Rotary Club Of Grand Rapids

5.2.19 - Club 77 - Grand Rapids Yacht Club
2019-05-02 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Detroit) | Grand Rapids Yacht Club, 740 Lakeside Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506
Join us for after work networking and socializing, with food, drinks and door prizes!
Please bring your spouses, significant other, friends, co-workers, clients and anyone interested in learning more about Rotary and our Club to this fun event.
We will have a brief program and words from our event host.

4.25.19 - STRIVE Banquet featuring Dr. Ron Gorman and Jessica Austin
2019-04-25 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Today’s guest speakers are Dr. Ron Gorman, Assistant Superintendent, Pre-K-12 Instructional Support, Grand Rapids Public Schools and Jessica Austin, Health and Training Officer, Consumers Energy and former STRIVE Mentor. Please read their bios below.
What is S.T.R.I.V.E.?
STRIVE is a motivational mentoring program working with high school junior and senior students who want to improve their educational status and expand their networks.
The mission of the STRIVE Program is to mentor high school students to achieve academic success, graduate from high school and continue their education in college, university, trade, technical or career school.
In pursuit of this mission, the STRIVE program provides positive role models for students to promote self discovery, the importance of High School Graduation, development of good values, development of life skills, and individual responsibility in STRIVING for excellence in life.
STRIVE is a partnership among students trying to make a difference in their lives, parents who are willing to support and encourage their students, high school administrators, faculty and counselors, Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, & Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation.
Program Requirements

Attitude – Student must maintain appropriate conduct and a positive
Altruism – Students must participate in two of the three STRIVE (volunteer)
Attendance – Students need to maintain 90% attendance level (equals two excused absences).
Academics – Satisfy GPA requirements

Rewards
Upon successful completion of the STRIVE requirements, the student will be entitled to the following:

Award Certificate – presented to the student at the May awards luncheon
Summer Work Premium – At the end of summer of $1.50 per hour worked is paid to the student upon verification of employment, up to a maximum $750.
Scholarship – A scholarship of up to $3,000** can be earned and will be disbursed over 2 semesters to a college, university, trade, technical or career school of the student’s

Dr. Ronald Gorman is the Assistant Superintendent of Pre-K-12 Instructional Support. For almost two decades, he has served the Grand Rapids Public Schools as an elementary teacher, a secondary teacher, a high school assistant principal, a high school athletic director, a K-8 principal, a high school principal, and the Executive Director of Secondary Schools.
Dr. Gorman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Aquinas College, a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Michigan State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership degree from Western Michigan University. Dr. Gorman holds Michigan Educator Certifications in English, Reading, Elementary Education, and Pre-K-12 Administration. In addition to his educational accomplishments, Dr. Gorman proudly served eight years in the United States Army Reserves.
In support of Superintendent Weatherall Neal’s Transformation Plan, Dr. Gorman collaborates with principals, teachers, parents, and students to plan and facilitate research-based professional development opportunities that support quality instruction, school climate and culture, instructional leadership, assessment literacy, and high levels of student-achievement.

Jessica M. Austin graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 2007. She earned her Bachelor Of Science in Occupational Safety and Health Management in 2013 from Grand Valley State University. Shortly after graduating, she started her career at Steelcase as a Safety Engineer. She joined Van Andel Research Institute as an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist in 2014. Jessica worked at VARI for three years. She was given the opportunity to lead training efforts as a Health and Safety Trainer for Consumers Energy in the fall of 2018. Additionally she is growing her entrepreneurial business: Creative Carvings, Inc.

4.18.19 - Eric Foster
2019-04-18 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Eric K. Foster is the Co-founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Rende Progress Capital (RPC), an emerging Michigan Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and the only racial equity focused not-for-profit loan fund. RPC was founded to provide loans, investments and services to Excluded Entrepreneurs who face barriers to conventional small business financing because of racial bias and inequity.
Foster is responsible for the management of RPC and relationship cultivation with investor supporters, partners and customers. He also is responsible for ensuring that the loan consideration and deployment processes are administered through the proprietary tool of Financing Approval through Racial Equity (FARE)(sm) that he created. Foster is also responsible for the RPC portfolio being managed with financial due diligence as well as authentic, open and culturally competent relationships with customers.
Foster completed his course work from the University of New Hampshire Carsey School of Public Policy and Opportunity Finance Network for his Certificate in Community Development Finance in the areas of loan approval, CDFI Capitalization, Lending Policies, CAMEL Analysis and Portfolio Management.
As a businessman and entrepreneur, he is also founder and principal of Progress Strategies+, LLC, a Project Management company providing high-impact project management for corporate, business and organization clients that also specializes in Diversity & Inclusion, Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Policy & Advocacy. Foster is a graduate of Hope College, and is certified in project management from the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies and Advanced Intercultural Management from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.
Foster has worked in the public and private sectors for U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, U.S. Congressman Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, former Mayor Anthony A. Williams of Washington, D.C., and the Corporate Diversity Counseling Group of the law firm Holland & Knight among other institutions. He has received awards for his work from the West Michigan Urban League, Progressive Women’s Alliance, Corp! Magazine

4.16.19 - The Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award Dinner
2019-04-16 18:00 - 20:30 | The Cultural Center at St. Nicholas, 2250 E. Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, United States
The 2019 Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Service Above Self Award Dinner will be Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the Culture Center at St. Nicholas, where the Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award will be presented.
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids each year honors someone from our community who has made a difference by exemplifying the philanthropic legacy of Fredrik Meijer and the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self”.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jacqueline Taylor is this year’s Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award winner.
“Jackie” is a talented executive, board member, consultant, and entrepreneur. She has served the education community for over 25 years including positions of VP for College and Community Relations, a Provost, a Chief Operating Officer, a VP of Diversity and Cultural Affairs, a VP of Development, and as a President. Jackie’s work as an executive was with the following colleges and universities: Davenport University, Community College of Alleghany County (PA), Fulton- Montgomery Community College (NY), and Lansing Community College. Prior to joining Pondera, Jackie founded and operated her own consulting firm.
Jackie obtained her Master’s degree and Ph.D. in College & University Administration from Michigan State University. She is certified to administer Myers Briggs Type Assessments and has published articles and made presentations on Leadership Development, Organizational Change, Total Quality Management, Diversity, and Multicultural topics. She has received numerous awards for leadership, excellence and achievement, including Distinguished Alumna Awards from Lansing Community College, Aquinas College, and MSU.
Jackie lives in the Greater Grand Rapids area where she demonstrates her passion for building strong communities through her work as past president of the Downtown Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and by current and past service on the boards of YMCA of Grand Rapids, ATHENA International, the Michigan Women’s Foundation, Michigan Habitat for Humanity, the Heritage Hill Board, Michigan Nonprofit Association and Michigan Campus Compact among others. Jackie is an ardent supporter of Michigan State University and its academic and athletic programs.
Previous Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award winners were Shelley Irwin, Rick DeVos, Luis Tomatis, MD, along with John and Nancy Kennedy. Their efforts to better our community are remarkable and will have a lasting impact. By honoring people such as these in a public way, we hope to inspire others to consider how they can extend themselves in the service of others and the community at large.

If you would like to support and recognize the efforts of Dr. Jackie Taylor and the previous honorees, please become a sponsor. Simply click on the attached SponsorshipForm
If you would like to attend the 2019 Service Above Self Dinner honoring Dr. Jackie Taylor as the 2019 Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award winner, you can purchase by clicking here: Tickets
A special Thank You to our generous Event Sponsor!

4.11.19 - Interact Luncheon & Christy Buck
2019-04-11 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Our Interact students will lead this luncheon today as part of their leadership involvement with our Club. These students join us from Catholic Central High School, City High Middle School, East Grand Rapids High School, Grand Rapids Christian School, Ottawa Hills High School, Union High School and West Catholic High School.
They will moderate the luncheon, lead the song and invocation, act as greeters and introducers of guests and have chosen Christy Buck to be their guest speaker.
Christy Buck is the Executive Director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. With 33 years experience in the mental health field, Buck’s passion for transforming and saving lives through mental health education led her to develop two classroom programs, ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ for middle and high school students, and ‘be nice.’ Since 2006, she and her staff have passionately presented to over 100,000 people in West Michigan on mental health awareness, bullying and suicide prevention. Christy regularly delivers speaking engagements to community and business groups on mental health awareness. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and has been recognized as one of the top 100 in the country.
Christy serves on the Grandville School Board and is involved with numerous community organizations and coalitions. Most recent honors include 2017 American Red Cross Hometown, 2017 Athena Finalist, 2017 Art Van Charity of Hope Award, 2018 50 Most Influential Women In West Michigan, 2019 Daughters of the American Revolution Women In History and most recently finalist for Brilliance Award Woman of the Year. Christy is married and a mother of three amazing children. She is a proud graduate of Michigan State University.

4.4.19 - Spring Break - No Luncheon
2019-04-04 12:00 - 13:15 | MI

3.28.19 - Tim Gortsema
2019-03-28 12:00 - 13:15 | MI
A member of the Griffins’ original 1995 staff, Tim Gortsema began his career with DP Fox Sports & Entertainment as director of finance and administration before being named vice president in 1997. In February 2007 he was promoted to senior vice president of business operations, becoming just the second person to direct the Griffins’ front office, and he was named president of the franchise in June 2015.
Now in his 23rd season with the club, Gortsema oversees all business-related activities for the Griffins, including finance and administration, sales and marketing, public and community relations, arena advertising, the Griff’s IceHouse facilities in Grand Rapids, Holland and Georgetown Township, and the team’s affiliation agreement with the Detroit Red Wings. Under his watch, the Griffins have surpassed 7,900 in average attendance in each of the last five seasons, most recently finishing sixth out of 30 AHL teams during the 2017-18 campaign.
Gortsema, who in 2011 received the Griffins’ inaugural Founders “Overtime” Award for his career contributions to the organization, was honored as the 2017-18 recipient of the AHL’s James C. Hendy Memorial Award, which is given annually to the league’s outstanding executive.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hope College in Holland and his MBA from Western Michigan University. Prior to joining DP Fox Sports, he was a manager in the audit department at Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
A member of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids’ board of directors, Gortsema also serves on the executive team at Fellowship Reformed Church in Hudsonville.
Gortsema and his wife, Suzanne, have two daughters, Danielle and Madelyn, and one son, Justin.

3.21.19 - President Chelsea Dubey's Club Update
2019-03-21 12:00 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Details Pending

3.14.19 - Mitch Miller
2019-03-14 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Mitch Miller currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director for Carbon Green BioEnergy, LLC and is the President of Iroquois Bio-Energy Company, LLC and Managing Partner of NUVU Fuels.
Mr. Miller has had an extensive history in the ethanol industry dating back to 1994.
Mr. Miller’s education has been in Process Plant Technology from Bismarck State College and Technical Business Management from Southwest State University in Minnesota.

3.7.19 - Club 77 @ LEAD Marketing Agency - RSVP by 2.28.19
2019-03-07 16:00 - 17:30 | LEAD Marketing Agency, 2311 East Beltline SE, Grand Rapids,, MI, 49546, United States

2.28.19 - Britany Affolter-Caine
2019-02-28 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
On May 22, 2018, University Research Corridor (URC), an alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, announced the appointment of Britany Affolter Caine as executive director. Affolter-Caine oversees all strategic and operational aspects of the URC, one of the nation’s most accomplished and respected academic research clusters.
Affolter-Caine has been with the URC for nearly six years, serving as interim director since July 2017 and as program manager since August 2012. Prior to joining the URC, Affolter-Caine was director of talent enhancement for Ann Arbor SPARK, a regional economic development organization. She has also held positions at the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Brookings Institution. She replaces founding URC chief Jeff Mason, who is now CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Affolter-Caine holds a doctorate in higher education policy from the University of Michigan. She also earned a master’s degree in secondary education from Wright State University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wittenberg University. She serves on the board of the Ann Arbor Arts Alliance and the consultative panel for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s University Center for Regional Economic Innovation.
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The URC was formed in 2007 to contribute to a more vibrant Michigan economy by leveraging the intellectual capital of its three major research universities, including their educational excellence, their world-competitive research and graduate studies and their contributions to citizens’ health and quality of life.

2.21.19 - Rotary Days of Service Project
2019-02-21 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
We intend to write thank you cards for every staff member at Union and Ottawa High Schools.
We also intend to have the principals at both schools give a short (5 to 10 minutes) presentation and answer questions about the challenges the schools face.
In addition, while we are writing thank you cards, we will propose questions to each table in an effort to develop a discussion regarding volunteerism and service.

2.14.19 - Dave Alexander
2019-02-14 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States

2.7.19 - Club 77 - Custer Inc.
2019-02-07 16:00 - 17:30 | Custer, Inc., 217 Cesar E Chavez Ave SW Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join us for after work networking and socializing, with appetizers and drinks.
Please bring your spouses, significant other, friends, co-workers, clients and anyone interested in learning more about Rotary and our Club to this fun event.
We will have a brief program and words from our event host.

1.31.19 - Luncheon canceled - to be rescheduled
2019-01-31 12:00 - 13:15 | Grand Rapids Reseach Center – MSU CHM, 400 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Norman J. Beauchamp Jr, MD, MHS, became dean of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in October 2016, and Michigan State University associate provost and assistant vice president for health affairs, February 2018.
Prior to MSU, Dr. Beauchamp was a professor and chairperson of the Department of Radiology at the University of Washington, a position he assumed in 2002. While there, he served as vice chairperson and chairperson of the University of Washington Faculty Senate, was president of the clinical practice of 1,600 physicians employed by the university, and was medical director of the Seattle/King County Clinic, which provided dental, vision and medical care to thousands of low-income and uninsured patients. Dr. Beauchamp also served as professor of neurological surgery and industrial and systems engineering at UW.
Dr. Beauchamp received his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and was selected as one of MSU’s top 25 of 10,000 undergraduate students. He received his Master of Health Science degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
As the second College of Human Medicine graduate to become dean, Dr. Beauchamp spent his last two years of medical school in Grand Rapids and subsequently completed his surgical internship at Blodgett Hospital and Saint Mary’s Hospital.
After completing his residency in radiology, and two fellowships, neuroradiology and interventional neuroradiology, at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Beauchamp joined the faculty in 1996. While at Johns Hopkins, he served as interim chairman of the department of radiology and vice chairperson for clinical operations.
As a diagnostic neuroradiologist and neurointerventional radiologist, Dr. Beauchamp focused on developing improved ways to prevent, predict, diagnose and treat patients suffering from stroke. He directed the National Institutes of Health-funded Epidemiologic Studies Image Analysis Center at Johns Hopkins and UW, which included nearly 6,000 study participants.
An influential scientist and national leader in the radiology community, Dr. Beauchamp has received numerous awards for his research and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers. His research focuses on developing advanced MRI imaging techniques to extend the treatment window for acute ischemic stroke and to identify risk predictors for stroke and dementia.
Dr. Beauchamp is chair of the International Outreach Committee of the American Roentgen Ray Society and on the board of directors of the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments and is past president of both of those organizations. He was chairperson of the Radiology Research Alliance, the Coalition for Bioimaging Research and the American Radiology Education Committee.
Among his many honors, Dr. Beauchamp was presented the outstanding faculty teaching award in radiology at Johns Hopkins three times. In 2016, he received the University of Washington’s David B. Thorud Leadership Award and, in 2018, he received the Grand Rapids Business Journal Newsmaker of the Year award for health sciences.

1.24.19 - Jennifer Owens
2019-01-24 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens delivers direct business attraction, expansion and retention services while providing overall leadership to the organization.
Since joining the organization in 2013, she has helped various major business expansion and attraction projects. She has more than 15 years of leadership experience in business retention, expansion and attraction working at various state and local
economic development positions throughout Michigan.
Prior to joining the Lakeshore Advantage team, Jennifer held the positions of vice president at Southwest Michigan First and principal of Consultant Connect, an organization that cultivates relationships between economic developers and location consultants. At Southwest Michigan First, Jennifer led the firm’s new business attraction efforts. In addition, Jennifer held key positions at Ann Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Her accomplishments also led her to various awards and recognition, such as being named an Athena Award Finalist (2017), Grand Rapids Business Journal Newsmaker of the Year Finalist (2015 & 2016), Corp Magazine Most Valuable Professional (2017) and Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan (2018).
In her free time, Jennifer and her husband Mike enjoy spending time with their three action-packed and athletic sons.

1.17.19 - P. Doug Kindschi, Ph.D.
2019-01-17 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Dr. Douglas Kindschi, now in his 43rd year at Grand Valley State University, served in the position of dean for 28 of those years. He is currently University Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy and the Director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. While Dean of Science he was responsible for 14 departments including the basic sciences, mathematics, computer science, the School of Engineering, the School of Health Professions and the Water Resources Research Institute. In August, 2015, Grand Valley named its new science building the P. Douglas Kindschi Hall of Science recognizing his role in advancing the sciences at the university.
Douglas Kindschi received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Houghton College in New York, did graduate study at the Divinity School, University of Chicago. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also completed a minor in philosophy as a part of his doctoral study.
While a graduate student at the University of Chicago Divinity School he first encountered the interfaith dialogue. In January 2010 he was appointed as the founding director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. In 2012 he created the community-wide “Year of Interfaith Understanding” which supported over 300 events and received national attention. In 2014 the institute sponsored the very successful exhibit, “Religious Tolerance: Islam in the Sultanate of Oman” both at the university and then at the city’s library. The community’s “Year of Interfaith Service” in 2015 brought together faith groups with service organizations in the community. In 2018 the “Year of Interfaith Friendship” was launched with a number of Affinity Groups bringing persons with various faith perspective together around common interests.
From January to July 2013 he was a visiting fellow at the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme at Cambridge University in England. In 2016 and again in 2018 he returned to Cambridge for the spring term where he is a visiting fellow at St. Edmund’s College.
In November of 2016 he was invited by the government of Oman to consult with their Ministry of Religious Affairs on their Religious Tolerance project. Among the ten invited from all over the world he was the only one from the United States.
He has been active for many years in the community and has served on the boards of the Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center, Porter Hills Retirement Communities and Services, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, the Van Andel Education Institute Council and the Advisory Board for the DeVos Medical Ethics Colloquy. He was the founding chair of the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Advisory Board and a founding member and chair of the Science Support Advisory Board for the Raytheon Polar Services Corporation program in the Antarctica. Kindschi is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.
On the personal side, he has been married to his wife, Barbara, for 55 years and they have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. Together they enjoy cross-country skiing, reading, walking the Lake Michigan beach and travel (especially since four of the grandchildren live with their oldest daughter and son-in-law in Germany.)

1.10.19 - President's Holiday Open House
2019-01-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Dubeyville, 7777 Hunters Way Court SE, Ada, MI, 49301, United States
Join us for after work networking and socializing, with appetizers and drinks.
Please bring your spouses, significant other, friends, co-workers, clients and anyone interested in learning more about Rotary and our Club to this fun event.
We will have a brief program and words from our event host.
RSVP by Friday, January 4th to the Rotary office at rotary@grrotary.org

1.3.19 - New Year's observance - No luncheon
2019-01-03 12:00 - 13:15 | MI

12.27.18 - Christmas Observance - No Luncheon
2018-12-27 11:30 - 13:15 | MI

12.20.18 - Christmas Luncheon
2018-12-20 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.
Our Rotary Band features; Kevin Paul, Inge Whittemore, Tom Bylenga & Ken Estelle.

Senior Neighbors Holiday Luncheon
2018-12-18 12:00 - 14:00 | Kuyper College, 3333 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525, United States
We would like to ask you to get involved with this fun and very rewarding event.
For over 30 years, Rotarians have partnered with Senior Neighbors and been serving a holiday lunch to 200 at-risk Seniors from all around West Michigan. They are provided with a plated lunch sponsored by Lake Michigan Credit Union and served by our Rotarians and they are given gift bags donated by S. Abraham and Sons.
They are also entered into a drawing for gifts and gift cards donated by our Rotarians. It would be great to have each senior “win” a gift from the drawing (some ideas for these drawing gifts are: gift certificates to places like Meijer and favorite restaurants. Other new items to consider that seniors can use: Hats, scarves, gloves, weighted or heated blankets or throws, small uncomplicated boomboxes (items that can play music).
Bob Barnes, Senior Neighbors Inc. President and also a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids said “We are honored to collaborate with the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and greatly appreciate all that the Rotarians do each year to serve area at-risk seniors. This is a wonderful gift to older adults that often don’t have the opportunity to celebrate the holidays in this sort of setting.”
We are looking for volunteers for the day of the event, Tuesday, December 18th, from 9:30am to 2:00pm at Kuyper College. You may volunteer for the entire day or for one of the shifts listed below:

9:30am-11:00am Fill gift bags (provided by Alan Abraham and SAS) and sign Christmas Cards
11:00am-12:30pm Assist with dining room set-up, seating Seniors and serving the Seniors lunch
12:30pm-2:00pm Serving the Seniors, handing out gift bags and quick clean-up of the dining room

As mentioned above, we are also looking for the donations of gifts for the Gift Giveaway portion of our luncheon. You may bring your gift to our Club 77 event on Dec. 6th or the Rotary luncheon on Dec. 13th. You may also drop your gift off to the Rotary office at 1345 Monroe Ave, NW, Suite 307.
We would like to thank you in advance for your support of this event.
A special thank to our sponsors Alan Abraham (SAS), Meijer (#Meijer Gives) and Lake Michigan Credit Union, without them this event would not take place.

Please contact the Rotary office at 616-459-5640 should you have any questions or would like to volunteer at 616-459-5640 or rotary@grrotary.org.

12.13.18 - Baird Hawkins
2018-12-13 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Baird is the founder of Interfuse Capital LLC, a private investment company that identifies and funds opportunistic and distressed commercial real estate throughout the U.S. Baird also acts as a consultant to CRE investors, developers, and family offices.
Interfuse Capital LLC is a leader in alternative investment strategies, capital raises, private equity and structured capital for commercial real estate investment.
Locally in association with Guy Bazzani, Baird has focused on neighborhood re-development projects to reposition older commercial buildings with new investment. This urban revitalization strategy enables investors to improve returns while building sustainable communities.
In this capacity, he co-developed the Kingsley Building project in Eastown. He also secured historic building status for the Kingsley Building (originally the Grand Rapids Storage & Van Co.) with its addition to the National Register of Historic Places.
Education

B.Ph. – Thomas Jefferson College at Grand Valley State Colleges
Licensed Michigan Real Estate Agent
Licensed Michigan General Contractor

Current Leadership Positions

Festival of the Arts Board of Directors

Select Honors and Awards

NBA – John H. Logie Award

12.6.18 - Club 77 @ Sytsma Wealth Strategies - RSVP by Nov. 29th
2018-12-06 16:00 - 17:30 | Sytsma Wealth Strategies, 922 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506, United States

11.29.18 - Dr. Joseph Stowell III
2018-11-29 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
An internationally recognized conference speaker, Joe has written numerous devotionals for Our Daily Bread and several books including The Trouble with Jesus, Simply Jesus and You, and Redefining Leadership: Character-Driven Habits of Effective Leaders.
Joe has a distinguished career in higher education and church leadership. He served as senior pastor of Southgate Baptist Church (Southgate OH, 1970-76), Bible Baptist Church (Kokomo IN, 1976-81), and Highland Park Baptist Church (Southfield MI, 1981-87). From
1987-2005, he served as President of Moody Bible Institute, with oversight over the Undergraduate and Graduate Schools, Moody Publishers, and the Moody Broadcasting Network. Following his time at MBI, he served as a teaching pastor at a church in suburban
Chicago prior to assuming the presidency at Cornerstone in early 2008.
Joe has also served on several boards including the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Wheaton College. He is a graduate of Cedarville University and Dallas Theological Seminary and was honored with a doctor of divinity degree from The Master’s College in
1987 and from Huntington University in 2011. He and his wife Martie are the parents of three adult children and ten grandchildren.

11.22.18 - Thanksgiving Day - No Luncheon
2018-11-22 12:00 - 13:15 | MI

11.15.18 - Brian Robertson
2018-11-15 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Born on the west coast of Ireland and after speeding five years at college in Dublin I immigrated to Canada in 1964.
I began working in the tire business in 1965 and worked for two major tire corporations until I purchased my own business in Sault Ste Marie in 1983. Over the next thirty years along with my business partner we evolved into eight major locations across Northern Ontario. Specialising in mining tires, particularly underground mines, we became one of Canada’s largest independent commercial dealers. The business was sold in 2012 and I am currently co-owner of a Micro-Brewery.
Married to Leona for over forty-six years we have two children.
I joined Rotary in 1985 and immediately became involved in Student Exchange. During the next nine years I served as YEO and along with Leona served on the District Committee. I was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the club in 1989 for my work with Youth Exchange
As a member of a very active community minded club I served on many different committees and became president in 1993. The Rotary Club of Sault Ste Marie generates between six hundred and seven hundred thousand dollars annually to support the club mandate of “Disabled Youth”.
I now look forward to becoming involved in the District and learning from other clubs the many diverse projects that enhance Rotary

11.8.18 - Peter Varga
2018-11-08 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Peter Varga is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emeritus of the Interurban Transit Partnership, known as The Rapid, an urban transit system with an operating budget of $43.9 million and an annual capital program that is currently $49.8 million.
Peter currently serves on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board and served as its past Chair in 2013-2014. He served for 11 years on the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and was its Chair for two years in 2008 and 2009. He is also is a member of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Corporate Board. In addition, Peter served for six years as a Commissioner for City of Grand Rapids Mobile GR/Grand Rapids Parking Commission and has served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Public Transit Association and was its president five times. Peter was appointed by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Transportation Funding Task Force in 2008.
Peter was born in the highlands of Ethiopia and moved to New York City when he was thirteen years old. He graduated from New York University in 1970 with a B.A. in History and Anthropology, and with an M.A. in Political Science from NYU in 1972. He also completed Masters’ level post graduate studies in Public Administration at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA).
Peter’s early transportation experience was as a New York City cab driver while attending New York University. He has worked in transit in several capacities since 1980 at Santa Cruz Metro, Santa Cruz, California, Muskegon Area Transit System, Muskegon, Michigan, and has served since 1997 as the CEO of The Rapid in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He lives in the Grand Rapids area in Michigan with his wife Susan. He has four adult daughters named Cecilia, Allison, Caitlin and Rica. He is the proud grandfather of Elizabeth, Leo, Cohen, Miles, Finn, Emma, Aria and Charlie.

11.1.18 - Club 77 @ BBB of West Mich - RSVP by Oct. 26th
2018-11-01 16:00 - 17:30 | Better Business Bureau, 3330 Claystone St SE, Grand Rapids, 49546, United States
Club 77 in the PM, a time for networking and socializing, while getting to know more about Rotary and our Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Members.
Please feel free to invite your significant other, friends, co-workers and prospective members for a fun evening enjoying food, beverages and friendship.

10.25.18 - Monique Hampton - RSVP needed
2018-10-25 12:00 - 13:15 | Gerald R Ford Job Corps Center, 110 Hall St SE, Grand Rapids, 49507, United States
Monique Hampton became the Center Director of the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center on September 1, 2018.
Ms. Hampton began her career with Job Corps in 2008, when she accepted the position of Executive Assistant to the Center Director at the Detroit Job Corps Center, in Detroit, Michigan. The position of Executive Assistant laid the foundation for her to gain an in-depth understanding of the Job Corps Program. As Executive Assistant she wore multiple hats and often found herself working in several roles, including SGA/Leadership Coordinator, the Purchasing Coordinator, and the Business and Community Liaison. While at the Detroit Job Corps Center, she also served as the Office Administration Instructor. In the Office Administration Instructor position, she successfully took the trade, which was low performing and escalated it to a top performing trade within 6 months. After demonstrating an ability to work hard and the ability to learn quickly, Ms. Hampton was promoted to Career Preparation Period (CPP) Manager at the Westover Job Corps Center, located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. As the CPP Manager, she was responsible for organizing and coordinating services for students during their first 60 days of enrollment in the program. After excelling in that position, she was promoted to the Records/Outreach and Admissions (OA)/Career Transition Services (CTS) Manager where she oversaw the Records Department and an OA contract and a CTS Contract. Within one year of being in this role, the OA contract moved from a ranking of #66 in the country to #2 in the country, and the CTS Contract moved from #38 in the country to #4 in the country.
Ms. Hampton joined Human Learning Systems in 2013, where in addition to Center Director at the Gerald R. Ford Center, she has held various positons, including Career Technical Training Manager, Training Director, and Corporate Manager for Compliance and Performance, where she assisted with the improvement of the center’s ranking at Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center, as well as the CTS ranking at Fred G. Acosta and the Phoenix Job Corps Center.
Ms. Hampton, a former Grand Rapids Public School graduate, received her education from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Counseling, with a certificate in Community College Leadership. She also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics, from Grand Valley State University, in Allendale, Michigan.
Ms. Hampton has enjoyed her 10-year tenure with Job Corps, a U.S. Government funded program overseen by the Department of Labor, which provides academic and career technical training to young adults 16 – 24. Her objective is to utilize her leadership skills to achieve company goals, while maintaining a standard of high quality and integrity. She attributes her great success to knowing that Job Corps is part of her God-given purpose in life.
