9.30.21 - Tim Hileman
2021-09-30 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Tim Hileman is the President and CEO of Special Olympics Michigan, an organization that provides sports, health, leadership, and educational programing for over 20,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state of Michigan.
In January 2021, Tim was appointed to the Protect Michigan Commission by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, where he serves as a committee member and chairs the disability workgroup.
Prior to Special Olympics Michigan, Tim served for 9 years as the Executive Director of IKUS Life Enrichment Services and Indian Trails Camp.
Tim lives in Caledonia with his wife Kristin and three children Aaron, Leah and Eli.

10.7.21 - Club 77 @ Aquinas College - hosted by Katharina Häusler-Gross
2021-10-07 16:00 - 17:30 | Aquinas College, 1700 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506, United States
A fun event for networking and socializing, while getting to know more about Rotary and our members.
Rotarians, please feel free to invite a your spouse, significant other, guest, friend, co-worker, or prospective member for a fun afternoon while enjoying food, beverages and friendship.
RSVPs are due by 12pm on Friday, Oct 1st – Please include the names of any guests in plan on inviting.
NOTE: MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL INDOOR SPACES
Tours are available for the new Albertus Magnus Hall and will be led by the Aquinas Advancement Staff.
Please let us know if you would like a tour when you RSVP to attend the event.

10.14.21 - Carol F. Robinson DNP, RN, CHPN
2021-10-14 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club
Dr. Robinson has had a varied nursing career in both clinical and administrative leadership positions. Her clinical specialty has focused on adults and children with life-limiting pulmonary disease. Her administrative leadership experience includes assisting in the development of an inpatient palliative care unit and one of the first adult cystic fibrosis adult clinics in the nation. Her passion for the care of seriously ill individuals and their families led to extensive experience with patient/family communication relative to quality of life and treatment preferences. Her scholarly work has focused on communication skills for health professionals, including advance care planning (ACP) conversations. Her friendly and open approach has helped many individuals create an advance directive reflective of one’s own personal values, beliefs, and preferences for end-of-life care.
Dr. Robinson holds an earned Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the GVSU-Kirkhof College of Nursing, specializing in health systems leadership. She has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at GVSU in the nursing program where she assisted with the development and co-taught in the post-graduate interprofessional hospice and palliative care certificate program. Dr. Robinson is certified as a hospice and palliative care nurse, a Respecting Choices© First Steps ACP Facilitator and instructor, an Advanced Steps ACP Facilitator, and is a trainer for the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). She also serves as a Board/Steering Committee member of several health-oriented and interfaith non-profits.
Education:
DNP (2012) Health Systems Leadership – Grand Valley State University, Kirkhof College of Nursing
MS (’90) Nursing – Arizona State University (ASU), Edson College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation
BSN (’82) ~ ASU, Edson College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation
AA (’78) Respiratory Therapy ~ Gateway Community College in Phoenix, AZ
Certifications:
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN®) 2001-current
Respecting Choices® Advanced Steps® ACP Facilitator 2019-current
Respecting Choices® First Steps® Certified Instructor 2013-current
End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Trainer 2012-current
Respecting Choices® First Steps® Facilitator 2011-current
Honors/Awards:
2020 Jerry O’Bee Award, For service excellence on behalf of the AAAWM Caregiver Resource Network
2011 Sigma Theta Tau Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Performance
2005 Michael B. O’Sullivan Award for Inpatient Clinical Nursing Excellence, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix
2005 March of Dimes AZ Nurse of the Year

10.21.21 - Jim Schipper
2021-10-21 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Jim has been officiating basketball games for over 25 years. He has officiated high school, small college and D1 games over his career. He is currently officiating in the Pac-12, Mountain West, West Coast, Mid-American and Summit League. He has had many great experiences during his officiating career, and he will share some of his keen insights as to why we are facing a severe shortage of high school officials.
Jim owns a successful wealth management firm in West MI – Schipper & Osterink.
He is married to his wife, Leah, and has two adult children – Joel and Carlyn.

10.28.21 - Mark Washington
2021-10-28 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Mark Washington has been Grand Rapids’ City Manager since October 2018. As City Manager, he functions as the municipal corporation’s Chief Executive Officer. He oversees a $540 million budget, a 1,600-person workforce and all city departments, operations, policies and programs related to public safety, economic development, community services, mobility, infrastructure, health, environment, recreation and community engagement. He is committed to making Grand Rapids a city that is nationally recognized for being equitable, welcoming, innovative and collaborative with a robust economy, safe and healthy community and the opportunity for a high quality of life for all.
Since arriving in Grand Rapids, Mark has led efforts to create a four-year strategic plan, reduce the overall cost of government services, create a performance management program, launch an equitable economic development and mobility strategy, create a public safety oversight and accountability office to improve community-police relations, establish both an equity office and innovation office, launch a homeless outreach team and reaffirm the City’s commitment to sustainability.
Mark has 26 years of experience in public sector service. Before becoming Grand Rapids’ City Manager, he served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Austin, Texas. In that role, he assisted the City Manager in operating a workforce of 14,000 employees and a $4.1 billion budget. He also provided direct executive oversight to several departments, including human resources, labor relations, fleet services, communications and technology management, building services, innovation, telecommunications, regulatory affairs and the Austin Convention Center. He provided executive leadership on labor contract negotiations, improving police oversight and community relations, hosting and planning large events such as South by Southwest (SXSW) and creating public-private partnerships to address community challenges such as equity, homelessness, digital inclusion, housing/tenant rights, right-of-way uses for disruptive technology and workforce development for marginalized populations.
Before that, Mark served as Director of Human Resources and Civil Service for the City of Austin. In that role, he led efforts that resulted in the City of Austin being recognized among the top 10 employers by Forbes Magazine thanks to efforts around strategic planning, talent management, employee engagement, labor management, risk management, equity, benefits and leadership development. He previously served as Assistant Director of Human Resources for the City of Fort Worth, Texas (6,500 employees), overseeing compensation, benefits, wellness, safety and workers’ compensation. He also served as Street Services Operations Program Manager for the City of Fort Worth, overseeing its in-house street maintenance and overlay program.
He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tarleton State University, a master’s degree in business administration from Amberton University and a master of arts degree and doctorate degree in education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Mark is a member of the International City/County Management Association and Grand Valley Metropolitan Council. He also serves on the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Spectrum Health Community Commitment, National Forum for Black Public Administrators and Tarleton State University College of Business advisory boards. He is a Trustee of the Michigan Municipal League and Paul Quinn College. He previously served as State President of the International Public Management Association Texas chapter and is a former board member of the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association and Austin Area Urban League, among other organizations. He holds the following certifications: International Public Management Association-Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-HR-SCP), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), HR Certification Institute and Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and Certified Government Benefit Administrator certification from the state and local Government Benefit Association (CGBA), among others. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and he is an ordained minister.

11.4.21 - Club 77 @ University Club
2021-11-04 16:30 - 18:00 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Please join us for networking, appetizers and drinks at the University Club overlooking beautiful downtown Grand Rapids beginning at 4:30pm.
We will have a short welcome, followed by plenty of time to network with fellow Rotarian’s while enjoying the view of the city from the 10th Floor.
We hope that you will bring your spouses, significant other, friends, co-workers, clients and prospect members to this fun event.
Parking will be discounted.
Please RSVP to the Rotary office by 12:00pm on Monday, November 1st.

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University Club – Your Private Club
(taken from the University Club website)

A MEETING PLACE

The University Club is the perfect place for enjoying a business lunch with a new client, improving your stamina with a workout session, or networking over cocktails with other professionals. With reciprocal privileges at more than 100 private clubs across the country, membership at the University Club provides for a lifetime of personal and professional associations.

A little History
1891 – Charles E. Stearn of the Harvard Class of 1891 is due the credit of starting the University Club of Grand Rapids. Others had previously mentioned the possibility of such a club, but it was he, with his characteristic enthusiasm, who saw that the idea became a reality. Others shared his vision, gladly assuming their part of the responsibility in the proposed enterprise.

1923 – The first informal meeting was held in January, 1923, at the home of Lemuel S. Hillman, with representatives from Harvard, Yale, Michigan, Princeton, Amherst and Colgate. The conference ended at a late hour, the Club still in the embryonic state.

1923 – Less than a month later, the Club was actually brought into existence on the evening of February 6th, 1923. A list of potential members was informally selected by those present, limited by vote to one hundred. Dues were set at $25. Attractive and convenient quarters were established in the Pantlind Hotel with Clay H. Hollister serving as the first president.

1931 – In the brief period of six years, the Club grew from one hundred to two hundred and fifty members and in April 1931, moved to the top of the Michigan Trust Building. The Fifth Third Center (formerly Old Kent Bank building) became its present home in the Spring of 1966.

1989 – The University Club and the Grand Rapids Athletic Club, located in the basement of the Fifth Third Center, merged its membership in the fall of 1989. This transaction resulted in boosting Club membership to its current six hundred plus members.

2004 – The Press Club joined the University Club in January of 2004. Press Club members enjoy the same privileges as Social Members.

Today – Besides developing a congenial atmosphere and a spirit of good fellowship, the Club has established itself as a truly successful organization. The University Club is a tribute to its founders and its current membership.

11.11.21 - Carl Paganelli, Jr.
2021-11-11 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Carl Paganelli NFL #124
Carl comes from a long line of sports enthusiast. His father, fondly known as the “Godfather of Officials in West Michigan” began officiating in the sixties. His brothers, Perry and Dino are NFL officials and have officiated Super Bowl games. Carl started his officiating career in 1978 as a member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association. He has worked college football in Division III, Division II, the Mid-American Conference and the Big Ten Conference. His professional career started in 1987, when he was hired by the Arena Football League. Carl worked nine seasons in Arena Football and officiated two years in the Canadian Football League. Working his way to the NFL, he officiated three years in NFL Europe and in 1999, Carl was hired by the NFL.
His post season experience includes working high school playoffs, a Michigan High School Class A State Final, Division III and II Playoffs, two Arena Bowls, Canadian Football League Playoffs, and the 1999 NFL Europe World Bowl in Germany.
Carl has worked numerous playoff assignments in the NFL including Five Championship Games. His greatest accomplishments in officiating are his Four Super Bowl. His most memorable Super Bowl was Super Bowl 41, which he officiated with his oldest brother Perry, in Miami, Florida.
Carl married his high school sweetheart, Cathy who was the rock of the family and without her support, he never would have made it to the NFL. Cathy was his biggest fan and the love of his life. Cathy fought valiantly to beat cancer and after a 4 1/2 battle, the battle was over.
The pressures and stress of officiating a Super Bowl is intense knowing one mistake can cost a team the Super Bowl. For Carl, nothing compares to the to the pressure, stress, and anxiety of trying to keep his family together and continue life after Cathy’s death.
Carl lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and spends winters in Florida. He has two daughters, Carley and Crysta. He is a Retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer.

11.18.21 - John Ryder
2021-11-18 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
John Ryder is the Executive Director at the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth Michigan and has been there for the last 8 years of the organizations 45 years in existence.
Mr. Ryder has reinvented himself many times and has worked in many fascinating careers, often holding several fulltime positions at the same time, from sales to leadership positions. John is
also a relentless volunteer for worthwhile causes. He has been a Cubmaster, a Scout Master, and is a Rotarian in Frankenmuth’s Sunrise Club.
John is always excited to share the amazing stories of our states many veterans and of our astronauts.

11.25.21 - Thanksgiving Day - No Luncheon
2021-11-25 08:00 - 17:00

12.2.21 - Club 77 @ Lighthouse an Alera Group Company
2021-12-02 16:00 - 17:30

12.9.21 - Dr. Anthony Chang
2021-12-09 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
As founder and CEO of BAMF Health, Dr. Chang is leading a growing global team to build a Bold Advanced Medical Future. Headquartered in the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building in Grand Rapids, Michigan and opening in 2022, BAMF Health will operate the world’s most advanced cyclotron-equipped Radiopharmacy and Molecular Imaging Clinic. This clinic will be the home to never-before-seen Theranostics treatment for cancer patients and patients suffering from various neurodegenerative diseases. Potential cancer applications include prostate, neuroendocrine, breast, pancreas, lung, gynecological, colon, and brain. Additionally, BAMF Health will pursue diagnostic and therapeutic applications in pediatric oncology, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Endometriosis, chronic pain, PTSD and depression.
Prior to founding BAMF Health, Dr. Chang was an accomplished scientific leader and educator. He successfully built his vision of a modern multimodality Small Animal Imaging Facility (SAIF), including an imaging suite and radiochemistry lab. He also brought a Laboratory of Translational Imaging (LTI) from concept to international recognition in the molecular imaging research community in three short years.
In the pre-clinical imaging ﬁeld, he has made efforts to advance the accessibility, throughput, and data analysis of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and other imaging technology to researchers for a wide variety of studies. He has taken considerable strides toward translating new PET radiotracer technology into the clinic by developing novel ways to apply information acquired from PET images with the efﬁciency and accuracy needed for drug development, disease diagnosis, therapeutic strategy, and prognosis prediction.
Dr. Chang received his B.S. in Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences from Chang Gung University in Taoyuan, Taiwan. He then continued as a Special Graduate Student working in the NMR Center of Biomedical Engineering at Yale University, and the Institute of Imaging Science at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Chang was awarded his Ph.D. in Medical Physics with a specialization in Diagnostic Imaging Physics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
In 2016, Dr. Chang received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Chang Gung University, and is one of the honorees of 2016 Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 under 40 class. In 2017, he received The Henry Dunant Global Impact Award from the American Red Cross, inspired by his work on developing and promoting molecular imaging technology. He was also appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as a commissioner to the Michigan Asian Paciﬁc American Affairs Commission in early 2017. Dr. Chang is currently appointed as adjunct faculty of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

12.16.21 - Club Holiday Celebration Luncheon
2021-12-16 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join us for a special Charities Foundation announcement, a special Christmas story reading, some holiday music and a surprise interview!

12.23.21 - No Luncheon - Holiday Celebrations
2021-12-23 12:00 - 13:15

12.30.21 - No Luncheon - New Year Celebration
2021-12-30 12:00 - 13:15

1.6.22 - Rotary Social Luncheon
2022-01-06 16:30 - 19:30
We had to cancel our Club 77 event for today and so we are going to meet for a regular Rotary luncheon at the University Club, beginning at 12:00pm.
Please RSVP with the Rotary office.

1.13.22 - Tim Gortsema
2022-01-13 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
“Tim Gortsema is editor of Gemini Media, publisher of Grand Rapids Business Journal and Grand Rapids Magazine, both of which have been based in West Michigan for more than 35 years.
“Tim is a graduate of Hope College. He started his journalism career in 1982 as a freelance writer for a chain of West Michigan weeklies, eventually working his way up to managing editor there seven years later.
“He joined Gemini in 1996 as managing editor of the Business Journal and in 2018 took over as editor of both the newspaper and city/regional magazine.
“Tim is a West Michigan native who has watched Grand Rapids evolve from a sleepy little town where, as former mayor John Logie said, the sidewalks rolled up every day at 5 p.m., to one of the best small-to-midsize cities in America. And he has been involved in covering that renaissance for local readers for the better part of 40 years. “

1.20.22 - Paula Jastifer
2022-01-20 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Information to be provided.

1.27.22 - Lisa Posthumus Lyons
2022-01-27 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Lisa Posthumus Lyons is a life-long resident of Kent County and is serving her second term as Kent County Clerk / Register of Deeds. Prior to serving at the county level, Lisa represented her community in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016. She was elected to the Clerk’s Office in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.
A graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications, Lisa was the Director of Public Policy & Community Outreach for the Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS and the Commercial Alliance of REALTORS prior to holding elective office.
Named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan, Lisa is a strong voice for our West Michigan values, and has worked tirelessly to reform and modernize county and state government on behalf of Michigan’s hardworking taxpayers.
As Clerk, she’s responsible for three major functions of county government; administering all elections within Kent County; preserving vital County records such as birth, death, marriage and business registrations; and to maintain and safeguard all Circuit Court files. In Kent County, the Clerk is also the Register of Deeds who records all documents pertaining to real property in Kent County, including deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens and other documents pertaining to real estate. The Clerk is also the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners, and statutorily serves on numerous county boards and commissions.
Lisa and her husband Brad, a Kent County Sheriff’s deputy, were Lowell High School sweethearts. They are raising their four children – Easton, Charlie, Gage, and Fisher – on the family’s fourth generation farm in Alto.
The Lyons family praises and worships at Ada Bible Church. They enjoy spending their spare time hunting and fishing when not cheering on the kids at their sporting events.

2.3.22 - Post Holiday Social
2022-02-03 16:30 - 19:30
This event is a celebration of a new year for our Rotarians and a guest!
There is limited capacity for 60 attendees. RSVPs are due by Monday, January 31st

2.10.22 - Evelyn Esparza-Gonzalez
2022-02-10 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Evelyn Esparza-Gonzalez is the Executive Director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and General Business and recently completed a Master of Accountancy from Davenport University. During her time as Finance Director at the Center, she was able to restructure and stabilize the Accounting, HR, Fund Development and Language Services Department of the Center, building a strong foundation for the organization. Through budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and cash flow management, her leadership has brought financial stability to the organization.
Evelyn and her family arrived from Mexico to the U.S when she was only 15 years old. Through her own personal experiences, Evelyn has become passionate about providing the Latinx community with a place where they are treated with respect, equity, and dignity. By building a strong, loyal, and committed team, Evelyn hopes to give our community a Center they know they can trust to receive the best services for their needs.
Evelyn began her career in early childhood, serving in financial management where she had the opportunity to learn more about the need for increased support for Latinx families. During her tenure at Family Futures, she helped develop Strong Beginnings’ Familias Fuertes program which enhanced her passion for supporting the Latinx community.
Personally, Evelyn enjoys being a mom to her two young boys. She knows how critical it is for young people to have guidance and someone that supports them as they enhance their education and advance their careers. Through Affinity Mentoring, Evelyn can be that person for her mentee and help recruit other mentors. She also enjoys running, community service, and dancing in her spare time.
Holly Rea Clarkson will also be presenting.
She is the Language and Workforce Development Manager at the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan.

2.17.22 - SASy Event
2022-02-17 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
During the February 17th, SASy Lunch we will work together on a special project for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County.
The Center’s mission is to assess and support child victims of suspected sexual assault and educate children and the community to prevent such assaults.
More than 1,000 children suspected of being sexually abused are brought to the Center each year.
Children who are sexually abused are at significantly greater risk for experiencing posttraumatic stress and other anxiety symptoms, depression, and suicide attempts.
As a symbol of our care and encouragement, we will make Bravery Bracelets and Positivity Pebbles/Courage Rocks.
Bravery bracelets are simply braided or beaded bracelets that the children can wear on their person at any time. These bracelets are particularly helpful in court, as the child can hold on to his/her bracelet and know that the person who created it is thinking of them, believes them, and knows that they are brave.
Positivity pebbles/courage rocks are small stones for the children to hold on to when they need them the most. The stones can have words like Brave, Fierce, Warrior, etc. written on them. You can even draw a scene that reflects serenity, bravery, and courage.
Thank you for participating in this important and impactful activity at our upcoming SASy Luncheon.

2.24.22 - Todd Cioffi
2022-02-24 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Todd Cioffi joined Calvin College and the CMS department in the fall of 2009.Director Professor Cioffi’s work in the CMS department focuses on Missions, Community Development and Congregational Studies. He is also the director of the Calvin Prison Initiative.
Prior to coming to Calvin, Professor Cioffi taught at Whitworth University.
He completed his B.A. in philosophy from Hope College, and a M.Div. and Ph.D. in systematic theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. Professor Cioffi has taught in the areas of systematic theology, philosophy, Christian ethics, and religion and politics.
Beyond his academic work, he is ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served several churches and ministries over the years.

3.3.22 - Club 77 @ IKUS/Indian Trails Camp
2022-03-03 16:30 - 18:00 | Indian Trails Camp, 0-1859 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids, MI, 49534, United States
Please invite your spouse, significant other, friends, co-workers and prospective members, for an evening of fun, fellowship and networking with appetizers and beverages.
RSVPs for you and your guest are due by 12:00pm on Monday, Feb. 28th.

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Indian Trails Camp and IKUS Life Enrichment Services
Indian Trails Camp was founded in 1952 by the Kent County Cerebal Palsey Parents Club. These parents wanted a traditional camp experience accessible for children with physical and intellectual disabilities. Two teachers from Eastern Orthopedic School joined the club, along with medical professionals from Mary Free Bed. Tom Muller was president of the Club. Some financial aid was provided by the State of Michigan and Grand Rapids Board of Education.
In 1953 the first camp was held at Yankee Springs, and Wayne Muller was one of the camp counselors (and ITC Board President in 1971!). The second year camp was held at St. Mary’s Lake, and camp continued to grow. This success led the founders to search for a permanent camp home, and further organization. Grand Rapids Rotarian Fritz Meuller Jr contacted the Rotary Club regarding support, and that year the Club donated the money designated for their Christmas Party, to the camp.
Through the efforts of the GR Rotary, the City of Grand Rapids agreed to lease a parcel of land in Aman Park as the permanent home of camp. Indian Trails Camp became a reality, and the 1955 camp season was held in Aman Park (there was only one building at the park that year). Progress continued, and in 1956 ITC became a non-profit corporation. John Bertsch was the first president of the Indian Trails Camp Board of Directors.
Later, after receiving the gift of a pool, the GR Rotary conducted an $80,000 fund drive and built eight sleeping cabins. Next $115,000 was raised for renovations of the Ojibway Lodge, pool enclosure and a pontoon boat. The GR Rotary conducted another fund drive in 1980 chaired by Donald Porter. $130,000 was raised to build a sewage system, maintenance building, laundry, bathing facilities, and an outdoor chapel/ampitheater. As the kids aged Indian Trails began serving both children and adults, now 75% of campers are adults. Indian Trails continues to be the only fully accessible camp in Michigan, and one of a handful in the U.S.
Now fast forward about 30 years…
Indian Trails Camp recognized the need for year ‘round respite beyond the summer months, when campers came for a fun weekend and caregivers got much needed rest. Around 2010 we identified other service and program needs in west Michigan to further support the individuals we serve. Eventually these services grew to include: individual Community Living Support, group Community Living Support, Skill Building, and Supported Employment. Like camp, the majority of individuals that participate in these programs and services are adults.
Once these services became established, the Indian Trails Camp name didn’t accurately describe everything we had to offer. Camp leadership decided to create a “parent” brand to encompass the entire compliment of programming. IKUS Life Enrichment Services was born, using the word IKUS from the Indian Trails Camp song.
Scott Blakeney joined Indian Trails Camp/IKUS Life Enrichment Services as their Executive Director in October of 2018. Prior to ITC/IKUS he worked for the State of Michigan for 15 years, and spent 10 years in the for-profit world before being employed at the State. Scott joined the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids in 2019, and is excited to continue the longstanding tradition of serving people in west Michigan.

3.10.22 - Louis Albertini
2022-03-10 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Louis leads content at Firstbase, an NYC-based, global software platform that helps founders launch, manage, and scale their businesses. Previously, he served as Head of Marketing at Farel, a YC-backed software company for regional airlines with offices in San Francisco, Turkey, and Kazakhstan.
Louis served as a Princeton in Asia Fellow in Kazakhstan and then spent 5 years living and working in Kazakhstan across consulting, international trade, and higher education. Louis gained extensive insights in Central Asia through publishing trade publications at the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, consulting projects with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, advising startups with the Astana Hub, and conducting denuclearization research at the DPRK Strategic Research Center at KIMEP University.
Louis graduated from the University of Michigan where he was a resident of the Global Scholars Program. Louis was highly active in the Rotaract Club of UofM, serving as its President and International Service Chair.
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In honor of International Women’s Day (recognized globally on March 8th) we encourage you to wear the color purple to our March 10th luncheon. While in Rotary the color purple is traditionally known for our Polio vaccination campaign, it also one of the original colors of the suffragette and women’s rights movement and symbolizes “justice, dignity, and visionary thinking”.

3.17.22 - Katie Appold & Bill McKendry
2022-03-17 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Katie Appold, Executive Director
Katie’s professional experience includes over fifteen years of marketing and leadership in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.
She has earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University and later completed a Master’s of Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Leadership.
Under Katie’s leadership, nonprofit organizations have developed new programs related to free healthcare, affordable and accessible housing and literacy programs for K-12 students. In her first Executive Director role, Katie increased the annual revenue of the organization she led by 300% and received the top grant prize in the nation for affordable housing through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.
As a volunteer, Katie co-chaired the fundraising cabinet for Imagination Station 2.0, an accessible play-space in Grand Haven, MI. The campaign exceeded the goal by 30% and recruited over 1,000 volunteers for a “community build” of the play-space which took place over one week in 2018.
Bill McKendry, Founding Member / Board President
A veteran marketer, speaker, and messaging expert for nonprofit causes, Bill is the founder and chairman of Do More Good as well as the founder and chief creative officer of HAVEN | a creative hub.
Recognized in 1999 when he headed Hanon McKendry as the top professional nationally doing cause marketing work by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and inducted into AAF’s Hall of Achievement, Bill has cultivated a reputation as an expert in key success principles for nonprofit marketing and communications.

3.24.22 - Rosalyn Bliss
2022-03-24 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss became the City of Grand Rapids’ first female Mayor when she took office on January 1, 2016. She was re-elected for a second term in November 2019. She previously served as a Second Ward City Commissioner for 10 years.
Mayor Bliss also is serving as the Frederik Meijer Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Grand Valley’s Frederik Meijer Honors College, where she teaches a junior seminar. She earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminal justice from the University of South Alabama and a master’s in social work from Michigan State University.
Mayor Bliss is an active member of the community. She is Past President of the Michigan Municipal League and currently serves on the boards of the Downtown Development Authority, Experience Grand Rapids, Convention Arena Authority, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority, National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families, Urban Core Mayors, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids and the Interurban Transit Partnership.
Mayor Bliss has been recognized and honored locally as well as statewide for her commitment, dedication and work in the field of child abuse and neglect and for her leadership in the community. Recognitions include:

Sault Area High School Distinguished Alumnus Award
National Forum for Black Public Administrators Leadership Excellence Award
US Conference of Mayors Small Business Advocate Award
Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan Peacemaker Award
WMCAT’s Award for Innovation
Kathryn Timmer Literacy Award
Crain’s 100 Most Influential Women
Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan
Five-time recipient of Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty distinction
West Michigan Public Relations Society of America’s Communicator of the Year Award
ATHENA Young Professional Award
Tim Pope Memorial Award for Outstanding Young Governmental Leader
Christine Nelson Professional Award for Service to Children
Michigan Professional Society on the Abuse of Children Special Recognition Award

As Mayor, she is committed to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, working to create a cleaner, healthier and safer community and has a commitment to addressing disparities in our community to make sure that Grand Rapids is a great place for everyone.

3.31.22 - Deirdre Jimenez
2022-03-31 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Deirdre Jimenez BIFMA President + CEO
Deirdre Jimenez AIA, NCDIQ joined BIFMA, the North American Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, in July 2020 as its first President and CEO with a mission to elevate the work BIFMA and its members contribute to the industry, expand outreach and collaboration to industry stakeholders, and create a positive impact for the advancement of the industry. In her new role she is responsible for leading BIFMA and partnering with its Board of Directors, membership, and staff by connecting and advancing the industry’s common interests through a period of disruption and growth.
Having served in corporate design and construction as well as professional service firms, the position with BIFMA provides her the opportunity to amplify the significance of the symbiotic relationship between furniture design and interior design and the intentional intersection of those creative and innovative contributors that can define a highly sophisticated and functional environment.
Deirdre is both an architect and interior designer with over 25 years of leadership experience serving in executive and ownership roles in corporate real estate and national AE design firms. Most of her career focused on the workplace environment, where she developed an understanding and appreciation of the role furnishings play in the emerging practice of workplace strategy. Deirdre is a licensed architect in several states, holds NCIDQ certification, and numerous professional industry awards.
Over her career, Deirdre has demonstrated leadership through program development, operational leadership, and business development. She has led teams across regional and national geography, successfully translating business vision and strategy into operation initiatives and building the organizational infrastructure needed to achieve them.
She earned a BS in Architecture and a BS in Interior Architecture from Lawrence Technological University and is one of 20 Distinguished Architectural Alumni from the College of Architecture and Design. She has served on the advisory committee for the LTU College of Architecture and Design and Ferris State school of Facility Management.
BIFMA is the leading non-profit furniture trade association in North America with members from around the world. Founded from the call to define uniform product standards for the industry, BIFMA has served as the voice of the commercial furniture industry since 1973 and is now the recognized source for refining, managing and developing furniture standards that embody safety, ergonomics, health, sustainability, and performance that support buyer and specifier communities in making informed furniture selection decisions.
BIFMA further supports the industry providing market data, thought leadership, and industry outreach celebrating design and innovation in recognition of the significance furnishings play in the places we learn, work, heal and live through product registries, sustainability certification, statistics reporting, government relations, industry promotion, education, networking, and trade development programs.

4.7.22 - No Luncheon Spring Break
2022-04-07 12:00 - 13:15

4.14.22 - Interact lead Luncheon
2022-04-14 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Info to be provided.

4.21.22 - Rick Mattoon
2022-04-21 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Rick Mattoon is vice president and regional executive, Detroit branch, in the economic research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Mattoon’s primary research focuses on issues that face the Midwest regional economy. Mattoon began his career at the Chicago Fed in 1990. In 1997, he left the bank to serve as a policy advisor for economic development, energy and telecommunications to the Governor of Washington. He later served as director of policy and legislation for the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. He returned to the bank in 2001.
Mattoon’s work has appeared in the National Tax Journal, State Tax Notes, Public Choice and Society. He is the co-author of a chapter on state and local governments and the national economy in the Oxford Handbook of State and Local Government Finance.
Mattoon serves on the Board of the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council, the Advisory Committee to the Chicago Workforce Investment Council, the pension committee of the Civic Federation and is a member of the Joint Advisory Board of Economists to the Governor of Virginia. He also serves as a lecturer at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Mattoon received a B.A. from Kenyon College and an M.A. from the University of Chicago.
