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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250501T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250501T180000
DTSTAMP:20260502T120332
CREATED:20250416T173201Z
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SUMMARY:5.1.25 - CLUB 77 & Membership Recruitment Event
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our monthly Club 77 event hosted by Rotarian Bob Tsironis at Blandford Nature Center! This is also our Membership Recruitment Event\, so invite your colleagues\, business clients\, and friends! \n 
URL:https://grrotary.org/event/5-1-25-club-77-membership-recruitment-event/
LOCATION:Blandford Nature Center\, 1715 Hillburn Ave NW\, Grand Rapids\, MI 49504\, 49504\, United States
CATEGORIES:Weekly Meeting
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250503T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250503T130000
DTSTAMP:20260502T120332
CREATED:20250416T180930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T181104Z
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SUMMARY:5.3.25 - Greenwood Cemetery Clean Up - Volunteer Opportunity
DESCRIPTION:Our Community Engagement Committee is pleased to provide the following volunteer opportunity for our Rotarians and friends to clean up the grounds at Greenwood Cemetery! \nDate: Saturday\, May 3rd \nTime: 9:30 – 1:00 PM \nLocation: Greenwood Cemetery – 1373 Leonard St NW\, Grand Rapids\, MI 49504 \nSign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-56118856-greenwood \nVolunteers Needed: 15
URL:https://grrotary.org/event/5-3-25-greenwood-cemetery-clean-up-volunteer-opportunity/
LOCATION:Greenwood Cemetery\, 1373 Leonard St NW\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49504\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grrotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/rotary-volunteer.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250508T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250508T131500
DTSTAMP:20260502T120332
CREATED:20250416T173918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T173918Z
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SUMMARY:5.8.25 - David Vessey - Philosophy Professor\, GVSU
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: David Vessey – Philosophy Professor\, GVSU \nSpeaker Topic: Philosophical Reflections on Artificial Intelligence \nBio: \n​David Vessey is a Professor of Philosophy at Grand Valley State University (GVSU)\, where he has been a faculty member since 2008. He specializes in 19th and 20th-century Continental philosophy\, with a particular focus on hermeneutic phenomenology and the philosophical tradition of interpretation. \nVessey earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 1996\, following a B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy from St. Olaf College\, where he graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. \nHis research interests include the works of Hans-Georg Gadamer\, J.G. Fichte\, Wilhelm von Humboldt\, Edmund Husserl\, Maurice Merleau-Ponty\, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Vessey’s scholarship explores themes such as intersubjectivity\, language\, time-consciousness\, and embodied subjectivity. He has contributed to the field through various publications and presentations\, including keynote addresses and conference papers. \nIn addition to his academic work\, Vessey is actively involved in the North American Society for Philosophical Hermeneutics (NASPH)\, serving as both a board member and treasurer.
URL:https://grrotary.org/event/5-8-25-david-vessey-philosophy-professor-gvsu/
LOCATION:Kent Country Club\, 1600 College Ave NE\, Grand Rapids\, 49505
CATEGORIES:Weekly Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grrotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/vessey_20081726086438.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250513T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250513T210000
DTSTAMP:20260502T120332
CREATED:20250416T180657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T180657Z
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SUMMARY:5.13.25 - 2025 Service Above Self Award Dinner Celebration
DESCRIPTION:Tickets on Sale!\nWe are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Service Above Self Award Dinner Celebration! Don’t miss this special evening—purchase your tickets today: Get Your Tickets Here \n\n2025 Service Above Self Recipient: Alan Abraham\nWe are proud to announce that Alan Abraham has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Service Above Self Award\, recognizing his exceptional dedication to service and leadership within our community. This prestigious award is presented annually in honor of Frederik Meijer\, a visionary leader whose commitment to service and community continues to inspire us all. Alan’s life and work embody the true spirit of Rotary\, and we are thrilled to honor him for his years of selfless contributions. \nAlan’s journey with Rotary began on January 1\, 1987\, when he became a member of our club after being appointed General Manager of his family’s company\, S. Abraham and Sons\, Inc.\, based in Grand Rapids\, MI. As his company expanded throughout Michigan\, Indiana\, and Ohio\, Alan saw Rotary as an invaluable way to connect with others and make a lasting impact. Inspired by his family’s legacy of service—his grandfather a Shriner and his uncle a Lions Club member—Alan understood the importance of community involvement from an early age. \nAlan’s dedication to giving back is evident in his charitable work\, which has largely focused on children. He has served and continues to serve many organizations\, including the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum\, Kids Food Basket\, Indian Trails Camp\, and Van Andel Institute\, among others. Through his family business\, he also ensured that children in need received donations of candy and other resources. Alan’s work in these areas highlights his belief in the power of empathy and the importance of helping those less fortunate. \nIn addition\, Alan was a founding member of the North Naples Sunset Rotary Club in Florida\, and his charitable work extends to organizations such as Grand Valley State University and Michigan State University. His philosophy centers around “family\, faith\, and ability”\, which have shaped his humble approach to service and his deep commitment to others. \nAs Alan humbly puts it\, “family\, faith\, and ability” have been instrumental in his ability to support and give back\, always focusing on service rather than recognition. His belief in Rotary’s motto\, “Service Above Self\,” is the driving force behind his many contributions. \nWhen Alan is not serving the community\, he enjoys golfing\, working out with a personal trainer\, traveling with his wife\, and attending Michigan State basketball & football games as a long-time season ticket holder. \nWe invite you to join us in celebrating Alan’s remarkable achievements and commitment to our community at the Service Above Self Award Dinner\, held in honor of Frederik Meijer\, on May\, 13\, 2025 at St. Nicholas Cultural Center. This special evening will honor Alan’s legacy of service and his significant impact on countless lives. \nMark your calendars for Tuesday\, May 13\, 2025 for the SAS Award Celebration Dinner!
URL:https://grrotary.org/event/5-13-25-2025-service-above-self-award-dinner-celebration/
LOCATION:The Cultural Center at St. Nicholas\, 2250 E. Paris Ave SE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49546\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250515T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250515T131500
DTSTAMP:20260502T120332
CREATED:20250416T174435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T174841Z
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SUMMARY:5.15.25 - Scott Vander Kooy - President\, Comprenew
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Scott Vander Kooy – President\, Comprenew \nSpeaker Topic: Protecting People and Planet \nBio: \nScott Vander Kooy started Comprenew in 1986 as an IBM mainframe refurbisher in Grand Rapids\, Michigan. As computers became more affordable and more electronics began entering the waste stream\, Comprenew expanded its services to include recycling to help reduce this environmental threat. Today\, Comprenew is one of the highest certified electronics service and recycling companies in the world. \nBecause electronics is the fastest growing part of our waste stream\, Scott would like to share about the importance of doing everything we can to ensure that electronics do not harm people and the environment. Through Comprenew’s recycling procedures and zero-landfill policy\, Scott works to ensure electronics are only a benefit to society. \nGrowing up in Illinois\, New York and Michigan\, Scott’s favorite subject in school was Science. In college\, he studied Business/Economics and Political Science at Calvin University. He is passionate about equity\, environmental protection\, business leadership and spending time with family at his lake cottage. Scott and his wife\, Jan\, have three grown children and two grandchildren.
URL:https://grrotary.org/event/5-15-25-scott-vander-kooy-president-comprenew/
LOCATION:Kent Country Club\, 1600 College Ave NE\, Grand Rapids\, 49505
CATEGORIES:Weekly Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grrotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2D6A3149-web.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250520T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250520T190000
DTSTAMP:20260502T120332
CREATED:20250418T182404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250418T182404Z
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SUMMARY:5.20.25 - Cultural Awareness Roundtable w/ Guest Speaker Skot Welch
DESCRIPTION:You’re Invited! \nCultural Awareness Roundtable\nWith Special Guest Facilitator: Skot Welch\nHosted by the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids\nDate: Tuesday\, May 20th \nLocation: All Art Works Viewing Studio \nTime: \n\n5:30 PM — Networking & Light Refreshments\n6:00 PM — Roundtable Begins\n7:00 PM — Event Ends\n\nSign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-56390088-cultural \nJoin us for an engaging evening of conversation\, connection\, and cultural awareness with renowned cultural expert Skot Welch. \nDon’t miss this opportunity to grow together as a community.
URL:https://grrotary.org/event/5-20-25-cultural-awareness-roundtable-w-guest-speaker-skot-welch/
LOCATION:AllArtsWorks Viewing Studio\, 333 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49503\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grrotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/skot-welch.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250522
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250523
DTSTAMP:20260502T120332
CREATED:20250416T175232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T175232Z
UID:60381-1747872000-1747958399@grrotary.org
SUMMARY:5.22.25 - NO LUNCHEON - Memorial Day Observation
DESCRIPTION:There will be no luncheon on May 22nd in observance of Memorial Day.
URL:https://grrotary.org/event/5-22-25-no-luncheon-memorial-day-observation/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Weekly Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grrotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/memorialday.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250529T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250529T131500
DTSTAMP:20260502T120332
CREATED:20250416T180046Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T180046Z
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SUMMARY:5.29.25 - Mark Washington - City Manager\, City of Grand Rapids
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Mark Washington – City Manager\, City of Grand Rapids \nSpeaker Topic: Balancing Commerical and Community Interests in Decision Making for City Development \nBIO: \n\nMark 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 $690 million budget\, a 2700-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. \n\n\nSince arriving in Grand Rapids\, Mark has led efforts to create a strategic plan\, increase efficiencies of government services\, establish an equitable economic development and mobility strategy\, create a public safety oversight and accountability office\, establish an equity office and innovation office\, launch a homeless outreach team and reaffirm the City’s commitment to sustainability. \n\n\nMark has 27 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. \n\n\nBefore 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. \n\n\nHe 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. \n\n\nMark is a member of the International City/County Management Association\, Michigan Municipal Executives\, and Grand Valley Metropolitan Council. He also serves on the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.\, Spectrum Health Community Commitment\, National Forum for Black Public Administrators\, TenthFuture Inc.\, Art Prize 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 City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM) 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.
URL:https://grrotary.org/event/5-29-25-mark-washington-city-manager-city-of-grand-rapids/
LOCATION:Kent Country Club\, 1600 College Ave NE\, Grand Rapids\, 49505
CATEGORIES:Weekly Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grrotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mark-washington-headshot.jpg
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