Rotary Club of Grand Rapids
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The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids meets Thursday's from 12:00pm-1:15pm @ Kent Country Club
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The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids meets Thursday's from 12:00pm-1:15pm @ Kent Country Club
What a great night at Club 77!
A big thank you to Rose Street Advisors and Rotarian Jon Andrews for hosting this month’s social and networking gathering.
Rotarians and guests enjoyed delicious appetizers and drinks while sharing conversations and ideas about how we can continue to do good in the world.
Every first Thursday of the month we come together at a member’s place of business or a fun local spot around town for these Club 77 events.
They’re a wonderful way to connect, recharge, and strengthen the bonds that make our club so special.
Thanks to everyone who joined us — see you at the next one!
Club 77 = Rotary Club of Grand Rapids was the 77th chartered Rotary Club in the world. ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations to Rotarians Cathy Cooper, Jackie Taylor and Andy DeVries on being honored by Senior Neighbors as a 16 over 60 honoree. We agree - you are all inspiring and dedicated to leadership and service in West Michigan.In case you missed it, meet our 2026 16 Over 60 Honorees! 🌟
Their stories inspire. Their impact matters. And on November 18, we'll gather at Frederik Meijer Gardens to honor their achievements.
Don't miss this unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration.
🎟️Get your tickets now: bit.ly/getyour2026galatickets ... See MoreSee Less
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Rotarians have been enjoying summertime in West Michigan! From the West Michigan Whitecaps, to the Grand Rapids Chamber - we've been building relationships and promoting peace! ... See MoreSee Less
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Scott Souter of First Community Bank - Michigan has joined the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Michigan. Scott is a true community leader who will be an asset for our club in many ways:
JOB JOB: Vice President of Commercial Lending
FOCUS: Commercial Banking/Small Business Lending
LOCAL YOKEL: 42 years in Grand Rapids
MATRICULATION: Bachelor's degree from Aquinas College, MBA from Grand Valley State University and University of Phoenix
SPORTS: Played soccer at Aquinas; serves as Junior Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach and Assistant Varsity Girls Soccer Coach at Grandville High School
FAMILY: Wife Pam and children Isaac and Caitlyn
HOBBIES: Guitar, boating, fishing, reading, running, hiking
VOLUNTEERING: Safe Harbor Children's Advocacy, Peoria Football Club United, Junior Achievement, BizPac, Midwest Food Bank, marriage mentor, sound technician
READING: Leading by Alex Ferguson
FUN FACT: Been stranded on a deserted island
WHY ROTARY: To serve our community
3 Adjectives: Inquisitive, Sincere, Passionate
Farthest Traveled: Central Mexico on the Baja peninsula
YUCK/YUM: Plain noodles/breakfast
SURPRISING: Mix sound for his church
A special thanks to his sponsors, Chip LaFleur & Jim Gilbert. ... See MoreSee Less
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What a great Rotary Club of Grand Rapids luncheon today!
We were fortunate to hear from Nicholas Abraham, Manager of Regulatory Strategy at ITC Holdings Corp., who delivered an insightful presentation on the power grid, energy reliability, and the interconnected systems that keep our communities powered. He also shared valuable perspective on the growing impact of data centers on energy demand—timely and thought-provoking information for all of us.
It was especially meaningful to have Nicholas with us, as his mother, JoAnn Maloley Abraham is a longtime and valued member of our club.
We also shared some exciting news:
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids has been awarded its first-ever Rotary International Global Grant!
In partnership with the Rotary Club of Harare Central, our application to drill boreholes at eight schools in Shamva, Zimbabwe—providing clean and accessible water for students and communities—has been approved by The Rotary Foundation and The Rotary Foundation Canada. The grant award is US $64,200.
A special thank you to Sienna Mavima, Chair of our World Community Service Committee, for her hard work and dedication in leading the grant submission process. This achievement would not have been possible without her leadership.
This is a proud moment for our club and a powerful reminder of the difference we can make when we work together across borders. ... See MoreSee Less
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A hearty welcome to Catherine Gagnon of Tamarisk Legal Advisors PLLC, who has joined the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. A brisk biography of beauty and benevolence follows:
CAREER: Multilingual attorney bridging European and American legal experience; previously worked for Rockford Construction
FOCUS: Estate planning for individuals, families, and business owners
FAMILY: Husband Zach and children Jack and Lea
BACKGROUND: French native who worked for global construction leader VINCI in Berlin🌍
3 ADJECTIVES: Detailed, quiet, informed
LOCAL YOKEL: 6 years in Grand Rapids
WHY WEST MICHIGAN? Husband grew up in Alpena. After living in Germany together, decided to move back to Michigan after children were born
HOBBIES: Walking & hikes🚶🏼 , reading📖 , swimming 🏊🏼
FAVORITE TASKS: Vacuuming
READING: Short-story collection "Brawler," by Lauren Groff
FARTHEST TRAVELED: Tanzania and Zanzibar in 2016
FUN FACT: Would put Buffalo Wild Wings' Spicy Garlic sauce on nearly everything
WHY ROTARY: To establish friendships with like-minded people and for service opportunities
SUPRISING: Played in Women's Hockey League for a season. Not well.
VOLUNTEERING: CASA of Kent County
COMMITTEE: Intrigued by the World Community Service committee
A special thanks to her sponsors, Chelsea Dubey and Brian Hauenstein, CSA. ... See MoreSee Less
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⚾ PLAY BALL! ⚾
Join the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids + Fans of Valley Field for an unforgettable night at LMCU Ballpark!
🏟️ Exclusive Family Fare Clubhouse Suite
🍽️ Food Buffet Included (sponsored by Fans of Valley Field)
🚗 Parking Included
⚾ Whitecaps Game
🍺 Alcohol available for purchase
🎟️ Only $25 thanks to the generous sponsorship of Jackie Merritt & Alliance Financial & Insurance!
Come enjoy great baseball, meet new people, and build new connections with two amazing organizations.
📅 Wednesday, August 26
Seats are limited—grab yours before they're gone! ⚾💙💚
🎟️ Purchase tickets via this link: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/rotary-club-of-gr-fans-of-valley-field-baseball-outing?fbclid=IwY2x... ... See MoreSee Less
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Let's get grounded and intentional and welcome John King Professional Counseling, PLLC to the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. We are lucky to have his leadership and vision in West Michigan:
WORK: John King Professional Counseling, PLLC
FOCUS: Mental health counseling
SPOUSE: Kathleen King
3 ADJECTIVES: Deliberate, kind, nostalgic
HOBBIES: Piano, making music, reading, motorsports
READING/WATCHING: Dune/Ted Lasso
FUN FACT: Has a strong Irish ancestry despite a lack of "Irish wit"
LOCAL YOKEL: 8 months
WHY WEST MICHIGAN: To be closer to family in Michigan and Wisconsin
FARTHEST TRAVELED: Krakow, Poland
YUCK/YUM: Totino’s pizza rolls/olives
ROTARY REASON: Learning from others’ expertise and forming long-lasting relationships
COMMITTEE: Community Engagement
WHEN HE GROWS UP: Race in Formula 1
SURPRISING: Big Elton John fan. Can name every song on his first 8 albums
A big thanks to his sponsors, Chuck Caldwell & Michael Sytsma. ... See MoreSee Less
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Another week of Rotarians in the Wild! Golfing, serving, traveling, biking and getting our nails done...we love doing life together. ... See MoreSee Less
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The moment has come to welcome Donny C. Nguyen of VanderWinn Consulting to the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Michigan. Let us familiarize ourselves with his bountiful bona fides:
WORK: Entrepreneur, consultant, and real estate investor
SPECIALTY: Helping business owners grow their businesses
EXPERIENCE: 15 years in corporate roles across sales, supply chain, operations, finance, and project management for Pfizer, Amway, Belwith-Keeler
FAMILY: Wife Thao and children Kyler, Grayson, and Emery
VOLUNTEERING: Ada Business Association
READING: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
WHY ROTARY: Give back to the community and be of service with his family
3 Adjectives: Intentional, Social, and Reflective
FAVORITE TASKS: Financial reconciliation
FURTHEST TRAVELED: Vietnam
WHY WEST MICHIGAN? First job with Pfizer
YUM/YUCK: Pizza/Olives
SURPRISING: Has a collection of video game consoles but does not play video games often
A special thanks to his sponsors, Jon Andrews and Jon F. ... See MoreSee Less
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Another busy week for our Rotarians...sharing meals, attending events and just bumping into each other around town. This is Rotary! ... See MoreSee Less
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We are delighted to welcome back @Samuel K. Ojo to the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. A true globetrotting extraordinaire:
JOB JOB: Managing Principal and Founder of SKO Design Group
WORK: Professional architectural and engineering services
OFFICES: Lekki Peninsula, Lagos, Nigeria; Hyde Park, London; and Grand Rapids, Michigan
LOCAL YOKEL: Grand Rapids has been home for 40+ years
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Architecture from University of Illinois, Master of Architecture and Urban Design Degree from Iowa State University, Graduate School of Design with emphasis on New Urbanism from Harvard University, Master’s Degree in Construction Administration from University of California, Berkeley
FAMILY: Blessed with numerous adult children and grandchildren
Hobbies: Motor sports, sailing, traveling
A special thank you to his sponsors, LODY ZWARENSTEYN and John Salan. ... See MoreSee Less
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Huzzah! Leslie Fraser Bozek of Flagstar Bank has joined as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Michigan. Let us meet our new friend and colleague:
JOB/JOB: Two decades of banking experience, currently Assistant Vice President and Branch Banking Leader who supports individuals, businesses, and the broader economy
FAMILY: Husband Jason and children Ashton, Madison, and Zack
FUN FACT: Grew up with the Circus.
READING/WATCHING: "The Last Highlander: Scotland’s Most Notorious Clan Chief, Rebel & Double Agent" by Sarah Fraser/Third Season of "House of Dragons"
FAVORITE TASKS: Coaching team, building strong relationships, and finding solutions that drive meaningful results
WHY WEST MICHIGAN? Born here, raised in Florida, then moved back to attend college
YUCK/YUM: Fish/pasta
DOGS v. CATS: 2 Dobermans
WHEN SHE GROWS UP: Look at life daily as a new adventure! No regrets
3 ADJECTIVES: Purpose-driven, people-centered, and impact-oriented
VOLUNTEERING: Home Repair Services of Kent County, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Grand Rapids Chamber, Young Bankers Club, Heart of West Michigan United Way, and Women's Resource Center
ROTARY REASON: Give back in a more intentional way and be a part of a network committed to service
SURPRISING: Has a deep involvement in Scottish heritage and actively helps bring that culture to life through festivals and education
A special thanks to her sponsors, Jax Merritt and Shannon Kolarik. ... See MoreSee Less
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EP58 – Danielle Rowland – State Farm Agent
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EP57 – Jessica Johns – Executive Director and Co-Founder – Storehouse Community Resources
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EP56 – Sara Lowe – Executive Director. Emmanuel Hospice - ... See MoreSee Less
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpbepVLzzew ... See MoreSee Less
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Let's give a hearty West Michigan welcome to our newest member, David Kane of Kane Engineering Group Inc. A cursory review of his application reveals a biography of bountiful brilliance:
BORN AND RAISED: Green Bay, Wisconsin -- a birthright Packers fan 🧀
EDUCATION: Milwaukee School of Engineering
CAREER: Control systems for manufacturing
WHY WEST MICHIGAN? Moved from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Auburn Hills, Michigan, in 1989. A coworker from Grand Rapids said the west side was the best side. He was right and has been here ever since.
BETTER HALF: Wife Victoria
READING: Enjoy spending time at Schuler Books & Chapbook Cafe 📖with a coffee and a magazine on current events or technology. The latest book is "Tweeting Da Vinci" by Ann C. Pizzorusso.
FUN FACTS: Has a twin sister and also have twin children — a boy and girl, Samuel and Britanee 🧑🤝🧑
FIRST PHONE: When very young, had a crank-style phone like on The Andy Griffith Show
HOBBIES: Computer programming, electronics, stand-up comedy 🤣
VOLUNTEER: Judge Advisor for FIRST Robotics 🤖
WHY ROTARY? A few friends, including J.R. Muller, Kevin Kelling, and Peter Krause, meet regularly for cigars and conversation. As they talked about Rotary activities, speakers, and community events, became interested in joining.
ROTARY REASON: Enjoys networking, interesting conversations, and is a lifelong learner
COMMITTEE WORK: Community Engagement. A great way to learn how members impact Grand Rapids.
3 ADJECTIVES: Curious, creative, energetic
FAVORITE TASKS: Creative challenges. Enjoys solving problems and working with people on projects.
A special thank you to his sponsors, J.R. Muller and Kevin Kelling. ... See MoreSee Less
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We love seeing our Rotarians out on the town together - supporting amazing organizations, traveling and just having fun! ... See MoreSee Less
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A HUGE THANK YOU! To everyone who attended, make sure to checkout our recipient's new website - AndyJDeVries.com for a collection of post event photos, videos, etc.. as they come in. @followers ... See MoreSee Less
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The Online Silent Auction for tonights Service Above Self event is open for bidding, all are invited to bid.. givebutter.com/c/service-above-self-silent-auction-pq6rtc/auction ... See MoreSee Less
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Our club is thrilled to announce that Cheryl Klodzinski, of Careology Home Healthcare, has joined the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Michigan. Let's learn more about Cheryl's bona fides:
CAREER: Connecting seniors and their families with the support they need to live comfortably and independently
FAMILY: Husband Shawn and children Sean, Ben, Austin, Kristen, and Don
HOBBIES: Crocheting and fishkeeping
LOKEL YOKEL: 10 years in Grand Rapids
LOVES: Dogs are her furry companions; fascinated by snails
READING: The Pumpkin Plan
FUN FACT: Used to groom Grand Champion Malamutes
3 ADJECTIVES: Collaborative, Compassionate, Intentional
FARTHEST TRAVELED: Bali
YUM/YUCK: Crab legs/Liver and Onions
WHEN SHE GROWS UP: Be someone who people can come to for help knowing they are safe
ROTARY REASON: Giving back and networking with like-minded people
A special thanks to her sponsors, Brian Hauenstein, CSA, and Matthew Hogg, AAMS®. ... See MoreSee Less
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May 9th - Joint Service Project w/ Muskegon Rotary Club - Volunteer Opportunity (flyer attached)
We are excited to announce our annual Joint Service Project with the Muskegon Rotary Club! The volunteer project will be at Muskegon Rotary's Microforest site located within the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve. Work will include planting shrubs, hand-watering trees, and potting up a few bare-root trees and shrubs for later use.
Rotarians are encouraged to invite family members (those aged 12 and above are welcome), Interact students, and STRIVE mentees.
Work will be outdoors, so dress appropriately and bring gloves. All other tools will be provided.
Lunch and fellowship will follow at Hobo's Restaurant!
Sign-up Here: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-63607903-joint
Date: Saturday, May 9th
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Volunteers Needed: 20
Location:
Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve
2529 Lake Ave
North Muskegon, MI 49445 ... See MoreSee Less
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New member Kate Wezeman IOM, CPA, MST, SHRM-CP, of the Grand Rapids Chamber, reflects the best of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. Here's why:
JOB JOB: Senior VO of Finance and Operations 💸
FAMILY: Husband Matt, children McKenzie and Trinity, and two pitbull rescues
LOCAL YOKEL: From Spring Lake but is a Westsider now 🍺
READING/WATCHING: Two mysteries and one chick-lit/Shrinking
HOBBIES: Reading, hiking, travel
FOR FUN: Live outdoor music and die-hard Spartan fan
3 ADJECTIVES: Quiet, Caretaker, Dancing Queen 😊
FAVORITE TASK: A good, long tricky bank reconciliation
FARTHEST TRAVELED: Europe
YUM/YUCK: Pizza/Seafood
WHEN SHE GROWS UP: Work in a library 📖
SURPRISE: Has 8 tattoos
VOLUNTEERING: Silent Observer, In the Image, Family Business Alliance
ROTARY REASON: Getting out of her comfort zone, meet new people, networking, and service
A special shout-out to her sponsors, Jon Andrews and Mary Jo Baweja, MA, LLP. ... See MoreSee Less
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At our most recent luncheon we were honored to welcome Steve Tibbe, Paul Soltysiak, and Andy DeVries from the Friends of Valley Field to share the incredible story of Sullivan Field (formerly Valley Field) on the west side of Grand Rapids.
Originally built in 1937, this historic ballpark has seen more than 80 players go on to the Major Leagues and has been home to teams like the Grand Rapids Black Sox and the Sullivan’s. Thanks to recent years of dedication and renovation, it continues to thrive today as a true community gem—hosting baseball, live music, and countless local events.
Perhaps most impressive of all: this transformation has been driven entirely by passionate volunteers—no paid staff—just a shared commitment to preserving something special for our city.
A powerful reminder of what’s possible when people come together to serve their community. ... See MoreSee Less
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The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation is proud to recognize the organizations that have received grants so far this fiscal year.
Each recipient aligns with one or more of Rotary's Seven Areas of Focus - supporting meaningful work in peace and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, and the environment.
Feeding America West Michigan
Fans of Valley Field
IKUS Life Enrichment Services
Oakdale Neighbors
We are grateful to our Rotarians, donors, and nonprofit partners who make this impact possible. Together, we are People of Action! ... See MoreSee Less
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Only 16 days until our Service Above Self Award Dinner sponsored by Meijer! There are still tickets available and other ways to donate. Don’t miss out on a fantastic evening!
#ServiceAboveSelf #Rotary #RotaryClubGrandRapids ... See MoreSee Less
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Community Engagement Committee planning the future and having tacos! ... See MoreSee Less
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Last Thursday, our outstanding Interact students took the lead at our weekly luncheon and brought in an inspiring guest speaker: Andy Allen, Vice President of Advancement at AYA Youth Collective.
Andy shared how AYA Youth Collective creates communities, rooted in belonging, for youth experiencing instability to own their future. Their vision is a society where all youth have the support they need to thrive.
We also discovered that when Andy isn’t leading in the community, he enjoys performing stand-up comedy — and he can even balance a chair on his chin!
We are incredibly proud of our 32 Interact students from 8 different schools in the area who stepped up, showed great leadership in this year's Interact program. ... See MoreSee Less
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A nice sunny morning, doing work outside at Indian Trails Camp - IKUSLife.org - Thanks to all Rotarians and non-Rotarians who showed up to help out today for the camp cleanup! ... See MoreSee Less
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Let's welcome William Werkmeister to the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Michigan. A partner in Health Innovation Partners, Bill will be a great asset to the club:
WORK: Career social impact venture capitalist💰with a focus on the life science 🔬and technology sectors 💻
BOARD WORK: Currently, National Foundation for Cancer Research, Scitech Development, Geneius Biotechnology, Yale Club of Western Michigan, and Apricity Health 👌🏼
EDUCATION: BS from Cornell University, MPA from Harvard University, MBA from Yale University. Studied at the London School of Economics and political science at New York University. 🤓
3 ADJECTIVES: Driven, loyal, kind 🙂↕️
FARTHEST TRAVELED: China
YUM/YUCK: Italian/Fish
READING/WATCHING: "To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower"/Game of Thrones 🐲
WHEN HE GROWS UP: Mentor others and use experience to help others.
ROTARY REASON: Meet new friends and make a difference 💪🏼
HOBBIES: Hiking🚶🏼 , travel ✈️, photography 📸
FUN FACT: Way too much photography equipment
COMMITTEES: Community Engagement and Rotary Foundation
SURPRISING: Lived in Nicaragua for a summer doing an economic development project
A special thanks to his sponsors, Kevin Paul and Ping Liang. ... See MoreSee Less
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The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Michigan is pleased to extendio a membership to Cristian Anastasiu of Excendio Advisors. Here is what makes him such a great fit for our club:
CAREER: Managing partner and founder of Excendio; 23-year career in the mergers and acquisitions advisory space
PREVIOUSLY: CEO and President of BRAIN North America, Director of Worldwide Sales Operations for CISCO, management positions at Gupta Technologies and ITT Semiconductors 😅
FAMILY: Wife Ingrid and children Marc and Kim 👨👩👧👦
SMARTS: MSEE from Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany, MBA from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, Fulbright Association alum
READING/WATCHING: "Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It"/Blindspot
FUN FACT: While decisions in his line of work can take months or years… at a restaurant, he is almost always the first one to order
ROTARY REASON: To be part of a group of people committed to making a tangible impact locally and globally 🙂↕️
COMMITTEE WORK: Focused on building world community, the Rotary International Foundation, STRIVE Mentoring, or Finance
3 ADJECTIVES: Analytical🤓 , driven 💪🏼, sense of humor 🤣
FAVORITE TASKS: Solve problems, strategize, plan, help make important decisions
WHY WEST MICHIGAN? A 2-year job assignment … 24 years ago 😲
FARTHEST TRAVELED: Patagonia
YUM/YUCK: Seafood spaghetti/anchovies 🐟
SOMETHING SURPRISING: Used to play banjo in a band 🪕
A special thanks to his sponsors, Kirk Dornbush and Matt Tiedgen. ... See MoreSee Less
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Photos from Shelley Irwin's post ... See MoreSee Less
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Signup today to volunteer with us!
www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-63300604-indian#/
@followers ... See MoreSee Less
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Make Sure to Register Today! ... See MoreSee Less
2026 Spring Learning Assembly
ridistrict6290.org
DISCOUNTED HOTEL ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 17TH 🌟 What’s Blooming on April 18? ✔ Dynamic Learning Sessions Three concurrent breakout tracks designed to equip and inspire: Successful Se...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Michigan and the Rotary Club of #Muskegon come together once again for their annual Joint Service Project at Feeding America West Michigan.
In the true spirit of #ServiceAboveSelf, Rotarians, #STRIVE and #Interact students volunteered their time to support the life-sustaining work FAWM provides across West Michigan and throughout the state. From food distribution to strategic hunger relief initiatives, FAWM plays a critical role in ensuring that children, families, and seniors have reliable access to nutritious food — strengthening the health and stability of our communities.
We extend our sincere thanks to Ken Estelle, Mary Slafkosky, MPA, CFRM, and Frank Almonte for hosting our clubs and for their dedicated leadership. The scale and impact of FAWM’s work — locally and statewide — are both inspiring and essential.
We are deeply grateful to every volunteer who served. When service-minded leaders and young people come together in partnership with organizations like FAWM, meaningful and measurable impact follows.
#ServiceAboveSelf #Rotary #HungerRelief #CommunityImpact #WestMichigan #PeopleOfAction ... See MoreSee Less
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We celebrate the fact that community leader Salina Bishop, CFRE, of Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan, has joined Rotary. We are honored to have her in our club:
WORK: President & CEO
FAMILY: Daughter Dawson and spouse Scott
LOCAL YOKEL: Born and Raised in West Michigan
READING / WATCHING: The Widow by John Grisham / The Good Fight
FUN FACT: Won Miss Carnival Conquest and lived like a queen on a seven-
day cruise, much to her daughter's annoyance
WHY JOIN? Always felt genuinely welcomed
COMMITTEES: Very open and excited to learn how she can best contribute
3 ADJECTIVES: Tenacious, kind, thoughtful
HOBBIES: Running, crochet, hot yoga, long walks
VOLUNTEERISM: Vice Chair of the East Grand Rapids Library Commission,
former board member of Community Food Club
AWARDS: 2025 Crain’s Grand Rapids Notable Leader in Philanthropy
FUTURE: Inspirational speaker sharing her story, motivating and uplifting
others
A special thanks to her sponsors, Craig Clark & Matt Tiedgen. ... See MoreSee Less
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We had the exciting opportunity to welcome Cathy George, Vice President & Head Coach of the Grand Rapids Rise professional volleyball team, to speak at our luncheon. Coach George shared her extraordinary journey through collegiate coaching and how she came out of “retirement” to lead the Rise in their inaugural 2024 season — bringing her legendary energy and passion for the sport to our club!
Her enthusiasm was contagious and left members and guests buzzing — we can’t wait to see you all at a Rise game soon!
We were also honored to recognize:
- Aaron Oberlin as a Paul Harris Society recipient for his generous contributions to Rotary International
- Mary Slafkosky as a Paul Harris Fellow +1 for her continued support and leadership
And a special thanks to Kevin Sauder of the Music Committee for leading us in “This Land is Your Land” for our opening song.
Thank you to everyone who joined — your energy and engagement make Rotary great! ... See MoreSee Less
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It is time to celebrate Jon Frantz of Top to Bottom Cleaning joining the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. We are lucky to have Jon in our club:
BUSINESS FOCUS: Janitorial, commercial & industrial cleaning
ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Owner/partner in 4 businesses
HOBBIES: Golf🏌🏼♂️, outdoors🥾, family 👑
VOLUNTEERING: Susan Mast ALS Foundation
SURPRISE: Left-handed in everything except bowling, somehow right arm is
stronger😕
HOME: West Michigan
TRAVELED: Spain & Germany
YUCK / YUM: Oysters 😝 / steak 😋
ROTARY REASON: Networking, community outreach, business development
READING / WATCHING: Never Split the Difference / FallOut
FUN FACT: Owns a corgi named Mable 🐶
COMMITTEE: Community engagement, executive, or finance 💰
3 ADJECTIVES: Humble, optimistic, persistent
A special thank you to his sponsors Shannon Kolarik & @Jon (JR) Jonathan 'jr' Roberts. ... See MoreSee Less
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View or Listen to all 50 at - grrotary.org/unplugged/ ... See MoreSee Less
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What a fantastic way to kick off 2026!
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids recently gathered for our annual President’s Social / Club 77 event at Silva, welcoming more than 70 Rotarians and guests for an unforgettable evening.
Guests enjoyed amazing appetizers and drinks, friendly bocce ball competition, and exclusive tours of the venue hosted by owner Mark Secchia. Most importantly, the night was filled with great conversation, laughter, and the joy of reconnecting with fellow Rotarians.
A special thank you to President Shannon Kolarik and Custer for hosting and supporting this wonderful event—we truly appreciate your leadership and generosity.
Thank you to everyone who joined us—we’re excited for another great year ahead! ... See MoreSee Less
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What a wonderful way to celebrate the season! Rotarians, guests, and Interact students came together for our annual holiday luncheon, enjoying a festive meal and great company.
A special thank-you to our very own Rotary band, “Twice December”, for providing live music and setting the perfect holiday mood!
We also loved hearing from Interact President Kate Wittung, who shared an update on the students’ recent professional development offsite meetings and all the great work they’ve been doing.
And last but not least — please join us in giving a warm Rotary welcome to our newest member, Abbey Conway, who shared a little about herself and why she joined Rotary!
Grateful for fellowship, service, and holiday cheer. ... See MoreSee Less
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