Rotary Club Of Grand Rapids

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

9.5.19 - Club 77 @ Mathison | Mathison Architects
2019-09-05 16:00 - 17:30

8.29.19 - Labor Day Celebration - No Luncheon
2019-08-29 12:00 - 13:30
From the US Department of Labor

History of Labor Day

Labor Day 2019
On September 2, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor celebrates and honors the greatest worker in the world – the American worker. Labor Day 2019 is the 125th anniversary of Labor Day being celebrated as a national holiday.
Labor Day: What it Means
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
Labor Day Legislation
The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed in 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York – created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
Founder of Labor Day
More than a century after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”
But Peter McGuire’s place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.
The First Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.
A Nationwide Holiday
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
The character of the Labor Day celebration has changed in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics, and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership – the American worker.

8.22.19 - Dave Thomas
2019-08-22 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
David F. Thomas
D6290 Governor 2019-20
Brief Biography
FAMILY:
Born in Glen Rogers, West Virginia in 1948; Dave’s family moved to Glen Burnie, Maryland in 1952 where he grew up, met, and married Carol, his high school sweet heart in 1968. In 1971 they were blessed with the birth of a son, Michael; and in 1975 a daughter Jennifer. Jennifer works for Amazon in Seattle. Michael works for Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Brimley. Mike’s wife, Daniela, and three children Emily, Colin and Olivia are spoiled on a regular basis by the rest of the family
Employment:

USMC attaining rank of, Sargent
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Administrator
University of Vermont, Director
University of Missouri, Executive Director
National Consultant HUP, Case Western, Fresno, Athens Georgia
Burns Clinic, Executive Director
Midwest Physicians, CEO
Orland Park Surgical Center, President
Michigan Heart, CEO

Recognition and Honors:
Dave is a member of the Petoskey Methodist Church. He is the current Commandant of Detachment 690 Marine Corps League and a 3rd Degree Master Mason. He has served as Club President, TOM AG, National President of the Academic Practice Assembly, and President of Illinois MGMA. He has also served on the Boards of the PHSCF, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Traverse Symphony Orchestra, United Way, Salvation Army, and St. James Hospital. Dave was recently recognized as Alumni of the year by his Alma Mater Glen Burnie High School.
Education: BA Carson Newman, M.A.S. Johns Hopkins University, C.M.P.E. MGMA

8.15.19 - Susan Jazwiec
2019-08-15 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Skills
• Passionate about Consumer Education and Internet safety
• Strong leadership capabilities
• Experience in coaching and mentoring
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, team environment
• Has a strong drive for results
• Strong engagement and communication skills
• Resourceful
• Is a trusted advisor to colleagues
• Focused and driven
• Radio Broadcasting
Education
• Master in Education Administration Grand Valley State University
• Bachelors of Arts
Major: Group Social Studies Minor: Elementary Education
Work Experience
• Michigan Attorney General’s Office for Outreach (2016-present) Independent Contractor-Speaker for
Consumer Education and OK2SAY/CSI
• Grand Rapids Community College 2011-present
Adjunct Professor Math and Computer Application Departments
• Grand Rapids Public Schools 1985-2016 Computer Applications/Multi media Student and Adult
Technology Education
Volunteer/Extra Curricular Activities
• West Michigan Literacy Center -English tutor (2016-present)
• MacKenzie Animal Shelter Volunteer (2018-present)
• Justice For Our Neighbors volunteer (2018-present)
• WYCE (88.1FM) Radio Programmer (2004-present)
• Rogue River Blues Series Co Chair (2003-present)
• West Michigan Whitecaps Host family (2001-present)
• Red Cross Volunteer (2007-2011)
• Rockford Celtic Festival Chair (2000-2005)
• The Rockford Area Arts Commission Member
• 2000-2006
Awards/Grants
• Nellie B. Stevens Award GRPS International Travel 2008
• Community Foundation Grants 1985, 1987, 1993, 2003, 2010

8.8.19 - Dr. Norman Beauchamp - RSVP required
2019-08-08 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.

8.1.19 - Club 77 @ Varnum
2019-08-01 16:00 - 17:30
Please plan on joining us and RSVP by Thursday, July 25th to rotary@grrotary.org!
Driving directions and parking info is below.

7.25.19 - Dr. Philomena Mantella
2019-07-25 12:00 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Philomena V. Mantella is one of higher education’s leading entrepreneurs. She is a recognized leader in strategic thinking, market dynamics, and innovation in the way education is delivered. Her innovative drive comes from more than 30 years in higher education administration. She has done path-breaking work while serving as an officer at public and private universities in New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Massachusetts.
She is the fifth president of Grand Valley State University, beginning her tenure July 1, 2019.
Mantella has a Ph.D. in college and university administration from Michigan State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work from Syracuse University.
She spent the last 18 years at Northeastern University as senior vice president of Enrollment and Student Life and the chief executive officer of the Lifelong Learning Network.
Mantella is known as a change agent and has had an integral role in expanding global markets and lifelong learning efforts. She is a proven leader in innovation in digital learning and enrollment management.
Her comprehensive understanding of both sides of the educational market – learners and employers – has resulted in success for students and has increased the economic vitality of the markets served.
She is committed to ensuring institutional integrity and building consensus for the mission and the noble cause of education.
Her strong student-centered philosophy, coupled with her operational expertise and strong vision for the future of education, positions her perfectly to lead Grand Valley State University into its seventh decade.
Mantella has been married for 40 years to attorney Robert H. Avery and has three sons and four grandchildren

7.18.19 - Tim Gleisner
2019-07-18 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
I am the Head of Collections at the Library of Michigan. In this role I am in charge of all of the Collections of the State Library, including the Law, Government Documents, Michigan and Rare Book Collections. I am also in head of all programming and much of the outreach of the library. This includes programs such as Michigan Notable Books, an annual list of the top 20 books produced by Michigan authors, or books on Michigan subjects. What is amazing about my current job is I get to travel the state to libraries of all types and sizes. And while out in the field I collect the stories and history of Michigan
Previous to the Library of Michigan I was the Head of Special Collections at the Grand Rapids Public Library, and Head of Local History and Genealogy at the Herrick District Library in Holland, Michigan. In both roles I collected and preserved the history of the West Michigan region. During this time I have learned everything anyone could ever want to know about the Dutch in America. Grand Rapids and Holland are the home of the largest Dutch enclave in North America.
I am a native of Wisconsin and have lived and roamed around Lake Michigan most of my life. Much of my compiling of library history centers in the Upper Midwest and the influence libraries have had in this part of the world. I love history of all types and read any history I can get my hands on. I also love cities. I am constantly in Chicago, Detroit or New York any chance I can get.

7.11.19 - Tim Liang
2019-07-11 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Tim Liang is a managing director at AlphaMax Advisors. AlphaMax is a management consultancy that specializes in helping American companies achieve financial success in China. The majority of AlphaMax’s clients are private manufacturing companies with annual revenues of $750 million or less. The firm was founded in 2003 by Ping Liang. Ping and Tim work closely with clients to develop and execute China entry strategies, including domestic China sales, US export sales, joint ventures, wholly owned operations, and sourcing. They are frequently engaged to improve the management and operations of client-owned companies in China and to conduct due diligence on clients’ Chinese competitors, partners and suppliers.
Prior to joining AlphaMax, Tim was senior vice president at Grand Haven, Michigan-based JSJ Corporation. Previously, he worked at McKinsey & Co., Arthur D. Little and Cummins Inc. Tim has 37 years of China business experience. He received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Oberlin College and three master’s degrees from Yale University – in East Asian Studies, Chinese Archaeology and Public & Private Management.
Tim currently serves on the boards of four companies and the boards of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

7.4.19 - 4th of July - No Luncheon
2019-07-04 12:00 - 13:15

6.27.19 - Presidents Passing of the Tiller
2019-06-27 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States

6.20.19 - Michele Suchovsky
2019-06-20 12:00 - 13:15
Michele has served for 15 years as executive director of two nonprofit organizations, the first a disability organization and the second a fundraising and education organization. In these roles, she helped to grow both organizations into thriving nonprofit agencies impacting the lives of children and adults throughout West Michigan.
Michele believes that all people should have the right and opportunity to live independent, full lives and that PAWS® is a critical resource for helping people to find and maintain independence. Joining Paws With A Cause® in November 2018 was a dream come true as she has seen firsthand how an assistance dog can transform lives and communities for the better.
For fun, she enjoys curling up with a good book (especially when it is cold outside!), hiking the fabulous trails in Michigan with her husband and dog, or hosting gatherings of friends at her home.

Carrie Simmons, External Relations Manager
Carrie has been with Paws With A Cause® for two and a half years. Her passion and previous work for disability justice and love of dogs makes PAWS® the perfect place for her. The magical stories of the life-changing work of assistance dogs is something Carrie loves to share with anyone who will listen. While at Western Michigan University, Carrie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Go Broncos!

With special guests, WINDSOR, a PAWS demonstration dog, and PROMISE, Foster Puppy and Future Assistance Dog.

6.13.19 - Chip Kragt
2019-06-13 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Chip was hired as the Managing Director for 20 Liters in August of 2015.
Chip’s background in program implementation, volunteer management, and planning stem from his over 10 years of non-profit experience in Human and Social Service agencies, most recently with the American Red Cross. Chip brings more than 3 years of international experience working in Kenya, Haiti, Alaska, and Northern Ireland.
Chip holds a BS in Psychology from Cornerstone University.
Chip is passionate about the humanitarian right to basic necessities and breaking the cycle of poverty.
He and his wife are raising their first child (and expecting their second) in Grand Rapids, MI.

6.6.19 - Club 77 @ JW Marriott's JDEK
2019-06-06 16:00 - 17:30 | JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 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.

5.30.19 - Rep. Justin Amash
2019-05-30 00:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Representative Justin Amash (pronounced uh-MOSH) represents Michigan’s Third District in the 116th United States Congress. He was elected to his first term on November 2, 2010.
Justin was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his bachelor’s degree with High Honors in economics from the University of Michigan and his juris doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. He worked for his family’s business, as a business lawyer, and as a Michigan state representative before his election to Congress.
Justin leads the incorporation of Facebook and other social media into his work as an elected official by posting explanations of his votes online, and he has set new standards for transparency and accountability.
Justin believes government overspending is one of the biggest threats to our economic health and national security, and he has introduced an innovative balanced budget amendment—the Business Cycle Balanced Budget Amendment—to control government spending and reduce the national debt. He supports a fair and simple tax code and a regulatory environment that promotes economic prosperity.
As an ardent defender of Americans’ civil liberties, Justin has been a leading critic of the unconstitutional suspicionless mass collection of all Americans’ phone records, the indefinite detention provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA).
When asked by a New York Times reporter to describe his voting methodology, Justin explained: “I follow a set of principles, I follow the Constitution. And that’s what I base my votes on. Limited government, economic freedom, and individual liberty.”
Justin is a member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform (COR). He serves on the COR Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the COR Subcommittee on National Security. Justin also chairs the House Liberty Caucus.
Justin lives in Cascade Charter Township with his wife Kara, a graduate of Calvin College and a former elementary school teacher. Justin and Kara have three children.

5.23.19 - No Luncheon - Memorial Day
2019-05-23 12:00 - 13:15
Taken from all about history…..
Memorial Day Meaning
Memorial Day Meaning – The History
Each May, the United States celebrates a day called Memorial Day. Does Memorial Day have meaning? What is the history of Memorial Day?
Memorial Day was first widely observed in May 1868. The celebration commemorated the sacrifices of the Civil War and the proclamation was made by General John A Logan. Following the proclamation, participants decorated graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers.
In years since World War 1, the day has become a celebration of honor for those who died in all America’s wars, as well as those who are Veterans and current members of the US military.
In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday. The United States celebrates this holiday the last Monday of May.
Memorial Day Meaning – Reagan’s Speech
President Ronald Reagan is credited with reviving the practice of honoring Memorial Day and its meaning. One of his famous speeches was given at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day in 1986.
“Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It’s a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others. It’s a day to be with the family and remember.
“I was thinking this morning that across the country children and their parents will be going to the town parade and the young ones will sit on the sidewalks and wave their flags as the band goes by. Later, maybe, they’ll have a cookout or a day at the beach. And that’s good, because today is a day to be with the family and to remember.
“Arlington, this place of so many memories, is a fitting place for some remembering. So many wonderful men and women rest here, men and women who led colorful, vivid, and passionate lives. There are the greats of the military: Bull Halsey and the Admirals Leahy, father and son; Black Jack Pershing; and the GI’s general, Omar Bradley. Great men all, military men. But there are others here known for other things.
“Here in Arlington rests a sharecropper’s son who became a hero to a lonely people. Joe Louis came from nowhere, but he knew how to fight. And he galvanized a nation in the days after Pearl Harbor when he put on the uniform of his country and said, ‘I know we’ll win because we’re on God’s side.’ Audie Murphy is here, Audie Murphy of the wild, wild courage. For what else would you call it when a man bounds to the top of a disabled tank, stops an enemy advance, saves lives, and rallies his men, and all of it single-handedly. When he radioed for artillery support and was asked how close the enemy was to his position, he said, ‘Wait a minute and I’ll let you speak to them.’ [Laughter]
“Michael Smith is here, and Dick Scobee, both of the space shuttle Challenger. Their courage wasn’t wild, but thoughtful, the mature and measured courage of career professionals who took prudent risks for great reward—in their case, to advance the sum total of knowledge in the world. They’re only the latest to rest here; they join other great explorers with names like Grissom and Chaffee.
“Oliver Wendell Holmes is here, the great jurist and fighter for the right. A poet searching for an image of true majesty could not rest until he seized on ‘Holmes dissenting in a sordid age.’ Young Holmes served in the Civil War. He might have been thinking of the crosses and stars of Arlington when he wrote: ‘At the grave of a hero we end, not with sorrow at the inevitable loss, but with the contagion of his courage; and with a kind of desperate joy we go back to the fight.’
“All of these men were different, but they shared this in common: They loved America very much. There was nothing they wouldn’t do for her. And they loved with the sureness of the young. It’s hard not to think of the young in a place like this, for it’s the young who do the fighting and dying when a peace fails and a war begins. Not far from here is the statue of the three servicemen—the three fighting boys of Vietnam. It, too, has majesty and more. Perhaps you’ve seen it—three rough boys walking together, looking ahead with a steady gaze. There’s something wounded about them, a kind of resigned toughness. But there’s an unexpected tenderness, too. At first you don’t really notice, but then you see it. The three are touching each other, as if they’re supporting each other, helping each other on.
“I know that many veterans of Vietnam will gather today, some of them perhaps by the wall. And they’re still helping each other on. They were quite a group, the boys of Vietnam—boys who fought a terrible and vicious war without enough support from home, boys who were dodging bullets while we debated the efficacy of the battle. It was often our poor who fought in that war; it was the unpampered boys of the working class who picked up the rifles and went on the march. They learned not to rely on us; they learned to rely on each other. And they were special in another way: They chose to be faithful. They chose to reject the fashionable skepticism of their time. They chose to believe and answer the call of duty. They had the wild, wild courage of youth. They seized certainty from the heart of an ambivalent age; they stood for something.
“And we owe them something, those boys. We owe them first a promise: That just as they did not forget their missing comrades, neither, ever, will we. And there are other promises. We must always remember that peace is a fragile thing that needs constant vigilance. We owe them a promise to look at the world with a steady gaze and, perhaps, a resigned toughness, knowing that we have adversaries in the world and challenges and the only way to meet them and maintain the peace is by staying strong.
“That, of course, is the lesson of this century, a lesson learned in the Sudetenland, in Poland, in Hungary, in Czechoslovakia, in Cambodia. If we really care about peace, we must stay strong. If we really care about peace, we must, through our strength, demonstrate our unwillingness to accept an ending of the peace. We must be strong enough to create peace where it does not exist and strong enough to protect it where it does. That’s the lesson of this century and, I think, of this day. And that’s all I wanted to say. The rest of my contribution is to leave this great place to its peace, a peace it has earned.
“Thank all of you, and God bless you, and have a day full of memories.”
Memorial Day Meaning – A Day of Honor
Does Memorial Day have meaning to you? Many communities around the United States have memorial day events at cemeteries where veterans and spiritual leaders speak. Other cities and towns host parades to honor the military. However, in many cities around the country, these events have been forgotten.
It is important for Americans to take time to remember the sacrifices that bought their freedom. Here are some ideas on how to celebrate this important American holiday:

Send a note of thanks to Veterans you know.
If you know someone who has lost a loved one in battle, offer to help with a household project or help meet a special need they have.
Visit a local cemetery and place flags or flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.
Fly the American flag at half-staff until noon.
Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 pm. Pause and think upon the meaning of Memorial Day.

5.16.19 - Service Above Selfie Contest Winners
2019-05-16 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Please join us for a special presentation from three of our four Service Above Selfie Contest Winners!
Henna Crowns of Courage, Arts in Motion, and Ele’s Place.
The Service Above Selfie Contest was created to boost Community Service through recognizing volunteers and the non-profit organizations that they are passionate about. It is also a fun way to put extra money behind those efforts. There are four winning prizes and amounts: Most Liked – $500, 3rd Prize – $1,000, 2nd Prize – $2,000 and First Prize – $5,000.
The contest was simple to enter:

Volunteer at your favorite non-profit
Snap a selfie of your group in action
Post your photo with the hastag #serviceselfie19 to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Mark you photo as public
Tell Your friends!

The winners of the 2019 Service Above Selfie are listed below:

5.9.19 - Hank Meijer and Gleaves Whitney
2019-05-09 12:00 - 13:15 | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Hank Meijer is executive chairman of Meijer, Inc. in Grand Rapids. He joined the family retail business at the age of 11 as a grocery clerk.
After serving as a reporter for a Detroit-area newspaper group, he became editor and later publisher of a weekly newspaper in Plymouth, Michigan. He rejoined Meijer in 1979 as assistant advertising director.
His biography of Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg was recently published by the University of Chicago Press.
Hank is vice-chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. He also serves on the executive committee of the Food Marketing Institute and is a trustee of the Kettering Foundation, the National Constitution Center and The Henry Ford. He is a member of the University of Michigan’s President’s Advisory Group and the Ford School of Public Policy board of advisors.

Gleaves Whitney became the first full-time director of Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies in 2003. During his tenure, he has been the architect of hundreds of public programs, including numerous national conferences covered by C-SPAN and various internationally webcast debates — one watched on YouTube by nearly two million people in some 30 nations on all six inhabited continents. He has overseen the tremendous growth of the Hauenstein Center’s website, which has been visited more than 30 million times. He’s also premiered a popular web column called Ask Gleaves — the first presidential Q & A column in the nation — and created a leadership academy for students and young professionals committed to public service.
Under his direction, the Hauenstein Center’s Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy has emerged as a preeminent center of leadership excellence in the Midwest. Cook Leadership Fellows have been face-to-face with four U.S. presidents, three first ladies, two vice presidents, four secretaries of state, six state governors, numerous business and nonprofit executives, multiple Pulitzer Prize-winning writers, the world’s most decorated academic, a Grammy Award winner, and a national championship basketball coach.
“Gleaves Whitney is a real treasure for those of us who do presidential studies and work in the field of presidential history,” said award-winning biographer H. W. Brands. “He’s also one of the most effective entrepreneurs in the business of higher education. You can tell this by the growth of the Hauenstein Center over the years that he’s been the director.”
Philosopher Martha C. Nussbaum has called the Hauenstein Center’s Common Ground Initiative “an amazing experiment in civic and liberal education.”

5.2.19 - Club 77 - Grand Rapids Yacht Club
2019-05-02 17:30 - 20:30 | 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

3.28.19 - Tim Gortsema
2019-03-28 12:00 - 13:15
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.
