 - Ramp Build - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-06-03 08:30 - 12:00 | MI
What: Ramp Build
When: Saturday, June 3 from 8:30 to Noon
Where: Grand Rapids Area (TBD)
Why: Helping to build a ramp to provide needed accessibility to someone’s home.
Event Contact: Dave Bulkowski (dave.b@dakc.us) or Ruthann Schulte (ruthann_schulte@yahoo.com)
Signup Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-ramp

6.8.23 - Claire Fisher
2023-06-08 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Claire Fisher, Director of Program Services – Alzheimer’s Association of West Michigan
Providing leadership and direction for the development, coordination and implementation of the Association’s strategic and operational program plans in West Michigan as part of the leadership team for West Michigan. Duties include oversight and implementation of care and support services; assistance with public policy objectives; and assisting in meeting development objectives. The Senior Program Director is responsible for the supervision, development and oversight of regional program staff and volunteers as assigned.

6.15.23 - Gina Kell Spehn
2023-06-15 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Gina Kell Spehn – Co-Founder and President, New Day Foundation for Families
In 2007, motivated by their personal experiences, Gina and her husband Michael started New Day at the kitchen table with no nonprofit experience, but with a deep desire to help families cope with the financial and emotional burdens of cancer. The legacies of their first spouses, Matt Kell and Cathy Spehn, are the heart and soul of New Day Foundation for Families. The origins of New Day are told in the Spehn’s New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Color of Rain”, which also became a Hallmark Original movie in 2014.
Together they have a blended family with five fun-loving young adults. They have been featured on The Today Show, Huckabee and ABC World News, and have been national speakers and radio talk show hosts, sharing their message of faith, hope and love. Gina currently serves as President of New Day Foundation and is on the Advisory Board for Camp Kesem MSU. Michael is a Financial Representative with Equitable. The legacies of their late spouses and their faith in Jesus Christ are what guide their lives and commitment to the cancer community.

6.22.23 - Fred P. Keller
2023-06-22 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Fred P. Keller – Founder & Chair, Cascade Engineering
Fred believes that business has the unique opportunity to complement its efforts on financial performance with important work in the social and environmental arenas. He has emphasized the key role business can play in building financial, social and ecological capital, often through partnerships with government and community agencies. Business and industry publications regularly feature his innovative management approach and work in advancing sustainability.
Fred recently completed 17 years as a Senior Visiting Lecturer at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He served as an Executive-in-Residence at the University of Michigan – Ross School of Business. He was a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Manufacturing Council with two years as chair under Presidents Bush and Obama. Keller also served on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Board for 14 years with two years as chair. Fred is a trustee for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.
Fred serves on the boards of Paragon Die & Engineering of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Balcones Resources of Austin, Texas. He has previously served on the boards of the Meijer Corporation and Fifth Third Bank, West Michigan. He is currently an advisor to several startup companies around the country. He has been active with many community organizations and change initiatives. He is co-founder and chair of Talent 2025, a catalyst for the development of an integrated talent system to meet employer needs throughout 13 West Michigan counties. He served as co-chair of K-Connect, a Kent County Collective Impact Systems Change Collaborative.
A Grand Rapids, Michigan native, Fred earned his B.S. in materials science and engineering from Cornell University and an M.S. in business management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

6.29.23 - President's "Passing of the Tiller"
2023-06-29 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
On June 29th, the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids will hold its annual “Passing of the Tiller” luncheon during which outgoing 2022-2023 Rotary President Doris Drain will pass the presidential tiller to incoming 2023-2024 Rotary Club of Grand Rapids President Shaun Shira.
Doris Drain Shaun Shira

7.6.23 - No Luncheon (4th of July Holiday Observance)
2023-07-06 | MI

7.13.23 - President's Message
2023-07-13 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
2023-2024 Club President Shaun Shira will present his goals and the club’s future for his upcoming Presidency!

7.20.23 - Gleaves Whitney
2023-07-20 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Executive Director, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Gleaves Whitney, who has served as director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University since 2003, was chosen to fill the role of executive director for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation (GRFPF) effective Sept. 1, 2020.
Credited with establishing the first sustained and comprehensive common ground initiative in U.S. higher education, Whitney received a National Endowment for Humanities grant for the program. Through his leadership, the Hauenstein Center has hosted major conferences that have helped revive the study of Midwestern history and launched the nation’s first presidential question-and-answer column, “Ask Gleaves.” He also developed the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy at the Hauenstein Center, which now has more than 400 alumni serving in communities around the nation.
Before joining the Hauenstein Center, Whitney served in Michigan Governor John Engler’s administration as senior writer, chief speechwriter, historian, and assisted in the creation of the Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Colorado State University, Fort Collins; and a master’s degree in history from the University of Michigan. He was presented with a Doctor of Humane Letters from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley California; and was selected as a Fulbright Scholar to West Germany (1984-1985).

7.27.23 - Annual Indian Trails Camp Picnic (Offsite Luncheon)
2023-07-27 12:00 - 13:15 | Indian Trails Camp, 0-1859 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids, MI, 49534, United States
On Thursday, July 27th Rotarians and guests will gather at Indian Trails Camp for our annual picnic!
Since 1952, the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids has partnered with Indian Trails Camp, mentoring for at-risk high school students, reduction of childhood hunger, projects to reduce physical barriers for the disabled, support for the elderly in need, and educational scholarships. The motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self”.
